The Superior Express -

The regular meeting of the Board of Education for USD No. 107 was held Aug. 9, in the meeting room at the district office at Mankato. Those present were Kenny Mizner, Bobi Fogo (Zoom), Brenden Wirth, Lori Slate, Lori Yelken, Marc Grout, Rex Boley, Sam Meyers, Cassi Owen and Janet Higer. Guests were Kobi Bowers, Amanda Chaput, Tonya Chaput, Brynna Owen, Jacob Underwood, Daniel McDill, Tina Boyles, Karen Matteson, Spencer Lindberg, Paul Lindberg, Sarah Warne, Barbara Railsback, Jaclyn Yelken, Angela and Oen Brown, Ethan Wirth, Janice McMillan, Colin Wirth, Jacob Barry, Pamela Wirth and Megan Duskie.

Buildings were said to be ready for school to start. Laurie and Daniel will be at RHJSH as custodial staff; Dave will be at practice gym, and float to the high school when needed to help with evening events; Tandra at is at RHES. The transportation report indicated approximately 190 seats are needed for bussing students. Certified bus drivers are needed for the district because there are few substitute drivers.

Kansas Association of School Boards reported Wood River Energy will become their new partner and marketer of the KASB Energy Management Program, replacing Symmetry. The new arrangement will be based on a 5-year contract that locks in a natural gas price of $4.26 per MMBtu for the term of the agreement.

Teacher contracts and supplemental contracts were sent out and were due back on Aug. 9.

The final annual driver’s education report was filed.

The 6-12 principal met with the principals from Lakeside and Osborne to begin work on the plans for implementing the stackable certification programs in the district. It was discussed how principals could collaborate and pool ideas and resources to provide additional quality instruction plans and industry recognized certifications to students.

Rock Hills students will be taking part in the Dane G. Hansen Foundation survey to explore the district students’ perceptions of their hometowns. The purpose of the survey will be to provide the district and the foundation insight into the priorities, values and factors that may influence a young person considering whether to remain, or at some point return to live in North Central Kansas. The data collected will serve as a resource for the Hansen Foundation, the local community foundation and other entities that share an interest in retaining and attracting talent.

Rock Hills mentor teachers took part in a training provided by the Smoky Hills Education Cooperative to provide guidance and instruction on effective mentoring techniques and practices for new teachers.

The Smoky Hill Education Cooperative provided CPR training as required by KSHSAA to all coaches and sponsors at Rock Hills Junior and Senior High School.

Coaches and sponsors of fall sports and activities met to review program expectations and discuss season plans and goals.

ImPACT Concussion testing was held at the school for any 7th, 9th and 11th grade athletes interested in taking part in the program.

Junior and senior high fall sports pictures were taken on Friday.

Fall sports coaches and sponsors will be hosting a Fall Sports BBQ for the athletes planning to participate in fall sports.

Dental Screenings will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 9. School Pictures will be taken on Friday, Sept. 10.

Five FFA officers attended Kansas FFA Chapter Leadership Training in Great Bend last month. For two days they worked on leadership skills and planning as a team for the upcoming year in the school’s FFA Chapter. FFA members also volunteered time at the Jewell County Fair and the threshing bee. They worked the food stand and held the first “Ag Olympics” at the fair. During the threshing bee they worked the dunk tank and some volunteered to be dunked.

Rock Hills FBLA members and one FFA officer that is not in FBLA participated in the Smoky Hill Ropes Course along the banks of Big Creek at FHSU on Aug. 2. FBLA also held a Grizzly Triathlon at the City Park-Pool and surrounding neighborhoods on Aug. 3.

The PreK-5 principal’s report stated Jumpstart was a great three weeks of learning happening in the classrooms at the elementary. Forty-two students were served.

Enrollment went well. Ms. Morain, Ms. Owen, Sarah Warne, and Sarah Ortman worked that day to get 185 students enrolled.

Ms. Owen attended the KPA (Kansas Principal Association) New Principal Conference.

Ms. Owen worked with the principal of Lakeside Schools to build community partnerships in the communities.

The principal and Amanda Anderson are looking at ways to get more students enrolled in the program to help kindergarten readiness at the elementary school.

The superintendent’s report included preliminary enrollment numbers PreK – 39 students; K-5 – 151 students; 6-12 - 195 students; and 15 out of district students.

A Back to School Staff lunch was catered for district staff on the first day back, Aug. 9. New staff members are

Cassi Owen, elementary principal; Kimberly Brown, second grade; Megan Young, first grade: Michelle Moran, elementary student support; Hannah Daniels, third grade; McKenzie Havenstien, junior-senior high MTSS and elective teacher; and Sawyer Havenstien, junior-senior high conditioning and PE teacher.

Three students at Rock Hills Junior-Senior High School will be taking Spanish I delivered through ZOOM. Rock Hills Advanced Math will be Zoomed for Cloud County college credit to Pike Valley. Rock Hills will use FastBridge to screen students and progress monitor student learning progress. Budget:

The revenue neutral hearing will be at 12:30 p.m. Sept. 13 and the budget hearing will be at 12:45 p.m., Sept. 13.

Rock Hills District had seven representatives attend Dr. Watson’s KANSAS CAN Tour in Beloit on Monday, July 26.

GSI took four soil core samples at the elementary.

The City of Mankato replaced a portion of the sidewalk at the elementary school.

The gym floors will not be re-finished until later on in the fall after school starts because of the shortage of polymers, sealers and paint products.

Rock Hills School District “Return to Normal” plan is posted on district website.

Jacob Barry presented his plan for his Eagle Scout project. He would like to build a GAGA Ball Pit at the elementary school. He has a number of businesses and individuals interested in donating materials and would like to partner with the district on applying for a Dane G Hanson Grant.

It was recommended the board approve Jacob’s project going forward and allowing Mr. Boley to work with Jacob through the grant process. The board approved the project.

Daniel McDill and Jake Underwood presented information on the National FBLA accomplishments.

Kenny Mizner gave the board an update on a KASB Leadership workshop he attended in Topeka.

Mr. Boley informed the board about a grant he is looking into to which would provide funds to hire a school nurse. Boley and the board held a lengthy discussion on this topic as well as how longevity funding could look. The board agreed that Boley should continue to gather information regarding this.

Boley told the board he was in the process of applying for a grant for food service. He is applying for a convection oven and steamer for the high school kitchen and a convection oven and dishwasher for the elementary school.

Boley updated the board on the elementary water issue on the basement as well as the roof. The engineering firm was here doing soil samples for the basement issue and a report would be forthcoming. Likewise, Campbell and Johnson, PA provided an onsite consultation on the elementary roof.

The board discussed the evaluation process for the superintendent. It was decided that the individual evaluations would be due by the September meeting with a plan of completing the process by December.

Boley informed the board of an executive order on mask mandates for public bussing. This is a federal order that was passed in January of this year. He said a box of disposable masks would be placed on all busses for the students to use. Masks are not required beyond the bus.

The board approved the NCKC4 Inter-Local agreement as presented.

The technology surplus equipment was approved as presented.

The board approved hiring a classroom aid for 4th grade.

The following contracts were approved: Trenton Duskie, head junior class sponsor; Tycen Higer, assistant high school football coach; Emily Harkness, elementary MTSS paraprofessional; and Derek McChesney, bus driver.

The meeting was adjourned.