The Superior Express -

President Kenny Mizner called the regular meeting of the Board of Education for USD No. 107 to order April 11. Those present were Kenny Mizner, Brenden Wirth, Marc Grout, Brandon Hollerich, Justin Angleton, Bobi Fogo, Wayne Frost, Rex Boley, Sam Meyers, Cassi Bozarth and Janet Higer.

President Mizner recognized the guests and thanked them for coming. Guests were Michelle Morain, Hannah Daniels, Daniel McDill, Alynza Alvord, Blaine Frost, Jacob Harkness, Jon Harkness, Billie Cox, Makinna Cross, Sara Reiter, Savannah Mitchell, Barbara Railsback, Autumn McCormick, Sharon McCormick, Dalton Strnad, Luke Simmelink, Jennifer Simmelink, Danielle Russell, Richelle Russell, Terrill Strnad, Sarah Strnad, Davin Coil, Mckenzy Havenstein, Libby Duffy, Jelyne Carman and Jaden VanDinter.

In the building report, it was noted the elementary roof did not leak after the last rain but the practice gymnasium did and will be addressed. The high school had a roof drain that was plugged and leaked.

Thursday, April 14 was the signing day for all students who have enrolled to attend North Central Technical College at the Beloit or Hays Campus. Students and parents attended a signing ceremony with NCK staff celebrating their choice to pursue their technical schooling through the NCK programs.

Parents of eighth grade students who will be freshmen next school year were invited to a meeting and coffee on Wednesday, April 20, to receive information about the transition for their students into high school.

Friday, April 22, the eighth grade class will be taking a field trip to Salina Technical College.

Rock Hills Junior-Senior High School Spring Music Concert will be held at 7 p.m., on Monday in the Little Theater.

Friday, April 29, the sixth grade class will take a field trip to Hutchinson to tour the salt mine.

The Junior High Spring Fling will be held on Friday, April 29, in the Junior-Senior High School Commons. The high school awards night will be held at 6:30 p.m., May 2, in the Little Theater.

Baccalaureate for Seniors will be held Wednesday, May 5.

The Senior Day ceremony will be held at 9 a.m., on Friday, May 6, in the Little Theater .

Graduation will be held at 2 p.m., on Saturday, May 7 in the Junior-Senior High School Gymnasium.

The district applied for the KDHE grant to purchase Synexis Air Purifying units and received tentative approval that the district will be approved to purchase 90 Synexis units for both the elementary and junior-senior high school buildings. The units are self-contained units that require a standard power outlet to plug into. This grant will include two years of consumables. The grant is for $250,000.

The district is preparing for the KESA 4-year OVT visit on April 25. Next year is the last year in this accreditation cycle.

Submission has been made for a grant to the Hansen Foundation for funding an outdoor learning area in the elementary courtyard. The grant is to purchase two - 10 ft. X 10 ft. shade structures along with the installation of artificial turf in the courtyard at the elementary school.

NCKC4 met with Kubota Tractor Corp. and a representative of KanEquip to discuss establishing a Kubota Training Center in North Central Kansas.

State School Board member Deena Horst presented Rock Hills Junior-Senior High School students and staff the Kansas State Department of Education Challenge Award for increasing their state assessments scores.

Rock Hills FBLA members were awarded numerous individual and team awards at the Kansas FBLA State Awards Ceremony in Topeka. The Rock Hills FBLA Chapter was recognized as the second top FBLA Chapter in Kansas.

Mrs. Duffy talked about her training with the 3D printer. Mrs. Duffy's class has been working on STEM prototypes with some students designing their own, and some choosing items found online.

Billie Cox addressed the board concerning cyber-security insurance. She told the board that is not currently required, but recommended. She explained why there is a need, including changes the district would have to make, including multi-factor authentication and off-site storage of backups. She and Mr. Boley would continue to work on this and keep the board up to date. They will also be working on development of a cyber-security plan for the district.

Mrs. Cox updated the board on technology needs for the district. She outlined funding, including the Small Schools Rural Grant and ESSER III funds, which will cover the majority of the technology needs. She also informed the board that, as part of the technology plan, they had initially placed an order with Apple Computers Inc., for 16 IMACs with a cost of approximately $16,000. However, with new technology, the items ordered were no longer available and the quote for the new technology had increased to $22,384. With the cost being in excess of $20,000, bids were also requested from CDW-G, however no other bids were received. The board approved Mrs. Cox's technology plan as presented.

Mrs. Bozarth addressed the board regarding the proposed Elementary-Middle School 2nd Step Social Emotional Learning program curriculum. She introduced teachers who have been reviewing this program. They explained the program to the board. Mr. Boley said this program met the qualifications for financing through ESSER III because of student learning loss. The board approved the curriculum as presented.

Dr. Railsback explain the Next Generation Round Up for Youth Student Internship Program. She said she had applied for and received a grant through this program for a summer intern. Through this program, interns are able to receive hands-on training and mentorship from local professionals as well as learn to invest in their rural communities. She interviewed and offered the position to Jacob Underwood. This position will run from May 29 through Aug. 1.

Mr. Meyers talked to the board about the summer drivers ed program. Mrs. Terri Engelbert has accepted the terms and salary outlined in the contract. The board approved the contract.

Mr. Boley informed the board that as part of the KDHE Grant the district received, the district was approved to purchase air purifiers for all rooms as well as a two year supply of consumables (ie: filters). He is working with Trane Corp. and will have information available at the May Meeting for a final decision by the board.

Dr. Deena Horst, Kansas School Board Member, presents Sam Meyers, Rock Hills principal, with a Certificate of Merit.

Mr. Boley informed the board he called 18 individuals to be on a district facility advisory committee.

Mr. Boley sent a draft contract from McCowen-Gordon to Mr. Miller and Zac Sneathan from HTK. They are reviewing at this time.

Mr. Boley told the board he was checking into the cost of a 60 by 100 building to be used for a bus barn.

The board offered a 22-23 junior-senior high teaching contract to Kelly Hendryx and a 22-23 elementary-teaching contract to Rachel Mundt.

Resignations were accepted from Kristin Throns at the end of the school year and Megan Duskie as assistant high school volleyball coach effective at the end of their contracts.

The next regular meeting is scheduled for 1 p.m., Monday, May 9, in the board room of the district office.