The Superior Express -

Kenny Mizner, president, called the regular meeting of the Board of Education for USD No. 107 to order. Those present were Kenny Mizner, Marc Grout, Brandon Hollerich, Wayne Frost (Zoom), Rex Boley, Sam Meyers, Cassi Bozarth and Janet Higer.

Guests present were Darrin Headrick, Eric Johnson and Hannah Simmelink.

The monthly facility report stated that American Boiler came back to put the boiler at the practice gym and the high school back together and inspect them. The office of the state fire marshal will be out in a couple weeks to inspect the boilers. Kansas Gas Service replaced the gas meter at the practice gym. Solomon Valley Home Center delivered step boards and seat boards for the bleachers. They will continue to be replaced as needed.

The fifth graders and their families attended the band display at the elementary school and picked out their instruments for the year.

Three businesses have donated to sponsor three classrooms. State Exchange Bank, Creekside Counseling, and Farmway Credit Union.

The grade school kicked off Accelerated Reader with all classes. The school’s goal is to read 500 books by Christmas break. If the school meets their goals, the pupils will go to the movies at the UTE and have snacks at the movie. The preschool class is going to start having a Story Time each month with the librarian at the Mankato City Library in February. This will be done once a month and the library will also be bringing a collection of books to stay in the classroom until the next story time.

New gym lights at the junior-senior high school have been installed. The school received notifications from Randy Watson, Kansas Commissioner or Education, that Rock Hills qualified and received Kansas Can Awards: Commissioner Award Kindergarten Readiness, Postsecondary Readiness and Graduation.

The new district nurse has visited school nurses at Smith Center, Republic County and Beloit school districts. She has begun the review of health records and is working with building staff to support health services for the students and staff.

USD 107, Rock Hills Long-Range Planning sessions have been scheduled for 5:30 p.m. on Oct. 26 and Nov. 16 at the junior-senior high school. Community patrons, parents, business owners and district staff invitations have been sent out.

President Mizner recognized Hannah Simmelink of the Rock Hills FBLA Chapter. Hannah requested approval for Suburbans, fuel and travel, for FBLA to attend the FBLA Fall Leadership Conference in Denver, Colo. from November 10-12. The board approved her request.

Eric Johnson from Campbell & Johnson addressed the board about the elementary basement water mitigation plan. He explained the process to fix the water drainage that his firm is recommending. The board discussed the processes needed to do the work and the time the work would take. Mr. Boley recommended that the board re-visit this at the February meeting to make the final decisions.

Mr. Boley reviewed the Board Member Facility Priority Survey that HTK sent out for them to take. He discussed finalizing the priority list for the facility study with the board. The board is waiting on the results from the district community facilities committee. Those results will be reviewed at the next meeting.

Derek Headrick, construction manager for McCowen-Gordon, answered questions posed by the board regarding the priority list.

Mr. Boley said he had had a discussion with Deb Warne from Jewell County Strong about purchasing the Daycare House from the district. The board said representatives from the board and the superintendent should have a discussion with the Jewell County Strong Committee. Bobi Fogo and Kenny Mizner volunteered to work with Mr. Boley to meet with the committee.

The board discussed two bids for outdoor electronic messaging centers for both the elementary and high school. They approved the bid estimate for $97,190.00. This project will be covered by a KDHE Grant for this purpose.

Mr. Boley reported he only had one fuel bid at this time. He recommends waiting and continuing to follow up with price checks going forward.

Students who have selected to take advantage of the opportunity would take the PSAT test at Rock Hills. A qualifying score on this test allows the student to be eligible for the National Merit Scholarship

David Blocklinger will be at the school on Oct. 18, from Goodland Technical Businesses to discuss a college to career opportunity.

Flu shots will be offered at Rock Hills Junior-Senior High School on Monday, Oct. 24.

The National Honor Society Induction Ceremony will be held at 11 a.m., Nov. 1 in the Little Theater.

The Junior High Twin Lakes League has requested to merge with the Junior High Pike Trail League. This merger would add Chase, Natoma, Sylvan-Lucas, Tescott and Wilson schools.

Eleven students have taken and completed the OSHA (Occupational Health and Safety Administration) Certification through NC3. This is a certification that is nationally recognized and is required in several different fields of occupation and will provide students with an advantage in the workforce over job applicants who do not have this certification.

The next regular meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m., Monday, Nov. 14, in the board room of the district office.