Members of the Superior Board of Education opened their May meeting, Monday evening, in the high school library by reciting the flag saluted. All members of the board were present.
Jennie Keifer and Janice Hatzenbuehler, both paraprofessionals, addressed the board.
Keifer talked about their pay and benefits. Items of concern were included. They suggested a pay raise should be more than 50 cents an hour when grocery prices have exploded. Tenure should be rewarded with a higher pay, not the same wage for all paraprofessionals. On snow days and construction delays, they are not paid, while certified staff are paid. Power room paraprofessionals received higher pay than a regular paraprofessional. However, when a regular paraprofessional has to cover the power room, they do not get paid more. If a paraprofessional does not take school insurance, there should be an option for the money the district saves to go into a retirement fund, or they get more sick or vacation days or some other type of compensation.
Janice Hatzenbuehler talked mostly about expectations and work load. “Being a paraprofessional is both emotionally and physically demanding,” she said. “It is a position with lots of responsibility. We are not just teacher aids, making copies.
“I suspect I’ve only made 10 copies this whole school year, “ she continued. “ I am all for having an annual evaluation and if someone is doing a better job than I am doing they should get paid more.
“With years of service, one learns tricks that work and how to be effective. I would like to feel compensated for it. We did not know budgeting starts in January and February. Everything bothering us will be the same next year. Most days I love my job, but it is a challenge.”
Peggy Meyer, board president, thanked them. “You are much appreciated. We can’t do it without everyone.”
Dusty Stevens, school food service director, talked about the summer food program and the Community Eligibility Program (CEP) which has provided free meals for all students this year.
Based on the results of a survey, summer meal program will be a non-congregate grab and go. Families will be able to arrange to pick up three to four meals and take them home instead of coming to the school each day to eat. Youth ages 1 to 18 year are invited to participate free of charge.
Stevens is in the process of securing grants which she expects will let the school explore the option of delivering food to both Guide Rock and Hardy if there is enough interest to justify the cost of transportation.
Under the program food can be provided for children seven days a week.
Last year, five to 10 youth participated who were not part of the summer kids program. She hopes to increase participation in the program this summer. Kids Club meets five weeks during the summer: the weeks of June 10, 17, 24, July 8 and 15. Both breakfast and lunch will be provided.
Reimbursing the school food program has been a topic of conversation at several monthly board meetings throughout the year. Stevens reported the school had served approximately 1,000 more meals each month and there has been a 90 to 93 percent participation in lunch. Final district cost is $11,782.
The school is reimbursed for free and reduced eligible students at $4.25 per child, but only 48 cents for those who are not free and reduced.
“Everyone gets to eat with no stigma!” That’s what is really important, Stevens said.
Board members have expressed concern that the program is costing the district more money than in previous years when the school was not eligible for CPE. Peggy Meyer, president, said “Kids have said ‘the lunches are better.’
Adult participation has also increased. Adults pay for their meals.
In action items, the board approved two cooperative agreement with Lawrence-Nelson and Deshler public schools. One for girls wrestling and one for bowling. Middle school through high schools students will come to Superior for both sports and their related events. Schools will be charged based on the number of students participating from that school.
Board members agreed to officially change the calendar moving parent-teacher conferences closer to the end of the first and third quarter. The change was requested by the curriculum committee. Instructors will have more data and there seems to be less sports conflict with the dates.
Tierney Casper’s teaching resignation was rescended. She is willing to teach elementary music next fall as long as she can, then resign. An elementary music teacher has been hired for second semester and Supt Whetzal hopes a substitute can be found to fill in the gap.
A contract was extended to Elizabeth Collins to teach fourth grade next year. She is a 2020 high school graduate of Salina High School Central and holds a degree from Fort Hays State University in elementary education. She student taught at Shickley Public Schools.
In addition, board members approved entering into an interlocal agreement with Thayer Central to share a curriculum director for the 2024-25 school year. They also approved continuing a long-standing interlocal agreement with Sandy Creek, Blue Hill and Lawrence-Nelson to share an occupational therapist.
Jodi Fierstein, elementary principal, was not present. However, a written report was reviewed.
Thursday, April 2, the fourth quarter family fun night was held in Lincoln Park. Brodstone Healthcare served bottles of water, cooked and served 200 hamburgers and hotdogs. The Beef Boosters donated an additional 50 hamburgers. After eating, many families participated in the one mile race.
MCLASS elementary screening indicates 70 percent of kindergarten through fifth grade students are at grade benchmark. Forty-five kindergarten through third grade students received reading intervention this school year. Of those students, 40 percent reached grade level benchmark and 91 percent of those students met their individualized goal for accuracy and or fluency.
In 2020-21 only 25 percent of kindergarten through third grade students were at benchmark at this time of the year. In 2021-22, 66 percent were at benchmark. Last year 69 percent were at benchmark and this year 77 percent are at benchmark. More test results are expected to be available next month.
Supt. Whetzal, reported 23 students successfully completed a total of 53 college classes during the first semester. Superior Public Schools paid their tuition. The dual credit classes offer include college algebra, calculus, American history and English in cooperation with Wayne State College, Central Community College and Peru State College. Of the 23 students, 13 were enrolled in independent study college classes such as public speaking, introduction to sociology and introduction to psychology.
During the second semester, 15 students took dual credit classes and 12 took independent study courses. Three students, taught by Megan McMeen, worked toward their certified nurse assistant certification. All passed their final exam.
Next year, there are 31 students enrolled in dual credit classes or independent college classes.
To date, $131,079.53 less has been spent out of the general budget than last year. $60,025 more has been spent out of the depreciation budget. That money was used to pay for HVAC repairs. “The staff has done a tremendous job controlling spending this year,” Supt. Whetzal said.
He also reported exploring options for staff related to their 403b and Roth IRA plans. Compass Financial has expressed interest in working with the staff. “Outside our former employees taking advantage of the early retirement program incentive plan, we have four active employees taking advantage of any retirement opportunity. Additionally, we do not currently offer employees an opportunity to contribute, pre-tax, to a Roth IRA, which is something that would be extremely beneficial for them… particularly our younger employees.” Whetzal said.
Compass Financial is lead by retired educations. “They have lived the life we in education have lived,” Whetzal said.
Whetzal will be checking with local financial planners before proceeding.
Whetzal also reported he had been approached to reevaluate the early graduation policy of not allowing semester graduates to participate in graduation ceremonies. Matt Bargen said, “It is a long standing policy. If we start letting them come to activities: dances, prom...graduation. We have no stick to hold over them if they cause trouble.” Other board members concurred and said they were not interested in revisiting the policy.
Whetzal also said several patrons had asked the district to consider moving next year’s graduation time to 10 a.m instead of the traditional 2 p.m. Once again, board members thought it best to stay with the traditional 2 p.m. time.
The school needs to purchase two up-to-date welders for the advanced welding class with Reinke’s next year. One grant of $3,000 has been secured from United Way. Additional funds are being sought.
Shortly after 9 p.m., the board entered into executive session to evaluate the superintendent, something they do annually.
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