Lifestyles Editor
The USD 393 Solomon board of education met Monday night for a budget hearing and regular meeting.
The new teachers and principal were introduced. Leslie Reams, Amber Stroda, Sharon Schmaderer, Eric Winters, Tim Wilkins and Ashley Vann are new teachers, and Shelly Swayne is the new high school principal.
The budget hearing commenced with an overview of the proposed budget.
“The only variable is the number of at-risk students. I put in 105 students, which is what we had last year, but that may change,” superintendent Jim Runge explained. “The budget is smaller than last year.”
The estimated operating budget for 2010-2011 is $2,868,981.
Board vice president Gary Mitchell moved to approve the budget as presented. The motion was seconded by Russ Fair and passed unanimously.
Bills and Financials
After calling the regular meeting to order, amending the agenda and approving the July meeting minutes, Runge presented the bills and financials.
“Sometimes we have things that I use my personal credit card for,” Runge said. “Such as the other day one of the stoves needed a part that had to be ordered online and I used my credit card.”
He explained that while he didn’t mind using his credit card, he felt it would be best to have a school credit card.
“I would report the expenditures to you,” Runge told the board. “We might also get a one percent return on some purchases.”
Cheer camp
Kellene Whitaker gave a report about the Solomon cheerleaders.
“I had a lot of girls who wanted to cheer this year, so I did something new. I made a junior varsity team,” Whitaker said.
She took both the varsity and junior varsity teams to cheer camp in McPherson this year.
“They were very well behaved,” Whitaker said. “One of the things that was focused on at the camp was your school’s fight song and school traditions.”
She explained that after difficulties with their music, she asked the girls to perform and sing the fight song without music. They were the only school who performed without music.
“The judges were really impressed,” Whitaker said. “There are three big awards – camp champs, most improved and top banana.”
While the team won several awards, the one they were the most proud of was the top banana, which reflects the overall team conduct throughout the week.
Cheerleader Dolcey Davis was present at the meeting and said that she enjoyed this year’s cheer camp.
Whitaker spoke about her efforts to get a new trophy case for their cheer awards and uniforms for the cheerleaders.
Superintendent’s update
“The roofing project should be started by next Monday and finished by when the kids start school,” Runge reported. “The new computer software is installed and I asked the tech team to give us another update later in the year.”
“We need to finish the roofing on the middle school building, but after those repairs we should be caught up and able to take a break for a year or so,” Runge said.
He spoke about the state’s recommendations for food in vending machines. Runge showed the board the chart with various foods and drinks that meet certain standards.
“My goal is to meet the exemplary category this year,” Runge said. “The vendor is going to send a list of what they offer that meets the standards.”
He asked the board if they had recommendations or if they wanted the principals to decide what would be offered.
“I would say whatever the principals feel most comfortable with is fine,” Fair said.
“We work with Linda [Klucas] and she does a really good job of making sure the food meets standards,” said Kerri Lacy, elementary and middle school principal.
Board member Darlene Janssen expressed her concern about “sundae day” in the cafeteria, when students are allowed to make their own sundaes with various toppings. She explained that by allowing children to make unhealthy choices about multiple toppings, they could be inadvertently teaching children unhealthy food habits.
Board member Debra Robertson explained that the sundaes were only offered once a week, and were extremely enjoyed by the students.
“They [food service staff] only offer low fat chocolate and caramel syrup,” Lacy added.
Runge revisited the topic of fundraiser guidelines from the previous meeting.
“Should we develop some guidelines for the fundraisers?” Runge asked.
“Very rarely do I hear people telling me that the schools are asking for too much money,” Fair said.
“I would rather write a check than buy cookie dough or magazines,” Mitchell said.
“I was just concerned that perhaps the cheerleaders would be taking money away from the other groups,” Janssen explained.
Principals’ reports
“I would like to welcome Shelly [Swayne] to Solomon,” Lacy said, speaking of the new high school principal.
Lacy said the elementary back to school open house and hot dog feed would be 6 p.m. Aug. 18.
“Kids can bring their school supplies so they don’t have to carry them on the first day of school,” Lacy said.
“I have 161 students enrolled in elementary school right now,” Lacy said. “I am hoping to reach 170 by the time school starts.”
“I would like to thank Donna Winter for her work on the middle school schedule,” Lacy said. “I am so excited to see what will happen.”
Lacy also thanked Betty Enright for her work in the elementary school, keeping it clean while the work was being completed.
“I just have throughly enjoyed my first week of work here,” Swayne said. “As Kerri Lacy said, the custodial staff has been working very hard. Our entire building is clean and shiny. We’re ready to go.”
“I’ve enrolled 103 students and there are still 31 potential students out there,” Swayne said.
“It’s going to be a great year,” she concluded.
After school report
“We’re waiting for the dust to settle,” Dean Ann Zsamba reported. She explained that new carpeting and tile is being installed in the building. “We’re going to have a parent meeting on Aug. 18. Our hope is to start when school begins.”
Discussion/action items
“Take the next month to browse through the new KASB policies. We usually adopt all their recommendations,” Runge told the board.
He then addressed the school’s early graduation policy. Currently, the policy states that students must declare their desire to graduate early by the end of their sophomore year. Runge asked that the policy be changed to the beginning of the senior year.
The board moved to allow students to declare their intentions to graduate early before the beginning of their senior year.
Teachers had proposed a few changes to the school schedule, adding a half work day at the end of each set of nine weeks. The calendar changes were approved.
“Just a note - spring breaks around the area will not all be at the same time,” Lacy mentioned.
The board appointed Rob VanDeCreek as the recreation commission representative, James Harbaugh as the high school at-risk paraprofessional and Elizabeth Shimabuku as a substitute teacher.
Additions were made to the supplemental list. Tim Wilkins was added as the ninth grade sponsor, and James Harbaugh and Jim Runge as coaches.
The board also approved disposing of surplus desks by silent auction.
The next meeting of the USD 393 board of education will be 7 p.m. Sept. 13, in the high school library.