About half of Humboldt High School students graduate with some college credits, HHS principal John Johnson said at Monday nights school board meeting. And though they may not continue on to college, he considers them a success.
I view our students that join the military or who have secured jobs directly out of high school as a success. They are setting themselves up to be productive citizens. But unless a student goes to college, or leaves school with a two-year certificate, the state doesnt see it that way, Johnson said. If they get a job at Monarch or B&W out of high school, I think that is great. If they join the military, that is great. What the state views as success and what I see as success are two different things.
Johnson was referring to the low marks the school received on the Kansas School Building Report Card. Humboldt students performed poorly on the College and Career portions of the tests. The results were released in March.
We need to set up some programs where kids can earn some two-year certificates. We need more than the welding and construction program. We need to get them more opportunities, but again, what they see as success and what I see as success, are different.
English and language arts, as well as math, were areas that all schools struggled with on state tests.
Elementary principal Staci Hundlin reported that there were several areas where the district was above national averages, but that math is still a struggle.
FOLLOWING A 10-minute executive session, Kevin Heisler announced the USD 258 board had approved a $1,900 pay raise for supplemental teachers.
]Superintendent Kay Lewis said that she is to meet with a representative from DLSGLNV to discuss costs for building improvements. The group went through the schools and reported items that need to be fixed. Overall, Lewis said district buildings should be good for another 30 years.
The board approved the purchase of a 2017 Chevy Traverse from Sigg Motors for $23,500. The school will use the vehicle to take students to and from internships. The vehicle has 5,000 miles. The board also approved the purchase of a new intercom system for the entire district. The board chose to go with Comlink, who put in a bid of $109,370. The bid was some $20,000 less than the closest competitor.
Lewis asked the board to consider allowing students to drive to their internships.
We have eight students with internships two days a week at the hospital in Iola. Speaking with other schools, they allow their students to drive, Lewis said. No decision was made, but Lewis did have Johnsons support.
I think it will open things up for our students. It will allow them to see more. If a kid wants to go a little farther, to say Pittsburg, this opens it up for them to be able to do that, Johnson said.
Lewis noted that the school would provide transportation during inclement weather.
