Iola Middle School gets cross country

Marv Smith, Iola High School cross country coach, proposed  the Iola Board  of Education approve a middle school cross country team, at their meeting Monday night. Smith said there have been middle schoolers who have voluntarily practiced with the high school team in the past. Although these students practiced with the high school team they were not allowed to participate at high school meets.
New guidelines now prohibit middle schoolers from practicing with the high school team.
Board members followed Smith’s lead and approved the new team, which will start practice next week. Sixth graders will not be eligible to participate on the team.
The board also approved its budget for the upcoming school year.
Promptly after the budget hearing, board members discussed whether to donate or sell the old Crossroads building in Gas to the city of Gas. The board approved the sale to the city for $1. In return, Gas will handle all closing costs.
SAFE BASE director Angela Henry spoke about the possibility of another trip for the after- school program. Henry proposed a couple of options, a trip to the Buffalo River National Park in northwest Arkansas or to the St. Louis Arch. Henry is wanting to send the students on another trip because funding remains from the grant this summer. The funds must be spent by Sept. 30. Board members asked to see more trip options that were closer to home so students would not miss out on school due to traveling.
Superintendent Jack Koehn provided information on the possibility of a food service policy change. As of Monday there was a total of $37,696.57 of unpaid student lunches and $834 of unpaid staff lunch balances. Koehn spoke to the board about different ways to fix this issue. Further discussion will take place at future board meetings.

OTHER items on the agenda was the purchase of a 2010 Town and Country van for $17,385. This van will be used for special education transportation.
Board members were introduced to the Emergency Safety Interventions policy that the district must use. Members voted to send Koehn to the Kansas Educational Leadership Institute, a mentoring program for new superintendents.
Administrators gave updates on inservice and faculty prep for the school year. School begins at the end of the week for USD 257.