In recognition of the overwhelming defeat of a proposal to build new schools in Iola, USD 257 school board members are striving to collaborate more with the community. At Monday night’s meeting Superintendent of Schools Jack Koehn proposed a strategic plan to move forward to improve district facilities. MCKINLEY principal Lori Maxwell shared a Positive Behavior Supports update at the school. Each elementary school implemented PBS in 2013 but each school rewards students differently. The district’s current module of PBS is geared to promote a culture of positive reinforcement to good behavior. In other news:
Koehn said a strategic plan is a tool to bring ideas from community members together for the benefit of children.
“I propose an outside third party facilitate this strategic plan process,” Koehn said.
The Southeast Kansas Educational Service Center of the Greenbush Education Service Center has offered to provide the service at no charge other than travel expenses from its Girard location. Koehn said they have experience in providing these services to other school districts.
The plan would have approximately 40 stakeholders of the community to devise a plan. Another 60 will be asked to participate in focus groups during the process.
“We need to get the community input,” president Tony Leavitt said. “This just isn’t about buildings. We need the community to share what they are seeing and needing.”
Don Snavely, vice president of the school board, agreed with Leavitt and mentioned the failed bond issue.
“We thought we knew what was best for the children and the community but the election showed us we didn’t,” Snavely said.
The board members want to move forward with the children and improving the quality of learning.
“It’s the education of our children we’re dealing with here,” Burris added. “A majority of those people who voted have never been to a board meeting or shared ideas with us. This gives them an opportunity to see what challenges lie ahead of us.”
Community member and local business member Ray Maloney thought the community group was a great idea.
“I think, it appeared to the community, that the bond issue seemed like a hurried thing,” he said. “It was also hard for anyone to fathom that renovating would cost more but this group plan could work.”
Koehn responded to Maloney and said in some cases it was hurried because the fear of losing state aid for the bond issue. State aid would help pay for half the costs of the proposed bond issue.
“I think it came across as the board’s plan and not a community plan,” Koehn said.
A proposed starting date for the process would be Feb. 12 and Feb. 19. A completed strategic plan should be completed by April or May.
Students are asked to be COLTS, caring, on task, leaders, trustworthy and safe in all parts of the school. Those who are recognized following these rules receive a yellow “Caught Being Good,” ticket. The ticket is then entered into a drawing and names are drawn each week. Winners can pick objects such as water bottles or coupons or wear a hat to school. At the end of the month those “caught doing good” are able to participate in a fun event. The school has brought in speakers and taken kids on a hayrack ride.
Maxwell said those who receive an office referral are exempt from the end of the month opportunity.
“The ultimate goal would be not to use coupons but I think it helps,” she said.
Last year McKinley had 101 office referrals and 23 suspensions. This year to date the school has only had 21 office referrals and three suspensions.
— All school handbooks were revised and approved
— Dan Berg was approved as the boys high school tennis coach
— Meta Titel from Jarred, Gilmore and Phillips presented the board audit and it was approved
— The board adjourned as USD 257 and reconvened as Bowlus trustees. They approved the audit for the Bowlus.
Picking up the pieces
