In spite of a nationwide teacher shortage, the Iola school district has a robust group of staff working toward their teaching certification.
Board members on Monday agreed to a plan that would encourage those staff members to continue their education by helping them pay for their tuition.
A grant from the Patterson Family Foundation will provide money for the effort. Jenna Higginbotham, curriculum director for the district, proposed the plan.
The plan would allow staff members who are working toward a teaching degree to apply for tuition reimbursement once they complete a semester. Money will be dispersed depending on the requests, so those who apply may receive only a partial reimbursement.
The district has several paraprofessionals who take part in college programs that allow them to continue working while also attending online classes to earn a teaching certificate. Others are furthering their education in other ways, such as someone who has a bachelor’s degree and is pursuing qualifications to teach.
The hope is to encourage others who want to pursue teaching but have limited funds, Higginbotham said.
Laura Caillouet-Weiner, who represents the teacher’s union, said it might encourage teachers to stay with the Iola district.
“If we can ease their burden, it’s a positive. Why not grow our own and help as many as possible?” she said. 
The goal is to offer the program as long as funding lasts.
The Patterson Foundation gave the district $150,000 for professional development. Higginbotham said she intentionally wrote the grant to be flexible, and asked board members to split it with $75,000 for tuition and the rest for other types of professional training. Those amounts may be adjusted as determined by need.
Stadium and recreation
Security at the football stadium and the future of other sports facilities also grabbed the board’s attention on Monday.
First, technology director Ben Prasko presented preliminary plans to post security cameras at the stadium.
The stadium has seen significant improvements in recent years but it and the football field also have faced vandalism. Two years ago, someone drove ruts into new turf on the field. Last winter, a group of juveniles broke windows and stole a microphone sound board.
Prasko presented a couple of options for cameras. The simplest plan would use “trail cameras” at a cost of $520. Board members wanted something of higher quality.
