Rod Stewart was re-elected president and Jill Hoover was re-elected vice president of the USD 108 Board of Education when the board met Monday night.
The board passed resolutions to elect officers and set meeting dates for the year at its July meeting.
When the Kansas Legislature moved school board elections to the fall of odd-numbered years, school boards were given the option to elect officers at the first meeting of the fiscal year in July or at the first meeting on or after the second Monday in January.
K-6 Principal Amy Hoover said she was moving the elementary Great Kindness Challenge to the week of Feb. 8-12. She gave the board some discussion topics teachers will work on during the Jan. 18 in-service.
7-12 Principal Brock Funke said Drew Buhrman and Alyssa Kern had been recognized as Homecoming king and queen after the crowning ceremony had been rescheduled five times. Other nominees were Jack Gilliam, Kobe Hoover, Rachael Craig and Camryn Boykin. Final presentations for the project-based learning program went well, he said, and all students heard presentations for the top five projects.
Funke said several WCHS students were using WellConnect, a dedicated teen line that offers students access to short-term online therapy, web and mobile-based self-management tools and student/life resources. The service is available through the Greenbush education service center.
Funke showed the board a grade tracking form he developed for students with Ds or Fs to help students have more accountability for their grades and improve communication with parents.
Both principals reviewed quarantine numbers.
In other business, the board:
• Adopted revised goals for the district. The board has been working on this project since a special meeting in October and had sought ideas from the District Leadership Team.
• Members were recognized for years of service by Supt. Denise O’Dea. Their service includes Stewart, 21.5 years; Jill Hoover, 9.5 years, Rhonda Manley, 6 years, Kevin Elliott, 4 years, Brad Jones, 11.5 years, Kelsie Beikmann, 1 year and Keelie Welch, 1 year. January is Board Appreciation Month.
• Had first reading on a new policy for retiree medical insurance plan rules. O’Dea said the policy essentially puts USD 108 practices in writing and she worked with the Kansas Association of School Boards risk management staff to prepare it.
• Had first reading on several policy updates provided by Kansas Association of School Boards. Many are related to the pandemic. The board will vote to adopt the updates in February.
The board met in executive sessions of 20 and 5 minutes to complete the annual evaluation of the superintendent. O’Dea joined the closing minutes of the second session.