Centre kids to see eclipse
Staff writer
Centre students in grades 7 through 12 will travel to Hiawatha High School on Aug. 21 to view a total solar eclipse. The path of the moon’s shadow, or “path of totality,” will cross directly over extreme northeastern Kansas.
The path of this rare total eclipse, 60 to 70 miles wide, will stretch from Oregon to South Carolina.
At Hiawatha, students will view the eclipse from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., with the total eclipse occurring at 1:58 p.m.
At its Monday meeting, the board of education enthusiastically approved spending up to $4,000 to hire two charter buses, purchase needed eyewear, provide educational material, and pay for lunches.
Science teacher Phil Duerksen and English teacher Jennifer Montgomery are organizing the trip. Montgomery said they would plan classroom activities relating to the solar eclipse. Elementary school students also will study the phenomenon.
The last time a total eclipse occurred in the lower 48 states was in 1979. The next coast-to-coast total eclipse will be in 2045.
Sound system
After an embarrassing sound system failure at commencement in May, the board voted to purchase a new system for $46,165.
It will include multiple large speakers throughout the gymnasium. Microphones will be provided for on-stage performers, speakers, and announcers. Training and an iPad app are included.
Technology director Melissa Barton said she hoped to have the system in place for a Veterans Day program in November.
The board also approved $8,202 for purchase of two scoreboards for the 1993 gymnasium.
Other business
Rick Basore and Mark Heiser were re-elected president and vice president of the board.
Many routine actions were taken in preparation for a new school year.
A 10-cent increase in school lunch and breakfast prices was approved. Lunch will cost $2.45 for kindergartners through fifth graders, $2.70 for older students, and $3.65 for adults. Breakfast will cost $1.70 for younger students, $1.80 for older students, and $2.30 for adults. Milk will cost 50 cents.
Out-of district attendance was approved for pre-kindergarten student Vada Cobb of Herington. She will be bused from Lost Springs.
School nurse Deb Casey’s hours will be reduced from eight hours to four hours a week at $20 an hour.