Drones added to Centre ag education program
Staff writer
Three mini-drones and one larger drone have been purchased for the agriculture education program at Centre.
Teacher Jon Meyer showed them to the board of education Monday. He said they would be used in his ag power and electricity class.
The larger one has a one-mile range and is equipped with a camera that takes videos. Meyer said the main objective was to teach students how to program the drones to do what they want.
Online classes
Superintendent Susan Beeson reported that adults in Centre’s Kansas Online Learning Program earned 993 credits, for which the school received $341,478.
Beeson credited the growth to a new rule that coordinator Vickie Jirak introduced last fall, requiring enrollees to finish a course in four to six weeks. If they don’t finish within that length of time, they are dropped.
Gross revenue from the program was almost $800,000, and expenses totaled $485,000.
Beeson quoted Jirak as saying, “Enrollment packets are coming in right and left.”
Other business
The board approved new lockers in the girls’ locker room, a new water fountain, and new carpeting for some classrooms.
Beeson asked the board to provide transportation for five students — four seniors and one junior — who have enrolled in auto mechanics at Butler Community College in El Dorado.
“Our mission is to provide an education that will lead to post-secondary success,” she said.
Concerns were expressed about tying up a vehicle and setting a precedent for other students who might want to take community college classes somewhere else.
Mark Heiser was upset that the matter had not been brought up before the students enrolled.
Anita Svoboda suggested there could be a caveat, such as a minimum number of students.
In the end, the board approved the transportation, 5-2.
The board renewed the Myon online reading program for two years for $6,950 and student accident insurance for $5,690.
The district accepted a $2,650 donation from Countryside Feed, Hillsboro, which has collaborated with the Drive to Feed Kids initiative to provide money for food.
The board accepted a $1,000 payment from Centre Perk on the $5,000 loan the district made to it in 2012. The balance due is $2,500.
After a report from food director Chelsi Jones, the board approved Opaa Food Management for another year. The vote was 5-2. Jesse Brunner said wanted the board to address re-instating local service.
Terry Deines was re-appointed as special education representative.
Secretary Terri Bina’s contract was extended to four days a week in June and July. The board hired Jason Stika as assistant football coach. A robotics category was added to the list of supplemental assignments.
Beeson presented a report on 2016-17 expenditures, including approximately $309,000 in capital outlay, $28,000 for major curriculum purchases, $114,642 in technology, and $125,000 for virtual marketing.