Superintendent Jim Runge noted the high electric bill for the last month, explaining that the hot weather was to blame. He also mentioned the costs relating to the power surge.
“The power surge wreaked a lot of havoc on us,” Runge said. “Some of our servers and other equipment was damaged.”
“We’re really trying to keep a tight wrap on this budget,” Runge concluded.
Vo-Ag update
Ashley Vann, agriculture instructor, explained that John Alyward would not be able to attend the national FFA convention. She used an application process to select his replacement, Jessie Mullins. The team leaves Monday, Oct. 18, and will return Sunday, Oct. 23.
“What I’d like to do with the outside of my room is project the Solomon emblem and let the kids paint it,” Vann said.
“Or you could make it out of metal and paint it with auto paint,” board president Mark Wallace suggested.
“It’s pretty boring out there, this would dress it up,” board member Darlene Janssen commented.
“I was struggling for ideas for a shop project, so this would work,” Vann said.
Runge asked Vann to bring sketches for the project to the board.
“Great Plains has some new machines and they might be able to donate their older machinery to us,” Vann said. “They’re also giving us as much metal as possible.”
She also requested help reducing the echo and noise level in her room. Runge agreed to discuss affordable options with Vann.
Superintendent’s report
“Finance will be discussed at the state legislation meetings,” Runge said.
Options being discussed by the legislation were mentioned at the meeting. Runge encouraged board members to remain informed about the legislature’s proceedings.
The school’s wind turbine is expected to be functional shortly.
“Maybe by the next home football game, the blades will be spinning,” Runge said.
Runge said that the CKCIE was struggling with a Medicaid shortfall, causing problems with reimbursements.
Principals’ reports
“Trisha Rohleder, Deanna White and I went to a conference,” middle school and elementary principal Kerri Lacy said.
“MTSS is going great. Every student participates in a 30 minute activity,” Lacy said. “We already have students that have made great gains.”
She said that during the next inservice date, Oct. 15, teachers would be learning how to monitor progress during the MTSS program.
The dates for the parent-teacher conferences have changed. They are now 4 to 8 p.m. Oct. 18 and 21 for the district.
The gorilla gala will begin at 12:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 29.
High school principal Shelly Swayne was not at the meeting due to illness.
Runge said that the juniors want prom to be in Salina, but the seniors want it in Solomon.
“This is an open topic. We’ll see if [Swayne] has ideas. Some of you may have thoughts on that,” Runge said.
After school report
“September was a busy month,” board clerk Dean Ann Zsamba commented. “The high school aides have developed leadership roles within the after school program, helping with activities and creating projects.”
“Homework completion remains a high priority. We have created a reward system for completing homework,” Zsamba said. “This month we are sending letters and pictures to the troops overseas.”
The program also plans to have a Rolling Hills Wildlife Adventure presentation this month.
Action items
Runge presented proposed modifications to the KASB policies. The polices were accepted with Runge’s modifications.
Substitute teachers Don Satterlee, Jessica Rawson, Melissa Shrader, Shelly Crane, Jason Keeney and Dr. Russell Graves were approved.
Jim Harbaugh is the new assistant boys’ basketball coach, Meagan Kilgore is the assistant middle school girls’ basketball coach, Vickie Fleming is the middle school girls’ basketball coach and Megan Kroeker is the assistant high school basketball coach.
The next meeting will be at 7 p.m. Nov. 15, at the high school library.