By BARBARA PROFFITT | March 22, 2023

The USD 346 School Board met in regular session on Monday, March 20, with the first order of business being the approval of the consent agenda which included the agenda for the meeting; the minutes of the previous meeting; and the payment of bills and payroll.

The board then heard from Bob Beckham, principal of the junior high and high school, who reported the work on the auditorium is complete.

Beckham noted spring sports have begun with teams and rosters filling up.

Mark Proffitt, elementary principal, reported that Ryan Metcalf, PE teacher at the elementary, held their annual fundraiser for the American Heart Association and met their goal so he will be ‘slimed’ by the top money raisers on Friday.

Genea Bruner reported that assessments went well and the district received recommendation for accreditation and she is anxious to see results which should come out in April.

Superintendent Shawn Thomas noted several pieces of legislation he is currently watching. 

Thomas also reported that Jayhawk students currently exceed the number of enrolled students from other districts at the STARS school in Pleasanton. Thomas said he had spoken to Director Jay Allen recently and noted he is hoping to expand the facility and, with that, what they can offer there.

Thomas then told the board that many schools are currently adopting e-sports programs which are based on gaming and while he can see benefits to it for the students, such as the ability to learn coding, he is still exploring the idea.

Curt Toll spoke to the board regarding the Hawk Project and noted that 41 students took advantage of that program last year alone. He added that one, in particular, also chose to do summer school and came back to the project last semester and will finish the year out with the required credits to graduate.

The board then entered into an executive session to discuss personnel matters. Following that session the board accepted the resignation of Dorothy Avery as JLHS custodian; updated extra duty list to include Chris Thomas as assistant high school track coach and Keith Harlow and Nichola Traul as assistant junior high track coaches; updated the classified staff list to include the hiring of Crystal Gorman as JES school nurse; and authorized an increase in salary for Alica Wood, JLHS school nurse.