New and returning teachers were welcomed at Wamego’s USD 320 Board of Education meeting Monday night. Board President Amy Schwein opened the meeting by welcoming all the new teachers to the District, as well as all the returning teachers. Prior to the meeting, the board and teachers had an opportunity to get to know one another over refreshments. The new teachers were formerly introduced to the board by their respective principals.
In other business, Wamego High School Dazzler Madison Burton received a special award after attending a National Dance Association camp at Emporia State University this summer. According to her instructor, the most prestigious award is the All-American award, and is given after the NDA staff observed dancers during the camp. Burton was nominated to audition and was selected as a member of their special events team, and will be performing on a national stage with other dancers selected from across the nation. She will be participating in the Christmas Extravaganza at Disney World in early December, which will be taped earlier and will air on ABC on Christmas Day.
Both groups received loud applause from the Board and the audience.
Approval was given to FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America) members to attend the Fall Leadership Conference in Dallas, Texas in early November. According to their Advisor, this will be the 2nd year Wamego students have attended the National Leadership Conference, and it gives students leadership opportunities regardless of what they choose to do.
In addition, FFA (Future Farmers of America) advisor Andy Morton was given permission to take 14 students to the National FFA Convention in Louisville, Kentucky in late October. Morton said the benefits of the National Convention include leadership development, motivation and networking with thousands of agriculture schools, FFA Chapters and businesses in attendance. He said there will be over 60-thousand FFA members in attendance at this year’s convention.
Board President Amy Schwein introduced a letter from a teacher who was forced to resign after the August 1st deadline due to adverse health reasons. According to USD 320’s Policy, any teacher that resigns after August 1st is subjected to a liquidated damage fee of 4-thousand dollars.
According to her letter to the board, this teacher has been on the USD 320 staff for the past four years, and has been forced to be on bed rest until the delivery of her baby in November. After delivery, she will need to undergo further surgery to correct other medical issues discovered recently. She requested the waiver due to the financial strain her resignation has put on her family.
The board voted 7 to 0 to waive the resignation fee. There were no questions, and every member of the board agreed this was the right thing to do.
