Wamego’s USD 320 Board of Education heard a proposal for a soccer program at Monday’s meeting. Dr. Curtis Wolfe presented a proposal put together by a group of parents and students, to start a boys and girls soccer program for the Wamego High School. The proposal covered the rationale behind the need for the teams, the results of a community survey, the programs focus and scope, a proposed development timeline, the personnel requirements and a three-year cost analysis. The cost analysis included community donations that will completely cover the expenses for the first year. The cost to the district for year 2 is estimated at over $3,000, with the 3rd year costing under $5,000.
Wolfe sited the USD 320 Vision as rationale for adding a soccer program.
Board President Richard Weixelman recommended tabling a decision until the next meeting in order to study the proposal further.
The board also heard how healthcare reform affects the District. At Monday’s meeting HR Coordinator Kati Wolfgang reviewed the Districts current policy, which covers anyone working 17.5 hours per week for 12 months, and those working 35 hours per week from August 1st to May 31st. She said there are currently 194 employees with insurance coverage. The District pays $350 per month for single coverage per employee. She said there are 140 not offered coverage at this time.However, under the Affordable Care Act, the District is required to offer insurance to every employee who works an average of 30 hours per week, which includes variable-hour employees. Under the Safe Harbor rule, which determines what’s affordable, Wolfgang uses the hourly rate plus 130 hours per month. If the employee decides the coverage is not affordable, they can go to the exchange for a subsidy.
Wolfgang said this year, the covered employees exceeded the premiums collected by a loss ratio of 110.32 percent, which means next year’s rates will increase by 30 percent. She said they will be looking at other options, adding that the District is not in a good place with health insurance.
Board members heard math and curriculum presentations. At Monday’s meeting, 3rd grade teacher, Rachel Buessing and 4th grade teacher Lori Rice gave a math presentation that they presented to parents at Family Math Night. The purpose was to educate parents and build understanding of how the students are taught math in the 3rd through 5th grades.In other business, Dr. Mary Kaye Siebert presented a curriculum revision for 6 through 12 grade Science. She said the revision was focused on the newly adopted science standards, also referred to as the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). She said these standards provide an important opportunity to improve not only science education but also student achievement, and are intended to reflect a new vision for American science education.
The NGSS standards include shifts in instruction, which are:
Interconnected Nature of Science and the Real World –given the importance of science and engineering in the 21st century, students require a sense of contextual understanding of science, how it is applied and connected to the world around us.
Focus on Coherence – gives students the opportunity to learn more complex material
Deeper Understanding – focus on core ideas, not necessarily the facts associates with them
Science and Engineering –how engineering and technology are integrated into the structure of science education,
College, Career, and Citizenship Readiness – all students, regardless of their education or career path, must have a solid K-12 science education to be prepared for college, careers and citizenship.
Alignment to the Common Core –gives all students equitable access to learning standards with overlap in math and ELA/Literacy.
The board adopted the NGSS standards by a vote of 6 to 0. Board member Mark Bettencourt was absent.
Wamego’s USD 320 Board of Education recognized students in several areas. Instructor Josh Wilden introduced Ethan Malin and Carrie Goodson as All-state Choir selectees. According to Wilden, this is the 3rd year for Malin and 2nd year for Goodson. Instructor Chris Richmond introduced Ty Rose (2nd yr) and Garret Rose(1st yr) as the All-state Band selectees.In addition, the 2015 Historical Hall of Fame inductees were recognized. According to Instructor Adam Topliff, he initiated the program into his social studies/history class 3 years ago, and the student’s research individuals they feel have made a contribution to the world. The students have to defend their choices before a panel of judges, which gives them public speaking experience. The students recognized were Aubrey Hidebrand, Lauren Shaffer, Kylee Gardner, Eli Wolfe, Blaine Hupe Hannah Long, Caden Moore, Ashlyn Zachgo, Shambrea Steele and Georgia Ubel.
