Alva Review-Courier -

As the South Barber School Board met for their August meeting Monday night, Superintendent Dr. Mylo Miller happily announced that enrollment is increased over last year.

Enrollment is at 224 compared to last year at 206, Miller said. The district breakdown he provided is: Elementary PreK-6 at 137 students and the 7-12 at 87.

Board President Mark Pollock called the meeting to order with all but one member present. That was Ryan Molz. Members attending were Bryan Quick, Deb Helfich, Jenna Mostert, Mike Miller and Emily Lohmann. District and board clerk Julie Johnson. Teacher and assistant elementary principal Kaynette Scheck attended. Grade 7-12 Principal Brent Shaffer was at a junior high event.

As the meeting began, the superintendent unrolled a large black and gold banner that will be displayed at the high school. He presented it to Forensics Coach Meagan Henry and her student Ruston Erikson. Last year Erikson and his partner Porsha Binning won the Kansas State Forensics 1A Title in Improvised Duet Acting. Binning is currently at the University of Kansas.

Update on Arctic Blast Bill and Capital Outlay with Covid Money

Superintendent Miller updated the board on what's happened with the Arctic Blast bill from last February. He reminded that USD#255 joined over 100 other schools to be a part KASB's legal advocacy. Miller said this effort was to fight the inflated price of gas during the arctic blast last February when schools received "price gouging" bills. He said that $4.57 is the statutory maximum price. Yet the billing was for around $18. Miller told the board they reached a settlement that's beneficial to the district. The amounts cannot be disclosed as part of the agreement, he said.

After discussions in executive session, the board accepted the settlement with Symmetry Energy. USD #255s new natural gas company is Wood River Energy with whom they signed a contract.

The superintendent said the third round of Covid money will be approximately $345,000. The board must prioritize projects to support with those funds. The superintendent suggests an activity bus and ventilation updates, including HVAC. This is all to be determined. Some 20 percent of this stimulus money is to be sent directly for education.

Be a 'Chieftain Buddy'

The superintendent said the "Chieftain Buddy" program is going great except for one thing. The children want you to be their buddy. Scheck said the elementary students who already have their buddy can't wait for the next visit. Those children who don't yet have a buddy desperately want one.

Here's where you come in – you volunteer about an hour of your time each week. You go to the school and meet up with your student buddy. You can play together, read, have a meal or snack. You two customize how you want to spend your time together. You are a positive role model for the child. For more information contact the Chieftain Buddies Coordinator Kathie Kersten.

Still No Math Teacher, Other Hires and SB Business

With Steve Roberts' retirement in August, South Barber is still without a math teacher. The board approved the Memorandum of Understanding with Greenbush. This provides on-line math instruction twice per week for students. The board hired Shawna Stewart as a paraeducator. She sits in the math classroom with students, mainly in a supervision role, as students do their work.

Donna Binning, who has children in school, received the board's approval as cross-country coach. She is a former cross-country runner.

The board hired Trevor Jackson as assistant junior high football coach. He works for the South Central Kansas Special Education Co-op. From Luther, Jackson is looking for a home in Kiowa for his family, Miller said.

The board approved paying monthly expenditures totaling: $343,661.21.The board held a lengthy discussion regarding students in quarantine. The bottom line is the school is to educate students in the classroom. They must provide remote learning for students who are quarantined.

The board accepted the Stewart Ott Memorial Fund for the grade 7-12 site students in need. Watch the Newsgram for a more detailed explanation of this memorial fund as information is available.