South Barber hires several positions, considers how to spend ESSER funds

 

December 15, 2021

Like many public schools across the nation, South Barber USD255 in Kiowa, Kansas received ESSER funds. Their share is $345,000. This is the third round of Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (or ESSER III) funds from the federal government. Known as the American Rescue Plan, this third pandemic stimulus bill was signed into law and provides public school districts across the country $122 billion. The board discussed at length possible ways to spend those funds.

South Barber's Board of Education met for their December meeting Monday night with all members present. President Mark Pollock sat at the head of the tabled flanked by Superintendent Dr. Mylo Miller and Board Clerk and Business Manager Julie Johnson. Members at the table included Bryan Quick, Deb Helfrich, Jenna Mostert, Mike Miller, Ryan Molz and Emily Lohmann.

Three girls from South Barber High School (SBHS) attended the meeting as a requirement for their government class. The football boys in that class could not attend as it was their football banquet.

As the first semester of school draws to a close, Dr. Miller expressed his appreciation to the board members for serving "because you care." He said, "Our goal is we just want to stay in school and educate our kids." He sympathized with students in other areas of the nation who are used as "political pawns."

As the meeting opened, the superintendent presented banners that South Barber earned in six categories (of eight possible) from the Kansas State Department of Education Commissioner Dr. Randy Watson. The banners will be presented to the teachers and students at each school site and be displayed there. USD255 was recognized in the following categories:

Commissioner's Award for At-Risk 2021

Academically Prepared for Post-Secondary 2021

Kindergarten Readiness 2021

Post-Secondary Success 2021

high School Graduation Rate 2021

Civic Engagement 2021

In the middle of the meeting, the board held a series of executive sessions for about one hour for non-elected personnel. Principals Brent Shaffer and Kaynette Scheck and Superintendent Miller were called into a few of those sessions at different times. Then the board spent another 10 minutes in executive session discussing a student issue. No action was taken upon return to open session on these matters.

South Barber Positions Hired

For the 2022-23 school year, the board voted to hire Paul Wanger as a math and computer science teacher. Dr. Miller said Wanger has 20-plus years experience in education and comes to South Barber from Wichita High School West. He has family ties in the Alva area.

Area farmer Matt Cantrell who coaches SBHS football received the board's vote as the Junior High Head Boys Basketball Coach. The superintendent complimented Cantrell on the job he is doing for the school.

Dr. Miller also praised Principal Shaffer for the job he's done all school year taking care of the duties of an athletic director. The board made it official, hiring Shaffer as the AD and getting that pay retroactive to the first of the 2021-22 year.

High school teacher Clint Erikson received the board's approval as the head high school track coach.

ESSER Money Possibilities

Dr. Miller reminded the board that USD255's share of ESSER money received is $345,000. It's cash from the federal government. Of that total, $69,000 must be allotted for education. It's up to the board how to spend the remainder.

Big ticket items the board considers are an activity bus and HVAC units at the high school. Lohmann suggested they consider also replacing or fixing HVAC at the elementary. Assistant Elementary Principal Kaynette Scheck said you are either freezing or sweating when you turn the temperature up or down by one degree. Shaffer said the problem with the high school is they have no local control over their HVAC temperature control.

Cost of an HVAC unit is around $88,000 with a 30 percent increase calculated, they said. The two activity bus quotes are for $119,000 and $169,000. The more expensive one has the engine in the rear which is quieter.

Quick said he wants more details before any decisions are made. Pollock said he wants individual rooms or small groups of rooms to have climate control. And he definitely wants improvements at the grade school. The board agreed they need more time to think this over.

 

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