South Barber School Board hears student accomplishments
Free school lunch and breakfast ends June 30
April 13, 2022
South Barber's Board of Education opened their April meeting Monday night with students whose efforts toward excellence are noticed.
First, freshman Reagan Grieve is winner of South Barber's FFA Creed Contest and took second place at the South Central District FFA Speech contest in January. The first and second place students qualify for state. She'll compete at the Kansas State FFA Convention May 31 – June 3 in Manhattan.
Reagan's presentation to the board showed why she was at the top of the contest – delivering the memorized creed with thoughtfulness and expression. Her FFA Advisor Tommy Hutson accompanied her to the meeting.
Next, SB Counselor Kathie Kersten presented a new program she's implementing for high school students called Individual Plan of Study (IPS). The Electronic Portfolio is part of the IPS and is what Kersten and her student Jazzmin Binning showcased to the board. Building the portfolio helps students with career interests; determine their strengths to build upon; their personality; learning style and much more that assists them in building a resume throughout their four years. There is career development, assessments and certification.
Kersten said she selected Jazzmin as a model for the EP because "she went above and beyond." The superintendent told Kersten and Jazzmin, "I love what you've done," and complimented both for their effort.
Explanation of No More Free Lunches for All Students
Dr. Miller explained to the board how the federal government funding of school breakfast and lunch for all students ends on June 30, 2022. The feds provided funds for the free meals to all students during the Covid-19 pandemic. Now that Covid cases have decreased, the funding is ending.
The superintendent said the school lunch program will return to how it was previously. Free and reduced meals will again be available based on individual incomes.
The contract with Keystone Food Services was renewed by the board for the 2022-23 school year.
More SB Board Action and Business
All board members attended the April meeting including: President Mark Pollock, Vice-President Bryan Quick, Deb Helfrich, Jenna Mostert, Mike Miller and Emily Lohmann. Minutes Clerk and Business Manager Julie Johnson also sat at the board table as did Superintendent Miller. Jr/Sr High Principal Brent Shaffer and Elementary Assistant Principal and 4th grade teacher Kaynette Scheck also attended.
The resignation of Alexis Shaffer as SB's Mental Health Liaison was accepted by the board.
Dr. Miller explained how SB's hour requirement regarding the school year stands presently. Because of less snow days, SB already has 1192 hours. They are required to have 1116. The board considered changing the start and stop times of the school day to adjust: from 8:05 a.m. – 3:35 p.m. to 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. However, the board decided to table the issue until the next meeting.
Also tabled was any action concerning retention bonuses for SB employees for the 2022-23 school year. The board approved monthly expenditures of approximately $334,000.
Student Accomplishments and Whirlwind of Upcoming Events
SB Prom is Saturday, April 23. The Promenade, open to the public, is at 6 p.m. After the dance, the group will leave at 10:30 p.m. for Post-Prom – roller skating at Harper and bowling at Anthony. They will return around 2:30 a.m.
The FCCLA American Red Cross Blood Drive is Tuesday, April 26, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the high school gym. Sponsor Jenny Cantrell said, "Our goal is to collect 30+ units of blood to qualify one of our FCCLA seniors for a $250 scholarship."
The SB Band Concert is April 29, 7 p.m. South Barber's FFA Banquet is Tuesday May 10. SB Commencement is Sunday, May 8.
Senior Clare Pollock was invited to Topeka for the Kansas Governor's Scholar Award Program May 1.
Senior Gatlin Jewell was offered and accepted a football scholarship at Butler County Community College in El Dorado. He was recruited as an offensive running back. Gatlin plans to major in a career in the Health Science pathway.
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