February 11, 2008
School board approves updated student handbooks
At its regular meeting Monday night, the USD 470 Board of Education approved the updated Student Discipline and Parent/Student Information Handbook for the 2008-2009 school year.
The handbooks are reviewed annually by administrators from the elementary, middle school and high school levels as well as by central office staff. That group makes any needed changes to the documents then, it goes to the school board for approval.
Often times the changes are made due to change in state statute while other times, pieces are added when the need becomes apparent.
Some revisions made to the handbooks include: updating admission requirements, including vaccination guidelines; adding more comprehensive bullying information; updating the head lice procedure and adding an infectious soft skin tissue policy and procedures. Changes to the high school tardiness policy were also made.
At the BOE meeting Monday night, the board heard a report by Dr. Jan Voss, Associate Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction, regarding upcoming changes to the Kansas teacher certification and licensure requirements.
ÒThere is a real shortage of teachers right now in Kansas and across the nation,Ó Voss said. ÒTEAL (Teacher Education and Licensure) is being responsive to schools needs by removing barriers; which will not impact the quality of teacher candidates seeking licensure.Ó
Some of the barriers being eliminated include grade point average requirements and the rubric for scoring the KPA (Kansas Performance Assessment.) The plan also has numerous individual pathways to serve a more diverse teacher pool.
A traditional path would serve those who graduate with a degree in education from one of the Kansas colleges. Restricted teaching licenses are available to help those with degrees and expertise in a particular content area but that donÕt have an education degree. This could provide particularly helpful in high need areas such as math, science, foreign language, library media and counseling.
In terms of long-term help, barriers beyond no longer requiring a minimum GPA for an initial conditional license being required were addressed. Secondary level endorsements in specific content areas (i.e. science) is now available to those candidates who have a verifying score on the appropriate science content assessment and any licensed teacher can add a middle level content endorsement in one of three pathways. Also, any middle level teacher with middle level content endorsement can add a secondary level by verifying completion of 50 percent of the approved content program (college hours) and a passing score on the appropriate test.
In other news, the board:
á Called the meeting to order
á Recognized visitors
á Approved the agenda as amended
á Approved the consent agenda
á Recognized the following resignations:
Michel Sportsman Ð Principal, Adams Elementary
Dana Colclasure Ð Custodian at high school
Amber Jennings Ð Learner Support at IXL
Tung Nguyen Ð ESOL Support at high school
á Approved the following new staff:
Blanca Alvarenga Ð ESOL Support at high school
Danny Meeks Ð Custodian at middle school
Nisha Meza Ð Learner Support at Jefferson
Gail Palmer Ð Learner Support at IXL
Teresa Pynter Ð Lunch Aide at high school
á Approved technology bids
á Heard a report by J.K. Campbell on the state audit
á Heard an update on legislative issues by Dr. Ron Ballard and Daren Reese
á Moved into executive session
á Called the regular meeting back to order
á Adjourned