Students utilizing extended learning opportunities

The Rock Hills Board of Education regular September meeting was held on Sept. 12 at the district office. Those present were Kenny Mizner, Bobi Fogo, Brandon Hollerich, Wayne Frost, Rex Boley (Zoom), Cassi Bozarth and Janet Higer. Guests present were Peyton Zadina, Troy Duskie, Jenna Langer, Amanda Kendall, Zach Sneathan, Elizabeth Johnson, Darrin Headrick and Phil Menhusen.

It was reported some of the step boards and seat boards have been replaced on the bleachers. More boards will be ordered to replace the old ones as needed.

The district transportation fleet underwent its yearly Kansas Highway Patrol inspections. The activity bus is still at Central Power in Salina. They are still waiting on a part to finish it.

Mr. Meyers attended a Counting Kids In-service in Salina to learn more about course pathways and alignment to ensure the district is correctly accounting for students’ courses that are outside of the normal course offerings

School play try-outs were September 15 and 19. The play will be performed on November 18 and 19.

The fire departments and EMS departments from Mankato and the neighboring communities will be conducting a Mass Casualty Drill on Saturday, Sept. 24. The drill will utilize student and adult volunteers to simulate a mass casualty event (this simulation will be a direct strike tornado to the junior-senior high school building). The drill will help the departments put into action procedures and protocols and assess their effectiveness to be prepared if there were an actual catastrophic event.

Multiple Rock Hills students are taking part in extended learning opportunities this school year. As the district continues to work towards college and career readiness, it is also working to expand opportunities for students to gain additional college credits, industry recognized certifications, work based learning experiences and internship placements while they are still students at Rock Hills. Some of the expanded learning experiences students are taking part in are: seven students, NCK Technical College half day programs; three students, teacher internship practicum at the elementary school; one student, nursing (physician’s assistant) internship at Mitchel County Health System; one student, veterinarian internship at Hanel Veterinary Clinic; one student, history museum internship at Jewell County Historical Society Museum; four students, CNA courses and practicums during the semester at Jewell County Hospital through Cloud County Community College; five students planning to take the CDL program; one student working towards his American Welding Society certification; one student working on his wind energy certification through online classes as well as on campus classes at Cloud County Community College; and 13 students taking the OSHA 10 certification program through NCK Technical College. Multiple students are taking on-line courses towards their post-secondary degrees through Cloud County Community College and NCK Technical College as well as classes taught by Rock Hills teachers for concurrent high school and college credit.

Ms. Bozarth, PK-5 principal, reported Back to School night was a success.

Students learned about building relationships in August during morning meeting time.

The elementary teachers started their professional development of LETRS. This is a program that helps teachers teach the skills required for proficient reading and writing.

Mr. Boley, superintendent, reported

the district has 178 students enrolled PreK-5 and 177 enrolled 6-12 for a total of 356 students.

Eric Johnson is designing water mitigation plans for the elementary school. He plans to present the plan to the board at the October regular meeting. The plan is to have this work done summer 2023.

Mr. Boley has contacted Carla Fleming and informed her the board is interested in hearing the Jewell County Strong proposal for land.

The Snap-On Precision Measurement tools and curriculum have been received. Mr. Ost will be teaching this NC3 Industry Certification after his students complete OSHA 10 Safety Certification.

The district was approved for a 2022-2023 KDHE grant.

Synexis units have been installed in each classroom, lunchrooms and lockers rooms. The district received a Safe and Secure Schools Grant from KSDE in the amount of $7,000. HTK will be creating drawings and preparing the application to the State Fire Marshalls for approval for daycare and housing for student teachers.

The district is currently advertising for: elementary counselor-student support, MTSS para at elementary, bus driver, activity bus driver, PreK bus-suburban driver, sub bus driver, sub suburban drivers, and assistant of maintenance-transportation.

Peyton Zadina, president of the RH FFA Chapter and Troy Duskie, vice president, made a presentation to the board requesting approval for vehicles, fuel and travel to attend the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, Ind., in October. The board approved.

Zach Sneathan from HTK presented an overview of the facility study and the results of a survey he had sent to board members outlining high, medium and low priority items. Elizabeth Johnson from HTK and Darrin Headrick from McCowen-Gordan assisted in the presentation.

The board accepted the bid from White Rock Electric for lighting in the elementary cafeteria and the high school gym. The bid was for the elementary cafeteria, $,3,988 and the high school gym, $6,210.32

The board approved Mr. Boley’s request to move the 2-hour early release from September 23 to October 7 because of homecoming.

Mr. Boley and Mrs. Bozarth reviewed the state assessment results with the board.

The board approved to renew Cunningham Telephone and Cable’s tower lease with USD 107.

Mr. Boley reviewed the continuation of the Covid-19 Protocol. He said some protocols were added because of the KDHE grant.

Mr. Boley shared the daycare director job description with the board for their review.

The board approved the KDGE Grant for $340,825.00 and the Safe and Secure Schools Grant.

Brenden Wirth was appointed the KASB delegate and Kenny Mizner as the alternate.

The $500 gift from Central Kansas Library System.

The board accepted the resignation of Patricia Topliff and approved offering a 22/23 school nurse contract to Amanda Kendall.

The board approved offering Toni Franz a substitute teacher position pending a background check.

Cassi Bozarth was offered a supplemental contract as the district concessions sponsor for the 22/23 school year.

The next regular meeting is scheduled for Monday, Oct. 10, 2022, at 1:00 p.m., in the board room of the district office.