The School Board approved strategies to try to reduce vaping, increased pay for some district employees, donated World War II memorabilia and reflected on semester school reports at Thursday’s meeting.
High School Principal Ron Abel asked the board to approve policy changes to help crack down on vaping on school grounds.
He proposed the following additions to the student handbook:
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Students “hanging out” in the restroom is not allowed. Lingering in the restroom area or having more than a single student in a restroom stall will result in disciplinary action.
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Due to the increased use of vaping devices, the principals or other designated school personnel may conduct a metal detector check of any student’s person or personal effects if the staff member has reasonable suspicion a search of that area will result in proof of a violation of law, board policy or school rule.
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If the student refuses to submit to the metal detector check, the principal or designee may take disciplinary action for disobeying an order of such staff member or seek assistance from law enforcement.
Abel said there has been an increase in vaping usage at the school.
“I’m not coming to you to tell you we haven’t had vaping things in the past, but I think it has expanded significantly,” Abel said. “I don’t think that the messaging that we have been able to do has had any kind of an impact on whether they would stop doing it.”
Board member Claire Harding asked Abel what else the school was doing to stop vaping in the building.
“I for sure think it is one tool in our toolbox to address the issue, and I want our community to know that there’s a lot of different pieces at play here,” Harding said.
Abel said the school has had visitors like D.A.R.E. and others educate students on the effects of vaping. He said this helps students spread what they learn to others.
“It is my hope that we don’t have to do punitive things, but I just feel like right now what we are doing isn’t enough,” Abel said. “I am still continuing to look for options of what we can do to make our kids understand that.”
The board approved the changes to the handbook.
In other business, Seth Heide presented the elementary school report and reflected on a great first semester as principal. Heide discussed the ways their school is focusing on data to not only help students succeed but emphasize collective efficacy among teachers.
Focusing on transparency about where teachers may be struggling to teach certain concepts helps jump start the conversation.
“It is very challenging for them because they have to be very reflective and know that everyone needs to be on the same page,” Heide said. “We need that vulnerability to be our best.”
The School Board also approved an increase of substitute pay from $10 to $15 per hour and the increase in summer crew pay from $12 to $13. Summer crew employees help mow lawn, paint, move furniture and other jobs over the course of the summer.
Superintendent Stu Moeckel also delivered his report on schools. He presented a draft of the potential calendar for the 2023-24 school year, but noted the calendar is not finalized. In January, the board will adopt the final copy of the calendar.
Moeckel also updated the board on the findings of their Future Growth Planning Committee. The group of about 30 people has been meeting each week to discuss what they feel is needed for Panasonic growth.
The group constructed what Moeckel called a wish list to plan what infrastructure needs are recommended.
Security infrastructure is on the top of their priorities for every school, including roofs, communications and parking lots. The committee is discussing a sixth pod for early childhood offerings, updates to the playground and new HVAC for the elementary school.
At the middle school, Moeckel discussed the need for a more secure entrance system similar to that at the other schools. Intercoms, HVAC and badge entry to some new doors are also voiced by the committee as necessary.
Committee members and district members have also emphasized the importance of a new auxiliary gym at the high school, as well as HVAC.
The committee is made up of parents and other community members, Moeckel said he is also working to meet with teachers to make sure their voices are heard.
The next two committee meetings will determine what needs are immediate before they present to the board for a vote.
Moeckel said next year the board will have to set a cap on class numbers for students as a result of the new open boundary system that will begin in June 2024. Depending on the increase, the district may have to hire new staff before the next school year.
In other news, Moeckle presented about the potential adoption of a hunter education class for middle school students next semester.
The class is offered by the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks to any school in Kansas. The program is available at no cost to schools and will allow students a chance to obtain their hunter education certification. The certification is required to do any hunting in the state of Kansas.
The class would be instructed by Caleb Lewis, who is already a licensed hunter safety instructor and by Ty Pattison and Jeremy Thomas. Pattison and Thomas have been trained through the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks.
The class will include six hours of classroom instruction and four hours of field instruction at an offsite location. The signup will be limited to 40 students. The board will make the final vote in January.
In other business, the board:
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Accepted the resignation of high school volleyball head coach Mallorie Cleveland.
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Recognized Joellen Vogt for her state golf qualification.
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Agreed to donate a plaque listing every Eudora High School student who served in World War II to the Community Museum. The plaque had been hanging in the middle and high school libraries for quite some time. After seeing excitement from community members during their Veterans Day celebrations, they decided to donate it to a new location. Thomas presented the memorabilia to Ben Terwilliger from the Eudora Area Historical Society during the meeting.
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Approved the extension of the superintendent contract until June 2025.
Reach reporter Sara Maloney at [email protected]
