DeAun Michael | Reporter

OSAGE CITY—Before the school bells rang signaling the start of the new school year, USD 420 Board of Education members toured the school facilities prior to the regular board meeting on Aug. 12.

The tour provided board members the opportunity to see updates that had taken place over the summer break. It also gave several newer board members the chance to tour all three buildings to see the classroom and facility conditions. Included in the updates were new gymnasium lighting and several additional classroom interactive Smart Boards. Osage City Elementary School Principal Dwight Stoppel invited board members to visit a classroom to see the Smart Boards in action. The boards provide interactive possibilities between the teacher and students, using a whiteboard with touch technology.

After the tour, the board reconvened at the district office, beginning with a public hearing for comments on the 2009-2010 school budget. With no public comments heard, the board unanimously approved the budget that will include a less than one-mill increase over the previous year. Last year’s total mill levy was 41.741 and this year’s is set at 42.342.

To assist in planning and understanding the board’s priorities, USD 420 Superintendent William Orth asked the board to complete a form listing both their short and long term goals. He explained that he had also asked the same of the administration and staff. He plans to compile the results and prioritize the needs and wants of the district.

“The second phase of this is the superintendent’s advisory council,” Orth said. “The basis behind the council is things that occur here I will communicate back through to the staff. We will meet at least four times a year with a core group of staff.”

Preliminary 2009 state assessment results were also presented to the board by Orth. He noted the results are not yet final, however it appears all grades did make the annual yearly progress goals. District-wide numbers included 91.6 percent of all students made the reading standard or above, and 88.1 percent were at the mathematics standard or above.

The district’s graduation rate this past school year was 87.9 percent. Osage City High School Principal Troy Hutton explained to the board that this number is one that is affected by many issues and one that the school has worked hard to improve. Hutton said the Virtual Prescriptive Learning (VPL) credit recovery program has been an important tool in raising the graduation rate.

In other business, the board:

o heard a facility update. The new visitor’s bleachers will be delivered and installed soon. Additional Internet wiring has been completed in the elementary school. Preliminary enrollment numbers show the district remaining at approximately the same enrollment as last year.

o approved the payment of bills.

o heard a report on Three Lakes Educational Cooperative.

o held executive sessions for personnel matters and matters relating to employer-employee negotiations. Actions taken afterward included approving a contract for Kendra Madden as a sixth-grade teacher; accepting Debbie Carriger’s resignation as VPL coordinator; approving an agreement and salary increase as negotiated by the Osage City National Education Association; approving a 25-cent per hour wage increase for all classified personnel; and approving wage increases for principals of $750 per year for high school, $1,000 per year for middle school, and a one-time payment of $500 for elementary school.