Eureka Junior/Senior High School Policy Change To Eliminate Cell Phone Use At Lunch
As the end of the school year is fast approaching, Eureka USD 389 Board of Education heard proposed policy updates from district administration on Monday, April 14, with the board approving the policy recommendations as presented, 5-1, with board member Austin Evenson voting no.
Marshall Elementary (ME) Principal Stacy Coulter shared minor changes to the ME handbook, noting. She stated that the use of profanity and/or cursing had increased and would like the following added to the handbook, “Use of profanity and/or cursing words will result in teacher or administrative consequences dependent on habitual or severity usage.” Principal Coulter also asked that an addition be made to the “Toys and Extra Items” section of the handbook. The handbook already states, “Students may not bring any toys, balls, games, fidget spinners, or trading cards to school unless pre-approved by school staff. Items brought for show and tell must be cleared in advance, and the items may not be played with during the day. The school is not responsible for loss or damage to these items.” Coulter would like to add the following, “Any of these items or other items that a student brings from home which are a distraction to the learning environment, will be stored in the office until the end of the day or parent/guardian may pick them up to be taken home.”
Eureka Junior/Senior High School (EJSHS) Principal Angie Lowe noted that the biggest change EJSHS had was to change the cell phone policy to eliminate phones at lunch. “It’s been very interesting watching what has gone on this year,” stated Lowe. “At the beginning of the year, before the kids realized that they had time to go from class to locker, to lunch and then back to the locker, to get to their next class, we didn’t have phones at lunch to speak of, and the kids talked. They looked at each other, there was conversation at the tables. As the year has gone on, we have seen more and more phones come into the lunch room, we have kids, multiple kids, whom never speak.
She continued by noting that they were always looking at their phones. Board member Brian Mongeau stated that some may use the lunchtime as a “break” and elect to check messages/communicate with others outside of school during that time. Principal Lowe also noted a change would be made regarding doctors’ notes. She shared that, as the end of the semester approaches, the office typically sees an influx of doctors’ notes being submitted as students hope to be exempt from finals.
Principal Lowe shared that last year, the district received blanket notes that listed all days specific students were absent from classes and she would like to see the change for these notes to be received in a more timely manner. The proposal noted that doctors’ notes should be received within five days of the absence.
Boardmember and outgoing Eureka Recreation Commission (ERC) member Evenson recommended appointing Jamie Stephens, noting the detailed letter of interest that was submitted. It was noted that two emails were received noting the interest of serving on the ERC, Stephens and Clay Crisswell.
Technology Director Bill Pitko presented a proposal for 20 13-inch MacBook Air computers and one 24-inch iMac computer to replace a secretary’s computer, as the machine is two operating systems behind. The board approved the request as presented, totaling $19,436.
Laura Neill, Faith Rucker, Mindy Westerman and Cammie Hoover presented the district’s Kansas Education Systems Accreditation (KESA) action plan to the board. Other committee members include Karen Bitler, Trint Peine and Anna Noble. The board approved the plan as presented.
The board approved to renew their membership with the Kansas
Association of School Boards (KASB). The board also approved the LEA Assurances and student enrollment capacity as presented.
During administrative reports, EJSHS Athletic Director Joe Thornburg shared that Eureka was once again selected to host 2A Track. The event will be held on Thursday, May 22, beginning with field events at 2 p.m. Running events are slated to begin at 4:30 p.m.
Board clerk Tammi Burtin shared that the positions of Mike Pitko (District 4), Travis Harrison (District 5) and Mongeau (District 6) would appear on the November General Election ballot. Those wishing to file must do so at the Greenwood County Clerk’s Office by Monday, June 2.
A five minute executive session was held with the board, EJSHS administration,
Superintendent Scott Hoyt and Ashley Boles, regarding student matters. No action was taken.
A second executive session for student matters, totaling 15 minutes, was held later in the meeting with the board, Hoyt and EJSHS administration. No action was taken.
The third executive session for the evening was for negotiations with Superintendent Hoyt and Principal Lowe for five minutes. No action was taken.
Regarding personnel, the board approved the following resignations: Al Brown, boys high school head basketball coach; Joey Nunley, EJSHS Science Teacher/ Assistant boys junior high basketball coach; and Deborah Smith Oelke, ME paraprofessional The next meeting for the Eureka USD 389 Board of Education is slated for Monday, May 12, at 6 p.m.
