The 15 Iola High School students enrolled in physics for the fall semester may be tutored through an Olathe company’s interactive computer program.
Scot Yarnell, who taught physics, was a victim of staff reductions prompted by state funding cuts.
To fill the void, board members heard a presentation about Insight School of Kansas, Olathe, Monday night and will decide soon whether to subscribe to its service.
Jodi Grover, IHS counselor, told board members cost would be $300 per student the first semester and $175 each the second semester, totaling $7,125 for 2010-2011, much less than the cost of an instructor.
Insight’s program may be accessed by computer at any time, in school or at home, and is fully interactive. An instructor is available to tutor and answer questions. As example, communication from Iola to Olathe last night was by keyboard with verbal responses.
Grover said the flexibility of Insight’s program was important, noting those enrolled in physics were at the upper end educationally and were among the most involved of IHS students. She also said having physics available was im-portant for students preparing for college, particularly those with an interest in technical fields.
BOARD members did not decide on a project for students who will be enrolled in building trades classes next year.
The last two houses built, one in Gas and the other in the Cedarbrook Addition of Iola, remain unsold and until they are another new house is not in the district’s plans. Dr. Craig Neuen-swander said each house had been shown “two or three times,” but no offers had been made.
Students may instead construct or remodel district structures or remodel existing houses, an opportunity to gain a new set of skills.
A decision likely will be made in July.
Board members were told by Stephen Kozlan of Schneider Electric that his company’s effort to program climate controls at the middle and high schools and Bowlus Fine Arts Center produced an annual savings of $80,000.
The computerized controls start and shut down heating and cooling, as well as lighting, in predetermined sequences that fit schedules at each of the buildings.
“We’re continuing to rewrite software and up-grade sequences” to provide further energy savings for the district, Kozlan said.
Kozlan spent today with district custodial staff in training and trouble-shooting sessions.
Board members accepted bids for two of three lots the district offered for sale last month.
Richard Huston purchased 802 N. Buckeye for $1,227 and Randall Shapel’s bid of $3,015 for 417 N. Cottonwood was accepted. A third lot at 402 S. Kentucky with a minimum bid of $1,000 did not attract an offer.
The board renewed membership in the Kansas Association of School Boards at a cost of $10,357, based on enrollment, and agreed to retain KASB legal services for $1,400.
Following a 30-minute executive session to discuss negotiations and non-elected personnel, board members hired Katie Murphy to teach English at the high school next year.
