Free breakfasts and lunches will be provided to children living in USD 257 again this summer.
Cost will be about $33,000, with the lion’s share coming from state and federal sources, Dr. Craig Neuenswander, superintendent of schools, told board members Monday night.
“It will cost the district $5,000 to $6,000 at the very most,” he said.
The meals are provided for two months starting a week after the spring semester ends. Adults also may eat, but must pay.
The program is an adjunct to SAFE BASE and elementary and secondary summer school sessions. Funding for summer SAFE BASE has not yet been decided but summer school sessions are planned. However, Neuenswander noted, any child in the district may partake of the meals.
In June 2009, with SAFE BASE and middle and high schools sessions, 2,110 breakfasts, 128 a day, and 4,695 lunches, 213 a day, were served. That fell to 2,110 breakfasts, 96 a day, and 2,516 lunches, 114 a day, in July with elementary summer school the only organized activity.
For comparison, 1,100 to 1,200 meals, breakfast and lunch, are served each day during the school year.
BOARD MEMBERS approved an agreement with Allen County Community College that will coordinate an early childhood education curriculum between IHS and ACCC. Other coordinated programs are in place.
Neuenswander said students from both schools would be involved with the pre-school class that will be housed at Windsor Place nursing home next year.
A 2009 71-passenger bus with 15,000 miles was purchased for $68,860 to replace one that is on its last leg. Money will come from the capital outlay fund. The winning bid, one of seven, was from Kansas Truck, Wichita. A comparable 2011 model would cost about $95,000, Neuenswander said. The bus purchased has a three-year, 100,000-mile warranty on engine and transmission.
Board members instructed the superintendent to determine minimum bids, through conversations with local real estate agents, before they offer three lots for sale. The lots, which have no future with the district, are at 402 S. Kentucky, 417 N. Cottonwood and 802 N. Buckeye.
The district joined Iola and ACCC in a neighborhood revitalization program in Gas.
Under the program, owners improving homes or businesses by $5,000 or more will receive property tax breaks. No taxes will be assessed for five years and then will be phased in at 20 percent a year.
The April 26 board meeting was rescheduled to May 3.
Larry Hart, Lincoln Elementary principal, told board members the Kansas Department of Health and Environment would pay half the cost of replacing fill under playground equipment at the school. A rubberized material will be used. Total cost will be a touch over $13,000.
Following executive sessions totaling an hour and 15 minutes, board members accepted the retirement resignations of Jonet Bland, Iola High family and consumer sciences instructor, and Dennis Nevin, middle school math teacher.
