Positive behavior reinforced at Holton

While there are plenty of cosmetic changes happening in USD 336, the Holton school board took time at Monday’s meeting to focus on some internal changes currently in effect or to be put in effect in the future, like the establishment of a community pre-kindergarten program in the district.

The change already in place is the Positive Behavior Intervention and Supports program being utilized at Colorado and Central elementary schools and staff members Addie Larson, Heather Hundley and Terry Johnson, as well as principal Beth Smith, were on hand to discuss its impact with board members.

After a short video presentation going over the positive behavior the program is trying to reinforce and the ways in which staff members are rewarding the students, Larson explained some of techniques being utilized and shared some anecdotes of how she has seen it affect students.

Currently, the elementary schools are using a lottery system to help reward good behavior (i.e. being safe, respectful, responsible, etc.), with student’s names being put into a drawing for prizes. Even teachers are being recognized monthly for their part as role models of those positive behaviors.

The staff is also putting on “big events” to help hammer home the ideas of PBIS and are always looking for fun activities to share with the students while helping them stick to the tenants of PBIS.

Students are starting to understand the benefits as well, as Larson referenced an incident in which a pre-kindergarten student was put into the prize drawing and that student was able to recognize that they were being positively rewarded for being respectful to their teacher.

Both elementary principals also said they’ve seen the program paying off just in a year’s time.

“This is an impressive program that is really effective for our kids,” Colorado principal Joe Kelly said.

“I personally have seen the benefits and know this is resonating with our students,” Smith added.

Smith also noted that in a year’s time with the PBIS program, student suspensions at Central have gone down by 50 percent.

“These are the type of things that we as a board and as a community need to support,” superintendent Dennis Stones added.

The staff on hand presenting to the board, which was just a small part of a larger PBIS committee, noted they are always looking for ways to expand the program through the big events, drawings and such and noted that donations from the community help. 

What the teachers asked for from the board was that the staff be allowed to offer tax exemption on donations made to the PBIS program.

After the presentation, the board approved the tax exemption plan by a 7-0 vote.

In addition to that program, the board also talked about the potential for community pre-kindergarten to utilize some of the other district buildings after the construction of the new elementary school.

While the diamond building from the old Colorado Elementary has been a top priority for special education offices, Stones noted that would only require two of the five classrooms in the building.

Given the three extra rooms, there is potential for the district to offer community pre-kindergarten and it is something Stones has been discussing with current staff as well as existing operations in the Holton community.

Currently, Stones noted it is unlikely there would be any government funding, so the district pre-kindergarten would be a tuition-based program. He noted that is in line with what other area schools offer, though, as it is not a required service. Both Onaga and Jackson Heights charge tuition for community pre-kindergartens offered through the school district.

Transportation is one big advantage that the school district can offer with a community Pre-K. Additionally, it will allow special education teachers to get around classrooms easier if they are housed in the same building as the SPED offices.

Board president Mike Ford voiced concerns about competing with any local businesses, but Stones noted the area pre-kindergartens had been contacted and would also be part of a committee in setting up a district service if that is an option Holton chooses to pursue.

Director of Lollipop Lane, Becky Zibell, was on-hand at the board meeting to comment as well and the one item she most urged the board to consider was in making a potential program feasible for everyone.

“I don’t want there to be a gap. I want there to be an opportunity for all economic situations,” Zibell said.

Part of the reason for discussion on Monday was to give the district a jumpstart on pursuing this option so Stones can try and secure funding, money for scholarships and get a sense of the logistics needed for the program and the board agreed to give Stones the go ahead to look into starting a community pre-kindergarten program.

Other business handled by the Holton school board on Monday included:

*Approved the consent agenda including minutes from the previous board meeting, payment of bills ($1,389,581.53), payroll ($1,129,018.10) and the resignations of Myranda Bruggeman (SPED para, JHES), Marcy Ramage (SPED para, RV) and Dalton Beightel (USD 336 grounds crew).

*Approved the hires of Carol Goodwin (SPED, SMS), Shirley Stauffer (Food Service sub), Erin Collins (Food Service sub), Ann Boltz (Food Service sub) and Juan Sanchez (HHS custodian).

*Heard from David Lassiter of Nabholz on the progress of the new elementary building, noting the south retaining wall and guardrail fence are now 90 percent complete, while 95 percent of the load-bearing masonry work is also compete. Also, he said roofing work on area A will begin soon.

Currently, Nabholz and the school are getting ready for a beam signing ceremony next Monday, which will be held from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Students will get the chance to leave their mark on the school and Lassiter noted the beam will be prominently displayed in the entryway of the new school. Stones noted former board members and former superintendent Nancy Meyer have been invited back to sign the beam as well, which will be installed on Friday.

*Heard a report from Cindy Hower of Kellerman Insurance on the district’s policies, noting that the worker’s comp insurance is the most troublesome and continues to trend upwards for the district, raising prices.

*Heard a report from Stones on the HHS auditorium renovations and he noted the lights are in place and the seats are back in the auditorium for this weekend’s high school play.

While the system may take some getting used to, Stones said the current phase is complete and the next step will be getting new curtains for the stage, potentially before the spring play.

*Discussed potential uses for the Central Elementary building and the diamond building after the construction of the new elementary school is complete.

Stones wanted to get input from the board on what options to pursue for future use and the consensus from the board was to look into selling Central for use as potential apartment buildings and selling off the playground to St. Dominic’s Catholic Church.

*Heard a report from HHS principal Rod Wittmer on the unique ongoing opportunity for a small group of students in the graphic design program.

The group is currently working in conjunction with Jostens to create their own senior announcements for graduation, a first-of-its-kind project in the history of the company. Holton’s students had to pitch their announcement ideas to Jostens representatives and beat out larger schools like Lawrence High and Lawrence Free State.

With the sectional playoffs going on this Friday for HHS, Stones also noted that all district schools will release at 1:30 p.m. on Friday.

*Discussed an issue that had been raised with board members by patrons about practice times on parent/teacher conference days and went over the potential of re-voting on the allotted breaks for staff on those days.

*Heard a report from Nancy Mann from the Holton Special Education co-operative on the equipment being utilized by visually impaired students in the district.

*Heard a report from Mike Porter  on the window work done recently at the high school, noting the windows had been re-caulked, the glass was cleaned and the panels were all painted.

At the same time, he also went up on the roof and suggested the district look into power-washing it sometime in the feature.

Porter also presented five bids for a skid-steer loader to be utilized by the district staff, mainly for the lifting capacity it would provide. Bids were received from Case I.H. (Marysville), Kan Equip (Topeka), Foley (Topeka), John Deere (Hiawatha) and White Star (Topeka).

Only two bids allowed for renting, and the board ending up approving the less expensive bid from Foley for a total of $3,500 for a one-year lease.

*Approve BOE policy changes as recommended by the Kansas Association of School Boards.

*Approved an early graduation request for Damian Scott.

*Approved band trips for honor band, jazz festival and KMEA attendance.

*Approved the ACE directors’ request to attend the national conference.

*Discussed gate policies and handling issues with attendees. Stones noted it is not up to those volunteers to deal with those issues and the board came to a consensus on amendment to gate policies, requesting walkie talkies in the ticket booths or giving volunteers the phone numbers of administrators to help handle those issues.

*Received BOE policies to review for December.

*Approved the FFE (furniture, fixtures and equipment) contract with Hollis and Miller. Stones clarified that the terms of the contract state that the district will pay Hollis and Miller only 10 percent of what they spend on equipment for the new school (not projected expenditures).

*Met in executive session for a total of 45 minutes to discuss matters pertaining to non-elected personnel.

*Noted the presence of all board members.

*Adjourned the meeting at 10:15 p.m.