Students learn by hitting the road

As a field lesson, a group of local fifth grade students recently traveled to St. Louis, Mo., by way of several modes of transportation.

At the monthly USD 234 board meeting Monday, board members viewed a slide production of the elementary students' transportation trip during spring break. Winfield Scott Elementary Principal Dave Elliott, who organized and chaperoned the event, explained to the local board members the different types of transportation that the 10 students experienced on the trip.

Elliott said the students had the opportunity to travel by taxi, plane, boat, subway and train. In addition to experiencing several different methods of transportation, they also visited Grant's Farm and Grant's National Historic Site. It was there that the students learned about the various types of transportation throughout history. In addition to their lessons in transportation, the students visited the St. Louis Zoo, the St. Louis Arch and the St. Louis Science Center. Elliott said despite the fact that it rained 43 out of the 48 hours that the group was in St. Louis, the students all had a good time.

Also at the Monday night meeting, Youth Activities Team member Paul Martin addressed members of the board to explain the team's plans to complete an expansion of Ellis Park, which will include a miniature golf course, sand volleyball, batting cages, a jogging and walking trail, picnic shelters, outside basketball courts and a playground area. Martin asked the board to approve a "coin war" to be conducted in the U-234 schools.

YAT is attempting to raise 3.37 million pennies for the park, which is the number of pennies it will take to make 40 miles of pennies and beat the current record in the Guinness Book of World Records. Allowing the local students to participate in the coin war will help YAT to meet this goal.

In keeping with April as National Community College Month, Fort Scott Community College President Clayton Tatro updated the board on various facts about the local community college. During the presentation, he said FSCC is doing well in comparison to the other colleges in the state.

The board conducted a hearing to consider amending three 2007-08 budgets. The board found that the general fund budget needed to be amended because of an increase in enrollment in several instructional areas. The board also considered amending the special education fund due to anticipated additional state aid. Also, due to additional revenue to be received from a temporary note, the capital outlay fund budget authority was increased to fund major district heating, ventilating, and air conditioning summer projects. The local property tax will not be increased due to these amendments.

In other matters the board approved the following:

* The use of athletic funds to supplement the budget amounts in various athletic areas.

* Retirement of Winfield Scott cook Judy Button and Winfield Scott custodian Fred Judy.

* Resignation of Fort Scott High School math teacher Annette Miles, FSHS counselor Patty Smilie and Fort Scott Middle School special education teacher Hallie Slavens.

* Employment of FSHS mathematics teacher Amy Harper, Winfield Scott special education teacher Julie Davish and FSHS girls softball assistant coach Patty LaRoche.

* Employment of all licensed employees.

* Transfer of Susan Regan from Winfield Scott third grade teacher to Winfield Scott kindergarten teacher.