Thursday, July 19, 2007

Jeff West board endorses student exchange program

by Clarke Davis

A student exchange trip with a high school in Bebra, Germany, got the go-ahead from the Jefferson West school board July 9.

As many as 16 members of the junior and senior classes will be selected to make the trip to Germany for a 10- to 12-day stay this fall. The Jefferson West community will then reciprocate by being host to a like number of students from Germany in the spring.

Superintendent Scott Myers said he didn’t know how many would be going this first year because cost would be a determining factor. The student has to buy their own $700 plane ticket and there will not be any district fund raising. They must also acquire a passport.

The students will make application and go through a selection process. The trip will also be tied to an academic program.

“With the Internet, the students in the two schools will begin to get acquainted,” Myers said. “They will then begin working on some kind of a project, something to accomplish by year’s end.”

The superintendent has experience with the program having seen it development in Elkhart, the last school he served.

The educational advantages include gaining a global perspective, being involved in real problem solving, developing communtion skills, and having a “great learning experience,” Myers said.

Two staff members will accompany the students and they will reside in the homes of the students in Breba. The program is expected to continue each year.

“Those planning to go in the future will have more time to plan and save for it,” Myers said.

Blaine Moore was elected president of the USD 340 board during its annual reorganizational meeting. Dr. Jeff Van Petten was elected vice president.

Dave Jolly and Dreana McClurg were the only other members present. McClurg was elected in April and appointed soon after to fill a vacancy on the board. Other members who were absent are Dan Harden, Sandra Mumaw, and newly elected Shannon McMahon.

A greenhouse has been ordered and will be constructed north of the FFA and shop building to expand the vocational-agricultural curriculum taught by Steve Buss.

Heinen Custom Operations, Valley Falls, will construct the building beginning late this month.

“We also expect this to be part of the community outreach program with night classes in horticulture for adults,” Myers said.

“I’d like to learn more about gardening myself,” Myers said. “Although I am the proud poppa of four tomato plants.”

The superintendent also expects enrollment to rise in the district’s alternative school for adults who want to complete a high school diploma.

The school had a full-time equivalency enrollment of 2.5 students last year and that is expected to jump to 10 or 12 this year. Adults who complete the course work will receive Jefferson West diplomas.

The district will have a full-time instructor for the adult classes and this person will also teach a reading skills class to high school students.

Myers said one of the causes of students droping out of school is the inability to read.

“We start out learning to read and then soon begin to read to learn,” he said. “Those who have problems reading acquire some coping skills that last for awhile but fail them in high school. We think this class will be helpful to those students.”

Myers said the district is also planning to establish a charter school for adult education.

“We’re just setting the vision right now,” he said.

Charter schools are established through a competitive process. Last year there were about 20 requests and only half were funded, he said. “I would expect an enrollment of 30 to 40 adult students if we would establish a charter school,” he said.

In other business, the board:

• Will continue to meet the second Monday of each month at 7 p.m.

• Increase lunch prices by 5 cents

• Appointed Dave Jolly to be its representative on the board of the Northeast Kansas Education Service Center.

• Set the budget hearing for Aug. 13.