Students to register online for 2008-2009 school year

MINSTER - Local high school students will get a taste of college life when its comes time to register for 2008-2009 classes, according to reports presented when the Minster Local Schools board of education met Monday night.

"We are trying to integrate more technology," Superintendent Gayl Ray said. "Our students will register online when they head to college. This will give them a step up. Even the military uses online technology."

Ray has been working with technology coordinator Greg Berning to pave the way for online high school registration. The current Student Data System has a function to making this possible, meaning there will be no additional equipment to purchase. Guidance counselor Pat Gavit will be attending a training session in January with everything set to go when class registration begins in the spring.

Treasurer Laura Klosterman distributed copies of the five-year financial forecast, which contains projected revenues ranging from $8.3 million to $8.7 million through fiscal year 2012 and projected expenditures of $7.4 million to $9.1 million during the same time period. She noted the numbers will change in December when final tax numbers are received.

The cash balances range from $1,013,312 on June 30, 2008, to $790,413 on June 30, 2012.

In other action, the board:

• Approved a request from athletic director Rob Vajda to revise a policy regarding paid assistant coaches who serve as head coaches below the varsity level. With no freshman girls basketball or freshman girls volleyball teams this year, he asked the coaching posts of Berning, seventh-grade girls basketball coach, and Sharon Floyd, eighth-grade volleyball coach be paid instead of voluntary.

• Heard a presentation from high school language arts teachers Barb Moore, Becky Dues and Jessie Magoto on the Planned Learning Communities (PLC's) concept designed to help teachers meet the needs of each child in the classroom. They already have seen results and look forward to networking with other departments at the high school and middle school.

• Renewed a snow removal contract with Brad Winner at the same rate as last year - $60 per hour per vehicle.

• Received an update from senior Jason Westerheide, who currently serves as national president of the Family Careers and Community Leaders of America. He has traveled to Ohio State University, Washington, D.C., Buffalo, N.Y., and Minneapolis, Minn., in past weeks. His duties will take him to Columbus, Cleveland and Las Vegas, Nev.

• Recognized student Alyssa Brown for receiving the Girl Scout gold award. Her 65-hour service project involved landscaping work at the Angel Garden at the Maria Stein Spiritual Center.

• Welcomed newly elected board member Kurt Forsthoefel to the meeting. He and Julie Ellis ran unopposed for the seats being vacated by Ted Beckman and Carol Ranly.

• Appointed Beckman as the board's representative to the Minster Scholarship Fund.

• Set 8 p.m. Dec. 17 as the time and date for its next meeting. The session will be held at the high school conference room.

• Met in executive session to discuss the employment and compensation of a public employee. No action was taken following the closed door session.