BHS European trip postponed to 2019

By SARAH PARKER | County Line Reporter

Though the school board did not cancel Brookwood’s biennial European tour altogether, it did postpone it until 2019 in light of recent terror attacks on the continent.

Taking Superintendent Kelly Burhop’s recommendation, the board of education agreed unanimously on Monday to move the next educational tour from the spring of 2018 to the spring of 2019, though the program’s survival is not an absolute certainty.

The board will reconsider the matter next spring.

“I think the whole issue comes down to safety,” Burhop said. “What’s the world going to be like in 2018? Who knows? It could be better; it could be worse.”

He added that global violence might diminish after a new U.S. president is elected.

“I don’t want the program … totally taken off the table. I think there is a strong educational purpose to it.”

Though he generally praised the program, board member Kevin Bauman added, “If something happens, we will get blamed for it … Can we guarantee that nothing will happen? We don’t know. Personally, I am not willing to take that risk for the students.”

Board member Bob Streeter also cited news sources’ statistics that reflect an uptick in terror events.

“I don’t think it’s just us being fearful of the world,” he said.

Board member Justin Arndt conceded to postponing the trip. “I don’t want to see it die,” he said.

Board president Kurt Radke was not in attendance at the meeting.

Brookwood has been offering European trips to students and local adults since 1990.

Some district teachers also have suggested that the trip be offered during the summer so that students would not miss school. On that note, board member Matt Muellenberg asked about scheduling the trip during a spring break.

But according to Burhop, offering a week-long spring break would result in the school year ending in the middle of June, and due to state law, schools are tied to a Sept. 1 start date.

Other business

• Briana Nelson, a 2016 Brookwood graduate, recently received a $40,000 Ab Nicholas Foundation scholarship, according to Principal Brad Pettit.

Geared toward those who are players or managers in their school’s basketball program, the scholarship is need-based. Nelson will receive a $10,000 increment each year for four years.

• Five foreign-exchange students — three from Germany, one from France and one from Spain — will enroll at Brookwood this year, according to Pettit.

• About 60 students participated in this year’s summer school program for elementary students, according to Principal Gayle Luebke.

• The district will consider options to repair a drain tile that runs from the school’s memorial garden and extends under the 1995 elementary school addition.

• A new epoxy coating may be placed in the school hallways, and Burhop urged board members to look at a small section.

“I like it. I think it looks great. It’s a little more expensive than what we usually do, but just take a look at it.”

If the smaller section holds up and garners positive reviews, it may be applied to the entire complex.

• The N-O-W Board of Education and Scenic Bluffs Community Health Centers will provide lunches during teacher in-service.

• Kristi Jensen submitted her resignation as a special-education paraprofessional and will be replaced by Kathy Kaiser.

• Three new special-education paraprofessionals have been hired: Shirley Tainter, Mary Kiel and Jackie Pettit.

• The board hired Pamela Bennett as a special-education teacher.

• The football-field lights have been repaired, and Burhop noted that the district may soon have to consider upgrading the lights.

• N-O-W’s district administrator, Ken Simon, has had a busy summer working on tasks associated with the district’s new phone system, Burhop said.

“He’s doing a really good job of making sure everything is upgraded,” he noted.

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