by Tracy McCue, Sumner Newscow — The Blizzard of Oz 2013 has come and gone, but there was some  unfinished business to tend to – like the making up of lost academic days.

The Wellington school board voted to go with Wellington Superintendent Rick Weiss’ recommendation and use the day after Easter as a makeup day. So kiddies, no fooling, on April 1 you are going to go to school instead of being on Easter Break vacation.

Wellington actually had four snow days but the state allows two snow days. The other day didn’t have to be made up because of the number of classroom hours Wellington had already accumulated. So that left one day to make up. Easter break was to last on Good Friday and Monday. But classes will resume on Monday, April 1 instead of Tuesday, April 2.

In other news …

New electronic sign

The board approved a proposal by Bryan Edwards of the Wellington High School site council to start the construction of an electronic message center at the entrance of the Wellington High School to replace the old one that no longer works. The new sign will be a full color electronic board much like the one at the Wellington Sonic Restaurant.

For years, the current electronic message board has not been working at the front entrance. The school board has never been able to put away enough funds to fix the problem. Plus, it was technologically outdated.

Edwards explained how the sign will be used by paying advertisers and school officials, marking school events. He said the board will have a five-year warranty.

This will be of no cost to the school district with revenue coming from advertisers on the board. Also a generous donation from J.C. Long of the Bank of Commerce was given to get the electronic board up and running.

Accepted resignations and hirings

The following resignations were accepted at USD 353:

•Juanita Robinson: Food Service – Effective at end of 2012-2013 school year

•Sharon Pereira: Para Educator – WMS – Effective Immediately

•Karen Fuchs: WHS Counselor – Effective June 4, 2013

•Krystal Nelson: WHS & WMS Vocal Music Teacher – Effective at end of 2012-13 school year

•Jolene Robertson: WMS Special Education Teacher – Effective June 1, 2013

•Jane Norris: USD 353 School Nurse – Effective June 1, 2013

•David Brody: USD 353 Instrumental Music Teacher – Effective June 1, 2013

•Jennie O’Dell: WHS French & ESOL Teacher – Effective, June 1, 2013

•Patricia Zeka: First Grade Teacher, Lincoln Elementary – Effective June 1, 2013

•Patti Zeka: Third Grade Teacher, Lincoln Elementary, Effective June I, 2013.

The following recommendation for hires were made:

•Ryan Elder: WHS Assistant Track Coach – 2012-2013 School Year

•Allen Keller: WHS Boys Head Tennis Coach – 2012 -2013 School Year

•Stephanie Smith: WHS Assistant Softball Coach – 2012 – 2013 School Year

The board also approved…

•Krystal Nelson, Wellington Middle School Vocal Music teacher’s, request of the students to perform at the Worlds of Fun park in Kansas City, Mo. on April 14;

•a request for Randy Ledbetter to utilize the WHS auditorium for a musical performance on Nov. 2, 2013 and Joplin Emberson to hold a religious conference during the first week of May.

•making Security State Bank as the school’s financial institution over the next five years.

The board also held at least one executive session concerning personnel. Sumner Newscow was unable to get hold of a school administrator today as to whether any action was taken after executive session.