The Sweet Springs Board of Education met Thursday, March 13, to approve embedded credit for students offered through Saline County Career Center (SCCC).

Saline County Career Center has developed a proposal to offer embedded academic credit for students who complete a specific three-hour block of courses.

"I personally like the avenue," said High School Principal Mike Smith, and it opens up several options for students to better fit their education needs.

Smith said Slater, Malta Bend and Marshall have all adopted the list of classes offered by SCCC.

"It is good for our kids," he said. The only provision he asked the board was to keep the verbiage that Marshall uses. For example, leaving the class name as "Tech. Math" would allow Sweet Springs to know immediately that credit was acquired at SCCC through embedded credit.

"There are some kids this would fit really nicely," he said.

The board approved this system with a unanimous vote by the members.

A committee was also formed by district staff to review the certified salaries. The committee made two requests. The first was tabled until correct wording and final documents were made available to the board.

The board did approve the second proposal, allowing teachers 11 "leave" days, instead of 10 "sick" days and one "personal" day.

Superintendent Boyd Jones said this would be a benefit because the administration would not "have to ask why they took those days."

Teachers will still have to call in and say they are not going to be there but they do not have to say why. There are certain conditions. These days cannot be used to extend vacation and teachers are not allowed to have a day off in May without written administrative approval.

"It will not change how teachers use these days," Jones said, teachers are going to use them regardless of wording.

After reviewing the 2008 Senior Trip itinerary, the board approved the schedule. Sixteen seniors will take a trip to Tampa and Ft. Myers, Fla. The students and their chaperons will begin their departure around 4:30 a.m. Friday, May 2, and return around 10 p.m. Wednesday, May 7. Activities include touring Busch Gardens, staying at Lani Kai Beachfront hotel, spending a day on the beach with the option of jet skiing and parasailing, going to a Miracles baseball game and visiting Naples Zoo.

In other business, the board had its second reading of the board policy revisions and will make the official vote at the April board meeting. The board also approved changes to the preschool handbook.

Five district staff members submitted resignations to the board for approval and the board did so. Betty McKeage, kindergarten teacher; Marilyn Bock, elementary secretary; Becky Hernandez, Spanish teacher; Carol McDonald, fifth grade teacher; and Dan Hill, high school agriculture teacher, have decided to move on from the district, whether it be for another job or retirement.

The next board meeting will be Thursday, April 10, at 7:30 p.m. in the high school library.

Contact Rachel Harper at marshallcity@socket.net