Truancy not an issue for school board

If there were a best attendance award for school board members, the 2004-05 winner would be Cindy Yulich.

Yulich, whose term runs from 2003-07, missed one out of 27 school board meetings and special sessions last year.

But there were no major truants on the school board for 2004-05.

Tied for second place with two absences each were Austin Turney, Leni Salkind, Leonard Ortiz and Linda Robinson.

In third place with three absences for the year were Rich Minder and Sue Morgan.

Newly named President Leonard Ortiz said a high standard for service had been set.

He said there were a few times when members missed meetings because of conflicting schedules, but there were not major issues.

“Overall it hasn’t been a problem,” he said.

The most-missed day followed the Independence Day holiday. Three board members missed the July 7, 2004, meeting.

County commission

Budget talks planned

Douglas County Commissioners are planning 2006 budget hearings on Tuesday and Wednesday:

Tuesday’s schedule

¢ 8:30 a.m.: Bioscience initiative

¢ 8:55 a.m.: Disability rights center request

¢ 9:10 a.m.: Courts

¢ 9:30 a.m.: District attorney

¢ 9:50 a.m.: Children’s shelter

¢ 10:10 a.m.: Watkins Community Museum of History

¢ 10:30 a.m.: Emergency Service Council/Ballard Center

¢ 10:45 a.m.: Health Care Access

¢ 11 a.m.: Douglas County Conservation District

¢ 11:15 a.m.: Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center

Wednesday’s schedule:

¢ 8:30 a.m.: Public works

¢ 9:15 a.m.: Sheriff

¢ 10 a.m.: Building and zoning

¢ 10:15 a.m.: Administrative issues

KU School of Medicine

Grant to expand public health program

A new $220,000 grant will help expand the master’s of public health program at the Kansas University School of Medicine.

The grant, from the Kansas Health Foundation, will provide for increased collaboration between the department of health policy and management and the KU master’s of public health program.

Two new courses in the two programs will be developed. The grant also provides for distance education in the new curriculum, teaching awards for faculty, a health administration certificate for MPH students, marketing of the new curriculum and ongoing program evaluation.

The goal of the grant is to assure that graduates in the public health program have sufficient management and policy expertise. Marcia Nielsen, assistant vice chancellor for health policy and government affairs, will oversee the project.