COLUMBUS JUNCTION, Iowa — An open campus policy approved by the Columbus School Board during its regular meeting Monday will mean seniors at the school will get a break from classes.

The proposal was floated to the Board by high school principal Matt Kingsbury last month. Kingsbury said then that the open campus privilege would require students to meet attendance, grade, discipline and other thresholds.

Under the policy, students who qualify would be free to leave the school campus during an assigned free period or remain on campus in approved areas, such as the library.

Kingsbury told the Board Monday that around 20 students qualified for open campus, although several of them were borderline. He said the students who eventually do qualify for the program would represent an elite group that should be rewarded.

“These are the top,” Kingsbury said, explaining they have never caused any trouble and have maintained good academic standards.

“I think these kids should be rewarded,” he said, adding the policy would also provide an incentive for juniors interested in qualifying during the first semester of their senior year.

The Board approved the policy to begin this year during the second semester.

Students will be required to maintain good attendance, behavior and academic levels to remain eligible.

In other business

— The Board also agreed to spend up to $3,500 to provide flu shots for District staff.

Superintendent Rich Bridenstine said the shots would provide protection only for influenza A and not H1N1 flu. The flu bug has been hitting the District recently, officials said, with recent figures of 60-90 elementary students out over the past two weeks.

— The Board tabled action on a proposal to offer health insurance coverage to more non-certified staff. That idea had been proposed last month as an effort to equalize benefits among the school’s class associates. Anyone receiving the additional benefit would have paid their own premiums.

However, Bridenstine said after checking with the school’s insurance carrier it was discovered the offer could lead to higher costs for the District’s certified staff, who pay a capped insurance premium. Bridenstine said that would mean the school and the Columbus Education Association would need to negotiate that change.

The proposal was tabled until the issue is settled between the district and the Columbus Education Association.

— The Board reviewed several first readings of policies covering conflicts of interest, student physical activity and military leave. Additional readings will be made next month.

— The Board elected Marsha Gerot, who recently won re-election, as board president and Dan Peters as vice president. Newly elected board members Joy Lekwa and Sandy Martin were also welcomed, while former board members Ed Smith and Mike Braun were recognized for their past service with lifetime activity passes for two and plaques of appreciation.

Smith, who served eight years on the Board, did not seek re-election this year; while Braun was defeated in his bid for re-election. He had served 15 years on the Board.

— The board  agreed to fill a vacant cheerleading sponsor position for the junior high football  team and launch a complete junior high program, after learning nearly 30 students had signed a participation sheet.

Jennifer Scorpil was hired to fill the sponsor position, which Bridenstine said had been listed as part of the school’s master contract, but not filled for many years.

That changed after Middle School principal Jeff Maeder said several students approached him about forming a junior high football cheerleading squad and that idea then grew as more students showed interest.

Maeder and Bridenstine said establishing squads for junior high basketball and wrestling, along with the football squad, would mean more opportunities for students.

“We’re just trying to engage more students,” Bridenstine explained.

Formal creation of the basketball and wrestling cheerleading squads will be taken up next month.