New Superintendent Suggests Studying Future of High Schools Again

Jeff Marion, the incoming superintendent of the St. Charles School District, has suggested the Board of Education study possible long-term solutions to budget problems.

The new superintendent of the St. Charles School District wants to study the cost savings the school district might realize by closing a high school. Jeff Marion, who will take his new position as district superintendent July 1, talked to the Board of Education Feb. 27 about the need for ways to save money over the long run. The district is now trying to cut $2.6 million from the budget over the next two years, in part through cutting 10 positions. One part of the effort to look for long-term solutions would be studying carefully the financial impact of closing a high school. Enrollment at the high schools has dropped to about 1,500 students this year, down from a high of 2,357 students in 1980. "We can't leave any rock unturned," Marion …

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High School Boys Basketball GAC Standings

Check out your team's standings for the week of Jan. 22.

Boys Basketball: Gateway Athletic Conference North Duchesne:  Duchesne improved to 12-7 overall after a win against St. Charles West on Friday. Duchesne won 56-64. St. Charles:  Pirates are 9-10 and are on a five game losing streak. The team lost to Howell Central on Friday, 48-59. Fort Zumwalt North: The team beat Hazelwood East on Tuesday but lost to Parkway North and Pattonville at Zumwalt North on Wednesday and Friday. The team is 9-9 on the season.  Fort Zumwalt East: The Lions lost to Fort Zumwalt South on Sunday, 48-62. The team is 6-13 on the season. St. Charles West: The Warriors are 4-15 after a loss to Duchesne Friday, 56-64. Read a recap of the game on St. Charles Patch. Fort Zumwalt South: The Bulldogs are on a three game …

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High Schools Plan Fall Theater Productions

Shows range from "Our Town" to "Charlie And The Chocolate Factory."

Young thespians and their teachers at the five high schools in St. Charles are gearing up for the fall theater season.  Orchard Farm High School will present Charlie and the Chocolate Factory at 7 p.m. Nov. 11-12 in the school gym, 2165 Highway V. Based on the children's book by British author Roald Dahl, it tells the story of young Charlie Bucket, who has a bizarre adventure while visiting a chocolate factory owned by the eccentric Willy Wonka. "It's a show we've not done before," said Kathy Bhat, music teacher and director. "It looked like we had the right group of kids, and there was a lot of interest in it. It's a fun show." The show features high school and middle school students. There are 19 in the cast along with 16 Oompa Loompas …

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WANTED: Assistant Coach, Secretary, Security Guard and More

"Patch" takes a weekly look at what jobs are available in St. Charles County. This week, we are featuring jobs in St. Charles County schools.

Each week, St. Charles Patch brings you a list of businesses seeking to fill positions in town and in nearby communities. Here are five opportunities we found this week in St. Charles County schools (More jobs with St. Charles County schools can be found on district websites): Who’s Hiring: Wentzville School District Location: Wentzville Job: Nighttime security guard Category: Full time Pay: $9.42 to $11.74 per hour Benefits: Vision, dental, health Status: Open until filled To Apply: Follow this link. Who’s Hiring: Crossroads Elementary Location: Wentzville Job: Instructional assistant for special education Category: Full time Pay: $12.45 to $14.25 per hour Benefits: Vision, dental, health Status: Open until filled Experience: 60 college …

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Whiz Kid

Whiz Kid: Kenneth Coburn

St. Charles Patch features a student who has a summertime accomplishment.

Whiz Kid: Kenneth Coburn, 17 Whiz Kid’s school: St. Charles West High School Whiz Kid’s Key to Awesomeness: Coburn, a sophomore last year completed the University of Missouri-St. Louis’ four-week Bridge program. The program is targeted at students underserved by universities and colleges and provides college access programming to students and parents. It offers students academic, social, college and career planning and professional development courses, and is led by UMSL professors and administrators. The program concluded with an awards ceremony Thursday at the Airport Marriott. Coburn said he enjoyed the Bridge program’s sessions on career and personal development sessions the most. “It actually helped me find a few colleges that I’m …

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Fit to Run the Race for Faith and Life

At the Mayor’s Annual Prayer Breakfast, attendees heard a down-to-earth message about God and family from Mrs. America

St. Charles native Andrea Robertson was the speaker at the 24th Annual Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast Thursday at the Columns Banquet and Conference Center. You might be thinking, “Who?” Robertson is Mrs. America 2010. She competed in the Mrs. World Beauty Pageant and is first runner-up. Yes, she was just one beauty queen away from wearing the Mrs. World crown. Robertson is the first to say that beauty is more than skin deep. Fifty percent of the pageant contestant's score is based on her interview, the evening gown and bathing suit scores make up the other half of the score. In sharing her experiences with the pageant judges and the interview questions, Robertson said she was asked, “What makes a woman beautiful?" Thursday, she said the first …

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Notebook: Many Area Golfers Advance Past Districts

The St. Charles West golf team turned in a high-quality performance at the Class 3 District 4 tournament.

The St. Charles West golf team turned in a high-quality performance at the Class 3 District 4 tournament at the Innsbrook Golf Course in Innsbrook, Mo last Thursday. The Warriors finished fourth out of 11 teams with an overall score of 357, 19 strokes behind first-place Moberly. Three individuals qualified for state sectionals next Wednesday. Chris Percy and Kevin Averett each shot an 83 to tie for eighth place, while Matthew Flavin placed 14th with a score of 89. The St. Charles West girls soccer team is 12-2 overall, including a 6-0 mark in the Gateway Athletic Conference North. The Warriors defeated Warrenton, 4-0, on Thursday and will play at St. Dominic (13-3) on Monday at 6:15 p.m., followed by a match at Fort Zumwalt North on …

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New Amphitheater Takes Shape at St. Charles West

Student-led project set to open later this spring.

“Advanced Solutions and Design and Machine Processes” doesn’t quite roll off the tongue, but Jeremy Jackson is OK with that. “We just call it amphitheater class,” he said. Essentially, that’s what it’s been. For the past three years, Jackson, a technology education teacher at St. Charles West High School, has led dozens of students as they participate in a unique project, the building of an outdoor amphitheater at the school. The three-tiered structure, which will feature 11 picnic tables, about 15 park benches and a grass seating area, is now nearing completion with an unspecified opening day set for this spring. With a capacity of about 100 people, it will supplement the school’s indoor theatre. Jackson said potential uses run the gamut …

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Baseball: St. Charles West Expects Major Improvement

A preview of the St. Charles West High School 2011 baseball season.

St. Charles West High School Team Name: Warriors 2010 Record:  3-21, 0-7 GAC North Head Coach: Kevin Bohnert Key Position: Pitching: The Warriors scored a league-low 3.5 runs per game in 2010, and lost much of their top offensive talent. It will be up to Bohnert’s pitching and defense to keep the team close in most games. St. Charles West allowed nearly eight runs per game last year, and must improve that mark to have any chance at a winning season. Senior starters Dustin Fuller and JJ Kinnevan will get most of the starts, but the tandem had only a combined eight starts last season and only two victories. Key Players: Much of the team's success hinges on Kinnevan. He is the Warriors’ top returning offensive performer. Kinnevan hit .257 …

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Soccer: Orchard Farm Juniors Robbers, Liston Are Key to Success of Team

Soccer team hopes to improve on 14-10-1 record last year.

Orchard Farm High School Team Name: Eagles 2010 Record:  14-10-1 (first Eastern MO Conference) Head Coach: Brandon Cox Preseason Ranking: Ranked eighth in state at the end of last season. Key Positions: Goalkeeper: Junior Corrin Scriber returns in net. Defenders: Sweeper Casey Mann is a freshman and a great talent. Senior captain Casey Kesselheim will help lead the young defense. Scorers: Juniors Brooke Burkhardt and Alexis Robbers led the team in scoring last season and are keys to success of the season with Robbers breaking the school's scoring record with 27 goals, and senior center midfielder Andrea Liston set the assist record last year. Expectations: Cox said the team did lose some quality players last year, but has a strong core of …

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