2008-09-11
Minutes of the Regular Meeting––September 11, 2008
The meeting was called to order by President Bonnie Zweygardt at
8:09 p.m. on the above date in the St. Francis High School library,
with all members present except Bruce Feikert, Kelly Gienger, and
Pete Raile. Gienger and Feikert arrived later. St. Francis Herald
reporter Karen Krien was also present to observe and take
notes.
John Knodel moved to approve the agenda; the motion was seconded by
Sherry Weeks and carried.
The Board reviewed and discussed the items on the consent calendar. A motion was then made by John Knodel, seconded by Mary Beth Miller, and carried to approve the consent calendar, including the following items: 1) the minutes of the regular Board Meeting and Budget Hearing on August 14, 2008; 2) a list of bills being paid on checks numbering 8487-8507 on BankWest and numbering 5437-5514 on First National Bank for a total of $108,057.53; and 3) the Cash Summary Report (including two transfers: $1,116.60 from the Supplemental General Fund to the Vocational Fund, and $1,316.04 from the General Fund to the At-Risk Fund), and the Grade School and High School Activity Fund Reports––all as of August 31, 2008.
State Board of Education member, Mrs. Sally Cauble, District 5, was present to give a PowerPoint presentation concerning the mission and goals of the State Board.
There were no committee reports.
Under Old Business, Superintendent Schiltz distributed new mill levy impact analysis sheets which had been received from PiperJaffray. It was Board consensus to choose the 15-year bond at an estimated pay-back rate of approximately 6.25 mills as opposed to the 20-year bond at an estimated 5 mills. Mr. Schiltz will relay this information to Managing Director Greg Vahrenberg who will then proceed with the next stage of documentation for the gym project. Mr. Schiltz also reported that a campaign committee is being formed and will be meeting soon.
New Business began with consideration of a new contract for David Butler to fill the position of assistant junior-high boys’ basketball coaching aide (replacing Larry Flemming). A motion was made by John Knodel, seconded by Bruce Feikert, and carried to approve this contract.
In reference to the possibility of salary increases for all contracted employees, Superintendent Schiltz presented his thoughts and concerns dealing with the financial status of the school in connection with the continual drop in enrollment and the dollar-amount that this drop translates into. Following discussion, it was Board consensus to continue to review this subject in hopes that possibly a “salary adjustment” may be given sometime near the end of the school year, when a clearer picture of the financial status and budget expenses are known.
The Board was informed of the new monthly Blue Cross–Blue Shield (BC-BS) premium rates for the health-insurance group of school employees, effective with the new plan from November 1, 2008, through October 31, 2009, and discussed the possibility of the school paying an additional amount toward the premiums. (Information received from BC-BS indicates an average increase of 20% in premiums.) The focus of discussion was whether or not the Board was interested in increasing what the school pays toward the premiums by about the same amounts as in the past in order to retain those employees already in the group and perhaps attract others to join the group. The administration will schedule this item for the Board to consider for final approval at the October Board meeting.
A summary of the preliminary 2008-2009 school enrollment compared with the official 2007-2008 school enrollment was reviewed. The total head count enrollment of 306 is down by 13 students at this time. The official 2008-2009 enrollment will be determined on September 22, 2008.
The planned agenda for the KASB Region 9 Fall Meeting at Trego Community High School on Wednesday, October 14, from 3:30-7:30 p.m., was briefly reviewed.
Superintendent Schiltz informed the Board that a company (Get Bats Out) from Carbondale, Colorado, had been contracted to extract the bats from the grade school and high school buildings, and then seal the buildings to keep the bats out. The project was completed last week and seems to have been very successful. The contract amount for this project, including a 3-year warranty, was $15,400; and the amount paid to RSC Equipment Rental for the boom-lift was $1,953.58.
In order to save money on transportation costs, Superintendent Schiltz has pursued the possibility of purchasing a used car for the school to be used any time just one employee, or a few more, attends out-of-town meetings, workshops, conferences, etc. The cost-savings of operating a car as compared to a suburban (which is currently used for these trips) was shown in a spreadsheet that Mr. Schiltz presented. It was Board consensus that he be granted authority to purchase a used car when one becomes available.
A thank-you note had been received from a teacher expressing her appreciation for the improvements made in her classroom over the summer.
No report on school-improvement process and no review of board policy were scheduled for this meeting.
At 11:00 p.m., Mary Beth Miller moved that the meeting adjourn; the motion was seconded by Sherry Weeks and carried.
