2010-02-11
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR BOARD MEETING––FEBRUARY 11, 2010
The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. by President Mary Beth Miller in the St. Francis administration office on the above date with all members present. St. Francis Herald reporter Karen Krien was also present to observe and take notes.
Superintendent Schiltz requested the addition of one item under New Business—“Consideration of a three-year contract with auditing firm Adams, Brown, Beran and Ball.” Bonnie Zweygardt moved to approve the proposed agenda, including the additional item; the motion was seconded by John Knodel and carried.
The Board reviewed and discussed the items on the consent calendar. A motion was then made by Kelly Gienger, seconded by John Knodel, and carried to approve the consent calendar, including the following items: 1) The minutes of the regular meeting on January 11, 2010. 2) The list of bills being paid on direct deposit slips numbering 0119001-0119079 and on checks numbering 9336-9352 on BankWest and numbering 6594-6658 on First National Bank for a total of $292,223.65. 3) The Cash Summary Report (including two transfers––$2,992.65 from the Supplemental General Fund to the Vocational Education Fund and $7,279.33 from the General Fund to the At-Risk Fund), and the Grade School and High School Activity Fund Reports––all as of January 31, 2010. 4) In accordance with Board Policy 1313—“Gifts,” acceptance of a gift-offer of $2,500 from Phyllis Zielke for a Ted and Jeff Zielke Memorial Scholarship Fund; and a gift-offer of an additional $225 to be added to the Gordon and Betty Orth Music Scholarship Fund.
There were no audiences.
Under Committee Reports, Superintendent Schiltz reported that the Meet-and-Confer Committee meeting that had been scheduled for Wednesday, February 10, had been cancelled. The faculty committee had suggested only a slight change in the proposed school calendar. Acceptance of the proposed school calendar is scheduled for Board approval later on the agenda for this Board meeting. (Members of the Meet-and-Confer Committee are Jean Ann Confer, Kent Kechter, John Knodel, Becky McAtee, David Morrow, Rob Schiltz, and Derrick Tice.)
Under Old Business, Mr. Schiltz reported on Phase II of the high school window project. Bid letters and drawings have been mailed to four companies; sealed bids for the project are requested on or before March 3, 2010. The bids are scheduled to be opened in the superintendent’s office at 11:00 a.m. on March 3. The results will be summarized for the Board to review and possibly act-on at the March 11 regular Board meeting.
The Board and administration briefly reviewed the Audit Report for FY 2009 (and the accompanying management letter) that had been completed by Adams, Brown, Beran & Ball. Following review, Bonnie Zweygardt moved to accept the Audit Report as presented; the motion
was seconded by Sherry Weeks and carried.
The Board again received a copy of the proposed school calendar for 2010-2011. This proposed calendar had now been reviewed and discussed by the Meet-and-Confer Committee and was ready for the Board to consider for final approval. It was noted that the only change suggested by the Meet-and-Confer Committee was to change the ending date of the first semester in order to even-out the number of days in first semester and second semester. Ed Marin moved to approve the school calendar for 2010-2011 as proposed; the motion was seconded by Derrick Tice and carried. The first day for students will be August 25, 2010 (one-half day), and the last day for students will be May 26, 2011.
An audit contract with Adams, Brown, Beran & Ball for future audits was considered. The audit firm has again proposed a three-year contract with some fee increases. John Knodel moved to approve a three-year audit contract with Adams, Brown, Beran & Ball––with the fee to increase by 3% for FY 2010 ($5,895), then increase another 3% in FY 2011 ($6,070), and then another 3% in FY 2012 ($6,255); the motion was seconded by Ed Marin and carried.
The Board and administration presented a few other miscellaneous items for information and discussion.
No report on the school-improvement process was scheduled for this meeting.
Under Review of Board Policy, Mr. Schiltz reported that he had visited with a lawyer from the Kansas Association of School Boards (KASB) regarding Board Policy 1111.11—“School Directories” and Board Policy 1220—“Citizen Advisory Committees.” The recommendation by KASB’s legal council was to eliminate both policies since there is no law requiring the directories (Policy 1111.11) or the committees (Policy 1220) referred to in these two policies. John Knodel moved to delete both policies from the USD 297 Board Policy Book. The motion was seconded by Derrick Tice and carried.
At 9:20 p.m., Sherry Weeks moved that the meeting adjourn. The motion was seconded by Kelly Gienger and carried.
