2012-05-10
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR BOARD MEETING – May 10, 2012
The meeting was called to order by President Derrick Tice in the administration office on the above date at 7:05 p.m. with all members present except Cory Busse. St. Francis Herald reporter Karen Krien and Cheyenne County Development Corporation director, Helen Dobbs, were also present.
Superintendent Schiltz had one change to the agenda, to delete 6e under New Business. Mila Bandel moved to approve the agenda with the one change; the motion was seconded by Mary Beth Miller and carried.
The Board reviewed and discussed the items on the consent calendar. A motion was then made by Sherry Weeks, seconded by Mary Beth Miller, and carried to approve the consent calendar, including the following items: 1) The minutes of the regular meeting on April 12, 2012. 2) A list of bills being paid on direct deposit slips numbering 0419001 - 0419072 and on checks numbering 9827 – 9843 on BANKWEST and numbering 8356-8412 on First National Bank for a total of $267,455.58. 3) The Cash Summary Report (including three transfers: $3,290.42 from the Supplemental General Fund to the Vocational Fund, $6,929.47 from the General Fund to the At-Risk Fund, and $34,451.00 from the General Fund to the Special Ed Fund), and the Grade School and High School Activity Fund Reports—all as of April 30, 2012. 4) The Board approved a gift-offer from Elmer and Dorothy Kellner in the amount of $1,000 for the “MAD” (music, art, and drama) Scholarship fund.
Helen Dobbs, Director of Cheyenne County Economic Development Corporation, was present to discuss a few programs that the Development Corporation has to offer, one being the Kansas WORK Ready Certificate.
The Scholarship Committee (Scott Carmichael, Mila Bandel, Derrick Tice, and Sherry Weeks) reported that they had met and made the recommended selections for one 2012 Alice Gillispie Academic Scholarship in the amount of $1,000.00 (non-renewable) and for seven 2012 Walter and Lucille Stephenson Memorial Scholarships—six in the amount of $500.00 and one at $400.00 (all non-renewable). Derrick Tice moved, Kelly Gienger seconded, and it carried to approve the list of eight recommended scholarship recipients; the names of the recipients will be kept confidential until they are announced at High School Commencement on May 20, 2012.
Under old business, last month Helen Dobbs (Director of Cheyenne County Economic Development Corporation) had discussed with the Board a proposal for a Neighborhood Revitalization/Tax Rebate Program; after further discussion, Mary Beth Miller made the motion for USD 297 to participate in this program; it was seconded by Kelly Gienger and carried.
Under old business, Superintendent Schiltz reported on the high school hot water boiler system project. He is ready to put the bid letter together for this project. The Board also discussed several other projects for consideration.
Under Old Business, the Board once again discussed the Non-Renewal for a Non-Tenured Teacher’s Contract for Nathan E. Smith. It was still the Board’s intention for non-renewal. Mary Beth Miller made a motion for final approval of the Resolution of the Board of Education of the Intent to Non-Renew a Non-Tenured Teacher’s Contract for Nathan E. Smith for the 2012-2013 contract year; motion was seconded by Mila Bandel and carried.
New Business began with discussion of school finance for 2012-2013. It was stated that until the Kansas Legislature makes some decisions concerning school finance, not much is known about next year’s school finance situation.
An executive session was then requested by Superintendent Schiltz. At 8:36 p.m., Sherry Weeks made a motion to go into Executive Session for 20 minutes to discuss non-elected personnel. The motion was seconded by Mary Beth Miller and carried. Reporter Karen Krien and Helen Dobbs left the room. At 8:56 p.m., the regular session resumed and Mila Bandel moved to go back into executive session for an additional 10 minutes; Sherry Weeks seconded the motion and the motion carried. At 9:06 p.m., the regular session resumed and Sherry Weeks moved to go back into executive session for an additional 10 minutes; Kelly Gienger seconded the motion and the motion carried. At 9:16 p.m., regular session resumed and Karen Krien returned to the meeting.
The Board and administration further discussed the staffing plans for 2012-2013, including the progress made to fill the open high school physical education and coaching positions. It was the consensus of the Board to offer the head high school football coaching position to Kyle Buffington and to continue to explore possibilities for filling the physical education vacancy in the high school.
The Hiring Committee (Superintendent Schiltz, Principal Carmichael, Derrick Tice, and Robin Burr) conducted interviews last week; seven total interviews were completed. It was the Committee’s recommendation to offer contracts to the following applicants for the respective positions: Lori Beth Rieger, Kindergarten; Meghan Kinen, 1st Grade; and Jordan Payne, 5th Grade.
A roster of elementary and secondary licensed personnel was once again reviewed. Following discussion, including re-assignments of any duties, a motion was made by Mary Beth Miller to offer 2012-2013 contracts to the three new recommended applicants as well as all current licensed personnel who have not resigned and subject to the provision that the contracts paid partially or fully from federal funding are dependent on USD 297 receiving sufficient federal funds for those contracts; the motion was seconded by Sherry Weeks and carried.
The Board was again reminded that by law (K.S.A. 72-5411, as amended) a Board must notify a teacher in writing on or before May 18 if said teacher’s contract will not be renewed; and a teacher must notify the Board in writing on or before June 1 if (s)he is resigning from their teaching contract.
The Board next considered non-licensed staffing for 2012-2013. Mila Bandel moved to offer contacts for 2012-2013 to all non-licensed personnel currently on contract who have not resigned or whose position has not been eliminated, including co-food service director duties to Loretta Ford and Barbara Holzwarth; the motion was seconded by Mary Beth Miller and carried.
The school’s Title I program was briefly reviewed. Sherry Weeks moved to approve the administration’s recommendation that the Title I program be continued in grades K-6 for the 2012-2013 school year with the employment of one licensed teacher. The motion was seconded by Kelly Gienger and carried.
Superintendent Schiltz reviewed the summer programs that have been offered in the past and reported that the summer weightlifting program will most likely be continued again this summer. Further discussion will take place at the regular June meeting.
Superintendent Schiltz, who serves as the Testing Coordinator for the Kansas Assessments in St. Francis, reported on the results for this year’s assessments. He proudly commended the teachers and students for their continued efforts and successful outcomes.
Superintendent Schiltz reported that the school’s Journalism Department took 1st place at the 1A State Journalism contest held in Lawrence, Kansas last weekend. A thank-you card had been received from the Journalism class, expressing appreciation for the great learning experience.
No report on the school improvement process or review of any Board policies were scheduled for this meeting.
A few other miscellaneous items were discussed. At 9.40 p.m., Kelly Gienger moved that the meeting adjourn; the motion was seconded by Mary Beth Miller and carried.
