2009-08-13
Minutes of the Regular Meeting––and Budget Hearing: August 13, 2009
The meeting was called to order by Vice-President Kelly Gienger in the St. Francis Superintendent’s office on the above date at 8:00 p.m. with all members present except Mary Beth Miller (who arrived later), Derrick Tice, and Sherry Weeks. St. Francis Herald reporter Karen Krien was also present to observe and take notes.
John Knodel moved to approve the agenda as proposed; the motion was seconded by Bonnie Zweygardt and carried.
The Board reviewed and discussed the items on the consent calendar. A motion was then made by Bonnie Zweygardt, seconded by John Knodel, and carried to approve the consent calendar, including the following items: 1) The minutes of the regular Board meeting on July 9, 2009, and of the special Board meeting on July 28, 2009. 2) A list of bills being paid on direct deposit slips numbering 0717049-054, and on checks numbering 9253-9259 on BankWest, and numbering 6182-6263 on First National Bank for a total of $68,977.15. 3) The Cash Summary Report (including two transfers: $129.25 from the Supplemental General Fund to the Vocational Fund, and $565.41 from the General Fund to the At-Risk Fund), the Grade School Activity Report, and the High School Activity Report––all as of July 31, 2009. 4) Continuation of the St. Francis USD 297 practice to officially declare a 1,116-hour school year for 2009-2010 (but to make every reasonable attempt to attend all of the days scheduled) and to officially notify the Kansas State Department of Education of this action. 5) Approval of a Memorandum of Understanding with the Head Start Program.
There were no audiences, no committee reports, and no items of old business.
Under new business, Superintendent Schiltz briefly reviewed the FY 2010 budget. There was no audience for the budget hearing. Following the brief review, John Knodel moved that the budget be adopted as published in the July 30, 2009, edition of the St. Francis Herald; the motion was seconded by Ed Marin and carried.
The next item of business was discussion involving three paraprofessional positions that need to be filled––two in the special education departments (one in the jr.-sr. high school to replace Teri Morris who resigned at the end of the 2008-09 school year, and one to assist in the kindergarten room), and one in the Title I department [in order to spend the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) money that must be spent in the next two years]. Eight applications for these positions have been received, and interviewing has begun, but no contracts were yet ready for approval. After some discussion, it was agreed that selected candidates will be asked to begin work when needed, with their contracts being subject to approval by the Board at the next Board meeting scheduled on September 10, 2009.
In accordance with Board Policy 1313 “Gifts,” a motion was made by Bonnie Zweygardt, seconded by Ed Marin, and carried to accept the following three gift-offers: 1) From Nex-Tech Wireless phone service (through Keller Auto Supply), a total of $1,829.08 which has been received in quarterly payments since June 2008, and generated from a school rebate program when new customers sign-up for cellular phone service. 2) From Mike Walker (former graduate from St. Francis) in appreciation of his experience in the St. Francis school system, an additional $100 to be used at the school’s discretion. 3) From the St. Francis Recreation Commission, the purchase of a volleyball net system valued at $4,350.
The Board next reviewed the 2009-2010 school bus routes as they are now being planned––five regular routes, the same as last year. The noon kindergarten routes have been eliminated (at an approximate savings of $11,000) due to all-day kindergarten. A few possible changes in the routes were mentioned during this review; the routes will be determined more exactly following the completion of enrollment.
The Board received and read two letters from out-of-district families requesting that their children be allowed to attend school in St. Francis during the 2009-2010 school year: 1) Cody and Susanne Todd (son, Caleb); and 2) Trisha Taylor (daughters McKayla and McKenzie). John Knodel moved, Bonnie Zweygardt seconded, and it carried to allow these students to attend in accordance with Board Policy 5111 “School Admission” and to waive tuition charges.
Administrators presented a few other miscellaneous items for information and discussion, but no action was taken.
The Board received and read thank-you notes from two graduating seniors, expressing appreciation for scholarships that they had received. Thank-you notes were also received from a local business (in appreciation for a recent project at the school), and from a staff member (in appreciation of the Board’s support to attend a clinic).
No report on the school-improvement process and no review of Board Policy were scheduled for this meeting.
At 8.55 p.m., Mary Beth Miller moved that the meeting adjourn; the motion was seconded by John Knodel and carried.
