2009-09-10
Minutes of the Regular Meeting––September 10, 2009
Superintendent Schiltz took Board members on a tour of the elementary school at 7:30 p.m.
The meeting was called to order by President Mary Beth Miller at
8:07 p.m. on the above date in the St. Francis Board Room
(superintendent’s office), with all members present except Ed
Marin. 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
Bonnie Zweygardt and carried.
The Board reviewed and discussed the items on the consent calendar. A motion was then made by John Knodel, seconded by Kelly Gienger, and carried to approve the consent calendar, including the following items: 1) The minutes of the regular Board Meeting and Budget Hearing on August 13, 2009. 2) A list of bills being paid on direct deposit slips numbering 0819046-054, and on checks numbering 9260-9267 on BankWest, and numbering 6264-6334 on First National Bank for a total of $115,401.33. 3) The Cash Summary Report (including one transfer of $1,100.54 from the General Fund to the At-Risk Fund), and the Grade School and High School Activity Fund Reports––all as of August 31, 2009.
There were no audiences and no committee reports.
Old Business began with consideration of three new paraprofessional contracts: 1) Molly Bartels, elementary school special education (to assist in the kindergarten classroom); 2) Leisha Hilt, high school special education; and 3) Tina Schmid, elementary school Title I. A motion was made by Bonnie Zweygardt, seconded by Derrick Tice, and carried to approve these three new contracts. Superintendent Schiltz also notified the Board that two other paraprofessionals had been hired on an hourly-basis at this time, so there were no contracts to approve for them (Deb Hilt, elementary school special education, and Melissa Workman, high school special education).
Under New Business, a letter of resignation from Kent Kechter, resigning from his position as junior high boys’ basketball coach, was read. Mr. Kechter has coached basketball in St. Francis for 36 years. A motion was made by Sherry Weeks, seconded by Kelly Gienger, and carried to accept this resignation.
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) Roger Zuege of Haigler (student, Jelyne Carmen), and 2) Jesus and Leticia Estrada (son, Erick). John Knodel moved, Derrick Tice seconded, and it carried to allow these students to attend in accordance with Board Policy 5111 “School Admission” and to waive tuition charges.
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 budget cuts made at the State level. 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, 2009, through October 31, 2010, and discussed the possibility of the school paying an additional amount toward the premiums. (Information received from BC-BS indicates an average increase of 25% 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 2009-2010 school enrollment
compared with the official 2008-2009 school enrollment was
reviewed. The total head count enrollment of 297 is down by 10
students at this time. The official 2009-2010 enrollment will be
determined on September 21, 2009.
The KASB Region 9 Fall Meeting will be held at Brewster High School
on Wednesday, October 7, from 3:30-7:30 p.m. An email reminder will
be sent to Board members prior to October 7.
Miscellaneous items were discussed by Board members and administration.
No report on school-improvement process was scheduled for this meeting.
Under Review of Board Policy, “School Transportation” (Board Policy 3541) was reviewed and discussed. Following discussion, Derrick Tice moved to continue to enforce Board Policy 3541 as written (no changes); the motion was seconded by John Knodel and carried.
At 10:15 p.m., a motion was made by John Knodel to go into executive session for 15 minutes to discuss non-elected personnel. The motion was seconded by Kelly Gienger and carried. Reporter Karen Krien left the meeting at this point and did not return. Board Clerk Sharon Olofson also left the room and returned at the end of the 15 minutes. At 10:30 p.m., the meeting resumed with no action being taken.
At 10:32 p.m., Bonnie Zweygardt moved that the meeting adjourn; the motion was seconded by Derrick Tice and carried.
