2010-08-12
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING––SEPTEMBER 9, 2010
The meeting was called to order by President Ed Marin at 7:05 p.m. on the above date in the administration office with all members present except Mary Beth Miller, Derrick Tice, and Sherry Weeks. Mary Beth Miller arrived at 7:30 p.m. St. Francis Herald reporter Karen Krien was also present to observe and take notes.
Bonnie Zweygardt moved to approve the agenda; 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 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 12, 2010. 2) A list of bills being paid on direct deposit slips numbering 0819048-056 and on checks numbering 9476-9484 on BankWest, and numbering 7018-7093 on First National Bank for a total of $99,814.03. 3) The Cash Summary Report (including two transfers: $40.92 from the Supplemental General Fund to the Vocational Education Fund and $689.63 from the General Fund to the At-Risk Fund), and the Grade School and High School Activity Fund Reports––all as of August 31, 2010. 4) Acceptance of an additional $100 gift-offer from Michal Walker, former St. Francis graduate, and wife Renee.
There were no audiences and no committee reports.
Under Old Business, Superintendent Schiltz discussed the tentative plan regarding the hiring and training of someone to replace the current district clerk upon her planned retirement, January 1, 2012.
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 2010-2011 school year: 1) Jim and Missy Jenkins (students, Laramie and Jesse), and 2) Tracy and Pamela Weeter (students, Tayton, Taighe, and Talexa). 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.
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. Following discussion, it was Board consensus to continue to review this subject, but most likely it will not be financially feasible again this year to offer increases.
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, 2010, through October 31, 2011, and discussed the possibility of the school paying an additional amount toward the premiums. (Information received from BC-BS indicates an average increase of 11.5% 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 2010-2011 school enrollment compared with the official 2009-2010 school enrollment was reviewed. The total head count enrollment of 297 is up by 1 student at this time. The official 2010-2011 enrollment will be determined on September 20, 2010.
The Board considered the need to republish a resolution to continue our capital outlay mill levy, in accordance with K.S.A. 72-8801. A copy of the proposed resolution was reviewed by the Board. Following some discussion, a motion was made by John Knodel, seconded by Kelly Gienger, and carried to adopt and publish the proposed resolution, specifying a capital outlay mill levy of up to 4 mills for each of the next 5 years (which are the same capital outlay provisions that have always been in place in St. Francis USD 297).
The KASB Region 9 Fall Meeting will be held at Colby High School on Wednesday, October 6, from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m. An email reminder will be sent to Board members prior to October 6.
Principal Carmichael presented a few miscellaneous items for information and discussion, but no action was taken.
No report on the school-improvement process and no review of Board Policy were scheduled for this meeting.
At 8:30 p.m., Kelly Gienger moved that the meeting adjourn; the motion was seconded by John Knodel and carried.
