2017-05-10
The meeting was called to order by Board President Shannon Grover in the administration office on the above date at 7:01 a.m. with everyone present except Derrick Tice and Ed Marin. St. Francis Herald reporter Amanda Miller was also present to observe and take notes.
Troy Hilt made a motion to approve the agenda with one addition: to add under New Business 6)d) St. Francis Educational Foundation Scholarship. The motion was seconded by Mila Bandel and carried.
The Board reviewed and discussed the items on the consent calendar. A motion was then made by Chris Bracelin, seconded by Troy Hilt, and carried to approve the consent calendar, including the following items: a) The minutes of the regular Board meeting on April 13, 2017. b) A list of bills being paid on direct deposit slips numbering 0419001 – 0419069 and on checks numbering 10956-10969 on BANKWEST, and checks numbering 12110-12167 on First National Bank for a total of $256,476.57. c) The Cash Summary Report (including three transfers: $3,836.64 from Supplemental General Fund to the Vocational Fund, $5,709.73 from the General Fund to the At-Risk Fund, and $30,743.00 from General Fund to the Special Ed Fund)¸ the Grade School Activity Fund Report, and the High School Activity Fund Report – all as of April 30, 2017.
There were no audiences present.
There were no Committee reports.
Under Old Business, Superintendent Schiltz reviewed with the Board the changes regarding election of school board members. The Kansas Legislature changed the date of school board elections during last year’s session to coincide with primary and general elections in the state. The new key dates in the election process are:
By May 1, 2017 – USD 297 Clerk provides notice of positions to CN County Clerk
By June 1, 2017 (noon) – Filing deadline for Board positions
August 1, 2017 – Primary Election (if necessary)
November 7, 2017 – General Election
January 8, 2018 – New members take office
Members whose terms will expire in January are: Shannon Grover, Ed Marin, and Derrick Tice.
Superintendent Schiltz continued with a report on the status of various projects that have been completed and some new projects that have been discussed throughout the year. Some new projects for this summer and throughout the year include: track renovation, upgrade of telephone system, roof maintenance on both buildings, investment grade audit projects, and finish the walk-in freezer/refrigerator project at the high school.
At 7:31 a.m., Chris Bracelin made a motion to go into Executive Session for 15 minutes to discuss non-elected personnel. The motion was seconded by Cale Rieger and carried. Reporter Amanda Miller left the meeting. At 7:46 a.m., regular session resumed, and Ms. Miller rejoined the meeting.
The Board was reminded that by law (K.S.A. 72-5411, as amended), a school board must notify a teacher in writing on or before the third Friday in May (May 19th this year) if said teacher’s contract will not be renewed; and a teacher must notify the school board in writing on or before 14 days after the third Friday in May (June 2nd this year) if (s)he is resigning from their position.
A roster of elementary and secondary licensed personnel was once again reviewed. Following discussion, a motion was made by Cale Rieger to offer 2017-2018 contracts to all current licensed personnel, who have not resigned, and subject to the provisions that the contracts paid partially or fully from federal funding are dependent on USD 297 receiving sufficient federal funds for those contracts; and also to offer Marian Ochsner the 3rd grade teaching position. The motion was seconded by Chris Bracelin and carried.
Due to a large incoming kindergarten class, a full-time teaching aide to help Mrs. Rieger for the 2017-2018 school year is needed. Chris Bracelin made a motion to advertise and hire someone for this position, seconded by Mila Bandel, and carried.
The school’s Title I program was briefly reviewed. Mila Bandel moved to approve the administration’s recommendation that the Title I program be continued in grades K-5 for the 2017-2018 school year with the employment of one licensed teacher, if USD 297 receives sufficient Title I funds to maintain the program. The motion was seconded by Cale Rieger and carried.
Superintendent Schiltz indicated the summer weightlifting program will be continued again this summer. Contracts for the weightlifting coaches will be offered at the June meeting. The St. Francis Recreation Commission has agreed to once again provide $3,000 to run the program. This donation is very much appreciated.
The St. Francis Educational Foundation Fund has a balance of $111,955.32 as of May 8, 2017. The Current Board of Education and current superintendent of schools make the decision on how to spend this money. We are allowed to spend up to 5% of the 3-year average in the fund in a given year. It has been suggested to initiate three St. Francis Educational Foundation Scholarships - two for $1,000 each to be awarded to the recipients of the KSHAA Citizenship Award that is given each year to a senior boy and a senior girl, and one for $500 to be given to the recipient of the Dale M. Dennis Award. Cale Rieger made a motion to approve the scholarships for 2017, seconded by Mila Bandel, and carried.
Superintendent Schiltz reported that the 2016-2017 Kansas Assessments have all been completed, and he reviewed with the Board how each grade compared with the state average.
A letter was received from Travis and Crystal Ludowese, requesting that their son Taysen be allowed to attend school in the 2017-2018 school year at USD 297. Mila Bandel made a motion to approve Taysen to attend USD 297 as an out-of-district student, seconded by Troy Hilt, and carried.
A few other miscellaneous items were discussed
No report on the school-improvement process or review of any school policies were scheduled for this meeting.
The next scheduled Board meeting will be held on June 8, 2017, at 7:00 P.M.
At 8:16 A.M., Cale Rieger moved that the meeting adjourn; the motion was seconded by Troy Hilt and carried.
