2017-10-12
Minutes of the Regular Board Meeting – October 12, 2017
The meeting was called to order by Shannon Grover in the administrative office on the above date at 7:04 p.m. with everyone present except Mila Bandel, Chris Bracelin, and Cale Rieger.
Superintendent Schiltz requested the following addition be made to the agenda: under New Business, add d) personnel items. Derrick Tice made a motion to approve the agenda with this addition; the motion was seconded by Troy Hilt and carried.
There were no audiences present.
Items on the Consent Calendar were next considered. Following review of these items, Derrick Tice moved, Ed Marin seconded, and it carried to approve the consent calendar, including the following items: 1) The minutes of the regular Board meeting on September 14, 2017, and the minutes of the special Board meeting on September 25, 2017. 2) The list of bills being paid on direct deposit slips numbering 0919001-0919070 and on checks numbering 11052-11064 on BANKWEST in the amount of $203,342.10 and checks numbering 12454-12518 on First National Bank totaling $72,223.40 for a grand total of $275,565.50. 3) The Cash Summary Report (including two transfers: $5,827.90 from Supplemental General Fund to CTE Fund and $5,905.86 from the General Fund to the At-Risk Fund), the Grade School Activity Fund Report, and the High School Activity Fund Report - all as of September 30, 2017. There were no gift offers.
There were no committee reports.
Next, under Old Business the Board discussed and reviewed the ESP Investment Grade Audit report with Rose Cane, Bob Miller and David Carter, representing ESP. The Board is going to review the suggested projects before making any final decisions.
The Board and administration discussed Blue Cross/Blue Shield rates for the new year; currently there is an average decrease of 7.38% in premiums. Superintendent Schiltz recommended to leave the amount the school pays toward a single plan at $435/mo. and to leave the amount the school pays for any other “tier” at $870/mo. As of November 1, 2016, it was reported that USD 297 has reached the 50 FTE employee threshold for the Affordable Healthcare Act. For this reason, we need to offer insurance to additional employees of the district. The amount the school is required to pay on their premium is based on a formula for potential new group members. Troy Hilt made a motion to approve the school-paid amounts, and the amounts offered to new group members based on the Affordable Healthcare act formula; motion was seconded by Ed Marin and carried.
Superintendent Schiltz then made a recommendation to increase the base teacher salary schedule by $1,500.00, which is an average increase of 3.64% for licensed teachers, and to increase all other employee salaries not tied to the salary schedule by 3.64%. The increases will take effect with the November payroll. After discussion, a motion was made by Derrick Tice to approve the base salary schedule increase and a 3.64% increase for all other contracted employees. Also included in the motion was that there will be no increase for teachers whose teaching license is not current. Their salary adjustment will be pro-rated and made as soon as they obtain a current license. The motion was seconded by Ed Marin and carried.
Superintendent Schiltz next reviewed the proposed adjustments to the teacher salary schedule, adding 4 new steps to the MS+30 or BS+74 column. These steps will take effect with the start of the 2018-2019 school year. Also recommended was eliminating the High School Pep Club Sponsor and the Junior High Pep Club Sponsor from the Supplementary-Pay schedule and adding Cheerleading Coach and Drill Team Dance Coach. Troy Hilt made a motion to approve these changes, seconded by Derrick Tice and carried.
The Board received a summary of the official enrollment on September 20, 2017. Official 2017-2018 FTE enrollment in USD 297 is 278, which is an increase of 6.5 from the 2016-2017 FTE enrollment (271.5).
The Board also received a summary of the KSHSAA Classifications for activities in 2017-2018. St. Francis is now a Class 2A school in the KSHSAA Classifications, with an enrollment of 92 in grades 9, 10, 11, and 12.
The Board and administration briefly reviewed the Audit Report for FY 2017 (and the accompanying management letter and governance letter) that had been completed by Adams, Brown, Beran & Ball. There will be a second review of the audit at the November Board meeting for final approval.
Next, Superintendent Schiltz conducted an annual review of the St. Francis Educational Foundation Fund, how it is funded, and what it can be used for. Currently, the balance of the fund is $114,263.64.
Next, under personnel items, Superintendent Schiltz reported that we have an applicant for the High School paraprofessional position, Kaitlin Martin. Also, Superintendent Schiltz requested an amendment be made to Susan Dinkel’s contract to include JH Assistant Girls’ basketball coach. Derrick Tice made a motion to offer Ms. Martin a contract and to amend Ms. Dinkel’s contract; motion was seconded by Ed Marin and carried.
The Board then reviewed a letter received from Bruce Swihart requesting compensation as lunch room monitor for the Junior High. After discussion, it was board consensus to take no action on the request and to consider this possibility prior to the 2018-2019 school year.
Superintendent Schiltz updated the Board on the progress being made toward the implementation of KESA (Kansas Educational Systems Accreditation) and MTSS.
The next Board of Education meeting will be held on November 9, 2017, at 7:00 p.m.
At 9:49 p.m., Ed Marin moved that the meeting adjourn; the motion was seconded by Troy Hilt and carried.
