09-12-2018
Minutes of the Regular Board Meeting – September 12, 2018
The meeting was called to order by President Cale Rieger in the administrative office on the above date at 7:00 p.m. with everyone present.
Mila Bandel made a motion to approve the agenda with one change, moving Audiences up following approval of agenda; the motion was seconded by Troy Hilt and carried.
Audiences: Garin Cooper, FFA President for the 2018-2019 school term was present. He discussed FFA projects, events, and competitions that FFA is involved in this year.
Items on the Consent Calendar were next considered. Following review of these items, Troy Hilt moved, Chris Hingst seconded, and it carried to approve the consent calendar, including the following items: 1) The minutes of the board meeting held on August 16, 2018. 2) The list of bills being paid on direct deposit slips numbering 0817039-0817050 and on checks numbering 11245-11257 on BANKWEST in the amount of $46,457.45 and checks numbering 13104-13169 on First National Bank totaling $72,474.72 for a grand total of $118,932.17. 3) The Cash Summary Report, including two transfers: $175.21 from the Supplemental General Fund to the Career and Tech Education Fund and $24.12 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 August 31, 2018. 4) A gift offer was accepted from the Estate of Serilda Thompson in the amount of $10,151.13 to be used for scholarships.
There were no committee reports
There was no old business.
Under new business, Superintendent Schiltz presented five contract amendments for the Board’s consideration; the amendments were for Rogie Wiswell, Erin Perrigo, Lori Rieger, Talley Morrow, and Meghan Kinen contracts for moving across on the pay scale after submitting additional credit hours. All remaining contracts have been returned for signature approval. Superintendent Schiltz turned in his resignation for the Superintendent position, effective at the end of his current contract (June 30, 2019). Troy Hilt made a motion to accept these contract amendments and Superintendent Schiltz’s resignation; motion was seconded by Danielle McAtee, and carried.
Superintendent Schiltz reminded the Board that USD 297 has a policy in place indicating that teachers must supply the district office official transcripts prior to October 1st, for the additional hours to count toward advancement on the salary schedule for the current year.
A summary of the preliminary 2018-2019 school enrollment compared with the official 2017-2018 school enrollment was reviewed. The total FTE enrollment of 258.5 is DOWN 19.5 students, and headcount is DOWN 19 students at this time. The official 2018-2019 enrollment will be determined on September 20, 2018.
The Board was informed of the new monthly Blue Cross-Blue Shield premium rates for the health-insurance group of school employees, effective with the new plan from November 1, 2018, through October 31, 2019. Information received from BCBS indicates an average increase of 13.67% in premiums. A discussion on increasing the amount the school pays toward the premium was held. More thought will be given to this, and it will be scheduled for the Board to consider for final approval at the October Board meeting.
Superintendent Schiltz presented his thoughts and concerns regarding the financial ability of the school to increase salaries of all contracted employees, effective with the November 2018 payroll. A final decision on the subject will be made at the October Board meeting.
The KASB Region 9 Fall Education Summit will be held at the City Limits Convention Center in Colby on Wednesday, October 17, 2018, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. If any Board members are interested in attending, they should let us know so we can make reservations.
Next, under new business, a discussion was held on what method to use to fill the superintendent’s vacancy for next year. Superintendent Schiltz informed the Board about the KASB Superintendent’s Search Services, including the cost. Also discussed was the possibility of conducting the search ourselves. Mila Bandel made a motion to hire KASB for the Superintendent’s search; motion was seconded by Troy Hilt and carried with a 6-1 vote.
Superintendent Schiltz reported that we were approved to receive a Clean Diesel Grant, which is 25% off the purchase price of a new activity bus. Troy Hilt made a motion to move forward with the bid process, seconded by Chris Bracelin; motion carried.
Also discussed was the possibility of getting bigger fans for the high school gym. Superintendent Schiltz will look into it.
Under Review of School-Improvement Process, Superintendent Schiltz reviewed with the board where USD 297 is in the process of implementing the KESA accreditation model in our schools.
Under Review of Board Policy, Superintendent Schiltz reviewed the four goals the board set during their session with Gary Sechrist at the end of last year.
The next Board of Education meeting will be held on Wednesday, October 10, 2018, at 7:00 p.m.
At 9:22 p.m., Mila Bandel moved that the meeting adjourn; the motion was seconded by Troy Hilt and carried.
