2009-04-08

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR BOARD MEETING––APRIL 8, 2009

President Bonnie Zweygardt called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. in the St. Francis High School library on the above date with all members present except Mary Beth Miller, who arrived at 8:30. Reporter Karen Krien was also present to observe and take notes.

Superintendent Schiltz requested two changes to the agenda: 1) delete Old Business, and 2) under New Business, add new contract offer. John Knodel moved to approve the agenda with these changes; the motion was seconded by Sherry Weeks and carried.
Items on the consent calendar were reviewed and discussed. A motion was then made by Sherry Weeks, seconded by John Knodel, and carried to approve the consent calendar, including the following items: 1) The minutes of the regular meeting on March 9, 2009. 2) The list of bills being paid on checks numbering 9082-9175 on BankWest and numbering 5924-5982 on First National Bank for a total of $261,766.83. 3) The Cash Summary Report (including three transfers––$3,521.48 from the Supplemental General Fund to the Vocational Education Fund, $7,265.84 from the General Fund to the At-Risk Fund, and $38,158.00 from the General Fund to the Special Education Fund), and the Grade School and High School Activity Fund Reports––all as of March 31, 2009.

There were no audiences and no committee reports, but the Scholarship Committee indicated that they were planning to meet on Wednesday, April 15, at 4:00 p.m.

The Board received and read three letters of resignation: 1) Ted Busse, resigning from his position as assistant high school football coach (after sixteen years); 2) Kent Kechter, resigning from his position as head high school volleyball coach (after eighteen years); and 3) David Morrow, resigning from his position as junior high girls basketball coach (after eight years). John Knodel moved to accept these resignations; the motion was seconded by Sherry Weeks and carried.

The next items on the agenda were to review rosters of licensed teachers and non-licensed personnel, and their present assignments. Superintendent Schiltz requested a 10-minute executive session to discuss non-elected personnel. Kelly Gienger moved to go into executive session for the time-period of 7:55 to 8:05; the motion was seconded by Bruce Feikert and carried. Reporter Karen Krien left the room. At 8:05, it was determined that 10 additional minutes were needed to continue discussion of non-elected personnel; therefore, Mr. Gienger moved to go back into executive session for the time-period of 8:05 to 8:15. The motion was seconded by Mr. Feikert and carried. At 8:15 p.m., regular session resumed and Karen Krien returned to the meeting.

John Knodel then moved to offer contracts for 2009-2010 to all current licensed faculty members who have not resigned, and subject to the provision that the contracts paid partially or fully from federal funding are dependent on USD 297 receiving sufficient federal funds for those contracts. The motion was seconded by Bruce Feikert and carried.
Contracts to non-licensed personnel for 2009-2010 will be reviewed again and acted upon at a later meeting.

Superintendent Schiltz informed the Board that a contract-offer had been made to Nathan Smith, from Smith Center, Kansas, to fill the position being vacated by Tim Lambert. Following discussion, John Knodel moved to approve a contract to Nathan Smith for the positions of physical education (grades 10-12), Spanish classroom monitor, athletic/activity director, head high school football coach, and head high school girls track coach. The motion was seconded by Bruce Feikert and carried.

The Kansas Association of School Boards (KASB) Region 9 Meeting, to be held on Tuesday, April 28, in Oakley, was briefly discussed. Superintendent Schiltz will plan to attend, along with the two newly elected Board members, Derrick Tice (filling the position of Bruce Feikert) and Ed Marin (filling the position of Pete Raile). Other Board members will attend if their schedules allow.

It was reported that a number of students have completed the 2009 Kansas Assessments and the preliminary results are impressive, once again. Mr. Schiltz was complimentary of the teachers and students for their hard work.

Superintendent Schiltz reported on two remodel projects (both at the elementary school) that he had received cost-estimates on. It was Board consensus to proceed with the remodeling of the grade school computer lab, and the girls’ restroom located next to the grade school cafeteria.

High School Commencement is scheduled for Sunday, May 17, beginning at 2:00. A motion was made by Sherry Weeks, seconded by Mary Beth Miller, and carried approving Kelly Gienger as the Board member to pass-out diplomas at commencement.

No report on the school improvement process and no review of board policy were scheduled for this meeting.

At 8:40 p.m., John Knodel moved that the meeting adjourn; the motion was seconded by Kelly Gienger and carried.