2019-07-11
Minutes of the Regular Board Meeting – July 11, 2019
The meeting was called to order by President Cale Rieger in the administration office on the above date at 7:00 a.m. with everyone present except Mila Bandel.
Superintendent Penka made one change to the agenda; moving Audiences before Election of Officers. Troy Hilt made a motion to approve the agenda with the one change; the motion was seconded by Chris Bracelin and carried.
Audiences: Hadleigh Hilt was present to talk to the Board about the “Nut Free Policy” in the schools. Hadleigh made some very good points that will be taken under advisement.
The next item on the agenda was the election and appointment of Board officers for 2019-2020. Chris Bracelin made a motion to wait on electing the new officers until January, 2020, after the new Board members are present. The motion was seconded by Dustin Andrist and carried
Following a brief review of the other officers of the Board, it was moved by Chris Bracelin, seconded by Dustin Andrist, and carried to appoint the following officers: Traci Neitzel as Clerk of the Board; Marilyn Raile as Treasurer of the Board; and Kite & Day as the law firm to represent the Board on an as-needed basis.
Items on the Consent Calendar were next considered. Following review of these items, Chris Bracelin moved, Chris Hingst seconded, and it carried to approve the consent calendar, including the following items: 1) the minutes of the special meeting on June 27, 2019. 2) The list of bills being paid on checks numbering 13794-13841 on First National Bank totaling $56,915.80. 3) The Cash Summary Report, the final Unencumbered Cash Balances, and the High School and Grade School Activity Fund Reports, all as of June 30, 2019. 4) Officially notify the Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) that USD 297 will declare a 1,116-hour school year but make every reasonable effort to attend the total number of days that are scheduled. 5) Designation of BANKWEST – St. Francis, FNB Bank – St. Francis, and Western State Bank – St. Francis as the official depositories for USD 297 funds. 6) Designation of the St. Francis Herald as the official district newspaper. 7) Designation of David S. Morrow, 6-12 Principal, as the USD 297 liaison for the homeless. 8) Designation of Mark Penka, Superintendent, and Traci Neitzel, District Clerk, as the KPERS (Kansas Public Employees Retirement System) designated agents. 9) Designation of David S. Morrow, 6-12 Principal, and Darla Raile, K-5 Principal, as the USD 297 attendance officers. 10) Designation of Barb Holzwarth, Loretta Ford, Mark Penka, and Traci Neitzel as food service representatives. 11) Designation of Mark Penka as hearing officer for the national school lunch applications. 12) A resolution requesting an exemption for USD 297 from the requirements of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and of fixed-asset accounting for the 2019-2020 fiscal year. 13) Approval of “Memorandum of Understanding” with Head Start. 14) Approval of a Member Participation Agreement for the KASB Workers Compensation Fund. 15) Approval of the Wellness Policy.
The next item on the agenda was to set the time and place for Board meetings in 2019-2020. After brief discussion, Troy Hilt moved to adopt a resolution specifying that the regular meetings of the Board will be held in the USD 297 Board of Education meeting room, 100 S College St., St. Francis, KS on the second Thursday of each month at 7:00 p.m. The motion was seconded by Dustin Andrist and carried.
There were no committee reports.
Under Old Business, Superintendent Penka discussed with the Board that the legislation and the courts have approved an increase in the budget for the next four years. These funds are to be used for salaries and at-risk.
The Board was asked to approve the 2019-2020 Program Agreement for the School Breakfast and Lunch Programs with the Food Service Section of the Kansas State Department of Education (including the Income Eligibility Guidelines for the Free/Reduced-Price School Meals Program), with Mark Penka named as authorized representative for the Food Service Program and Traci Neitzel as a second authorized signer. Following discussion, Troy Hilt moved, Dustin Andrist seconded, and it carried to approve the 2019-2020 Food Service Program Agreement.
Discussion concerning joining the KASB for 2019-2020 was held. Following discussion, a motion was made by Dustin Andrist, seconded by Chris Bracelin, and carried to again join the KASB and the KASB Legal Assistance Fund and to pay the dues indicated on the billings (a total of $6,877.99).
The Board next considered necessary appointments to commissions and boards. Following brief reviews, Chris Bracelin moved, seconded by Troy Hilt, and carried: 1) to reappoint Susan Dinkel to the St. Francis Recreation Commission, which she has already agreed to; this will be a third 4-year term for Mrs. Dinkel; 2) to appoint Cale Rieger as the representative to the KASB Governmental Relations Network; and 3) to appoint Chris Hingst to serve as the representative on the NKESC Board in Oakley.
In accordance with Board Policy 5111, the Board reviewed all out-of-district students currently in attendance in St. Francis Schools. After a brief discussion, a motion was made by Troy Hilt, seconded by Danielle McAtee, and carried to accept these students of out-of-district families, with a waiver of the tuition charges for each family for the 2019-2020 school year.
Next, Superintendent Penka presented the following contracts for approval: Delbert Barnhart, high school custodian; Shakota Blanka, junior high football coach; and Karen Moberly , paraprofessional ½ time in grade school and ½ time in high school. Also presented were two contracts and one contract amendment for signature. Troy Hilt made a motion to approve these contracts; seconded by Dustin Andrist, and carried.
The Board was reminded that Gary Sechrist will be here on July 24, 2019, at 5:00 P.M. to conclude the Superintendent’s Search with a meeting discussing expectations of the new Superintendent.
Superintendent Penka reported that several inquiries were made regarding the sale of the two buses, however only one bid was submitted. Dustin Andrist submitted a bid of $775.00 for both. Troy Hilt made a motion to accept this bid; seconded by Chris Hingst and carried.
Superintendent Penka recommended the following schedule be followed in preparing and publishing the budget for fiscal year 2019-2020:
Tuesday, July 30 – Conduct a Special BOE meeting to study, and ask questions about the proposed budget. (7:00 A.M. in order to get budget to the Herald)
Thursday, August 1 – Publish proposed budget in The St. Francis Herald.
Thursday, August 8 – Regularly scheduled meeting – MOVE to August 15
Thursday, August 15 – Rescheduled regular meeting with budget hearing (14 days) 7:00 A.M.
Thursday, August 22 – Deliver budget to county clerk.
Chris Bracelin made a motion to approve the above said schedule; motion was seconded by Danielle McAtee and carried.
Also under miscellaneous, Superintendent Penka requested a $50 per month stipend for use of personal cell phone for school business, for himself and Principal Darla Raile. After discussion, a motion was made by Chris Hingst and seconded by Danielle McAtee to approve the requested stipend.
No Review of Board Policy.
At 8:17 A.M. Chris Bracelin made a motion to adjourn; seconded by Troy Hilt and carried.
