2019-10-09
Minutes of the Regular Board Meeting – October 9, 2019
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 except Dustin Andrist.
Troy Hilt made a motion to approve the agenda; the motion was seconded by Chris Hingst and carried.
Audiences: Terrill Harrison was present to observe Superintendent Penka as his “new Superintendent” KELI mentor.
Items on the Consent Calendar were next considered. Following review of these items, Chris Hingst moved, Mila Bandel seconded, and it carried to approve the consent calendar, including the following items: 1) the minutes of the regular Board meeting on September 12, 2019. 2) The list of bills being paid on direct deposit slips numbering 0919001-0919072 and on checks numbering 11467-11479 on BANKWEST in the amount of $219,584.74 and checks numbering 13985-14040 on First National Bank totaling $76,308.33 for a grand total of $295,893.07. 3) The Cash Summary Report (including two transfers: $3,725.11 from Supplemental General Fund to CTE Fund and $3,772.83 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, 2019. There were no gift offers.
There were no committee reports.
There was no old business.
The Board received a summary of the official enrollment on September 20, 2019. Official 2019-2020 FTE enrollment in USD 297 is 264.8, which is an increase of 4.8 from the 2018-2019 FTE enrollment (269).
The Board also received a summary of the KSHSAA Classifications for activities in 2019-2020. St. Francis is now a Class 1A 8-Player Division II school in the KSHSAA Classifications, with an enrollment of 51 in grades 9, 10, 11, and 12.
Superintendent Penka reported on projects that are in process: 1) the new parts for the walk-in cooler/freezer have been ordered and should arrive and be installed within three weeks. Brock McAtee will be putting concrete around the freezer/cooler within 1-2 weeks. 2) Grade School entry steps at the west entrance: after having it looked at, it cannot be fixed and will need to be replaced; more discussion on this project will take place. 3) The Profession Development room at the high school will be finished next week. 4) Superintendent Penka is looking into fans for the high school gym, whether or not they would be beneficial.
The Board and administration briefly reviewed the Audit Report for FY 2019 (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 Penka reported that we have five contract amendments to approve for additional college hours for Carla Schiltz, Talley Morrow, Susan Dinkel, Seth Swihart and Laura Brunk. Also, a contract amendment was done to correct an error in Devin Dinkel’s contract. Troy Hilt moved to approve the contract amendment; motion was seconded by Chris Bracelin and carried.
Superintendent Penka reported that a letter of resignation was received from Travis Jones, the gold coach. We are in the process of finding a replacement.
Next, Superintendent Penka 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 $130,413.54.
Next, Superintendent Penka requested a 10 minute executive session. Troy Hilt made the following motion: Mr. President, I move that the board recess into executive session to discuss the required Superintendent Evaluation to protect his privacy pursuant to the non-elected personnel exception under KOMA and that the open meeting shall resume at 7:50 P.M. The motion was seconded by Chris Hingst and carried. Superintendent Penka, Traci Neitzel, Darla Raile, David Morrow and Terrill Harrison left the meeting. The board came out of executive session at 7:50 P.M. requesting an addition 10 minutes and inviting Superintendent Penka to join them. At 8:00 P.M. regular meeting resumed. Traci Neitzel, Darla Raile, and David Morrow returned to the meeting.
Next, Superintendent Penka requested a 30 minute executive session to discuss non-elected personnel. Chris Bracelin made the following motion: Mr. President, I move that the board recess into executive session to discuss non-elected personnel in order to protect their privacy pursuant to the non-elected personnel exception under KOMA and that the open meeting shall resume at 8:30 P.M. The motion was seconded by Chris Hingst and carried. The board came out of executive session at 8:30 P.M. and requested an additional 20 minutes, Chris Bracelin made the motion; seconded by Troy Hilt and carried. Regular session resumed at 8:50 P.M.
Superintendent Penka discussed the possibility of increasing the base salary rate by $1,000 and then that would be an increase of 2.35% for non-licensed personnel. Final decision will be made at the November meeting.
Next, it was reported that a write-in candidate is necessary for the upcoming school board election. Other items discussed under miscellaneous items were: Scholarship requirements, Junior High Football medical personnel needed, and putting together a policy regarding how to handle head lice.
The next Board of Education meeting will be held on November 14, 2019, at 7:00 a.m.
At 9:23 p.m., Chris Bracelin moved that the meeting adjourn; the motion was seconded by Chris Hingst and carried.
