2020-01-07
Minutes of the Regular Board Meeting – January 7, 2020
The meeting was called to order by Board President Cale Rieger in the administration office on the above date at 7:00 p.m. with everyone present. Cheyenne County Clerk, Scott Houtman, was also present.
Troy Hilt made a motion to approve the agenda; the motion was seconded by Chris Hingst and carried.
Next, Cheyenne County Clerk, Scott Houtman, swore in the newly elected members of the Board of Education: Shawna Blanka, J.W. Milliken, Troy Hilt, and Cale Rieger.
Election of officers was next; Chris Hingst nominated Cale Rieger for President; seconded by Dustin Andrist and carried. Danielle McAtee nominated Troy Hilt as Vice President; seconded by Dustin Andrist and carried.
The Board reviewed and discussed the items on the consent calendar. A motion was then made by Chris Hingst, seconded by Danielle McAtee, and carried to approve the consent calendar, including the following items: a) The minutes of the regular Board meeting on December 12, 2019. b) A list of bills being paid on direct deposit slips numbering 1219001 – 1219077 and on checks numbering 11516-11529 on BANKWEST, and checks numbering 14168-14206 on FNB Bank for a total of $283,102.05. c) The Cash Summary Report (including three transfers: $8,498.84 from Supplemental General Fund to the CTE Fund, $3,880.58 from the General Fund to the At-Risk Fund, and $57,368.00 from General Fund to Special Ed Fund)¸ the Grade School Activity Fund Report, and the High School Activity Fund Report – all as of December 31, 2019. d) The Board approved the new IRS privately-owned automobile mileage rate of $.575/mile effective January 1, 2020. e) Gift offer in the amount of $1,250.00 from Cheyenne County Farm Bureau through the Dane G. Hansen Foundation Community Grant Fund for Cheyenne County. This grant is for the purchase of a classroom tower garden for fifth grade.
There were no audiences.
The Board considered appointment of members to three committees – the Meet-and-Confer Committee, Scholarship Committee, and Hiring Committee. Following brief discussion, Cale Rieger and Chris Hingst were selected to serve on the Meet-and-Confer Committee; Superintendent Penka, Principal David Morrow, Danielle McAtee, and Dustin Andrist were selected to serve on the Scholarship Committee; and Superintendent Penka, Principal Morrow, Troy Hilt, and J. W. Milliken were selected to serve on the Hiring Committee. Troy Hilt moved to approve these committee appointments; the motion was seconded by Danielle McAtee and carried.
Under Old Business, Superintendent Penka reported that the Kindergarten ceiling project would be completed during Spring Break; the leak in that ceiling has been fixed.
Next was discussion regarding the hiring of an Athletic Trainer for all sporting events. Mr. Penka went over the costs involved. The Board tabled a decision until next month; Mr. Penka will visit with the coaching staff to be sure, if approved, that this service will be utilized.
Mr. Penka reported that the high school boiler will be installed in late January. Work continues on the door replacement project at the grade school. There are two more doors to replace, which will be completed during Spring Break.
Superintendent Penka reported that he has received a letter of resignation from Steve Jenkins effective at the end of the school year. Mr. Jenkins has been with USD 297 for 44 years. Dustin Andrist made a motion to accept Mr. Jenkins’ resignation; seconded by Troy Hilt and carried.
At 7:45 P.M., Troy Hilt made a motion for a twenty minute executive session for the purpose of a non- elected personnel issue, with the justification of protecting the privacy rights of the individual. Danielle McAtee seconded the motion, and it carried. At 8:05 P.M., the meeting resumed. No action was taken.
Next, Troy Hilt made a motion recommending two year contracts for David Morrow and Darla Raile; motion was seconded by J.W. Milliken and carried.
Next, a motion was made by Troy Hilt to approve Seth Swihart to take the Junior High Science position. The motion was seconded by J.W. Milliken and carried.
Superintendent Penka reported that the new route bus that was ordered last spring will be delivered in mid-January. He also informed the new Board members that there will be a New Boardmanship meeting in Goodland on January 29, 2020. Shawna Blanka and J.W. Milliken are planning to attend.
Mr. Morrow updated the Board on the progress in the high school with MTSS.
Review of Board Policy: Superintendent Penka presented two new policies send out by KSDE. Troy Hilt made a motion to adopt the policies; seconded by Chris Hingst and carried.
The next regular scheduled Board meeting will be held on February 13, 2020, at 7:00 a.m.
At 8:24 p.m., Chris Hingst moved that the meeting adjourn; the motion was seconded by Dustin Andrist and carried.
