USD 377 BOARD OF EDUCATION

REGULAR SESSION 7:30 PM

JUNE 13, 2005

CENTRAL OFFICE, EFFINGHAM

 

 The Board of Education of Unified School District #377 met in regular session at 7:30 pm on June 13, 2005, at the Central Office.  Board members present: Steve Caplinger, Todd Gigstad, Tom Kautz, Leonard Lange, Jerry Madden, Michael Postma, Mark Westermann.  Administrators present: Steve Wiseman, Terry Slattery.

 

Visitors: Jeff Schmucker, Globe; Cindy Ladd, Jeff Martin, board members elect; Mark Preut, Tom Sack, Dan Coder, Elaine Stuck, Linda Boos, Lori Scholz, Kevin & Jennifer Gigstad, Tesea Kearney, Dana Ernzen, Denise Kelly, Julie Baker, Becky Miller, Tracy Pieper, Jamie Lewman, Darren Fowler, Tom Miller, Jennifer Hansen, Krista Sowers.

 

Caplinger called the meeting to order at 7:30 pm.

 

Consent Agenda:  Caplinger added a list of emergency subs under Consent Agenda item D, the dates for the 4-H bus request was noted as the 25th through the 28th of June.

 

               Lange moved the agenda be adopted as presented and amended.  Motion seconded by Westermann.  Motion passed 7-0. (The consent agenda included approval of the minutes of the May regular and special meetings, bills and claims in the amount of $252,091.04, the Treasurer’s report dated 05-31-05, and Activity fund statements.  Emergency Substitute teachers approved: Patricia Rork, Curtis McAlexander, Kenneth Reichle, Roberta Keys, Jack Bishop.)  Fees & Meals Prices, the request for the 4-H use of a school bus and acceptance of gifts were approved.) 

 

Hearing of Audience:

On behalf of the Cummings PTO, Tesea Kearney presented a plan for playground equipment for the Cummings Center.  She stated they are working with a representative from Fry & Associates of Kansas City.  The equipment has a value of approximately $5000 and parents are donating labor for the project. The plan includes donated chainlink fence and pipe for soccer goals.  The PTO would also like to do some repair work and painting of existing playground equipment along with cleaning up brush. 

 

Reports:

Lori Boos gave the elementary site council report. She stated they met five times and discussed issues involving all three centers.  Accomplishments for the year were cited.

 

Terry Slattery and Steve Wiseman presented  preliminary results of the 2005 State Assessment tests for the elementary centers and high school. 

 

Clerk’s Report:  Correspondence included a thank-you from the Postma family and the MS Pilot QPA Annual Report.  KASB School Law and the Board Presidents’ Workshops were announced.  The Atchison Chamber invited board representatives to attend a meeting to discuss the tax rebate program Tuesday night at the Conference Center.

Presentation:

In appreciation for their years of service on the board of education, Steve Caplinger presented plaques and life time passes to Tom Kautz and Jerry Madden.

 

Positives:

Slattery reported a real good end of the year at the elementary centers.  Wiseman cited the Breakfast of Champions academic assembly with lots of awards and prizes and stated students performed well at state track.  Caplinger mentioned the picnic in the park in Effingham for elementary students and the author party at Cummings.

 

Action Items:

 

1) Consider Bids for Level I and II equipment

 

              Motion by Madden, seconded by Westermann, to approve the bids for Level I and II equipment items as recommended.  Motion passed 7-0.

 

2)  Consider Disposal of District Vehicle

     Charlie Buttron recommended disposing of the 1995 suburban with 133,000 miles.

 

              Motion by Kautz to authorize soliciting sealed bids for the sale of the 1995 blue suburban to the highest bidder with the stipulation that the superintendent retains the right to reject any or all bids.  Motion seconded by Lange.  Motion passed 7-0.

 

3)  Consider Extraordinary School Program Recommendation

     Wiseman presented a proposal for the Extraordinary School Program for the 2005-06 school year.  He informed the board he has asked the director to do a needs analysis of Cummings and Lancaster.  Wiseman recommended to continue the program for next year.

 

                            Motion by Gigstad to accept the recommendation of the superintendent to continue the Extraordinary School Program for next year.  Motion seconded by Postma.  Motion passed 5-2.  (Westermann, Kautz opposed.)

 

4)  Consider Cummings Elementary School Facilities Recommendation

Wiseman presented several options with costs for addressing the district’s need for additional classroom space to accommodate special needs students for the 2005-06 school year.  Option I was to lease a mobile unit, Option 2 was to build two extra classrooms in the gym, Option 3 to move the 4th grade to Building B, and Option 4 a long term solution to build a new elementary school.  Wiseman recommended Option 1 for a mobile unit for one year and to put together a facilities committee to look at options and concerns with a recommendation from the committee next spring.  The cost for a one year lease would be $6660 or $555 per month.

 

        Motion by Kautz to accept Option I with a one year lease for a mobile unit at Cummings.  Motion seconded by Westermann.  Motion passed 7-0.

 

 

 

5)  Consider Bids for Replacing Network Servers for Effingham Elementary, the Middle School and High School.

Wiseman related the servers at the high and middle schools were purchased in 2001, are running out of room, and need to be replaced.  He recommended that all three servers be placed in one location with someone to be in charge of back-up.  Wiseman presented specifications for Intel Servers and Microsoft 2003 software and licensing.  The total cost is estimated at $35,000.

 

              Motion by Lange to authorize the superintendent to solicit bids on the three servers.  Motion seconded by Postma.  Motion passed 7-0.

 

6)  Approve Building Level Handbooks

The Elementary Schools Parent-Student Handbook was presented to the board for approval.

 

         Motion by Kautz, seconded by Lange, to approve the elementary parent-student handbook as presented.  Motion passed 7-0.

 

7)  Approve Board Policy Book

Wiseman informed the board the electronic copy of the  policy book sent to board members was not a complete version and that KASB is sending a corrected CD.  It was the consensus of the board to table action until the June 27 meeting.  The building use policy was presented and discussed.  Wiseman will rewrite this policy for presentation at the June 27 meeting.

8)  Consider Renewal of Student Insurance

Current student insurance consists of three policies, activities insurance from KSHSAA, activities insurance from Student Assurances and all pupil school day coverage from Student Assurances.  Since KSHSAA  increased their deductible from $10,000 to $25,000, Student Assurances is offering to pick up supplemental coverage from $10,000 to $25,000 at a cost of $750.

 

              Motion by Kautz to renew student accident insurance for 2005-06 to include sections 1, 2, and 3.  Motion seconded by Gigstad.  Motion failed 3-4.  (Westermann, Madden, Postma, Caplinger opposed.)

 

              Motion by Caplinger to approve sections 1 and 2.  Motion seconded by Madden.  Motion passed 7-0. 

 

9)  Textbook Adoption

Slattery recommended the purchase of a comprehensive writing program from Great Source at a cost of $9,163.85.

 

              Motion by Madden, seconded by Kautz, to accept the recommendation from the elementary principal for the purchase of the writing program from Great Source.  Motion passed 7-0.

 

 

 

 

 

10)  Consider Creating the Position of Curriculum Director/School Improvement Specialist for the 2005-06 School Year.

Wiseman included in the board packet a job description for the recommended new position and suggested the compensation for the position be in accordance with the salary schedule in the negotiated agreement.

              Motion by Madden, seconded by Postma, to approve the position as recommended.  Motion passed 5-2  (Kautz, Lange opposed.)

 

11)  Personnel - Executive Session

 

              Motion  by Caplinger, seconded by Postma, to enter into executive session at 8:40 pm to discuss personnel matters of non elected personnel in order to protect the privacy interests of the individuals to be discussed and that the board return to open session in this room at 8:50 pm.  Motion passed 7-0. (Wiseman, present).

 

The board resumed in open session at 8:50 pm.

 

              Motion by Madden to approve Tom Sack as Middle School Principal for the 2005-06 school year at a salary of $60,000 plus fringe benefits.  Motion seconded by Lange.  Motion passed 6-1.  (Kautz opposed.)

 

              Motion by Westermann to approve supplemental contracts for the positions as recommended by Mr. Wiseman.  Motion seconded by Postma.  Motion passed 5-2.  (Opposed Kautz, Lange.)

 

12)  Set Date for June end-of-year meeting/Select Place for July meeting

 

              Motion by Kautz to set the end-of-year meeting on June 27th at the Central Office at 7:30 pm.  Motion seconded by Westermann.  Motion passed 7-0.

 

              Motion by Westermann to set the July 10th meeting at the Central Office at 7:30 pm.  Motion seconded by Lange.  Motion passed 7-0.

 

Administration Reports

Wiseman reported he is working with CNS on ending the contract with them.  Their service ended in December so the district should receive $2600 plus over 40 hours of service.

 

Discussion Items

 

1)  Special Education Report

Gigstad stated because of a conflict he was unable to attend the last meeting.  He will be attending the meeting this Wednesday and they are to discuss negotiations.  Minutes of the last meeting were in the board packet.

 

2)  Consider the Proposed Schedule for Kindergarten/Pre-School the first of School

A copy of the proposal was presented at the May meeting and included in the packet.

 

3)  Budget Discussion

Wiseman presented a letter from KASB regarding their position on the Supreme Court decision.  End of the year estimated transfers and ending balances were reviewed.  Proposed increases and decreases in line items for next year were presented. 

 

4)  Buildings A & B

Dan Coder recommended installing guttering on both buildings, new sheeting on the north side of Building A, new ducting, and installation of duct fans at an estimated cost of $10,245.  Both roofs are being replaced because of hail damage with insurance monies.  Dan felt that by completing these projects as recommended in the META report it would improve the buildings.

 

5)  Advanced Agenda Planning

Wiseman handed out recommended policies received this week from KASB.  These will be incorporated in the new policy book for approval June 27.

 

                Motion by Lange, seconded by Postma, to adjourn at 9:03 pm.  Motion passed 7-0.

 

 

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Ruth Dillon, Board Clerk