The regular meeting of West Franklin USD #287 Board of Education was held on January 12, 2004 at the Education Center in Pomona, Kansas. The following board members were present: Mr. Neal Baker, Mrs. Sheila Anderson, Mr. Randy Hermreck, Mrs. Mary Ann Parkin, and Mr. Jeff Piersol. Also present were: Superintendent Susan Myers, Curriculum Director Mary Schleicher, Learning Center Principal Robert Allen, Pomona High School Principal Royce Powelson, Williamsburg Principal Tracy Maring, and Board Clerk Robin Bigham. Others present included: District Maintenance Technician Jerry Engel, District Transportation Supervisor Richard Adler, Mrs. Eryn DeMoss, Mr. Scott DeMoss, and Mrs. Paula Howard.

President Neal Baker called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.

Jeff Piersol moved to approve the minutes of the previous meeting and to pay the bills as presented. The motion was seconded by Mary Ann Parkin and the motion passed 5-0.

Principal Royce Powelson reported that the first PHS Site Council Meeting was held earlier this evening. Topics discussed included school spirit, school pride, poor sportsmanship, and pep rallies or lack thereof. The council would like to see the PHS mission statement displayed on the walls in the school. They also discussed how parents, students and community can help improve the topics discussed.

Curriculum Director Mary Schleicher informed the board that the communications curriculum document and materials would be ready for review at the February 2004 meeting and planned for adoption at the March 2004 meeting.

Superintendent Susan Myers reminded the board that PHS diploma's and WHS signature sheet for diplomas were being circulated for signatures. She also reminded the board of a KASB seminar on Board Vision was scheduled for January 22, 2004 and Janie Dillon, Neal Baker, Randy Hermreck and Nancy Reed were scheduled to go. Mrs. Myers also brought the board up-to-date on the investigation into a window that was broken on one of the school vans and on one of the buses.

Superintendent Susan Myers informed the board that the 2003/04 budget could be republished due to the recent audit coming out higher than estimated. The re-publish would bring in excess of $33,000 of general state aid. Jeff Piersol made a motion authorizing the superintendent to republish the 2003/04 budget. Mary Ann Parkin seconded the motion and motion passed 5-0.

Mr. Jerry Engle reported that only one bid (including one alternate volunteer bid) was received on the PHS lighting project from Schmidtlein Electric out of Topeka, Kansas. Jeff Piersol made a motion accept the alternate bid from Schmidtlein Electrict for a total of $64,872. Sheila Anderson seconded the motion and motion passed 4-1.

Robert Allen presented the West Franklin Learning Center School Improvement Plan to the board. Mary Ann Parkin made a motion to approve the plan as presented. Sheila Anderson seconded the motion and the motion passed 5-0.

Regular Board of Education Meeting Page: 2
Monday, January 12, 2004

The 5th grade class at Williamsburg has grown to 29 students and has also physically outgrown the classroom. A split in the class was recommended as well as using one of the rooms in the learning center to house the second 5th grade class. Neal Baker made a motion to split the 5th grade class at Williamsburg as recommended. Sheila Anderson seconded the motion and motion carried 5-0.

A letter from the Franklin County Economic Development, Inc. was shared with the board. It appears that West Franklin USD#287 is the only district in the county not a member of the organization. Pros and cons of joining were discussed. Mary Ann Parkin made a motion to join the organization at a cost of $350. Sheila Anderson seconded the motion and the motion failed 3-2 for lack of four votes required to pass any motion.

Neal Baker made a motion for the board to enter executive session at 7:48 p.m. for 10 minutes for discussion of upcoming negotiations. Justification of the executive session is to protect the district's right to the confidentiality of its negotiating position and the public interest. Sheila Anderson seconded the motion and motions passed 5-0.

The board came out of executive session at 7:48 p.m.

Neal Baker made a motion for the board to enter executive session at 8:03 p.m. for 25 minutes for discussion of personnel matters of non-elected personnel. Justification of the executive session is to protect the privacy interests of identifiable individuals. Sheila Anderson seconded the motion and motion passed 5-0.

The board came out of executive session at 8:28 p.m.

Jeff Piersol made a motion to accept the employment recommendations as follows:
Resignations: Tony Campbell (verbal), PHS Custodian; Deanna Cunningham (written), PHS Custodian, and Pat McGonigle, Head Boys Golf Coach; Employment Recommendations: Mike Engle, PHS Custodian, Cade Rensink, Play Sponsor at Williamsburg, and Kris Hassler, Head Boys Golf Coach; Transfers: Eryn DeMoss, Teacher, from the Learning Center to Williamsburg Elementary; and to extend contracts to Principals Rick Smith, Jody Cole, Royce Powelson, Tracy Maring, Robert Allen, and Curriculum Director Mary Schleicher for the 2004/05 school year with salaries to be determined. Sheila Anderson seconded the motion and motion passed 5-0.

Meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m.

______________________________ ________________________________
Robin Bigham, Board Clerk Neal Baker, Board President

(Minutes are not offical until approved at the following board meeting.)