WEST FRANKLIN USD 287
REGULAR MEETING
BOARD OF EDUCATION
MONDAY, JANUARY 10, 2005 

            The regular meeting of West Franklin USD #287 Board of Education was held on January 10, 2005 at the Education Center in Pomona , Kansas .   The following board members were present:   Mr. Neal Baker, Mrs. Sheila Anderson, Mr. Randy Hermreck ,   Mrs. Janie Dillon, and Mrs. Nancy Reed.   (Jeff Piersol and Mary Ann Parkin were absent.)   Also present were: Superintendent Susan Myers, Curriculum Director Mary Schleicher , Learning Center Principal Robert Allen , Pomona High School Principal Royce Powelson, Williamsburg Principal Susan Wildeman, Pomona Elementary/Middle School Principal Eric Koppes, Appanoose Principal Rick Smith, and Board Clerk Robin Bigham.  Others present included:   District Maintenance Technician Jerry Engel, District Transportation Supervisor Richard Adler, Mr. Keith Milliken, Mrs. Vivian Eichinger, Mrs. Laurie Blanco, Mrs. Cherry Stevens, Mrs. Becky Macklin, Mrs. JoAnn Stigall, Mrs. Heather Conway, Mrs. Nancy Baker, and Cleon Rickel from the Ottawa Herald.

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

            Action item 3.5 Red Cross Request needs to be added to the agenda.   Nancy Reed moved to amend the agenda, approve the minutes of the previous meeting and to pay the bills as presented.   The motion was seconded by Sheila Anderson and the motion passed 5-0.

            Principal Royce Powelson reported that two student teachers from Ottawa University would be working with PHS staff this semester.   He also passed out a list of activities and ideas for PHS in regards to Board Goal #3, Parent/Community Involvement.

            Principal Rick Smith reported that the accreditation visit had to be moved to February due to health issues with the chairperson.   Mr. Smith    also handed out a list of activities and ideas for Appanoose in regards to Board Goal #3, Parent/Community Involvement.

            Principal Eric Koppes said that he would have one student teacher working in the PES/PMS buildings this semester.   He also told the board about a new reward system for 8 th graders whereby the year-end activity would be earned, not owed.   Mr. Koppes then handed out a list of activities and ideas for PES/PMS in regards to Board Goal #3, Parent/Community Involvement.

            Principal Susan Wildeman addressed the board in regards to Board Goal #3, Parent/Community Involvement for Willilamsburg.

            Superintendent Susan Myers handed out a summary from KASB on the Supreme Court decision on school finance.   There was also a handout on what constitutes a suitable education.   If anyone is interested in looking at the 166 page Auglinblick & Myers Study or the District Court Ruling, Dr. Myers would be happy to accommodate the request.

            Principal Rick Smith reported to the board that the Appanoose Site Council is very active and all members attend regularly.   The council meets the night after board meeting whereby Mr. Smith updates them on board issues.   They are very interested in the work of the citizen’s advisory group.   The past couple of months, they have focused on athletics.   Sherry Brann is the chair of the council and has been for the last couple of years.

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Monday, January 10, 2005

            The Successful Practice was presented by Pomona Elementary School (Nancy Baker, Heather Conway, Becky Macklin, JoAnn Stigall and Cherry Stevens) on Guided Reading.

            Mr. Keith Milliken handed out a report to the school board from the Citizen’s Advisory Committee and updated the board on the work the committee has done so far.

            Travel requests were presented as follows:   Jenna Hirsch to attend KMEA, Tim Davis to attend an FFA function in Missouri , Roger Driver to take a class skiing in Westin , Missouri , Virginia Cook to take a class skiing in Westin , Missouri , and Chuck Lee to present at a physical education conference.   Nancy Reed made a motion to approve the travel requests as presented.   Sheila Anderson seconded the motion and the motion passed 5-0.

            Different dates in February were discussed for the board to meet to discuss the evaluations of certified staff. This would be a special meeting held in executive session.   Randy Hermreck made a motion to set February 9, 2005 for a special meeting.   Sheila Anderson seconded the motion and motion passed 5-0.

            Appanoose Recreation Commission sent letters to the board to appoint new members to the commission for the terms of Julie Wray and Curt Altic that expired 12/31/2004 .   Sheila Anderson made a motion to approve Dan Kaub and Julie Worley to the Appanoose Recreation Commission.   Janie Dillon seconded the motion and the motion passed 5-0.

            Mrs. Vivian Eichinger addressed the board in regards to the audits of the recreation commission records.   All the books were in much better shape than last year and there was nothing questionable in the records.   Mrs. Eichinger talked with the bookkeepers and made any necessary recommendations.   All bank reconciliation’s were balanced for the year. Nancy Reed made a motion to accept the results of the recreation commission audits.   Janie Dillon seconded the motion and motion passed 5-0.

            Susan Myers reported to the board that Appanoose has been a designated center for the Red Cross in the event of a crisis in the area.   The Red Cross would like to continue this arrangement.   Sheila Anderson made a motion to continue as a designated center for the Red Cross.   Nancy Reed seconded the motion and motion passed 5-0.

            Susan Myers informed the board that a meeting was scheduled for February 14, 2005 in regards to the Williamsburg Community Library. A project manager has been assigned.   However, if plans aren’t settled by the end of January, the board will need to advertise for a housebuilding project for the 2005/06 school year, with the understanding that the library will take precedence over other bids if finalized by the March board meeting.

            Susan Myers discussed possible budget savings for next school year.   Current possibilities include reducing teaching staff and eliminating two bus routes.   However, the need for an elementary counselor is crucial and the board gave permission to advertise for the position to see what kind of response we might get.

            Royce Powelson discussed “early release Mondays” with the board.   This is an idea PHS is wanting to implement every Monday from 2:30-3:20 pm to raise student achievement. The plan

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would allow students who are failing more one-on-one attention with teachers.   Students who are passing would have other options, such as leaving early (with parental permission) or using the computer lab, etc.   There was no opposition from the board and the plan will be implemented in two weeks.   Mr. Powelson will give the board progress reports on the program at future board meetings.

            The possibility of combining the middle school football teams at Appanoose and Pomona Middle School was again discussed.   It was found that there are plenty of uniforms, helmets and equipment.   Combining the two teams would save on two coaching positions.   Practice and games would be held at Appanoose, saving wear and tear at the Pomona field.   Students could possibly be transported by riding the bus that goes to Appanoose at the end of the day, and possibly returning on a bus that has completed its route and is returning to Pomona .   By combining in this manner, the new team will stay in the same league.   It was the concensus of the board to combine the teams and that this is a step in the right direction of efficiency.

            Susan Myers educated the board on how the Building Budget process works.   Each building principal is responsible for the budget of their buildings, and must keep track of approximately twelve line items in the budget.   Dr. Myers has developed a formula to help keep track of how much each building is allotted.   This kind of site-based budget is also a good learning tool for principals.

            The board took a five minute break from 8:57-9:02 pm .

            Neal Baker made a motion for the board to enter executive session at 9:04 p.m. for five minutes for discussion of personnel matters of non-elected personnel.   Justification of the executive session is to protect the privacy interests of identifiable individuals.   Randy Hermreck seconded the motion and motion the passed 5-0.         

            The board came out of executive session at 9:09 p.m.

            Neal Baker made a motion to accept the following employment recommendations:  

            Sheila Anderson seconded the motion and the motion passed 5-0.                      

            Meeting adjourned at 9:12 p.m.

______________________________ ________________________________

Robin Bigham, Board Clerk                        Neal Baker, Board President

Minutes are unofficial until approved at the next board meeting