WEST FRANKLIN USD 287

SPECIAL MEETING OF
BOARD OF EDUCATION

WEDNESDAY, August 2, 2006

The special meeting of the West Franklin USD #287 Board of Education was held Wednesday, August 2, 2006 at the Pomona High School Multi-Purpose Room in Pomona, Kansas.  

Board members present were:   Neal Baker, Keith Milliken, Randy Hermreck, Sheila Anderson (7:10 pm), Mary Ann Parkin, Janie Dillon, and Nancy Reed.   Administrators present were:   Superintendent Susan Myers, Board Clerk Teresa Hawkins and Principals Eric Koppes, Susan Wildeman, Rick Smith, and Michael Dorst, and Curriculum Director Andy Azwell.    Also present were: Elizabeth Giffin, Liz Smith, Virginia Cook, Bill Lloyd, John Love, Judy Simpson, Dealy Sims, Robin Nitcher, Cheryl Thomas, Merritta Combs, Lila Reekie, Chris Reekie, Elston Horne, Todd Burroughs, Eric Jackson, Tracy Jackson, and JoAnn Hancock.

The meeting was called to order at 7:05 pm by President, Neal Baker.

Neal Baker turned the meeting over to Patrick Dunn, IBB Mediator.

Patrick Dunn reviewed and summarized the goal that the board has been working toward. This is to help them narrow down their options and be able to make a decision.

Susan Myers presented the school board with three more options for reconfiguration.   She also presented the information that she had been asked to research and compile at the July 19, 2006 meeting.   This information included:

• Course offerings from area high schools
• Dual Credit class offered at Pomona High School through Neosho County Community College
• Estimate from Lloyd Builders for a new gym, and renovations to the existing gym and storage building
• Teacher salary rankings in the state and compared to area county schools
• Current teacher incentives
• Teacher incentive ideas from the teacher’s association
• IDL (Interactive Distant Learning) set-up and membership costs
• Point to Point Connection costs
• Cost of bussing between Pomona and Williamsburg for high school programs

The board continued to discuss and chart the pros and cons of the remainder of the reconfiguration options from the July 19 th meeting along with the three new options that Susan Myers presented earlier.

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Wednesday, August 2, 2006

Reconfiguration Option 5

Pros

            1           Maintaining K-8 at both ends may minimize loss

            2           Utilizes both sports facilities

Cons

• Expense at Appanoose to add on
• Underutilizes Pomona’s north building
• Least potential savings

Reconfiguration Option 6

Pros

• Biggest money savings in staff
• Pre K-6 centrally located
• Good MS facility

Cons

• Large facility cost
• Underutilized Appanoose & Pomona
• Student retention
• Bussing distances

The school board decided to throw out Option 3

Reconfiguration Option 7

Pros

• All Pre K-2 at one location
• Utilize sports facilities at both ends
• Spreads kids evenly throughout district
• Minimize loss in lower grades
• Cost savings
• Relocate the Learning Center
• Lower Expenses
• Minimize distance traveled

Cons

• Makes youngest travel the farthest
• Risk of student loss in lower grades
• Difficult to keep 2-8 equalized
• Bussing distance

The board took a 10 minute break at 8:10 pm

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Wednesday, August 2, 2006

Reconfiguration Option 8

Pros

• Lower Expenses
• Using both sports facilities
• Targets high cost students & minimizes overall changes
• Minimize bussing

Cons

• Spread isn’t as good
• Lower savings
• Pre K-8 still spread out

Reconfiguration Option 9

Pros

• Uses sports facilities at both ends
• Minimizes student movement

Cons

• Underutilizes Pomona Pre K-2
• Not much room for growth at Williamsburg

All options were discussed and questions were asked and answered.   The school board decided to throw out Option 6.

Mr. Dunn asked each school board member to think about what two options they want to consider before the next meeting.         

Next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, August 30, 2006 at 6:00 pm in the Pomona High School multi-purpose room.

Mr. Dunn asked that the school board select a board member to facilitate future meetings.   Keith Milliken and Mary Ann Parkin were selected.

Public comment session began at 8:50 pm.  

President Neal Baker adjourned the meeting at 9:00 pm.

_______________________
Neal Baker, Board President

_______________________
Teresa Hawkins, Clerk