WEST FRANKLIN USD 287
SPECIAL MEETING OF
BOARD OF EDUCATION

WEDNESDAY, May 17, 2006

The special meeting of the West Franklin USD #287 Board of Education was held Wednesday, May 17, 2006 at the Pomona High School Multi-Purpose Room in Pomona, Kansas.  

Board members present were:   Neal Baker, Keith Milliken, Randy Hermreck, Sheila Anderson, and Nancy Reed.   Administrators present were:   Superintendent Susan Myers, Board Clerk Teresa Hawkins and Principals Rick Smith, Royce Powelson, and Eric Koppes ,   Also present were:   Elston Horne, Bill Lloyd Sr., Ryan Sink, Connie Hoyt, Merritta Combs, Lila Reekie, Chris Reekie, and Sherry Brann.

The meeting was called to order at 7:00 pm by President, Neal Baker.

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

Mr. Dunn reviewed the Three Stage Factor Analysis – Feasibility, Benefit, and Acceptability and the meaning of each stage.

Feasibility
           Affordability
           Workability
           Legality

Benefit
         Does it meet 1 or more interest

Acceptability
            Cannot be a standard of “does everyone like it”
            Can the board live with it

The board worked on which options to consider for each issue statement.   Each board member was given four dots to place beside the options that they considered to be the most important.

ISSUE 1

How do we maintain effective student/teacher ratios?  

Interests

• Better discipline  
• Better test scores (AYP)  
• Control costs by efficient use of staff  
• Utilize space better  
• Help with student retention and recruitment
• Help with teacher retention and recruitment
• Equalize opportunities for students

Options

• Offer competitive salaries   (4)
• Combine classes   (3)
• Offer classes electronically   (3)
• Reduce class size   (2)
• Offer more classes   (2)
• Cut staff   (0)
• Remodel   (1)
• Longer instruction   (1)
• Explore options with other districts   (2)
• Share teachers with other districts   (0)
• Put both high school on the same schedule   (2)

Options to Consider   (number of dots received after each option statement above)

The board took a 15 minute break at 7:55 pm

ISSUE 2

How do we afford to offer the best curriculum and meet new graduation requirements?  

Interests

• Meet state mandates
• Help with student retention and recruitment
• Operate within the budget
• Better prepare students for life 

Options

• Combine high schools   (0)
• Combine junior highs   (0)
• Reconfigure the district   (4)
• Reduce staff   (0)
• Offer incentives for multiple teaching certificates   (4)
• Offer classes electronically   (2)
• Raise the LOB   (0)
• Pass the capital outlay levy   (1)
• Prioritize importance of classes and consider cutting some   (1)
• Prioritize extra curricular activities and assess cost   (3)
• Eliminate all sports   (0)
• Implement technology plan   (1)
• Equalize cost spent per student   (4)
• Explore options with other districts   (0)

Options to Consider (number of dots received after each option statement above)

ISSUE 3

How do we afford to recruit and retain good staff?

Interests

• Maintain a stable environment (morale)
• Maintain a positive reputation
• Attract students
• Better Learning
• Operate within the budget
• Better use of administrative staff time

Options

• Higher pay   (4)
• Raise LOB   (0)
• Pass capital outlay levy   (0)
• Implement the technology plan   (3)
• Equalize student/teacher ratios   (2)
• Build one campus   (0)
• Reconfigure the district   (4)
• Reduce staff   (1)
• Offer travel incentive   (3)
• Raise discipline standards   (0)
• Offer more professional development   (3)

Options to Consider (number of dots received after each option statement above)

ISSUE 4  

How do we attract more students?  

Interests

• Generate more state dollars
• Maintain the status quo on money

Options

• Implement tech plan
• Highly effective teachers
• Offer more variety of electives
• Offer more advanced classes
• Add more extra curricular activities
• Emphasize quality of classes and other activities
• Better sports facilities
• Improved facilities
• Offer early graduation options
• Offer more dual credit classes
• Establish convenient location
• Smaller class sizes
• 4 Day school week 

ISSUE 5

How can we afford to maintain or replace our facilities?

Interests

• Maintain a safe environment
• Better learning environment
• Retain and recruit students and teachers
• Operate within the budget
• Stabilize maintenance cost
• Save energy

Options

• Pass a bond issue
• Close underutilized
• Pass capital outlay levy
• Raise LOB
• Four day week
• Reconfigure the district
• Attract more students
• Dissolve the district
• Cost benefit of maintaining vs building
• Perform building by building energy audit
• Consider remodeling

ISSUE 6

How do we effectively utilize our buildings?

Interests

• Reduce or eliminate wasted space (includes underutilized space)
• Save money
• More efficiently use of staff
• Improve morale

Options

• Reconfigure the district
• Rent out unused class space
• Explore options with other districts
• Close and sell buildings
• Attract more students

Public comment session began at 8:50 pm

President Neal Baker adjourned the meeting at 9:05 pm.

_________________________
Neal Baker, Board President

_________________________
Teresa Hawkins, Clerk                         

Minutes are not official until approved at the next board meeting.