WEST FRANKLIN USD 287
SPECIAL MEETING OF
BOARD OF EDUCATION

WEDNESDAY, May 31, 2006

The special meeting of the West Franklin USD #287 Board of Education was held Wednesday, May 31, 2006 at the Pomona High School Multi-Purpose Room in Pomona, Kansas.  

Board members present were:   Neal Baker, Keith Milliken, Randy Hermreck (7:05), Sheila Anderson, Mary Ann Parkin, and Nancy Reed (7:10).   Administrators present were:   Superintendent Susan Myers, Board Clerk Teresa Hawkins and Principals Rick Smith, Royce Powelson, Eric Koppes, and Michael Dorst.   Also present were:   Elston Horne, David Staley, Ryan Sink, Judy Laflin, Lila Reekie, Chris Reekie, and Doug Malone.

The meeting was called to order at 7:02 pm by President, Neal Baker.

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

The board continued selecting 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 4  

How do we attract more students?  

Interests

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

Options

• Implement tech plan (3)
• Highly effective teachers (2)
• Offer more variety of electives (2)
• Offer more advanced classes (3)
• Add more extra curricular activities (0)
• Emphasize quality of classes and other activities (1)
• Better sports facilities (1)
• Improved facilities (3)
• Offer early graduation options (2)
• Offer more dual credit classes (4)
• Establish convenient locations (2)
• Smaller class sizes (0)
• 4 Day school week (1) 

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

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 (1)
• Close underutilized buildings (1)
• Pass capital outlay levy (4)
• Raise LOB (1)
• Four day week (2)
• Reconfigure the district (5)
• Attract more students (1)
• Dissolve the district (1)
• Cost benefit of maintaining vs building (4)
• Perform building by building energy audit (3)
• Consider remodeling (1)

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

The board took a 10 minute break at 8:05 pm.

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/or sell buildings
• Attract more students (after discussion this option was eliminated)

Options to Consider (all options considered)

Mr. Dunn asked that a master list of all options be compiled and given to each board member.   Board members then need to look for repeats, overlaps and which options state the same thing or are included within another option.   They are then to return their list to the district office by May 12, 2006 stating which options might be combined.

The next meeting will be Wednesday, June 21, 2006 at 6:00 pm in the Pomona High School multi-purpose room.

Public comment session began at 8:40 pm

President Neal Baker adjourned the meeting at 8:41 pm.

_________________________
Neal Baker, Board President

_________________________
Teresa Hawkins, Clerk                         

Minutes are unofficial until approved at the next regular board meeting