WEST FRANKLIN USD 287

REGULAR MEETING
BOARD OF EDUCATION

MONDAY, May 8, 2006

The regular meeting of the West Franklin USD #287 Board of Education was held Monday, May 8, 2006, at the Pomona High School multi-purpose room in Pomona, Kansas.   The following board members were present:   Mr. Neal Baker, Mr. Keith Milliken, Mr. Randy Hermreck, Mrs. Sheila Anderson ,  Mrs. Janie Dillon, and Mrs. Nancy Reed, and Mrs. Mary Ann Parkin.   Administrators and staff present were:   Superintendent Susan Myers, Board Clerk Teresa Hawkins, Principal Rick Smith, Principal Royce Powelson, Principal Eric Koppes, Principal Robert Allen, Principal Susan Wildeman (7:30 pm), Curriculum Director Mary Schleicher, Transportation Director Richard Adler, Maintenance Supervisor Jerry Engel,   Others present:   Louis Coppoc, David Staley, Elston Horne, Diana Macouline, Virginia Cook, Diana Humerickhouse, Robin Nitcher, Judy Simpson, Lori Thompson, and Jon Horne.

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

The agenda was amended to add the following:   4.1   Staffing for 06-07.    Questions were asked and answered concerning a few bills.   Mary Ann Parkin made a motion to amend the agenda, approve the minutes of the previous meetings as presented and to pay the bills as presented.     Sheila Anderson seconded the motion.   Motion passed 7-0.

Reports:

Pomona High School:  Principal Royce Powelson reminded the board that graduation will be Saturday, May 20 th at 10:00 am and informed them of the procedures that would be followed for the ceremonies.   He also shared that Sunday, May 7 th was the Governor’s Scholar Award Program in Topkea and that Samantha Reno was named Pomona High School’s Governor’s Scholar and Casey Smith was named Williamsburg High School’s Governor’s Scholar.   Mr. Powelson also commented on the successful seasons both the baseball and softball teams were having; baseball is 17-1 and softball is about 500.   Track is also doing well and expects to have athletes qualify for state.   He also wanted to thank the community for all their hard work to make the baseball fields such an outstanding complex.

Williamsburg High School:   Principal Susan Wildeman reported that their Livestock Judging Team of Seth Stroman, Kayla Watts, Jerrod Smith, and Natalie Humerickhouse had just placed 2 nd at state.   This qualifies them to compete at nationals in Denver in January 2007.   Williamsburg also had two high school students who competed at the state music contests on April 29 th.   Heather Sleichter, trumpet solo, received a I rating and Georgia Rolland, tenor sax solo, received a II rating.    Williamsburg Jr. High had four students who competed in the Fort Scott Middle Level Solo Festival on May 6 th.   Hailee Schmitz; baritone solo, Shelby Webb; snare drum solo, Nate Snethen; alto sax solo, and Kate Wildeman; flute solo.   All four students received a I rating.   Mrs. Wildeman also informed the board the Williamsburg Library and invited K-5 students to tour the new library.   Open house and book-walk for the new library will be May 27 th.

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Reports cont.:
Appanoose Elementary:   Principal Rick Smith reported that their spring music program had been a huge success and that he had received many positive comments from the community.   He also thanked the board for hiring such a great music teacher last year.

Pomona Elementary:   Principal Eric Koppes reported that they were almost finished with math testing and were excited about receiving the individual results.   He also thanked the board for allowing them to take several learning trips this spring.   One of the student’s favorites was the trip to the “K” and then watching the KC Royals baseball game that afternoon.   Mr. Koppes also reported that his staff is working on summer maintenance needs.

Curriculum Director:   Mary Schleicher shared with the board the Economics textbook that Williamsburg would like to use next year.   7-10 textbooks is all that would need to be ordered.   Mrs. Schleicher also gave the board copies of the Driver’s Education curriculum and pointed out the only two changes that were made to it.

Superintendent: Dr. Susan Myers mentioned how busy the next couple of weeks would be with all the district graduations and promotions.

Learning Center:   Principal Robert Allen and Jon Horne presented to the board and audience the contents of a CD that had been created by learning center students.   This CD was disseminated to all Charter Schools in Kansas and also to the State School Board.   The CD displayed all aspects of the learning center (ex:   Process for acceptance, Objectives, Successful Practices, and many photo clips).   This was all made possible through a grant and the hard work of Jon Horne.   A security system, direct TV, and ten wireless computers were all acquired as a result of this grant.

Student Request:
The board committee on policy presented the board with their recommendation concerning the request from Natalie Humerickhouse to attend Hutchinson Community College next year and still be allowed to graduate from Williamsburg High School.   Natalie had suggested one option being that she be allowed to take American Government and Sr. English through VPL courses or Virtual School. Dr. Myers explained what would be involved in becoming a virtual school.   Mary Ann Parkin reviewed several of the board policies concerning attendance requirements.   It was the committee’s recommendation that the school board should adhere to current policy.   This would require Natalie Humerickhouse to complete eight semesters of full time attendance at Williamsburg High School in order to graduate.   It was their opinion that to do otherwise would set a precedence which would negatively impact the district and the high schools.   Mary Ann Parkin made a motion to accept the committee’s recommendation.   Sheila Anderson seconded the motion.   Motion passed   6-1    

Student Handbook Changes:
Changes regarding philosophy of education, assessment program, senior citizen athletic passes, cell phone policy, adult lunch and milk prices, graduation requirements, activity practices/heat, technology fee, and vocational classes.   The following additions were

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Monday, May 8, 2006  

Student Handbook Changes Cont.:
suggested:   state that senior athletic passes are free, change to plastic milk cartons with a .05 increase, and state why we will charge a technology fee (help with cost of incidentals repairs, and acquisition of consumables and new computers.)   Mary Ann Parkin made a motion to accept all handbook changes, including the above additions.   Sheila Anderson seconded the motion.   Motion passed   7-0

Renew Blue Cross/Blue Shield:
Dr. Myers explained the increase for 06-07 would be 6.47% ($17.47 per person per month)   The insurance committee had met at an earlier date and recommended that the district accept the health insurance as quoted and that the board continue to pay the single policy premium for employees.   Employees will have the option to buy up to higher coverage.   Sheila Anderson made a motion to accept the insurance committee’s recommendation.   Nance Reed seconded the motion.   Motion passed 7-0

End of Year Transfers:
Dr. Myers asked for authority to transfer monies remaining in the general fund to other funds that are allowed to carry a balance and the end of the fiscal year and authority to pay bills that come in prior to June 30 ..   Suggested funds to transfer money to were:   1) Special Ed   2) Food Service   3)Professional Development and 4) Contingency Reserve.   Nancy Reed made a motion to give Dr. Myers the authority to transfer the money and pay bills.   Sheila Anderson seconded the motion.   Motion passed 7-0

Franklin County Mental Health Request:
Franklin County Mental Health requested to use two vans to transport students to summer programs, appointments, and etc.   Mental Health would provide the driver and be responsible for the gas and cleaning.   USD 287 would charge Franklin County Mental Health $20 per day.    Sheila Anderson made a motion to allow Franklin County Mental Health the use of district vans.    Nancy Reed seconded the motion.   Motion passed 7-0

School Lunch Program Representative:
Dr. Myers suggested that Cherree Keeton, Food Service Director, be appointed as the new representative for the school lunch program.   Sheila Anderson made a motion that Cherree Keeton be appointed as the representative for the school lunch program.   Nancy Reed seconded the motion.   Motion passed 7-0

Concurrent Memorandum of Agreement:
Dr. Myers explained the Concurrent Credit Agreement with Neosho County Community College.   She also pointed out all the courses that are being offered at both Pomona High and Williamsburg High for dual credit through NCCC.   She also noted that Williamsburg and been added to this agreement.   Nancy Reed made a motion to accept the Concurrent Credit Agreement with NCCC.   Sheila Anderson seconded the motion.   Motion passed    7-0 

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Travel Requests:
Travel request were presented for the following:   Williamsburg High golf to compete in the state golf tournament in Winfield.   Pomona High golf to compete in the state golf tournament in Hesston.   Both state golf tournaments will be May 21 & 22.   Pomona High track team to compete in the state track meet in Wichita, May 26 & 27.   Royce Powelson and Michael Dorst to attend the KASSP Conference, June 6-8.   Nancy Reed made a motion to accept all travel requests.   Sheila Anderson seconded the motion.   Motion passed 7-0

Discussion Items

Staffing for 06-07:
Rick Smith presented the board with a graph showing the projected declining enrollment for Appanoose.   He also presented several options for staffing to deal with the declining enrollment.   Dr. Myers also handed out enrollment numbers for the entire district.   Mr. Smith asked the board for direction and suggestions on handling the declining enrollment.     Not filling one of the two vacancies at Appanoose was discussed.   He also stated that he and his staff would be making home visits to community students who are now being home-schooled in an effort in getting them enrolled in public school.   Continuing the SRO position for the 06-07 school year was discussed.   The need for adding a technology assistant position for the 06-07 school year was also discussed.

The board took a 10 minute break at 8:50 pm

New Emission/Diesel Regulation:
The new diesel regulations for school buses, 2007 or newer, and the financial effect it will have on the district was discussed.    

KEYS Survey:
Dr. Myers reviewed the results and answered questions from the KEYS survey.   She also stated that we are currently using these results in both PDC and IBB.   Mary Schleicher, curriculum director, is currently working on a survey for the staff.   The survey will be given again in January 2007.

Capital Outlay Protest Status:
Dr. Myers reported that a protest against the capital outlay levy had been filed.   The Franklin County Clerk is currently verifying signatures on the protest.   The protest must have at least 10% of all registered voters to be official.   The board’s options are now to wait nine months to pass another resolution for a capital outlay levy or have an election.   Direction of the board was to have an election.

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Neal Baker made a motion to enter executive session at 9:30 pm for 30 minutes for employment recommendations.   Justification of the executive session is to protect the district’s right to the confidentiality of its negotiation position and the public interest.   Sheila Anderson seconded the motion.   Motion passed 7-0

The board came out of executive session at 10:00 pm

Neal Baker made a motion to re-enter executive session at 10:00 pm for 5 more minutes for employment recommendations.   Justification of the executive session is to protect the district’s right to the confidentiality of its negotiation position and the public interest.   Sheila Anderson seconded the motion.   Motion passed 7-0

The board came out of executive session at 10:05 pm

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

Nancy Reed seconded the motion.   Motion passed 7-0

There being no further business, meeting was adjourned at 10:10 pm.

Neal Baker made the motion to adjourn the meeting.   Mary Ann Parkin seconded the motion.   Motion passed 7-0.

________________________ 
Neal Baker, Board President

________________________
Teresa Hawkins, Clerk                                     

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