West Franklin USD 287
Regular Meeting
Board Meeting
Monday, November 13, 2006

The regular meeting of the West Franklin USD #287 Board of Education was held Monday, November 13, 2006, at Pomona High School.   The following board members were present:

President Neal Baker, Sheila Anderson, Janie Dillon, Randy Hermreck, Keith Milliken, Mary Ann Parkin and Nancy Reed.   Administrators and staff present were:   Superintendent Susan Myers, Board Clerk Teresa Hawkins, Curriculum Director Andy Azwell, Principal Mike Dorst, Principal Susan Wildeman, Principal Rick Smith, Principal Eric Koppes, Principal Robert Allen, Transportation Director Richard Adler, and Maintenance Supervisor Jerry Engel.   Numerous staff and community members were also present.

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

Mr. Baker asked that any audience members who wished to address the board to come forward. There was no one who chose to address the board.

Randy Hermreck asked that the agenda be amended to add a discussion item regarding transportation.

Minutes from previous meetings and bills were presented and questions were answered.

Nancy Reed made a motion to amend the agenda, approve the minutes of the previous meetings and to pay the bills as presented.   Sheila Anderson seconded the motion.   Motion passed 7-0.

Reports:

Principals Susan Wildeman, Mike Dorst, Rick Smith, Eric Koppes, and Robert Allen:
Had nothing to report

Curriculum Director Andew Azwell:
Had nothing to report

Superintendent Dr. Susan Myers:  
Reported that she had the opportunity to attend the FCCLA Leadership Conference in Ottawa and was very impressed with the leadership skills of the Pomona High School members.   She also stated that some of our students hold state offices in this organization.

Action Items:

Site Council Applications:
The school board had received applications from Kellie Hamblin and Christy Meiers for the Pomona Elementary site council.   Dr. Myers presented a third application from Mike Honn, also for Pomona Elementary.   Mary Ann Parkin made a motion to accept the site council applications with the addition of Mike Honn.   Sheila Anderson seconded the motion.   Motion passed 7-0

Travel Requests:  
Dr. Myers requested to attend the KASA Fall Conference (Kansas Superintendent’s Association) in Wichita November 30 – December 1.   Andrew Azwell requested to attend an Empowered Desktop workshop in Salina December 12 & 13.   This workshop is sponsored by Kan-Ed.   After attending this workshop Andrew would then be able to instruct our teachers how to use the desktop and avoid having to send teachers to the same workshop.   Keith Milliken made a motion to accept all travel requests.   Sheila Anderson seconded the motion.   Motion passed 6-1 

Rural Water Application:
For the last five years the school board has been discussing the possibility of joining Rural Water District #5 for the Appanoose schools (Appanoose is currently using well water).   The cost would be $6,700.   A deposit of $400 has already been paid, which would be applied to the cost if we join.  This would leave a balance of $6,300.  Deadline for joining is December 31, 2006.   USD 287 would not have the option to join the rural water district again until 2013.  

 Keith Milliken made a motion to join Rural Water District #5 at this time.   Sheila Anderson seconded the motion.   Motion passed 7-0

2006-07 Mowing:  
At the prior meeting the school board had been asked to consider hiring a district position to mow instead of contracting the mowing.   Dr. Myers presented the board with projected salary costs, along with projected costs for repairs and fuel, if the board were to use a district position to mow.   Questions on the condition of our current lawn care equipment were asked and answered.   Nancy Reed made a motion to advertise the position as a district employee.   Janie Dillon seconded the motion.   Motion passed 7-0

Appanoose Recreation Easement Request:  
The Appanoose Recreation would like to add a transformer to the ball fields in order to light another diamond.   An easement is needed for KCP&L.   Dr. Myers presented the board with additional information from Dan Kaub, ARC President.   The ARC will fund the lighting project.   The only cost to the district would be for the electricity used.   Sheila Anderson made a motion to sign the easement for KCP&L.   Nancy Reed seconded the motion.   Motion passed 7-0

Sick Leave Donation:  
Liz Smith requested to donate sick leave to Julie Smith, who is on maternity leave.   Joyce Bradford requested to donate two (2) days of sick leave to Julie Smith.   Nancy Parkin requested to donate five (5) days of sick leave to Donna Price.  Randy Hermreck made a motion to deny the requests.   Motion failed due to the lack of a second.   Nancy Reed made a motion to accept all requests to donate sick leave.

Sheila Anderson seconded the motion.   Motion passed 6-1

Land Transfer Request from Williamsburg:  
At a prior special meeting the board discussed the possibility of Williamsburg leaving USD 287 and transferring the land to another district.   Members of the Williamsburg community felt other districts needed to know if the USD 287 board was willing to allow a land transfer to take place before their request to go to another district would be seriously considered.   Neal Baker made a motion to entertain a land transfer if requested by another district.   Mary Ann Parkin seconded the motion.   Motion passed 7-0

Reconfiguration Plans:  
For the last several months the board has been holding special meetings to discuss plans for reconfiguration.   Many concerns and opinions were voiced by the board members.   Nancy Reed made a motion to move forward with Plan IV.   Sheila Anderson seconded the motion.   Motion passed 5-2

Discussion Items:

Transportation Expenses:  
The school board was given information from the Transportation Director, Richard Adler showing miles driven, miles per gallon and cost of repairs and maintenance for each bus and vehicle.   Richard Adler explained the information to the school board and answered questions.

The board took a 10 minute break at 7:47 pm

Personnel:

Executive Session:
Randy Hermreck made a motion to enter executive session at 8:08 pm for 10 minutes for the purpose of discussing non-elected personnel to protect the privacy interests of the individuals to be discussed.   Keith Milliken seconded the motion.   Motion passed 7-0

The board came out of executive session at 8:18 pm

Employment Recommendations:  

Janie Dillon made a motion to accept the following employment recommendations:

Nancy Reed seconded the motion.   Motion passed 7-0.

There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 8:20 pm. 

 ____________________________
Neal Baker, Board President                                                                               

____________________________
Teresa Hawkins, Clerk                                     
Minutes are not official until approved at the next board meeting.