WEST FRANKLIN USD 287
SPECIAL MEETING
BOARD OF EDUCATION
Wednesday, October 25, 2006
The special meeting of the West Franklin USD #287 Board of Education was held Wednesday, October 25, 2006, at the Pomona High School multi-purpose room in Pomona, Kansas. The following board members were present: Neal Baker, Sheila Anderson, Mary Ann Parkin, Keith Milliken, Nancy Reed, Randy Hermreck, and Janie Dillon. Administrators present were: Superintendent Susan Myers, Board Clerk Teresa Hawkins, Principals Eric Koppes, Rick Smith, Mike Dorst, and Susan Wildeman. Numerous faculty, staff and community members were also present.
The meeting was called to order at 6:00 pm by President Neal Baker
Neal Baker introduced Donna Whiteman, assistant director of the Kansas Association of School Boards. Ms. Whiteman informed the school board that about two-thirds of Kansas schools are facing declining enrollments and having to make the same kind of decisions they are faced with.
Eric Koppes presented the new information he had gathered regarding a four-day school week. Data concerning a four-day week had been presented at the previous meeting, but the school board had asked for additional information. Mr. Koppes had researched several Colorado schools that are currently using a four-day school week and were also comparable in size to West Franklin. He also personally visited with a few superintendents asking the following questions 1) Does the four-day week affect student performance? 2) Is there substantial savings to be made with a four-day week and 3) Is a four-day week best for kids academically? He shared several handouts with the board showing the opinions of the superintendents interviewed, testing results and several articles concerning a four-day week in Colorado and many other states across the United States.
At the previous meeting the school board had also asked that plan IX be further discussed and researched. Rick Smith reviewed plans IV and VIII and the presented plan IX with more detailed information and discussed and answered questions concerning plan IX.
Keith Milliken presided over the board discussion. All board members stated their opinions of plans VIII and IX and came to a consensus that plan VIII better met the criteria of the issues. The board then continued to discuss plans IV and VIII and came to a consensus that plan IV better met the criteria of the issues.
Keith Milliken, on behalf of the Williamsburg community, introduced yet another option the school board might consider. This would be for Williamsburg to leave the West Franklin school district and join another district. Donna Whiteman stated that this could be done and informed the board of the procedure. The West Franklin school board would have to pass a resolution giving Williamsburg permission to leave. Williamsburg would then have to approach another school district and be accepted by them.
Mr. Milliken also presented the board an information sheet he had compiled showing the potential savings to the school district if Williamsburg were to join another district.
The board discussed plan IV and a four-day week to see which might best meet the criteria of the issue statements. The issue statements that need to be met by any of the plans are:
The board came to a consensus that plan IV met the criteria of more of the issues than the four-day week.
The board took a 10 minute break at 8:20 pm
Public comment session began at 8:30 pm. Donna Whiteman presided over the comment session and set the ground rules.
Meeting was adjourned at 8:50 pm
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Neal Baker, Board President
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Teresa Hawkins, Clerk
Minutes are not official until approved at the next board meeting.