West Franklin USD 287
Regular Meeting
Board Meeting
Monday, January 8, 2007
The regular meeting of the West Franklin USD #287 Board of Education was held Monday, January 8, 2007, 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 Rick Smith, Principal Eric Koppes, Principal Robert Allen, Transportation Director Richard Adler, and Maintenance Supervisor Jerry Engel. The following staff and community members were also present: David Staley, Marilyn Staley, Frances Coppoc, Gene Hirt, Bill Lloyd, Jim Cain, Ryan Sink, Stacy Hower, Elston Horne, John Gooding, Tena Goudreau, Jim Rubick, Lowell Anderson, Judy Simpson, Lori Thompson, Diana Macouline, Virgina Cook, Dorothy Pritchard, Mollie Jo Parkin, Karen Gibson, Dayna Gilliland, Betty Greer, Susan Zentz, Steve Taylor, Liz Smith, Nancy Baker, David Nelson, Patty Nelson, Lisa Reece, David Stover, Craig Stroman, and Connie Hoyt
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 pm by President, Neal Baker.
Mr. Baker asked if there were any audience members who wished to address the board. Gene Hirt, Jim Cain, and Jim Rubick all addressed the school board. Dr. Susan Myers responded to the comments and answered questions.
The agenda was amended to add Action Item 3.4 – Flint Hills Middle School League and Discussion Item 4.2 – Money Issues. Minutes from the previous meeting and bills were presented. Janie Dillon made a motion to amend the agenda, approve the minutes of the previous meeting and to pay the bills as presented. Nancy Reed seconded the motion. Motion passed 7-0
Reports: Eachprincipal shared a few activities their school is using to try and increase community involvement.
Principal Eric Koppes: Reported that Pomona Elementary currently sponsors a Back-to-School BBQ and Open House as a way to open the doors to the public. He commented that this has been a very good way to get the school year off to a good start. He also encouraged everyone to visit the KSDE website to view the building report card and he also noted the excellent graphics showing district progress over the last two years.
Principal Mike Dorst: Reported that Pomona High School has a Student-of-the-Month assembly at the end of each month. All parents of the students receiving awards are personally invited to attend this assembly. He also reported that the daily announcements are now posted on the school website for parents to view. They are also in the process of building web pages for each teacher.
Principal Rick Smith: Reported that he keeps Appanoose parents informed of school news by weekly e-mails. He also announced that Phyllis Cunningham has just been selected as the West Franklin Teacher of the Year. He stated that Phyllis is an excellent teacher and has taught middle school math for 15 years.
Principal Susan Wildeman: Reported that Williamsburg parents are given weekly grade reports. She is also trying to create a method of getting better parent turn-out for Parent/Teacher Conferences. On January 30, 2007, at a home basketball game, all students who scored exemplary on assessment testing will be honored. All school board members were invited to attend this ceremony.
Curriculum Director Andew Azwell: Had nothing further to add to his report mailed in the board packet.
Superintendent Dr. Susan Myers: Had nothing further to add to her report mailed in the board packet.
PHS Successful Practice (Cisco Networking & Web Design): Susan Zentz, technology instructor, along with PHS senior Dayna Gilliland explained how the Cisco Networking class is “Changing the Way We Learn”. Cisco is entirely on-line and hands on learning and involves extensive problem solving for computer networking. Mrs. Zentz stated that career choices are much broader than just networking. Students taking Cisco Networking may earn dual credit through Neosho County Community College. Mrs. Zentz and Dayna also showed the school board a few pages of the PHS website and informed them of the improvements and additions they are continually making to the site.
PHS Site Council: Mike Dorst reported that he has been getting acquainted with all new members and they have been considering names for the school along with ways to spread the news of students maintaining the Standard of Excellence to the public.
Action Items:
Sick Leave Donation: Johnny Aubert, custodian at Williamsburg, requested to donate his sick days to Debbie Aubert, teacher at Williamsburg. Keith Milliken made a motion to allow Johnny Aubert to donate his sick days to Debbie Aubert. Mary Ann Parkin seconded the motion. Motion passed 6-1
Travel Request: Appanoose 8 th grade requested to take their annual ski trip – no cost to the district except transportation. Steve Taylor, along with three students, requested to attend the Kansas State University Band Clinic – Band Booster Club will pay everything except sponsor’s hotel lodging. Eric Koppes and Mike Dorst requested to attend the United Administrators Conference in Wichita, January 24-26. Susan Wildeman requested to attend the VPL Conference in Wichita in February – She has also been asked to present on how Williamsburg implements VPL in the high school. Nancy Reed made a motion to accept all travel requests. Sheila Anderson seconded the motion. Motion passed 6-1
West Franklin Learning Center Charter: The renewal application is due to KSDE by February 1, 2007. Robert Allen reviewed the three academic and the three non-academic goals. He also stated that the Learning Center currently has 23 students in grades 6-12. The future goal is to move several students back to the high school, with full support of Learning Center personnel. Mary Ann Parkin made a motion to renew the Learning Center Charter. Sheila Anderson seconded the motion. Motion passed 7-0
Flint Hills Middle School League: Scheduling is beginning for the 07-08 school year and if West Franklin is to be included we need to join in the near future. Flint Hills is the same league as Pomona High School currently participates in. Nancy Reed made a motion to allow the middle school to join the Flint Hills Middle School League. Sheila Anderson seconded the motion. Motion passed 6-1
Discussion Items:
Transition Planning Update:
Andy Azwell: Explained that currently we have three VPL licenses, costing $27,000. In the future we will be able to buy just one site license, costing $3,000, this being a tremendous savings. The site license will be able to be utilized in many different spots.
Susan Wildeman: Explained the process for selecting new names, mascots, and colors will begin. Each school’s current site councils will compile a list of names they believe could be used. Two members from each site council will then meet on February 5, 2007 at the district office to discuss the lists. Each student body will also have input on the mascots and colors. The combined site council will then pick the top two and present to the school board. This will then go back to the students for the final vote.
Mike Dorst: Explained the possibility of converting the old gym at Pomona into two shops and VoAg classroom. This would be excellent classroom and shop space, but would also mean the loss of a gym, making practices and games a challenge.
Money Issues: Randy Hermreck expressed several concerns regarding the budget, maintenance, capital outlay and special education.
The board took a 10 minute break at 8:10 pm
Randy Hermreck made a motion to increase the LOB to 30%. Keith Milliken seconded the motion. Motion failed 2-5
Personnel:
Executive Session:
Employment Recommendations/Staffing Plan for 07-08:
Sheila Anderson made a motion to enter executive session at 8:22 pm for 30 minutes for the purpose of discussing non-elected personnel to protect the privacy interests of the individuals to be discussed. Nancy Reed seconded the motion. Motion passed 7-0
The board came out of executive session at 8:52 pm
Nancy Reed made a motion to .enter executive session at 8:54 pm for 20 minutes for the purpose of discussing non-elected personnel to protect the privacy interests of the individuals to be discussed. Janie Dillon seconded the motion. Motion passed 7-0
The board came out of executive session at 9:14 pm
Employment Recommendation:
Janie Dillon made a motion to accept the following employment recommendations:
Greg Butler; Pomona Elementary Spelling Bee
Nancy Reed seconded the motion. Motion passed 7-0.
Negotiations:
Keith Milliken made a motion to enter executive session at 9:17 pm for 15 minutes for the purpose of discussing non-elected personnel to protect the privacy interests of the individuals to be discussed. Sheila Anderson seconded the motion. Motion passed 7-0
The board came out of executive session at 9:32 pm
There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 9:35 pm.
_____________________
Neal Baker, Board President
_____________________
Teresa Hawkins, Clerk
Minutes are not official until approved at the next board meeting.