BOE Meeting Minutes - Dec. 14, 2009
by Linda Gieber
December 15, 2009
REPUBLIC COUNTY UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT #109
BOARD OF EDUCATION MINUTES
December 14, 2009
President : Phillip Poppe
Vice-Pres. : Kevin Milner
Board Member: Mike Hadachek
Board Member: Layne Holmes
Board Member: Doug Jackson
Board Member: Kevin Kuhlman
Board Member: Donna Ward
Superintendent: Troy Damman
Board Clerk : Linda Gieber
REGULAR BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING AT 7:30 P.M.
PRESENT
All Board Members were present along with Principals Don Westphal, Julie Gottschalk, Superintendent Troy Damman and Board Clerk Linda Gieber. Also present were local Legislative Representatives Clay Aurand and Mark Taddiken.
Patrons present registered around 100.
CALL TO ORDER
The Board of Education Meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, December 14, 2009 by President Phillip Poppe.
ADDITIONS TO AGENDA
President Poppe reported that there was one change and three
additions to the agenda. Move up agenda item-Open Forum with Local
Legislative Discussion to C.-1, Add - Approval of Resignation under
J.1-A and add two Executive Sessions #J.6-C Personnel
Matters-Actions Relating to a Student and J.6-D Personnel Matters
of Non-Elected Personnel Relating to Budget Reductions.
APPROVAL OF
AGENDA
Kevin Kuhlman moved to approve the Board’s Agenda with the correction and additions and Mike Hadachek seconded the motion. Motion carried 7-0.
SPECIAL DISCUSSION ITEM
Open Forum with Local Legislative Representatives
President Phillip Poppe addressed the public and thanked them for being present and welcomed State Legislative Representatives Clay Aurand and Mark Taddiken. Board Members asked questions to the Legislators Aurand and Taddiken on school finance and current budget issues.
At 8:30 p.m., President Poppe opened the meeting up to the public for questions they had on school finance.
At 9:05 p.m., Kevin Milner made a motion to adjourn the open forum meeting and recess for 15 minutes. Mike Hadachek seconded the motion. Motion carried 7-0.
Open Session
At 9:20 p.m., the Board returned to open session in the RCHS Library.
CONSENT AGENDA
Approval of Previous Minutes
The Special Board Minutes and the Regular Board Minutes of November 9, 2009 were presented for approval.
Communications
There were two thank you notes. David Kadavy thanked the Board for allowing his classroom students a science club trip to the Jeffrey Energy Center and Call Hall at KSU. Also, a thank you from the Staff at the Republic County Middle School for the fruit tray to their building for American Education Week.
Smoky Hill ESC Report
Mr. Damman presented information from the Smoky Hill ESC meeting he attended. He reported that Diane DeBacker spoke at the joint meeting regarding changes at KSDE and how the changes will impact schools. He informed the Board that there was a discussion held on school finance and possible reductions for the current year.
Approval of Board Goals
The 2009-2010 Board Goals that were previously selected were
presented to the Board for approval.
Approval of Superintendent Goals
The selected Superintendent Goals for the 2009-2010 school year
were presented to the Board for approval.
Approval of Audit Bid
for 2009-2010
There was one Audit Bid received for Auditing services for the 2009-10 School year. Approve bid from W. Rex Woods, CPA of Belleville, KS for a bid not to exceed $4,950.
Motion on Consent Agenda
Donna Ward moved to approve the Consent Agenda and Doug Jackson seconded the motion. Motion carried 7-0.
REVIEW AND APROVAL OF BILLS
Questions were asked by the Board when reviewing the monthly bills totaling $ 113,381.60. Layne Holmes moved to approve the bills as presented and Kevin Kuhlman seconded the motion. Motion carried 7-0.
COMMENTS OF REPUBLIC COUNTY USD 109 PATRONS
Mary Waite had questions for the Board and commented on possible school budget cuts.
STUDENT COUNCIL REPORT
Student Council representatives Braden Damman and Kelsey Beneda reported that the student council is currently looking into an educational speaker, working on the Sweet Heart Dance arrangements and reported on student council involvement in the elementary lunch buddies project.
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT
Mr. Don Westphal, K-6 Principal:
Mr. Westphal reported that the current enrollment K-4 is 177 students and 68 students in 5-6th grades. He discussed Parent Teacher Conference attendance, and success of the K-2 music program held on December 4th.
Mrs. Julie Gottschalk, 7-12 Principal:
Mrs. Gottschalk gave a 7-12 Principal’s report. She indicated
that the current enrollment at the Jr./Sr. High school is 221
students. She reported on current school activities and events.
Activities Report
Activities Director, Doug Lull presented information on winter sports participation, he reported on activities/athletic account expenses and balances, uniform needs, summer projects, and future expenses.
Mr. Damman, Superintendent of Schools:
Mr. Damman thanked the City of Belleville for the cleaning and grading of snow around the buildings. He reported on current state budget issues.
BOARD MEMBER ITEMS
Board Member Kevin Kuhlman questioned about any current open gym use policies when school is not in session.
President Phillip Poppe reported on a “thank you note” he received from the FBLA class, thanking the Board for their support in attending the FBLA Leadership Convention.
Executive Session:
(Personnel Matters of Non-Elected Personnel)
Layne Holmes moved to go into Executive Session from 10:00 p.m. until 10:15 p.m., for personnel matters of non-elected personnel. Kevin Milner seconded the motion. Motion carried 7-0. Those going in were Board Members, Principal Gottschalk, Activities Director Lull, and Superintendent Damman.
Open Session
At 10:15 p.m., Board Members, Gottschalk, Lull and Damman
returned to open session.
Kevin Milner moved to go back into Executive Session from 10:15
p.m. until 10:30 p.m., for personnel matters of non-elected
personnel. Kevin Kuhlman seconded the motion. Motion carried
7-0.
Those going in were Board Members, Principal Gottschalk, Activities Director Lull, and Superintendent Damman.
Open Session
At 10:30 p.m., Board Members, Gottschalk, Lull and Damman returned to open session.
BUSINESS ITEMS AND REPORTS
State Funding Update:
Mr. Damman updated the Board on State Funding issues and the current USD 109’s budget. He reported that the government lowered the FTE to $4,012 and reported on it’s impact on the District for the current school year.
Resignation:
Kevin Kuhlman made a motion to approve the resignation from Richard Barrett as Bus Driver with appreciation of years of service, effective December 8th, 2009. Donna Ward seconded the motion. Motion carried 7-0.
Report on Annual KASB Convention:
Board Members Kevin Milner, Phillip Poppe, and Superintendent Damman reported on the Annual KASB Convention they attended.
Facility Committee Report:
Principal Mr. Westphal reported on the last meeting that the facility committee met and reported that the committee has toured all the school facilities. He informed the Board that the committee would like to open up first for comments and input from current staff members before any decision would be made by the committee.
Race to the
Top-Grant:
Mr. Damman presented information in assisting the State in
implementing the tasks and activities described in the State’s
“Race to the Top” grant project, which could be beneficial to
schools. Donna Ward moved to sign up for this grant and Doug
Jackson seconded the motion. Motion carried 6-1. No-Vote by Kevin
Milner.
Review Board Policies F and H:
The Board reviewed F and H of the School Policies and would be
checked as reviewed by the Board on 12-14-2009.
Executive
Session:
(Personnel Matters of Non-Elected Personnel)
Kevin Kuhlman moved to go into Executive Session from 11:10 p.m.
until 11:30 p.m., for personnel matters of non-elected personnel.
Layne Holmes seconded the motion. Motion carried 7-0.
Those going in were Board Members, Principal Gottschalk and
Westphal, and Superintendent Damman.
Open Session
At 11:30 p.m., Board Members, Gottschalk, Westphal, and Damman returned to open session.
Executive Session:
(Negotiations)
Layne Holmes moved to go back into Executive Session from 11:30 p.m. until 11:50 p.m., for Negotiations and Kevin Kuhlman seconded the motion. Motion carried 7-0.
Those going in were Board Members, Principal Gottschalk, Principal Westphal, and Superintendent Damman.
Open Session
At 11:50 the Board, Principals Gottschalk, Westphal and Superintendent Damman returned to open session.
Executive Session:
(Personnel Matters-Actions Relating to a Student)
Donna Ward moved to go back into Executive Session from 11:50 p.m. until 12:05 a.m., for Personnel Matters-Actions Relating to a Student and Doug Jackson seconded the motion. Motion carried 7-0.
Those going in were Board Members, Principal Gottschalk, Principal Westphal, and Superintendent Damman.
Open Session:
At 12:05 a.m., the Board, Gottschalk, Westphal, and Damman returned to open session.
Executive Session:
(Personnel Matters of Non-Elected Personnel Relating to Budget Reductions)
Layne Holmes moved to go back into Executive Session from 12:05 a.m. until 12:40 a.m., for Personnel Matters of Non-Elected Personnel Relating to Budget Issues. Mike Hadachek seconded the motion. Motion carried 7-0.
Those going in were Board Members, Principal Gottschalk, Principal Westphal, and Superintendent Damman.
Open Session
At 12:40 a.m., the Board, Gottschalk, Westphal, and Damman returned to open session.
FUTURE DATES
Dec. 21-Jan.4, 10, - No School “Christmas Vacation”
January 4, 2010, -Teachers In-Service
January 5, 2010, -Classes Resume
January 11, 2010-Regular BOE Meeting
ADJOURNMENT
Doug Jackson moved to adjourn the meeting and Layne Holmes seconded the motion. Motion carried 7-0.
Meeting adjourned at 12:45 a.m.
