BOE Meeting Minutes - Jan. 11, 2010
by Linda Gieber
January 12, 2010
REPUBLIC COUNTY UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT #109
BOARD OF EDUCATION MINUTES
January 11, 2010
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 Clerk of the Board Linda Gieber.
Patrons present as registered.
CALL TO ORDER
The regular Board of Education Meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, January 11, 2010 by President Phillip Poppe.
ADDITIONS TO AGENDA
Changes and additions to the Agenda were listed.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Layne Holmes moved to approve the Board’s Agenda with the additions and changes, Mike Hadachek seconded the motion. Motion carried 7-0.
CONSENT AGENDA
Approval of Previous Minutes
The regular Board Minutes of December 14, 2009 and the special Board Minutes of December 18, 2009 were presented for approval.
Communications
There was one thank you note from the East Elementary Courtesy Committee, thanking the Board for the fruit tray during American Education Week.
Smoky Hill ESC Report
There was no Smoky Hill ESC meeting in December to report on.
Approval of State Mileage Rate Decrease
Presented to the Board for approval was the change in State mileage rate to .50 cents, a decrease from .55 cents, effective for January 1, 2010.
Custodian Resignation
Resignation from Custodian Tim Hiatt, was presented to the Board effective January 8, 2010.
Custodial Contract Approval
A custodian contract for Deanna Mitchell was presented to the Board for approval, effective January 11, 2010.
(Motion on Consent Agenda)
Donna Ward moved to approve the Consent Agenda and Kevin Kuhlman seconded the motion. Motion carried 7-0.
REVIEW AND APROVAL OF BILLS
The Board reviewed the monthly bills totaling $187,131.69. Layne Holmes moved to approve the bills as presented and Kevin Milner seconded the motion. Motion carried 7-0.
COMMENTS OF REPUBLIC COUNTY USD 109 PATRONS
There were no comments from the patrons who were present.
STUDENT COUNCIL REPORT
Student Council representative Trenton Colburn reported that the student council is currently working on Sweetheart scheduled for February 5th and also looking into educational speakers.
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT
Mr. Don Westphal, K-6 Principal:
Mr. Westphal reported that the current enrollment for grades K-4 is 177 students and 70 students in 5-6th grades. He also reported on the upcoming East Elementary and RCMS Spelling Bee and that the Republic County Spelling Bee is scheduled for February 3rd at the Courthouse.
Mrs. Julie Gottschalk, 7-12 Principal:
Mrs. Gottschalk reported that there are currently 68 students in grades 7-8 and 154 students in grades 9-12. She also reported on past and current activity and educational events going on at the J.H./RCHS.
Activities Director’s Report
Doug Lull reported on the current and upcoming sports activities for the J.H./RCHS boys and girls.
Mr. Damman, Superintendent of Schools:
Mr. Damman reported on some of the challenges with the buildings during the very cold temperatures. He also reported on current state budget issues and possible make up days for missed school days. Mr. Damman indicated that he, Mark VanNortwick, and Kevin Derowitsch have been looking into purchasing a snow plow. He also reported that he received a call from Jay Beam, Mayor of the City of Cuba, about the Lease Agreement on the Hillcrest gym.
BOARD MEMBER ITEMS
Kevin Kuhlman indicated that he had been contacted by the Pam Kasl family in reference of using the RCHS gymnasium for funeral procession services. Donna Ward made a motion to waive the current school policy and allow the family to use the gymnasium on January 16th due to the size of the church and their size of family, weather concerns, and the understanding that they would cover the cost of custodial services. Mike Hadachek seconded the motion. Motion carried 7-0.
BUSINESS ITEMS AND REPORTS
D-Silt Presentation:
This Agenda item was postponed until the March Board Meeting.
District Finance Discussion:
President Phillip Poppe addressed the Board on discussion and comments only, of budget cuts for the upcoming school year.
Facilities Study Committee Report:
Mr. Westphal reported that the Facilities Study Committee wanted input from USD #109 employees, who were asked to share their ideas and perspectives in the K-6 facilities study and determine which building or buildings would be best suited to meet the educational needs of our students if a building were to close.
He indicated that he wanted to extend more time for employees to express their ideas due to the Holidays and inclement weather and that he would present the information back at the February Board Meeting after the Committee had met again.
Review Board Policies L and M:
The Board reviewed Policies L and M of the School Board Policies. Donna Ward asked that a wording change be made on Policy LA as indicated. The Board will present back at the February Board Meeting for approval of Revised Policy LA-(Goals and Objectives).
Hillcrest Repairs:
Discussion was held on the Contract Agreement with the City of Cuba for the winterization agreement of the Hillcrest gyms. Doug Jackson made a motion to winterize the whole building as per contract at the bid amount. Donna Ward seconded the motion. Motion carried 7-0.
Executive Session:
(Personnel Matters of Non-Elected Personnel)
Layne Holmes moved to go into Executive Session from 9:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m., for personnel matters of non-elected personnel. Kevin Kuhlman seconded the motion. Motion carried 7-0.
Those going in were Board Members, Superintendent Damman, Principal Gottschalk and Activities Director Doug Lull.
Open Session
At 10:00 p.m., Board Members, Gottschalk, Westphal, and Damman returned to open session.
Executive Session:
(Personnel Matters of Non-Elected Personnel)
Doug Jackson moved to go back into Executive Session from 10:00 p.m. until 10:30 p.m., for Personnel Matters of Non-Elected Personnel and Layne Holmes seconded the motion. Motion carried 7-0.
Those going in were Board Members, Superintendent Damman, Principals Gottschalk and Westphal.
Superintendent Damman exited the Executive Session at 10:05 p.m.
Open Session
At 10:30 p.m., the Board, Principals Gottschalk and Westphal returned to open session.
Executive Session:
(Personnel Matters of Non-Elected Personnel)
Layne Holmes moved to go back into Executive Session from 10:30 p.m. until 11:25 p.m., for Personnel Matters of Non-Elected Personnel and Mike Hadachek seconded the motion. Motion carried 7-0.
Those going in were Board Members, Superintendent Damman, Principals Gottschalk and Westphal.
Open Session
At 11:25 p.m., the Board, Damman, Gottschalk and Westphal returned to open session.
Executive Session:
(Negotiations)
Mike Hadachek made a motion to go into Executive Session from 11:25 p.m. until 11:35 p.m., for Negotiations and Layne Holmes seconded the motion. Motion carried 7-0.
Those going in were Board Members and Superintendent Damman.
Open Session
At 11:35 p.m., the Board and Damman returned to open session.
Motion
Doug Jackson made a motion to open last year’s Negotiation Agreement for the 2009-2010 year for the purpose of covering snow days for this school calendar year. Donna Ward seconded the motion. Motion carried 7-0.
Executive Session:
(Superintendent Evaluation)
Doug Jackson moved to go into Executive Session from 11:40 p.m. until 1:35 a.m., for Discussion of Superintendent Evaluation and Kevin Kuhlman seconded the motion. Motion carried 7-0.
Those going into Executive Session were Board Members only.
At 12:30 a.m., Mr. Damman was asked to join the Board Members in Executive Session.
Open Session
At 1:35 a.m., the Board and Mr. Damman returned to open session.
Possible Action on Non-Certified
Agenda item was cancelled.
Motion
The Board unanimously agreed to change the starting time of the February and March Board Meetings to 6:30 p.m. instead of 7:30 p.m.
FUTURE DATES
January 27, 2010, - 1-Hr. Late Start
February 8, 2010, - Regular BOE Meeting at 6:30 p.m.
ADJOURNMENT
Donna Ward moved to adjourn the meeting and Doug Jackson seconded the motion. Motion carried 7-0.
Meeting adjourned at 1:36 a.m.
