BOE Meeting Minutes - Feb. 8, 2010
by Linda Gieber
February 09, 2010
REPUBLIC COUNTY UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT #109
BOARD OF EDUCATION MINUTES
February 8, 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 6:30 P.M.
PRESENT
Board Members present were Phillip Poppe, Kevin Milner, Donna Ward, Layne Holmes, Kevin Kuhlman, Doug Jackson along with Principals Julie Gottschalk, Don Westphal, 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 6:30 p.m. on Monday, February 8, 2010 by President Phillip Poppe.
ADDITIONS TO AGENDA
There was one addition to the Agenda, E-5: Resignation from Lucas Siebenmorgen as the Spanish Instructor.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Kevin Kuhlman moved to approve the Board’s Agenda with the addition and Kevin Milner seconded the motion. Motion carried 6-0.
REVIEW AND APROVAL OF BILLS
The Board reviewed the monthly bills totaling $168,328.83. Donna Ward moved to approve the bills as presented and Doug Jackson seconded the motion. Motion carried 6-0.
CONSENT AGENDA
Approval of Previous Minutes
The regular Board Minutes of January 11, 2009 and the special Board Minutes of January 20, 2009 were presented for approval.
Approve Revised Policy-LA
Re-wording in Policy LA was changed for revision approval.
Smoky Hill ESC Report
Mr. Damman attended the Smoky Hill Educational Service Center meeting and reported that Coalition for career and technical courses were being made available online. He informed the Board that Smoky Hill continues to work towards having technology and other methods to assist teachers in the classroom. Also, Smoky Hill is working on a virtual school to prevent our students from enrolling in other districts across the state. The virtual school would allow students to remain in our district but receive instruction similar to other virtual schools.
Resignations:
Resignations presented were from Elizabeth Clark-Bus Driver, effective May 26, 2010 and Julie Tyler-School Nurse, effective January 26, 2010.
Resignation:
Resignation presented by Lucas Siebenmorgen-Spanish Teacher, effective at the conclusion of the 2009-2010 school year.
MOTION ON CONSENT AGENDA
Donna Ward moved to approve the Consent Agenda and Doug Jackson seconded the motion. Motion carried 6-0.
COMMENTS OF REPUBLIC COUNTY USD 109 PATRONS
Brent Martin briefly updated the Board on what the USD 109’s CARES program is currently working on.
STUDENT COUNCIL REPORT
Student Council representatives Kristy Farnsworth and Liz Jacques reported on the Sweetheart Ceremonies with Austin Pachta and Sarah Kemmerer being crowned King and Queen at the Sweetheart Ceremonies on Friday, February 5th between the Varsity basketball games, with a dance following from 9 to midnight. They indicated that the Student Council expresses that the Sweetheart Ceremonies should be semi-formal. Also coming up, will be election of officers for President and Vice-President, and they are currently working on ways to increase school spirit.
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT
Mr. Don Westphal, K-6 Principal:
Mr. Westphal reported that the current enrollment for grades K-4 is 175 students and 70 students in 5-6th grades. He reported on the East Elementary Spelling Bee Representatives, upcoming Parent-Teacher conferences, and the 2010-11 Kindergarten class size could possibly be around 44 students.
Mrs. Julie Gottschalk, 7-12 Principal:
Mrs. Gottschalk reported that there are currently 68 students in grades 7-8 and 156 students in grades 9-12. She reported on educational events and accomplishments and also current extra-curricular and sports activities for the boys and girls in J.H. and H.S. Mrs. Gottschalk reported that she attended the “Fast Track” meeting held in Concordia and presented a handout for the Board to review.
Mrs. Gottschalk indicated that the jazz band and show choir performance originally scheduled for January 30, needs to be re-scheduled due to a conflict with another organization, and would like to re-schedule it for April 21 or April 28.
Also, play practices were lost due to weather issues and rescheduling of basketball games and Ms. Krotz’s illness. She would like to have permission to have an additional practice on Sunday, February 20, at 1:30 p.m.
Donna Ward made a motion to allow both of these requests and Kevin Kuhlman seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-1.(Kevin Milner-No Vote)
Mr. Damman, Superintendent of Schools:
Mr. Damman reported that they have updated the computers at the High School and in the Library through Federal Funds and Capital Outlay. He presented a rough draft copy of a 2010-2011 school calendar for the Board to review. A list of 2010 summer projects for each building were also given to the Board. Mr. Damman reported that he had received a thank you from the Pam Kasl family for use of the gymnasium for funeral services.
Mr. Lull, Activities Director
Mr. Lull was not present at this time, but the activities report was included in Mrs. Gottschalk’s Principals report.
BOARD MEMBER ITEMS
Layne Holmes discussed their Budget Committee meeting and the need of cutting back in the budget.
Phillip Poppe presented an Efficiency Post Audit report of the Ellinwood School District for the Board to review, which contained a detailed list of best practices to help school districts identify ways they can operate more efficiently.
BUSINESS ITEMS AND REPORTS
Chad Gieber-School Nurse Input:
Chad and Lora Gieber discussed their concerns on the importance of a part-time school nurse for the district. Layne Holmes moved to open the position up again and to advertise for a 4-hour school nurse position with part-time benefits starting at $15.00 per hour for the remainder of the 2010-2011 school year. Kevin Kuhlman seconded the motion. Motion carried 6-0.
District Finance Discussion:
Mr. Damman updated the Board on the current State Budget Finance. He also presented a performance audit report that included a list of Operational Best Practices for School Districts from the Legislative Division of Post Audit.
The Principals were asked to share their possible views and ideas for budget reductions.
Board Members addressed their comments on budget cuts and questions were asked about using the Contingency Reserve Fund.
2010-2011 Tuition Enrollment Discussion:
Mr. Damman presented information showing an At-Risk Weighting report showing an increase of $47,703 in At-Risk funds from last year due to a higher number of participation of this year. It was pointed out how the participation of the Free and Reduced program financially helped the school district. The discussion was held on continuing to waive tuition enrollment fees. Donna Ward moved to waive the tuition enrollment fees for the 2010-2011 school year and Kevin Milner seconded the motion. Motion carried 6-0.
Facility Committee Report:
Mr. Westphal reported that the Facilities Study Committee received input from USD #109 employees, who were asked to share their ideas and comments 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 the committee would recommend:
If the budget allows, the facilities should remain as they are.
If need to economize, K-6 grades would be best served in the Middle School and the annex with renovation as required and use of the East Elementary gym.
Hillcrest Lease
Mr. Damman informed the Board that the Cuba City Council members were holding their meeting this Monday night also and were going to discuss the Hillcrest gym lease agreement and get back with the Board on possibilities of a gym lease agreement for the 2010-2011 school year.
The Board unanimously agreed to have Mr. Damman discuss the gym lease agreement with the City of Cuba and report back at the March Board meeting.
Review Board Policies CA to CG-2:
The Board reviewed Policies CA to CG-2 of the School Board Policies. The Board would like to have stated that Policies CA to CG-2 were revisited on 2-8-2010 with no changes.
Executive Session:
Kevin Milner moved to go into Executive Session from 9:20 p.m. until 9:30 p.m., for Negotiations and Layne Holmes seconded the motion. Motion carried 6-0.
Those going in were Board Members and Superintendent Damman.
Board Member Mike Hadachek entered the Executive Session at 9:29 p.m.
Open Session
At 9:30 p.m., Board Members and Damman returned to open session.
Executive Session
Donna Ward made a motion to go into Executive Session from 9:30 p.m. until 10:30 p.m., for Personnel Matters of Non-Elected Personnel. Mike Hadachek seconded the motion. Motion carried 7-0.
Those going in were Board Members, Superintendent Damman, Principals Gottschalk and Westphal.
Open Session
At 10:30 p.m., the Board, Damman, Gottschalk, and Westphal returned to open session.
Executive Session
Donna Ward made a motion to go back into Executive Session from 10:32 p.m. until 10:45 p.m., for Personnel Matters of Non-Elected Personnel. Layne Holmes seconded the motion. Motion carried 7-0.
Those going in were Board Members, Superintendent Damman, Principals Gottschalk and Westphal.
Principal Don Westphal was excused from the Executive Session at 10:35 p.m.
Open Session
At 10:45 p.m., the Board, Damman, and Gottschalk returned to open session.
President Phillip Poppe reported that the Board will take no action at this time on the Facility Committee’s recommendation.
Executive Session
Kevin Kuhlman made a motion to go back into Executive Session from 10:46 p.m. until 11:00 p.m., for Personnel Matters of Non-Elected Personnel. Mike Hadachek seconded the motion. Motion carried 7-0.
Those going in were Board Members only.
Open Session
At 11:00 p.m., the Board Members returned to open session.
ADJOURNMENT
Kevin Milner moved to adjourn the meeting and Doug Jackson seconded the motion. Motion carried 7-0.
Meeting adjourned at 11:00 p.m.
FUTURE DATES
February 15, 2010, - No School-“In-Service”
February 24, 2010, - 1-Hr. Late Start-“Collaboration Time”
March 8, 2010, - Regular BOE Meeting at 6:30 p.m.
