October 28, 2002

Last night's meeting took place at Frances Willard.

After Board President Daren Reese called the meeting to order and recognized the guests, Board Member Coleen Estep spoke briefly about a Politics in Education seminar she attended in Topeka.

Good News Recognition

Kristen Martinez introduced the October 2002 Board/Teacher Panel Superior Service Award winners.

Mark Scram, eighth-grade physical education teacher, received the Certified Staff Member award for his hard work to improve the middle school weight room and "instill the desire for lifelong fitness" in the middle school students.

Robin Crain, middle school secretary, received the Support Staff Member award but could not be at the BOE meeting, because she was ill. Her nominator said she is "always positive, helpful and pleasant. Each school needs someone like Robin!"

Willie Brown, middle school custodian, received the Volunteer Member Award for all the volunteer work he does outside of his job, like the American Legion Oratorical Contest and color guard, among others. His nominator said, "he always goes above and beyond to assist in any way."

The award winners received district logo watches from Reese.

Action Items

I. Acceptance of the Character Education Grant. This $4,750 grant will provide programs at Frances Willard and C-4 Elementaries. Frances Willard will use the money to provide a Bullying Education Prevention Program; C-4 will use the grant for its Civility and Great Expectations programs. This passed 7-0.

II. American Education Week Proclamation. Martinez read the proposed proclamation declaring Nov. 17-23 as American Education Week. The board voted 7-0 to declare AEW as presented.

III. Consideration of Temporary and Permanent Easements. Dr. Ron Ballard, assistant superintendent/business manager, presented information regarding the city of Arkansas City's request for easements pursuant to proposed housing developments (Forrest Glenn subdivision) north of the high school. Three easements were requested from USD 470. City Manager Curt Freeland was at the meeting to answer any questions the board members had. Ballard said the easements would benefit USD 470 monetarily. He also said that if the district would decide to develop the property to the north of the high school, these easements would be a benefit for the district. The development also may bring the opportunity for new families, and with that could come increased enrollment.

The board voted 7-0 to approve three easements:

1. A temporary easement to facilitate construction work as part of the City obligation in this effort.

2. A permanent easement to facilitate tie-in with the existing sewage system (which is on USD 470 property).

3. A permanent easement to facilitate water detention for surface run-off in an area that is on school district property (impact area approximately 8.9 acres).

The area of the third easement that actually would hold water would be about 50' by 50' in size. Ballard said it would take an excessive downpour of rain for more of the acreage to be filled with water.

Freeland also addressed the board about a grant the city has been invited to apply for. He said this grant would provide money to build an overpass above the railroad on Kansas Avenue near the middle school. This overpass would allow traffic to move unimpeded when a train is passing through. He said the overpass would have the potential to impact adjacent property, but that it is the city's intent to minimize the impact on the middle school and adjacent property. He said that if the city received the grant, construction wouldn't begin until 2010. Freeland said that the process would involve district and other people.

Discussion/Report Item

I. Frances Willard School Report. The Frances Willard staff presented the board with information about its Success for All reading and math programs. The following staff members presented information: Katherine Scraper, reading facilitator; Earlene Logan, Roots; Doug Anderson, Wings; all presented SFA reading. Jeff Shearon, MathWings facilitator; Misty Cunningham, primary MathWings; Evelyn Shoup, intermediate MathWings; and Tiffany Willard, intermediate MathWings; all presented SFA math information. Lea Abbey, Kelly McGuigan and Leah Law presented information about Frances Willard's Early Learning reading and math programs.

Frances Willard Principal Linda Watson said it's been a very exciting year for FW. She said she has a flexible and hard working staff willing to do whatever it takes to teach the kids. She also discussed the success of Family Week, which took place Oct. 14-17. This week gave parents the chance to come to the school and see how the SFA programs work, visit with teachers, sit in on classes and ask questions about the programs.

Watson also discussed Frances Willard's writing program, which she said she is very pleased with. She said writing is being implemented across the curriculum and gave an example of how much writing is used in math.

Executive Session

No public action was taken after executive session.

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