November 11, 2002

Last night's board meeting took place at the high school. Six of seven board members were present: Daren Reese, Gary Wilson, Coleen Estep, Dr. Nick Rogers, Sue Saia and Joelyn Squires.

The agenda was approved as presented by a vote of 6-0. The Consent Agenda, which passed 6-0, included six requests by individuals and organizations to make donations/gifts to the school district.

Good News Recognition

Kristen Martinez presented Matthew Schweer and Charles Jennings to the board. Board President Daren Reese presented certificates to both.

Schweer received the Kansas Young Educator Award, which recognizes community involvement and bettering the community. He has now applied for TOYA, Ten Outstanding Young Americans, from the U.S. Junior Chamber. Past recipients of this prestigious national award have included presidents, politicians, actors and other noteworthy individuals.

Jennings received the Kansas Elementary Principals Association Friends of Education Award for his work with the Mayor's Kids program at Frances Willard. He taught the students about city government, invited them to attend City Commission meetings and met with them for lunches. Frances Willard teacher Evelyn Shoup, who nominated Jennings for the award, was at the meeting to see him receive his certificate and plaque from KEPA.

Coincidentally, Jennings nominated Schweer for the Cowley County Young Educator Award, which Schweer received before winning the Kansas Young Educator Award.

Before moving on to the action items, Board Member Joelyn Squires asked the board to keep Julie Swanson, teacher at Adams, in their thoughts and prayers as she recovers from recent surgery.

Action Items

I. Section 504 Consultant Services. The board was asked to approve the employment of Paul D. Longhofer, 504 consultant, who will work with staff members to bring the district up-to-date with Section 504. Although the district has certainly taken action to be in compliance as Section 504 relates to facilities and accessibility (ADA), the educational program side of 504 should be reviewed.

The cost will not exceed $3,500 plus expenses, which should be minimal. The board has budgeted $5,000 in the budget for this project. Longhofer was at the meeting and answered questions from the board. The board approved Longhofer as the 504 consultant by a vote of 6-0.

II. Bus Bids. The board approved, by a vote of 6-0, the bid from Kansas Truck and Equipment, the order of five busses, for purchase and/or lease-purchase, on cancelable purchase orders, total cost of $375,551, with the final number of infant seats to be determined. The Kansas Truck models are recommended by Mike Hettenbach, head district mechanic.

Both Hettenbach and Diana Grose, transportation supervisor, were at the meeting last night to answer questions from the board. The infant seats are fully-integrated and dual-purpose.

III. Vehicle Bids. Dr. Ron Ballard, assistant superintendent/business manager, presented information regarding bids solicited on a 2002-2003 used or program Ford Taurus. Summit Auto had the lowest bid of $10,700 with the trade-in of the district's small Mercury station wagon. Zeller Motor and Reedy Ford were the only other bidders.

The board approved the purchase of the Ford Taurus from Summit Auto by a vote of 6-0, pending inspection and approval by district mechanics.

IV. Audit Report. Kansas school districts are required to submit all financial operations to the audit of a certified public accounting firm for review and input. Parman, Tanner, Soule and Jackson performed the district's 2001-2002 audit. The board voted 6-0 to approve the audit report. Elliott Jackson from Parman, Tanner, Soule and Jackson was at the meeting to go over the report and answer questions.

V. Reauthorization of LOB Mill Levy. The resolution, provided by the Kansas Association of School Boards' legal department, authorizes the board to adopt a local option budget in each school year for a period not to exceed five years in an amount not to exceed 25 percent of the General Fund Budget. It should be noted that the resolution imposes no taxation. The purpose is to grant to the board possible taxing authority (identical to that used during the past five years), if the board deems it appropriate and necessary. The board adopted the resolution to authorize a LOB by a vote of 6-0.

Discussion/Report Items

I. Learning Lighthouse Report. Aaron Wise, 21st Century director, made a PowerPoint presentation outlining the current status of the Learning Lighthouse program. His presentation showed that enrollment at each of the four afterschool program sites has increased. Wise also answered questions from the board about the program. Member Sue Saia asked if Wise was collecting any data other than enrollment figures. Wise said yes, test scores are being collected, but the program is only 1 1/2 years old, so there is not really any way to make comparisons yet. Last year's test scores will serve as a baseline to compare future test scores to. Wise did indicate that teacher feedback regarding student achievement for students participating in the afterschool program has been positive.

II. KASB Negotiations Seminar. Reese presented information from the seminar he and Board Vice President Gary Wilson recently attended. Most of the information presented regarded the current state of Kansas' budget. The board expressed concerns about the budget and the strong likelihood of future cuts. Dr. Perry Perkins, superintendent, said the district is prepared to absorb more budget cuts, but that organizations need to put the pressure on the state to look at education funding. Reese said neither the current governor nor the governor-elect wants to announce more cuts, but he hopes one of the two will take action now. Member Coleen Estep said citizens need to put pressure on representatives to address the budget concerns.

III. KASB Legislative Positions. Reese, in preparation for the KASB Delegate Assembly at the KASB Convention, asked the board to review and discuss the legislative positions as presented by KASB. Board members expressed favor for the suggested amendments to current KASB policies.

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