December 9, 2002

Good News Recognition

Kristen Martinez introduced Jamie Hibbs, high school language arts teacher and debate/forensics sponsor, to the board. President Daren Reese presented a certificate to Hibbs in recognition of the ACHS debate and forensic teams, which earned the National Forensic League Leading Chapter Award in the South Kansas District.

The award is the highest honor NFL can bestow upon a chapter. Only one school in each district attains this honor yearly. This year, out of more than 2,700 NFL member schools nationwide, ACHS is one of only 102 to receive the Leading Chapter Award.

Hibbs introduced the debate officers, Laurie Galbreath, Micheal Beauchamp and Matthew Dykes, who presented information about the NFL award, this year's debate topic and how the debate season is going. The team has had a very successful season so far, placing first through fourth in seven of 13 tournaments this season.

Action Items

I. Special Board of Education Meeting. The board voted 7-0 to schedule a special BOE meeting Dec. 16 at Galloway's in Winfield. The purpose of the meeting is to conduct a joint USD 470 and USD 465 BOE meeting to discuss legislative matters with local legislators.

Discussion/Report Items

I. Board Policy Update. First Reading. Dr. Perkins went over the packet of BOE policies. Included in the packet were the following items for each policy: (1) Current USD 470 Policy (if any); (2) KASB Recommended Policy; and (3) KASB Recommended Policy with USD 470 Administration changes and recommendation (if any). The policies the board is considering are specific policies for which KASB submitted an update in June 2002.

The policy updates included in last night's section were: Extended School Year; Expense Reimbursement and Credit Cards; Printing and Duplicating Services; Records; Workers Compensation and Disability Benefits; Boycotts and Strikes; Truancy; Drug Free Schools; and Peer Grading of Assignments.

The board discussed the recommendations and made no suggestions for changes. The policies will receive a second reading at the next regular meeting.

II. Community Day School Facility Needs. Dr. Ballard reported that the Community Day School (COOP) is in need of more instructional space. The only place available is the two mobile units set aside for the PRAIRY Project and the district computer technicians. After considerable review and discussion with all parties involved, the district has decided to move the techs to the PRAIRY unit and use the ITV room at the high school for computer training, instead of the PRAIRY unit. This move makes available the mobile unit used by the techs for the expanded CDS instructional area. The unit meets all requirements for use as a classroom. All parties were agreeable to this. Dwight Shoup believes the staff can make the move during winter break, making the classrooms ready by Jan. 6 for the CDS staff.

III. Budget Cuts. The state department of education is underfunded in two appropriations for the current school year. The general state aid appropriation is short of funding the base state aid per pupil, and the state LOB also is short of funding the current formula. It is estimated by the state department that Ark City's general state aid shortfall could be $37,700 and LOB state aid shortfall could be as much as $251,718. In addition, this does not take into account the probability that the state will continue undercollecting revenues, causing even more shortfalls during the next months.

Dr. Ballard said if the new legislature does not approve of additional appropriations to cover these statewide shortfalls, the current budget and spending will need to be cut. In addition, if there are to be cuts made this school year, the district cannot wait to take action until that decision is finally made in Topeka. "If we do, we may not have the funds available in the final months of the contracted year to meet obligations," he said.

The administrative council has been working for quite some time on the premise that more cuts are coming this school year. However, not even the state department predicted the situation the state is in at this time. Although the district did budget some "room" in the 470 budget for cuts, we could be quickly approaching, if not exceeding, that "room."

"This is serious," Dr. Perkins said. "I try not to be an alarmist. We're taking this very seriously. We're dealing with the vision of this district. We have to keep moving ahead regardless of hard choices that lie ahead."

Dr. Perkins said he has been working with the administrative council, principals, the board/teacher panel and the board of education to get ideas. Principals have been asked to consider how they can save money in their schools during the remainder of the school year, and the district has frozen the filling of vacancies in the classified personnel area.

He said all options are on the table, but he's not ready to discuss specifics. Dr. Perkins said the district will wait to make announcements until the end of January/beginning of February, when we have a better idea of what the financial picture looks like.

Executive Session

The board recessed to executive session for 20 minutes for consultation with the district's attorney on a matter protected by the attorney-client privilege.

The next regular board meeting will be at 7 p.m., Jan. 13, at the high school.

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