May 13, 2003
All Board members were present at last night's board meeting at Arkansas City High School.
Good News Recognition
There were several Good News Recognitions at last night's meeting.
Kristen Martinez presented Ron Hutto from Coca-Cola Bottling Company of Winfield to the Board. Hutto presented Board President Daren Reese with a check for $10,000 on behalf of Coca-Cola Bottling and Coca-Cola Bottlers Association. The money will be used for the purpose of purchasing new scoreboards. The gift is without any contract or product use agreement and is to be used at the choice and discretion of USD 470.
Ron Hutto of Coca-Cola Bottling
Company in Winfield presents Board of Education President
Daren Reese with a check for $10,000 for the purpose of
purchasing new scoreboards. Photo by Kristen
Martinez/Public Relations
Next Martinez presented Sharon Ellis from General Electric to the Board. She presented a check to Reese for the Mobile Space Station. GE Elfuns donated $4,000 to the district to help fund the MSS, which was in operation at Adams Elementary from April 16 to May 1. Fifth graders from Ark City, as well as surrounding districts, participated in the space science activities.
Ellis said she was very impressed by the students who participated in the MSS. Martinez pointed out that the fifth graders who wished to participate in the MSS had to interview for jobs. Elfuns also helped conduct the interviews.
Sharon Ellis from GE presented a
check for $4,000 to Board President Daren Reese for the
Mobile Space Station, which was in operation at Adams
Elementary School from April 16 to May 1. Fifth graders
interviewed for positions on the MSS and participated in
fun, hands-on science and space activities. Photo by
Martinez/Public Relations
Martinez presented the Board/Teacher Panel Superior Service Award recipients to the Board. Reese presented each with a certificate and a district logo watch. The following recipients were honored last night:
Lastly, Martinez presented Lara McGrew, Chairman of the Board for 2003 for the Chamber of Commerce. She presented a check for $329.84 to Reese for support of the arts programs. Reese presented certificates to five elementary school students who won the ArtWalk Contest, sponsored by the Chamber. The money is from the penny votes accepted at area businesses. People voted for their favorite pictures by placing a penny in the jar for that picture. Reese and McGrew also presented the framed artwork of the students to the Board. The artwork will be on permanent display at the students' respective schools.
Lara McGrew, Chairman of the Board
for 2003 for the Chamber of Commerce presents Board
President Daren Reese with a check for $329.84 for support
of the arts programs. Photo by
Martinez/Public Relations
Consent Agenda
I. Resignations
The board approved the following resignations last night:
Name and assignment
II. New Personnel
Kelly Shultz was approved as a new ACHS English teacher, and Sally Burr was approved as the new ACHS English teacher/yearbook adviser.
Action Items
I. Science Curriculum - Second Reading. The Board voted 7-0 to adopt the K-12 science curriculum as presented. Reese said he is glad to see that the curriculum is aligned to the state standards. He said the Board also would need to take the initiative to provide books and materials to support the curriculum.
II. Selected Board of Education Policies - Second Reading. The Board voted 6-1 (Mindy Tebow voted no) to approve the following policies:
*Note: There is one change from the first reading in this policy. Page 1,section G has been modified upon the advice of the district's attorney. The last sentence is this paragraph will now read: "If permitted by law, inappropriate use may result in an assessment of the cost of damages to hardware/software."
III. 2003-2004 KASB Membership. The Board voted 7-0 to authorize payment of Kansas Association of School Boards membership dues for 2003-2004.
IV. 2003-2004 KASB Legal Assistance Fund. The Board voted 7-0 to authorize payment of KASB Legal Assistance Fund fee for 2003-2004.
V. NovaNET Pilot. The Board voted 7-0 to approve of NovaNET summer pilot. NovaNET online course work will be piloted during summer 2003 with ACHS students. The NovaNET courseware system delivers thousands of hours of standards-based, interactive curriculum along with integrated assessment, student management and record keeping. While the focus of NovaNET will be credit recovery, the extensive curriculum moves well beyond basics and also includes SAT/ACT prep. A group of district staff members will receive in-service during June and the program would be implemented at both Phoenix and ACES programs beginning fall 2003 after evaluating the merit of the summer pilot. Dr. Jan Voss, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction, said NovaNET focuses on the Board goal of improving the graduation rate along with credit recovery and tutoring.
VI. Contract with Ruby Payne Seminars. The Board voted 7-0 to accept the professional development contract with Ruby Payne Seminars. The funding is Title III and Title IID. This professional development will help improve student achievement and success, Dr. Voss said. All teachers in the district will receive a copy of the book "A Framework for Understanding Poverty," which will help them understand the relationship between student achievement and poverty.
Discussion/Report Item
I. Board of Education Policy - First Reading. The Board had a first reading of the proposed Student Activities policy. Legal counsel and the administrative team have reviewed this policy. ACHS Activities Director Tom Hollingsworth presented the policy and answered questions from Board members. He pointed out that the policy now includes a progressive-type penalty phase for students, which is something the Board requested.
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