September 23, 2002

The board of education meeting last night took place at Roosevelt.

John Mars asked permission of the board for Carlos Nolla, democratic candidate for Congress, to tour Arkansas City schools. The board discussed this later in the meeting and decided that it would be OK for Nolla to visit with a group of adults who could answer his questions, but that the board did not feel comfortable with Nolla taking up valuable class time.

Board member Coleen Estep showed the board a notebook she brought back from a No Child Left Behind seminar she attended. She offered up the notebook to anyone who wanted to look at.

Good News Recognition

The Good News Recognition provides an opportunity for the board to recognize the efforts and awards earned by students, staff and administrators of USD 470. At last night's recognition, Roosevelt Principal Tom Bauer accepted a certificate from BOE President Daren Reese on behalf of the Roosevelt staff. The certificate recognized Roosevelt's fourth grade math classes receiving the Challenge Award from the Confidence in Kansas Public Education Task Force. The classes also met the state's Standard of Excellence for the first time. The entire press release about the fourth graders can be found here.

Kristen Martinez presented the recognized school to the board and said a few brief comments about the school before Reese presented Bauer with the certificate. Bauer said that he is proud of his staff and that they are working hard to achieve the same success next year.

Consent Agenda

The consent agenda passed. This includes the minutes of the previous meeting and the staffing recommendation.

The staffing recommendation was for Robin Wallace as a Parent as Teachers counselor who will be based at Adams but also will serve Frances Willard.

Action Items

I. Adoption of board/district goals for 2002-2003

The proposed goals, with minor changes from the board's first reading, passed 6-0.

II. Restrooms/concession stand bids

Bids for the restrooms/concession stand to be built at South Field were due yesterday morning in the Central Office. Three bids were submitted to the board. The board accepted the lowest bid, from Schneider. The board voted to accept the bid with the alternate bid for a complete masonry veneer, passed 5-1.

III. Acceptance of Juvenile Justice Authority Grant

USD 470 has received a grant award notice of $35,692 from Juvenile Justice Authority. This provides real dollar match funding for the 0-3 year old Parents as Teachers program. The district is required to sign acceptance of the money before it will be forwarded to USD 470. The board voted 6-0 to accept the grant money from Juvenile Justice Authority to provide matching funds to continue the PAT 0-3 program.

IV. Title III designation

The board voted 6-0 to designate USD 470 as the Local Education Agency for USD 385 Andover, USD 206 Whitewater, USD 490 El Dorado, USD 402 Augusta and USD 465 Winfield regarding Title III funds.

Title III funding is associated with Limited English Proficiency student intervention. These funds provide support for ESOL curriculum and programming. Schools not qualifying for $10,000 must join a consortium if they wish to receive Title III funds. The aforementioned districts requested USD 470 provide this service. USD 470 qualifies for $7,136 in Title III funding.

V. Authorization to bid buses

The board voted 6-0 to authorize the bidding of three buses. USD 470 has a need to replace a minimum of three buses in the current fleet. Bids for both 72 and 84 passenger buses, similar to those purchased in past years, will be bid. The district is biding buses with self-contained toddler seats or "white seats," now required by Federal Regulation. Bids are to be brought back before the board no later than Oct. 28.

VI. Authorization to bid vehicles

The board voted 6-0 to approve specifications and authorize the bidding of two vehicles. Bids are due back before the board no later than Oct. 28. The vehicles will replace two older fleet vehicles requiring replacement (one 1992 Suburban with more than 170,000 miles and one Mercury Station Wagon known affectionately by some as the "White Rat," with more than 140,000 miles).

The Suburban is to be replaced with either a new or a 2003 model General Motors product Suburban-type vehicle. The Mercury is to be replaced with either a new or 2003 Ford Taurus/Mercury Sable. These specifications will allow for some room in consideration if a product is available for consideration on a local bid.

Discussion/Report Items

I. Sept. 20 enrollment count

Dr. Ron Ballard presented the board with the Sept. 20 enrollment for USD 470. The FTE is up 38, but Ballard said this count should increase slightly when special education and other provisional programs served by the Coop are counted.

II. KASB seminar

Tom Krebs will host a KASB seminar for USD 470 board members on the topic of Superintendent's Performance-Based Evaluations. The seminar will be provided at no cost to the board. The board discussed possible dates for the seminar.

III. Political Involvement

The board decided to allow Nolla to speak with a group of adults who could answer his questions, but that political candidates should not be allowed to interrupt class time during political campaigns.

The board also decided to prepare a flyer highlighting USD 470's concerns for the upcoming elections. The flyer will be distributed in USD 470 publications and The Traveler.

IV. Roosevelt School report and video

Bauer presented a brief introduction to the report, commenting on how Roosevelt is focusing on student achievement while maintaining a family atmosphere. Randy Lundberg, Roosevelt library/media specialist, prepared a short video about Roosevelt.

Executive Session

The board voted 5 yes, 1 abstain to approve a 3.45 percent salary package increase for 2002-2003 for members of the administrative staff with the exception of the following who will receive salary amounts as stated:

Perry Perkins and Mike Adams: as per 2002-2003 contracts;

Ron Ballard: Total package of $86,077;

Jan Voss: Total package of $83,230;

Marci Shearon: Total package of $58,000; and

Justin Lockwood: Total package of $60,000.

The board also voted 5 yes, 1 abstain to approve a 3.45 percent salary package increase for 2002-2003 for all classified employees.

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