May 27, 2008

Schools to participate in kids voting program

At its regular meeting Tuesday (moved from Monday due to Memorial Day,) the USD 470 Board of Education approved the district’s participation in the Kids Voting Kansas process and adopted a resolution supporting the “…Ten Standards for Implementation” required for participation in the program.

In the Kids Voting program, students are not only exposed to the basics of an election, but also experience information gathering, decision-making and the empowerment of voting. Students are active participants in the learning process. They discuss and debate the election at school and at home. Kids Voting Kansas is an affiliate of Kids Voting USA and began in 1992 in six Kansas communities. The process now encompasses 55 communities with over 230,000 students.

Members of the Ark City Optimist Club are responsible for fundraising, recruiting volunteers and many other facets of the program. Staff members in the district will be responsible for implementing the K-12 Kids Voting curriculum.

Construction Manager Selection - Timeline

The school board set Monday, June 9 (the next regular board meeting) as the date for presentations by companies having an interest in serving the district as the

Construction Manager–At Risk for certain portions of bond-related projects.

The field of interested candidates will be narrowed prior to the ninth to allow three to five groups present. Presentations will be limited to approximately 20 minutes leaving about 10 minutes for questions after.

In other news, the board:

· Called the meeting to order.

· Recognized visitors.

· Approved the agenda and consent agenda.

· Recognized the following staff resignations:

Carlos Lopez – High School Spanish

Kami Moore – Third Grade at Frances Willard

Tiffany Sutton – High School Science

Ann Tickel – High School Math

Megan Wolf – Head Start Certified Teacher

Chad Cain – Bus washer/mechanics helper

· Recognized the following new staff:

Megan Buller – Elementary (bldg./grade TBD)

Carla Huffman – High School Math

· Accepted a Reading First Grant Award in the amount of $169,855 for the program extending from July 1, 2008 through June 30, 2009. The Kansas State Board of Education approved funding for only 12 school districts.

· Approved PDC (Professional Development Committee) Manual revisions. The revisions are subject to negotiations but the final plan will be implemented in 2008 through 2012.

· Approved Preferred Health Systems as USD 470’s insurance provider for the 2008-2009 contract year. The board also approved adding AFLAC accident insurance as a voluntary benefit option for employees.

· Discussed facilities and equipment.

· Adjourned.