Board of Education Minutes, March 3, 2008
by Jan Tremblay
USD #224 Board of Education
March 3, 2008
7:30 p.m.
Clifton Clyde High School
Members Present
Kenton Brown, Frank Brownell, Steve Feight, Paula Kieffer, Jeff Koch, Steve
Rogers
Others Present
Superintendent Roberts, Principal Odgers, Clerk Tremblay, Gary Bouley
Patrons: Adrianne Sorell
Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. by President Brownell.
Approve the Consent Agenda
Motion made by Rogers, seconded by Feight to approve the consent
agenda. Motion carried 6-0.
Approve Bills for Payment
Motion made by Koch, seconded by Kieffer to approve the bills for
payment. Motion carried 6-0.
Review Correspondence
Congratulations to the high school for receiving a bronze award from US News
and World Report was received from Southwest Plains Regional Service
Center and Elaine Bowers, Representative, 107th District. This award for being
one of America’s best high schools was presented to 38 schools in Kansas.
A letter of intent to retire at the end of the 2008-2009 school year was received
from Marcia Ryan. Mrs. Ryan is a valued member of the faculty with 31 years of
service to USD 224.
Board Member Arrives
Renay Branfort arrived at 7:35 p.m.
Hear Board Member Reports
Smoky Hill Service Center: Brown reported on the February 14th conference
call meeting of the Smoky Hill Board of Directors. The main item on the agenda
was the use of wind generators. Mr. Roberts will look into the costs and
feasibility of maintaining turbines for district energy.
Hear Building Reports
Report from Ms. Odgers:
• Two students, have received the Dane Hansen scholarship. Anna Rogers
received a $5,000 renewable for 4 years and Katie George received a $2,000
renewable for 2 years.
• Ms. Odgers took part in the Polar Bear Plunge on February 23rd at Tuttle
Creek Reservoir. The faculty and staff earned $1,979 for Special
Olympics. Ms. Odgers also won first place for the best costume, an Eagle suit,
created by Jan Benteman.
• The basketball season has ended and track practice starts on March 17th.
• The Scholar Bowl team won the state championship.
• FBLA state meet will be in Topeka March 27th and 28th.
• The high school will host the state KAYS conference in 2009.
• The Forensics won the TVL championship on February 20th.
They will host a meet on March 8th.
• The TASK force will have a “Kick Butts Day” in March. They designed and
distributed placemats for “Through With Chew” week.
• Mrs. Wambold entered student artwork at the Art Show in Salina.
Report from Mr. Roberts:
• The grade school took part in Read Across America. They wore their favorite
hats and all were served a free breakfast of “Green Eggs and Ham”. This has
become an annual event at the grade school.
• The second grade class is learning how to do research online.
• Assessments will start this month.
• The grade school received a $1,200 grant to purchase a sound enhancement
system for the school. The 5th grade classroom has had a system for several
years.
• The middle school had a pep rally on Monday to kick off the spring
assessments.
• The 8th grade is doing a class project working with a budget.
• Austin Biggerstaff placed 2nd overall in the Washington County Spelling
Bee. He will compete in the Topeka-Capital Journal Spelling Bee on March
15th.
• Four 6th grade students took part in the Robotics competition.
Unfinished Business
K-JUMP Contract Approval: Motion made by Koch, seconded by Rogers that
the membership participation contract with KJUMP be extended until June
30, 2011. Motion carried 7-0.
Bathroom Remodel Bid: The board discussed at length the condition of the
middle school boys restroom, the bids received and other capital projects to be
done this summer. The total of these projects including the restroom will be
approximately $127,000.
The board inquired if the restroom project could be done in stages by in-house
staff.
Motion made by Brownell, seconded by Feight to reject all bids for the boys
restroom at the Clifton Clyde Middle School. Motion carried 7-0.
Negotiations: This was a discussion only item. The board requested salary
information based on inflation and on fewer student FTE.
Student Issue: Motion made by Branfort, seconded by Feight to enter into
executive session for a period of ten minutes to discuss student matters in order
to protect the privacy interests of the individuals to be discussed. Motion
carried 7-0.
The board entered into the session at 8:20 p.m. and reconvened in open session
at 8:30 p.m.
Mr. Roberts and Ms. Odgers were invited into the session.
New and Miscellaneous Business
Handbook Approvals: Changes to the middle school handbook include adding
the Bullying Plan and Procedures and changing the eligibility policy.
Changes to the high school handbook include adding the Bullying Procedure and
students driving vehicles in the homecoming parade.
No changes anticipated in the grade school handbook.
Motion made by Feight, seconded by Rogers that the handbook changes for the
grade, middle and high schools for 2008-09 be approved as presented. Motion
carried 5-2. Branfort and Brownell cast the nay votes.
403b Changes: This was discussion only on the IRS changes to be
implemented on January 1, 2009 regarding 403(b) plans.
Valedictorian/Salutatorian Changes: Discussion only on how the valedictorian
and salutatorian are selected. Ms. Odgers will get information on how other
districts handle this process.
Superintendent Remarks
March 10th is a 2-hour late start day. The district leadership team will meet on
Wednesday to plan the time.
The leadership team will present at the April board meeting.
The April board meeting will be at the middle school at 8:00 p.m.
Adjourn
The meeting was adjourned at 9:15 p.m.
*This is the unofficial record of the March 3, 2008 meeting of the Board of Education pending board approval at the regular April meeting.
