Board of Education Minutes, September 8, 2008
by Jan Tremblay
USD #224 Board of Education
September 8, 2008
8:00 p.m.
Clifton Clyde Middle School
Members Present
Renay Branfort, Kenton Brown, Frank Brownell, Steve Feight, Paula Kieffer, Jeff
Koch, Steve Rogers
Others Present
Superintendent David Roberts, Principal Cheryl Keim, Clerk Jan Tremblay and
Audrey Pingel, Director of LCNCK
Patrons: Charles Cyr, Scott Seifert
Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 8:00 p.m. by President Brown.
Approve the Consent Agenda
9d-Resignations and Agreements was amended and 9e-Sale of Vehicle was added
to the agenda. Motion made by Branfort, seconded by Brownell to approve the
consent agenda as amended. Motion carried 7-0.
Approve Bills for Payment
Several bills were discussed. Motion made by Rogers, seconded by Feight to
approve the bills for payment. Motion carried 6-1. Koch cast the nay vote.
Review Correspondence
Letters were received from Fr. Larry Letourneau, Curtis and Audra Walter and
Steven Steier concerning the date of the prom being the same date as the CYO
convention.
Receive Patrons Comments
Scott Seifert requested permission for the Salvation Army football team to be able to
use the high school football field for Saturdays September 13th and October 4th and
to practice kicking for 30 min on Thursday. It was the consensus of the board to
allow this.
Hear Board Member Reports
Smoky Hill Service Center Report: Brown reported on the last meeting of the
Smoky Hill Service Center. The budget and Kan Ed distance learning were
discussed.
Hear Building Reports
Report from Mrs. Keim:
• The cheerleaders had a car wash during Watermelon Festival weekend, netting
$270.
• The Friends of Rachel organization have a couple of ongoing projects. They are
selling chain lengths which they will put together to show their support against
bullying and they are sponsoring a senior – freshman mentoring program.
• The new PA system for the football field has been installed.
• Mrs. Keim is looking into alternate dates for the prom.
• The KAYS are hosting the regional conference on February 12th and asked that
the high school dismiss that day so they can have use of classrooms. It was the
consensus of the board to allow this.
• The high school was awarded a check for $39.21 from Global Days of Service for
volunteer work done by Mike Kantack. The board expresses their gratitude to
Mr. Kantack for all he has done for the schools.
Koch inquired about the status of the repairs to the memorial flagpole on the
football field.
Report from Mr. Roberts:
• September 30 – October 17th is the testing window for
mathematics. Kindergarten and grade 1 will be added to the schedule this year.
• September 8th was a 2-hour late start. The staff met at the middle school for
curriculum work.
• The 8th and 10th were Grandparent’s Day at the lunchroom.
• Pictures will be taken on the 18th at the grade and middle schools.
Unfinished Business
LCNCK Budget: Audrey Pingel, Director of the Learning Cooperative of NCK,
addressed the board on the 2008-09 budget. She gave them some background on
the cooperative, outlined the services they provide and explained how the budget is
prepared. After her presentation, the board asked questions regarding the amount
of carryover in the FY08 budget and thanked Mrs. Pingel for coming to the
meeting. Mrs. Pingel left the meeting at 9:45 p.m.
LCNCK Assessment Resolution: Motion made by Koch that USD 224 pass the
following resolution:
“WHEREAS, the USD 224 Board of Education believes that the financial condition of
the Learning Cooperative of North Central Kansas (LCNCK) has significantly
improved over the last five years.
Now, be it therefore RESOLVED, that the USD 224 Board of Education requests
that its annual assessment from KCNCK be immediately reduced by an annual
amount of $20,000 for the 2008-2009 school year and that the assessment for the
other participating districts be reduced by a proportionally similar amount. Be it
further RESOLVED that the USD 224 Board of Education requests that
further reductions in district assessments by LCNCK be considered for the 2009-
2010 school year.”
The motion failed for lack of a second.
After discussion the motion was amended and reintroduced by Koch and seconded
by Branfort to read:
“WHEREAS, the USD 224 Board of Education believes that the financial condition of
the Learning Cooperative of North Central Kansas (LCNCK) has significantly
improved over the last five years.
Now, be it therefore RESOLVED, that the USD 224 Board of Education requests
that its annual assessment from KCNCK be immediately reduced for the 2008-2009
school year and that the assessment for the other participating districts be reduced
proportionally as well. Be it further RESOLVED that the USD 224 Board of
Education requests that further reductions in district assessments by LCNCK be
considered for the 2009-2010 school year.”
Motion carried 6-1. Brown cast the nay vote.
KASB Regional Fall Meeting: The fall regional meeting will be on October 16th at
Hanover.
Adopt Board of Education Policy Changes and Additions: Motion made by
Rogers, seconded by Brownell to approve the changes and additions to the Board
of Education Policy as presented. Motion carried 7-0.
Health Insurance: Information was presented to the board on the health
insurance changes and the HSA proposals. Motion made by Koch, seconded by
Branfort to approve the addition of a high deductible health plan option to the Blue
Cross Blue Shield contract and offering a Health Saving Plan through American
Fidelity. Motion carried 7-0.
New and Miscellaneous Business
Update Building Secretary Job Description: Motion made by Branfort,
seconded by Brownell that the revised job descriptions for building secretary be
approved and that a salary increase of $1.00 per hour be approved to reflect the
job description changes. Motion carried 4-3. Feight, Kieffer and Koch cast the nay
votes.
Non-Certified Personnel: It was the consensus of the board to adjust Jody Sipe’s
bus driver wages equal to other experienced drivers effective immediately.
Kindergarten Breakfast: Discussion only.
Resignations and Agreements; Motion made by Branfort, seconded by Feight to
regretfully accept the resignation of Jody Sipe as co-sponsor of the
cheerleaders. Motion carried 7-0.
Sale of Vehicle: Motion made by Rogers, seconded by Branfort to advertise for
sealed bids to sell the 1995 white van, reserving the right to reject all bids. Motion
carried 7-0.
The board directed Mr. Roberts to look into prices for a new vehicle.
Superintendent Remarks
Mr. Roberts has asked Twin Valley Telephone Company for an estimate on a new
phone system for the middle school and district office.
The cost to replace the lighting in the 5th grade room is approximately $2,000.
Park Villa in Clyde has requested access to the high school if an emergency
situation should arise. Mr. Roberts will look into this.
Adjourn
The meeting was adjourned at 10:40 p.m.
*This is the unofficial record of the September 8, 2008 meeting of the Board of Education pending board approval at the regular August meeting.
