Board of Education Minutes, March 2, 2009

by Jan Tremblay

Clifton Clyde USD 224
Board of Education Meeting
March 2, 2009, 7:30 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, Gary Bouley
Patrons: Russ Steinbrock, Cindy Francis, Norman Francis, Deb Ohlde, Nick Adkins

Call to Order
President Brown called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.

Approve Consent Agenda
9e- Locker Search was added to the agenda. Motion made by Rogers, seconded by Brownell to approve the consent agenda as amended. Motion carried 7-0.

Approve Bills for Payment
The board discussed how many in-services an individual may attend in a year. Mr. Roberts said that as long as funds are available they are approved if it relates to their certification and the school improvement plan. The district reimburses them for mileage and pays for a substitute teacher.
Investment of district funds was also discussed. The board would like the CDs on a schedule so that each one matures on a different month. They also want to get the best interest rate possible within the district. Motion made by Koch, seconded by Feight to approve the bills for payment. Motion carried 7-0.

Review Correspondence
None

Receive Patron’s Comments
None

Hear Board Member Reports
Service Center Report: Brown did not attend the last meeting.

Hear Building Reports
Report from Mrs. Keim:
• The FBLA placed first at the district competition at Washington.
• The Scholar Bowl team competed at the state contest.
• The Quest team competed and won the state championship.
• The KAYS conference held at the high school was very successful.
• Forensics held a tournament at the high school on February 21st.
• Mrs. Keim attended the KU honors banquet at Waterville.
• Reading assessments start on March 3rd.
Report from Mr. Roberts:
• The grade school celebrated Dr. Seuss Day on March 2nd. They read Dr. Suess books, dressed the part and ate green eggs and ham.
• The Scholar Bowl at the middle school is getting their season started. Mrs. Robinson will sponsor them this year.
• The classroom hours for Driver Education will start in May and the driving section will be during the summer.
• The middle school had a pep rally to kick off the state assessments.
• The district staff is having a wellness competition for the month of March. Each building will keep track of time spent in physical exercise.
• The Book Fair will be at the grade school on March 9-11.
• Jump Rope for Heart is March 18th.
• Parent-Teacher conferences were held February 23rd and 26th.
• Mr. Roberts and Mrs. Keim attended the USA Convention on January 27-29.

Unfinished Business
Football Field: Russ Steinbrock reported to the board on the condition of the high school football playing and practice fields. He has contacted people about the dirt work, seeding, fertilizing and labor. Most of the work will be volunteer and donation of supplies. He has mapped out a timeline for the work beginning the fall of 2009.
It was the consensus of the board to allow Mr. Steinbrock to get this project started.
Auditor: The board discussed an audit proposal presented by the clerk. The proposal is for set up for three years and outlines the expectations of the board from the successful firm. If approved by KASB, the proposal will be sent with an April 25th deadline and approval at the May meeting. All expenses, including mileage should be included in the proposed fee.
Estimates/Bids Summer Work: Two bids were received for the lights at the grade school.
Pruser Electric 160 fixtures, they dispose of old $ 3,190
fixtures, we furnish all materials
Hamel Electric 147 fixtures, we dispose of old $13,325
fixtures, they furnish new materials
Motion made by Koch, seconded by Brownell to accept the bid from Pruser Electric & Heating for the grade school lighting project with the district furnishing the fixtures and bulbs. Motion carried 7- 0.
Two bids were received for the roof on the Art room at the high school.
Germann Construction $12,250.55
J.B. Turner & Sons Roofing & Sheet Metal $26,980.00
After discussing the bids, it was decided to rewrite the bid for a TPO roof and table this until the April meeting. Norman Francis will help Gary Bouley write the specs for this roof.
One bid was received for the concrete work at the grade school.
Germann Construction $5,542
Motion made by Rogers, seconded by Branfort that the bid of $5,542 from Germann Construction for the concrete work at the grade school be approved. Motion carried 7-0.
The heating system in the FACS room at the high school was discussed. Bouley reported to the board on a new system that he has researched and considers a choice for the heating and cooling in that room.. He will get prices for the April meeting. He also reported on the effectiveness of using tankless water heaters at the high school when the current ones give out.
Two bids were received for the fire alarm system at the high school.
Hamel Electric $25,683.00
Midwest Security $13,368.98
Since neither of these have bids have been approved by the fire marshal, this item was tabled until the April meeting.
Teacher Vacancy Update: Motion made by Branfort, seconded by Feight to take a five minute break and then enter into executive session for a period of ten minutes to discuss non-elected personnel 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 9:40 p.m. and reconvened in open session at 9:50 p.m.
Mr. Roberts was invited into the session.
Budget: Discussion only on the current years’ budget and the possible effects for next year with declining enrollment and the possible drop in base state aid per pupil.

New & Miscellaneous Business
Direct Deposit Contract: Motion made by Rogers, seconded by Kieffer that we approve the AHC Origination Agreement with Kaw Valley State Bank pending review of board policy. Motion carried 5-1-1.
Feight cast the nay vote and Branfort abstained. An abstention counts as a nay vote.
Supplemental for Track: Motion made by Feight, seconded by Koch that a supplemental contract for middle school assistant track at the negotiated rate be approved for Gary Begnoche for the 2009 track season. Motion failed 3-4. Feight, Koch, Brownell and Branfort cast the nay votes.
Motion made by Branfort, seconded by Brownell that a supplemental contract for middle school assistant track at the negotiated rate be approved for Gary Begnoche for the 2009 track season if at least 40+ students go out. Motion carried 7-0.
After Prom Request: Motion made by Brownell, seconded by Kieffer to approve $400 to the After Prom group for the purchase of T-shirts. Motion carried 5-2. Koch and Rogers cast the nay votes.
Feight presented a request that Mark Breault be hired as an assistant track coach to work with the pole vaulters. This would be on a volunteer basis, but needs a contract in order to go to track meets, according to KSHAA rules.
Mrs. Keim will discuss this with the track coaches and call KSHAA about rulings and liabilities.
Summer School: The board requested an evaluation of the summer school program to see what kind of progress the students make during the program. The teachers will be at the April meeting to answer any questions the board may have.
Locker Search: The board discussed the locker search that was conducted at the middle school. The search was for a missing flip camera that belongs to the school. Improvements in procedure will be discussed at the next late-start in April with teachers.

Superintendent Remarks
The next late start will be April 9th. The crisis plan will be a topic and Brian Pekarek will be here to be introduced to the staff.
The Washington County superintendents met with Dan Thalmann to discuss school finance.
The administration is looking at an emergency notification system that would automatically notify parents of any emergency situation that may arise.

Adjourn
The meeting was adjourned at 11:10 p.m.

*This is the unofficial record of the March 2, 2009 Board of Education meeting pending board approval at the regular April meeting.