Board of Education Minutes, December 7, 2009
by Jan Tremblay
Clifton Clyde USD 224
Board of Education Meeting
December 7, 2009, 7:30 p.m.
Clifton Clyde High School
Members Present
Frank Brownell, Paula Kieffer, Dean Michaud, Deb Ohlde, Scott Seifert
Others Present
Superintendent Brian Pekarek, Principal Cheryl Keim, Clerk Jan Tremblay, Gary Bouley,
Nick Adkins, Ken McClanahan,
Patrons: Ken Kickhaefer, Russ Steinbrock, Barb Hubert, Keyna Steinbrock
Call to Order
President Brownell called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.
Approve Consent Agenda
Move 8a-District Financial Audit and 8b-Request from Auditors after Approve Bills for
Payment and add 9f-Resignation to the agenda. Motion made by Michaud, seconded by
Kieffer to approve the consent agenda as amended. Motion carried 5-0.
The consent agenda included accepting Duclos grants of $500 and $300 and Blue Cross Blue
Shield grant of $1000.
Approve Bills for Payment
Motion made by Seifert, seconded by Ohlde to approve the bills for payment. Motion carried
5-0.
Board Members Arrive
Feight arrived at 7:35 p.m. and Branfort arrived at 7:38 p.m.
New Business
District Financial Audit: Kickhaefer and Associates, CPA Firm: Ken Kickhaefer
reported on the financial audit for 2008-2009. Items noted were that the district was two
days late on publishing the budget, three days late on the hearing and the district violated “The
Kansas Use Law” which states that when a USD has need to purchase products such as
those listed in the Kansas State Use catalog, it is a violation of Kansas law to purchase from
any source other than those specified on the website or catalog.
Request from Auditors: Change 1/05/09 USD 224 BOE Minutes: Motion made by
Branfort, seconded by Ohlde to approve the audit conducted by Kickhaefer and Associates
for the fiscal year 2008-2009 and that the January 5, 2009 USD 224 Board of Education
minutes be amended to say: “the audit was conducted in accordance with generally accepted
auditing standards”. Motion carried 7-0.
Review Correspondence
Thank You Notes: Thank you notes were received from Kathy Martin, District 6 State
Board of Education member, for inviting her to visit the district, from the middle school for
providing pizza at the parent teacher conference and from Brenda Koch for allowing the high
school cooks to help with making rolls for the Dennis Streit benefit.
Receive Patron’s Comments
None
Hear Board Member Reports
Smoky Hill Educational Service Center: The meeting of the service center will be on
December 11th.
Cloud County Neighborhood Revitalization Plan: Ohlde informed the board that the 4th
draft of the plan would probably in available for review in January.
Hear Administrator/Student Council Reports
High School Report: Mrs. Keim
No questions or comments from the board.
District Report: Mr. Pekarek:
No questions or comments from the board.
New Business
USD 224 Fall and Winter Athletic Program Presentation:
Nick Adkins, Clifton Clyde Middle School Athletic Director:
The volleyball team ended the season 8-2 and the football team was 5-1. The boys
basketball team
won the Belleville/Cuba tournament.
- He only has one coaches evaluation to complete.
- The asphalt on the track is breaking up which makes it difficult for running.
- Communications between the middle and high school coaches is good.
- As cost cutting measures, the pole vaulters could go to the high school to practice, the pre-season
basketball tournament could be cut, new uniforms could be postponed a year, eliminate the
athletic shuttle, take fewer vehicles to away games.
- He attends all away games, but is not required to.
- Fewer coaches would mean greater risks.
Ken McClanahan, Clifton Clyde High School Athletic Director:
- All athletic teams have been successful this year and have received good support from the community.
- Four football and two volleyball players made the all conference team.
- The scholar bowl season has started.
- The high school hosted the 1A regional tournament which netted about $450. They hosted two post season football games which netted about $1700. They will host the 1A basketball regional tournament which should net about $1000-1200. This money goes into the athletic department.
- The goal posts on the football field need new pads which will be purchased from the athletic department. Most facilities are in good condition. The wind generator created a high spot at the entrance to the football field that needs to be fixed.
- All coaches evaluations are complete.
- There will be an athletic banquet this year.
- Communication is good between coaches.
- Uniform rotation can be extended a year.
- JV tounaments can be eliminated.
- Assistant coaches could drive buses.
- An administrator is needed at all varsity contests.
- The administration needs to support the coaches decisions on athletes doing concurrent sports. The policies need to be uniform for all sports.
- Any cuts in coaches would hurt the sport.
Discussion on Supplemental Contracts for 2010-2011: Motion made by Branfort,
seconded by Feight to enter into executive session for a period of fifteen minutes to discuss
non-elected personnel in order to protect the privacy interests of the individual(s) to be
discussed. Motion carried 7-0.
The board entered into the session at 8:50 p.m. and reconvened in open session at 9:05 p.m
Mr. Pekarek and Mrs. Keim were invited into the session.
Motion made by Branfort, seconded by Feight to extend the executive session for a period of
five minutes. Motion carried 7-0.
The board entered into the session at 9:06 p.m. and reconvened in open session at 9:11 p.m.
Mr. Pekarek and Mrs. Keim were invited into the session.
Unfinished Business
Negotiations Update: Motion made by Branfort, seconded by Seifert to enter into
executive session for a period of ten minutes to discuss negotiations in order to protect the
public interest in negotiating a fair and equitable contract. Motion carried 7-0.
The board entered into the session at 9:13 p.m. and reconvened in open session at 9:23 p.m.
Mr. Pekarek and Mrs. Keim were invited into the session.
Changes in Spring 2010 Calendar: The board affirmed the motion made at the November 23rd budget workshop and the Clifton Clyde Teacher’s Association approved the December
23rd day off for staff and students and December 14th, February 8th and March 8th at full in-
service days with no school for students. April 12th will be full day for students and not a
late-start day.
Motion made by Branfort, seconded by Seifert to approve the early retirement incentive as
presented and approved by the Clifton Clyde Teachers Association for 2009-2010. In
addition they need to submit their letter of retirement no later than the dates stated to be
eligible for the incentive. Motion carried 7-0.
QZAB Update: The board needs to make a decision at the January meeting or the bonds
will need to be reapplied for.
Trane Energy Audit: Discussion only on the projects. Gary Bouley feels that some of
them can be done in-house and will save money.
CCHS Handbook Attendance Policy: Mrs. Keim requested that this be tabled until
March. She would like to finish this year without changes and start the next school year with
the new policy.
Resignation: Motion made by Branfort, seconded by Feight to accept the resignation of
Cynthia Newell as school counselor and that she is eligible for the incentive bonus as
approved. Motion carried 7-0.
Superintendent Remarks
A spending freeze will be implemented on January 1 on all non-essential items. Some field
trips and transportation requests will be evaluated.
The 4-day work week will be discussed with the public for ideas and opinions.
Adjourn
The meeting was adjourned at 10:30 p.m.
*This is the unofficial record of the December 7, 2009 Board of
Education Budget meeting pending approval at the regular January
meeting.
