BOARD BRIEFS
August 4, 2008 - Regular Meeting
by Barb Schletzbaum
August 11, 2008
The U.S.D. 409 Board of Education met on Monday, August 4, at 7:00 p.m. at the Board of Education Community Room.
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by President Tim Newkirk at 7:00 p.m. He welcomed all patrons to the meeting, and introduced Tyler Curtis, new principal at Bert Nash School, and Kurtis Downing, new principal at Atchison Alternative School.
Principal Noel Rueb reported that the 2008 summer camps were a success. He reported that 43 enrichment camps were offered with 511 students attending. 317 scholarships were provided through donations from businesses, individuals, and grants. Mr. Rueb thanked the community for their support of the summer school programs.
The Board received beginning of school year information, which included the following information:
• August 5 - Welcome Back - Opening Session for All Staff
• August 6 - AES Back-to-School Hot-dog Feed
• August 7 - AMS Back-to-School Hamburger Feed
• August 11 - AHS Back-to-School Kickoff
• Summary of District/Building Staff Development Activities for 2008-09
PUBLIC COMMENT
None.
ORDERING AND APPROVAL OF AGENDA
The Board approved the agenda, as presented.
CONSENT AGENDA
The Board approved the following items on the consent agenda:
• Approved the minutes of the July 7, 2008, meeting.
• Approved the Treasurer’s Report, Expense Summary Report, Revenue Summary Report, and Cash Summary Report.
• Approved payment of claims and credit card account statements.
• Approved activity fund account statements.
• Approved a Consultant Agreement with Behavioral Connections, LLC.
• Approved Special Education Contracted Services Agreement.
• Approved a change in administrators’ life insurance and short- and long-term disability benefits provider from Guardian Insurance to Mutual of Omaha.
• Adopted a Resolution concerning an accounting correction.
• Adopted a Resolution appointing the Food Service Coordinator as the Federal Food Service Program Representative.
• Approved the 2008-09 Alternative School Handbook after a correction is made on Page 17 of the Parent Visitation Section.
NORTHEAST KANSAS TECHNICAL CENTER
Mike Rogg, Vice President of Trade and Technical Education for Highland Community College, provided a report on the activities at the Northeast Kansas Technical Center. He reported that registration was underway for the new school year. He stated that a ribbon cutting would be held on August 5 at 11:30 a.m., and invited all Board members and the superintendent to attend.
Board Member Herb Gwaltney asked how many 409 students had enrolled at NEKTC. Mr. Rogg responded that at this time, 31 AHS students had enrolled. Last year, 41 AHS students attended NEKTC. He anticipates that by the time enrollment concludes and school begins, the numbers should remain steady.
ACTION ITEMS
Superintendent Susan Myers reported that a media advisory council is being formed in order to receive feedback and advice concerning the Public Access Channel, the district website, and other media communication with the public. She stated that representatives from the following organizations have agreed to serve on the council: KAIR Radio, Atchison Globe, Allegiance Communications, Benedictine College and the Atchison Area Chamber of Commerce. USD 409 representatives on the media council will be Superintendent Susan Myers, District Technology Director Donna Noll, and AHS Instructor/Website & Public Access Channel Manager Bob Neidinger. Superintendent Myers asked if a Board member would like to serve on this council.
The Board appointed Herb Gwaltney to serve on the Media Advisory Council.
The Board approved the district mission statement and vision pillars as listed below:
• Mission Statement: The mission of the Atchison Public School District shall be to identify and remove all barriers to promote equal opportunities for success by all students.
• The five Vision Pillars are:
- Student Performance – Ensure that all children learn.
- Educate the Whole Child – Develop a well-balanced curriculum that ensures that all students are educated in mind, body, and spirit.
- Technology – Enhance student achievement through the use of technology.
- Communication – Increase communications with the public stakeholders.
- Human Resources – Increase the recruitment and retention of outstanding personnel.
ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION AND CONSIDERATION
Superintendent Myers reported that Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) is working to begin a community-based program and Bigs in School mentoring program in Atchison County. This is an opportunity to collaborate with a very successful group. The Board reviewed a first reading of a Memorandum of Understanding between Big Brothers Big Sisters of Atchison County and Atchison Public Schools. This agreement will be presented at the next Board meeting for further review and action.
BBBS is looking for an office to conduct interviews and complete paperwork. By consensus, the Board agreed that BBBS could use a small office space upstairs at the Board of Education office. However, the Board requested that Mr. Mears, Board Attorney, review Policy KG (Use of School Facilities by Community Groups) and make suggested language revisions.
Tom Sack, Elementary School Principal, provided information on a Kansas Early Childhood Block Grant. The grant is designed to meet the needs of at-risk children, from birth to five years old, and their families in order to provide these children with the best possible educational experiences to prepare them for their formal years. The minimum grant is $100,000 with a 10% match by the school district. The Board asked that Mr. Sack bring back a preliminary plan to the next meeting for further review.
Superintendent Myers informed the Board that Kansas Association of School Boards (KASB) has asked if one or two of our Board members, along with the superintendent, would like to present on the board self-evaluation process at their annual convention on December 6, in Wichita, KS.
By consensus, the Board agreed to present at the KASB Annual Convention and that President Newkirk, Vice President Shipley and Superintendent Myers be the presenters.
Superintendent Dr. Susan Myers provided an extensive review of the 2008-09 budget.
The Board authorized publication of the budget and established the budget hearing be held on Tuesday, August 19, 2008, at 7:00 p.m. at the Board of Education Community Room.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
The Board went into executive session to discuss personnel matters of non-elected personnel in order to protect the privacy interests of the individuals(s) to be discussed.
PERSONNEL
The Board approved job descriptions, as presented, for the following positions:
• Food Service Coordinator
• Food Service Site Manager
• Food Service Assistant Site Manager
• Food Service Worker
The Board approved the following personnel action:
Accept Resignations
Angela Tyler - Bus Driver, effective July 18, 2008
Shirley Wallace - Food Service, effective July 14, 2008
Recommendations for Employment (effective for the 2008-09 school year)
Rebecca Armontrout - Special Education Teacher, Atchison Alternative School
Madlyn Bishop – Accompanist, Atchison High School
Sandra Cormode – Paraeducator, Atchison Elementary School
Katelan Cronin - Special Education Teacher, Atchison Middle School, effective January 5, 2009
Betty Dorsey – Bus Driver
Stacy Drury - Middle School Teacher at the Atchison Alternative School
Patty Gaul – Food Service Coordinator
Delice Gray-Starks – Special Education Teacher, Atchison High School
Shelly Hammersmith – Custodian, Atchison High School
David Myers – Bus Driver
Brenda Perry - Paraeducator, Atchison Elementary School
Ernest Petite - District Certified Physical Therapy Assistant
Larry Seymore – Bus Driver
Gail Thomas - District Physical Therapist
Transfers
Jessica Atwood – Transfer from teaching 1st grade to 2nd grade at the elementary school for the 2008-2009 school year, due to looping.
Amy Edwards - Transfer from teaching At Risk/4-Year-Old to Kindergarten at the elementary school for the 2008-2009 school year, due to looping.
Mona Ervin - Transfer from teaching 1st grade to 2nd grade at the elementary school for the 2008-2009 school year, due to looping.
Stacy Mace - Transfer from teaching 2nd grade to 1st grade at the elementary school for the 2008-2009 school year, due to looping.
Patricia Regan - Transfer from teaching Kindergarten to At Risk/4-Year-Old at the elementary school for the 2008-2009 school year, due to looping.
The Board approved supplemental contracts, as presented, for the 2008-09 school year.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 8:47 p.m.
