HIGHLIGHTS from the unofficial minutes of the March 8, 2010 Board of Education meeting At 5:30 p.m., President Sam Cline called the USD #405 Lyons Board of Education meeting to order in the Frisbie Education Center, all stood for the Pledge of Allegiance, the guests introduced themselves, the agenda was approved with the additions, and the following consent agenda was approved: Minutes Minutes of the regular February 8 meeting Treasurer's Report The February treasurer's report (receipts and expenditures, cash reconciliation, investments, and cash summary) Investment Bids The bid results for USD #405 funds invested on February 26 were presented. Certificates of deposit were awarded to Lyons Federal Bank for.71% ($800,000) and.81% ($1,000,000). Activity Fund Reports February High School and Middle School activity reports, Central and Park Special Project Accounts (SPA) and Petty Cash reports Bills Bills from February 5, 2010 through March 4, 2010 in the amount of $854,794.09. Transfers for March From Amount To General (06-5200-954-00) Vocational (20-5206) $ 10,000.00 Supp General (08-5200-978-00) At Risk (K-12) (13-5208) $227,590.00 Supp. General (08-5200-936-00) Bilingual (24-5208) $ 20,000.00 Mand. Sp Ed(MSE) (17-5200-970-00) CSE (37-1321) $ 76,102.60 The State used ARRA stimulus money to make the February supplemental general (LOB) State aid payment. General fund salaries were recoded to LOB, so the transfer from supplemental general to At Risk (K-12) is to offset that expenditure. This was recommended by the Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE). 1
The transfer from MSE to CSE ($76,102.60) is our third "local effort" payment to the Rice County Special Services Coop (RCSSC). There is one remaining payment. The third Special Education "State aid" payment is expected to arrive on March 15. The board approved the following transfers for the "amount received." We are expecting two (2) more payments April 16 and June 1. General (06-5200-950-00) Mandated SpEd (17-5206) Mandated SpEd (17-5200-970-00) Coop SpEd (37-5230) USD 376 Sterling, USD 401 Chase, and USD 444 Little River will also make their designated local effort and state aid payments. Professional Development Validations The (attached) PDC validations from the February 24 meeting Title 1 Meeting Date As required by Policy #IDAD, the board approved the Title 1 meeting date of April 7 at 4:00 p.m. at Park School and directed the superintendent to make sure the meeting covers the required topics. I. Agreements School Psychologist Services Agreement for 2010-2011 The contract with Jill Vsetecka for 2010-2011 was approved. The hourly rate and number of hours will remain the same. 2009-2010 Fort Hays State University (FHSU) Student Teaching and Observation Agreement The 2009-2010 FHSU College of Education Program Agreement for student teaching and observation was approved. 2010-2011 Barton County Community College (BCCC) Articulation Agreement The 2010-2011 Articulation Agreement between USD 405- Lyons and BCCC was approved. Parents as Teachers (PAT) Educator Services Agreement The contract for Jasmin Chacon for interpreter/translator educator services for the Rice County Special Services Coop (RCSSC) PAT program was renewed. This contract is funded by the Smart Start grant and is subject to continuation of the grant. 5. USD #259 Wichita Special Education Services Agreement (addition) The agreement with USD #259-Wichita from March 23, 2010 will provide special education services for two (2) students residing in USD #376-Sterling. 2
J. Donations Pamida Pamida gave USD #405-Lyons a $1000.00 district-wide donation, which will be used to purchase video cameras for Park, Central and Lyons Middle School. The funds will be reported through the Gifts and Grants account. Christian Church (addition) The Christian Church donated $100 to Central School. It will be used for students' needs. The funds will be reported through the Gifts and Grants account. K. Air Force Junior ROTC (AFJROTC) Out-of-State Trips The board approved TSGT James Eskut's request for the following AFJROTC out-of-state trips during the summer of 2010. The cost will be covered by the program. Summer Leadership School at the Air Force Academy's Prep School in Colorado Springs, Colorado May 29-June 3, 2010. He will take 6 cadets, all of whom will be returning to the ROTC program next school year. Summer Leadership School at Kirtland Air Force Base, Albuquerque, New Mexico July 18-24, 2010. He will take 8 cadets, all of whom will be returning to our program next school year. L. Family Careers and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) National Conference Out-of- State Trip (addition) The board approved the request from Julie Tommer, FCCLA Advisor, to take Samantha Eickleberry to the FCCLA National Conference, July 3-8, 2010 in Chicago, IL. Samantha was elected FCCLA District G President in February, and as part of her leadership training, she is required to attend the FCCLA National Conference. The cost of the trip will be covered by Carl Perkins funding and FCCLA. Report of the Superintendent Instructional Piece Tracy Suhler, Parents as Teachers (PAT) Educator and Coordinator, presented information on the PAT program and staff PAT serves children 0 3 years old. Ms. Suhler's report included what they do (home visits, playgroups, group meetings, developmental screenings, and referrals) and their effectiveness. She also included the number of children served and an overview of other programs available in Kansas. She thanked the board members for their support of the program. Kansas Corporation Commission State Energy Office Grant Supt. Sechrist said Jill Nichols, Rice County Coordinator, Economic Development Director, contacted him about a possible grant. Rice County is in the initial stages of applying for the grant from the State Energy Office, a division of the Kansas Corporation Commission. The grant is designed to provide 3
funds to hire an energy manager for our county for a period of two (2) years. There will be no cost to the district. The energy manager will develop a short-term and long-term plan for each of the coalition members in order to transform their energy usage and awareness. The project has the support of the Rice County Commissioners. Following discussion, the board took action to declare support of the grant from the State Energy Office and to participate as a member of the coalition. Gary Sechrist will be the contact person. School Calendar for 2010-2011 Supt. Sechrist drafted two (2) 2010-11 school calendars and shared them with a committee comprised of Bob Turner (Athletic Director/LHS), LaVera Simms (Park secretary), Greg Konda (RCSSC) and LUTA representatives Leanna Payne (Park), Christi Reid (LMS), Annette Moore (LHS) and Teresa Konda (Central). They met on Thursday, March 4 and have taken the calendars to their respective buildings for input. Discussion included a later start and spring break. A recommended calendar will be presented for approval in April. Computer Replacement Plan Supt. Sechrist reviewed a computer replacement plan, the warranty situation, funding, and the desire to get into a rotation plan. The Technology Rich Grant was not approved. Discussion included notebooks versus netbooks, our positive experience with Hewlett Packard, and computer wear and tear versus abuse, warranty versus insurance, and the benefit of computers as a tool to increase student learning. Supt. Sechrist will obtain quotes for the computers. At the April meeting, he will inform the board if the plan is affordable and request action. Budget Update Supt. Sechrist said he has been attempting to keep the staff informed on how the budget cuts may affect them. He is also working with Pur-O-Zone Corporation to do a custodial efficiency study in our district. There is no cost to the district. Supt. Sechrist reviewed the budget reduction for this year, the steps that have been taken to address the reduction, the enrollment audit report, the audit appeal, history of the Base State Aid Per Pupil (BSAPP), and the estimated budget reductions for next year. Discussion included the stimulus money, the audited budget, and the State's budget situation. Teri Dwyer, Jean Lattin, Tina Ludwig, and Dee Orth shared the importance of the Reading Recovery program and children's literacy learning. They expressed their concerns with the possible cuts at Park School regarding Guided Reading support and Reading Recovery. Board of Education Goals Supt. Sechrist reviewed the current Board of Education goals and the progress with the action plans. The administrators have provided him with summer maintenance needs, which he will prioritize and present to the board in April; the Rice County Drug Coalition is applying for an after school grant for Central and Middle School students; a Community Forum (illicit drug/alcohol abuse) has been scheduled for March 22 at 7:00 for all county schools; the high school administrators have been researching random drug testing services; Mr. Logan, Mr. Nusser and Supt. Sechrist attended the February Lyons Recreation Commission (LRC) board meeting to discuss further possibilities of a joint LRC/USD 405 building project. Supt. Sechrist has contacted Dr. Fertwengler, retired Wichita State 4
University professor, for a survey to address cultural issues. Following discussion, the board asked the administrators to pursue options for random drug testing and to present the results in April. Site Council Meetings Site Council minutes for the February 4 Lyons High School (LHS) meeting, Lyons Middle School (LMS) February 16 meeting, and the February 22 Elementary School meeting were presented. The next meetings are scheduled as follows: LHS March 4, Elementary - March 30, and LMS - April 20. Kansas Association of School Boards (KASB) Spring Regional Meeting The Region 5 meeting will be held at Lindsborg Middle School on April 22 from 3:30 7:30 p.m. Bob Mullen and Kevin Dwyer expressed an interest in attending the meeting. Others will check their calendars and notify the clerk. Superintendent Evaluation The Board of Education is required to complete the evaluation of a first year superintendent at least once per semester by the 60 th school day of the semester. His second evaluation is due April 8. The board went into two (2) executive sessions to discuss personnel, then they included Supt. Sechrist in an executive session. Personnel The board went into several executive sessions with Supt. Sechrist and the administrators (Nancy Barlow, Doug Higgins, Kevin Logan, Kelly Nusser and Mitch Neuenschwander) as needed to discuss personnel. Upon their return to open session, the board approved the (attached) Personnel Report. Negotiations There was nothing to report. Adjourn At 8:07 p.m., the meeting was adjourned. The next meeting will begin at 5:00 p.m. on Monday, April 12, 2010 at the Frisbie Education Center (FEC). The Center for Innovative Leadership (CISL) will be present to interview the board. 5
Completed Plans: Tiffany Zink Staff Member College Application Impact Knowledge Keller, Linda 11.0 Moore, Annette 8.0 Neuenschwander, Mitch 9.0 Reid, Christi 6.0 Sechrist, Gary 2.5 Totals 0.0 36.50 GRAND TOTALS 36.50 Tara Logan, Secretary PERSONNEL REPORT with additions (*) March 8, 2010 Resignations: Susie Turner MIS Data Clerk RCSSC Retirements: Marilyn Michaelis Teacher LHS effective June 1, 2010 Helen Friesen's retirement was approved in January, but her effective date was undecided. She has chosen an effective retirement date of July 1, 2010. Supplemental Resignation: Lita Zimmerman Asst. Drama Sponsor LHS New Contracts: Amy Davis David Vesper Nutrition Services MIS Data Clerk LMS RCSSC New Supplemental Contracts: Matt Elliott Asst. Baseball LHS Marcie Schottler Asst. Track LHS/LMS Allan Stokes Asst. Wrestling LMS Substitutes: Megan Maes Substitute PK-12