May 2017 Board Minutes
May 15, 2017
REGULAR MEETING – May 15, 2017
Minutes of the board meeting are not official until after approval at the next regularly scheduled board meeting. The Board of Education of USD #511 met in regular session on Monday May 15 th , 2017 and was called to order by President Lynda Newberry at 6:00pm. Members present included Jolene Peterson, Tye McDaniel, Rogena Grigsby, Eric Dark, and Roger Goodman. Guests present were Kevin Alexander, Kate Hankins and Cindy Warren. Also present was Superintendent Dale Adams, Principal Josh Lanning, and Clerk of the Board Amie Loreg.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all in attendance. President Lynda Newberry recognized guests. Mr. Alexander met with the board to report that the Harper County Community Foundation had awarded five grants this round to help USD 511. He presented the balances of the Prepare to Launch program as well, stating that this year 7 graduates qualified for $450 each upon supplying him with the proper information. Kevin left the meeting at 6:03pm.
Dark moved and Peterson seconded to approve the agenda. 6-0, motion carried. Dark moved and Peterson seconded to approve the consent agenda to include the resignation of Michelle Fahring as Library Aid. 6-0, motion carried. Special Education: Mr. Adams presented and discussed three drafts given to him by the cooperative as possibilities for assessments. He gave copies of these to the members of the board as well.
Brett Traffas entered the meeting at 6:08pm.
Curriculum: Mr. Adams discussed the state testing performance, high school graduation rates, and tracking students post secondary. He explained that Attica is not meeting the state’s expectation of a 75% success rate. Some of this is due to some schools or post secondary programs not reporting, making it seem as though the student didn’t complete anything beyond high school. Other factors not considered that have directly affected Attica’s rate; students who drop out and end up graduating after their original graduating class and students who were not picked up by another school.
Technology: Nothing at this time
Summer Rec: Nothing at this time
Transportation Log: Reviewed. Mr. Adams reported that a bus had broken down while on a field trip.
Jay is in the process of repairing it.
Budget Summary of Funds: Reviewed
Wellness Center: Nothing at this time
OLD BUSINESS
Erate: Mr. Adams discussed bids received on upgrades to current technology and the importance of doing the work now while erate will help with some of the cost. He stated that he’d like to check on purchasing the equipment through Network Computer Solutions and discuss having our in house technology department do the install. The board agreed to go this route depending on what Mr. Adams finds out.
Yearbook: Mr. Adams reported that the yearbook advisor, Ali Harbin, will redo the 2015/16 yearbook after completing the current yearbook for an agreed upon stipend. He also stated that Jostens has reached out the school about switching to them from Lifetouch for future yearbooks. At this time, considering how well they have worked with us on resubmitting of last year’s book Mr. Adams would like to stay with Lifetouch for the time being.
Graduation Credits: Mr. Adams stated to the board that a decision on requiring T2C as a graduation requirement need to be met as the master schedule for next year needs to be completed.
Roof Bids: Mr. Adams presented bids from A & R Roofing and Ray’s Roofing and spoke about a proposal in lieu of a bid from Melton Industries. When gathering information to bid the job Melton believed that there was existing damage that should have been claimed in a previous insurance claim. They proposed showing said damages to the schools insurance company in an attempt to see if they would agree that these should have been covered previously. If insurance agreed they would then complete the work that insurance covered. The board decided to have Mr. Adams make contact with Melton and start the process.
NEW BUSINESS
Clearwater Contract: Mr. Adams recommended signing the contract to continue service with SCKESC and allow Mr. Keller to choose the number of days purchased. A brief discussion was held about Essdack, another service center, and options they offer. Mr. Adams suggested the possibility of going with both. SCKESC offers in house training as well as a new teacher mentorship but stated that Essdack offered some good and necessary workshops as well. He said it is not an uncommon practice for schools to sign with both service centers. Goodman moved and McDaniel seconded to sign the contract with SCKESC with the number of days to be determined later. 7-0, motion carried.
Summer Help: A discussion was held about hiring a seasonal employee to help with painting and various duties preformed over the summer. In the past both staff members and students have been hired for the position depending on circumstance. Mr. Adams said he would ask staff first to see if there is any interest.
Water Unit: The pump went out of the water softener system leased through EcoWater. Due to response time in fixing the unit, Jay Adams, Ground and Maintenance started looking into the cost of purchasing a unit and maintaining it in house. After discussion about warrantees and lifespan of units it was decided to gather more information before the board would take action. Tabled for more information.
Last Day Reduce to ½ Day: Teaching staff asked Mr. Adams about reducing the last day of school to a half day. Mr. Adams presented to idea to the board. Dark moved and Traffas seconded to reduce the last day of school to a ½ day, to release at noon. 7-0, motion carried.
Carpet/Tile Improvements: After looking at need for new flooring, Jay Adams determined to biggest need for replacement is the carpeted hallway. He gathered bids for carpet and tile for this area as well as a bid to go over the cafeteria. He recommends tiling the hallway floor to match the other hallways for easier maintenance and a cleaner look. The board asked for another bid to be obtained for tiling the hallway and would like to do nothing with the cafeteria floor at this time.
KELI: McDaniel moved and Goodman seconded to approve the KELI mentorship for Mr. Keller. 7-0,
motion carried.
BOE Extended Service Form: Grigsby moved and McDaniel seconded to approve the form to extend BOE
service until January for members not reelected in this year’s election per new policy of members taking
office in January. 7-0, motion carried.
KASB Membership: Dark moved and Grigsby seconded to enter into a contract with KASB for
membership for the 2017/2018 school year for legal assistance. 7-0, motion carried.
Traffas moved and McDaniel seconded to go into executive session for 10 minutes for non elected
personnel with Mr. Adams and the board. 7-0, motion carried.
Fill Open Positions: Dark moved and Peterson seconded to approve the request of Sheryl Grigsby to
transfer from Junior High Math & Character Ed to 3 rd Grade Teacher as well as offer a Letter of Intent to
employ Katie Capps. 7-0, motion carried.
Board Comments: Traffas stated that he had been talking to South Barber about a possible future
baseball cooperative but at this time is does not look promising.
Newberry stated that the Alumni Banquet is being moved from the Saturday of Mother’s Day weekend
to the weekend before. She thought that a discussion should happen about moving Graduation up one
week, reducing the school calendar back to its old format.
Administration: Mr. Lanning reported that at the recent KSHSAA votes he voted, “Yes” to the football
reclassification and, “No” to the over reclassification. The results of voting are due June 12 th and should
be posted shortly thereafter.
Mr. Adams informed the board that the school had received a letter from the Schools for Quality
Education membership at the cost of $350. Past practice is no interest so he did not feel it was
necessary to produce for the board. If he is wrong he would be happy to do so. He reported on
upcoming T2C meetings in late May and early June. He asked how many board members would be
attending both High School and Junior High Graduation/Promotion ceremonies. 5 would be at High
School and 7 at Junior High. He spoke about the current bill related to budget and school funding. If it
were to pass it is predicted that it will not happen until July. The bill, as it stands now, will create more
funding for USD 511. Mr. Adams questioned if Regional Track were to get rained out what would happen
to High School Graduation for the two seniors who qualified, as that Saturday is the makeup date. A
discussion was held and it was decided that it was too close to graduation to move it so the athlete and
their parents would have to make the decision about which to attend. Mr. Adams final statement was
about how impressed he was with the Alumni Banquet.
Mr. Lanning reported that the seniors last day will be May 16 th . After finals they will check out. He
mentioned that it was asked if seniors could have the option to purchase their chromebooks. A decision
was not made.
Amie Loreg, clerk presented the Citizen’s State Bank Scholarship for 3 members to vote on and asked
about the annual “Board Breakfast” for the teachers last day. Members decided to purchase locally
breakfast burritos, cinnamon rolls, and fruit for a staff breakfast on May 24 th .
Goodman moved and McDaniel seconded to go into executive session for 5 minutes for student matters
with Mr. Adams, Mr. Lanning, and the board. 7-0, motion carried.
Dark moved and McDaniel seconded to go into executive session for 5 minutes for negotiations with Mr.
Adams and the board. 7-0, motion carried.
Traffas moved and McDaniel seconded to go into executive session for 10 minutes for non-elected
personnel with Mr. Adams. 7-0, motion carried.
McDaniel moved and Dark seconded to adjourn. 7-0, motion carried. 8:02pm.
Meeting adjourned,
Amie Loreg
Clerk of the Board of Education 511
