October Board Summary
by Kim Juenemann
The following is a summary of the USD 505 board of education meeting and does not reflect official minutes.
The board of education of USD 505 Chetopa - St. Paul met for its regular monthly meeting on Monday, October 12, 2009, 7:00 PM, in the board room at Chetopa Schools. Board members present were Doug Moses, Jeff Corn, Mark E. Smith, Elaine VanLeeuwen, Kandi Midgett, and Sandy Krider; Craig Sanders was absent. The meeting was called to order by president Doug Moses and the agenda was approved with additions. New staff to Chetopa Schools were present and introductions were made: Stephanie Moore (kindergarten) and Regina Hanson (2nd grade). Brian Pommier (JH English) was unable to attend due to coaching responsibilities.
The board accepted the independent auditor’s report from J. D. Wilbert. There were no violations.
The board approved items under the consent calendar (minutes, financial reports, checks presented for payment).
Kirby Honeycutt, technology director, reported: working on district EETT/TRC grant; SOCS grant installation of cameras final installation at St. Paul; technology committee to meet November 6 to discuss web page, video cache, and technology plan revision; CIPA filter up-dates; virtual school with 18 students.
Roberta Carter, district curriculum director, provided information about the planned in-services and student workshops with Allan Johnson on October 22 and 23; early reading assessments being administered the week of October 12; attendance planned at the KSDE Fall Conference on October 26 and 27; GE Model School visit is scheduled for November 5. The board approved a calendar change: no classes on November 11 and 12th in order for staff to be in-serviced on Differentiated Instruction. Parent-Teacher conferences are planned for November 11 and 12 from 4:00 through 8:00 each day.
Reports from St. Paul Schools: host site for Mineral Belt League junior high school volleyball tournament, October 19 and for a KSHSAA regional volleyball tournament on October 20. The board approved an early release of 2:30for St. Paul High School on October 20 in order for staff to prepare for the regional VB tournament.
Chetopa principal Ebony Hart described the status of the proposed consolidation of the MBL and 3RL junior high level leagues; “Show What You Know” student projects; ACT preparation and tutoring is scheduled for the next two Wednesdays; Aimee Saporito is sponsoring Science Club; reviewed status of Mentors-First Years and Mentors-Teachers efforts; advanced placement of an elementary student.
Superintendent Kim Juenemann reported the following: Regional KASB meeting at Independence; annual KASB conference at Overland Park on December 4-6; Technology Committee meeting on November 6; KSDE Mentor application status; working on technology grants; training in KCC (Kansas Course Codes); virtual school audit to take place; St. Paul food services audit to take place; both principals will participate in the “Balanced Leadership” training; Debbie Withington will participate in national SMART training; shared invitation to PSU presidential inauguration; two student teachers, Lori Midgett and Samantha Smith, are observing at Chetopa Elementary; began discussion with the board for a drug testing policy for students who participate in any extra-curricular activity.
The board discussed building projects which included: the bond balance is $593,987. Bond work remaining to be completed includes the St. Paul Kitchen remodel and the Chetopa athletic building. KSDE approved the kitchen remodel plans; next step is seeking bids. The Chetopa athletic building is still in the planning stages working with Design and Drafting, Pittsburg, for preliminary plans. The board discussed the walk-through from October 1 with the PBA architect and the Crossland Construction project manager. A list of 17 items was identified for correction. Jeff Corn reported of a recent golf tournament fund-raiser hosted by Tank Connection to help with improvements at the St. Paul sports field. The board rejected all bids for St. Paul athletic field grading/excavation and directed the superintendent to re-issue the invitation-to-bid to be considered at the November board meeting.
The board approved purchase of two pick-ups from Kansas Surplus at a cost of $15,000. The current custodial-use pick-ups will be sold through a bid process. The board rejected a bid from Lakeland for copier purchase/lease and directed the superintendent to seek bids for needed copier replacements.
The board went into a brief executive session to discuss non-elected personnel. Upon return to open session the board took the following action: ratified the returned contracts of Brenda Herndon (Chetopa After-School), Joanna Rose (St. Paul Kindergarten), and Cheryl Paxson (Chetopa JH scholar bowl); accepted the resignation of Kelly Nading as Chetopa activity director; offered contracts to Orville Brown as Chetopa JH girls’ basketball and as interim Chetopa activity director. The board approved a split of Chetopa first grade. The board approved substitutes Wayne McCracken (bus driver), Lindsey Smith (licensed teacher substitute), Teresa Grosdidier (nurse), Kim Lamb (nurse), Sherre Yoder (licensed teacher substitute), and Samantha Smith (emergency teacher substitute).
The board approved the concurrent enrollment partnership agreement between the district and Labette Community College. The board went into a brief executive session to discuss issues regarding a student. Upon return to open session, the board took the following action: approved an early graduation request; granted probationary enrollment to an out-of-district student.
With no other business to discuss, the board adjourned at 9:15. The next regular meeting is scheduled for Monday, November 9, 2009, at Chetopa. # # #
