February 2010 Board Meeting Summary
Students and Staff Qualify for Advanced Competition
The following is a summary of the regular monthly meeting of the USD 505 Chetopa - St. Paul school board and does not reflect official minutes.
All board members were in attendance for the regular monthly meeting of USD 505 Chetopa - St. Paul. One item, St. Paul Alumni and Friends Association Pledge Agreement, was added to the agenda and the agenda was approved. Ed Smith from Kansas Communications discussed with the board options to connect both campuses through an analog system. The board directed the superintendent to follow up with this option, determine complete costs for implementation, and to report back next month.
The board heard presentations from the Chetopa Career and Technical Education (CTE) teachers, the different career clusters and pathways for each department, and recent awards in each department.
Jim Nave, agriculture education, is following the agribusiness system pathway. Nave was also recognized by the board as the state’s recipient of the Ideas Unlimited award given by the National Association of Agricultural Educators (NAAE). He will continue at the next level of competition to be held in Stillwater, OK.
Angie Durborow, business teacher, will implement the marketing cluster and the marketing management pathway. Durborow also informed the board that three CHS FBLA students qualified for state competition: Kristy Teal in accounting, Richael LaPee in business procedures and business law, and Caitlyn Moore in Business Math and introduction to business.
Leah Lawrence, FACS teacher, is following the Human Services cluster. Lawrence also told the board that her FCCLA group of Caitlyn Moore, Kristy Teal, and Ashley Judd entered in the regional Chapter Service Project Display competition and qualified for state competition.
Travis Brumack, industrial arts teacher, will focus on manufacturing and production. This pathway focuses on industrial technology, drafting and CAD, and manufacturing processes and systems.
The board approved the items in the consent calendar (financial reports, minutes of previous meetings, checks presented for payment).
Kirby Honeycutt, district technology director, informed the board that all security cameras are up and running; three more cameras will be added at St. Paul; Mrs. Withington has been presenting SMART techniques at other districts; and reviewed monthly work. Honeycutt reviewed the peak use report with the board. The district will double its capabilities with e-rate covering 80% of the upgrade.
Roberta Carter, district curriculum and testing coordinator, reported that she and the superintendent will attend the annual Great Expectations award ceremony during which Chetopa Elementary will be recognized as a model school. She informed the board that all schools are registered, scheduled, and ready for the Kansas State Assessments. Carter explained how a $2000 donation to Chetopa Schools from Frontier Charcoal will be used: BAIP (Blended Assessment and Instruction Program) subscription, Accelerated Reader (K-6) rewards, and help in covering expenses associated with the end of the year State Assessments skating party. The board signed a “thank you” to Frontier Charcoal.
Mark LaTurner, St. Paul K-12 principal, reported that the MBL basketball tournament is being held at St. Paul; the campus exterior doors have been re-keyed and that this rekeying does not affect the recently installed keyless entry system; plans to have yearbook staff take group pictures; report of students who qualify for state FBLA competition.
Ebony Hart, Chetopa K-12 principal, followed up on the CTE classes; reported that planning for the 2010-11 schedule and teaching assignments are well underway; that the KSDE audit on the virtual school went well with all aspects meeting approval; virtual school graduation ceremony plans; advertising and pre-enrollment plans.
The superintendent reported that the district received a favorable inspection report by the Fire Marshal inspector. The only expense involved will be to replace two north doors on the old gym in Chetopa, panic hardware on the weight room door in St. Paul, and a water heater valve in St. Paul. A “thank you” from the Pearl Wilson family was shared.
The board discussed the bonded building projects. The board has continued concerns about the water damage and drainage issues at St. Paul, the water heaters being cited by the State Fire Marshal, and the continued problems with the Chetopa addition roof. The board directed the superintendent to seek legal advice regarding these issues. The board rejected all bids for the proposed St. Paul bus barn and directed the superintendent to bring new plans with specific placements to the March meeting.
The board voted to accept the highest bid on suburban 7. The board approved rekeying for the interior doors at Chetopa and to install new hardware on the west JH door. After much discussion, the board approved the following preliminary cost-saving ideas: eliminate student planners, reduce paper usage, eliminate coach/sponsor reimbursement for driving a suburban/van/car on activity trips, eliminate elementary-level summer school, limit library supplies/books/periodicals, stop rentals of custodial supplies, no signing or retention bonuses, minimal textbook purchases, no uniform purchases, no vehicle or bus purchases, and to severely restrict staffing and supplies for 2010-11 after school programs. These plans will cut an approximate $110,000 from the budget. More cost-savings ideas will be considered later including staffing and employment issues. The board’s goal is to trim a minimum of $250,000.
The board went into three consecutive executive sessions to discuss non-elected personnel. Upon return to open session, the board took the following actions: ratified the returned contracts of the superintendent, both principals, St. Paul baseball coaches, and Chetopa girls’ basketball coaches. The board accepted the resignation of Nancy Nading, Chetopa elementary secretary. The board adopted a resolution for the intent to non-renew the contract of Jelinda Smith, Chetopa High School math instructor. The board approved offering a contract of employment to Aimee Saporito, Chetopa High School science instructor, and approved emergency substitute status to Barbara Edings. The board directed the superintendent to create an educational incentive program.
The board adopted a Fire Watch policy as required by the State Fire Marshal. The board approved Kindergarten Round-Up dates for both schools with no kindergarten on those dates: March 12 at Chetopa and April 12 at St. Paul. The board gratefully accepted a $2000 donation for Chetopa Schools from Frontier Charcoal and books for the St. Paul library from Melissa Petty, Patrick O’Brien, and Irelyn Foley. The board approved the St. Paul Alumni and Friends Association Pledge Agreement. The St. Paul Alumni and Friends Association have already made $55,000 in payments for the USD 505 bond. The document arranges for an annual payment of $30,000 each year for the next twenty years with the funds to be used to reduce the bond for the high school building at St. Paul. The document also provided for payment in case of early pay off of the bond or in case the St. Paul Alumni and Friends Association should cease to exist.
The board set Monday, February 15, 6:00 PM, at St. Paul Schools, for a special board meeting.
With no other business to discuss, the board adjourned at 10:14 PM. The next regular meeting is scheduled for Monday, March 8, 7:00 PM, at St. Paul Schools. #
