September Board Summary
by Kim Juenemann
BACK TO SCHOOL FOR CHETOPA-ST. PAUL
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, September 14, 2009, 7:00 PM, in the library at St. Paul Schools. All board members were in attendance. The meeting was called to order by president Doug Moses and the agenda was approved with no changes. New staff to St. Paul Schools were present and introductions were made. They are Lewis Hundley (K-12 music), Kari Sutter (math), Kaylee Johnson (vo-ag), and Amy Turner (4th grade). Tara Downing (4th grade) was unable to attend.
The board approved items under the consent calendar (minutes, financial reports, checks presented for payment).
Kirby Honeycutt, technology director, reported: working on bell system at Chetopa; laptops to high school students will be checked out Tuesday and Wednesday; St. Paul student laptops are 80% handed out; working on installing remaining SMART boards that were moved from the old high school to the new; virtual school is enrolling students with the first on-site date to be Saturday, September 19.
Roberta Carter, district curriculum director, provided information about the back-to-school in-services including new-to-the-district orientation; training in Every Day Math, Success for All, and Imagine It!/Open Court; curriculum and assessments reviews; and annual notifications. In addition, national speaker Allen Johnson provided a two-day workshop with district teaching staff which focused on motivating self and students. Teachers reported August 26th and the students’ first day of classes was September 3rd.
St. Paul principal Mark LaTurner reported that Parsons approved cooperative sports agreements for wrestling and swimming; Grandparents’ Day is Friday, September 18; gave an up-date on discussions regarding the Mineral Belt League and the Three Rivers League. He reminded the board members of the annual cross-district football game and tail-gate party this Friday.
Chetopa principal Ebony Hart described the status of the virtual school and the alternative school; character education programs being scheduled; the Hornet Pride campaign; and the KU Honors banquet on October 5 which Emily Moses, Jenae Jackson and Richelle LaPee will attend.
Superintendent Kim Juenemann discussed preliminary enrollment numbers which indicates a decrease at this time of 15; attendance at the Governor’s summit on H1N1; back-to-school in-service; regional KASB meeting on October 13, 3:30, at Independence High School; disposal of district surplus equipment; Open House at each campus on Tuesday, September 15; transportation; and the superintendent’s calendar for September and October.
The board discussed building projects which included: St. Paul kitchen remodel (awaiting KSDE architect approval); St. Paul gym floor damage as a result of surface flooding from the August 19 heavy rains; LED signs at St. Paul (installed) and Chetopa (determined placement of that sign at the main entrance to the ball fields); Chetopa athletic field building plans (still in the preliminary stages); St. Paul sports field (directed the superintendent to seek bids on excavation and grading); St. Paul bus barn (directed the superintendent to seek bids on a pole barn with electrical hook-ups); Chetopa old gym roof (approved a bid from Houston Construction for roof repair); and Chetopa “white house” siding and drainage (work is completed).
The board accepted the only submitted bid for milk supply from Hiland Dairy Foods.
The board went in to a brief executive session to discuss non-elected personnel. Upon return to open session, the board ratified returned contracts; approved Debbie Withington as Chetopa 8th grade sponsor; and approved a stipend to Principal LaTurner for extra duty during the summer months.
The board rescinded all policy and adopted board policy as presented. The board approved KASB recommended policy up-dates as presented with no revisions. Elaine VanLeeuwen, board representative to SEK Interlocal, discussed the issue of the Cherokee Village Jr/Sr high school building and reported that negotiations have not been settled between the Interlocal and its teachers. With no other business to discuss, the board adjourned at 8:55 PM. The next regular meeting of the USD 505 board of education is Monday, October 12, 7:00 PM, at Chetopa Schools. # # #
