December Board Summary
by Kim Juenemann
December 15, 2009
USD 505 Board Accepts Donations
The following is a summary of the USD 505 board of education meeting and does not reflect official minutes.
The regular monthly meeting of the USD 505 board of education met on Monday, December 14, 7:00 PM, in the library at St. Paul Schools. The meeting was called to order by President Doug Moses. Those in attendance were Moses, Elaine VanLeeuwen, Jeff Corn, and Sandy Krider. Mark Smith joined the meeting at 7:25. Those members absent were Craig Sanders and Kandi Midgett
The agenda was approved with one addition (driver education). During Citizens’ Open Forum, St. Paul technology coordinator Brian Carlson shared a school commercial created by his students. All items in the consent calendar (minutes, financial reports, warrants presented for payment) were approved.
Kirby Honeycutt, district technology director, reported: summary of Tech Committee from November 24; SOCS on-site training for December 16; SMART training for staffs; TRC grant application; working with Siemens to correct a security door. The board approved the district technology plan.
Roberta Carter, district school improvement director, was absent but provided a written report: Great Expectations Model School ceremony went well with Jana Shaver, State Board of Education member, in attendance; Chetopa 7-8 grades designated as a “Progressive School”; Allan Johnson will be performing at St. Paul during the day for students and at 6:00 PM for parents; turn-out for first parent-teacher conferences.
Mark LaTurner, SP K-12 principal, reported: Big Brothers/Big Sisters is being implemented at St. Paul Schools; the girls won the Welch basketball tournament and the boys had a 2-1 record there finishing 5th; the band participated in the SP Christmas parade; held a student assembly to recognize students, classes, and buildings for Standards of Excellence on 2008 State Assessments; is applying for a KC Royals grant for work at the baseball field.
The superintendent, Kim Juenemann, reported: all staff associated in any way with KIDS reporting or student data is receiving Data Quality Control training; Ebony Hart, Chetopa principal, passed all requirements and is now Data Quality Control certified; after multiple testings, it was found that there are no air quality concerns at Chetopa Schools; the city of Chetopa will be replacing poles, transformers, and wire at the school over Christmas break; Mr. Paxson has been named the Southeast Kansas KMEA elementary music educator of the year; shared a thank-you note from Jorgensen-Eubank Equipment; received sample KASB drug testing policies which will be discussed more fully at the January board meeting.
The board discussed building projects: reviewed bids on the SP kitchen remodel, work will begin December 23; dirt work is progressing at the SP athletic field; approved concrete work for SP basketball courts, ADA walk-way, and curb/gutter; fencing needs at SP; directed SP principal to get quotes on an awning over breezeway north door; directed superintendent to proceed to seek bids for SP bus barn; viewed the water damage to the gym floor and directed SP principal to proceed with repairs; approved purchase of an additional 12 interior and 7 exterior security cameras; reviewed list of corrections for SP; heard that Hunter & Millard Architects will have plans ready for Chetopa athletic building by next month’s meeting.
The board viewed a presentation from the superintendent that is being shared with staff regarding state and local budget issues. The board discussed budget issue concerns but took no action at this time. The board rejected a bid from C&C for maintenance of the SP utility system. The board directed the superintendent to sell to the highest bidder suburban #7.
The board went in to a 30-minute executive session to discuss non-elected personnel. Upon return to open session the board approved supplemental duty contracts to Angela Durborow as CH assistant high school girls’ basketball and to Debbie Moses as CH head high school girls’ basketball. The board approved Virginia Leake as a substitute pending successful interview with administration.
The board gratefully accepted a donation from Patrick O’Brien for three books: Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Dog Days, and Tale of Despereaux.
The board gratefully accepted a donation from St. Paul Alumni and Friends by Joe Smith a donation of $3000 to purchase a closed-circuit television system for the new gym & commons area.
The board tabled to January the request from Chetopa City for an interlocal agreement of the city’s Neighborhood Revitalization Plan. The board directed the superintendent to discuss the plan with the city clerk.
Elaine VanLeeuwen, board representative to the SEK Interlocal, reported on SEK’s plan to purchase the Print Excel building in Girard to re-locate Cherokee Village. She reported that despite requests, the SEK administration did not even look at Labette County Correctional Facility as an option.
The board approved Contract of Use both to Chetopa Little League and St. Paul Bitty Ball for use of school facilities for basketball. The agreement with St. Paul Bitty Ball was on a probationary basis to allow use of both gyms for practice.
Doug Moses attended KASB convention and briefly discussed that.
The board approved that summer 2010 driver education fees would remain at current levels.
With no other business to discuss, the board adjourned at 9:53. The next regular meeting of the USD 505 board of education is scheduled for Monday, January 11, 7:00 PM, at the board room in Chetopa. # # #
