July BOE Minutes
by Ann Shaughnessy
July 16, 2008
The board met in regular session on July 14, 2008 at the district office in Axtell, KS.
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by President Brian Deters. Deters was re-elected president of the board and Rod Edelman was re-elected as vice-president. The agenda was approved.
Administrative Reports:
Supt. Bartkoski shared progress updates on the summer school program; Emergency Preparedness meetings he attended this summer; 08-09 projected enrollment and the end of the year status.
Principals Bob Bartkoski, Rick Schnacker and Brian Rottinghaus updated the board on summer building preparation progress at each building. Rottinghaus shared that class schedules have been mailed to parents/students along with pre-enrollment forms. Schnacker updated the board on new teachers hired and bus maintenance progress. Bartkoski shared that the Summerfield Community Celebration went very well and was attended by many.
Consent Agenda:
Organizational procedures for the beginning of a new year were approved. Appointments to the various committees were approved. The board will meet on the second Monday of each month for its regularly scheduled meetings. The GAAP waiver was passed that allows the district to operate from rules of accounting rather than the rules that apply to businesses and other organizations. The board adopted the 1,116 hour calendar.
• The July claim vouchers were approved.
• Textbook fees were approved – Kindergarten - $25; Grades 1-12 - $50
• Mileage reimbursement was set with the state rate of $.505 for the 2008-09 school year.
• Accepted resignations from Trent Platt as Bern JH football coach, Brian Rottinghaus as Axtell HS Social Studies teacher; Marcia Hocker as Bern para and summer custodial helper and Rick Schnacker as Bern Social Studies teacher.
• Rick Schnacker was approved as the Bern Schools Principal.
Approval employment for:
• Mary Crabtree as Bern assistant cook
• Seth Garinger as Bern Social Studies teacher with supplemental duties of Bern JH football and HS assistant football coach
• Lisa Broxterman as Axtell yearbook sponsor (in school)
• Michelle Carlin as Axtell Social Studies teacher
• Approved a lease agreement with Curtis Gutsch for the teacherage rental in Bern for $275.00 per month.
• Approved a request for the B & B bus to enter USD #488 to pick up Michelle Buessing’s children for the 08-09 school year.
New Business:
• Bus bids were reviewed. Three new buses will be purchased utilizing a lease/purchase agreement spread out over a 3 year period with the State Bank of Axtell.
• The discipline plan and student handbook changes were approved.
• A discussion was held concerning fixed cost concerns for the district. Three decisions were made. 1. Concensus of the board was to pay for the bus driver on activity trips that are for fun/rewards (Royal’s Games, Worlds of Fun etc. ) for students belonging to school organizations and that the organizations will pay for the fuel used themselves beginning with the 08-09 school year. Senior trips are included in the self-pay category. 2. All activity trip buses will be loaded with all students (athletes & cheerleaders) to cut down on the number of vehicles driven to away games. 3. Whenever possible trips will be combined into one bus to activities that have a few students going to conserve on fuel.
• Bern principal’s office remodeling project was tabled until the August meeting.
• The board decided to donate the old public speaking system from the football field to the Axtell baseball association.
• 2008-09 meal prices were set. Meals were raised .10 each to help off set the rising costs of food and fuel to deliver it.
• The KASB Policy recommendations for the 08-09 school year will be discussed and/or approved at the August meeting.
Executive Session:
Executive sessions were held concerning personnel, negotiations and student issues.
• Classified staff approved for employment in the 2008-09 school year were: Richard Holthaus, Jennifer Jones, Cindy Kaster, LaVerne Strathman, Mark Wagner, Bruce Heiman for the Axtell School; Gary Bradley, Joleen Edelman, June Keeton, Kim Lockhart, Martha Pearson, Becky Rottinghaus and Jim Sudbeck for the Bern School; Laurie Cameron, Shannon deKoning, Denise Ludwig, Lori Osterhaus, Tammy Porting, Patty Stueve and Sarah Wood for the Summerfield School. Barb Campbell, Jeremy Marteney and Beverly Perry were also approved for the upcoming year.
• The board approved the 2008-09 budget document for publication. The budget hearing will be held on Monday, August 11 at 6:45 p.m. in the district office in Axtell.
• The updated PDC document was approved and will be submitted to the State Department for approval.
• Information was shared from Jay and Heidi Baumgartner about the availability of their grocery store building being for sale or lease in Bern. This item was tabled.
• The Wellness Policy Implementation Plan was approved as presented.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:40 p.m. The next regular meeting of the board will be on August 11, 2008 at the district office in Axtell.
