Rural Vista Board of Education Minutes

RURAL VISTA USD 481

BOARD OF EDUCATION

REGULAR MEETING

(Unofficial until approved at next meeting.)

April 14, 2008

White City, KS

7:00 p.m.

MEMBERS PRESENT: Tanya Coons-Redig, Esther Dillon, Larry Schlesener and Steve Whitehair

MEMBER ABSENT: Duane Blythe (arrived at 7:07pm) and Kevin Kniebel (arrived at 8:20pm)

OTHERS PRESENT: Joann Kahnt (Prairie Post), Renae Hickert, Jolie McDaniel, Adam McDaniel, Ethan Gruen, Vicki and Danny Samples, Ryan Morgan and Troy Shippy.

CALL TO ORDER: President Larry Schlesener called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.

CONSENT AGENDA: Jim Barten moved, Steve Whitehair seconded, to approve

the agenda and to approve all warrants, minutes, and treasurer’s report and motion passed 5-0.

PUBLIC PRESENTATION:

Cindy Gant, WC Counselor, presented to the board about Gus, the Therapy Dog, and character training at White City Schools.

Jim Barten gave an update on KS legislation and Tanya Coons-Redig gave an update on Smoky Hill meetings.

CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTION:

Ethan Gruen gave a principal report. Adam McDaniel gave a principal update. Each Principal presented preliminary AYP Test results.

BOARD OF EDUCATION:

Graduation Participants:

Hope High School – Larry Schlesener and Esther Dillon, Jim Barten will be the back up.

Hope 8^th Grade – Steve Whitehair and Esther Dillon

White City High School – Kevin Kniebel and Duane Blythe

White City 8^th Grade – Tanya Coons-Redig and Duane Blythe

Jim Barten moved to accept the KASB dues for the 2008-09 school year in the amount of $4882.00; Duane Blythe seconded and motion passed 6-0.

Tanya Coons-Redig moved to accept the KASB Legal Fees for 2008-09 school year in the amount of $1100.00; Jim Barten seconded and motion passed 6-0.

Tanya Coons-Redig moved to accept the Kansas Truck bus bid in the amount of $41,002 for a new 2009 GMC 18 passenger bus; Esther Dillon seconded and motion passed 6-0. We will be trading in 2 old busses with this new bus, Superintendent Hickert stated.

Duane Blythe moved to accept the prevention grant from the 8^th Judicial District Community Corrections in the amount of $2696.00; Jim Barten seconded and motion passed 6-0.

Superintendent Hickert presented the second reading of the Technology Authorized User Agreement. Duane Blythe moved to accept the agreement; Tanya Coons-Redig seconded and motion passed 6-0.

Superintendent Hickert presented the first reading of the 2008-09 handbook changes. Ethan Gruen explained the changes to the eligibility policy.

Jim Barten moved to take a 10 minute break and return at 8:15pm; Tanya Coons-Redig seconded and motion passed 6-0.

The Board returned at 8:15pm.

PERSONNEL:

Duane Blythe moved and Esther Dillon seconded that the Board of Education, Superintendent and principals go into executive session for the purpose of discussing non-elected personnel; and that the board will return to the open meeting at 8:45 p.m. Motion Passed 6-0

Kevin Kniebel arrived at 8:20pm.

The board returned to the open meeting at 9:00 p.m.

The board returned to the open meeting at 9:10 p.m.

The board returned to the open meeting at 9:20 p.m.

The board returned to the open meeting at 9:30 p.m.

Duane Blythe moved to accept the following appointments: Joel Kahnt – WC Business teacher, Stacy Kahnt – WC At-Risk Coordinator, Galen Craghead – Hope Social Worker, Lyle Dejmal – Hope High School Math teacher, Joni Peterson – WC Kindergarten teacher and reassignment Mary Lawrenz – WC Instructional Coach and Resignations: Kim Stilwell – WC Kindergarten teacher, Jacob Engel – Hope Junior High Science/Social Studies teacher, Lacy Cleveland – WC High School Science teacher and Johna Drury – Hope Bus Driver. Jim Barten seconded and motion passed 7-0.

Duane Blythe moved to hire J.D Macdonald and Andy Worrell as White City summer help and Christine Bentley and Chelsea Bryant as Hope summer help; Jim Barten seconded and motion passed 7-0.

Duane Blythe moved to expand the Hope Vo-Ag department to offer IDL classes (i.e Intro to Ag, Ag Science) to White City students in hopes to increase the class sizes of 20 to 40 students and ½ a day a week the Vo-Ag instructor will provide Vo-Ag activities to students in White City; Jim Barten seconded and motion passed 7-0. Duane Blythe also mentioned that the board of education values the Agriculture Community that makes up the Rural Vista community and the board would like to make the opportunities of the Vo-Ag program available to all of the Rural Vista students.

Larry Schlesener quoted “It was never the intention of the USD 481 Board of Education to do away with the FFA or Vo-Ag program in Hope. The rumors that have circulated have caused a lot of grief. We are not accusing anyone of spreading misinformation but want it to be known that the Ag program and FFA will continue in the district."

Duane Blythe moved to take a break and return at 9:50 p.m.; Esther Dillon seconded and motion passed 7-0.

The board returned to the open meeting at 9:50 p.m.

Duane Blythe moved and Esther Dillon seconded, that the Board of Education, Superintendent and principals go into executive session for the purpose of discussing negotiations; and that the board will return to the open meeting at 10:00 p.m. Motion Passed 7-0

The board returned to the open meeting at 10:00 p.m.

The board returned to the open meeting at 10:15 p.m.

The board returned to the open meeting at 10:30 p.m.

The board returned to the open meeting at 10:40 p.m.

General Discussion:

Superintendent Hickert updated the board that the budget will need to be republished due to under estimating the KPERS expenses. Rex Woods will be down in May to review the budget.

ADJOURNMENT:

Duane Blythe moved, Jim Barten seconded, to adjourn. Motion Passed 7-0

The meeting adjourned at 10:45 p.m.