The Baxter Springs board of education held a regular meeting on Monday, August 10, 2015 at 6:00 pm at 1108 Military.  Members present were:  DeAnne Binns, Chuck Sweeton, Mary Kirkpatrick, Brandon Williams, and Dusty Deringer and Joseph Skye (via telephone.).  Members absent were:  Josh Sweaney.  Also present were:  David Pendergraft, Superintendent, Vicki Bradley, Clerk, Cory White, HS Principal, Roger Reynolds, HS Asst. Principal, Jason Walker, MS Principal, Robert Womack, Central Principal, Kenneth Boeckman, Lincoln Principal, Arthur Commons, Secondary Curriculum Director, and Rev. Cody Graves, First Christian Church.

President Binns called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.

Brandon Williams led the board and guests in the pledge of allegiance.  Rev. Cody Graves led the board and guests in a word of prayer.

Brandon Williams made a motion to approve the agenda as presented.  Mary Kirkpatrick seconded.  Carried 6-0.

Chuck Sweeton made a motion to approve the consent agenda which included approval of the bills, approval of the minutes of the July 13^th and July 30^th, 2015 meetings as printed and approval of the treasurer’s report as presented.  Brandon Williams seconded.  Carried 6-0.

Superintendent Pendergraft introduced new employees for 2015-16 to the board.  They were as follows:

Tammi Porter, MS English, Jared Miller, Computer Technician, and Cody Spencer, HS Social Studies.

President Binns presented resignations from Nancy Daniels for Jr. Class Sponsor and Kelsey Ng, as HS Dance coach.  Brandon Williams made a motion to accept the resignations as presented. Chuck Sweeton seconded.  Carried 6-0.

Superintendent Pendergraft reported on student accident insurance and wants to evaluate it later in the year to see if this is a cost that the district wishes to continue.  After much discussion about the budget and the cost savings by not carrying this secondary student insurance policy, Brandon Williams made a motion to cancel the current student insurance policy to be effective immediately.  Chuck Sweeton seconded.  Carried 6-0.

Kenneth Boeckman, Lincoln Principal, informed the board that he has been at several districts and he was very impressed with our enrollment process.  He also reported that all of the Pre-school slots are filled.  Preliminary enrollment figures look like Lincoln may be up just a little.  Mr. Boeckman also reported that teachers have been busy working in their classrooms getting ready for school to begin.

Robert Womack, Central Principal reported that enrollment process went smoothly.  Preliminary enrollment figures look like Central will be up about 8 students.  He also reported that teachers have been busy working in their rooms, getting prepared for the beginning of school. He commended all the teachers in the district who are working in their classrooms even before their contract begins.

Jason Walker, MS Principal reported also that the enrollment process went smoothly.  MS preliminary enrollment figures indicate that we will be about even or possibly down just a little.  Mr. Walker expressed his appreciation to the custodial and maintenance staff for making the building look brand new again for the beginning of school.

Cory White, HS Principal also commended the custodial and maintenance staff for the excellent job on preparing the HS building for the beginning of school.  Mr. White reported that over 95% of students that we were expecting to enroll have already enrolled.  Preliminary figures look like the HS will be up about 7 students.  He plans to be checking on the remaining students to see if they have relocated or are planning to enroll.

Roger Reynolds, HS Athletic Director, reported that on August 27, the HS will hold their annual pop scrimmage.  Volleyball will be from 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. with football following from 7:15 – 8:15.  Mr. Avery, Cross Country Coach will also have his cross country team running during halftime of the football game.  He also reported that there was very good attendance for the MS and HS physicals which were given earlier in the month.

Daymon McCorkle, Director of Maintenance, reported that the southwest section of the roof at Lincoln is being repaired.  They have had some delays due to rain showers.  He also reported that they will be finishing up the wifi at the High School so the technology department can finish getting that up and running.  Daymon also complimented his custodian and maintenance staff on the great job they are doing in all of the buildings.  He stated that right now the staff is concentrating on assisting staff in getting things up and ready to begin school.

Arthur Commons, Secondary Curriculum Coordinator expressed his appreciation to the board, Mr. Pendergraft, Mr. White and Mr. Walker as well as the secondary teachers for all of their assistance in getting the curriculum alignment off the ground during the last school year.   He brought the board up to date on the accomplishments for 2014-15.  He also reported what the target areas for the 15-16 school year are.  They include: expanding concurrent courses with LCC from 3 to 8, possibly 12; training science and social studies teachers on curriculum alignment process, etc; evaluating science courses for redundancy and gaps in relation to NGSS; mapping work in BYOC for Science and HGSS; continuation of IA1-2-3 math courses; ELA/Math – lesson entry/revision for tentative publication of curriculum maps in August 2016.

Mary Kirkpatrick made a motion to enter into executive session to discuss non-elected personnel and to discuss negotiations in order to protect the privacy interests of the individuals to be discussed and in order to protect the public interest in negotiating a fair and equitable contract and that we return to open session in this room after a 10 minute period of time.  This executive session shall include the board and the Superintendent.  Chuck Sweeton seconded.  Carried 6-0.

6:52 p.m.  Enter executive session.

7:02 p.m.  Resume regular session.

Chuck Sweeton made a motion to enter into executive session to discuss non-elected personnel and to discuss negotiations in order to protect the privacy interests of the individuals to be discussed and in order to protect the public interest in negotiating a fair and equitable contract and that we return to open session in this room after a 5 minute period of time.  This executive session shall include the board and the Superintendent.  Mary Kirkpatrick seconded.  Carried 6-0.

7:02 p.m.  Enter executive session.

7:07 p.m.  Resume regular session.

Brandon Williams made a motion to enter into executive session to discuss non-elected personnel and to discuss negotiations in order to protect the privacy interests of the individuals to be discussed and in order to protect the public interest in negotiating a fair and equitable contract and that we return to open session in this room after a 5 minute period of time.  This executive session shall include the board and the Superintendent.  Joseph Skye seconded.  Carried 6-0.

7:07 p.m.  Enter executive session.

7:12 p.m.  Resume regular session.

David Pendergraft made a recommendation to add an additional .5% accumulation to the bottom of the BS and BS+15 columns on the negotiated salary schedule in addition to the terms agreed to in the negotiated agreement for the 2015-16 school year with the Baxter Springs Teachers Association.  Chuck Sweeton made a motion to approve the negotiated agreement for 2015-16 with the addendum as presented.  Joseph Skye seconded.  Carried 6-0.    

Brandon Williams made a motion to adjourn.  Dusty Deringer seconded.  Carried 6-0.. 

7:17 p.m.  Meeting adjourned.

Vicki Bradley, Clerk/Board of Education

DeAnne Binns, President/Board of Education