The Baxter Springs board of education held a regular meeting on Monday, December 14, 2015 at 6:00 p.m. at 1108 Military. Members present were: DeAnne Binns, Joseph Skye, Brandon Williams, Chuck Sweeton, Dusty Deringer and Josh Sweaney. Members absent were: Mary Kirkpatrick. Also present were: David Pendergraft, Superintendent, Vicki Bradley, Clerk, Cory White, HS Principal, Robert Womack, Central Principal, Ken Boeckman, Lincoln Principal, Art Roberts, Alternative Learning Director, Ross Davis, Technology Director and Courtney Buck, Technology Department.
President Binns called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
Brandon Williams led the board and guests in the pledge of allegiance.
Joseph Skye made a motion to approve the agenda as printed. Josh Sweaney seconded. Carried 6-0.
Dusty Deringer made a motion to approve the consent agenda which included approval of the bills, minutes of the November 9, 2015 meeting and approval of the treasurer’s report. Brandon Williams seconded. Carried 6-0.
Ross Davis, Technology Director presented a request to establish a Necessities Closet to be located at the High School building for students in grades 7-12. It was the consensus of the board to allow Mr. Davis to proceed with establishing the Necessities Closet as presented.
Superintendent Pendergraft expressed his appreciation to the Kiwanis Club for their recent donation of $5,000 to purchase iPads to be used at Lincoln School in the after school program. He also reported on the recent trip to Williamsburg and commended the students who were on that trip.
Ken Boeckman, Lincoln Principal, also expressed his appreciation to the Kiwanis Club for not only their recent donation, but for coming to school and reading to students and other projects they assist with. He also presented plans to change the grading system at Lincoln School for 1st and 2nd grades. They will be changing to a traditional grading system. Information will be sent home to the parents with the grade cards as semester on the grading change.
Robert Womack, Central Principal reported on a very successful Christmas program and commended the students and Mrs. Hancock for a great job. He also reported that this Thursday will be Christmas movie day for all students, and that upon return from Christmas vacation, the teachers will be having an in-service day. Mr. Womack also reported that beginning in the 2016-17 school year, Central will be going to self-contained classrooms instead of departmentalized classrooms.
Cory White, HS Principal reported on the recent Hometown Heroes banquet, blood drive, and National Honor Society induction ceremony. Mr. White reported that the Christmas concert for band and choir is tonight. He also reported that basketball season is underway with the last game before Christmas break being tomorrow night. Mr. White reported that we had five football players receive CNC honors. They are as follows:
Doug Dardenne; 2nd team running back, honorable mention defense.
Matt Miles; 2nd team offensive line.
Narciso Ortiz; 2nd team linebacker
Jarret Dotson; honorable mention defense.
AJ Himes; honorable mention offense.
Art Roberts, Alternative Learning Director reported that two classes have been changed out in the Virtual Education program. Classes that were removed from the curriculum were Trigonometry and Survey of World History. Classes added were Algebra II and Introduction to Technology. He also reported that one adult has recently completed all requirements for graduation and has received a diploma. Mr. Roberts also reported that he has received a KSDE draft of a diploma completion program to review and comment on and informed the board that the virtual program will be monitored again this year by KSDE.
Chuck Sweeton made a motion to enter into executive session to discuss personnel matters of non-elected personnel and to have preliminary discussions about the acquisition of real property in order to protect the privacy interests of the individuals to be discussed and to protect the public interest in obtaining the property at a fair price, and that we return to open session in this room after a 15 minute period of time. This executive session shall include the board and the Superintendent. Brandon Williams seconded. Carried 6-0.
7:03 p.m. Enter executive session.
7:18 p.m. Resume regular session.
Dusty Deringer made a motion to enter into executive session to discuss personnel matters of non-elected personnel and to have preliminary discussions about the acquisition of real property in order to protect the privacy interests of the individuals to be discussed and to protect the public interest in obtaining the property at a fair price, and that we return to open session in this room after a 15 minute period of time. This executive session shall include the board and the Superintendent. Joseph Skye seconded. Carried 6-0.
7:19 p.m. Enter executive session.
7:34 p.m. Resume regular session.
Dusty Deringer made a motion to enter into executive session to discuss personnel matters of non-elected personnel and to have preliminary discussions about the acquisition of real property in order to protect the privacy interests of the individuals to be discussed and to protect the public interest in obtaining the property at a fair price, 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. Brandon Williams seconded. Carried 6-0.
7:35 p.m. Enter executive session.
7:45 p.m. Resume regular session.
Joseph Skye made a motion to enter into executive session to discuss personnel matters of non-elected personnel and to have preliminary discussions about the acquisition of real property in order to protect the privacy interests of the individuals to be discussed and to protect the public interest in obtaining the property at a fair price, 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. Dusty Deringer seconded. Carried 6-0.
7:46 p.m. Enter executive session.
7:56 p.m. Resume regular session.
Comments and concerns from the board included replacing ceiling tiles in the HS commons area and the school resource officer duties.
Chuck Sweeton made a motion to adjourn. Brandon Williams seconded. Carried 6-0.
7:59 p.m. Meeting adjourned.
Vicki Bradley DeAnne BInns
Clerk/Board of Education President/Board of Education