The Baxter Springs board of education held a regular meeting on Monday, March 7, 2016 at 6:00 p.m. at 1108 Military. Members present were: Joseph Skye, Dusty Deringer, DeAnne Binns, Josh Sweaney, Chuck Sweeton, Brandon Williams and Mary Kirkpatrick. Also present were: David Pendergraft, Superintendent, Vicki Bradley, Clerk, Roger Reynolds, HS Asst. Principal, Jason Walker, MS Principal, Robert Womack, Central Principal, Ken Boeckman, Lincoln Principal, Art Roberts, Alternative Learning Director, Daymon McCorkle, Bert Kellum of Kingrey-Kellum Agency, Cyndi Sutterby, Director of Nutrition Services Director, Steve Adams, State Representative for Opaa!, Linda Jones, Director of Nutrition Outreach for Opaa! and Holly Morris, Regional Director of Operations for Opaa!
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 adopt the agenda as printed. Brandon Williams seconded. Carried 7-0.
Joseph Skye made a motion to approve the consent agenda which included payment of bills, approval of minutes of February 8, 2016 meeting and approval of the treasurer’s report. Mary Kirkpatrick seconded. Carried 7-0.
Opaa! Food Service Management employees, Steve Adams, Linda Jones, Holly Morris and Cyndi Sutterby discussed the food service program with the board. After a lengthy discussion, Chuck Sweeton made a motion to form a committee comprised of board members, administration and Opaa! to meet and work together to find solutions to the problems discussed. Brandon Williams seconded. Carried 7-0.
President Binns reported on a board planning session with the date and place to be determined.
Superintendent Pendergraft presented resignations from Sharon Cannon as elementary teacher, Kris Crotts as Head Girls Basketball Coach, Jennifer Hancock, as HS Musical Choreographer, Casey Davidson as HS Custodian and Roger Reynolds as HS Athletic Director. Brandon Williams made a motion to accept the resignations as presented. Chuck Sweeton seconded. Carried 7-0.
Ken Boeckman, Lincoln Principal presented a proposal for the possibility to add the use of a therapy dog at Lincoln. Questions arose from the board about the liability issue in having a therapy dog in the building.
Josh Sweaney made a motion to table the proposal on obtaining a therapy dog until the liability insurance issue is resolved. Brandon Williams seconded. Carried 7-0.
Robert Womack, Central Principal, reported on a recent PTO sponsored basketball game which was held at the high school. This event raised approximately $3,000 and was well received by the community. He also reported on the annual 4th grade wax museum which was recently held at Central. This year the museum was expanded from Kansas figures to include the entire United States. Mr. Womack also reported that a tornado drill was held today and that because of the tornadoes in recent years in our area, he always explains to the students ahead of time that this is only a drill. He also reported on state assessment testing. One of the board members asked Mr. Womack about designated parking for teachers at Central. Mr. Womack informed the board that he had been told in the past that when they repave the high school parking lot, that the teacher parking area north of Central School would be paved at that time as well.
Jason Walker, MS Principal reported on assessment testing in his building. He also reported that MS track practice began today, with 60 students participating.
Roger Reynolds, HS Assistant Principal reported on Career Day which was held today at the High School. He extended his appreciation to Jami Thiessen for organizing this event. He also extended his appreciation to board members, Josh Sweaney, Dusty Deringer and Mary Kirkpatrick for their participation in this event.
Mr. Reynolds also reported that Principal Cory White was at the Lions Club Senior Honors Banquet tonight in which the various departments recognize outstanding Senior students. He also reported on; state assessment testing; blood drive to be held March 24; and a workshop for students and teachers for the ACT test. He extended his congratulations to the HS Jazz Band for receiving a II rating at the recent jazz festival which was held at PSU. He commended Mr. Morgan and the jazz band for their performances at the sub-state basketball games and has received many compliments on the jazz band. Mr. Reynolds also extended congratulations to both the girls and boys basketball teams for a great season and extended his appreciation to everyone who assisted with the Sub-State Basketball tournament.
Art Roberts, Alternative Learning Director reported that two students have met their requirements for graduation since Christmas and he extended his congratulations to them. He also reported that the FY16 virtual school audit is complete, with only a couple of minor issues that need to be corrected. Mr. Roberts also reported that virtual students are also required to take the state assessment tests and they are preparing for that testing.
Superintendent Pendergraft informed the board that Art Roberts has been chosen as one of five Virtual Program Directors across the state to speak at the Virtual School Conference in Wichita. The board extended their congratulations to Mr. Roberts.
Daymon McCorkle, Director of Maintenance, reported that since it is storm season, all of the key holders to the shelters have been contacted and procedures have been gone over with them. As a reminder, he stated that the shelters will be open to the public only in the event of a tornado warning. He reported that after the flooding at the HS track, there was damage to the track and a claim has been filed.
Bert Kellum of Kingrey-Kellum Agency, met with the board to bring them up to date on where we are on the claim for the HS track. He reported on meetings with the adjuster and with Daymon McCorkle. He is waiting on a determination from the insurance company,
Cory White arrived from Lions Club Banquet and was present for the remainder of the meeting.
Brandon Williams made a motion to enter into executive session to discuss non-elected personnel and negotiations in order to protect the privacy of the individuals to be discussed and to protect the public interest in negotiating a fair and equitable contract and that we return to open session in this room after a 30 minute period of time. This session is to include the board only for the first part of the session and then they will invite the Superintendent in for the rest of the session. Josh Sweaney seconded. Carried 7-0.
7:46 p.m. Enter executive session.
8:16 p.m. Resume regular session
Dusty Deringer made a motion to enter into executive session to discuss non-elected personnel and negotiations in order to protect the privacy of the individuals to be discussed and 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 session is to include the board and Superintendent. Josh Sweaney seconded. Carried 7-0.
8:16 p.m. Enter executive session.
8:26 p.m. Resume regular session.
Joseph Skye made a motion to enter into executive session to discuss non-elected personnel and negotiations in order to protect the privacy of the individuals to be discussed and 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 session is to include the board and Superintendent. Brandon Williams seconded. Carried 7-0.
8:26 pm. Enter executive session.
8:36 p.m. Resume regular session.
Joseph Skye made a motion to extend the Superintendent and Building Principals contracts for one year making the Superintendents contract through FY2019 and the principals contracts through FY18. Chuck Sweeton seconded. Carried 7-0.
Cory White, HS Principal made a recommendation to hire Chris Swartz for HS Technology Education. Dusty Deringer made a motion to accept the recommendation of Cory White to hire Chris Swartz as HS Technology Education teacher for the 2016-17 school year. Josh Sweaney seconded. Carried 7-0.
Superintendent Pendergraft made a motion to assign Chris Swartz as HS Athletic Director for the 2016-17 school year. Joseph Skye made a motion to accept the recommendation of David Pendergraft to hire Chris Swartz as HS Athletic Director for the 2016-17 school year. Mary Kirkpatrick seconded. Carried 7-0.
Brandon Williams made a motion to adjourn. Josh Sweaney seconded Carried 7-0.
8:48 p.m. Meeting adjourned.
Vicki Bradley DeAnne Binns
Clerk/Board of Education President/Board of Education