The Baxter Springs board of education held a regular meeting on Monday, February 13, 2017 at 6:00 p.m. at 1108 Military.  Members present were:  DeAnne BInns, Chuck Sweeton, Mary Kirkpatrick, Casey Eaton, Dusty Deringer and Josh Sweaney.  Members absent were:  Brandon Williams.   Also present were:  David Pendergraft, Superintendent, Vicki Bradley, Clerk, Jason Walker, MS Principal, Robert Womack, Central Principal, Chris Swartz, HS Athletic Director, Art Roberts, Alternative Learning Director and Jim Hoskins, patron. 

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

Josh Sweaney led the board and guests in the pledge of allegiance.

Dusty Deringer made a motion approve the agenda as presented.  Josh Sweaney seconded.  Carried 6-0.

Mary Kirkpatrick made a motion to approve the consent agenda

which included the approval of payment of bills, approval of minutes of the January 9, 2017 meeting and approval of the treasurer’s report.  Casey Eaton seconded.  Carried 6-0.

President Binns reported that the evaluation for the Superintendent will be conducted at the March meeting.

Jim Hoskins addressed the board on behalf of the Ronald O. Thomas Foundation.  The foundation would like to gift a property located at 705 Military to the school to be renovated by the BHS Construction Trades Class and sold.   It is the wishes of the foundation that upon sale of the property, the proceeds will be equally divided between the Necessities Closet and the Construction Trades program at Baxter High School. 

Chuck Sweeton made a motion to accept the donation of the property located at 705 Military from the Ronald O. Thomas Foundation as presented.  Dusty Deringer seconded.  Carried 6-0. 

Superintendent Pendergraft asked the board to approve the calendar for the 2017-18 school year.  Mr. Pendergraft  presented two proposed school calendars that had been given to staff to vote on, and the majority of the staff voting chose Calendar A. (copy attached)  Chuck Sweeton made a motion to adopt Calendar A for the 2017-18 school year as presented.  Mary Kirkpatrick seconded.  Carried 5 -1, with Josh Sweaney abstaining. 

David Pendergraft gave a legislative update on school finance and possible cuts to school budgets across the state.

Superintendent Pendergraft reported that the district was able to obtain 400 auditorium chairs from a church in Kansas City at no cost to the district.  These will be used in the High School Auditorium and will be available to us sometime in April 2017.  This will save the district approximately $57,000 in replacement costs.  He also reported that the maintenance crew will begin power washing the awning entrance at BHS in the near future.

Building administrator reports were as follows:

Lincoln School – Kindergarten screening will be held on Thursday, March 9.  This is for any student who will be 5 years of age on or before September 1, 2017.  This is for any child who is not currently enrolled at Baxter Springs and plans to attend kindergarten next year.

Child Find Screening will be held on Friday, March 10.  This is for any child whose parents have a developmental concern for their child and for any child that currently does not attend pre-school classes in Baxter Springs.  Parents are encouraged to call the school to schedule an appointment.

A new convection oven has been installed at Lincoln School.  This allows FS personnel to cook certain items on site which ensures hot, fresh items for the students.

The book fair will be taking place at Lincoln School February 27 – March 3, with family reading night on February 28.

Central School – Principal Robert Womack reported that the PTO will take students to see the movie “Hidden Figures.”  Any parent who wishes for their child to opt out of attending this movie will be able to do so.  He also reported that on February 24, the PTO will take on the Baxter Springs Police & Fire Department in a volleyball game as a fund raising activity. 

Middle School – Principal Jason Walker reported the MS basketball season is over.  He extended his appreciation to the coaches and students for their hard work and enjoyed watching the students progress and learn in this sport.  He also expressed his appreciation to Judy Hill at American Bank for sponsoring the “Shoot for Cash” at each home game.  American Bank is a great supporter of BMS activities and Mr. Walker wanted to thank them publicly for their support.  Mr. Walker also reported that MS girls basketball uniforms need to be replaced.  He is working on obtaining the best deal for the district.

Mr. Walker reported that sixty-two 8^th grade students who were randomly selected will be participating in the NAEP test (National Assessment of Educational Progress). 

He also reported that the league is discussing options for the basketball season and a vote will be taken on April 17.  The option chosen will take effect beginning in the 2018-19 school year.

High School – Several BHS seniors were being recognized tonight at the annual Kent Warstler Senior Awards Banquet.  Appreciation was expressed to the Lions Club for their generosity and support.

Student activities include boys & girls basketball teams earning runner-up at the Lancer Classic; sub state will be held in Girard, March 2-4; Basketball Royalty is Emma Smith, Homecoming Queen and Bailey Parker, Homecoming King; Coach Bob Robinson and his wife Patsy were honored on February 10 during halftime of the boys basketball game.  Coach Bob had over 400 wins and was inducted into the Kansas Basketball Hall of Fame.  Congratulations to Coach Bob; Athletic signings include Kaid Karnes – Cowley County for baseball, Mason Hartley at Mid-America Nazarene University for football and Matt Miles at Baker University for football.  Spring sports will begin at the end of the month.

ACT was given this past Saturday to 24 students; Scholars Bowl continues to compete well; Nine Senior students were recognized by the KU Alumni Assoc as a top 10% academic member.  They were honored in Pittsburg and include, Riley Abernathy, Karley Bailey, Tyler Bottorff, Alexis Dewey, Jazmyne Graves, Shayla Hopkins, Alisha House, Drake Shaw and Sarah Spencer.  Congratulations to these students.

Brenda Locke and Louis Morgan held a daddy-daughter date night at the Ritz for a fund raiser for the Culture & Cuisine trip to KC this coming weekend.  Staff is working on addressing processes of accreditation; Career & Tech Ed teachers have met to perform annual expectations mandated by KSDE; Community Blood Drive is slated for February 28 at BHS.

Alternative Learning – Art Roberts, Director reported that four students have met their requirements for graduation.  He said that possibly 8-10 students could graduate by the years end.    He also reported that he will be attending the virtual school state conference at the end of February.

Josh Sweaney made a motion to enter into executive session to discuss non-elected personnel in order to protect the privacy interests of the individuals to be discussed and that we return to open session in this room after a 5 minute period of time.  This session is to include the board and Superintendent.    Casey Eaton seconded.  Carried 6-0.

7:17 p.m.  Enter executive session.

7:22 p.m.  Resume regular session.

President Binns presented a resignation from Casi Shaw for 7^th grade girls basketball and from Tammi Blevins for MS Cheerleading.   Mary Kirkpatrick made a motion to accept the resignations of Casi Shaw and Tammi Blevins as presented.  Josh Sweaney seconded.  Carried 6-0.

Casey Eaton made a motion to adjourn.  Josh Sweaney seconded.  Carried 6-0.

7:24 p.m.  Meeting adjourned.

Vicki Bradley                                                      DeAnne Binns

Clerk/Board of  Education                         President/Board of Education