The Baxter Springs board of education held a regular meeting on Monday, August 14, 2017 at 6:00 p.m. at 1108 Military. Members present were: DeAnne BInns, Mary Kirkpatrick, Dusty Deringer, Chuck Sweeton, Casey Eaton and Josh Sweaney (6:12 p.m.) Members absent were: Brandon Williams. Also present were: David Pendergraft, Superintendent, Vicki Bradley, Clerk, Cory White, HS Principal, Roger Reynolds, HS Assistant Principal, Jason Walker, MS Principal, Robert Womack, Central Principal, Ken Boeckman, Lincoln Principal, Art Roberts, Alternative Learning Director, Stephanie Dewey, MS Teacher, Allen Hibler, MS Teacher & HS basketball coach, Les Dyke, MS Teacher, Lacey Hight, Lincoln Teacher and family, and Chris Swartz, HS Athletic Director.
President BInns called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
Dusty Deringer led the board and guests in the pledge of allegiance.
Mary Kirkpatrick made a motion to approve the agenda as printed. Dusty Deringer seconded. Carried 5-0.
Chuck Sweeton made a motion to approve the consent agenda which included approval of the bills, approval of minutes of July 10th, 2017 board meeting and approval of the treasurers report. Mary Kirkpatrick seconded. Carried 5-0.
Jason Walker, MS Principal introduced new teachers, Allen Hibler and Les Dyke to the board.
Lacey Hight met with the board and expressed her appreciation to the board for allowing her to teach here for the last nine years as she is submitting her resignation tonight. She requested that the board waive the late resignation fee. President Binns said the board will consider her request in executive session later in the board meeting.
Casey Eaton brought the board up to date on the Interlocal Board of which he is the representative for USD#508.
Josh Sweaney arrived at 6:12 p.m. and was present for the remainder of the meeting.
President Binns reported that several patrons have commented to her on how well the grounds look and she wanted to commend the grounds crew on a job well done.
Superintendent Pendergraft presented a letter of resignation from Lacey Hight as teacher to be effective immediately.
Chuck Sweeton made a motion to accept the resignation of Lacey Hight as presented. Mary Kirkpatrick seconded. Carried 6-0.
Superintendent Pendergraft presented policy IIBF Acceptable Use Guidelines, for approval. Chuck Sweeton made a motion to approve policy IIBF as presented. Dusty Deringer seconded. Carried 6-0.
Superintendent Pendergraft presented policy GAAF for the board to consider and to approve at next months meeting.
Superintendent Pendergraft reported on security cameras for Lincoln and Central School at a cost of $15,077 for Lincoln and $15,020 for Central.
Dusty Deringer made a motion to approve the purchase of security cameras for Lincoln School at a cost of $15,077 and for Central School at a cost of $15,020 as presented. Chuck Sweeton seconded. Carried 6-0.
Superintendent Pendergraft reported on the stoplight at BHS.
Superintendent Pendergraft reported on vehicles that the district needs to purchase. He presented bids from the state bid list for a Ford Fusion, a Ford Taurus and a Chevy Suburban.
Chuck Sweeton made a motion to allow purchase of suburban if less than $40,000 and a Ford Fusion if less than $18,000 and to research the purchase of a Ford Transit if less than $30,000. Mary Kirkpatirck seconded.
After discussion, Chuck Sweeton withdrew his motion.
Dusty Deringer made a motion to give Superintendent Pendergraft authority to purchase a Ford Fusion if less than $18,000.00. Mary Kirkpatrick seconded. Carried 5-1 with Josh Sweaney abstaining.
Superintendent Pendergraft will research purchasing either a Suburban or a Ford Transit and will report back to the board before purchasing.
Building Reports were heard as follows:
· LINCOLN – Principal Ken Boeckman reported on a positive start today with staff for the 2017-18 year. He reported that he has two new inter-local employees and a new music teacher. He reported on preliminary enrollment figures stating that kindergarten is up from early projected numbers, pre-school is close to what we had last year and overall, Lincoln could be down from last year due to losing a large 2nd grade class and lower number of pre-school and kindergarten. Will know more after start of school on Wednesday.
· CENTRAL – Principal Robert Womack wanted to extend his appreciation to the custodial staff for a job well done this summer. He reported that teachers reported back to work officially today, but many have been working in their rooms for the past 2 weeks. He reported preliminary enrollment figures should be about the same as last year.
· MIDDLE SCHOOL – Principal Jason Walker extended his appreciation to the maintenance and custodial crews for a job well done this summer. He stated that they are very proud of their building and conveys that to staff and students. He stated that preliminary enrollment figures are pretty much the same as last year. He expressed his appreciation to the board for allowing the first day of school at the MS to be only for 7th graders as this has proved to be a critical part of their successful MS career. He and the staff are very appreciative of the support for this. Mr. Walker also reported that Volleyball and football practice began tonight.
· HIGH SCHOOL – Principal Cory White said he had an upbeat and positive staff today. Everyone was very excited about the new auditorium seating and all appreciated the hard work of the maintenance and custodial crews. Mr. White reported that the accreditation process is moving forward as we transition to a new era. He also reported that fall sports practices began today for volleyball, cross-country, girls golf and football.
· ALTERNATIVE LEARNING – Director Art Roberts reported that adults are already turning out for class. He is expecting about 15-20 students and they are ready to begin the new year.
Josh Sweaney made a motion to enter into executive session to discuss individual employees performance and to consider an employees request for waiver of fees for a late resignation pursuant to the non-elected personnel exemption under KOMA, and the open meeting will resume in the board room at 7:14 p.m. This session shall include the board and Superintendent. Casey Eaton seconded. Carried 6-0.
6:59 p.m. Enter executive session.
7:14 p.m. Resume regular session.
Dusty Deringer made a motion to enter into executive session to discuss individual employees performance pursuant to the non-elected personnel exemption under KOMA, and the open meeting will resume in the board room at 7:25 p.m. This session shall include the board and Superintendent. Mary Kirkpatrick seconded. Carried 6-0.
7:15 p.m. Enter executive session.
7:25 p.m. Resume regular session.
Mary Kirkpatrick made a motion to enter into executive session to have discussion concerning negotiations with certified staff pursuant to the exception for employer-employee negotiations under KOMA and the open meeting will resume in the board room at 7:30 p.m. This session shall include the board and Superintendent. Casey Eaton seconded. Carried 6-0.
7:25 p.m. Enter executive session.
7:30 p.m. Resume regular session.
Chuck Sweeton made a motion to approve the negotiated agreement for 2017-18 as presented. Josh Sweaney seconded. Carried 6-0.
The board expressed their appreciation to the staff and administration for a job well done and feel we have a good agreement for 2017-18.
Superintendent Pendergraft recommended a 4.72% increase for classified staff which is the same as certified staff. Chuck Sweeton made a motion to approve the 4.72% increase for classified staff as recommended by Superintendent Pendergraft. Josh Sweaney seconded. Carried 6-0.
Superintendent Pendergraft recommended a 4.72% increase for administrative staff which is the same as certified staff. Chuck Sweeton made a motion to approve the 4.72% increase for administrative staff as recommended by Superintendent Pendergraft. Josh Sweaney seconded. Carried 6-0.
Cory White, HS Principal presented a letter of resignation from Leslie Bowman as Scholar Bowl Sponsor. Dusty Deringer made a motion to accept the resignation of Leslie Bowman as scholar bowl sponsor. Mary Kirkpatrick seconded. Carried 6-0.
Casey Eaton made a motion to adjourn. Mary Kirkpatrick seconded. Carried 6-0.
7:36 p.m. Meeting adjourned.
Vicki Bradley DeAnne Binns
Clerk/Board of Education President/Board of Education