The USD 508 board of education held a regular meeting on Monday, September 14, 2020 at 6:00 p.m. at 100 N Military. Members present were: DeAnne Binns (via Zoom), Dusty Deringer (via Zoom), Casey Eaton, Mary Kirkpatrick, Josh Sweaney (via Zoom), Jami Thiessen (via Zoom) and Brandon Williams (via Zoom). Also present were: David Pendergraft, Superintendent, Carrie Oakes, Board Clerk, Cory White, HS Principal, Kyle Baldridge, HS Assistant Principal, Jason Walker, MS Principal, Robert Womack, CS Principal, Kenny Boeckman, LS Principal, Arthur Roberts, Alternative Learning Director, Arthur Commons, Curriculum Director, Courtney Buck, Technology Integration, Daymon McCorkle, Maintenance Supervisor, Misha Himes, BOE Secretary, Patricia Braden, OPAA Director and Amber Helwig, Cherokee County Advocate.

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

Casey Eaton led the board and guests in the pledge of allegiance and President Deringer led in prayer.

President Deringer extended condolences to the family of L.E. “Bud” Johnson and led the board in a moment of silence.

DeAnne Binns made a motion to approve the agenda as presented. Josh Sweaney seconded. Carried 7-0.

Brandon Williams made a motion to approve the consent agenda which included approval of the bills, approval of minutes from August 10 and 14, 2020 and approval of the treasurer’s report. Jami Thiessen seconded. Carried 7-0.

President Deringer reported on resources that will be made available to parents in regards to remote learning. He also reported on staff recognition. Last, he spoke about gating criteria.

Superintendent Pendergraft recommended raising the substitute teacher rate of pay to $100/day. Mary Kirkpatrick made a motion to accept the recommendation. Jami Thiessen seconded. Carried 7-0.

Superintendent Pendergraft presented changing the sick leave pool policy in the Classified Handbook. President Deringer made a motion  to accept the changes to the 2020-2021 Classified Handbook and to eliminate #12 in the sick pool guidelines. DeAnne Binns seconded. Carried 7-0.

Superintendent Pendergraft presented information on the Payroll Tax Holiday. Casey Eaton recommended not participating in the Payroll Tax Holiday. DeAnne Binns seconded. Carried 7-0.

Superintendent Pendergraft updated the school board on enrollment numbers and the recent Spark grant distributed by the county.

Casey Eaton made a motion to enter into executive session to discuss an individual employee pursuant to the non-elected personnel exception under KOMA, and the open meeting will resume in 15 minutes in the boardroom. This meeting is to include the board, Superintendent and administrators as needed. Mary Kirkpatrick seconded. Carried 7-0.

7:27 p.m. Enter executive session.

7:42 p.m. Resume regular session.

Superintendent Pendergraft presented a resignation from Carolyn Ward as MS Yearbook Sponsor. Jami Thiessen made a motion to accept the resignation as presented. Casey Eaton seconded. Carried 7-0.

Superintendent Pendergraft recommended hiring Caitlin Roberts for HS Assistant Volleyball, Ali Sneed as HS STUCO sponsor and Nicole Conner and Lori Kellum as MS Yearbook sponsors. Brandon Williams made a motion to accept the recommendations as presented. Jami Thiessen seconded. Carried 7-0.

Jami Thiessen commended Holly High for her hard work as school nurse since school began. She also noticed Ross Davis, Courtney Buck and Jared Miller for getting technology into the hands of every student.

Jami Thiessen made a motion to adjourn. Casey Eaton seconded. Carried 7-0.

8:03 p.m. Meeting adjourned.

Carrie Oakes                                                                        Dusty Deringer

Clerk/Board of Education                                                     President/Board of Education