The USD 508 board of education held a regular meeting on Monday, June 14, 2021 at 6:00 p.m. at 1108 Military Ave. Members present were: DeAnne Binns, Dusty Deringer, Casey Eaton, Mary Kirkpatrick, Jami Thiessen and Brandon Williams. Members absent were: Josh Sweaney. Also present were: David Pendergraft, Superintendent, Carrie Oakes, Board Clerk, Cory White, HS Principal, Kenny Boeckman, LS Principal, Art Roberts, Alternative Learning Director, Cord Baldwin, HS Teacher and Amber Helwig, Columbus News-Report. President Deringer called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.

Brandon Williams led the board and guests in the pledge of allegiance.

Brandon Williams made a motion to approve the agenda as presented. Jami Thiessen seconded. Carried 6-0.

Mary Kirkpatrick made a motion to approve the consent agenda which included approval of the bills, approval of minutes from May 10 and June 1 and approval of the treasurer’s report. Casey Eaton seconded. Carried 6-0.

President Deringer opened the hearing on republication of the Virtual Education budget. No one present had any questions or comments. Brandon Williams made a motion to approve the Virtual Education budget as republished. DeAnne Binns seconded. Carried 6-0.

Superintendent Pendergraft presented a resolution to adopt the authority to increase the LOB to 33%. DeAnne Binns made a motion to accept the recommendation. Brandon Williams seconded. Carried 6-0.

President Deringer discussed the July board meeting. President Deringer made a motion to move the July board meeting to Tuesday, July 6. Jami Thiessen seconded. Carried 6-0.

Superintendent Pendergraft updated the board on upcoming changes to the policy handbooks, changes to the district COVID plan and closing out the 2020-2021 budget. Superintendent Pendergraft asked the board for approval for the Superintendent and Clerk to close out the year and make transfers as needed. Brandon Williams made a motion to approve the 2020-2021 closeout. Jami Thiessen seconded. Carried 6-0.

Superintendent Pendergraft requested permission to surplus a 1993 GMC maintenance truck and food trailer and to post on Purple Wave. Casey Eaton made a motion to grant permission for the surplus. Mary Kirkpatrick seconded. Carried 6-0.

Superintendent Pendergraft updated the board on ESSER II funding. Jami Thiessen commended Holly High, school nurse and Kenny Boeckman, athletic director on the ease of the sports physicals.

Mary Kirkpatrick made a motion to enter into executive session to discuss an individual employee pursuant to the non-elected personnel exception under KOMA, and the openmeeting will resume in 15 minutes in the boardroom. This meeting is to include the board, Superintendent and administrators as needed. DeAnne Binns seconded. Carried 6-0.

6:24 p.m. Enter executive session.

6:39 p.m. Resume regular session.

Mary Kirkpatrick made a motion to enter into executive session to discuss property pursuant to the exception for preliminary discussion of the acquisition of real property 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. DeAnne Binns seconded. Carried 6-0.

6:39 p.m. Enter executive session.

6:54 p.m. Resume regular session.

Mary Kirkpatrick made a motion to enter into executive session to discuss property pursuant to the exception for preliminary discussion of the acquisition of real property under KOMA, and the open meeting will resume in 5 minutes in the boardroom. This meeting is to include the board, Superintendent and administrators as needed. DeAnne Binns seconded. Carried 6-0.

6:54 p.m. Enter executive session.

6:59 p.m. Resume regular session.

Superintendent Pendergraft presented a resignation for Rexene Redd for HS Language Arts. Jami Thiessen made a motion to accept the resignation as presented. Casey Eaton seconded. Carried 6-0.

Superintendent Pendergraft recommended hiring Adison Swadley for Secondary Counselor, Thad White for HS Language Arts, Austin Buchanan for HS Assistant Basketball and Kami Butterfield for Senior Sponsor. Brandon Williams made a motion to accept the recommendations. Jami Thiessen seconded. Carried 6-0.

Superintendent Pendergraft recommended the purchase of land and houses at 405 W 15th and 407 W 15th in addition to the adjacent empty corner lot in Baxter Springs for $40,000. Casey Eaton made a motion to accept the recommendation as presented. Mary Kirkpatrick seconded. Carried 6-0.

The board scheduled a special board meeting on Monday, June 21, 2021 at 6:00 pm.

Jami Thiessen made a motion to adjourn. Casey Eaton seconded. Carried 6-0.

7:04 p.m. Meeting adjourned.

Carrie Oakes                                       Dusty Deringer

Clerk/Board of Education                    President/Board of Education