The USD 508 board of education held a regular meeting on Monday, August 9, 2021 at 6:00 p.m. at 1108 Military Ave. Members present were: DeAnne Binns, Dusty Deringer, Casey

Eaton, Mary Kirkpatrick (6:16 pm), Jami Thiessen and Brandon Williams. Members absent were: Josh Sweaney. Also present were: David Pendergraft, Superintendent, Carrie Oakes, Board Clerk, Cory White, HS Principal, Cord Baldwin, HS Assistant Principal, Jason Walker, MS Principal, Kevin Wade, CS Principal, Kenny Boeckman, LS Principal, Art Roberts, Alternative Learning Director, Arthur Commons, Curriculum Coordinator 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.

Jami Thiessen made a motion to approve the agenda as presented. DeAnne Binns seconded. Carried 5-0.

Brandon Williams made a motion to approve the consent agenda which included approval of the bills, approval of minutes from July 6 and approval of the treasurer’s report. Casey Eaton seconded. Carried 5-0.

President Deringer addressed the board and submitted his resignation from the board effective   immediately. Jami Thiessen made a motion to accept the resignation. Casey Eaton seconded. Carried 4-0.

After the board accepted the resignation, Mr. Deringer left the meeting. (6:04 pm)

DeAnne Binns made a motion to appoint Brandon Williams to Board President. Jami Thiessen seconded. Carried 4-0.

DeAnne Binns made a motion to appoint Casey Eaton to Board Vice President. Jami Thiessen seconded. Carried 4-0.

President Williams reported on recent teacher negotiations.

Superintendent Pendergraft reported on substitute teacher rate of pay and recommended raising to $105/day. Casey Eaton made a motion to increase the rate of pay as recommended. DeAnne Binns seconded. Carried 4-0.

Superintendent Pendergraft reported on enrollment, reopening guidelines and daycare updates.

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 open meeting will resume in 20 minutes in the boardroom. This meeting is to include the board, Superintendent and administrators as needed. DeAnne Binns seconded. Carried 5-0.

6:38 p.m. Enter executive session.

6:58 p.m. Resume regular session.

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 open meeting will resume in 10 minutes in the boardroom. This meeting is to include the board, Superintendent and administrators as needed. DeAnne Binns seconded. Carried 5-0.

6:58 p.m. Enter executive session.

7:08 p.m. Resume regular session.

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 open meeting will resume in 10 minutes in the boardroom. This meeting is to include the board, Superintendent and administrators as needed. DeAnne Binns seconded. Carried 5-0.

7:08 p.m. Enter executive session.

7:18 p.m. Resume regular session.

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 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 5-0.

7:18 p.m. Enter executive session.

7:23 p.m. Resume regular session.

Superintendent Pendergraft presented a retirement letter from Jo Sweeton as elementary para. Mary Kirkpatrick made a motion to accept the resignation as presented. Casey Eaton seconded. Carried 5-0.

Superintendent Pendergraft recommended hiring Mary Hixon, AJ Himes, and Trish Hull as paras, Shiloh Murphy as maintenance/custodial, Kyler Cook as HS Assistant Baseball and Alan Hibler as MS Assistant Football. Jami Thiessen made a motion to accept the recommendations as presented. DeAnne Binns seconded. Carried 5-0. 

Superintendent Pendergraft presented changes to the negotiated agreement.

Casey Eaton made a motion to approve the negotiated agreement for 2021-2022 as presented. DeAnne Binns seconded. Carried 5-0.

Superintendent Pendergraft recommended a 2.82% increase for classified and administrative staff. Casey Eaton made a motion to approve the recommendation. Jami Thiessen seconded. Carried 5-0.

Jami Thiessen made a motion to adjourn. Mary Kirkpatrick seconded. Carried 5-0.

7:28 p.m. Meeting adjourned.

Carrie Oakes                                                                             Brandon Williams

Clerk/Board of Education                                                         President/Board of Education