The USD 508 board of education held a regular meeting on Monday, March 7, 2022 at 6:00 p.m. at 1108 Military Ave. Members present were: DeAnne Binns, Linda Crotts, Casey Eaton, Kerri Jensen, Josh Sweaney, Jami Thiessen and Brandon Williams. 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, Steven Bell, First Assembly of God Church and Amber Helwig, Columbus News-Report.
President Eaton called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
Brandon Williams led the board and guests in the pledge of allegiance and Steven Bell led in prayer.
Brandon Williams made a motion to approve the agenda, adding a guest under Item IV. Kerri Jensen seconded. Carried 7-0.
DeAnne Binns made a motion to approve the consent agenda which included approval of the bills, approval of minutes from February 14 and approval of the treasurer’s report. Jami Thiessen seconded. Carried 7-0.
No guests were present to speak at the meeting.
Superintendent Pendergraft recommended approving Remote Learning days for all enrolled students on February 24, 25 for fiscal auditing purposes. DeAnne Binns made a motion to approve the recommendation. Linda Crotts seconded. Carried 7-0.
Superintendent Pendergraft reported on upcoming negotiations, recent building purchases and changes to the district SRO position. Josh Sweaney 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 30 minutes in the boardroom. This meeting is to include the board, Superintendent and administrators as needed. Jami Thiessen seconded. Carried 7-0.
6:17 p.m. Enter executive session.
6:47 p.m. Resume regular session.
Josh Sweaney 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. Jami Thiessen seconded. Carried 7-0.
6:47 p.m. Enter executive session.
7:07 p.m. Resume regular session.
Josh Sweaney 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. Jami Thiessen seconded. Carried 7-0.
7:07 p.m. Enter executive session.
7:27 p.m. Resume regular session.
Josh Sweaney 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. Jami Thiessen seconded. Carried 7-0.
7:27 p.m. Enter executive session.
7:37 p.m. Resume regular session.
Josh Sweaney 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. Jami Thiessen seconded. Carried 7-0.
7:37 p.m. Enter executive session.
7:42 p.m. Resume regular session.
Josh Sweaney 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. Jami Thiessen seconded. Carried 7-0.
7:42 p.m. Enter executive session.
7:52 p.m. Resume regular session.
Superintendent Pendergraft presented letters of resignation from Hannah Hull for HS Language Arts and Taylor Boucher for HS Cheer & Dance. Jami Thiessen made a motion to accept the resignations as presented. Linda Crotts seconded. Carried 7-0.
Superintendent Pendergraft recommended hiring Tiffany Silkey for HS Language Arts.
Josh Sweaney made a motion to accept the recommendation as presented. Kerri Jensen seconded. Carried 7-0.
Casey Eaton made a motion to extend the contract of Superintendent Pendergraft through the 2024-2025 school year. Josh Sweaney seconded. Carried 7-0.
Superintendent Pendergraft made a recommendation to extend all administrator contracts through the 2023-2024 school year. Jami Thiessen made a motion that all administrator contracts be extended through the 2023-2024 school year. Josh Sweaney seconded. Carried 7-0.
Kerri Jensen made a motion to adjourn. Linda Crotts seconded. Carried 7-0.
7:55 p.m. Meeting adjourned.
Carrie Oakes Casey Eaton
Clerk/Board of Education President/Board of Education