The USD 508 board of education held a regular meeting on Monday, May 8, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. at 1108 Military Ave. Members present were: DeAnne Binns, Linda Crotts, Casey Eaton, Kerri Jensen, Jami Thiessen and Carrie Williams. Members absent were: Josh Sweaney. Also present were: David Pendergraft, Superintendent, Carrie Oakes, Board Clerk, Cory White, HS Principal, Jason Walker, MS Principal, Kevin Wade, CS Principal, Art Roberts, Alternative Learning Director, Jess McMinn, OPAA! Director, Bert Kellum and Steve Bell, First Assembly of God.

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

Jami Thiessen led the board and guests in the pledge of allegiance and Steve Bell led in prayer.

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

Linda Crotts made a motion to approve the consent agenda which included approval of the bills, approval of minutes from April 10 and approval of the treasurer’s report. Carrie Williams seconded. Carried 6-0.

Superintendent Pendergraft presented resolution #050823 for the County Neighborhood Revitalization Plan and the Inter Local Agreement/Neighborhood Revitalization Plan to be signed by the Superintendent. Carrie Williams made a motion to approve the resolution as presented. DeAnne Binns seconded. Carried 6-0.

Superintendent Pendergraft updated the board on the food service contract renewal and recommended that the district accept a bid from OPAA Food Service for the 2023-2024 school year. Kerri Jensen made a motion to accept the recommendation as presented. Jami Thiessen seconded. Carried 6-0.

Superintendent Pendergraft updated the board on the Needs Assessmentprocess and will continue gathering input and will make a presentation at the June board meeting.

Superintendent Pendergraft reported the audit revealed additional funding is available in the General, At Risk, SE and Virtual funds. Superintendent

Pendergraft asked the board to republish the budgets in order to capture these funds. Kerri Jensen made a motion to support Superintendent Pendergraft’s request to republish. Carrie Williams seconded. Carried 6-0.

Jami Thiessen made a motion to enter into executive session to discuss an individual employee 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. Linda Crotts seconded. Carried 6-0.

6:42 p.m. Enter executive session.

6:57 p.m. Resume regular session.

Jami Thiessen made a motion to enter into executive session to discuss an individual employee 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. Linda Crotts seconded. Carried 6-0.

6:57 p.m. Enter executive session.

7:07 p.m. Resume regular session.

Superintendent Pendergraft presented a retirement letter from Lawana Binns as Elementary Secretary, and resignation letters from Shelly Bottorff, Junior Sponsor, Nancy Daniels, Junior Sponsor, Art Roberts, Senior Sponsor and Kenny Boeckman, HS Athletic Director. Linda Crotts made a motion to accept the retirement/resignations as presented. Kerri Jensen seconded. Carried 6-0. 

Superintendent Pendergraft made a recommendation to hire Sam Eddington for MS Football Coach. Jami Thiessen made a motion to accept the recommendation as presented. Carrie Williams seconded. Carried 6-0.

Superintendent Pendergraft made a recommendation to renew certified contracts for the 2023-2024 school year. Kerri Jensen made a motion to accept the recommendation. DeAnne Binns seconded. Carried 6-0

7:11 p.m. Meeting adjourned.

Carrie Oakes                            Casey Eaton

Clerk/Board of Education         President/Board of Education