The Baxter Springs board of education held a regular meeting on Monday, July 13, 2015 at 6:00 p.m. at 1108 Military. Members present were: DeAnne Binns, Mary Kirkpatrick, Joseph Skye, Dusty Deringer, Josh Sweaney,(6:03) and Chuck Sweeton. Members absent were: Brandon Williams. Also present were: David Pendergraft, Superintendent, Vicki Bradley, Clerk, Cory White, H.S. Principal, Jason Walker, M.S. Principal, Art Roberts, Alternative Learning Center Director and Rev. Roger Scantlin of Spring River Assembly of God Church.
President Binns called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Chuck Sweeton led the board and guests in the pledge of allegiance. Rev. Roger Scantlin led the board and guests in a word of prayer.
Josh Sweaney arrived at 6:03 and was present for the remainder of the meeting.
Joseph Skye made a motion to adopt the agenda removing Item V, as that item is included on the consent agenda. Mary Kirkpatrick seconded. Carried 6-0.
DeAnne Binns opened the floor for nominations for president.
Chuck Sweeton nominated DeAnne Binns for president. Josh Sweaney moved that nominations cease and DeAnne Binns be elected president for 2015-16 by acclamation. Chuck Sweeton seconded. Carried 5-0 with DeAnne Binns abstaining.
President Binns thanked the board for the vote of confidence in electing her as president and opened the floor for nominations for vice-president. Chuck Sweeton nominated Mary Kirkpatrick. Joseph Skye made a motion that nominations cease and Mary Kirkpatrick be elected vice-president by acclamation for 2015-16. Josh Sweaney seconded. Carried 6-0.
Chuck made a motion to appoint Dusty Deringer as Governmental Relations Contact and Joseph Skye as Interlocal #637 Board member for 2015-16. Mary Kirkpatrick seconded. Carried 6-0.
Joseph Skye made a motion to approve the consent agenda as printed. Chuck Sweeton seconded. Carried 6-0.
President BInns presented a letter of resignation from Darrel Dinger as technology technician effective July 10. Dusty Deringer made a motion to accept the resignation of Darrel Dinger as presented. Joseph Skye seconded. Carried 6-0.
Superintendent Pendergraft reported to the board on the recent budget workshop that he attended last week at Greenbush. He also reported the cash balances as of July 1, 2014 to the board.
Jason Walker, MS Principal, reported that Art Roberts, Alternative Learning Director, has been working diligently with MS students to make up their requirements. All of the students, with the exception of one, have met their requirements. He expressed his appreciation to Mr. Roberts for helping these students complete the requirements and stay on track.
Mr. Walker and Cory White, HS Principal discussed handbooks for both the MS and HS regarding attendance. The recommendations are as follows for both HS and MS handbooks:
If a student is tardy less than 20 minutes, the first and second times will result in a warning. The third, fourth and fifth time will result in detention. Any tardies beyond that will result in a day of ALC. This is current policy and will remain the same.
A new policy will be:
If a student is tardy by more than 20 minutes to first hour, the first and second times will be automatic detention. The third time and beyond will automatically result in Friday evening school from 3:15 – 6:15 p.m.
For Middle School only, the following change is recommended:
For finals, a student may be absent up to three times with an accompanying doctors note and be exempt from finals. This is to bring the MS handbook in line with the current HS handbook policy regarding exemptions from finals.
For High School only, the following change is recommended:
1. Striking the following rule under dress code: Facial, tongue, nose, or body piercing (except for the ears) will not be allowed.
Mr. White recommended striking this rule and asked that discretion be allowed by administration if any piercings are a distraction to the learning environment and for those to be dealt with on an individual basis.
Chuck Sweeton made a motion to approve the changes recommended by Cory White to the HS handbook and to approve changes recommended by Jason Walker to the MS handbook as presented. Joseph Skye seconded. Carried 6-0.
Art Roberts, Alternative Learning Director reported that on June 19, three graduates received their HS diplomas. He also reported that the virtual program has been approved by the State for the 2015-16 school year. Superintendent Pendergraft informed the board on how the state was going to fund virtual students in the 2015-16 school year as well as funding for adults attending virtual school. Mr. Roberts also presented a copy of the handbook for the Virtual School program for approval.
Dusty Deringer made a motion to approve the virtual school handbook as presented. Josh Sweaney seconded. Carried 6-0.
Mary Kirkpatrick left the meeting at 7:21 p.m. and was not present for the remainder of the meeting.
Josh Sweaney made a motion to enter into executive session to discuss personnel matters of non-elected personnel in order to protect the privacy interests of the individuals to be discussed and to discuss negotiations in order to protect the public interest in negotiating a fair and equitable contract and that we return to open session in this room after a 10 minute period of time. This session shall include the board, Superintendent and administrators as needed. Joseph Skye seconded. Carried 5-0.
7:23 p.m. Enter executive session.
7:33 p.m. Resume regular session.
Joseph Skye made a motion to enter into executive session to discuss personnel matters of non-elected personnel in order to protect the privacy interests of the individuals to be discussed and to discuss negotiations in order to protect the public interest in negotiating a fair and equitable contract and that we return to open session in this room after a 10 minute period of time. This session shall include the board, Superintendent and administrators as needed. Josh Sweaney seconded. Carried 5-0.
7:34 p.m. Enter executive session.
7:44 p.m. Resume regular session.
Joseph Skye made a motion to enter into executive session to discuss personnel matters of non-elected personnel in order to protect the privacy interests of the individuals to be discussed and that we return to open session in this room after a 5 minute period of time. This session shall include the board, Superintendent and Cory White. Josh Sweaney seconded. Carried 5-0.
7:45 p.m. Enter executive session.
7:50 p.m. Resume regular session.
Cory White, HS Principal made a recommendation to hire Travis Avery as Cross Country Coach for 2015-16. Joseph Skye made a motion to accept the recommendation of Cory White to hire Travis Avery as Cross Country Coach for 2015-16. Dusty Deringer seconded. Carried 5-0.
Cory White, HS Principal made a recommendation to hire Tim Yeargain as HS Head Softball Coach for 2015-16. Josh Sweaney made a motion to accept the recommendation of Cory White to hire Tim Yeargain as HS Head Softball Coach for the 2015-16 school year. Joseph Skye seconded. Carried 5-0.
David Pendergraft recommended hiring David Duree as Custodian at Lincoln School. Chuck Sweeton made a motion to accept the recommendation of David Pendergraft to hire David Duree as Custodian at Lincoln School. Dusty Deringer seconded. Carried 5-0.
Comments and concerns of the board included following up on the science labs at the HS and MS in which Mr. White said they are wanting a partition in the chemistry room and they would be good to go; traffic issues at HS for beginning of school.
Dusty Deringer expressed his appreciation to Chuck Zordel and his classes last year for constructing a bridge over at the old football field. The youth football league purchased the materials and Mr. Zordels classes built the bridge.
Joseph Skye made a motion to adjourn. Chuck Sweeton seconded. Carried 5-0.
8:01 p.m. Meeting adjourned
Vicki Bradley, Clerk/Board of Education
DeAnne Binns, President/Board of Education