The Baxter Springs board of education held a regular meeting on Monday, August 8, 2016 at 6:00 p.m. at 1108 Military. Members present were: Dusty Deringer, DeAnne Binns, Chuck Sweeton, Brandon Williams and Josh Sweaney. Members absent were: Mary Kirkpatrick. Also present were: David Pendergraft, Superintendent, Vicki Bradley, Clerk, Cory White, HS Principal, Roger Reynolds, HS Assistant Principal, Robert Womack, Central Principal, Ken Boeckman, Lincoln Principal, Art Roberts, Alternative Learning Director, Russell Burr, HS Social Studies teacher, Rev. Jeff Street of First Baptist Church and Thomas Niegisch of KissTECH, LLC.
President Binns called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
Chuck Sweeton made a motion to approve the annotated agenda adding introduction of new staff, approving Scholar Bowl Sponsors, Jr. Class Sponsors and Student Council Sponsor. Brandon Williams seconded. Carried 5-0.
Brandon Williams made a motion to approve the consent agenda which included approval of the payment of bills, approval of minutes of July 11th and July 21st meetings and approval of the treasurer’s report. Dusty Deringer seconded. Carried 5-0.
Thomas Niegisch introduced himself to the board and informed the board about his new business and broadcasting on BSKS TV.
Cory White, HS Principal introduced our new HS Social Studies teacher, Russell Burr.
President Binns opened the budget hearing. No patrons were present for questions or comments for the budget hearing. Brandon Williams made a motion to approve the budget as presented. Dusty Deringer seconded. Carried 5-0.
President BInns reported on a KASB Leadership workshop that she recently attended in Topeka. While at the conference, she visited with board members from another school district who were complaining about their baseball facilities. She informed them about our facilities and invited them to come and visit. Mrs. Binns invited Don Karnes to come and bring us up to date about projects at the Field of Dreams. Mr. Karnes informed the board that they had recently bought new fencing, had a flag pole donated and built two brick posts with concrete statues of softball players. He said that these projects cost $15,000 which were paid for by the Field of Dreams, but the school installed these projects. He expressed his gratitude to the board because these projects would not have been able to be completed without the labor from the school maintenance department. Mr. Karnes reported on three projects that they would like to complete before the next ball season, which include a sidewalk from the flag pole to the softball field, replacing the sign above the scoreboard with a 10 gauge steel sign, and building a new entrance to the park to help with traffic control. He said that Field of Dreams would pay for the projects if the school maintenance department could install these projects. Superintendent Pendergraft agreed to move forward with the labor for these projects.
Superintendent Pendergraft gave the board an update on refinancing the bonds. He also presented a bus lease purchase for the board to consider. Dusty Deringer made a motion to approve the bus lease with Midwest Bus Sales as presented. Brandon Williams seconded. Carried 5-0.
Superintendent Pendergraft presented a policy for animals on district property. Brandon Williams made a motion to approve the policy as presented. Josh Sweaney seconded. Carried 5-0.
Reports from administrators included:
Lincoln School – Principal Boeckman reported that the only handbook change for 16-17 was to include language on the therapy dog. Patrons who need further information will be directed to the District Office for the policy on animals in the district. He also reported that the pre-school room remodel was completely finished and that enrollment figures look pretty close to the estimated numbers at this point in time.
Central School – Principal Womack reported that enrollment went very smooth. He also reported that his building looked great and thanked the custodial/maintenance staff for their hard work. Mr. Womack reported that teachers have been busy working in the building getting their classrooms ready. Principal Womack reported that handbook changes for 16-17 will include language which will prohibit visitors from eating meals with students on campus.
High School – Principal White reported that the north portion of the library now contains a classroom which was constructed over the summer. He also reported on the new welding program in conjunction with Coffeyville Community College in which students will become certified. This program begins on Friday, August 12. Mr. White reported that conditioning began today and practices will begin on Monday. He also reported that students will be able to take a cosmetology course offered by Ft. Scott Community College which will be held in Chetopa and students will become certified in this program as well. Principal White reported that handbook changes will be removing restrictions on backpacks in the classroom. It will be up to the individual teacher on whether or not they wish to allow backpacks in their classroom.
Alternative Learning - Director Art Roberts reported that the Soda Fountain held their back to school fair today and that 603 students received services today. Mr. Roberts reported that to meet virtual school requirements for Parent/Teacher conference, they must have two formal conferences per year, so they will be holding parent/teacher conferences in October and again in February. Mr. Roberts reported that in the virtual setting, students are required to complete 30 hours of work each week, or the equivalent of 6 hours per day for an abbreviated week. Face to face contact and social interaction are important and therefore students will be required to attend the Soda Fountain a minimum of 4 sessions per week. Sessions will run from 8:00 – 11:30 and 11:30-3:00 each day. The handbook will also state that the State of Kansas requires a minimum of 21 credits for adults.
District – Superintendent Pendergraft presented changes to the classified employee handbook which included rewording of the retirement benefit clause and removal of the section on district owned cell phones since the district no longer provides cell phones for any employee.
Josh Sweaney made a motion to approve the changes as presented for the Lincoln, Central, High School, Alternative Learning Center and District Classified Employee Handbook. Brandon Williams seconded. Carried 5-0.
Dusty Deringer made a motion to enter into executive session in order to discuss non-elected personnel and negotiations in order to protect the privacy rights of the individuals to be discussed and 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 executive session shall include the board and Superintendent. Josh Sweaney seconded. Carried 5-0.
7:05 p.m. Enter executive session.
7:15 p.m. Resume regular session.
Josh Sweaney made a motion to enter into executive session in order to discuss non-elected personnel and negotiations in order to protect the privacy rights of the individuals to be discussed and to protect the public interest in negotiating a fair and equitable contract and that we return to open session in this room after a 5 minute period of time. This executive session shall include the board and Superintendent. Chuck Sweeton seconded. Carried 5-0.
7:15 p.m. Enter executive session.
7:20 p.m. Resume regular session.
President Binns presented a recommendation to approve the negotiated agreement, give a 25 cent per hour raise to classified staff and a 1.5% raise to administrators. Brandon Williams made a motion to accept the recommendation to approve the negotiated agreement, give a 25 cent per hour raise to classified staff and a 1.5% raise to administrators. Josh Sweaney seconded. Carried 5-0.
Cory White, HS Principal recommended hiring Leslie Bowman as Head Scholar Bowl Sponsor and Cearrah Robin as Assistant Scholar Bowl Sponsor. Dusty Deringer made a motion to approve the recommendation of Cory White to hire Leslie Bowman and Cearrah Robin for Scholar Bowl Sponsors. Josh Sweaney seconded. Carried 5-0.
Cory White recommended Nancy Daniels and Shelly Bottorff as Jr. Class Sponsors. Brandon Williams made a motion to accept the recommendation to hire Nancy Daniels and Shelly Bottorff as Jr. Class Sponsors. Josh Sweaney seconded. Carried 5-0.
Cory White made a recommendation to hire Shelly Bottorff as Student Council Sponsor. Josh Sweaney made a motion to accept the recommendation of Cory White to hire Shelly Bottorff as Student Council Sponsor. Dusty Deringer seconded. Carried 5-0.
Josh Sweaney left the meeting and was not present for any further voting.
Brandon Williams made a motion to adjourn. Dusty Deringer seconded. Carried 4-0.
7:32 p.m. Meeting adjourned.
Vicki Bradley DeAnne Binns
Clerk/Board of Education President/Board of Education