The Baxter Springs board of education held a regular meeting on Monday, December 11, 2017 at 6:00 p.m. at 1108 Military.  Members present were:  DeAnne Binns, Mary Kirkpatrick, Casey Eaton, Brandon Williams, Chuck Sweeton, Dusty Deringer and Josh Sweaney.  Also present were:  David Pendergraft, Superintendent, Vicki Bradley, Clerk, Cory White, HS Principal, Robert Womack, Central Principal, Ken Boeckman, Lincoln Principal, Neal Anderson, County Commissioner, Chris Swartz, HS Athletic Director, Robert Womack, Central Principal, Rev. Roger Scantlin, Spring River Assembly of God, Bert Kellum, and Stephanie Dewey, MS teacher.

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

Brandon Williams led the board and guests in the pledge of allegiance.  Rev. Scantlin led the board and guests in a word of prayer. 

Mary Kirkpatrick made a motion to approve the agenda as presented.   Josh Sweaney seconded.  Carried 7-0.

Dusty Deringer made a motion to approve the consent agenda which included approval of the bills, approval of minutes of November 13, 2017 and approval of treasurer’s report. Brandon Williams seconded.  Carried 7-0.

David Pendergraft, Superintendent, introduced Bert Kellum and Neal Anderson to address the board on behalf of the Cherokee County Economic Committee.   They presented a neighborhood revitalization program for review which would involve tax abatements.  The board will take this under consideration and will take action at a later date.

Superintendent Pendergraft expressed his appreciation to the board for supporting the 8^th grade students who went to Williamsburg last week.   He said the students represented Baxter Springs very well and he was very pleased with the trip.   Mr. Pendergraft also reported that he had applied for a grant for health and fitness and was notified last week that we will receive the grant of $1,000.00 which will be used for fitness equipment along the walking trail behind Central school. 

Building reports were given as follows:

LINCOLN -  Principal Boeckman reported:

• Christmas program went well.  They are looking at ways to improve seating and the flow of people in the facility for next year.
• Expressed his appreciation to the various organizations and people who have donated toys, food, clothing and other items to our children in need.
• Expressed his appreciation to School Nurse Sandy Clark for the excellent job she does and for even taking time to make home visits to help our students with their health needs.

CENTRAL – Principal Womack reported:

• Book Character Day was very successful.  He had promised to eat a pureed McDonalds happy meal if the students read over 6 million words.  The students met the goal so Principal Womack kept his end of the bargain and consumed the pureed happy meal.
• Reported that students have been taking state assessment practice tests which should help to improve learning and test scores in the spring.
• Reported that the Christmas program was very successful.  He reported that 6^th grade band participated in the program this year.
• Expressed his appreciation to the Kiwanis Club for giving each student a book for Christmas
• Expressed his appreciation to all the people and organizations who have donated food, toys, clothing and other items to help take care of our kids in need.

HIGH SCHOOL – Principal White reported:

• On behalf of the administration and staff, Mr. White extended appreciation to the board for the recent gift cards that were given.  This gesture was appreciated by everyone.
• Extended congratulations to Middle School Principal Jason Walker for his recent award given at PSU.
• Reported that the Hometown Hero banquet was a success.  This year’s honoree was Rev. Steve Fellers who is in charge of the Word in Action ministries.  Rev. Fellers was very humbled by this honor but very honored to receive the recognition.
• Students recently held a food drive to help stock the food pantry at the Thrift Shop.
• Student Council has sponsored some children in need and he commended Ms. Thater for that project.
• Commended Mr. Morgan and the band for a job well done at the Baxter Christmas parade and reported that the annual Christmas Concert was being held tonight at BHS.
• Reported that 35 students will be inducted into the National Honor Society tomorrow.
• Reported post season honors for all league volleyball were:  2^nd team Kasity Shafer and Delaney Barnes;  Honorable Mention was Bridgette Dewey.
• Reported post season honors for all league football were:  2^nd team offensive line, Blythe Ipock; 2^nd team defensive line was Jace Flood, A.J. Himes and Trey White; Honorable Mention was Kenny Herenbruck.
• Reported that basketball season is underway and expressed his appreciation to the maintenance crew for repairing the sound system.

President Binns presented  a resignation from Vicki Bradley as Clerk of the Board of Education to be effective December 31, 2017.  She is retiring after almost 39 years of service to USD#508.  Brandon Williams made a motion to accept the resignation of Vicki Bradley as presented.  Mary Kirkpatrick seconded.  Carried 7-0.

Superintendent Pendergraft made a recommendation to appoint Carrie Oakes as clerk and Leslie Delano as deputy clerk effective January 1, 2018.  Dusty Deringer made a motion to accept the recommendation of Superintendent Pendergraft to appoint Carrie Oakes as clerk and Leslie Delano as deputy clerk effective January 1, 2018.  Josh Sweaney seconded.  Carried 7-0.

Vicki Bradley, Clerk, requested the board for a motion for authorization to remove her name from all USD#508 bank accounts at American Bank, Baxter State Bank, Labette Bank, and the Kansas Municipal Investment Pool effective December 31, 2017.  Josh Sweaney made a motion to authorize removing Vicki Bradley as an authorized signature from all USD#508 bank accounts as requested.  Casey Eaton seconded.  Carried 7-0.

Josh Sweaney made a motion to enter into executive session to discuss the hiring of an Assistant Softball coach to protect the privacy interests of the individual(s) to be discussed pursuant to the non-elected personnel exception under KOMA, and the open meeting will resume in 5 minutes in the board room.  This meeting is to include the board, Superintendent, Chris Swartz and Cory White.  Dusty Deringer seconded.  Carried 7-0.

6:48 p.m.  Enter executive session.

6:53 p.m.  Resume regular session.

Dusty Deringer made a motion to enter into executive session to discuss the hiring of an Assistant Softball coach to protect the privacy interests of the individual(s) to be discussed pursuant to the non-elected personnel exception under KOMA, and the open meeting will resume in 5 minutes in the board room.  This meeting is to include the board, Superintendent, Chris Swartz and Cory White.  Casey Eaton seconded.  Carried 7-0.

6:54 p.m.  Enter executive session.

6:59 p.m.  Resume regular session.

Chris Swartz, HS Athletic Director, made a recommendation to hire Jenyce Spence as HS Assistant Softball Coach for the 2017-18 school year.  Chuck Sweeton made a motion to accept the recommendation of Chris Swartz to hire Jenyce Spence as HS Assistant Softball Coach for the 2017-18 school year.    Dusty Deringer seconded.  Carried 7-0.

Chuck Sweeton expressed his appreciation on behalf of the board, to Vicki Bradley for her 39 years of service to the board of which  28 years she has served as the Clerk of the Board and commended her for a job well done.   He expressed that the board will miss her.  Mr. Sweeton asked that his statements be reflected in the minutes.

The board also wanted to extend congratulations to Jason Walker for his award given by PSU.

Brandon Williams made a motion to adjourn.  Dusty Deringer seconded.  Carried 7-0.

7:03 p.m.  Meeting adjourned.

Vicki Bradley                                             DeAnne Binns

Clerk/Board of Education                    President/Board of Education