The regular meeting of West Franklin USD #287 Board of Education was held on December 8, 2003 at the Education Center in Pomona, Kansas. The following board members were present: Mr. Jeff Piersol, Mrs. Mary Ann Parkin, Mrs. Sheila Anderson, Mrs. Janie Dillon, Mr. Randy Hermreck, Mrs. Nancy Reed (7:02 pm), and Mr. Neal Baker. Also present were: Superintendent Susan Myers, Curriculum Director Mary Schleicher, Appanoose Principal Rick Smith, Learning Center Principal Robert Allen, Pomona Elementary/Middle School Principal Jody Cole, Pomona High School Principal Royce Powelson, Williamsburg Principal Tracy Maring, and Board Clerk Robin Bigham. Others present included: District Maintenance Technician Jerry Engel, District Transportation Supervisor Richard Adler, Mrs. Phyllis Cunningham, Dr. Kent Stewart, and Mr. John Swarm.

President Neal Baker called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.

Mary Ann Parkin moved to approve the minutes of the previous meeting, to pay the bills as presented and to amend the agenda to add 3.0 Dr. Kent Stewart. The motion was seconded by Janie Dillon and the motion passed 7-0.

Principal Tracy Maring shared information from attending a technology preparation meeting at Three Lakes Coop. She also shared that there was no new enrollment and that Williamsburg had won their pre-season basketball tournament .

Principal Rick Smith reported that many of the middle school students are out on community service projects. In the future, all middle school students will be required to do a community service project each quarter.

Principal Robert Allen reported that the QPA on-site visit was scheduled for next Thursday.

Curriculum Director Mary Schleicher passed out a testing schedule for USD#287. She reported that there is not much choice in testing, that most of the tests are mandated.

Superintendent Susan Myers thanked Nancy Reed for serving as the voting delegate at the KASB convention. Dr. Myers also shared a certificate of merit awarded for our District Handbook and Activity Calendar.

Appanoose Teacher Phyllis Cunningham shared her successful practice of "Problem Solving" with middle school students. Time has been set aside daily for nothing but looking at and learning problem solving strategies. Problem Solving has been a target for NCA improvement.

Dr. Kent Stewart shared his background and successes at looking at long term facility goals and needs in school districts. The plan would be to work closely with the superintendent and board clerk to look at operating costs and enrollments trends, as well as a complete on-site visit of each facility. The cost of the study should be somewhere between $1800 and $2200. Mary Ann Parkin made a motion to hire Dr. Stewart to complete a facility study of USD#287. Sheila Anderson seconded the motion and motion passed 7-0.

Travel requests were presented for Royce Powelson to attend the USA Convention in Wichita and for the Appanoose 8th Grade Class to go on a class trip to Westin, MO. Mary Ann Parkin made a motion to approve the travel request as presented. Janie Dillon seconded the motion and the motion passed 7-0.

Mr. John Swarm of Tremco Roofing discussed roofing needs and bids with the board. Sheila Anderson made a motion to accept the low bid from Delta Innovative Services doing the re-roof at PHS old gym for a price of $28,260. Janie Dillon seconded the motion and motion passed 6-1.

Mr. Jerry Engle shared preliminary information he had received on the lighting needs at the Pomona football field. It would appear the project will cost around $60,000. Mary Ann Parkin made a motion to write specs and start the bid process on this project. Nancy Reed seconded the motion and motion passed 7-0.

Summer driver's education fees were discussed. Currently, there is a limit of 50 students at a cost of $125.00 each. Neal Baker made a motion to leave fees as set. Sheila Anderson seconded the motion and the motion passed 4-3.

Superintendent Susan Myers and the principals shared information with the board they had received regarding a soft drink vendor for the district and recommended the board accept the Pepsi package. Jeff Piersol made a motion to authorize the superintendent to sign a contract with Pepsi on behalf of the board. Neal Baker seconded the motion and motion carried 7-0.

A letter from Mr. Kris Hassler to donate sick leave days to his wife Shannon Hassler was presented. Nancy Reed made a motion to allow the donation of sick leave as requested. Sheila Anderson seconded the motion and the motion passed 7-0.

A special meeting was scheduled for February 11, 2003 at 7:00 pm at the Education Center in Pomona for the principals evaluation of Certified Staff. Principal's will be evaluated at the regular January board meeting and non-certified staff to be evaluated at the March board meeting.

The Douglas County Sales Tax Initiative was reviewed and what very small impact there would be for USD#287 if it does pass.

Neal Baker made a motion for the board to enter executive session at 8:40 p.m. for five minutes for discussion of personnel matters of non-elected personnel. Justification of the executive session is to protect the privacy interests of identifiable individuals. Jeff Piersol seconded the motion and motion passed 7-0.

The board came out of executive session at 8:45 p.m.

Mary Ann Parkin made a motion to accept the employment recommendations as follows: Bob Boldra, Assistant HS Boys Basketball Coach; Michelle Dusang as Certified Teacher's Aide at Williamsburg Kindergarten; and Jenna Hirsch as full schedule at Williamsburg. Sheila Anderson seconded the motion and motion carried 7-0.

Jeff Piersol moved the Board enter Executive Session for 15 minutes at 8:45 p.m. for the purpose of evaluation of the Superintendent. Justification of the Executive Session is to protect the privacy interest of an identifiable individual. Motion seconded by Neal Baker and motion passed 7-0.

The board came out of executive session at 9:00 p.m.

Sheila Anderson made a motion to extend a contract to Dr. Susan Myers as District Superintendent for the 2004-05 school term with salary to be determined at a later date. Mary Ann Parkin seconded the motion and motion passed 7-0.

Meeting adjourned at 9:02 p.m.

______________________________ _______________________________
Robin Bigham, Board Clerk Neal Baker, Board President

(Minutes are not offical until approved at the following board meeting.)