The regular meeting of West Franklin USD #287 Board of Education was held November 10, 2003, at the Education Center.

The following board members were present for the tour of the Pomona School Facilities, which began at 7:00 p.m.: Mr. Neal Baker, Mrs. Nancy Reed, Mrs. Janie Dillon, Mrs. Shiela Anderson, Mr. Jeff Piersol and Mr. Randy Hermreck. Also present were: Superintendent Susan Myers, District Maintenance Technician Jerry Engel, Pomona Elementary/Middle Principal Jody Cole and Appanoose Teacher Cindy O'Bryhim.

President Neal Baker called the meeting to order at 7:57 p.m. In addition to those attending the tour, the following persons were present for the board meeting: Board Member Mary Ann Parkin, Auditor Dave Bogner, Curriculum Director Mary Schleicher, Appanoose Principal Rick Smith, Learning Center Principal Robert Allen, Pomona High School Principal Royce Powelson, Williamsburg Principal Tracy Maring, and Deputy Board Clerk Cherree Keeton. Others present included: District Transportation Supervisor Richard Adler, Michael Pickman, Virginia Cook, Karen Gibson, Elizabeth Giffin, Barb Engel, Cheryl Thomas, Kaci Gull, Kyle Warner, Patty Nelson, Mr. Nelson, Greg Butler and Shelly Welch

Mary Ann Parkin moved to approve the minutes of the previous meeting and to pay the bills as presented. The motion was seconded by Nancy Reed and the motion passed 7-0.

Principal Royce Powelson thanked the board for their continuing support and touring the Pomona facilities.

Principal Tracy Maring shared that Williamsburg has four new students, all of which are junior high and older. In football, Williamsburg lost to Madison.

Principal Jody Cole said that the Taco Supper and Carnival held at Pomona Elementary/Middle School was a success, netting $1400. The book fair brought in another $500. Regarding sports, there are thirty-eight boys and twenty-five girls signed up for basketball this season.

Virginia Cook, reporting for Principal Rick Smith, said they have twenty-four boys and seventeen girls signed up for basketball at Appanoose.

Curriculum Director Mary Schleicher handed out Building Report Cards Packets that cover Kansas State Assessment results for our district. She encouraged everyone wanting more information to go to the website address included in the packets.

Superintendent Susan Myers shared a letter from a patron thanking the district for putting up lights in the parking lots and putting in the new ceiling.

Principal Jody Cole said the Pomona Site Council was addressed by Mary Schleicher regarding testing being done in the district. Testing includes GACK, Kansas Assessment and Terra Nova.

Dave Bogner from Bogner and Long gave the Audit Report. He said two things were recommended after the last audit: 1) Cancellation of Outstanding Checks, 2) Scholarship Funds up-to-date. He suggested the board have a policy to void outstanding checks over two years old. He also shared that the scholarship funds were now current. He went on to say that the Financial Reports were standard per the state of Kansas and that cash basis is the norm now. The district is in strong financial shape. Capital Leases are the only debt left to be paid off. That last payment date is August 10, 2004.

Principal Royce Powelson talked about successful practices at Pomona High School. The ISS room is a better alternative, however, when a student can no longer work successfully in In School Suspension, there really is no more that can be done for them at the school level. The teachers at Pomona High are the most successful practice at the school. He has never seen the kind of teacher response and dedication to students that he sees in Pomona.

In Action Items, Dr. Myers said she believed it would be best to stay with the current auditors, Bogner and Long. They have worked with the district for several years, there is a good working relationship, and their fees are comparable with other auditing services. Jeff Pierson made a motion to keep Bogner and Long as the auditing firm. The motion was seconded by Mary Ann Parkin. Motion passed, 7-0.

PHS teacher Cheryl Thomas requested that Pomona High School teachers be allowed to donate their extra sick time to Kaci Gull, who needs to be off in January. Mary Ann Parkin made a motion to allow it and the motion was seconded by Janie Dillon. Motion carried, 7-0.

Travel requests were presented for Merritta Combs, Pat McGonigle and Royce Powelson to go to the national FCCLA Convention in Dallas, Texas. A travel request for Susan Myers to attend the United Administrators Conference in Wichita was presented, as was a travel request for Roger Driver to take students to Snow Creek. Nancy Reed made a motion to approve the travel requests as presented. Janie Dillon seconded the motion and the motion passed 7-0.

The board discussed who would be the delegate appointed from USD #287 to attend the KASB convention in Topeka on December 6th. Sheila Anderson made a motion to send Nancy Reed and Susan Myers. Mary Ann Parkin seconded, and the motion carried, 7-0.

Mary Ann Parkin and the members of the subcommittee recommended that revisions be made to the following board policies:

1. HIPAA
2. Job Descriptions
3. Professional Development
4. Personal Leaves and Absences (typo)
5. Title 1 Policy Provisions
6. Student Privacy Policy (PRA)
7. Parental Rights with Marketing Information
8. Athletics Policy (add two paragraphs)
9. Racial Harassment Policy (to be included in newsletter)
10. Revised Public Information (salaries to be published in paper)
11. KGD Crowd Control at School Sponsored Activities
12. JMA Contests and Conferences
13. KBA (websites supervised by principals)

Jeff Piersol made a motion to accept the changes as stated. Mary Ann Parkin seconded the motion. Motion carried, 7-0.

Dr. Myers went over the new insurance rates and why she wanted to change the workman's comp carrier to the KASB pool. It was also decided by the board not to request terrorism insurance. Shiela Anderson made a motion to accept the insurance changes and the motion was seconded by Nancy Reed. Motion carried, 7-0.

Mary Schleicher talked about Novel Adoption for the district. The board had been briefed about it last month. She said that in the past, the district had purchased 3 novels per grade level. Randy Hermreck questioned whether Julie of the Wolves might not be too involved for middle school students to read. Virginia Cook said her eighth grade class had just finished the book and that the students really enjoyed it. Mary Ann Parkin made a motion that the board accept the novel adoption as set forth by the committee. Sheila Anderson seconded. Motion was passed, 7-0.

Principal Maring talked about the kindergarten class size at Williamsburg. There are 27 students and one teacher. Lisa King is doing a fine job in helping the kindergarten teacher, Shelly Welch, but is not certified. They would like to hire a certified teacher's aide. There was also discussion about the increase in pupils and lack of room at the Williamsburg schools. Jeff Piersol made a motion to hire a certified teacher's aide. The motion was seconded by Mary Ann Parkin, and passed, 7-0.

If the board members have any comments regarding the KASB proposals, please let Sheila Anderson or Susan Myers know as they will be attending the convention.

The increase of student enrollment and lack of space in West Franklin was discussed. To this purpose, Board Goal #5 was developed and states: "The Board will develop a strategic planning process to assess the district's present and future needs." A special board meeting has been set for December 3, 2003, at the Education Center for further discussion. Principals are requested to attend.

It was recommended by Dr. Myers that the charter for the elementary school be dropped because of lack of students and recommendations by the state. Mr. Robert Allen, principal of that school, concurred. Mary Ann Parkin made a motion to accept the recommendation. Nancy Reed seconded, and measure passed, 7-0.

Jerry Engel presented the Tremco bid on the roofs of the schools. Four different contractors will send bids. The bid opening will be November 19, 2003, 2 p.m. at the District Office. Roofing will have to wait on the weather. The board will vote on the bids during the December 8th meeting. It was decided to have Tremco provide bids for replacement of metal roofs, also.

Mr. Engel also talked about the cost of fixing/replacing the football lights, fixing the wiring and replacing a couple of poles. Complete information will be presented at the next board meeting.

At 9:30, Neal Baker called for a 10 minute break.

A motion was made by Mary Ann Parkin to enter executive session for the purpose of discussing personnel matters for non-elected personnel. The motion was seconded by Nancy Reed and passed 7-0. Executive session was entered at 9:40.

Executive Session ended at 9:45 p.m.

Employment Recommendations:

Jeff Lantis	Custodian	Williamsburg
Jeff Pratt	Assistant Boy BB	Appanoose
Kerri Smith	AM Duty	Pomona
Cherry Stevens	AM Duty	Pomona
Phyllis Cunningham	Head Girls Track	Appanoose

A motion was made by Mary Ann Parkin to accept employment recommendations and extend Mary Schleicher's contract for two weeks. That motion was seconded by Sheila Anderson and passed, 7-0.

Meeting adjourned at 9:47.

______________________________ ________________________________
Cherree Keeton, Deputy Board Clerk Neal Baker, Board President

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