WEST FRANKLIN USD 287
REGULAR MEETING
BOARD OF EDUCATION
MONDAY, April 10, 2006

The regular meeting of the West Franklin USD #287 Board of Education was held Monday, April 10, 2006, at the Education Center in Pomona, Kansas. The following board members were present: Mr. Neal Baker, Mr. Keith Milliken, Mr. Randy Hermreck, Mrs. Sheila Anderson, Mrs. Janie Dillon, and Mrs. Nancy Reed. Administrators and staff present were: Superintendent Susan Myers, Board Clerk Teresa Hawkins, Principal Rick Smith, Principal Royce Powelson, Principal Eric Koppes, Principal Robert Allen, Principal Susan Wildeman, Curriculum Director Mary Schleicher, Transportation Director Richard Adler, Maintenance Supervisor Jerry Engel, Technology Systems Analyst Tim Larkin. Other present: Jon Horne, Lou Coppoc, David Staley, Judy Simpson, Don Humerickhose, Natalie Humerickhouse, Diane Humerickhouse, Jodi Boldra, Bob Boldra, Keri Butler, Karen Gibson, Liz Smith, Kortney Miller, Courtnee Butler, Diane Macouline, Lori Thompson, Susan Zentz, Roger Driver, Chris Reekie, Lila Reekie, and Cleon Rickel.

The meeting was called to order at 7:00 pm by President, Neal Baker.

The agenda was amended to add the following: 2.0 PHS FBLA and 4.8 Bus Request from the Ottawa School District. Sheila Anderson made a motion to amend the agenda, approve the minutes of the previous meetings as presented and to pay the bills as presented. Nancy Reed seconded the motion. Motion passed 6-0.

Reports:

Pomona High School: Principal Royce Powelson informed the board that Cheryl Thomas, Michelle Miller, Rob Conway, Mary Schleicher, Susan Myers, and himself had just returned from attending a Breaking Ranks Training. He shared a few of the good ideas they had received while attending this conference. Mr. Powelson also shared a few of the ideas the Site Council has suggested for the school. One of these ideas was to make a phone call to the parents of each student who they needed to see for Parent/Teacher Conferences. This idea was accepted very well by the parents and also helped with Parent/Teacher attendance.

West Franklin Learning Center: Principal Robert Allen reported they had donated 2 hogs to Hope House. Hope House did pay for the processing. The remainder of their hogs were processed and then donations were taken from USD #287 employees. The proceeds from these hogs will be used to fund the Learning Center’s annual trip to Colorado. This year they will be going to Pike’s Peek.

Williamsburg High School: Principal Susan Wildeman invited the school board to the High School play which will be performed on Thursday, April 13 in the Pomona High School multi-purpose room.

Appanoose Elementary: Principal reported that they were finished with state assessment testing and were now waiting on the scores.

Regular Board of Education Meeting Page: 2 Monday, April 10, 2006

Reports cont.:

Pomona Elementary: Principal Eric Koppes shared that the “Wildcat Games” held last weekend was a huge success. Each class was responsible for donating a basket to be raffled. The baskets raised between $30 and $240 each, for a total $1,200. Mr. Koppes also thanked Kris Radcliffe, Debbie Steed, and Sue Crosby for all their hard work to make the “Wildcat Games” a success. He also reported the Vera Mae Schultz Math Day had been a big success and they were very proud to host this annual event.

Superintendent: Dr. Susan Myers presented the school board a new financial report form. She also handed out the KEYS Survey from KNEA and explained how to read this survey. Results from this survey will be used with both the IBB and PDC committees.

Pomona High School FBLA: Cheryl Thomas reported her FBLA chapter had just competed at the state conference in Topeka. There were nine members who placed 10 th or above in this competition. Those members were: Kortney Miller, Emily Scott, Stephanie Nitcher, Ben Yates, Michelle Nelson, Bailey Crosby, Courntee Butler, Juli Reynolds, and Emily Scott. There were also two students who qualified for the national competition this summer in Nashville. Those two students were: Courntee Butler and Kortney Miller. Both Courntee Butler and Kortney Miller placed 2 nd with their Community Service Project and Chapter Annual Report. Both girls explained their projects to the board and shared examples.

Student Request:

Natalie Hermerickhouse read a letter to the school board requesting that she be allowed to attend Hutchison Community College during her senior year (06-07), and participate in their Next Step Program. Natalie suggested she be allowed to take American Government and Senior English through either a correspondence courses or VPL courses. She would like to graduate from Williamsburg High School, although she would not be attending classes at Williamsburg High during her senior year. After much discussion and a concern regarding board policies this matter was tabled until the next meeting. Dr. Susan Myers will gather more information regarding the Next Step program and will also meet with the Board Policy Sub-Committee regarding board policies.

Determine Presentation of Diplomas:

Regular Board of Education Meeting Page: 3 Monday, April 10, 2006

Presentation of Diplomas cont:

Sheila Anderson made the motion to accept the above board members to present diplomas at the selected school’s graduations. Nancy Reed seconded the motion. Motion passed 6-0.

Travel Requests:

Travel request were presented for the following: Pomona High School senior class to take an overnight senior trip to Six Flags in St. Louis, Mo May 12 & 13 . Williamsburg FFA to attend the state FFA convention in Manhattan, Ks May 1 & 2. Pomona High School FCCLA to attend the National FCCLA Leadership Conference in Nashville, TN July 7-14. Pomona High School FBLA to attend the National FBLA Leadership Conference in Nashville, TN June 28 – July 3. West Franklin Learning Center to take their annual trip to Colorado (Pike’s Peek) May 25 – 28. Nancy Reed made a motion to accept all travel requests. Sheila Anderson seconded the motion. Motion passed 6-0.

Extended Contracts 06-07:

Nancy Reed made a motion to accept the above extended contracts for the 2006-07 school year. Sheila Anderson seconded the motion. Motion passed 5-1

KASB Membership Renewal:

Dr. Susan Myers explained the need for KASB (Kansas Association of School Boards) membership and the reason for the increase in dues. KASB is one place the district seeks legal advice. 06-07 dues $7,934.00 & legal assistance $1,100.00. Nancy Reed made a motion to renew KASB membership and legal assistance. Sheila Anderson seconded the motion. Motion passed 5-1.

Bids for Sale of District Buses:

The following bids were received for the two district school buses:

Randy Hermreck made a motion to accept the high bids from Pomona Assembly of God and Kansas Bus Connection. Sheila Anderson seconded the motion. Motion passed 6-0.

Regular Board of Education Meeting Page: 4 Monday, April 10, 2006

Washburn Staff Development Grant:

Mary Schleicher explained the grant. Washburn University selected a school from urban, rural, and suburban areas in Kansas. West Franklin was one district selected. Math teachers of grades 5 – 8 will attend a two week summer workshop at Washburn University. They will receive 6 hours of college credit at no cost, a $300 stipend, and $25 mileage reimbursement per day. These teachers will learn ways to improve student performance, will have improved understanding of the fundamental content knowledge in the Kansas Math standards, serve as district level leaders to support the development of mathematics knowledge and skills among their peers, and will learn how to increase the number of parents involved in improving student learning.

Sheila Anderson made a motion to participate in this grant. Janie Dillon seconded the motion. Motion passed 6-0.

Rural Water District 5:

Rural Water District #5 will be doing a feasibility study to determine the feasibility of adding new meters and service. The study fee is $500.00 - $400 refunded if property is not feasible or if feasible, $400 will be applied to the benefit unit cost. Sheila Anderson made a motion to conduct the feasibility study. Nancy Reed seconded the motion. Motion passed 6-0.

Bus Request:

Ottawa School District has requested to use one of the USD 287 school buses for Eugene Field to take a trip to a Royals game. USD 287 would furnish the driver, but the Ottawa School District would pay the driver’s wages. USD 287 will request a $2 per mile fee for using the bus. Sheila Anderson made a motion to allow Ottawa to use a bus. Nancy Reed seconded the motion. Motion passed 6-0.

Discussion Items

SRO Contract for 06-07

The current contract ends in June 06. The contract for 06-07 would probably increase approximately 5%. A concern with administration was the fact that any comp time earned by the SRO must be used during the same week earned. This results in missed time from the schools.

Tech Plan/Additional Technology Position

Curriculum Director Mary Schleicher explained ways for staff development – Intel Teach to the Future: 1 week of free training for 1 teacher. This teacher would then train teachers in the district. Subscriptions to technology newsletters might also be a possibility. The concern of computer abuse was discussed. The need for a Tech Assistant was discussed. Dr. Myers will advertise for this position.

Capital Outlay

The board responded to several questions and concerns from the audience.

The board took a 15 minute break at 9:14 pm

Regular Board of Education Meeting Page: 5 Monday, April 10, 2006

Use of Classroom for COOP Program

The possibility of using an empty room at Pomona Elementary for transition services was discussed. This program would be funded through the Three Lakes Educational Coop. There could be a need for a washer and dryer. The district would receive $2,500 per year for room rental. These students are now transported to COF in Ottawa at USD 287 expense. Mrs. Myers will check further into the requirements for this program.

Student Handbook Revisions

The following student handbook policies were discussed: Mission Statement, Assessment Program, Cell Phone Policy, Dress Code, Immunizations, Lunch/Breakfast/Afternoon Milk, Graduation Requirements, Dismissal Due to Weather, Student Fees (Tech Fee K-12), and Vocational Programs

KASB District Demographic Study

Dr. Myers explained the study. Data was taken from the live birth data in Franklin County. Dr. Myers pointed out a few facts that were projected for future enrollment.

Neal Baker made a motion to enter executive session at 10:03 pm for 15 minutes for employment recommendations. Justification of the executive session is to protect the district’s right to the confidentiality of its negotiation position and the public interest. Kieth Milliken seconded the motion. Motion passed 6-0

The board came out of executive session at 10:18 pm

Neal Baker made a motion to accept the following employment recommendations:

Janie Dillon seconded the motion. Motion passed 6-0

Neal Baker made a motion to enter executive session at 10:22 pm for 30 minutes for the evaluation of non-certified staff. Justification of the executive session is to protect the district’s right to the confidentiality of its negotiation position and the public interest. Nancy Reed seconded the motion. Motion passed 7-0.

The board came out of executive session at 10:52 pm

Regular Board of Education Meeting Page: 6 Monday, April 10, 2006

Randy Hermreck made a motion to enter executive session at 10:53 pm for 15 minutes for the evaluation of non-certified staff. Justification of the executive session is to protect the district’s right to the confidentiality of its negotiation position and the public interest.

Neal Baker seconded the motion. Motion passed 6-0,

The board came out of executive session at 11:08 pm.

Special Board Meeting set for May 3, 2006 at 7:00 pm for the purpose of principal interviews.

There being no further business, meeting was adjourned at 11:14 pm.

Neal Baker made the motion to adjourn the meeting. Sheila Anderson seconded the motion. Motion passed 6-0.

________________________
Neal Baker, Board President

________________________
Teresa Hawkins, Clerk

Minutes are unofficial until approved at the next board meeting.