BOE Meeting Summary - January 14, 2008

January Board Meeting Synopsis

• Approval of Gifts and Donations

• Board of Education Recognition Month

January is Board of Education Recognition Month.  C. Fall had a cake prepared for the recognition and the board was thanked for their services.  Please be sure if you see a board member to thank them for all they do!

• Site Council Report

C. Feriend gave the 7-12 report and K-6 did not meet due to bad weather in December.

• Audit Report for FY 2007

Dennis Miller, Mapes and Miller CPA, was present and reviewed the audit report for FY 2007.

• CES Teacher Presentation

C. Fall showed a video clip from the morning assembly that they are now conducting at CES.  Each class is in charge of the assembly for a week and the students lead the flag salute, the singing of the Star Spangle Banner, introduce the word and quote of the week, and any other announcements or awards are then presented before the students leave the gym and head to their classrooms to begin their day. 

• CHS Teacher Presentation-Laptop Initiative

Trish McDaniel, Rachelle Scott and John James visited with the board on 1:1 laptops being used at Concordia Jr.-Sr. High School.  They discussed benefits and tools to using the laptops and presented information on the steps to beginning this process.  Staff members have been visiting Smoky Valley High School where they have been using laptops for about five years. 

• Choir/Band Field Trip Request

It was the consensus of the board to approve the field trip request of the choir and band members to San Diego, CA from April 28-May 3, 2008.  The students raise money and take a trip of this nature once every four years and they will have performance opportunities while on the trip.

• CHS HVAC Project Update

Karl Stricker updated the board on the HVAC project which is about 95% complete.  He also showed the board the computerized program that allows the maintenance staff to check the functionality of the entire HVAC system and regulate temperatures, etc.

• KASB Policy-KGA Use of District Personal Property and Equipment

The board reviewed this new policy suggestion from KASB.  Due to KSHSAA deleting Rule 35-1-5, it now allows school districts the capability to loan football helmets and shoulder pads for student use at camps.  The board will further review this policy at the February board meeting.

• Bus Purchase

The transportation department has two 1989 buses that will have to retire from use in 2009 due to the state law that allows a district to only use a school bus to transport students for 20 years.  Bus specs will be sent out to vendors for the purchase of one activity bus and the bids will be reviewed by the board at the March board meeting.

• Adopt Bullying Plan

Legislators mandated K.S.A. 72-8256 which required every school district in Kansas to train all staff and students in bullying prevention, develop a district policy, and to create a bullying implementation plan.  The board has already begun training of staff and approved the board policy earlier this year.  The first draft of the bullying plan was approved by the board and you may contact any administrator for a copy of the plan.

• Add JH Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) and Friends of Rachel as student organizations at Concordia Jr.-Sr. High School and establish activity fund accounts

The board approved the addition of JH FCA and FOR as student organizations at Concordia Jr.-Sr. High School and authorized the establishment of activity funds.

• Elk State Bank Resolution

The board approved the resolution with Elk State Bank that allows district funds to be deposited in the bank and the authorized signers for the account.

• Select Negotiations Team

Pat Murk and Jolene Kindel will represent the board during negotiations.

• Set Special Board Meeting-Strategic Planning

The board set Monday, February 4, 2008, at 6:00 p.m., as a special board meeting to discuss strategic planning for the district.

• Accept Resignation

The board accepted the resignation of Mary Ann Crome, LCNCK Interrelated Teacher at Washington Schools, at the end of the 2007-08 school year.

• New Hire for 2007-08

The board approved the hire of Dee Brown, LCNCK Interrelated Teacher for the Learning Center.