Minutes of the March 8, 2010 BOE Meeting

JEFFERSON COUNTY NORTH SCHOOLS USD NO 339

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING
OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION OF USD 339
HELD ON MARCH 8, 2010, AT THE DISTRICT OFFICE
WINCHESTER, KANSAS

The regular meeting of the Board of Education of USD# 339 was called to order by Ron Langston at 7:30 p.m. on March 8, 2010 at the District Office in Winchester, Kansas.

Also present were Sharon Porter, Karen Edmonds, Jim Bodenheimer, Gary Bedigrew, Denise Jennings, Brandan Giltner, Tim Marshall, Laura Wallace, Elizabeth Wolfe, Landon Noll, Jordyn Mize, Katie Twenhafel, Teresa Noll, Phoenix Hutchinson, Rebecca Jenicke, Laura Flory, Jennifer Morgan-Beuchat, Katherine Wolfe, Steuart Hensleigh, Holly Bodenheimer, Molly Lyon, Jacob Schrick, Jessica Benner, Elaine Scott and Susan Coppinger.

Jim Bodenheimer made a motion to approve the following consent agenda with the addition of Item F.  Approval of the March 8, 2010 bills Warrant No. 11958 – 11966 = $8,485.14

A. Approval of the agenda.
B. Approval of the minutes of the February 8, 2010 regular meeting.
C. Approval of the February 22, 2010 bills Warrant No. 11857 – 11865 = $11,821.78
D. Approval of the March 10, 2010 payroll Warrant No. 11866 – 11909 and Direct Deposit No.12087 - 12165 = $288,591.90
E. Approval of the March 8, 2010 bills Warrant No. 11910 - 11957 = $87,745.31

Motion seconded by Sharon Porter.  Motion carried 4 - 0.

There were no additional written communications.

Elaine Scott, Parents As Teachers Educator, updated the Board on PAT activities and family involvement within the JCN district.

Laura Wallace, President of JCNHS Thespian Troupe #6178 thanked the Board and administration for their support of Thespian activities, particularly the State Conference in January.  As thanks from USD 340, Jefferson West Thespian Troupe #7245, Dr. Marshall and Mr. Bedigrew received tickets to their performance of “See How They Run” to be presented March 26th & 27th.  Mrs. Morgan-Beuchat announced that Dr. Marshall and Mr. Bedigrew had earned recognition as Kansas Thespians Co-Administrators of the Year and would receive their award at next years’ conference.

Mrs. Morgan-Beuchat and the Thespian Troupe members (with the exception of Landon Noll) left the meeting at 7:55 p.m.

Gary Bedigrew updated on high school happenings:  FBLA State Leadership Conference preparation; Career Day scheduling will be subject to change due to the girls basketball team going to State and the Senior Project work day will not be re-scheduled; Site Council meeting; Forensics Team competitions; State Piano contest awards; Character Education staff development activities; basketball and track updates; and DVL discussion topics.

Dr. Linda Aldridge and Ms. Rhonda Denning arrived at the meeting at 8:05 p.m.

Denise Jennings reported on elementary happenings:  Preparation for State Assessments; Kayleigh Fuhrman placed 5th and George Gigstad placed 3rd representing JCN at the Jefferson County Spelling Bee and George will represent Jefferson County at the State Spelling Bee; grade level class photos were taken for the EMS yearbook and Mrs. Rhonda Lindsay was recognized as the KSNT Channel 27 News February Teacher of the Month. Learning opportunities were continued; curriculum work with Sara Lampe and reading training with Cathy Esquibel.  

Brandan Giltner updated on state assessment schedules; difficult road conditions and a few mechanical problems for the transportation staff; middle school DVL meeting discussion topics and middle school athletics and Knowledge Bowl activities.

Dr. Linda Aldridge, Keystone Learning Services, discussed extreme budget issues, mandated requirements and how districts assessments are affected.  She also introduced Ms. Rhonda Denning, Assistant Director of Special Education.

In addition to his written report, Dr. Marshall reported on the meeting with Representative Tafanelli and Jefferson County Superintendents on February 26th.  In reviewing the state’s economic situation, Mr. Tafanelli said there weren’t sufficient votes in either the house or senate to cut programs another $500 million, nor were there enough votes to raise $500 million new taxes, so the answer may lie somewhere in the middle. Dr. Marshall recently attended a KASB Reduction In Force workshop.  School for all students will be cancelled on Thursday, March 11, as the high school girls basketball team qualified for State competition.  We have received the Washburn Institute of Technology assessments for next school year which are a bit lower than this year.  Dr. Marshall and Dr. Aldridge recently visited with Dr. Bill Sailors, ESU, Center for Innovative School Leadership, to discuss the possibility of an audit of the Jefferson County school districts to determine efficiencies and the possibility of shared services.

Old Business:

Board Member Vacancy  Dr. Marshall received letters of interest for Position #7                 from Katherine Wolfe, Robert Kiser, James Filbert and David J. Noll.  The                 vacant position will be an agenda item for the April 12th Board meeting.  

Early Retirement Notice Incentive  Rhonda Lindsay submitted a notice of retirement to                 qualify for the incentive payment.

New Business:

Baseball Program  Jim Bodenheimer has been requested by patrons to discuss the                  possibility of initiating a baseball program at JCN.  Pros and cons were                 discussed.

Personnel/Evals/Negotiations   Sharon Porter made a motion at 9:23 p.m. to go into                         executive session for 40 minutes, following a 7-minute recess, with the                 Superintendent and administration present to discuss personnel, evaluations and                 negotiations in order to protect the privacy of the individual(s) to be discussed.                 Motion seconded by Karen Edmonds.                       Motion carried 4 – 0.

 Ron Langston called the meeting back into regular session at 10:10 p.m.

Jim Bodenheimer made a motion at 10:11 p.m. to go into executive session for 25 minutes with the Superintendent and administration present to discuss personnel in order to protect the privacy of the individual(s) to be discussed.  Motion seconded by Sharon Porter.  Motion carried 4 – 0.

Ron Langston called the meeting back into regular session at 10:36 p.m.

Jim Bodenheimer made a motion at 10:37 p.m. to go into executive session for 10 minutes with the Superintendent only to discuss personnel/evaluations in order to protect the privacy of the individual(s) to be discussed.  Motion seconded by Sharon Porter.
Motion carried 4 – 0.

Ron Langston called the meeting back into regular session at 10:47 p.m.

Jim Bodenheimer made a motion at 10:48 p.m. to go into executive session for 10 minutes with the Superintendent only to discuss personnel/evaluations in order to protect the privacy of the individual(s) to be discussed.  Motion seconded by Sharon Porter.
Motion carried 4 – 0.

Ron Langston called the meeting back into regular session at 10:58 p.m.

Resignation    Jim Bodenheimer made a motion to accept with thanks and appreciation                         the retirement request of Rhonda Lindsay as presented.  Motion seconded                         by Karen Edmonds.  Motion carried 4 – 0.

Jim Bodenheimer made a motion to accept the resignation of Steve Hale, Middle School Boys Basketball Assistant Coach, as presented.  Motion seconded by Sharon Porter.  Motion carried 4 – 0.

Misc. Items    There were no further items of discussion.

Ron Langston adjourned the meeting at 11:02  p.m.