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2002 - 2003 BOARD MINUTES ARCHIVES

Disclaimer: These notes are not the official records of Board of Education meetings. The official record of the meetings are the Board minutes, which are on file at the Administration Center, 1520 North Plum, Hutchinson, KS, 67501.
 

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June 23, 2003

Board holds final meeting for 2002-03

In a largely routine agenda, the Hutchinson Public Schools Board of Education Monday (June 23, 2003) members approved a contract to restore one of the district's jewels, a 1968 Steinway B Grand Piano. The contract for $12,500 for the restoration plus $480 for an artist bench and heavy moving cover. The contract was with Pianos Unlimited in Hutchinson.

The work is expected to bring the Steinway back to near mint condition. The piano, a gift to HHS from the Graber family, is used daily in the classroom and accompanies performances on the HHS stage. The cost of rebuilding is being paid from capital outlay funds.

Monday's Board meeting also was the last for Member Cecilia Pina. The Board member, elected in 1999, leaves the Board after four years. She will be replaced by Bill Drews, who was elected during the April general election.

Also during Monday's meeting,

In other action, the Board:

  • Recognized Nancy Birgen, gifted program educator, for her national coaching award from the Future Problem Solving Program. Two USD 308 teams competed in the recent International Conference.

  • Approved an end-of-year budget report from Lori Blakesley, director of finance. The Board also approved more than $3.8 million in transfers among different district funds to close out the year.

  • Approved a cooperating agreement with Chase USD 401 for Hutchinson Public Schools to provide vocational programs for the Rice County school.

  • Approved second semester individual development plans for staff.

  • Approved USD 308's participation in the Kansas Association of School Board's Risk Management Services, Inc., Workers Compensation Fund.

  • Approved sale of two nearly 20-year-old 54-passenger school buses the district has not used for several months. Department of Transportation regulations makes future use of the buses cost prohibitive.

  • Held a 30-minute executive session for negotiations and non-elected personnel.

Personnel

The Board approved the following personnel changes.

Certified

Hired

  • Kay Alston, Vocal Music, Hutchinson High School

  • Cleta Sandlin, Family and Consumer Science (7/12th time), Hutchinson High School

  • Ed Bambick, Driver Education Teacher, Hutchinson High School

  • Gary Hudson, Driver Education Teacher, Hutchinson High School

  • Dave Schroeder, Driver Education Teacher, Hutchinson High School

Resignation

  • Dana Lueger, Supervisor of Nutrition Services

Classified

Resignations

  • Carolyn J. Davies, Satellite Cook/Server, Wiley/Morgan

  • Leonard Nelson, Custodian, Faris

Position Change

  • Lorna Miller, from Satellite Cook/Server at Graber to Satellite Cook/Server at Wiley

Gifts to Schools

  • Gifts totaling $7,750.75 to Hutchinson High School for the period Feb. 24 through May 31, 2003, from various sources.

  • More than 230 books for the district libraries from various sources during the 2003-03 school year.

Next meeting

The next Board meeting will be at 7 p.m. July 7. This will be the Board's annual organizational meeting.

 

June 9, 2003

Board corrects a 69-year mistake

When Jay Divine attended Hutchinson Public Schools in the 1920s and early 1930s, diversity was not always celebrated. Teachers didn't always appreciate the physical challenges students had.

Divine was a natural left hander. His teachers made him write with his right hand.

Divine developed a stuttering problem as a youth. Schools did not have speech pathologists to work with students at the time.

Because of his stuttering, Divine could not complete a speech assignment in a class, an assignment the teacher told him he had to complete or fail the class.

So with six weeks left before graduating in 1934, Divine dropped out of HHS.

Divine went on to have a successful career with Dillon Stores. He retired after 42 years with the company and was a store manager at Topeka when he retired. He also overcame his speech challenges and took a Dale Carnegie and was known to get up in both business meetings and civic groups to give speeches.

But there was one regret in Divine's life – not completing high school.

Monday (June 9, 2003), the Hutchinson Public Schools Board of Education formally granted Divine an honorary diploma. Divine and his family were on hand to accept the diploma. His wife, Anna Duerksen Divine, is an HHS graduate.

In awarding the diploma Board President Jeff Allen said, “In today's world, we would have had special ed available, but it was not available then. We would have had an IEP (individual education plan), but that was not available. So six weeks before graduation, he dropped out.”

In accepting the diploma, a teary-eyed Devine said that outside his wife and family, “this is the most important thing in my life. I've waited 69, 70 years for this.”

Also during Monday's meeting, the Board, approved a contract with the city of Hutchinson to continue the popular school resource officer program in USD 308 schools.

Beginning in 2005, however, the program will cost the district slightly more.

Through December 2004, the district picks up 69 percent of the cost of two of three officers and 50 percent of the cost of the third officer. Beginning in January 2005, the district will pick up 69 percent of the cost of all three officers.

School resource officers are full-fledged police officers. Currently, one officer is assigned to Hutchinson High School and two others are based at the district's middle schools but also provide coverage at the district's eight elementary schools.

In other action, the Board:

  • Approved the new staff development plan for USD 308 for 2003-2008.

  • Approved the 2004 program agreement with the Kansas State Department of Education, governing the National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program, Special Milk Program, After-School Care Snack Program and Cash-in-Lieu of Commodities.

  • Approved two bids for work at the district's new maintenance facility. The first was a bid from Cheney Door for $41,500 for overhead doors. The second was for $94,900 to make repairs/renovations to the metal building systems at the facility.

  • Held executive sessions, totaling 70 minutes, for negotiations and non-elected personnel.

  • Recognized students and coaches of the 2003 Battle of the Books district finals.

  • Heard an Effective Schools Report from Hutchinson Magnet School at Allen.

Personnel Report

Certified

Hired

  • Kristen Anderson, Year Round School Teacher, HMS at Allen

  • Larry Ballard, Summer School C.A.D. Teacher, Hutchinson High School

  • Marvin Birzer, Summer School Math Teacher, Hutchinson High School

  • Theresa Brown, Year Round School Teacher, HMS at Allen

  • Dellis Dick, School Psychologist (65 days), HMS at Allen

  • Loretta Dieker, Extended School Year, Hutchinson High School

  • Justina Denison, Year Round School Teacher, HMS at Allen

  • Annette Emmert, Extended School Year, Hutchinson High School

  • Judy Engel, Summer School English Teacher, Hutchinson High School

  • Phyllis Hoppes, Year Round School Teacher, HMS at Allen

  • Kristi Horning, Grade 5, Avenue A Elementary

  • Amanda Miller, Grade 6, McCandless Elementary

  • Margo Miller, Year Round School Teacher, HMS at Allen

  • Laura Overeem, Extended School Year, Hutchinson High School

  • David L. Patterson, Summer School C.A.D. Teacher, Hutchinson High School

  • Barbara Phillips, Year Round School Teacher, HMS at Allen

  • Betty Puyear, Year Round School Teacher, HMS at Allen

  • Clint Rodriguez, Year Round School Teacher, HMS at Allen

  • Patsy Smith, Summer School English Teacher, Hutchinson High School

  • Tonya Ward, Grade 2, McCandless Elementary

  • Letishia Watt, Grade 5, McCandless Elementary

  • Mark Bartell, Driver Education, Hutchinson High School

  • Gary Hogan, Driver Education, Hutchinson High School

  • Craig Hughes, Driver Education, Hutchinson High School

  • Gary Janzen, Driver Education, Hutchinson High School

  • Ellis Meeks, Driver Education Director and Instructor, Hutchinson High School

  • Al Neelly, Driver Education, Hutchinson High School

  • James Parker, Driver Education, Hutchinson High School

  • Suzanne Meeks, Driver Education, Hutchinson High School

Resignation

  • Tim Canady (contingent upon finding replacement), Vocal Music, Hutchinson High School

  • Wayne Sill, Chemistry, Hutchinson High School

Position Changes

  • Deborah Barnes, Special Education at Lincoln to Special Education at HMS-7 & HMS-8

  • Theresa Brown, Grade 1 at Avenue A to Grade 4 at Avenue A

  • Beverly Johnson, Special Education at Faris to Special Education at Lincoln

  • Melissa Nuss, Teacher at Head Start to Grade 5 Teacher at Graber

  • Melissa Thomas, Grade 4 at Avenue A to Grade 3 at Avenue A

Classified

Hired

  • Kim Bainum, Extended School Year Para, HHS

  • Jerrine Bonham, Year Round School Para, HMS at Allen

  • Lee Daines, Custodian, HMS at Allen

  • LeAnn Grant, Year Round School Para, HMS at Allen

  • Donna Henry, Year Round School Para, HMS at Allen

  • Della Janzen, Year Round School Para, HMS at Allen

  • Leona Joy, Extended School Year Para, Faris

  • Beverly Lavy, Extended School Year Para, HHS

  • Kathy McAllister, Part time Custodian, Avenue A

  • Cathy Nolan, Summer School Educational Aide, HHS

  • Cyndi Richards, Extended School Year Para, HHS

  • Margarita Quinonez, Extended School Year Para, Faris

  • Jennifer Schroeder, Extended School Year Para, Faris

  • Elissa Unruh, Extended School Year Para, Faris

  • Cindy Warnken, District Accountant, Administration Center

  • Kim Whitley, Year Round School Para, HMS at Allen

Resignations

  • Janet Bachofer, Educational Aide, McCandless

  • Brenda Foulke, Head Main Dish, HMS-7 and HMS at Allen

  • Kit Lammert, LD Para, Holy Cross

  • Amanda Regier, Day Care Teacher, HHS Day Care

  • Cleta Sandlin, Library Media Assistant, McCandless

  • Cami Scott, LD Para, McCandless

  • Nathan Walker, Debate Teacher Assistant, HHS

  • Cynthia Wolf, MR Para, Graber

  • Leona Teague, Satellite Cook/Server, Wiley

Position Changes

  • Kim Aden, Educational Aide/Title 1 at McCandless to LD Para/McCandless

  • Jerrine Bonham, Para/ESC to Para/HMS-8

  • Vern Bettis, Certified Instructional Technology Specialist to Classified Instructional Technology Specialist

  • Cheryl Bowman, Educational Aide/Title 1 at McCandless to LD Para at McCandless

  • Melodie Dower, Library Media Assistant at HHS to Secretary at HHS

  • Stacey McAllister-Franklin, Part-Time Custodian at Avenue A to Head Elementary Custodian at Avenue A

  • Jennifer Varney, HI Para at Lincoln, ECSE/TK at Avenue A

  • Jeanette Williams, Playground Aide at HMS at Allen to Breakfast/Lunchroom Supvervisor at HMS at Allen

Non-Renewed

  • Denise Baker, Job Coach, HHS

  • Peggy Jacques, Assistant Fruits & Vegetables, HMS-8

  • Teresa Stoll, MR Para, McCandless

  • Kelly Weber, Gifted Para, ESC

  • Erin Miller, ED Para, HMS-8

Gifts to Schools

  • $888.46 from the Dillon Fun Run to Graber Elementary School.

  • $7,310.04 from the Graber PTO to the school for playground equipment.

  • $100 from the Graber PTO for Accelerated Reading materials at the school.

  • $215 from the Graber PTO for staff retirement/appreciation gifts at the school.

  • $329.98 from the Graber PTO for patrol parties at the school.

  • $119.80 from the Graber PTO for marquee letters at the school.

  • $466.43 from the Graber PTO for physical education equipment at the school.

  • $693 from the Graber PTO to be used for the junior library guild at the school.

  • $260 from the Graber PTO for field trips at the school.

  • $2,327.20 from the Graber PTO for classroom gifts at the school.

  • $1,000 from Wal-Mart to Graber for the Teacher of the Year Award that honored Kendra Munds.

  • Plants valued at $100 for the outdoor classroom at Graber.

  • $1,886.39 from the Helen Lang Fund to Lincoln Elementary School to be used for student needs and activities.

  • $150 from the Downtown Kiwanis Club for books given to Lincoln first graders.

Next Board Meeting

The next Board meeting will be at 7 p.m. June 23 at the Administration Center, preceded by a Board dinner at 6 p.m. in the Curriculum Lab.

May 12, 2003

Board approves insurance plan

Facing the same challenges as other employers in making affordable health insurance available to employees, the Hutchinson Public Schools Board of Education Monday (May 12, 2003) approved a partially self-funded insurance plan for employees.

In January, the Board voted to withdraw from the ESSDACK insurance plan. Since then, the district's Insurance Committee has researched the various options. The committee determined a partially self-funded plan would provide the most flexibility for the district and give the district more control over rates. The district will contract with Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Kansas to be the carrier for the plan.

The plan provides more flexibility for employees as well. Instead of two tiers (single and family coverage) the 2003-04 plan provides four tiers – single, employee/children, employee/spouse and family. The new plan retains three options within each tier with each option tied to a particular maximum out-of-pocket expense. The plan also does away with deductibles, but creates a 50/50 co-pay for employees until a maximum is reached.

The Board approved the partially self funded plan, approved Blue Cross/Blue Shield as the provider and defined eligible participants. Eligible participants are all certified employees and classified employees who work 30 or more hours per week.

In other action, the Board accepted the summer energy conservation plan for the district. The majority of the district employees who work 12 months will work four 10-hour days in June and July with facilities closed Fridays through Sundays.

Thermostats will be set at 75 degrees when people are working Monday through Thursday and 80 degrees on the three-day weekends and when people are not in the buildings. The thermostats will not be able to be overridden under the plan that was accepted.

Additionally, some portions of buildings will be shut down completely with any maintenance work done on those areas in the early morning hours when it's still cool.

Associate Superintendent for Operations Gary Carson estimated savings at $30,000. Superintendent Wynona Winn equated those savings as the equivalent of the salary of one teacher or two classified staff members.

In other action, the Board:

  • Approved a maximum fee of $100,000 for the DLR Group to complete the master plan for the district with the funds to be paid on an hourly basis out of the capital improvement fund. The final draft of the plan is to be done by May 2004.

  • Approved an offer from Hutchinson Community College for $215,000 for the district's maintenance facility. The offer was $10,000 less than the appraised value of the facility. The $10,000 reduction will be considered USD 308's contribution toward HCC's master plan on the portion of that plan that involves shared facilities, such as Gowans Stadium.

  • Heard an Effective Schools Report from Avenue A Elementary School.

  • Held an executive session for 30 minutes to discuss non-elected personnel matters and negotiations.

Personnel Report

The Board approved the following personnel changes.

Certified

Hired

  • Kelly Curry, Year-Round School Teacher, Hutchinson Magnet School at Allen

  • Karie Griffith, Family and Consumer Science, Hutchinson High School

  • Nathan Henry, Social Studies, Hutchinson High School

  • Mary Smith, Year-Round School Principal, Hutchinson Magnet School at Allen

  • Teresa Witt, Special Education, Hutchinson High School

  • Eloise Anderson, Year-Round School Teacher, Hutchinson Magnet School at Allen

  • Kristy Farley, Year-Round School Teacher, Hutchinson Magnet School at Allen

  • Peggy Grundy, Year-Round School Teacher, Hutchinson Magnet School at Allen

  • Karen Kuhn, Summer School, St. Teresa's

  • JeanAnn Petz, Director of Assessment (60 percent time), Administration Center

  • Rachel Raigoza, Summer School, St. Teresa's

  • Lee Smith, Chemistry/Physics, Hutchinson High School

Resignations

  • Susan George, Grade 5, Graber Elementary

  • Shelly Wagler, Health/Science, HHS

Position Changes

  • Marietta Gray, from principal at Lincoln to principal at Wiley

  • Lachelle Spann, from Grade 2 at McCandless to Grade 2 at Morgan

  • Michelle Young, from principal at Wiley to principal at Lincoln

  • Kelly Curry, from Grade 2 at McCandless to Grade 2 at Graber

Classified

Hired

  • Christina Fleming, Year Round School Para, Hutchinson Magnet School at Allen

  • Carolyn Gamble, Year Round School Para, Hutchinson Magnet School at Allen

  • Georgia Link, Year Round School Para, Hutchinson Magnet School at Allen

  • Carol Razo, Year Round School Para, Hutchinson Magnet School at Allen

Resignations

  • Michael Douglas, Head Custodian, Avenue A

  • Stella Marquez, Bilingual Educational Aide, Avenue A

  • Christy Mundhenke, Library Media Assistant, Hutchinson Magnet School at Allen

  • Rebecca Walters, Assistant Fruits & Vegetables, Lincoln

  • Ulela Baker, Lunch Aide,Hutcherson Center

  • Karim-Kahlil Green, Male Involvement Facilitator, Hutcherson Center

  • Lana Morris, Custodian, Hutchinson Magnet School at Allen

Position Changes

  • Mandy Knight from Accounts Payable at the Administration Center to Youth Friends Program Specialist at the Administration Center

  • Cheryl Unruh from Accounting Clerk at the Administration Center to Accounts Payable Specialist at the Administration Center

  • Doreva Stone from SMH Para at Faris to MR Para at Graber

Gifts to Schools

  • $1,200 from the Hutchinson Youth Soccer Association to the Maintenance Department

  • $100 to the HHS Family and Consumer Science Scholarship Fund from Marty Casey

Recognitions

  • The Board students and coordinator of the Reno Entrepreneurial Development Institute for placing first and second at the annual KTEC State Business Plan Competition.

Next meeting

The next regular Board meeting will be at 7 p.m. June 9.


 

April 28, 2003

Board approves moving toward

development of master plan

The Hutchinson Public Schools Board of Education Monday (April 28, 2003) approved negotiations with a consulting firm to develop a master plan for the district.

Jim French and Andy Anderson from DLR Group discussed the type of planning DLR could do for the district in terms of facility master planning. A master plan would allow the district to better plan for facility usage over the next 20 years.

DLR has been doing master planning for 30 years and works with K-12 school systems. During the past decade, the firm has done more than 2,000 projects.

Anderson told the Board a master plan is a road map toward a destination of quality education. A good master plan encourages alignment between curriculum and facilities.

Also Monday, the Board approved a republished 2003-04 budget. The budget gains the district about $332,131 through increased state aid but does not increase local taxes.

The budget formerly was based on estimated weighted enrollment of 5,740.5 students. The official audited enrollment for 2002-03 was 5,866.6 or an increase of 126.1 students.

Each August, the Board approves its budget, based on estimates of student attendance. Actual spending by the district can go below the published budget but cannot be increased above that number.

The Board also recognized 10 educators who each have logged a quarter century of service to education. Those educators were Chris Baird, Head Start director; Theresa Corcoran, fifth grade teacher at Graber; Dellis Dick, psychologist at Hutchinson High School; Andrea Ewert, counselor at HHS; Cynthia Kitch, first grade teacher at McCandless; Avnell Mayfield, art teacher at HMS-7; Denise Neighbors, librarian at Hutchinson Magnet School at Allen; Glenn Nelson, debate and forensics coach at HHS; Karen Thayer, FACS teacher at the Vocational Technical Center; and Elizabeth Yoder, first grade teacher at Faris. The recognition program is sponsored by the University of Kansas.

The Board also formally appointed members of a committee to study the historical and linguistic context and content of the HHS Allagaroo Chant. The four students named to the committee are Matt Adrian, Kathy Crow, Ana Rogers and Sarah Reazin. The NAACP's nominees who were named to the committee are Kent Pope, Natasha Russell and Elsie Wickliffe. The three committee members from the Alumni Association are Carl Caton, Jeff Ericksen and Laura Maschler. The seven members named by the Board are Cecilia Pina, Charley Brown, Dr. Hence Parson, Greg Payton, Tony Smith, Bill Oliver and Bev Brown.

Cindy Knox co-chairs the committee along with a person to be selected by the committee itself. Non-voting members on the committee include Eric Armstrong, HHS activities director; Ronn Roehm, HHS principal, Starla Wells, HHS cheerleader sponsor; Paul Waggoner, local patron with expertise in history; and Dr. Wynona Winn, USD 308 superintendent.

In other action, the Board:

  • Approved the low bid of $22,276 from Klein Electric in Burrton to upgrade lighting in six rooms at HHS.

  • Approved the low bid of $114,800 from Hamilton Roofing for work at HHS.

  • Approved a computer upgrade at the Vocational Technical Center, costing $13,777.10.

  • Set the first Board meeting in July on July 7 to avoid scheduling conflicts.

  • Canceled the second Board meeting in May, which would have been on Memorial Day.

  • Held an executive session for 30 minutes to discuss negotiations, non-elected personnel and preliminary sale of real estate.

Personnel Report

The Board approved the following personnel changes.

Certified

Hired

  • Lisa Nickel, Language Arts, HMS-8

  • Diana Wilson, Special Education, HHS

  • Jeanette Nunn, French, HHS

  • Lana Vogts, English, HHS

  • Jennifer Young, Grade 6, Avenue A

Resignation

  • Dorcas Smith, Vocal Music, McCandless

Position Change

  • Pamela Schmidt, from Transition Math at HHS to Language Arts at HMS-8

  • Melissa Thomas, from Interdisciplinary Teach Teaching at Bob Johnson to Grade 4 at Avenue A

Classified

Hired

  • Jennifer Doughty, Lunchroom Supervisor, Avenue A

  • Dorcas Smith, Effective 08/19/03, Accompanist, HHS

Resignations

  • Crystal Reyes, Bilingual Teacher Assistant, Hutcherson Center

  • Melinda Sanchez,Family Support Worker, Hutcherson Center

  • Karen Smith, Effective 05/22/03, SMH Para, Faris

*The Board has been notified of the passing of Dennis Plush, Custodian at Wiley Elementary.

Gifts to Schools

The Board formally accepted the following gifts to schools:

  • $143.03 from Target to Lincoln Elementary School for school activities.

  • $200 from the Charles E. Carey Memorial Fund to Lincoln Elementary School for the Reading is Fundamental program.

  • $402 from the Helen Adams Hamilton Endowment Donor Advised Fund to Head Start.

  • $500 from the Wal-Mart Foundation to Avenue A Elementary School for an environmental grant.

  • Gifts and donations valued at $6,110.06 to Hutchinson High School from 33 donors to Hutchinson High School for the period Nov. 11, 2002, through Feb. 21, 2003.

Next Board Meeting

The next Board meeting will be at 7 p.m. May 12.

April 14, 2003

Board approves republishing budget

In a move that will boost resources for local schools while not increasing local taxes, the Hutchinson Public Schools Board of Education voted to republish the district's 2002-03 budget.

The budget formerly was based on estimated weighted enrollment of 5,740.5 students. The official audited enrollment for 2002-03 was 5,866.6 or an increase of 126.1 students.

The decision will increase the district's general fund without increasing local taxes.

Each August, the Board approves its budget, based on estimates of student attendance. Actual spending by the district can go below the published budget but cannot be increased above that number.

The Board's motion also set a public hearing on the republished budget for 7:05 p.m. April 28 in the Administration Center. April 28 is the date of the next regular Board meeting.

The Board also voted to establish a committee to study the official chant at Hutchinson High School. Earlier this year, the Board voted to suspend the current Allagaroo chant because of concerns about the content and context of some of the wording of the chant.

The committee will be co-chaired by Cindy Knox, president of the HHS Alumni Association, and an individual to be selected by the committee itself. Other committee members will include four students named by the HHS principal, three individuals to be selected by the Hutchinson NAACP chapter, three persons named by the HHS Alumni Association and seven individuals named by the Board of Education members – each Board member will name one committee person.

Non-voting members of the committee will be Eric Armstrong, HHS activity director; Ronn Roehm, HHS principal; Starla Wells, HHS cheerleader sponsor; Paul Waggoner, local patron with expertise in history; and Dr. Wynona Winn, USD 308 superintendent.

The committee is to report back to the Board with a recommendation by Aug. 11, 2003.

In other action, the Board:

  • Designated Lori Blakesley, district director of finance, as the agent for Kansas Public Employees Retirement System.

  • Approved membership in both the Kansas Association of School Boards and the Legal Assistance Fund. Costs of the memberships are $8,894 and $900 respectively.

  • Approved increasing textbook rental/enrollment fees by $10 to $40 for the 2003-04 school year for grades K-12. The money will be used to help pay for part of the consumable products used in district curriculum. The fee increase also will boost rentals of district-owned musical instruments to $30 from $25. The district is dropping fees for alternate school, computer skills at HMS-7 and foreign language and drill team at both middle schools. Foreign language fees at HHS will be dropped $5.50 per year for 2003-04.

  • Increased school breakfast and lunch meal prices by a dime per meal for students who pay the full price.

  • Approved a contract with Sturgeon Plumbing and Air Conditioning for $102,460 to replace pipes at HHS.

  • Approved a contract with Hart Floors to clean and refinish all gym floors in the district this summer at a cost of $14,275.

  • Held executive sessions, totaling 60 minutes, to discuss non-elected personnel, negotiations and attorney-client privilege.

  • Approved paying ESSDACK $21,600 because the district failed to meet minimum enrollment levels in the group health insurance.

Personnel Report

The Board approved the following personnel changes in the district.

Certified

Hired

  • Jodi Hansen, Speech Pathologist for the District

  • Tobie Henline, Drama/Speech, HHS

  • Toni Loewen, English, HHS

  • Jonathan O'Neal, Technology and Consumer Science, HMS-8

Resignations

  • Carman Costello, Drama and Speech, HHS

  • Carla Goertzen, Grade Five Teacher, Lincoln

  • Ashley Grooms, Special Education Teacher-Interrelated & Life Skills Math, HHS

  • Eric Lolar, Special Education Teacher-Learning Disabled

Retirements

  • Dellis Dick, Psychologist, HHS

  • Rae Hederstedt, Grade Three Teacher, Avenue A

  • Nancy Johnson, Reading Teacher, Graber

  • Sheila Lisman, English Teacher, HHS

  • Carolyn Murrell, Reading Specialist, Hutchinson Magnet School at Allen

  • Carolyn Pierce, History/Ethnic Studies Teacher, HHS

  • Doris VanderGiesen, French Teacher, HHS

  • M. Jean Watkins, Grade Six Teacher, Avenue A

Classified

Hired

  • Lori Brown, LD Para, HHS

  • Roger Crnkovic, Custodian, McCandless

  • Robyn Henderson, Custodian, HMS 8

  • Beverly Lesser, Custodian, HMS 8

  • Mark McCabe, Custodian, Wiley

  • Leonard Nelson, Custodian, Faris

  • Rachelle Olson, Head Baker, HMS 8/Morgan

  • Kari Stropes, Day Care Substitute, HHS Day Care

  • Mary Walker, Base Kitchen Cook/Server, HMS 8/Morgan

Resignations

  • Ashley Godwin, Day Care Teacher, HHS Day Care

  • Roy Groves, Custodian, HHS

  • Lynn Prado, Head Start TA/Family Support Worker, South Hutch Head Start

  • Sarah Salas, Head Start Teacher Assistant, Hutcherson Center

  • Roger Seeger, Custodian, Morgan

  • Donald Smith, Custodian, McCandless

  • Karen Sweeden, SMH Para, HMS-8

  • Robin Wetig, LD Para, HHS

Retirement

  • Judy Lindsey - Effective 07/01/03, Secretary, HH

  • Vicki Demoret, Benefits Coordinator, Administration Center

Terminations

  • Blanche Davis, Head Baker, HMS 8/Morgan

  • Beverly Lesser, Custodian, HMS 8

Position Changes, From, To

  • Brandy Chick, Fruits & Vegetables/Lincoln, Secretary/Parents as Teachers

  • Peggy Jacques, Satellite Cook/Server/HMS 8/Morgan, Assistant Fruits & Vegetables/HMS 8

  • Martha Mascarenas, Bi-Lingual Teacher Assistant/SJH, Teacher Assistant/McCandless

  • Kathy Rofkahr, Teacher Assistant Substitute/SJH, Long Term Teacher Assistant Substitute/SJH

  • Saundra Sander, Medication Aide/Lunch Supervisor/Morgan, Custodian/Morgan

Gifts to Schools

The Board formally accepted the following gifts to schools.

  • $24.83 from Target to Hutchinson Magnet School at Allen through the company's Take Charge of Education fund-raising program.

  • $200 from the Charles E. Carey Memorial Fund to the Reading is Fundamental Program at Hutchinson Magnet School at Allen.

  • $200 from the Charles E. Carey Memorial Fund to the Reading is Fundamental Program at Faris.

  • $1,800 from the Charles E. Carey Memorial Fund to operations and building costs of the Hutchinson High School Day Care Center.

  • Gifts valued at $11,870.74 from the Morgan PTO to Morgan.

  • $100 to YouthFriends from the Trinity United Methodist Men.

  • $1,200 from the Rotary Club to the Hutchinson Public Schools Dental Program.

  • 16 paintings from the estate of retired USD 308 art educator Marvel Senti.

Next Board Meeting

The next Board meeting will be at 7 p.m. April 28.

March 10, 2003

Board approves 2003-04 calendar

Under the 2003-04 school calendar approved Monday by the USD 308 Board of Education, school will start slightly later.

The 2003-04 school year would start for most students on Aug. 19 with high school sophomores through seniors attending their first day on Aug. 20. Kindergartners would start on Aug. 25.

The start is five days later than the corresponding start in 2002-03.

The calendar also calls for two full weeks at Christmas. Spring break would be March 22 to 26, 2004, the same as nearby school districts. The final day for classes in 2003-04 would be May 27 with teachers having a work day on May 28.

The calendar calls for 188 total contract days for teachers and 178 student contact days. The approval is subject to changes in state law, funding and negotiations.

Also during Monday's meeting, the Board formally approved the purchase of the former Ely's GMC dealership lot at 815 West 4th from Stuart Conklin Buick. The purchase price is $270,000. The district will renovate the facility, using its Capital Outlay Fund – monies that have to be used for major purchases or renovations.

The new facility will allow the district to consolidate its warehouse and maintenance operations under one roof.

In other action, the Board:

  • Approved the sale of the 2001-02 Building Trades House at 1007 Barberry for $174,900. Money from the sale goes to defray expenses of building the home that's currently being built by the program.

  • Approved a bid from CGL Company for $37,847 for replacement of the heating and air conditioning system on a portion of HMS-7.

  • Approved the list of courses taught through the Area Vocational-Technical Center for 2003-04.

  • Approved the Theory of Knowledge as a course for 2003-04.

  • Approved on second reading Policy BBC, which governs Board member attendance at local, state and national conferences.

  • Heard an Effective Schools Report from Faris Elementary School.

  • Heard a presentation on Youth Art Month by Sondra Horning. The Board proclaimed March as Youth Art Month.

  • Honored Rusty Hilst, long-time Hutchinson High School math teacher and former golf coach. Hilst was recognized by the Kansas Senate on Feb. 3 with a resolution, commending him for his years of service to education and Kansas.

  • Approved gifts of artwork from the Mid America Flea Market and the Vignettes.

After executive sessions totaling 45 minutes for negotiations and to discuss non-elected personnel, the Board approved renewing contracts for the following administrators.

Administrators/Supervisors-District Wide Responsibilities

Gary Carson, Associate Superintendent

Connie Clark, Assistant Superintendent

Chris Baird, Director of Head Start

Lori Blakesley, Director of Fiscal Management

Larry Frederick, Director of Technology

Ray Hemman, Public Information Officer

Rick Kraus, Technology Project Coordinator

Dana Lueger, Director of Food Service

Douglas Mitchell, Director of Support Services

Nancy Soldner, Director of Media Services, Early Childhood Education and PDC

Robert Williams, Supervisor of Buildings and Grounds

Administrators Having Building Level Responsibilities-Secondary School Level

Ronn Roehm, Principal of Hutchinson High School

Michael Ellegood, Principal of HMS-8

Randy Norwood, Principal of HMS-7

Eric Armstrong, HHS Activities Director

Kevin Graham, Assistant Principal

Sherri Hart, Assistant Principal, one-year position

Ron Overeem, Assistant Principal

Gail Prutow, Assistant Principal

Mark Thomas, Assistant Principal

Don Thomas, Director of the Area Vocation Technical School

Administrators Having Building Level Responsibilities-Elementary School Level

Andrea Fisher, Assistant Principal

Glenn Fortmayer, Principal

Marietta Gray, Principal

Laura McLemore, Principal

Liz Peirce, Principal

Rod Rathbun, Principal

Jan Strecker, Principal

Tamara Sullivan, Principal

Michelle Young, Principal

Personnel Report

The Board approved the following personnel changes.

Certified

Hired

  • Brad Johnson, Rule 10 Assistant Girls' Swimming Coach, HHS

Retirements

  • Leticia Alere, Library Media Specialist, McCandless Elementary School, effective at the end of the 2002-03 school year

  • Patricia Joan Liles, English, HMS-8, effective at the end of the 2002-03 school year

  • Carolyn Dooley, English, HMS-8, effective at the end of the 2002-03 school year

Resignation

  • Doug Quint, Grade 4, McCandless Elementary School, effective at the end of the 2002-03 school year

Position Change

  • Tina Beegly, from Grade 1 at McCandless, to Special Education at Hutchinson Magnet School at Allen, effective 2003-04 school year

Classified

Hired

  • Starla Black, Head Start Teacher Assistant Substitute, Hutcherson Center

  • Maria Caudillo, Head Start Teacher Assistant Substitute, South Hutchinson

  • Lisa Sack, Head Start Family Support Worker Sub, South Hutchinson

  • Roger Seeger, Custodian, Morgan

  • Greg Cox, Custodian, Vo-Tech

  • Carolyn Gillen, Head Start Teacher Assistant Substitute, Hutcherson Center

  • Lana Morris, Custodian, Hutchinson Magnet School at Allen

Resignation

  • Fray Gideon, Custodian, Vo-Tech

Position Change

  • John Barkley, Head Night Custodian – SAC, Custodian - HHS

  • Harry Pitts, Custodian-HHS, Head Night Custodian-SAC

Next Board Meeting

The next regular Board meeting will be at 7 p.m. April 14, 2003.

Feb. 24, 2003

Board considers policy

on conference attendance

The Hutchinson Public Schools Board of Education Monday (Feb. 24, 2003) approved on first reading a formal policy that clarifies which members attend conferences and how many national events members attend.

The proposed policy would encourage all Board members to attend both in-district and in-state conferences. For out-of-state conferences, two Board members would be allowed to attend at district expense with each Board member limited to one out-of-state conference during each four-year term. Additionally, Board members could not attend out-of-state conferences at district expense within six months of the expiration of a term if the member did not intend to seek re-election.

Board members could attend any out-of-state conference for which they paid their own expenses.

The Board also considered several options for how to rotate attendance for out-of-state conferences. Members voted to rotate positions based on seniority on the Board. Hence, the order of rotation would be Peggy Childs, Jeff Allen, Darla Neal, Betty Garcia, Cecilia Pina, David Hindman and Jeff Nichols.

The policy will come up for second reading March 10.

Based on that rotation and the fact Childs cannot attend this year's National School Boards Association meeting, the district's delegates this spring to the convention in San Francisco will be Allen and Neal.

Also during Monday's meeting, the Board:

  • Approved sale of 16 musical instruments deemed surplus by the district. The instruments were no longer the type used by the district, needed constant repair or were extras not needed by the district.

  • Heard a report on a pilot math criterion-referenced test.

  • Held executive sessions for negotiations for 35 minutes.

Personnel

The Board approved the following personnel changes.

Certified Staff

Retirement

  • Janet Hopkins, second grade teacher, Morgan, effective at the end of the 2002-03 school year.

Hired

  • Deborah Soule, Rule 10 assistant tennis coach at HHS, effective March 3, 2003

Resignations

  • Clelia McCrory, Family and Consumer Science Teacher, HHS, effective at the end of the 2002-03 school year

  • Julie McKinnis, English Teacher, HHS, effective at the end of the 2002-03 school year

Classified Staff

Hired

  • Joni Thompson, Head Start Teacher Assistant Substitute, Hutcherson Center

Retirements

  • Fred McCabe, Custodian, HMS 7, effective Aug. 1, 2003

  • Mary McCoy, Assistant Baker, Lincoln/Faris, effective June 1, 2003

Resignations

  • Nelson Joyner, Custodian, Hutchinson Magnet School at Allen, effective Feb. 28, 2003

  • Dale Morgan, Custodian, HHS, effective April 15, 2003

  • Robin Saffle, Parents as Teachers Secretary, Hutcherson Center, effective Feb. 28, 2003

  • Susan Mendoza, Teacher Assistant Substitute, Hutcherson Center

Next meeting

The next regular Board meeting will be at 7 p.m. March 10, 2003, at the Administration Center. The Board will have its annual tour of facilities at 7:30 a.m. March 5, starting from the Administration Center.

Feb. 10, 2003

Board extends superintendent's contract

The Hutchinson Public Schools Board of Education voted Monday to extend Superintendent Wynona Winn's contract through the 2004-05 school term.

Facing a largely routine agenda, the Board gave the superintendent a one-year extension on her current contract, creating essentially a two-year pact between the Board and the superintendent. Compensation for the 2003-04 year will be determined later this year.

Also during Monday's meeting, the Board:

  • Extended the deadline for purchasing property for a new maintenance facility at 814 West 4th until March 11 because of additional soil testing that needed to take place.

  • Approved sending two Board members to the National School Boards Association convention later this spring in San Francisco. Members asked Winn to bring back policy examples from other districts on how those districts select members to attend national events.

  • Received audited enrollment figures for USD 308, showing an of 88.7 students in the district over 2001-02 with the weighted enrollment up 126.2.

  • Held an executive session for 30 minutes to discuss negotiations and non-elected personnel.

Personnel

The Board approved the following personnel changes.

Certified

Hired

  • Jennifer Bain, school psychologist at the ESC for 2003-04

  • Tracey Colbert, Head Start nutrition coordinator

  • Andrew Mills, Early Head Start coordinator

Classified

Hired

  • Jacqueline Edwards, Cafeteria Aide, HHS

  • Celestina Escamilla, Bilingual MR Para, Avenue A

  • Peggy Jacques, Satellite Cook/Server, HMS 8/Morgan

  • Lorna Miller, Satellite Cook/Server, Graber

  • Letha Thode, Cafeteria Aide, HHS

  • Blanche Davis, Head Baker, HMS 8

  • Christa Hunt, Head Start Teacher Assistant Substitute, Obee Head Start

  • Kathy O'Hanlon, Base Kitchen Cook/Server, HMS 8/Morgan

  • Nancy Peak, Custodian, Faris

  • Kathryn Rofkahr, Head Start Teacher Assistant Substitute, Hutcherson Center

  • Rebecca Walters, Day Care Teacher Substitute, HHS Day Care

  • Stacey Wells, LD Para, Holy Cross

Resignations

  • Amanda Davis, Day Care Teacher Substitute, HHS Day Care

  • Suzanne Haley, Day Care Teacher Substitute, HHS Day Care

  • Sandra Mourn, LD Para, Lincoln

  • Janet Rupert, Head Baker, HMS 8

, ,

Terminations

  • Susan Klein, Custodian, Faris

  • Stacy Galyon, ED Para, HMS 8,

, ,

Position Changes

, ,

  • Linda Garcia, from Custodian/HMS 7 to Head Night Custodian/HMS 7

  • Rex Kisner from Custodian/Morgan to Custodian Substitute/Morgan

  • Rose McMahon from Custodian/HMS 7 to Custodian/Faris

  • Mary Vieyra from Custodian/HMS 8 to Custodian/HMS 7

  • Rebecca Walters from HHS Day Care Substitute to Assistant Fruit & Vegetables/Lincoln

  • Tammy Fairbanks from Cafeteria Aide at HHS to Base Kitchen Cook/Server at HHS

  • Sandra Griffith from Satellite Cook Server at HHS to Assistant Baker at HHS

Gifts to Schools

The Board approved the following gifts to schools.

  • $2,400 from the Graber PTO to Graber for Accelerated Reader materials

  • $300 from the James A. and Juliet L. Davis Foundation for the Reading Is Fundamental program at Avenue A


 

Next Meeting

The next Board meeting will be at 7 p.m. Feb. 24, 2003.

January 27, 2003

Board withdraws from

ESSDACK insurance alliance

The Hutchinson Public Schools Board of Education Monday (Jan. 27, 2003) voted to withdraw from the ESSDACK health insurance program.

ESSDACK, which stands for Educational Services and Staff Development Association of Central Kansas, provides a wide range of services for member districts, including health insurance. USD 308 has been a part of the ESSDACK health insurance pool since the fall of 1998.

The vote does not impact current health insurance for district employees, which runs through Oct. 1. Tuesday, the district's Insurance Committee, composed of employees, will meet to chart the course for future health insurance options.

Also during Monday's meeting, the Board:

  • Heard a report on Year Round School.

  • Approved first semester individual development plans for certified staff.

  • Approved two contracts with Bartlett Settle and Edgerle, Certified Public Accounts. The first was for a review of procedures related to the use of Social and Rehabilitation Services funds. The second was for the annual independent audit.

  • Held executive sessions totaling 60 minutes for personnel, negotiations, consultation with the district's attorney and preliminary discussions of real estate purchases.

Personnel Report

Classified

Hired

  • Deborah Cobb, Head Start Mental Health Aide, Hutcherson Center

  • Erin Miller, ED Para, HMS-8

  • Lauren Newburn, Day Care Teacher Substitute, HHS Day Care

  • Donna Belton, Family Support Worker Substitute, Hutcherson Center

Termination

  • Kathy O'Hanlon, Base Kitchen Cook/Server, HMS-8/Morgan

Resignation

  • Kim Wise, Cafeteria Aide, HHS

Gifts to Schools

  • $50 from Sandra and James F. Haskell, Jr., for the Hutchinson Public Schools Endowment Fund.

  • $250 from Dr. Kathryn Graves for the Hutchinson Public Schools Endowment Fund.

  • $200 from the Read Around a Rocker program for Hutchinson Magnet School at Allen.

  • $6,000 for a lighted sign from the Hutchinson Magnet School at Allen PTA for the school.

  • Dictionaries valued at $304 from the Hutchinson Optimist Club to fourth graders at at Hutchinson Magnet School at Allen.

  • $300 from the James A and Juliet L. Davis Foundation for the Reading is Fundamental Program at Hutchinson Magnet School at Allen.

  • Two clocks that synchronize with the national atomic clocks for the Administration Center from Board Member David Hindman.

Next Board Meeting

The next Board meeting will be at 7 p.m. Feb. 10 at the Administration Center.

Jan. 13, 2003

Board moves to suspend HHS yell

Responding to patron concerns over the century-old official yell at Hutchinson High School, the Board of Education Monday (Jan. 13, 2003) suspended the use of the yell.

At the Dec. 9 Board meeting, a patron complained that changes made more than 50 years ago in the Allagaroo Yell to mask racially inappropriate language were not enough and asked the yell be discontinued.

Four members of the public spoke at Monday's Board meeting and made the same request to drop the Allagaroo Yell. Two members of the public asked that the yell be preserved in some form or rewritten.

After the December Board meeting, Superintendent Wynona Winn ordered the use of the yell be suspended until more research was done. During the past month, Winn spent more than 30 hours researching the yell and the various words within the yell.

Based on her research, Winn concluded a portion of the yell that was changed to mask the racially insensitive language still could be offensive to some individuals. She recommended the yell continue to be suspended and high school administration work with students and the community to either revise the existing yell or create a new one. The Board decided to leave the yell suspended but did not move to create a new yell.

At the same December Board meeting, patrons also complained of racial bias in the boys' basketball program at HHS and the current coaching staff was ruining the program. Winn also researched these allegations.

Based on the data she found, the superintendent concluded minorities were proportionally represented on the team, and the squad's won-loss record was indicative of a successful program.

The African American population at HHS is about 6 percent while total minority population at the school is about 18 percent. Since 1999-2000, the percentage of African American players on the boys' varsity team ranted from 29 to 44 percent.

The won-loss percentage at HHS would not support the second allegation of a failing basketball program, Winn told the Board. Since 1999-2000 – when the current senior class were freshmen – HHS has won 87 percent of its basketball games, a mark envied by most Class 5A and Class 6A schools in Kansas.

Since Phil Anderson took over the HHS boys' program in the1994-95 season, the Salthawks have won 67 percent of its games. African American membership on the varsity team has averaged 30.8 percent during that period of time while all minorities on the team have averaged 33.6 percent.

Also during Monday's meeting, the Board approved extending the time frame of the contract to purchase property at 815 West 4th. The Board approved moving forward with the purchase of the property in October, contingent upon inspections. The closing date was to have been Jan. 28. Because the process is taking longer than originally anticipated, Associate Superintendent for Operations Gary Carson requested the date for closing the sale be moved to Feb. 25.

If the sale is completed, the property will be used for the district's maintenance facility, moving it off Hutchinson Community College property.

Also during Monday's meeting, the Board:

  • Approved the K-12 physical education curriculum.

  • Approved changes in the Classified Personnel Handbook to require support personnel to announce retirement intentions by April 1 of the year they intend to retire if they want early retirement benefits. Currently, they must tell the Board six weeks ahead of their proposed retirement date in order to qualify for early retirement benefits.

  • Approved a selection process for a Classified Employee of the Year.

  • Approved an updated shared facilities agreement with Hutchinson Community College. The original agreement dates to the mid 1960s and covers such facilities as Gowans Stadium.

  • Approved a contract with Nisly Brothers for trash service for calendar year 2003. The contract was put up for bid with Nisly making the only bid of $31,030.44.

  • Appointed David Hindman and board member to be named later to serve on a review committee to recommend an architectural firm to develop a master plan for HCC. The master plan will include an updated/renovated Gowans Stadium, which USD 308 shares with the college.

  • Approved sale of about $8,000 worth of printing equipment Hutchinson High School's Vocational Technical Center no longer needs.

  • Heard an Effective Schools Report from Morgan Elementary School.

  • Held an executive session for 15 minutes to discuss preliminary property acquisition, negotiations and non-elected personnel.

Personnel

The Board approved the following personnel changes.

Certified

Hired

  • Ella Horton, Math Teacher, HHS

  • Ann Sellers, Head Tennis Coach at HMS-8 as a Rule 10 coach

  • Heather Ramos, Grade 5, McCandless

    Classified

    Hired

  • Katie Baker, MR Para, ESC

  • Della Buchanan, LD Para, Trinity High School

  • Ginger Davis, Head Start Teacher Assistant Sub, Hutcherson Center

  • Ashley Godwin, Day Care Teacher, HHS Day Care

  • Khalil Green, Head Start Male Involvement Facilitator, Hutcherson Center