2007 - 2008 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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April 29, 2008
Board approves revised budget

The Hutchinson Public Schools Board of Education Monday (April 28, 2008) approved a revised budget for the 2007-08 school year.

The district was able to amend its budget, which was approved last summer, because audited enrollment was higher than when the budget was developed. Additionally, the district will benefit from increases in special education teacher entitlement.

In all, the revised budget added $860,366 to the district’s general fund.

In other action, the Board:

• Approved a joint proposal from Ameritime and TPP Retirement Specialists as the district’s vendor for the 403(b) plan. A district benefits committee worked with Lanthrop & Gage L.C. to review the district’s 403(b) plan to ensure compliance with all Internal Revenue Service regulations. A request for proposals was issued earlier this year. With the assistance of Lanthrop & Gage, the committee recommended Ameritime/TPP to be the district’s vendor.

• Heard a bond project update from Bob Williams, bond project manager.

• Approved participation in the 2008 Kids Voting Kansas program.

• Approved an equipment lease with Hasler Financial Services LLC for use of a postage meter.

• Accepted the report from the Supplemental Salary Committee.

• Approved a contract with Kansas Infinitec Coalition for assistive supports for special education students.

• Approved a Splash and Fit Grant application for Lincoln Elementary School.

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

Personnel Report

The Board approved the following personnel changes.

Certified

Hired

• Josh Dellenbach, Math, Hutchinson Middle School - 7
• Marcia Hudson, Library Media Specialist, McCandless Elementary School
• Glenda Kilpatrick, Elementary Interrelated Resource, to be determined
• Allison Palser, Grade 6, Wiley Elementary School
• Aimee Sarver, Substitute Teacher, District
• Ron Brummett, Principal, Lincoln Elementary School
• Jesse Ediger, Grade 6, Graber Elementary School
• Melissa Freeman, Interrelated Resource, To Be Determined
• Helene Marcoux, School Counselor (0.5), Faris Elementary School
• Susie Ray, Speech Language Pathologist, Morgan Elementary School
• Valerie Stephenson, Rule X SaltShakers Sponsor, Hutchinson High School
• Aimee Sarver, Substitute Teacher, District

Resignations

• Maranda Bryant, Grade 5, McCandless Elementary School
• Amy Burkholder, Vocal Music, McCandless Elementary School
• Carolyn Deal, Special Education, Hutchinson High School
• Jennifer Long, Grade 3, McCandless Elementary School
•Jennifer Long, NCA Math Committee Chair, McCandless Elementary School
• Jennifer Long, Head Cheerleading Sponsor, Hutchinson High School
Chad McKinnis, Physical Education, Hutchinson High School
• Jeri Miller, Grade 1, McCandless Elementary School
• Chris Reeves, Head Coach Boys’ Soccer, Hutchinson High School
• Anne Willis, Special Education, HMS-7

Positions Changes, From, To

• Jacquie Timken, Title I Support Teacher/Lincoln, Title I Support Teacher/St Teresa’s

Classified

Hired

• Dorothy Barrows, Food Service Substitute, District
• Crystal Sifuentes, Head Start Substitute, Hutcherson Center
• Martha Dole, Food Service Substitute, District Patty McMurphy, Specialized Para, Graber

Resignations

• Makisha Lemonds, Resource Room Para, McCandless, effective 04/02/08

Termination

• Shari Hinerman, Specialized Para, Graber, effective 04/21/08

Gifts to Schools

The Board formally accepted and thanked donors for the following gifts.
• $500 from The Learning Tree Institute to Wiley Elementary School.

• $154.98 from Target to Wiley Elementary School.
• 10 grants totaling $1,763.10 from Hutchinson Credit Union to district teachers.

Next Meeting

The next regular meeting of the Board will be at 7 p.m. May 12 at the Administration Center. The second Board meeting in May has been moved to May 27 to avoid a conflict with Memorial Day.

March 25, 2008
Board approves republishing budget

Board approves republishing budget Thanks to a closer examination by district staff of students and how they should be counted last September, USD 308 will republish its 2007-08 budget this spring. The USD 308 Board of Education Monday (April 14, 2008) approved republishing the 2007-08 budget.

The net impact of republishing the budget will be an increase in budget authority of $860,366. The Board will have a public hearing on the republished budget at its April 28 meeting.

The Board also voted to take a longer view of maintenance at Don Michael Field. The Board approved spending an estimated $350,000 out of capital outlay funds to address the root causes of track problems at Don Michael, including drainage. Spending the $350,000 in the short term will save the district money in the long term.

The $350,000 solution will make the track usable with only minor maintenance for a decade. An initially cheaper solution would cost an estimated $400,000 over the same time. Over 20 years, the estimated savings are significant with the initially more expensive solution costing only $430,000 over 20 years vs. $800,000 for the cheaper solution.

In other action, the Board:

• Heard Continuous Improvement/Baldrige Reports from Morgan Elementary School and on Head Start Parent Involvement.

• Heard staff reports on YouthFriends and the International Baccalaureate Programme’s Middle Years Program at Hutchinson Middle School.

• Approved a summer feeding program for the district.

• Approved the interlocal Career and Technical Education Consortium Cooperation Agreement.

• Changed the second May meeting to May 27, 2008, because the original date was on Memorial Day.

• Welcomed members of Boy Scouts of America Troop 301 to the meeting.

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

Personnel Report

The Board approved the following personnel changes.

Certified

Hired

• Susan Fangman, SaltShaker Teacher and Sponsor, Hutchinson High School, effective 2008-09 school year
• Bennie Ferguson, Substitute Teacher, District
• Debra Gordon, Special Education, Hutchinson Middle School – 7, effective 2008-09 school year

Resignations

• Peter Boyle, Grade 5, Lincoln Elementary School, effective end of 2007-08 school year
• Holly Crainer, Grade 6, Wiley Elementary School, effective end of 2007-08 school year
• Phyllis Hoppes, Interrelated Resource Room, effective end of 2007-08 school year
• Al Kolarik, Assistant Coach Cross Country, effective end of 2007-08 school year
• Al Kolarik, Assistant Coach Track, effective end of 2007-08 school year
• Staci Perry, Grade 4, Morgan Elementary School, effective end of 2007-08 school year
•Dawn Justice, Head StuCo Sponsor, Hutchinson High School, effective end of 2007-08 school year
• Raul Prezas, Speech Language Pathologist, Educational Service Center, effective end of 2007-08 school year
• Dorothy Smith, Grade 3, Hutchinson Magnet School at Allen, effective April 14, 2008

Retirements

• Glen Fasnacht, Physical Education, Wiley and Faris Elementary Schools, effective end of 2007-08 school year
• Marilyn Graham, Principal, Lincoln Elementary School, effective end of 2007-08 school year
• Patricia Means, Grade 1, Lincoln Elementary School, effective end of 2007-08 school year
•Debra Nikkel, Math, HMS-7, effective end of 2007-08 school year
• Letishia Watt, Library Media Specialist, McCandless Elementary School, effective end of 2007-08 school year

Classified

Hired

•James Belcher, Custodian, Hutchinson High School
• Sondra Hutchison, Cafeteria Aide, Hutchinson High School
• Randy Sodowsky, HVAC Apprentice, Hutchinson High School
• Jason Whalen, Custodian, Hutchinson High School

Resignations

• Kurt Beougher, Custodian, Hutchinson High School, effective March 31, 2008
• Catherine Jones, OHI Para, Trinity High School, effective April 4, 2008
• Collette McGuire, Speech Language Itinerant Consultant, Lincoln, effective May 22, 2008
• Connie Owens, Day Care and Food Service Sub, District, effective April 8, 2008

Terminations

•J .D. Cox, Head Custodian, HMS-8, effective March 1, 2008
• Randy Martin, Custodian, HHS, effective April 7, 2008

Gifts to Schools

The Board formally accepted the following gifts and thanked donors:

• $1,000 from the Wal-Mart Foundation to Head Start
• $200 from an anonymous donor to Faris Elementary School for student activities
• $91.76 from Target to Faris Elementary School
• $300 from the Charles E. Carey Memorial Fund for the Faris Elementary School Reading Is Fundamental Program
• $380 to the district’s Reading Is Fundamental Program as memorials to Barbara Macdonald
• $37.68 from Target to HMS-7
• $300 from the Charles E. Carey Memorial Fund to the Avenue A Elementary School Reading Is Fundamental Program
• $300 from the Charles E. Carey Memorial Fund to the McCandless Elementary School Reading Is Fundamental Program
• $178.28 from Target to McCandless Elementary School
• $3,156.91 from Dillons-Kwik Shop Run to McCandless Elementary School
• $500 from the Center for Learning Tree Institute to Faris Elementary School

Next Meeting

The next regular meeting of the Board will be at 7 p.m. April 28, 2008, at the Administration Center.

March 25, 2008
Board looks at Don Michael Field fixes

The Hutchinson Public Schools Board of Education Monday (March 24, 2008) heard a report on the state of Don Michael Field and possible scenarios for improving the outdoor sports venue.

Until Gowans Stadium was refurbished, Don Michael was the only viable competition track in Hutchinson and received heavy school and community use. Since Gowans was improved, competitive meets increasingly have moved to the facility on the Hutchinson Community College campus. Don Michael continues to be used as a practice facility.

Community members, however, also have continued to use the track for walking and jogging, activities that are limited at Gowans. Additionally, the field is used for middle school football games and Hutchinson High School band practice in the fall.

The Board reviewed two options for Don Michael. Option I would spend between $80,000 and $95,275. This option would repair cracks on the field, install a thin rubber and black latex coating and re-stripe the track.

Option I would allow the track to continue to be used by the district and outside groups for one or two years and could be completed prior to fall 2008. It does not, however, address long-range needs of the community.

Option II would cost an estimated $350,000. Option II would do a major renovation on the track, including needed drainage. This option would include a half inch polyurethane track.

This would be a longer-range option for the track, making it usable for another 8 to 10 years. Option II also addresses drainage issues and safety concerns.

Funding, however, would require a portion of the funds to come from year-end budget funds or other sources. Option II also may need to be divided into two projects to avoid disrupting fall activities at the site.

Also during Monday’s meeting, the Board:

• Made numerous recognitions, including teachers with 25 years service to Kansas education, HHS art students, HHS debaters and HHS state wrestlers.
• Heard a Continuous Improvement/Baldrige Report from Graber Elementary School staff.
• Heard a report on Youth Art Month.
• Heard a bond update from Bob Williams, bond project manager.
• Approved a summer program at Reno County Youth Services. The district provides educational services to youth who are at Reno County Youth Services.
•Approved a bid for a double-stack convection oven at HMS-8 from Sunflower Restaurant Supply for $10,250.
• Approved renewal of insurance coverage with Fee Insurance Group.
• Approved the purchase of math intervention materials for elementary students.
• Approved a national affiliate membership in the National School Board Association.
• Held an executive session for 30 minutes to discuss non-elected personnel and negotiations.

Personnel Report

The Board approved the following personnel changes.

Certified

Hired

• Brad Binns, Assistant Coach Girls’ Soccer, Hutchinson High School, effective immediately
• Bryan Cunningham, Grade 6, Hutchinson Magnet School at Allen, effective 2008-09 school year
• Jennifer Gill, School Psychologist, Hutchinson Magnet School at Allen and Trinity High School, effective 2008-09 school year
• Kerri Werth, Elementary Teacher, To Be Determined, effective 2008-09 school year
• Clifford Bisbee, Substitute Teacher, District
• Terri Kaegi, Substitute Teacher, District
• Kelly Fast, English, Hutchinson High School, effective 2008-09 school year
• Kathryn Taylor, Communications, Hutchinson Middle School – 8, effective 2008-09 school year Resignations
• Dellis Dick, School Psychologist, Educational Services Center, effective end of the 2007-08 school year
• Lova McMahon, Special Education, Lincoln Elementary School, effective end of the 2007-08 school year
• Taylor Kenyon, Rule X Assistant Coach Cheerleading, Hutchinson Middle School, effective March 18, 2008

Classified

Resignation

• Sharon Stephenson, Resource Room Para, McCandless, effective March 7, 2008 Retirement
• Shirley Wenner, Curriculum Secretary, effective July 1, 2008

Gifts to Schools

The Board formally accepted the following gifts and thanked contributors.

• $160 from Duane & Elsie Halpain, Sheryl Goertz, Cindy Posten, Lori Klasse and Stephanie Rempe for library books at the Wiley Elementary School library in memory of Carolyn Bowman.
• $4,000 from the Wiley PTO to the Wiley Elementary School library for books.
• $5,000 from Cox Communications for the Computer Aided Instruction Lab at Hutchinson High School.

Next Meeting

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

March 4, 2008
Board approves backup generator

When Hutchinson’s lights went out in December, district business office and information technology staff found themselves in a precarious dilemma.

Some 900 staff members needed to receive their monthly paychecks on a Friday either in paper or electronic form. Those paychecks, however, had to be processed on a Tuesday. The district’s central office and information technology hub was dark.

Only through a heroic effort that involved setting up shop at a staff member’s home where both electricity and the Internet were available that the paychecks were produced and delivered on time.

As a result, Hutchinson Public Schools Board of Education members Tuesday (March 4, 2008) approved a $34,795 bid from Hutchinson’s Zenor Electric for a back-up generator to power a portion of the district’s central office during power outages.

The Board met Tuesday instead of its normal first meeting of the month on the second Monday because it appeared a quorum might not be available to take action on March 10.

The meeting also was moved up to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday in the Administration Center so that Board members and anyone else who wanted to attend the Board meeting also could attend USD 308’s districtwide orchestra concert, which was later Tuesday evening.

When Hutchinson’s last extended citywide power outage occurred in the mid 1980s, the district’s payroll system was less linked to computers and direct deposit of paychecks was unheard of. Additionally, grades and attendance were recorded on paper, and classroom computers were more of novelty than a tool.

The Internet? That was largely unknown outside of the military and top level universities in the mid 1980s.

Today, the district’s servers for PowerSchool and other major student and staff applications as well as the district’s Internet hub are located at the Administration Center. Even a localized power outage can disrupt district activities.

Also during Tuesday’s meeting, the Board:

•  Approved the annual renewal EBSCO’s on-line full-text periodicals for district schools. This on-line database provides students and staff with countless periodicals and articles for research. The cost is $13,545 for the coming subscription year.

•  Approved a bid for lunch tables for Wiley and Graber elementary schools from Kansas Contract Design.

•  Approved Dr. George McKenna as the 2008 convocation speaker on Aug. 11.

•  Approved Harcourt School Publishers as the K-6 math textbook adoption. The $389,703.89 will come from the district’s textbook funds.

•  Held executive sessions, totaling 55 minutes.

•  After the executive sessions, extended the contract of Superintendent David Flowers through the end of the 2009-10 school term. The Board has a two-year contract with Dr. Flowers.

•  Approved extending the contracts for all current district administrators through the end of the 2008-09 school term after the executive sessions. Pay for all administrators will be set later this year by the Board.

Personnel Report

The Board approved the following personnel changes.

Certified

Hired

•  Carolyn Deal, Assistant StuCo Sponsor, Hutchinson High School, 2008-09 school year

•  Kyle Unruh, Rule X Assistant Coach Girls’ Soccer, Hutchinson High School, spring 2008

•  Ron Weber, Head Coach Girls’ Tennis, Hutchinson Middle School, fall 2008

•  Kristi Link, assignment and location to be determined, 2008-09 school year

•  Cheri Mullen-Hastert, Rule X Assistant Coach Track, Hutchinson Middle School – 7, spring 2008

•  Clint Rodriguez, Assistant Coach Track, Hutchinson Middle School – 8, spring 2008

•  Anne Sellers, Rule X Assistant Coach Boys’ Tennis, Hutchinson Middle School – 8, spring 2008

•  Dale Wilson, School Counselor, Hutchinson High School, 2008-09 school year

Resignations

•  Carla Little, Physical Education, Hutchinson High School, end of 2007-08 school year

•  Carla Little, SaltShakers Sponsor, Hutchinson High School, end of 2007-08 school year

•  Alicia McClure, Grade 5, McCandless Elementary School, end of 2007-08 school year

•  Heather McClure, Head Coach Drill Team, Hutchinson Middle School – 8, end of 2007-08 school year

•  Travis Thurston, Assistant Coach Football, Hutchinson Middle School – 7, end of 2007-08 school year

•  Amy Tolle, Vocal Music, Wiley and Faris Elementary Schools, end of 2007-08 school year

Classified

Hired

•  Charlene Albert, Resource Room Para, Morgan

•  Charlin Lucia, Day Care Assistant, HHS Day Care

•  Benjamin Wallace, Head Start Teacher Assistant Substitute, Hutcherson Center

•  Makisha Lemonds, Resource Room Para, McCandless

•  Sharon Stephenson, Resource Room Para, McCandless

Resignations

•  Randy Sodowsky, Head Custodian, Hutchinson High School, effective March 7, 2008

•  Janon Borders, Resource Room Para, McCandless, effective Feb. 27, 2008

•  Eunice Kenney, Support Technicial/Data Clerk, Hutcherson Center, effective March 31, 2008

Next Meeting

The next regular meeting for the Board will be at 7 p.m. in the Administration Center.

Feb. 25, 2008
Board approves Academy bid

The Hutchinson Public Schools Board of Education Monday (Feb. 25, 2008) approved a Wichita firm’s bid for the Career and Technology Education Academy.

E.W. Johnson Inc. had the low bid of $14,008,000 for the stand-alone building. Also making bids were Wichita’s Law Co. Inc., and Manhattan’s MW Flint Hills Inc.

The new building will be located on the north side of the Hutchinson High School campus. It will have 96,000 square feet of space and is just west of the existing North Gymnasium on land the district purchased for the project last year. Demolition of apartment buildings on the land occurred in the fall of 2007.

A variety of programs will move from the existing Vocational Building on the HHS campus, from the other halls of HHS and from the Quest Center to the Career and Technology Education Academy. Among the programs to be located in the new building are automotive technology, automotive collision repair, recreational vehicle repair, commercial construction, culinary arts, marketing classes and the Reno Entrepreneurial Development Institute (REDI). Additionally, new classes being created in a number of specialties for health careers, commercial construction and recreational vehicle repair and the culinary arts.

The expansion of these programs into the new building will allow other existing programs to expand into space in the Vocational Building as well as move REDI from off-site at the Quest Center to HHS.

The building will have state-of-the art safety systems, including fire alarms and fire sprinklers as well as a communications system. The building will be ADA compliant and will have an events center for use by the district and community.

Students, parents and patrons also will benefit from additional off-street parking near the new building after it is completed.

The next bid opening is expected to be in May for renovations and additions to the main campus at Hutchinson High School.

The Board also approved bids on three other capital projects not related to the bond issue. Projects and bid winners were:

• $42,000 from Stone Sand Co. in Great Bend to demolish the unusable portion of Grandview School on the city’s east side. Stone Sand was the low bidder of three companies. The two other bidders were Carnjeo & Sons from Wichita and A&A Builders from Hutchinson.

• $182,850 for a new roof on the Shirlie J. Hutcherson Center in Careyville from Mahaney Roofing in Wichita. The Hutcherson Center headquarters the Reno County Head Start Program. The only other bid was from Dodge City’s Diamond Roofing.

• $173,600 for window replacement at the Hutcherson Center from Hutchinson’s Sturgeon Glass. It was the only bid received for the project.

Also during Monday’s meeting, the Board:

• Heard a report on budget planning from Superintendent David Flowers and Budget Director Lori Blakesley.

• Approved an agreement with the Southeast Kansas Education Service Center for Medicaid processing of claims.

• Approved member participation in the Kansas Joint Utility Management Program.

• Approved K-12 math curriculum and grades seven to 12 math textbook adoption. Program materials for secondary students will be purchased from four companies for $143,313.98.

• Approved a contract with the American Society of Quality for advanced training for Koalaty Kid and Quality Keys programs. The training, for 14 staff members, will cost $11,290.

• Approved the annual software support contract renewal with Kronos Timekeeper System.

• Approved the 2008-09 and 2009-10 district calendars. The calendars are approved subject to change in state laws, funding and negotiations between the district and NEA-Hutchinson.

• Changed the first meeting in March to 5:30 p.m. March 4. The normal first meeting in March falls during spring break.

• Held an executive session for 30 minutes to meet with district counsel.

Personnel Report

The Board approved the following personnel changes.

Certified

Hired

• Holly Crainer, Grade 6, Wiley Elementary, effective Feb. 11, 2008

• Melissa Adair, Substitute Teacher, District

• Helen Marcoux, Substitute Teacher, District

• Sean Bueford, Rule X Assistant Coach Track, HMS-7, effective Spring 2008

• Pamela Clark, Interrelated Resource, Building to be determined, effective 2008-09 school year

• Heidi Delaney, Assistant Coach Track, Hutchinson High School, effective Spring 2008

• Molly Fast, Math, Hutchinson High School, effective 2008-09 school year

• Leanna Gleason, Assistant Coach Boys’ Golf, Hutchinson High School, effective Spring 2008

• Roger Wait, Interrelated Resource, Hutchinson High School, effective 2008-09 school year

• Jennifer Young, Interrelated Resource, McCandless Elementary, effective 2008-09 school year

Resignation

• Dustin Delaney, Assistant Coach Track, effective immediately

• Elizabeth Bennin, Communications, HMS-8, end of 2007-08 school year

Retirement

• Gary Hughes, Social Studies, Hutchinson High School, effective end of 2007-08 school year

Classified

Hired

• Julie Cross, Head Start Teacher Assistant, Hutcherson Center

• Melissa Marcum, Playground Aide, Hutchinson Magnet School at Allen

Resignations

• Teresa Bertsch, ESL Aide, HMS-8, effective Feb. 20, 2008

• Suzan Lynch, Assistant Main Dish, Hutchinson High School, effective March 17, 2008

• Teressa Murray, Cafeteria Aide, Hutchinson High School, effective Feb. 29, 2008

Position Change, From, To

• Addie Colle, Day Care Assistant/HHS Day Care, Custodian/HMS-8

Termination

• Teresa Kaplan, Head Start Teacher Assistant, Hutcherson Center/South Hutchinson, effective Feb. 22, 2008

Gifts to Schools

The Board approved the following gifts to schools and formally thanked the donors.

• $250 from First National Bank of Hutchinson to HMS-7

•  $1,076 from the Helen Adams Hamilton Endowment Fund to Head Start

Announcement

Groundbreaking ceremonies:

•  10:30 a.m. Feb. 28 at Wiley Elementary School, 900 West 21st
•  1 p.m. Feb. 28 at Morgan Elementary School, 100 West 27th
Note: The public is invited to the groundbreaking ceremonies. A majority of a quorum of Board members may be present at the groundbreakings. No Board action will be taken at those ceremonies.

Feb. 11, 2008
Board awards first major bond issue contract

The Hutchinson Public Schools Board of Education Monday (Feb. 11, 2008) awarded the first major contract from the $78.8 million bond issue voters approved in November 2006.

Hutchinson’s Wiens & Co. was the low bidder at $7,179,000 for improvements at Morgan and Wiley elementary schools.

Work at Morgan will total 18,445 square feet of new construction and about 3,000 square feet of renovations. The new construction includes new classrooms, a new library/media center and a new gymnasium. Because it is a two-story facility, an elevator will be constructed.

Work at Wiley will total 15,825 square feet of new construction and about 3,000 square feet of renovations. The construction includes new classrooms and a new library media center.

Both buildings will have improved safety systems, including fire alarms and fire sprinklers as well as a new intercom. All buildings during the project will be brought into compliance with ADA.

Parents and patrons also will benefit from improved drop-off and pick-up zones for students as well as more off-street parking.

Groundbreaking for the two projects will be Feb. 28. Construction is expected to begin in March.

The district received two other bids for the work. E.W. Johnson of Wichita bid $7,995,000 while Harbin Construction of Salina had a bid of $7,846,000. Bids were opened Thursday, Feb. 7.

The next bids for projects will be opened Feb. 21 when bids for Career and Technology Education Academy at 2 p.m. in the Board Room of the Administration Center.

Also at Monday’s meeting, the Board approved a bid from Armi Company for $32,284 to remove and properly dispose of asbestos at Grandview School. Other bids were for $38,588 from F&H Insulation, Inc., and for $59,850 from Gerken Environmental.

In other action Monday, the Board:
•  Heard a Continuous Improvement/Baldrige Report from Wiley Elementary School.

•  Received an update on the Pur-O-Zone system for cleaning district facilities.

•  Approved the purchase of laptop computers and software for the Hutchinson High School Broadcast Journalism Department.

•  Approved the purchase of an Adobe CS3 master collection software license at HHS.

•  Held executive sessions, totaling 55 minutes, to discuss negotiations with NEA-Hutchinson and non-elected personnel.

Personnel Report

Certified

Hired

•  Chris Endress, Science, Hutchinson High School, effective 2008-09 school year

•  James Parker, Alternative Learning Program, Boys & Girls Club, effective Feb. 12, 2008

•  Corey Durham, Science, HMS-8, effective 2008-09 school year

•  Lori Cooper, Substitute Teacher, District

•  Katharine Johnson, Substitute Teacher, District

•  Kelly Simmons, Substitute Teacher, District

•  William Block, Substitute Teacher, District

•  Robert Lee, Substitute Teacher, District

•  Tabitha Gray, Substitute Teacher, District

Resignations

•  Brenda Stegman, Briny Birds Sponsor, Hutchinson High School, end of 2007-08 school year

•  Gene Willich, Counselor, Hutchinson High School, end of 2007-08 school year

•  Tina Foster, Spanish, HMS-7, end of 2007-08 school year

•  Jeff McFarland, Assistant Coach Football, Hutchinson High School, end of 2007-08 school year

Classified

Hired

•  Brian Brillhart, ESL Aide, HMS-8

•  Misty Barnum, Educational Aide, McCandless

•  Erin Richardson, Intermediate Behavior Support Interventionist, McCandless

Resignation

•  Marcus Yoder, Educational Aide, McCandless, effective Jan. 28, 2008

•  Angela Cummins, Day Care Teacher, HHS Day Care, effective Jan. 30, 2008

Position Change From, To

•  Jo Clark, Substitute Custodian/District, Custodian/Wiley

•  Addie Colle, Custodian/HMS-8, Day Care Assistant/HHS Day Care, effective Feb. 25, 2008

Next Meeting

The next regular Board meeting will be at 7 p.m. Feb. 25. At 2 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 21, a majority of a quorum of Board members may be present during the opening of bids for the Career and Technology Education Academy. No Board action will be taken Feb. 21.

Jan. 28, 2008
Board approves moving to bids on Academy

The Hutchinson Public Schools Board of Education Monday (Jan. 28, 2008) approved putting the Career and Technology Education Academy project out to bid.

The DLR Group has estimated the cost of the Career and Technology Education Academy at $14.04 million. The Academy is the single largest improvement in the $78.8 million bond issue USD 308 voters approved in November 2006.

The bid package will include $100,000 of add-on alternates that bidders will have the opportunity to include.

During Monday’s meeting, the Board also learned that the bid openings for improvements at Wiley and Morgan elementary schools have been moved to 2 p.m. Feb. 7 from Feb. 5 in the Board Room of the Administration Center. Superintendent David Flowers said the change in date occurred after the pre-bid walk-through meeting earlier this month with contractors. During that meeting, the contractors asked for any additional time that could be given to prepare bids.

The Board also approved specifications for fire alarm system upgrades. Hutchinson High School and the Academy will have Simplex systems, expanding an existing system at the high school. Instead using of the State of Kansas Procurement Contract, competitive bidding used to obtain the systems.

For the Wiley and Morgan renovations, the Board opted to go out to bids for systems that have automated remote notification. Four vendors can provide the systems. These systems remotely notify maintenance staff and administrators immediately when a portion of the system needs repair or routine maintenance.

In other action, the Board:

• Heard a Continuous Improvement/Baldrige Report from Avenue A Elementary School.
• Heard a report on the District Bullying Plan.
• Approved a request for proposal for a 403(b) Plan for district staff.
• Approved a bid for $41,700 from A&A Builders to install stair rail and balcony rail code compliance modifications at the Administration Center.
• Approved an agreement to host the Kagan Cooperative Learning training for certified staff in June.
• Accepted the superintendent evaluation document.
• Approved the purchase of elementary classroom furniture for $67,394.85 from Kansas Contract and Design. The motion also declared the furniture it replaces as surplus.
• Held an executive session for 25 minutes to discuss negotiations.
Personnel Report

Certified Staff

Hired

• Henry Borra, Substitute Teacher, District
• Mary Brown, Substitute Teacher, District
• Debra Cable, Substitute Teacher, District
• Casey Stiggins, Assistant Track Coach, HMS-8

Resignations

• Tracey File, English, Hutchinson High School, end of 2007-08 school year
• Nancy Williams, Assistant Student Council Sponsor, Hutchinson High School, end of 2007-08 school year
• Kimberly Workman, Science, Hutchinson High School, end of 2007-08 school year

Classified Staff

Hired

• Jessica Garwood, Head Start Teacher Assistant, Hutcherson Center
• Korilyn Reazin, Day Care Assistant, HHS Day Care
• Kimberly Starks, Head Start Teacher Assistant Sub, Hutcherson Center
Resignations

• Lori Brown, Day Care Assistant, Hutchinson High School Day Care, effective Jan. 15, 2008
• Krista Cockerill, Playground Aide, Graber, effective Dec. 21, 2007
• Delora Brown, Resource Room Para, Hutchinson High School, effective Feb. 20, 2008
Termination

• Jessica Garwood, Head Start Teacher Assistant, Hutcherson Assistant

Gifts to Schools

• Student and family gift boxes, valued at $15,000, from First Church of the Nazarene to students and families of McCandless Elementary School.

Next Meeting

The next regular Board meeting will be at 7 p.m. Feb. 11.

Jan. 14, 2007
Board accepts FY2007 audit

The Hutchinson Public Schools Board of Education Monday (Jan. 14, 2008) approved a series of bids and contracts to start off the 2008 calendar year.

The Board approved a contract with Miller Home Builders to provide snow removal services for the Hutchinson High School student parking areas east and north of the Sports Arena. Since the contract is for services, it does not have to have a bid taken. Additionally, snow removal services normally does not meet the $10,000 threshold for bids for other types of contracts.

Randy Norwood, director of support services, contacted three local firms about the project. One declined to make a bid and the second could not meet the requirements of the contract, leaving Miller Home Builders.

The Board also approved bids from Pur-O-Zone for $26,270.98 for indoor and outdoor matting of district facilities. Bids were sought from three firms but only Pur-O-Zone was able to meet specifications.

The matting systems trap dirt at the entrances to facilities, reducing cleaning costs in the buildings and minimizing slipping hazards.

The Board also approved a formal contract with Reno County for probation services at Hutchinson High School. The services cost $25,000 in 2006-06 and 2006-07 and will cost $30,000 in 2007-08.

The final contract approved was between the district, Reno County Educational Cooperative and the Training and Evaluation Center of Hutchinson for the Early Education Center. The Early Education Center provides special education services for 3-, 4- and 5-year-olds in the district.

In other action the Board:

• Honored the members, coaching and support staff for the Class 6A state football team.

• Heard a Baldrige Report from Hutchinson Magnet School at Allen.

• Heard staff reports on the bond issue from Bob Williams, project manager, and energy education from Jason Reed, energy education manager.

Personnel report

The Board approved the following personnel changes in the district.

Certified

Hired

• Scott Carlton, Assistant Coach Wrestling, Hutchinson Middle School, effective Dec. 17, 2007

• David Rutler, Assistant Coach Wrestling, Hutchinson Middle School, effective Dec. 17, 2007

• Chelsea Barker, Substitute Teacher, District

• Melisa Bryant, Substitute Teacher, District

• Rebecca East, Substitute Teacher, District

• Sabrina Gallo, Substitute Teacher, District

• Cheryl Rodriguez, Substitute Teacher, District

• Kristin Pentz, Science, HMS-8

• Agatha Nickelson, Substitute Teacher, District

Resignations

• Michael Sanders, Assistant Coach Boys’ Soccer, Hutchinson High School, effective Dec. 17, 2007

• Michael Sanders, Assistant Coach Girl’ Soccer, Hutchinson High School, effective Dec. 17, 2007

• Kyla Dominick, Science, HMS-8, effective end of 2007-08 school year ? Kyla Dominick, Head Coach Volleyball, HMS-7, effective end of 2007-08 school year

• Scott Stuhlsatz, Assistant Coach Girls’ Soccer, HHS, effective Jan. 11, 2008

Retirements

• Nancy Prieb, Special Education, St. Teresa’s and Holy Cross, effective end of 2007-08 school year

• Debbie Barnes, Special Education, Educational Service Center, effective end of 2007-08 school year

Position Change, From, To

• Marquese Hill, Assistant Coach Wrestling/HMS, Assistant Coach Wrestling/HHS, effective Dec. 17, 2007

Classified

Hired

• Adam Alexander, Media Technician, SSC

• Kurt Beougher, Custodian, HHS

• Carolyn Davies, Food Service Substitute, District

• Ray Harper, Substitute Custodian, District

• Shari Hinerman, Specialized Para, Graber

• Robert McCarty, Custodian, HHS

• Crystal Mendenhall, Resource Para, HMS-8

• Heather Skelton, PAT Secretary, Hutcherson Center

• Robin Traffas, Resource Para, HHS

Resignations

• Joy Ballard, Title I Educational Aide, McCandless, effective Jan. 3, 2008

• Carol Hayes, Para, HHS, effective Dec. 7, 2007

• Gary Johanning, Custodian, HHS, effective Nov. 30, 2007

• Kaleena Johnson, Specialized Para, Graber, effective Jan. 4, 2008

• Renee Shocklee, Modified Special Class Para, HMS-8, effective Jan. 17, 2008

• Karen (Bower) Krause, Teacher Assistant, Hutcherson Center, effective Dec. 21, 2007

Retirement

• Carolyn S. Davies, Custodian, Wiley, effective Feb 1, 2008

Gifts to Schools

The Board formally accepted and thanked donors for the following gifts.

• $50 from Central Kansas Veterinary Center for Project FETCH

• $300 from the James A. and Juliet L. Davis Foundation to Head Start for its Reading is Fundamental Program.

• $250 from the Macdonald Charitable Foundation to the Reading is Fundamental Program at Avenue A.

• $250 from the Macdonald Charitable Foundation to the Reading is Fundamental Program at Head Start.

• $250 from the Macdonald Charitable Foundation to the Reading is Fundamental Program at Hutchinson Magnet School at Allen.

• $250 from the Macdonald Charitable Foundation to the Reading is Fundamental Program at Lincoln.

• Donations totaling $2,000 from the Rotary Foundation, Hutchinson Rotary Club and Wal-Mart for the Backpack Book Buddies Program at Avenue A and Lincoln.

• 375 Weather in the Kansas Classroom student workbooks, valued at $1,687.50 from Storm Team 12 KWCH.

Next Meeting

The next regular meeting of the Board will be at 7 p.m. Jan. 28.

Dec. 18, 2007
Board accepts FY2007 audit

The Hutchinson Board of Education Monday (Dec. 17, 2007) accepted the fiscal year 2007 audit from Bartlett, Settle & Edgerle. USD 308 is one of the few school districts in Kansas that do not waive generally accepted accounting principles.

As a result, the district’s financial performance is reported in terms similar to those used by businesses in the private sector.

Monday’s meeting was a continuance of the Dec. 10 storm-shortened session. The Board adjourned Monday’s meeting in time for members to attend the annual Hutchinson High School Christmas Concert that evening.

In other action, the Board:

• Heard a staff report from Randy Norwood, director of support services, on the district’s recycling program.
• Approved agreed upon procedures for SRS Medicaid with Bartlett, Settle & Edgerle.
• Approved bids for the purchase of district copy paper.
• Approved the annual license fee for One Page Planning with the Cutler Group, Inc.
• Approved the Head Start program agreement with Horizons Mental Health Center.
• Approved Board inventory policies DIC and DIC-R on second reading.
• Approved bids for the purchase of band equipment.
• Discussed topics for the Board retreat on Jan. 12.

Next meeting

The Board will hold its annual retreat at 8 a.m. Jan. 12 in the Curriculum Lab of the Administration Center. The next regular Board meeting will be at 7 p.m. Jan. 14 in the Administration Center.

Dec. 10, 2007
Bidding nears on two bond projects

The Hutchinson Board of Education Monday (Dec. 10, 2007) approved putting the first two bond issue projects out to bid.

The Board approved final project estimate costs for Wiley Elementary School and Morgan Elementary School. Both schools have seen the largest student population growth in the district and are the first projects under the $78.8 million bond issue voters approved 13 months ago to go to bid.

The bid estimate for Wiley Elementary School is $3,191,754. The bid estimate for Morgan Elementary School is $3,651,164. Construction on improvements at the schools should begin later this winter. The two projects are estimated to cost $108,608 below the bond issue estimate.

The Board met in an abbreviated meeting held 90 minutes earlier than normal because of the threat of a winter storm that was bearing down on south central Kansas.

The Board approved two other bond-related motions Monday night. The Board approved the design development phases for both campuses of Hutchinson Middle School and to move forward with the construction document phase. A second, similar motion approved the design document phase for Hutchinson High School and to move forward to the construction document phase.

Personnel report

Certified

Hired

• Sabrina Gallo, Substitute Teacher, District
• Kari Gingerich-Fast, Substitute Teacher, District
• Garrett Hooker, Substitute Teacher, District
• Noah Krol, Substitute Teacher, District
• Valerie Stephenson, Substitute Teacher, District

Resignation

• Sarah Ellegood, Assistant Track Coach, Hutchinson Middle School, effective Dec. 7, 2007

Retirement

• Jane Easter, Science Teacher, HMS-8, effective at the end of the 2007-08 school year

Classified

Hired

• Lila Allen, Food Service Substitute, District
• Harlan Beal, Custodian Substitute, District
• Jewell Bradshaw, Physically Impaired Para, Graber
• Stephanie Cumming, CSS Para, Graber
• Marcy Janssen, ED Para, St. Teresa’s and Trinity
• Jace Bowman, Custodial Substitute, District

Resignation

• Jewell Bradshaw, Physically Impaired Para, Graber

Termination

• James Sanchez, Custodian, HHS, effective Dec. 7, 2007

Position Change, From, To

• Michelle Abernathy, Parents as Teachers Secretary/Hutcherson Center, Data Specialist/Administration Center
• Tammy Clark, Nutrition Services Assistant, Maintenance Secretary
• Salli Dilli, Custodian/HMS-8, Head Night Custodian/HMS-8
• Elsie Wickliffe, YouthFriends Training Specialist/Administration Center, Modified Special Class Para/HMS-8

Next meeting

Because the Board held an abbreviated meeting, a second meeting will be held in December. Board members will meet at 5:30 p.m. Dec. 17 at the Administration Center.

Nov. 13, 2007
Board approves possible refinancing

The Hutchinson Public Schools Board of Education Monday (Nov. 26, 2007) approved moving forward with potentially refinancing about $9.5 million of the 2006 bond issue, saving district taxpayers approximately $15,000 annually.

Greg Vahrenberg, managing director for Piper Jaffray, told the Board lower interest rates as well Internal Revenue Service regulations make it cost effective for the district to refinance a portion of the $78.8 million bond issue Hutchinson voters approved in November 2006. The refinanced bonds would have about a 0.8 percent lower interest rate and save district taxpayers $274,052 over the life of the bonds.

In other action, the Board:

•Approved an updated bullying policy. The policy, which provides a definition of bullying, applies to students and staff. The bullying policy update was required by actions of the 2007 Kansas Legislature.
•Heard a report on the district 2007 Baldrige National Quality Award application from Rick Kraus, director of human resources.
•Approved a trash service bid of $2,677.48 per month from Stutzman Refuse. The only other bid was from Nisly Brothers for $3,229 a month. The bid does include recycling.
•Approved the long-range facility planning master schedule. The plan provides for maintenance of district facilities not impacted by the 2006 bond issue.
•Approved on first reading a Board policy on inventories and an accompanying regulation.
•Approved recommendations to the 2007 Delegate Assembly of the Kansas Association of School Boards.

Personnel Report

The Board approved the following personnel changes.

Certified

Hired

• Debbie Nelson, Substitute Teacher, District
• Amy Tiemeyer, Substitute Teacher, District
• Aaron Miller, Assistant Coach Girls’ Basketball, Hutchinson High School
• Charles Pierce, Assistant Coach Bowling, Hutchinson High School

Position Change, From, To

•Leanna Gleason, Assistant Coach Bowling/Hutchinson High School, Head Coach Bowling/Hutchinson High School

Retirement

• Ruth Ann Pearson, Vocal Music, Morgan Elementary School, end of 2007-08 school year

Classified

Hired

• Lori Brown, Day Care Assistant, HHS Day Care
• Randall Martin, Custodian, HHS
• Connie Owens, Food Service Substitute, District
• Francis Crow, Cafeteria Aide, McCandless
• Alan Henning, Custodial Substitute, District

Resignation

• Lila Allen, Cook Server, Graber, effective Nov. 8, 2007
• Ashley Stevens, HHS Day Care, HHS Day Care, effective Nov. 14, 2007

Termination

• Judy Smith, Resource Room Para, Hutchinson Magnet School at Allen, effective Nov. 7, 2007 Position Change, From, To
• Evelyn Decker, Maintenance Secretary/SSC, Curriculum & Instructional Assistant/Administration Center

Gifts to Schools

The Board accepted and formally thanked donors of the following gifts.
• 76 donations, totaling $28,533.71 to Hutchinson High School for the period June 15 through Nov. 9, 2007

Next Meeting

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

Nov. 13, 2007
Board approves maintenance plan report

Just over a year ago, Hutchinson USD 308 voters approved on a 58-42 percent margin, a $78.8 million bond issue.

The bond issue, however, left some maintenance issues for district facilities up to the regular budgeting process. Monday (Nov. 12, 2007), the USD 308 Board of Education approved on first reading a report on five-year plan to address major maintenance issues in the district, a plan that uses existing financial resources. The Board is scheduled to approve the plan at the Nov. 26 meeting.

Among the high-profile facilities in the community that were not impacted by the bond issue are Don Michael Field, the Head Start headquarters and Grandview School.

Under the report approved Monday, Don Michael Field gets a resurfaced eight-lane track. Because use of the track at Gowans Stadium is restricted for the general public, Don Michael Field is regularly used by Hutchinson residents for wellness activities and personal training. Additionally, it is used by area schools for meets and by the district for practice and meets. Head Start is based out of the Shirley J. Hutcherson Center in Careyville. The building needs a new roof, new windows, electrical upgrades and a new heating/air conditioning system. It received no upgrades under the 1990s bond issue or under the 2006 bond issue.

Grandview School will see the oldest portion – which is not stable for occupancy – torn down with other upgrades made to the remaining portion. Grandview has a common building material of the time – asbestos – that must be removed before work can proceed on it.

The report also makes non-bond-issue maintenance improvements at the Administration Center, on both campuses of Hutchinson Middle School, Hutchinson High School, the Educational Services Center, McCandless and Avenue A and Hutchinson Magnet School at Allen.

In other action, the Board:

• Received a Human Resources update.
• Heard an update on progress on the bond issue.
• Approved on first reading a revised bullying policy. The policy is being revised to mirror definitions required by Senate Bill 68.
• Approved a letter of agreement with Lanthrop & Gage L.C. The firm will review the district’s 403(b) plan to ensure compliance with all Internal Revenue Service regulations.
• Approved a change order process for projects relating to the district bond issue. The process will allow individual change orders of up to $15,000 without Board approval.
• Approved the low bid for $25,365 for a driveway at the Support Services Center from H.I.E.B. & Associates. Other bids were $27,000 from A & A Builders and $28,520 from Gus Meschke.
• Approved a master services agreement with Terracon for asbestos-related support work at Grandview.
• Approved a contract with Reno County Educational Cooperative to provide orientation and mobility services for a district student.
• Approved the purchase of a CNC plasma cutter from the Tracker Co. for $15,090 for the HHS Vocational Center. The bid was lowest of three received. The purchase will be funded by a Perkins grant.
• Decided not to meet for the for the Board’s second regular meeting in December, which would have been Christmas Eve. Personnel Report

The Board approved the following personnel changes.

Certified Staff

Hired

• DeAngelo Green, Rule X Assistant Coach Girls’ Basketball, HMS-7
• Kay Towle, Substitute Teacher, District
• Penelope Wolfe, Substitute Teacher, District
• Gerald Riemann, Substitute Teacher, District
• Tina Weesner, Substitute Teacher, District
• Ashley Manriquez, Substitute Teacher, District
• Nathan Shelton, Substitute Teacher, District

Resignation

• Aaron Miller, Head Coach Girls’ Tennis, Hutchinson Middle School
• Jennifer Mendenhall, Four-Year-Old Program, McCandless Elementary School, effective Nov. 6, 2007

Classified Staff

Hired

• April Brown, Head Start Teacher Assistant Substitute, Hutcherson Center
• Jo Clark, Custodian Substitute, District
• Addie Colle, Custodian, HMS-8
• Tabith Nix, Day Care Substitute, HHS Day Care
• Judy Smith, Resource Room Para, Hutchinson Magnet School at Allen
• Myra Thomas, Food Service Substitute, District
• Sarah Torrez, Day Care Substitute, HHS Day Care
• Mickey Schweder, ESL Aide, Avenue A

Resignation

• Kara Hamm, Custodian, HMS-8

Position Change, From, To

• Sandra Griffith, Teacher Assistant/Head Start, Educational Aide/McCandless, effective Nov. 12, 2007

Gifts to Schools

The Board approved the following gifts to schools and formally thanked the donors.

• Various gifts from 18 donors, valued at $2,430.46, to Lincoln Elementary School

Next Meeting

The next regular Board meeting will be at 7 p.m. Nov. 26 in the Administration Center.

Oct. 8 , 2007
Board approves plans for east side Gowans concessions stands

The Hutchinson Public Schools Board of Education voted Monday, Oct. 22, 2007, to spend up to $5,000 to solve a problem that basically didn’t exist a decade ago.

            USD 308 will contribute up to $5,000, Hutchinson Community College will contribute up to $10,000 and the Educational Facilities Authority of Reno County will provide up to $15,000 to finish concession stands on the southeast corner of Gowans Stadium.

            Just a decade ago, basketball reigned supreme in Hutchinson. A good football crowd for a Homecoming game might draw 2,000.

            Today, HHS has a 31-game winning streak in varsity football, the community hosts the Class 3A football championship and Gowans will be the site of several invitational track meets. Additionally, HCC will host the NJCAA Division I outdoor track championships in 2009 through 2011, the first national track events at the facility since 1959.

            Today, HHS varsity home games routinely draw from 3,000 to 5,000 fans.

            As a result, the concessions on the west side of the stadium are large enough to handle the crush of half-time crowds.

            Also during Monday’s meeting, the Board:

·        *Recognized four schools that received Challenge Awards from the Confidence in Kansas Public Education Task Force. (See accompanying news release)

·        *Received the fiscal year 2007 budget report from Lori Blakesley, director of fiscal management. The 139-page book gives a detailed overview of spending within the district.

·        *Heard a student count report from Donna Davis, director of assessment and secondary education. Because of higher than anticipated enrollment, the district may be able to access to as much as $717,773 in additional funding. The actual number, however, will not be known until winter when the Kansas State Department of Education does a detailed audit of student enrollment.

·        *Heard a presentation from Marilee Mayes, Hutchinson general manager for Durham School Services. Durham provides transportation services for USD 308.

·        *Approved Board strategic and operational plans.

·        *Approved Board strategic challenges.

·        *Approved Board policy revisions on Board member development opportunities.

·        *Approved a 6B special education pass-through grant funds.

·        *Approved bids to replace two vans and a car. The two vans were awarded to the low bid of $37,888 from Hambelton LaGrecca for both. The only other bid was for $51,458 from Conklin Cars. Hambleton LaGrecca also was the low bidder on the passenger car, coming in at $16,972. The only other bid was for $22,000 from Conklin Cars.

·        *Approved bids for two dough dividers/rounders and three bread/bun slicers. Sunflower Restaurant Supply was the low bid of three at $12,185 and was awarded the bid.

·        *Elected Darla Neal as the district’s representative to the Kansas Association of School Board’s 2007 Delegate Assembly. All other Board members who attend the assembly will be alternate delegates.

·        *Recognized Peggy Childs, Jeff Nichols and the late David Hindman for Boardmanship Academy Awards.

·        *Held an executive session for 30 minutes for non-elected personnel and to meet with its attorney.

·        *After the executive session, the Board voted 7-0 to accept the resignation of Lisa Trostle, sixth grade teacher at Wiley Elementary School. The Board also voted 7-0 to accept the separation agreement with Trostle.

Recognitions

            The Board formally recognized the following students at Hutchinson High School who participated in the United Way Work Day in August. The group also are active in the Communities that Care student group at HHS.

· *Billy Unsderfer

· *Charlie Unsderfer

· *Dennis Unsderfer

· *Ursela Hemman

· *Megan Ellegood

· *Pam James

· *Aryn Taylor

· *Caleb Gimar

  Personnel Report

            The Board approved the following personnel changes.

Certified Staff

Hired

·        *Jennifer Gill, Substitute Teacher, District

·        *Janet Singleton, Substitute Teacher, District

·        *Terry Roehrman, Substitute Teacher, District

·        *Gerald Riemann, Substitute Teacher, District

Classified Staff

Hired

·* Adam Hass, Resource Room Para, Faris,

· *Afton Hodo, Child Care Teacher Assistant, Hutcherson Center

· *Kara Hamm, Custodian, HMS-8

· *Ashley Manriquez, HHS Day Care Substitute, HHS Day Care

Position Changes, From, To

· *Lindsay Hildebrand, Resource Room Para/St. Teresa’s, Early Head Start Home Visitor/ Early Head Start, effective 11/5/07

· *Sandra Maple, Custodian/HMS-7, Custodian/Lincoln

· *Brad Smith, Custodian/HMS-8, Custodian/HMS-7

  Next Meeting

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

Oct. 8 , 2007
Many district schools reach SOE benchmarks

The Hutchinson Public Schools Board of Education Monday (Oct. 8, 2007) heard that a majority of district schools had at least one grade level meeting the benchmarks for Standard of Excellence on 2006-07 state assessments, based on preliminary data.

To meet the Standard of Excellence, a certain percentage of students are required to score in the highest performance levels on the tests and only a very small percentage are allowed to score in the lowest categories.

Donna Davis, director of assessments and secondary education, told Board members that in reading, at least one grade at Avenue A, Faris, Graber, Hutchinson Magnet School at Allen and Hutchinson Middle School 7 and 8 reached the Standard of Excellence benchmarks.

In math, at least one grade at Avenue A, Graber, Hutchinson Magnet School at Allen, McCandless and Morgan hit the Standard of Excellence benchmarks.

School-wide in reading, Faris, Graber, Hutchinson Magnet School at Allen, Morgan and HMS 7 and 8 hit the benchmarks. For school-wide math schools, Graber and Morgan hit the benchmark. Morgan also hit the benchmark on the state’s writing assessment.

Also during Monday’s meeting, the Board approved a contract with a Winfield company that will improve public access to both district policies and agendas.

Official copies of district policies currently are in bound paper volumes. The contract with Galaxie Business Equipment, Inc., will digitize those policies and make them available and searchable online through LaserFiche Software.

As part of the purchase, the district will be able to explore more efficient means to assemble the Board agenda.

The district has used a related LaserFiche software program for the past several years to electronically archive certain district records.

Also during Monday’s meeting, the Board heard on first reading an updated policy on Board member development opportunities. Board members are encouraged to go to any in-district and in-state conferences. Additionally, under the policy the Board can send two members to out-of-state conferences. The update to policy details the rotation for Board members for attending out-of-state conferences.

In other action, the Board:

• Heard a Baldrige Report from Faris Elementary School from Denise Neighbors, Faris principal.
• Heard a bond update from Bob Williams, bond project manager.
• Heard a report on the local consolidated plan for federal title programs from Jan Strecker, assistant superintendent.
• Heard a report on strategic and operations plans and Board challenges from Dr. David Flowers, USD 308 superintendent.
• Approved a rental agreement for the district to use Memorial Hall for certain activities.
• Approved a 6B special education contract.
• Approved the purchase of computers and software licenses for the Hutchinson High School Computer Aided Instruction Lab and for Reno County Youth Services. USD 308 was a pioneer in CAI instruction with the HHS lab dating back to the 1980s.
• Approved bids for commercial-sized mixers for Food Service at HMS-8 and Lincoln Elementary School.
• Approved the purchase and installation of four Smartboards and projectors at Faris.
• Held an executive session for 20 minutes to discuss non-elected personnel. No action occurred after the Board returned to open session.

Personnel Report

The Board approved the following personnel changes.

Certified

Hired

• Wendy Post, Substitute Teacher, District
• Anette Roberson, Substitute Teacher, District
• Donna Howell, Substitute Teacher, District

Classified

Hired

• Becky Garcia, Para Sub, Graber
• Randy Sodowsky, Head Custodian, HHS
• Toni Woodson, LPN, HHS
• Gerald Riemann, TACS Educational Aide, HMS-7

Resignations

• Sarah Coonce, Early Head Start Home Visitor, Early Head Start/New Beginnings, effective 9/24/07
• Kelli Kramer, Medication Aide, HHS
• Debra Walker, Head Start Child Care Teacher Assistant, Hutcherson Center, effective 9/24/07
• Christi Winchester, Resource Room Para, Faris

Gifts to Schools

The Board accepted the following gifts to schools and expressed its appreciation.

• $568.35 to the Hutchinson Public Schools Endowment Fund from the Hutchinson Community Foundation in memory of John Neal from Darla Neal
• $568.34 to the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme in honor of Wynona Winn from Darla Neal
• Two professional quality paint spray guns, valued at $500 each, to the Hutchinson Career and Technical Education Center from 3M Corporation and I-Car Education Foundation
• $332.66 from the Hutchinson Community Foundation to Wiley Elementary School
• $136.07 from Target to Wiley Elementary School

Next Meeting
The next regular Board meeting will be Oct. 22.

Sept. 24 , 2007
Board approves classroom shifts

The Hutchinson Public Schools Board of Education Monday (Sept. 24, 2007) approved shifts in classrooms to be added to the district through the bond issue.

Because of demographic changes in the community over the past five years, additional space now is needed at Wiley and Morgan Elementary Schools. As a result, two classrooms will be added at Wiley and an early education classroom would become a third kindergarten classroom. At Morgan, one classroom that had been designated for early childhood education will be designated as a K-6 classroom.

Not as many classrooms will be needed at Graber, allowing additional classrooms that had been slated to be added there to be added, instead, at Wiley. Additional costs for the changes will be paid with contingency funds built into the bond issue.

Graber still will get additional space, including enough room for all-day kindergarten. Ample space for early education activities, including the four-year-old program, Head Start and Parents as Teachers, will remain in district facilities.

Hutchinson voters approved a $78.8 million bond issue for improvements at all USD 308 schools on Nov. 6, 2006. The first visible sign of work on the bond issue is expected to begin this week with the demolition of former apartment houses west of Hutchinson High School’s north gym. Fencing was erected around the buildings to be demolished on Monday.

Also during Monday’s meeting, the Board agreed to seek bids to demolish the old portion of Grandview School and abate the asbestos in the building.

The building has not been used as a district K-6 building since the mid 1990s. Until this year, the newer portion of the building was used as a day school for area students with special needs.

During the Board’s discussion, members focused on possible district and community uses for the remaining portion of the building once the old part is demolished.

Also during Monday’s meeting, the Board:

• Heard a report on TetraData, the district’s data warehouse.
• Approved the Child and Adult Care Food Program agreement and certification statement for Head Start with the Kansas Department of Education.

Personnel Report

The Board approved the following personnel changes for the district.

Certified Staff

Hired

• Erica Hayden, Substitute Teacher, District
• Barbara Redetzke, Substitute Teacher, District
• David Rutler, Substitute Teacher, District
• Kelli Cramer, Substitute Teacher, District
• Denise Franklin, Substitute Teacher, District
• Susan Jones, Substitute Teacher, District
• Erin Richardson, Substitute Teacher, District
• Kierra Stokes, Substitute Teacher, District

Classified Staff

Hired

• Kelli Cramer, Mediation Aide, HHS
• Staci Foster, Head Start Teacher Assistant Substitute
• Cathy Hardman, Cook/Server, Wiley
• Debbie Stoughton, Resource Room Para, HHS
• Anna Goering, Resource Room Para, McCandless
• Nancy Raelene Kite, LPN/Medication Aide, HHS
• Nicole Lamer, Educational Aide, Wiley
• Andrea Ward, Assistant Main Dish, HMS-7 (effective 9/24/07, reinstate)

Christi Winchester, Resource Room Para, Faris

Resignation

• Andrea Ward, Assistant Main Dish, HMS-7, effective 9/21/07

Termination

• Sandra Williams, Resource Room Para, McCandless, effective 9/7/07

Position Changes, From, To

• Kathy Starks, TACS Educational Aide/HMS-7, Food Service Bookkeeper/SSC
• Susan Chaney, Substitute/HHS, Cafeteria Aide/HHS
• Barbara Nitzsche, Custodian/Lincoln, Custodian/HHS

Gifts to Schools

The Board accepted and thanked groups for the following gifts.

• 200 stir sticks, valued at $30, from Color By Design to HMS-7
• $141.98 from Target’s Take Charge of Education program to Avenue A Elementary School
• $328 from Computers for Education to Avenue A Elementary School
• School supplies, valued at $200, from Trinity United Methodist Church to Avenue A Elementary School
• $280.11 from Hutchinson Community Foundation to Avenue A Elementary School
• Snacks, valued at $75, from First United Methodist Church to Avenue A Elementary School
• $40 from Jean Ann Petz to Avenue A Elementary School
• $50 from Charlene Albert to support the pre-kindergarten class at Avenue A Elementary School
• $226.02 from Target’s Take Charge of Education program to Morgan Elementary School

Next Meeting
The next regular meeting for the Board will be at 7 p.m. Oct. 8.

Sept. 10 , 2007
Preliminary data shows district met AYP

USD 308 students as a whole and all subgroups met Adequate Yearly Progress on state assessments in 2006-07, based on preliminary data from the Kansas State Department of Education, the Hutchinson Public Schools Board of Education learned Monday (Sept. 10, 2007).

During Monday’s meeting, Donna Davis, director of assessments and secondary education, reviewed the 2006-07 results with the Board. The Kansas State Board of Education will receive a list of schools and districts from across Kansas that did not make AYP for 2006-07 when the state body meets Sept. 11 and 12 in Topeka.

Under NCLB, the district as a whole and individual grades of students must hit predetermined benchmarks. Additionally, larger school districts, including USD 308, also must meet AYP for different racial, socio-economic and special education areas.

Also during Monday’s meeting, the Board:

• Heard a Baldrige Moment on McCandless Elementary School.
• Heard a report on the Summer Scholars summer learning program from Shannon Stuckert.
• Approved resolutions with ESSDACK to provide an alternative high school program for the district and after school tutoring.
• Approved an agreement with the Kansas Food Bank Warehouse, Inc., for the Food 4 Kids Program.
• Approved the 2007-08 certified handbook.
• Approved a lease-purchase agreement for photocopying equipment in the district. The district will lease the equipment for 57 months from Oce’ Imagistics. The bid for the 74 multifunctional photocopiers was $7,485 per month, $237.98 less than the next lowest bidder. The bid also was $8,444 a month less than the current contract for older machines.
• Received a report on options for the Grandview School Building. The facility has not been used for a USD 308 school since the 1994-95 school year when it educated 183 students and no longer is being used as a special day school facility by the Reno County Educational Cooperative.
• Received a proposal for studying elementary school capacity.
• Approved software licenses for Kid Pix Deluxe, Inspiration and Mac Office.

Personnel Report

The Board approved the following staff changes.

Certified Staff

Hired

• Kyle Unruh, Substitute Teacher, District
• Susan Rust, Substitute Teacher, District
• Bobby Bonner, Substitute Teacher, District
• Deanna Geide, Substitute Teacher, District
• Gary Best, Substitute Teacher, District
• Jodi Fish, Head Coach Girls’ Basketball, HMS-7
• Jill Montgomery, Assistant Coach Girls’ Tennis, HMS
• Steve Riley, Interdisciplinary Team Teacher, Bob Johnson Youth Center

Classified Staff

Hired

• Michelle Barragan, Head Start Teacher Assistant Substitute, Head Start
• Susan Chaney, Food Service Substitute, SSC
• Kevin Clark, Educational Aide Substitute, Avenue A
• Krista Cockerill, Playground Aide, Graber
• Angela Fearmonti, PAT Substitute, Hutcherson Center
• Maria Jaquez, Custodian Substitute, District
• Donna Stiffler, Para Substitute, HHS
• Sally Bailey, Library Media Assistant, Faris
• Janon Borders, Resource Room Para, McCandless
• Angela Cummins, Day Care Assistant, HHS Day Care
• Alicia Post, Resource Room Para, Hutchinson Magnet School at Allen

Resignation

• Lauren Gardner, LPN/Medication Aide, HHS, effective 5/24/07

Retirement

• Richard Glaze, Head Custodian, HHS, effective 8/29/07

Gifts to Schools

The Board approved and accepted the following gifts to schools.

• $75 from Girl Scout Troop 21 to Morgan Elementary School
• $500 worth of school supplies for student at Morgan Elementary School
• $786.75 from Hutchinson Community Foundation to Morgan Elementary School
• $10,000 donation from Mega Manufacturing toward a steel sheets rolling machine for the Vocational Technical Center
• $318.97 from the Hutchinson Community Foundation for the Dillon Fun Run to Graber Elementary School

Next Meeting

The next regular meeting of the Board will be Sept. 24.

Aug. 27, 2007
Board approves demolition contract

The Hutchinson Public Schools Board of Education Monday (Aug. 27, 2007) approved what should become the first public sign of progress on the $78.8 million bond issue voters approved in November 2006.

The Board approved a demolition contract for apartment buildings the district purchased earlier this year. The apartments are located on land the new Career and Technology Education Academy will be built.

The contract was awarded to Carnejo & Sons Construction, the low bidder, in the amount of $39,880. Other bids received were Wiens & Co., $78,900; Miller Home Builders, $114,970; and Absolute Demolition, $123,475.

The pre-bid estimate of the costs for demolition was $125,000, said Bob Williams, bond project manager.

According to the most recent timeline provided by the DLR Group, construction on the Career and Technology Education Academy will begin in spring 2008.

Also during Monday’s meeting, the Board: · Received updates on the summer maintenance projects, the bond issue and very preliminary enrollment numbers.
· Agreed on a 4-2 vote to file a complaint with the Professional Practices Commission to request the cancellation of John Ontjes teaching certificate. Ontjes submitted a letter of resignation to the Board after the legal date for such a letter. The Board declined to accept the letter at its Aug. 13 meeting because of the timing of the resignation. Should the Professional Practices Commission accept the complaint, Ontjes would be able to request his license be reinstated in a year. In his new position as women’s basketball coach at Hutchinson Community College, Ontjes does not need a teaching certificate.
· Approved the contract with the city of Hutchinson for the district to use the Sports Arena for the Mass Bands Concert and Hutchinson High School graduation.
· Approved renewal of the MyLearningPlan software package.
· Approved the 2007-08 Classified Handbook.
· Approved a software support agreement with Zimbra, Inc., for the district’s email system.
· Approved a contract with the Boys and Girls Club to provide after-school programming for district students.
· Approved on second reading new and revised Board policies.
· Appointed Jacque Roberts to the Hutchinson Recreation Commission.
· Approved a resolution for interlocal agreements and memorandums of understanding between the USD 308 Reno County Head Start and USD 309, USD 310, USD 312 and USD 313.

Personnel Report

The Board approved the following personnel changes.

Certified

Hired

* Zane Hemmerling, Rule X Assistant Football Coach, Hutchinson High School
* Julie King, Rule X Assistant Volleyball Coach, Hutchinson High School
* Chad McKinnis, Physical Education, Hutchinson High School
* Tom Clark, Girls’ Head Basketball Coach, Hutchinson High School
* Gladys Kwa, Substitute Teacher, District
* Julie Schuessler, Substitute Teacher, District
* Shalee Mendenhall, Substitute Teacher, District
* LeeAnn Walker, Substitute Teacher, District
* Dennis McKee, Substitute Teacher, District

Classified

Hired

· Erica Gaines, Behavior Support Para, Morgan
· Sharon Hendrix, Cafeteria Aide/Cook/Server
· Jean Ruebke, Assistant Main Dish, Lincoln
· Kierra Stokes, Para Substitute, District
· Debra Walker, Teacher Assistant/Childcare Room, Hutcherson Center
· Danielle Kidd, Head Start Teacher Assistant Substitute, Hutcherson Center
· Megan Long, Interpreter/Aide, Hutcherson Center
· Margarita Zimmerman, Head Start Teacher Assistant Substitute, Hutcherson Center

Resignation

· Marsha Wiard, Full-Time Sub, Food Service, effective 8/10/07
· Maridee Williams, Modified Special Class Para, Hutchinson Magnet School at Allen, effective 8/23/07

Termination

· Michelle Patton, Cafeteria Aide, Hutchinson High School, effective 8/21/07

Gifts to Schools

The Board formally accepted a gift of $270.53 from the Hutchinson Community Foundation to HMS-7.

Next Meeting
The next regular Board meeting will be at 7 p.m. Sept. 10.

Aug. 13, 2007
Board approves 2007-08 budget

After a public hearing, the Hutchinson Public Schools Board of Education approved the 2007-08 budget.

The budget for 2007-08 is 43.466 mills, up 3.576 mills from 2006-07. The increase is attributable to the $78.8 million bond issue USD 308 voters approved on a 58 to 42 percent margin in November 2006. During the information campaign for the bond issue last fall, it was estimated the first-year increase in mill levy would be 4 mills or about a half mill more than is being levied.

The budget, as directed by the Board, left the local option budget at 25 percent, which is more than 1 percent less than the state average for districts across the Sunflower State and 5 percent below the maximum allowed under Kansas law. The Board also continued its work on the $78.8 million bond issue, approving three bond issue-related motions. Approved were motions to approve the schematic design phase for improvements at Hutchinson High School, approve the design/development phase for the Career and Technology Education Academy and approved allowing administration to authorize work for time-sensitive services for the bond issue up to $20,000.

A fourth motion by the Board will lay the groundwork for the first visible work on the bond issue. The Board approved an asbestos abatement bid for $22,750 from Asbestos Removal and Maintenance for apartments located at 800 to 846 15th Circle. The company's bid was the lowest of three received.

Once cleansed of the asbestos, crews will be able to demolish the former apartment buildings, which are immediately west of the North Gym at HHS. Bids for the demolition are due Tuesday, Aug. 14, with the demolition expected to occur in the early fall.

In other action, the Board:

· Heard a Baldrige Moment from Hutchinson High School.
· Approved contracts with Dillon Nature Center, Kansas Cosmosphere and Space Center, and the Reno County Historical Society. All three agencies provide field trip opportunities tied directly to district curriculum.
· Approved the software maintenance contract with Blackboard Enterprise System.
· Approved a milk bid from Hiland Dairy for the 2007-08 school year for $163,516.96. The only other bid, from Borden Dairy, did not meet product specifications in the bid.
· Declared approximately 200 metal computer tables as surplus property. More than 50 of the tables will be donated to the Greensburg school district.
· Approved on first reading new and revised Board policies.
· Rejected the letter of resignation from John Ontjes from his physical education teaching contract and requested that he return to his duties at Hutchinson High School.
· Conducted an executive session for 15 minutes to meet with district legal counsel.
· After the executive session, approved the settlement agreement and mutual release with Image Quest, Inc., concerning district copiers.

Personnel report

The Board approved the following personnel changes.

Certified

Hired

· Staci Perry, Grade 4 (0.5), Morgan Elementary School
· Melford Holmes, Substitute Teacher
· Rachel Beck, Assistant Coach Cross Country, Hutchinson Middle School
· Nancy Krafels, Reading Support (0.5), Hutchinson Magnet School at Allen
· Kyle Unruh, Assistant Coach Soccer, Hutchinson Middle School
· Stephanie Ramsey, Substitute Teacher
· Arthur Colladay, Substitute Teacher
· Lindsay Powell, Substitute Teacher
· Elizabeth Hartshorn, Substitute Teacher
· Brian Viel, Substitute Teacher
· Scott Drush, Substitute Teacher

Resignation

· Kyla Dominick, Assistant Coach Track, Hutchinson Middle School

Position Change, From, To

· Linda Perrin, Leave of Absence, Reading Support (0.5)/Lincoln

Classified

Hired

· Catrina Benitez, Secretary, McCandless
· Karen Bower, Head Start Teacher Assistant, Hutcherson Center
· Buffy Countryman, Cafeteria Aide, HMS-8
· Scott Drush, Behavior Support, McCandless
· Heather Emel, Hearing Impaired Resource, HMS 8
· Jessica Garwood, Resource Room, McCandless
· Cherise Kelley, Behavior Support, McCandless
· Claudia Lopez, ESL Aide, Avenue A
· Alejandra Marroquin, Interpreter/Aide, Avenue A
· Shana McNish, Library Media Assistant, HMS 8
· Stephanie Proffer, Teacher Assistant/Bus Aide/Lunch Aide, SJH/Union Valley
· Tammy Purdum, Assistant Fruits & Vegetables, HMS-7
· Jennifer Ramirez, Teacher Assistant/Bus Aide, SJH/Nickerson
· Judie Stull, Behavior Support, Morgan
· Debra Walker, Teacher Assistant/Childcare Room, Hutcherson Center
· Andrea Ward, Assistant Main Dish, HMS-7
· Marcus Yoder, Title 1 Educational Aide, McCandless
· Carl Cohen, Resource Room, McCandless
· Bruce Cooper, Head Custodian, HMS-8
· Jacqueline Gilbert, Head Baker, Lincoln
· Mary Ann Koestel, DD-K Itinerant Para, ESC
· Charles McMichael, Percussion Assistant, HHS
· Nancy Roth, Day Care Assistant, HHS Day Care
· Judie Stull, Behavior Support, Morgan

Resignations

· Gail Cirkel, Behavior Support - Special Class, Morgan, effective 05/24/07
· Leslie Hiebert, Day Care Assistant, HHS Day Care, effective 05/24/07
· Scott Johnson, Computer Support, TSC, effective 08/14/2007
· Crystal Marshall, Medication Aide, HHS, effective 05/24/07
· Meagan White, Title 1 Educational Aide, Hutchinson Magnet School at Allen, effective 05/24/07
· Amy Willems, DD Para, ESC, effective 07/23/07
· Jessica Garwood, LD Para, McCandless, effective 08/06/07
· Aspen Rank, Resource Room, Hutchinson Magnet School at Allen, effective 08/10/07

Position Change, From, To

· Becky Hartley, Day Care Assistant/HHS Day Care, Day Care Center Director/HHS Day Care
· Daniel Hoffman, Custodian/HMS-, Custodian/Hutchinson Magnet School at Allen
· Barbara Lawson, Head Fruits & Vegetables/Lincoln, Cook-Server/McCandless
· William Boesch, Custodian/HMS-8, Custodial Substitute, effective 08/08/07
· Melanie Chappel, Substitute Teacher, CSS Para/Graber

Next meeting
The next regular meeting of the Board will be at 7 p.m. Aug. 27.

July 23, 2007
Board approves budget for publication

The Hutchinson Public Schools Board of Education Monday (July 23, 2007) approved for publication a budget that is lower than predicted to voters in November when they approved a bond issue.

The proposed budget for 2007-08 is 43.466 mills, up 3.576 mills from 2006-07. The increase is attributable to the $78.8 million bond issue USD 308 voters approved on a 58 to 42 percent margin in November 2006. During the information campaign for the bond issue last fall, it was estimated the first-year increase in mill levy would be 4 mills or about a half mill more than is being levied.

The budget, as directed by the Board, leaves the local option budget at 25 percent, which is more than 1 percent less than the state average for districts across the Sunflower State and 5 percent below the maximum allowed under Kansas law. Additionally, the district's budget for publication will include the Hutchinson Recreation Commission's mill levy. The HRC mill levy for 2007-08 for publication will be 5.168 mills. The formal budget hearing for the 2007-08 budget will be at 7:05 p.m. Aug. 13 in the Administration Center.

In other action, the Board:

· Approved an interagency agreement with the Northeast Kansas Educational Service Center, allowing the district to use the WebKidds computer program for Individual Education Plans.
· Approved contracts with Advance Termite & Pest Control, Inc., to provide monthly pest control services throughout the district and to install the Sentricon system at Hutchinson Magnet School at Allen and Hutchinson High School.
· Approved the purchase of a CISCO router for the district's secondary Internet connection from AT&T.
· Approved the annual PowerSchool software support maintenance agreement.
· Approved the annual agreement with YMCA of Hutchinson and Reno County.
· Held an executive session for 15 minutes to confer with the district's attorney, discuss non-elected personnel and discuss negotiations.

Personnel Report

The Board approved the following personnel changes.

Certified

Hired

· DeAngelo Green, Rule X – Assistant Football Coach, HMS-7
· Sean Bueford, Rule X – Assistant Football Coach, HMS-7
· Martha Hilley, Grade 4, McCandless Elementary School

Resignations

· Heidi Delaney, Assistant Coach Girls’ Basketball, Hutchinson High School
· Heidi Delaney, Assistant Coach Volleyball, Hutchinson High School
· Janey Redetzke (contingent upon finding a suitable replacement), Reading Support, Lincoln/Hutchinson Magnet School at Allen

Classified

Hired

· Patricia Hill, Custodian, HMS-8
· DeAngelo Green, Educational Aide, Lincoln

Resignations

· Cecilia Pina, TACS Educational Aide, Avenue A
· Misty Barnum, Educational Aide, McCandless, effective 7/20/07
· Fulicia Sligar, Head Baker, Lincoln, effective 7/18/07
· Gayla Vance, HHS Day Care Director, HHS, effective 7/16/07
· Amy Willems, DD Para, ESC, effective 7/23/07

Position Change, From, To

· Maureen Jordan, Library Media Assistant – Faris/Lincoln, Library Media Assistant – Avenue A/Lincoln
· James Story, Custodian/HMS-8, Custodian/HHS

Correction

· Traci Singleton (resigned), Library Media Assistant, Wiley, 6/1/07

Next Meeting
The next regular meeting of the Board will be at 7 p.m. Aug. 13.

July 9, 2007
Neal elected Board president

The Hutchinson Public Schools Board of Education Monday (July 9, 2007) held its annual organizational meeting. Darla Neal was elected president of the Board for the 2007-08 school term. Jeff Allen was elected vice president. Two new members were seated on the Board for the first time. Sarah Blake and Mike Mendoza were elected in April to four-year terms on the Board. The meeting also was the first for new USD 308 Superintendent David Flowers.

While much of the agenda dealt with routine matters, the Board approved preliminary drawings for remodeling/additions at Morgan and Wiley Elementary schools. Morgan and Wiley have seen tremendous student population growth in the past five years and are critically short of space. The DLR Group now will begin the design phase for the project.

Of note, it was during the same meeting a year ago, the Board approved Resolution 2007-023, which placed $78.8 million bond issue on the Nov. 7, 2006, general election ballot. USD 308 voters approved the bond issue on a 58 to 42 percent margin.

The Board made several appointments during the meeting.

· Treasurer: Lori Blakesley
· Assistant Treasurer: Cindy Hughes
· Clerk: Rick Kraus
· Deputy Clerk: Molly Robinson
· KPERS Representatives: Lori Blakesley, Agent; Jamie Brown, Alternate Agent; Pam Ditgen, Alternate Agent
· Student Due Process Appeal Officers: Ronn Roehm, Michael Ellegood, Cindy Cooprider, Rod Rathbun
· 504 Coordinator: Linda Grote
· Food Service Representative: Hilary Hanvey
· Hearing Officers for Free and Reduced Price Meal Application Appeal: Randy Norwood, Lori Blakesley
· Director of Head Start Program: Nancy Soldner
· Custodians of the Activity Funds: Principals
· Designation of Bank Depositories: Central Bank and Trust Company; Bank of Kansas; First National Bank and Trust; Peoples Bank and Trust; Commerce Bank; Municipal Accounting Pool
· Clerk and Treasurer Bonds: Public Official Bond of $100,000 each
· Authorization for the Deposit of Interest Money from Funds to Appropriate Special Funds: Clerk of the Board
· Truancy Officer: Randy Norwood
· Title IX Coordinator: Rick Kraus
· Auditor of Record: Bartlett, Settle and Edgerle
· Plan 125 Benefits Agent of Record: American Fidelity
· Official Newspaper: The Hutchinson News
· Freedom of Information Officer: Ray Hemman
· Privacy Officer: Ray Hemman
· Coordinator for Homeless Children: Jan Strecker
· Director of Educational Federal Programs: Jan Strecker
· Board representative for Hutchinson Community College Area Vocational School: Betty Garcia
· Board representatives for Educational Facility Authority of Reno County: Darla Neal, Jeff Nichols and Jeff Allen
· Board representative for District Insurance Committee: Betty Garcia
· Board representative for the Hutchinson Recreation Commission: Peggy Childs
· Board representative for Head Start: Mike Mendoza
· Board representative for HCCAVS: Betty Garcia
· Board representative for YouthFriends: Sarah Blake

In other action, the Board:

· Rescinded all policy statements not codified as policy.
· Set regular Board meetings for 7 p.m. on the second Mondays of each month with an optional meeting on the fourth Monday of each month unless those dates conflict with holidays. As a practical point, the Board routinely has meetings on the fourth Monday of each month.
· Approved the hourly option for the district calendar. Under state law, the district must have school 1,116 or more hours each year. The previously approved 2007-08 calendar was developed around the hour option.
· Set petty cash limits for various schools and activities within the district.
· Approved the destruction of certain district records in accordance with state laws.
· Approved school activity funds for individual schools and internal accounting control measures.
· Approved an early payment request policy to allow certain payments be made prior to Board meetings if making those payments will avoid late fees or allow the district to receive a discount for early payment.
· Authorized the district to participate in the Municipal Investment Pool.
· Approved designating Martindell, Swearer & Shaffer to provide legal counsel for the district for 2007-08. The monthly retainer, based on past usage, is $5,040, an increase of $560 per month. John Caton was designated as district's counsel.
· Renewed the district's workers compensation insurance with Fee Insurance Group.
· Approved the purchase of a 3M library security system for HMS-7 and HMS-8.
· Approved parent-student handbooks for 2007-08.

Personnel Report

Certified

Hired

· Debra Hesket, Kindergarten Consultant, Educational Services Center

Resignation

· Angela Peppiatt (contingent on finding a suitable replacement), Grade 4, McCandless Elementary School

Classified

Resignations

· Wanda Markhart, Assistant Fruits and Vegetables, HMS-7, effective 6/28/07
· Robyn Serbin, Secretary, McCandless

Resignation Withdrawn

· Traci Singleton, Library Media Assistant, Lincoln/Faris Elementary

Position Change, From, To

· James Parker, LD Para/Lincoln, ED Para/Morgan

Next Meeting
The next regular meeting of the Board will be at 7 p.m. July 23.