FORT LARNED UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 495
BOARD OF EDUCATION
LARNED, KANSAS 67550
REGULAR MEETING
SEPTEMBER 12, 2016
6:30 P.M.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
- CALL TO ORDER
Sharon Lessard, President, called the regular meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.
2.ROLL CALL
Sharon Lessard, Jay Haremza, Kimi Bowman, David Sanger, Jenny Manry, June Barger, Jon Flint, Superintendent, Phil Martin, Attorney, Tiffany Burris, Clerk.
Absent: Leroy Lyon
3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Jenny Manry moved to approve the agenda as presented.
David Sanger second.
Yes 6No 0
4.APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Kimi Bowman moved to approve the minutes of August 8, 2016 Regular Board Meeting with a correction to item 20 to remove the word July from it and the August 24, 2016 Special Meeting as presented.
Jay Haremza second.
Yes 6No 0
5.APPROVAL OF BILLS
Sharon Lessard reviewed the bills this month on behalf of the board. She pointed that there were a couple large items on the register this month. One was for asbestos removal at the high school and another for payment to Arthur Gallagher, Inc. for insurance consulting.
Sharon Lessard moved to approve the bills as presented.
Kimi Bowman second.
Yes 6No 0
6.TREASURER’S REPORT
Jean Simmons, Finance Director, handed out the securities deposits to board members and went over the cash summary report. She stated that she was hoping to roll over the books in October after the yearly Agler & Gaeddert audit. There were no questions from the board.
7. AUDIENCE WITH INDIVIDUALS & GROUPS
None at this time.
8. IDEA VI-B ASSURANCES
This is the yearly assurance that the board will deliver services to students based on the current regulations. This is done every September.
Jay Haremza moved to approve the Title VI-B Assurances.
Jenny Manry second.
Yes 6No 0
9.EXECUTIVE SESSION
a) Non-elected Personnel
Sharon Lessard moved at 6:40 p.m. that the Board go into executive session for the purpose of discussing non-elected personnel in order to protect the privacy interests of the individual(s) to be discussed and that the Board will return to the open session in this room at 6:45 p.m. Included in the executive session are all present Board members, Jon Flint, Superintendent, Phil Martin, Attorney.
David Sanger second.
Yes 6No 0
The open meeting was called to order at 6:45 p.m
10.NOMINATIONS
Jay Haremza moved to approve the following nomination(s) for the 2016-2017 school year.
Tristan ShaverPara/TRI/Kinsley
Hayley RossPara/TRI/LHS
Jordahn WordenAsst. Volleyball/LMS
Jenny Manry second.
Yes 6No 0
11.SEPERATIONS
Jay Haremza moved to approve the following seperation(s) for the 2016-2017 school year.
Mike SeemanHead Boys Golf/LHS
Shana GoeringTitle Aide/NS
Gary KortePara/TRI/Kinsley
Kimi Bowman second.
Yes 6No 0
12.TRANSFERS
None at this time.
13.CONSTRUCTION UPDATE
Jon Flint told board members that a tour of the new elementary building is scheduled for 5:30 on October 10. This is the day of the board meeting. He asked that board members meet at the site for the tour. The board will tour the high school before the November meeting. Jon invited the board to check out the Simpson Construction blog on the USD #495 website. He stated that it is updated and gives good information about the construction and process.
A board member had recently come to Jon with a concern voiced by a citizen. The citizen had been told that construction was behind because of the implementation of a “Muslim” room and transgender bathrooms. Jon stated that when he attended a KSDE conference he had asked them if they had ever heard of a Muslim room. They had not. Jon stated that he feels that this citizen possibly confused the autism room with a Muslim room. The autism room will be a sensory room for autistic and other students that may need it. Jon believes it was a misunderstanding. Jon shared that the bathrooms are being built for boys, girls, and staff at the present time.
Construction meetings are held every other Tuesday. Jon handed out a meeting agenda so the board could see what items are being discussed at these. The contingency balance at the elementary school is sitting at almost $400,000 currently. Jon highlighted the changes to the lift station and the addition of the volleyball net standards. An intercom system was also added at the elementary. Simpson Construction has told Jon that the elementary school is almost out of the “ground stage.” They indicated this is where most overages occur. Once the construction is out of this stage, contingency funds can begin to be released.
Jon walked the board through each wing of the elementary and the progress that has been made in each.
The high school construction is moving along also. During construction, the high school has lost exits. The school had set up fire watches to be in compliance with the loss of exits. The fire marshal had initially accepted this. Once it was sent to a supervisor to be reviewed, it was then denied. Since that has happened, the construction company has opened up the exit to be in compliance with the fire marshal and regulations. While school is in session, construction will cease in that area though. This will unfortunately slow that area down. The gym was approved through the removal of the double doors. This allows the high school to have assemblies and competitions in the gym.
Jon discussed the parking lot located at the new construction at the high school. Currently an overlay was put on, but once the construction of the fitness center, weight room, and multi purpose room is complete that existing asphalt will be milled down to match up with the new concrete and new asphalt will be laid. There was also a new sewer line placed and repairs made to the existing line.
The contingency balance at the high school is $260,004. Jon pointed out that the removal and testing of asbestos came out of capital. He stated he is more concerned about the contingency fund on the high school project due to remodeling and the risk of the unknown as we go through the process.
14.REPORTS
a)Principals
Troy Langdon (LHS)
Troy stated that he had received his building report card from the state. Larned High Schools graduation rate is 95.5%. The state average is 86.1%. ACT scores were discussed. The LHS Composite is 20.2. Troy stated that this is an area that needs more focus. The ACT Aspire Test will be administered in the coming years to 9th and 10th grade students. Troy did state that more kids are taking the test.
The high school continues to work with businesses and what training and opportunities they have to offer students.
Parking has not been an issue this year as was feared. Troy shared that the students have adjusted and have accepted the new parking policies. Howell Field was open for the first football game to help with parking. The Lion’s Club helped with parking cars.
This Thursday the first site council will be held. These will be held quarterly this year. The new accreditation program will be discussed at this quarter’s meeting along with the building report card.
June Barger, Board member, asked Troy if LHS students have to pay to attend high school athletic events. She asked if letting students in free with a student ID had ever been discussed. Troy stated that they are planning on doing just that this year. Student IDs have been ordered and will allow students entrance to high school events. June Barger asked how soon will this happen. Troy stated it will go into effect as soon as the cards arrive. Jay Haremza, Board Vice President, asked if handrails could be put up on the bleachers during volleyball games. Troy stated that he had been made aware of this and that he will make sure it gets done. Sharon Lessard, Board President, asked Troy if he had a current enrollment number. Troy stated that as of that date, there were 291 students at the high school.
Lea Harding (HS, PH, & NS)
Lea stated that the current enrollment at elementary school is as follows:
Kindergarten: 72 Last year 63
Phinney: 124 Last year 123
Northside: 132 Last year 123
She stated that the numbers look good and they are seeing kids from all over.
Lea shared that she had begun administering the new math diagnostic-IREADY. She feels it is going to be a beneficial tool. The fact fluency application was free with the testing material. There is a lot of good data available.
Lea stated that the Pawnee County Health Dept. and the Sherrif’s Dept. presented emergency buckets to the classroom. She shared that the buckets contained items that may be needed in case of an emergency. Items such as Jolly Ranchers for diabetics, hammers, flashlights, gloves, etc. The staff was very appreciative.
Shane Sundahl (LMS)
Shane stated that the Health Dept. and the Sherrif’s Dept . had also presented the middle school emergency buckets also. He shared that there is a weather radio in there also.
Shane discussed the new accreditation and stated that he and Troy will be attending a conference next week to learn more about Career Cruising. This will help implement Independent Plans of Studies for students.
The official count day is Sept. 20th. Numbers are up for the middle school also. Fifth grade count is up 10 alone.
Mr. Auldridge received a grant for a 3D printer and it arrived last week. He plans to implement it into the 6th grade science curriculum.
b) Directors
Kris Schneider, Technology
Skyward is up and running 100%. The staff spent the summer working to get the program implemented. The staff is adapting to it and the general consensus is that it was a good change.
Kris is in the process of obtaining funds for internet at the new elementary school. This will be a direct fiber line. The tech department does not want to overload the district’s wireless system.
Kim Parker has joined the technology department. She will be in charge of social media and the Skyward program. Kris asked the board to share any ideas for social media or websites with Kim.
Richard Fairchild, Transportation
Richard stated that Troy Langdon and Nash Norris had been a great help cleaning up the back alley of the high school and the auto shop. Jay Haremza, Board Vice President, stated that he appreciated Richard’s help in getting this taken care of.
Fleet inspections had been performed for the year. Kansas Highway Patrol was very complimentary. Richard thanked the board for the purchase of the new Ford Flex. It has been used by JV Tennis, administration, and the tech office.
Richard stated that families are moving into the Zook area. The department has had to adjust some routes to keep up with the influx of students.
In April, Richard had asked the board to solicit bids for a new bus. Because of the issues with the state and funding, this was put on hold. Rich again asked to solicit bids. The board gave him permission to see what was out there to purchase and bring prices back to the board.
c) Jon Flint, Superintendent
Jon took this time to compliment the administrators and directors. He stated that Richard and Kris don’t know what a clock is and that he appreciates all their hard work and dedication. He stated that technology and transportation get few compliments.
Gallagher was in district the second day of Professional Development. They were very well received. Staff was excited to have them on board. They educated employees as well as the district office.
The last QPA Accreditation was put in place in 1994 and was based state test assessments. The new accreditation has several facets-Kindergarten readiness, Social and emotional growth, graduation rates, and post secondary success. KSDE will hold quarterly meetings to help districts implement this new plan. This process is getting away from the book and looking at things from a more worldly standpoint.
This district has to hold a meeting between several agencies in town to discuss how students are referred to them. This is outlined in the Memorandum of Understanding that is now state mandated for districts. The state feels that money is wasted by unnecessary referrals. This memorandum must be in place by July of 2017.
d)Board Discussion
Jay Haremza, Board Vice President, stated that his last meeting as a board member will be October 10, 2016. He will be transferring to a job in Topeka and he takes his new position Nov. 7th. Jon Flint stated that his leadership and guidance will be missed. Jon stated that discussion will be held next month as far as how to fill his vacant seat on the board.
15.ADJOURN
June Barger moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:40 p.m.
David Sanger second.
Yes 6No 0
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Board PresidentBoard Clerk