Onaga-Havensville-Wheaton
BOARD OF EDUCATION
UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 322
Pottawatomie County, Kansas
MINUTES OF THE FEBRUARY 18, 2010 SPECIAL MEETING
I. CALL TO ORDER
Mike Handley, Board President, called the February 18th special meeting to order at 7:00 PM at the school auditorium.
ROLL CALL
Board Members Present:
Rex Green Kenneth Melvin
Mike Handley Linda Werren
Rusty Helget Paul Zidek
Arlene Jacobson
Others Present: Superintendent Dr. Fred Marten, Clerk Janell Schmidt, OGS Principal Sandra Zahn, OHS Principal Roger Stumpf, Betty Haug, Jan Randel, Diana Graf, Marilyn Connolly, Lucas Burmeister, Doug Jacobson, Sheri Bartel, Bob Venneberg, Robby McGowan, Forrest Holliday, Sherry Graf, Jo Harris, Marna McDowell, Edana Correll, Lisa Trostle, Rhonda McLaughlin, Rochelle Falk, Jeannette Eisenbarth, Jesse Eisenbarth, Scott & Betty Merriman, Carmen D’Aloia, Kalena Tannahill, John Fairbanks & Deanna Fairbanks, David Schmidt, Laurie McClelland, Jana Otwell, Michelle Reisinger, Judy & Rick Glessner, Jeri Gerek, Nueva Bean Smith, Mark & Carol Minihan, Scott & Sherri Brunkow, Patty Campbell, Lois Loucks, Tim & Linda Roggenkamp, Sue Ahlquist, Scott Kufahl, Kelly Kufahl, Amy Spoonts, Harry Moser, Lori Murray, Vicki Bell, Jay & Stacy Rezac, Tawni Myers, Daun Krohn, Deb Berges, Gary Meyer, Vetra Sauvage, Geri Tisdale, Sarah Chamley, Joe Harder, Roger Todd, Joy Zabel, Vickie Fischer, Keith Figge, Anne Suther, Leanna Walters, Ann Hermreck, Marsha Bergman
II. ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA
Helget moved to approve the special agenda as presented. Zidek seconded. Motion carried 7-0.
III. SUPERINTENDENT PRESENTATION
1. Superintendent Marten distributed a USD322 budget history document showing the changes in school funding from 2006-2007 to present.
· Valuation
· Base State Aid Per Pupil
· Non-Weighted FTE
· Weighted FTE
· Legal Maximum General Fund
· Local Option Budget
Dr. Marten stated that the purpose of this meeting is to gather information. The administration has been discussing budget reductions since September. Some ideas discussed have been:
· Cutting school days
· 4-day school week
· Voluntary reduction of administrative contracts by 15%
IV. PATRON AND STAFF INPUT
A. Budget Reductions--Public comments were received by the Board
§ Joe Harder asked if Local Option Budget is maxed out (Max. 29.05%/Adopted 25.24%)
§ Sue Ahlquist submitted a petition stating “We, the Patrons of U.S.D. #322, are asking the school board to offer only yearly contracts to administrators as you do our educators.” The petition was signed by 137 patrons including seven past USD322 school board members. She stated that the district should reduce to two administrators and keep existing course offerings.
§ Betty Haug was disappointed in the apathy of patrons to their schools; the auditorium should be jammed. Suggested higher insurance deductibles.
§ John Fairbanks appreciated the board holding the public meeting. Increase offerings for students that are not college bound; trim fat—look at administration; eliminate junior high sports; questioned if sports should be part of school budget; get financial help from alumni; have superintendent teach ½ day
§ Laurie McClelland (Onaga High School Counselor) submitted the survey results of staff ideas for budget reduction.
§ Jana Otwell suggested starting school after Labor Day; get proactive and start communication with neighboring small districts about sharing costs or consolidating.
§ Louis Loucks (Tri-Cities Economic Development Director) said to reduce administrative staff—it presently costs $600-$700 per student to fund administration; don’t extend administrator contracts more than 1 year; share Superintendent with another district.
§ Bob Venneberg commented that we are missing a lot of vocational programs; local businesses owners pay residential and business taxes; would rather pay more taxes then receive requests to donate more money to the schools; thanked the board for the wonderful job they do.
§ Vicki Bell spoke representing the Tuckers, Campbell’s & Peters; not in favor of program cuts; raise taxes; need to keep our good teachers; reduce games but don’t cut sports; parents transport children to activities to reduce fuel costs
§ Tawni Myers suggested reducing activity travel costs by having coaches/sponsors drive busses; don’t cut sports; might pull her students to Holton for more opportunities
§ Robby McGowan noted that he does not see where the busses are full with students on routes; contract out fuel purchasing
§ Sherri Brunkow would prefer to have taxes raised but not to support three administrators; teachers are key to student education; silly to run a bus route for three students
§ Rhonda McLaughlin asked if any additional research had been done on cost savings for a 4-day school week.
§ Roger Stumpf (Onaga High School Principal) stated that the last time the board cut 1/3 of an administrator full savings were not actualized; only lasted two years as it wasn’t effective
§ Michelle Reisinger said to encourage other communities to come to our district
§ Linda Roggenkamp asked if the district had started to prioritize budget cuts; has a task force been working on this (Dr. Marten replied that he and the principals have worked on this each week since September)
§ Gary Meyer inquired as to administrator job descriptions and what their weekly tasks are; 4-day school week savings
§ Roger Todd is proud of the schools; teachers are under paid and should not be cut; willing to take tax increase; don’t cut back on vocational agriculture program; parent-alumni donation support; thanked the school board.
§ Jesse Eisenbarth is proud of the schools and recently was proud of how the junior high boys supported the high school players at a game. Parent volunteers can clean up the gyms after games to save custodial costs.
§ Jay Rezac spoke about an existing non-profit organization where people can designate their donations go to USD322.
B. Communication--Public comments were received by the Board
§ Publish Superintendent articles in local paper
§ Publish board minutes in local paper
§ Eliminate mailings
§ Use Internet
§ Reminder to public of the TextCaster service sponsored by Morrill & Janes Bank
No board action was taken.
February 18, 2010 USD 322 Special Board Meeting Page 2 Official Minutes
V. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, President Handley adjourned the meeting at 8:55PM.
Board President
Date Approved Clerk of the Board
February 18, 2010 USD 322 Special Board Meeting Page 2 Official Minutes