RE-1 School Board Prepares for End of School Year
May 16, 2003
The Kiowa County School District RE-1 Board of Education met in regular session April 29, and continued the meeting to May 5. During the first session, board members Bill Woelk, Larry Watts and Marty Miller were present, and board members Marlynn Eikenberg, Ralph Berry and John Weirich were absent. When the meeting was resumed, all six current board members were present.
The highly unusual split session resulted from a lack of a quorum – four board members - at the first meeting, so agenda items could only be discussed, but no official action could be taken. Ironically, former board member Debi Hadley was present during the first session to receive a plaque for her years of service on the board. Hadley’s letter of resignation was accepted at the March board meeting.
Gary Davis and Dawna Peck, representing the Town of Eads, were present to discuss an easement for the town to construct a water tower on school-owned property north of 7th Street. The board had previously approved an easement, however Davis found that some additions needed to be made to meet some state legal requirements. Board members approved the revised easement during the second session.
The board discussed a special request from a family to home school a child for the remainder of the year, due to a medical concern. The district would evaluate the student at the start of the next school year to determine which grade level the child should be placed in. Board members unanimously approved the request during the second session.
Superintendent Glenn Smith reported that he thought the district’s budget for the 2003-04 school year should be fairly sound, with a minimal reduction from this year’s funding levels. The district expects to lose 10 to 15 students for the upcoming year, with the enrollment level falling below 200. The 2004-05 budget will be more problematic as enrollment falls even further with few students entering the system and a large class graduating.
During the second session, board members spent 17 minutes in executive session to discuss an "early retirement proposal."
Board members voted to renew the current employee health insurance program, which will have an eight to 12 percent increase. Even with the increase, premiums were still expected to be lower than other proposals. The district will maintain its contribution cap toward family premiums at $343 per month, and will consider capping contributions to individual plans as those premiums surpass the $343 level.
The board approved contracts for the following non-probationary staff: Betsy Barnett, Larry Gifford, Deborah Gooden, Lane Gooden, Lana Peterson, Shawn Randel, Charlene Reed, Loraine Saffer, Carole Spady, Gay Uhland and Tamatha Ullman. Joan Pryce-Hawkins was previously approved as a member of the non-probationary staff.
Board members approved the following probationary staff: Susan Fox, Lance Jagers, Taya Jagers, Dawn James, William Koehler, Janelle Randel and Montee Tinnes. The board also approved the following classified staff members: Daryll Adamson, Phyllis Barlow, Pamela Cole, Cleta Engelhardt, Konda Howard, Deb Klieson, David Kraft, Dorie Musgrave, Linda Offill, Jacqueline Rittgers and Kathy Watson.
The board granted a one year deferral regarding the early retirement program to Brenda Stoker.
A resolution was passed to make an appointment for the board position vacated by Hadley. Applications are being accepted from interested residents in District D. The person appointed to fill that position would need to run for election in November in order to retain the seat. Four other board positions will also be up for election at that time.
Smith stated that grade level expectations have been completed, and assessments are being devised. Developing the comprehensive expectation list has been a four year project, and will allow parents and students to know exactly what the student will need to learn during each year of school.
The next regular meeting will be held May 27.