Minutes of the Regular Board Meeting – September 10, 2020
The meeting was called to order by President Cale Rieger in the administrative office on the above date at 7:00 a.m. with everyone present.Troy Hilt made a motion to approve the agenda as presented; the motion was seconded by Danielle McAtee and carried.
Items on the Consent Calendar were next considered. Following review of these items, Chris Hingst moved, Dustin Andrist seconded, and it carried to approve the consent calendar, including the following items:
- The minutes of the regular board meeting held on August 13, 2020.
- The list of bills being paid on direct deposit slips numbering 0819040-0819050 and on checks numbering 11647-11660 on BANKWEST in the amount of $47,834.78 and checks numbering 14607-14685 on First National Bank totaling $82,530.04 for a grand total of $130,364.82.
- The Cash Summary Report, the Grade School Activity Fund Report, and the High School Activity Fund Report - all as of August 31, 2020.
- There were no gift offers.
There were no audiences.
There were no committee reports
Under old business, Principal Darla Raile and Principal David Morrow gave updates on how the beginning of school was going, in regards to COVID-19 procedures. Things are going well and they are receiving positive feedback.
Under new business, Superintendent Penka reported that the two remaining contracts have been turned in forsignature approval. Troy Hilt made a motion to approve the contracts turned in for signature; motion was seconded by Chris Hingst, and carried. Superintendent Penka reminded the Board that USD 297 has a policy in place indicating that teachers must supply the district office official transcripts prior to October 1 st , for the additional hours to count toward advancement on the salary schedule for the current year.
The Board was informed of the new monthly Blue Cross-Blue Shield premium rates for the health-insurance group of school employees, effective with the new plan from November 1, 2020, through October 31, 2021. Information received from BCBS indicates an average increase of 10% in premiums. Troy Hilt made a motion to approve these rates, as well as increasing the amount paid by the school; $470/month will be paid towards a single plan and $940/month will be paid towards all other plans. The motion was seconded by Shawna Blanka and carried.
Next, Superintendent Penka reviewed quotes received for the purchase of a new dump trailer. After review anddiscussion Dustin Andrist made a motion to purchase an 83” PJ Low Pro Dump trailer from Hitchcock Inc., out of Goodland for $7,674.10; seconded by Danielle McAtee and carried.
Next, under new business, Superintendent Penka discussed the financial ability of the district to increase the salaries of all contracted employees effective with the November 2020 payroll. Further discussion will be held at the October Board meeting.
Next, Superintendent reviewed enrollment numbers with the Board. The official count day will be Monday, September 21, 2020.
Chris Hingst has applied to be an activity bus driver for 2020-2021 school year. Danielle McAtee made a motion toaccept Mr. Hingst application, seconded by Troy Hilt and carried.
District Clerk Neitzel requested that Jackie Butler and Mark Penka be added to the Grade School Activity account signature card and that Nick Fawcett be added to the High School Activity account signature card.
Under Review of School-Improvement Process, Superintendent Penka reviewed with the board where USD 297 is at in the process of the KESA accreditation model in our schools. An MTSS In-Service will be held on Monday, September 14 th . An OVT meeting will be held in St. Francis on October 23 rd .
The next Board of Education meeting will be held on Thursday, October 8, 2020, at 7:00 a.m. At 8:08 a.m., Chris Hingst moved that the meeting adjourn; the motion was seconded by Danielle McAtee and carried.
