Minutes of the Regular Board Meeting – January 7, 2021
The meeting was called to order by Board President Cale Rieger in the administration office on the above date at 7:00 p.m. with everyone present except Troy Hilt.
Shawna Blanka made a motion to approve the agenda; the motion was seconded by Chris Hingst and carried.
Election of officers was next; J. W. Milliken nominated Cale Rieger for President and Troy Hilt as Vice President; seconded by Chris Hingst and carried.
Consent Calendar – District Clerk, Traci Neitzel, was out of the office with COVID-19 so there were no financials to review. They will be available at the February Board meeting.
There were no audiences.
The Board considered appointment of members to three committees – the Meet-and-Confer Committee, Scholarship Committee, and Hiring Committee. Following brief discussion, Cale
Rieger and Chris Hingst were selected to serve on the Meet-and-Confer Committee; Superintendent Penka, Principal David Morrow, Danielle McAtee, and Troy Hilt were selected to
serve on the Scholarship Committee; and Superintendent Penka, Principal Morrow, Shawna Blanka, and J. W. Milliken were selected to serve on the Hiring Committee. J. W. Milliken
moved to approve these committee appointments; the motion was seconded by Dustin Andrist and carried.
Under Old Business, Superintendent Penka gave a COVID-19 update. Vaccine for staff will be available in January or February. School personnel are now able to sign up through the County
Health Department to receive the vaccine.
Mr. Penka gave a report that the high school science and chemistry room remodel scheduled for this summer.
Superintendent Penka reported that we have one out of district student who is requesting admission into our school. Chris Hingst made a motion to accept her; seconded by J. W.
Milliken and carried.
Superintendent Penka gave a report on funding from the State next school year. We will also be receiving ESSER funds for COVID-19 related expenses. These funds will need to be used by
September of 2023.
Superintendent Penka reported that he has received a letter of resignation from Marian Ochsner effective at the end of the school year. Mrs. Ochsner has been with USD 297 for 10
years. J. W. Milliken made a motion to accept Mrs. Ochsner’s resignation; seconded by Shawna Blanka and carried.
At 7:17 P.M., Chris Hingst made a motion for a ten minute executive session for the purpose of a non- elected personnel issue, with the justification of protecting the privacy rights of the
individual. Dustin Andrist seconded the motion, and it carried. At 7:27 P.M., the meeting resumed. No action was taken.
Next, Chris Hingst made a motion recommending two year contracts for David Morrow and Darla Raile; motion was seconded by Dustin Andrist and carried.
Ms. Raile updated the Board on the progress in the grade school with MTSS.
Review of Board Policy: Superintendent Penka presented policy updates sent out by KSDE. Shawna Blanka made a motion to adopt the policies; seconded by Dustin Andrist and carried.
The next regular scheduled Board meeting will be held on February 11, 2021, at 7:00 a.m.
At 8:07 p.m., Chris Hingst moved that the meeting adjourn; the motion was seconded by Dustin Andrist and carried.
