Minutes of the Regular Board Meeting –April 8, 2021
The meeting was called to order by Board President Cale Rieger in the administration office on the above date at 7:04 a.m with all members present. Superintendent Penka requested one change to the agenda: move Audiences to the top of the Agenda. Troy Hilt made a motion to approve the agenda with the one change; the motion was seconded by Chris Hingst and carried.
Audiences: Glen Strait of Strait Associates Architects was present to present the plans for the Chemistry Classroom remodel project. The consensus of the Board was to move forward with this project.
The Board reviewed and discussed the items on the consent calendar. A motion was then made by Shawna Blanka, seconded by Dustin Andrist, and carried to approve the consent
calendar, including the following items:
- a) The minutes of the regular Board meeting on March 11, 2021.
- b) A list of bills being paid on direct deposit slips numbering 0319001 – 0319072 and on checks numbering 11762-11775 on BANKWEST, and checks numbering 15016-15075 on First National Bank for a total of $312,460.39.
- c) The Cash Summary Report (including three transfers: $9,860.67 from Supplemental General Fund to the CTE Fund, $5,852.79 from the General Fund to the At-Risk Fund, and $26,018.00 from General Fund to the Special Ed Fund)¸ the Grade School Activity Fund Report, and the High School Activity Fund Report – all as of March 31, 2021.
- d) Gift offers were accepted from the class of 1947 - $20.00 in memory of Don K. Reichert, and $20.00 in memory of Delores Wiley
The Scholarship Committee have received the scholarship packets and will set a time to meet.Mr. Morrow reported that the Greene Scholarship Committee will also be meeting soon and that everything regarding scholarships is progressing on time.
Next, Superintendent Penka updated the board on some legislative updates that might affect our district.
Superintendent Penka updated the Board on the conversations with Cheylin regarding consolidation of some of our sports activities.
As discussed at the March meeting, by law (K.S.A. 72-5411), a school board must notify a teacher in writing on or before the third Friday in May (May 21st this year) if said teacher’s contract will not be renewed; and a teacher must notify the school board in writing on or before 14 days after the third Friday in May (June 4th this year) if (s)he is resigning from their teaching contract. Following discussion, a motion was made by Shawna Blanka to offer 2021-2022 contracts to all current licensed personnel who have not resigned, and subject to the provisions that the contracts paid partially or fully from federal funding are dependent on USD 297 receiving sufficient federal funds for those contracts. The motion was seconded by Troy Hilt and carried.
Following further discussion, a motion was made by Chris Hingst to offer 2021-2022 contracts to all non-licensed personnel who have not resigned. The motion was seconded by Danielle McAtee and carried.
Under personnel items, the hiring committee recommended Sydney Foster for the high school Journalism position, Amy Rosier for the grade school Special Ed director, and Colt Trachsel for the assistant high school football coach position and summer weights supervisor. Shawna Blanka made a motion to approve these three new hires; motion was seconded by Troy Hilt and carried.
Next, Superintendent Penka reported that we have received resignations from the following: Scott (Hoagie) Carmichael resigning as high school assistant football coach; Leisha Hilt resigning as high school assistant cheer coach; and Devin Dinkel resigning from all of his coaching duties. Chris Hingst made a motion to accept the resignations, seconded by Danielle McAtee and carried.
Next Superintendent Penka reviewed the Symmetry Energy bill received for our natural gas deliveries. KASB legal counsel is advising that we not pay this bill immediately, an investigation into charges is being addressed. KASB will keep us informed.
Superintendent also let the board know that Tom Smull had been in to discuss the Cheyenne County Kansas Community Foundation and their plan for increasing the amount used for scholarships in the community. They are setting up a program where Stanion Wholesale Electric will match funds 2:1 up to $25,000.00.
No review of Board Policy.
The next scheduled Board meeting will be held on Wednesday, May 12, 2021, at 7:00 A.M. at 8:12 a.m., J.W. Milliken moved that the meeting adjourn; the motion was seconded by Troy Hilt and carried.
