Minutes of the Regular Board Meeting – October 14, 2021
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; the motion was seconded by Chris Hingst and carried.
There were no audiences.
Items on the Consent Calendar were next considered. Following review of these items, Dustin Andrist moved, Danielle McAtee seconded, and it carried to approve the consent calendar, including the following items:
- 1) the minutes of the regular Board meeting on September 9, 2021.
- 2) The list of bills being paid on direct deposit slips numbering 0917001-0917071 and on checks numbering 11872-11887 on BANKWEST in the amount of $216,868.12 and checks numbering 15384-15477 on First National Bank totaling $220,993.98 for a grand total of $437,862.10.
- 3) The Cash Summary Report including the Grade School Activity Fund Report, and the High School Activity Fund Report - all as of September 30, 2021. 4) No Gift offers.
There were no committee reports.
There was no old business.
The board received a summary of the official enrollment on September 20, 2021. Official 2021-2022 FTE enrollment in USD 297 is 284, which is an increase of 11 from the 2020-2021 FTE enrollment (273). The board also received a summary of the KSHSAA Classifications for activities in 2021-2022. St. Francis is a Class 2A Division II school in the KSHSAA Classifications, with an enrollment of 67 students in grades 9, 10, 11, and 12.
Next under new business, Superintendent Penka reviewed with the Board a bid from Norton Glass to replace windows and screens at the grade school and replace windows on the back of the junior high/ high school buildings in the amount of $427,023.30. A motion was made by Chris Hingst to accept this bid; seconded by Troy Hilt and carried. ESSER II and ESSER III funds will be used to pay for this project.
Next, discussion was held regarding a bid from Trane for installing air conditioning in the high school gym. The total bid on this project is $595,000.00. It was the consensus of the board to not go forward with this project.
The board and administration briefly reviewed the Audit Report for FY 2021 (and the accompanying management letter and governance letter) that had been completed by Adams & Brown. There will be a second review of the audit at the November Board meeting for final approval.
Next, Superintendent Penka reported that we have six contract amendments to approve for additional college hours. Troy Hilt moved to approve the contract amendments; motion was seconded by Shawna Blanka and carried.
Superintendent Penka recommended Brock Waters as the assistant JH boys’ basketball coach for the 2021-2022school year. Motion was made by J.W. Milliken to approve the recommendation, seconded by Troy Hilt and carried.
Superintendent Penka recommended leaving the base salary as is, certified staff will continue to take their steps as earned. Troy Hilt made a motion to leave pay scale as is, seconded by Dustin Andrist, and passed.
Superintendent Penka reported that a new paraprofessional through the NKESC has been hired for the grade school, Abby Beitz.
The next Board of Education meeting will be held on November 11, 2021, at 7:00 a.m.
At 8:25 a.m., Danielle McAtee moved that the meeting adjourn; the motion was seconded by Chris Hingst and carried.
