Minutes of the Regular Board Meeting – November 11, 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 except Danielle McAtee.
Superintendent Penka made two changes to the agenda: move Audiences after Approval of Agenda; and under New Business add c) Personnel. Troy Hilt made a motion to approve the agenda with the mentioned changes, the motion was seconded by Chris Hingst and carried.
Audiences: Sheree Wingo was present to read a letter that she had prepared for the board.
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: a) The minutes of the regular Board meeting on October 14, 2021, and special board meetings held on October 26, October 27 and November 1, 2021. b) The list of bills being paid on direct deposit slips numbering 1019001-1019072 and on checks numbering 11888-11905 on BANKWEST in the amount of $269,908.00 and checks numbering 15478-15538 on First National Bank totaling $138,188.73 for a grand total of $408,096.73. c) The Cash Summary Report (including one transfer: $51,598.00 from the General Fund to the Special Ed Fund), the Grade School Activity Fund Report, and the High School Activity Fund Report - all as of October 31, 2021. d) No Gift Offers.
No Committee Reports.
Under Old Business, the Board and administration briefly reviewed the Audit Report for FY2021 (and the accompanying management letter and governance letter) that had been completed by Adams/Brown, LLC. Following review, Troy Hilt moved to accept the Audit Report as presented; the motion was seconded by Shawna Blanka and carried.
Superintendent Penka then went over a Fleet summary of USD 297 vehicles. It was the consensus of the Board to allow the school to continue updating vehicles on a regular basis (one or two/year) as needed.
Next, Board President, Cale Rieger requested a 15 minute executive session to discuss non-elected personnel. Chris Hingst made the following motion: Mr. President, I move that the board recess into executive session to discuss non-elected personnel in order to protect their privacy pursuant to the non-elected personnel exception under KOMA and that the open meeting shall resume at 7:55 a.m. The motion was seconded by Troy Hilt and carried. Superintendent Penka, Principal Morrow, Principal Raile, and Clerk Neitzel left the meeting. The board came out of executive session at 8:05 a.m. and requested an additional 10 minutes, Chris Hingst made the motion; seconded by Dustin Andrist and carried. The board came out of executive session at 8:15 a.m. and requested an additional 10 minutes with Mark Penka being present, Troy Hilt made the motion; seconded by Shawna Blanka and carried. The board came out of executive session at 8:25 a.m. and requested an additional 10 minutes with everyone present. Upon resuming the regular meeting, Troy Hilt made the following motion: I hereby move to renew Superintendent Penka’s contract for two years. The motion was seconded by Chris Hingst and carried.
Next, under New Business, Superintendent Penka reported that a resignation had been received from Loretta Ford as the Elementary School director of food service, effective December 31, 2021. Mrs. Ford has been with USD 297 for 25 years. Next Superintendent recommended hiring Tammy Bracelin for a cook position. Troy Hilt made a motion to accept the letter of resignation and also approve the hiring of Mrs. Bracelin, motion was seconded by J. W. Milliken and carried.
Superintendent Penka let the Board know that our KESA – Outside Validation Meeting is scheduled for April 21, 2022 and the Site Council meeting is scheduled for January 19, 2022. Principal Raile let the Board know that the Elementary School is hosting a Veterans Day program today, as well as having 25 veterans joining the grade school students for lunch.
The next regular Board of Education meeting will be held on December 9, 2021, at 7:00 a.m. At 8:54 a.m., J.W. Milliken moved that the meeting adjourn; the motion was seconded by Chris Hingst and carried.
