Minutes of the Regular Board Meeting – February 10, 2022
The meeting was called to order by Board President Cale Rieger in the administration office on the above date at 7:00 a.m. with all members present. Jessica Matthies and Carla Lampe were also present.
Superintendent Penka had one change to the agenda; to move Audiences before the Consent Calendar. Chris Hingst made a motion to approve the agenda with the one change; the motion was seconded by Shawna Blanka and carried.
Audiences: Jessica Matthies and Carla Lampe were present to discuss with the Board the St. Francis Educational Fund. Every year, 5% of a three-year average balance of this fund is available to be utilized by USD 297 for educational purposes. The funds can be used for scholarships, salary bonuses, infusion of funds into other school funds (such as activity funds) and/or any other educational projects approved by USD 297 Board of Education.
The Board reviewed and discussed the items on the consent calendar. A motion was then made by Dustin Andrist, seconded by J. W. Milliken, and carried to approve the consent calendar, including the following items:
a) The minutes of the regular Board meeting on January 13, 2022.
b) A list of bills being paid on direct deposit slips numbering 0117001 – 0117076 and on checks numbering 11937-11950 on BANKWEST, and checks numbering 15642- 15699 on FNB Bank for a total of $433,809.86.
c) The Cash Summary Report, the Grade School Activity Fund Report, and the High School Activity Fund Report – all as of January 31, 2022.
d) There were no gift offers.
Under Committee Reports, Superintendent Penka reported that the hiring committee will be recommending:
1) Kelly Emerson for First grade aide,
2) Cassondra Krien for Kindergarten Aide,
3) Sonia Palasio for high school cook; and
4) Tanya Quintero for high school cook.
Under Old Business, Superintendent Penka reported that he had visited with Cheylin Superintendent Edmundson and she reported that the Cheylin Board of Education voted not to continue the COOP next year for high school sports. Junior High football will be discussed at a future date.
Under New Business, Superintendent Penka presented the proposed 2022-2023 school calendar. After review and discussion, Troy Hilt made a motion to approve the calendar as presented; the motion was seconded by Shawna Blanka and carried.
Under New Business, Superintendent Penka reported that we have a resignation from Amy Rosier resigning her position as Grade School Special Education director effective May 20, 2022. Troy Hilt made a motion to accept Ms. Rosier’s resignation, seconded by Danielle McAtee and carried.
Under New Business, Superintendent Penka requested contract offers for the following:
1)Kelly Emerson for First Grade Aide;
2) Cassondra Krien for Kindergarten Aide;
3) Sonia Palasio for high school cook; and
4) Tanya Quintero for high school cook.
Chris Hingst made a motion to offer these contracts, seconded by Danielle McAtee, and carried.
Superintendent Penka presented a bid from Howard Construction for replacing ceilings/lights in the high school music room, grade school library, and a high school classroom. The bid came in at $64,840.00. Danielle McAtee made a motion to accept the bid, seconded by Troy Hilt and carried.
Contract offers and proposed reassignments (if any) for 2022-2023 can be acted-on at the regular meeting on March 10, 2022, or at the April 14, 2022, meeting if necessary.
Next, Superintendent Penka reviewed with the Board the plans for installing proper hot water heaters. Also discussed was what plans are being talked about for the girls’ wrestling program.
Troy Hilt reported that there has been some interest in providing beef to the schools through the Farm to Table program. Superintendent Penka will be looking into this.
The next scheduled Board meeting will be held on March 10, 2022, at 7:00 p.m. At 8:38 a.m.,
Dustin Andrist moved that the meeting adjourn; the motion was seconded by Troy Hilt and carried.
