The monthly meeting of the Board of Education of USD 509 was held on Monday, December 14, 2009 at 7:00 pm in the district office with the following present: Todd Ray, Amy Brown, Glennis Zimmerman, Sharon Mason, Chris Deyoe, Brett Butler, John Showman, Kim White, Suzy Davidson and Twaila Wiley.

Twaila Wiley was present as a parent to discuss junior high sports practices and asked the board to consider moving practices back to during the school day. Mrs. Wiley discussed multiple reasons for this request and listed possible solutions. The Board held discussion on the topic which included the history of junior high sports practices and why the change was originally made after the new gym was built.

Following the adoption of the agenda, the minutes of the regular board meeting of November 9, 2009 were read and approved.

The Board reviewed the general fund summary and purchase orders and approved the December warrants for payment.

Sharon Mason gave an update on Interlocal #619, and Glennis Zimmerman gave an update on governmental relations and general fund budget projections.

Discussion was held on the following with no action taken: The joint board meeting with Caldwell’s BOE on December 16, 2009 and the topics to be discussed, budget projections over the next 3 years and what other districts in the county are doing in their plans to adjust to the budget crisis, seven semester graduation and some possible guidelines for this policy, and the process for superintendent evaluation.

In other action, the Board voted to adopt policy CNA Document Production, Including Electronic Information for archiving emails, and to accept a gift of $8,000 to the district’s foodservice program.

Mrs. White gave the monthly Principal’s Report which included an update on league meeting and money saving efforts being made by the league, an update on Site Council which included discussion of junior high practice times, the upcoming lumberjack meal, the Christmas staff luncheon at Bodacious, a survey about the senior class trip given to this year’s junior class, combining/sharing more staff and programs with Caldwell for 2010-2011, and the character education grant for underage drinking.

Mr. Showman’s monthly Superintendent’s report included an update on the application for the Tech Rich grant with Caldwell for 4th and 5th grades; updates on facilities, utilities and transportation and the fact that the district is down almost $9,000 in electricity costs from this time last year; a meeting with League Superintendents; a meeting with Sumner County Superintendents, and the need to purchase a new bus.

The meeting was closed at 10:17 pm.

Submitted by Suzy Davidson,
Board Clerk