The monthly meeting of the Board of Education of USD 509 was held on Monday, January 11, 2010 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, Wayne Greenlee, Cindy Blunk, Ted Barlow, Michele Barlow and Twaila Wiley.

Following the adoption of the agenda, the minutes of the regular board meeting of December 14, 2009, the joint board meeting of December 16, 2009, the special board meeting of December 30, 2009, and the special board/community meeting of January 10, 2010 were read and approved.

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

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

USD 360 joined USD 509 via telephone twice during the meeting and after one joint executive session, the boards discussed the election process and parent/patron surveys on consolidation. Both districts will send out identical surveys to all parents and patrons in each community.

Sharon Hooker and Crystal Smith were present to give a presentation on the Parents as Teachers program.

Discussion was held on the following with no action taken: Budget issues and capital needs for 2009-10, 2010-11 and 2011-12; election issues surrounding consolidation of districts; the January 10, 2010 board/community meeting; and parent/patron surveys concerning consolidation. Discussion on the following items were tabled: superintendent evaluations, calendar options for 2010-2011, and the moving of junior high practices to the school day.

Following executive sessions for the discussion of negotiations and personnel, the board voted to offer Tim King, head custodian, a salaried contract in the amount of $24,000 per year.

Mrs. White gave the monthly Principal’s Report which included an update on league meeting, an update on the site council meeting, KSDE grant approval, a report on the upcoming joint inservice with Caldwell, discussion about the NHS trip to New York City, an opportunity for a school-to-work project with GE, league seniors to make a trip to visit with Kansas Legislators about small schools, and her thoughts and ideas concerning consolidation with Caldwell.

Mr. Showman’s monthly Superintendent’s report included an update on the Schools for Fair Funding and the possibility of reopening the Montoy vs. Kansas case, an update on the Coop railroad land, a report on the SCBL Superintendent’s Meeting and the effects and concerns of the budget cuts on all league schools, and the failure to get the Tech Rich Grant completed in time.

The meeting was closed at 10:37 pm.

Submitted by Suzy Davidson,
Board Clerk