District Information: Superintendent

Inner Calm-April 08

October 04, 2007

Inner Calm
USD 466 Scott County Schools
Employee Newsletter
Superintendent Don Wells
April, 2008

Board Meeting Review

The April BOE meeting was held on April 8 with all members present.
All minutes and bills were accepted and approved.
Vice President Erven presented the Special Education Report from High Plains.
The Board held an extensive multiple executive sessions for the discussion of non-elected personnel.
Resignations were accepted:
- Shairlyn Wasinger: Assistant Musical Director
- Cheryl Kucharik: Football Cheerleading Sponsor/Coach
- Valarie Whipple: Basketball Cheerleading Sponsor/Coach
- Maria Leal: Housekeeping ( rescinded)

Contract Offer: Kevin Brooks: High School Mathematics
Work Agreement: Vicki Wright: Summer Bus Washer
Board Matters

A. First Reading Quiz-Out Policy
The Board discussed the various ways that the policy could be altered to allow more students the opportunity to quiz out of selected classes and to not restrict the opportunity to only gifted students. Principal Turner offered suggestions to the proposed changes which included the percentage required to pass quiz out classes. The recommendation is to move the percent from 90% to the required current percentage for an A to 92%. Other suggestions were to require the quiz out testing to be done the first five days of the school term and also to make sure that all understood that the gifted IEP would be in force and effect and would allow those students affected to utilize the quiz out process. Also, Principal Turner stated that this could advance the question about the possibility for early graduation for more students. The policy suggestions will be on the May meeting agenda.
B. Graduation Pictures
The annual graduation pictures were approved again this year. The cost to the Board is approximately $600 to provide an individual picture for each graduation and eighth grade student in promotion exercises. Pam’s Portraits will handle the arrangements.
C. Legal Assistance Fund

Approval was given to join the KASB Legal Assistance Fund at a cost of $1,100.

D. KASB Membership was approved at a cost of $8,211.
E. Activity Coach Bus

The Board accepted the low bid from Masters Transportation in the amount of $139,950 which includes trade-in value of the MCI Eagle. It is a 2000 Bluebird LTC 40 with approximately 145,000 miles. It is very similar to the current activity coach.
F. Parents as Teachers Program (PAT) was approved for 2008-09.
G. K-Jump Program for the purchase of natural gas was approved.
Executive Sessions Held for discussions for:

Professional Negotiations

Non-elected personnel

Possible acquisition of real property
Actions:

No motions for non-renewals were made.

The presented list of certified faculty was approved for contracts for 08-09.

            The presented list of summer programs and personnel was approved.

           Other Items:

• Formal contracts with GCCC were approved for the provision of services

• A special Board of Education meeting was approved as a Work Night on April 16,

• The textbook proposal for Social Studies was approved as presented by the CCC and the Social Studies Committee.

Due to the lateness of the meeting, the superintendent’s report was not given.

The meeting was adjourned at approximately 12:00 midnight.

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Notes from the Superintendent

Effects of High Fuel Prices

The $74,000 budget for fuel for routes and activities was reached this month. Projections for the regular route costs is an additional $30,000 with the activities schedule projected to be another $5,000. This cost will be paid by the current budgets in the general fund and others as the money is available. The higher prices are affecting the basic utility cost for heat and electricity as well as higher prices for foods and supplies because of the trucking costs to bring it to our sites. I ask that all reduce requests for items from the school funds. We will continue to do the best that we can with what we have. The continual increase in oil-based products far exceeded the cost that was set in July and August. This concern coupled with the already determined short fall in student population brings another almost $19,000 that will need to be made up in the general fund. Please be conscious of the various things that might be done to lessen the cost of operations.
Welcome to Mr.KevinBrooks
Kevin Brooks, Secondary Mathematics, accepted the offer of a contract and it was approved at the April 8 board meeting. Kevin will graduate from FHSU and grew up in the Healy / Scott City area. The district is fortunate to have a good beginning faculty member for next year. He has been under the cooperative teacher assignment with Mr. Bill Paget. Please welcome Kevin to the faculty.
Thanks to the CCC / Social Studies Committee
The CCC and the Social Studies Committee put together a solid proposal for textbooks and materials. Their work is appreciated and the BOE unanimously approved the proposal.
State Champions Again!
Congratulations to the Electric Car Team and their Championship that was earned this week. Mr. Ellis does a great job of leading and getting the most from the enthusiastic students that make up the team. We are proud of you all.
Forensics
The Forensics team earned a second place finish in Regionals and qualified 8spots for State Competitions. Team Coach is Shairlyn Wasinger. Congratulations!
No School Monday, April 14