Board Meeting Action: November 16,2009

The meeting began with President Weathers calling the meeting to order with Members Erven, Robinson, Haupt and Wiechman present. Members Davis and Birney would arrive later. All administrators were present as well as Clerk Strickler.

The agenda was approved with the additions of supplemental assignments at 12.0 for Valerie Whipple and Karen Pounds.

Vice President Erven gave the HPEC report and much was about finance and legislation.

All bills were approved as presented.

The Consent agenda was approved with the following items included
Minutes of October 12, 2009.
Resignations of:
Tara Wright: Food Service
Kyle Carroll: Head High School Volleyball Coach
Dawn Hutchins: Assistant High School Volleyball Coach
Marci Patton: Assistant High School Volleyball Coach 
Employment Offers to:
Audra Beck: Housekeeping

Board Matters:
The board discussed the possibilities concerning faculty and staff wishing to retire and take KPERS benefits and the return to work 60 days following. The issues of need of the district versus need of the employee as well as the cost factors associated with the individually negotiated contract. The possible retire / rehire scenario must be a benefit to the district. The early indication of the district is not to pay the cost of KPERS percentage. There will be more on this at a later date.

The board then took up the work of policy that on the agenda. A proposed policy included the addition of Sundays as a time to be free of school activities. The current policy does not speak to Sundays. There some optional activities that by tradition are held on Sundays such as the basketball ‘Shoot Around’. The board placed the policy on first reading and will revisit after considering it for the month.

The policy on Outside Fund Raising was discussed. The addition to the policy includes a reminder that should be coordinated with the school officials so that the fund raising activities are appropriate in nature so as to not place the school and student in a questionable status with the general public. It is placed on first reading for consideration next month

The Rental Policy was approved as it was discussed last month. The major portions addressed were the fee reductions or waivers for bona fide youth groups of the county and for groups that provide for the common good of the community-at-large. It was also noted in the policy that the school district and the recreation commission have a working relationship and trade services and facilities for no charge. Most usage did however require the payment of any personnel cost. The auditorium usage fee charges are still in effect for the equipment and personnel needs.

The Board discussed a proposed Civility Protocol as developed by the Professional Advisory Council and Superintendent. The protocol is expected to assist faculty and staff that may have some hostile confrontations with students and or parent/guardians or other adults. 
The basic steps of the protocol are:
1. Be polite in listening and explaining.
2.Questions should be answered professionally.
3.The difficulties should be ascertained for planning.
4.Plans should be made for the parties to meet with the administration of the building to review and resolve the concerns if possible. Attempts should be made the next day to set the meeting.
5.Once the above points have been addressed, the conversation should
end by politely by stating that all that can be accomplished at this time
has been and that a continuation will be held so that a positive outcome
can be produced. At that point, the contact between the parties is finished for the present time

Note:    If a non-productive atmosphere continues such as hostile phone calls, e mails, letters and forceful personal confrontation, the matter shall be taken up by the administration and police. School personnel are not expected to take verbal, mental, emotional or physical abuse by other parties.

The board held several executive sessions. The first was to hear the report on new and non-tenured faculty and the second was to discuss professional negotiations. The board took action to approve the proposed wording on payment of coaches / sponsors when too few coaches are available for a specific activity. The board approved the wording presented by the IBB team contingent on the approval of the SCTA.

After a brief report from Superintendent Wells, the meeting adjourned