BOARD REPORT --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------August 15, 2016 5:00 p.m.

BUDGET HEARING Budget Hearing: Board members reviewed USD 428’s 2016-2017 budget, as published 8/4/16 in the Great Bend Tribune. Khris Thexton noted that the proposed budget has a mill levy of 45.834 mills ($6,285,866 total taxes to be levied) with a mill levy difference is -0.032 from the prior year. Expenditures are identified as $62,891,311. The Bond and Interest payment is up slightly, with the district’s final bond maturity occurring in 2018. Funds, including, Capital Outlay (a 6.500 mill levy) and Contingency Reserves, were discussed. Calculations are made on the basis of Block Grant funding. Budget Approval: The Board approved USD 428’s 2016-2017 budget, as published. The Budget Hearing was then adjourned.

BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING Board Members:

Joyce Carter; Dr. Larry Kutina (absent); Kevin Mauler; Lori Reneau; Cheryl Rugan; Chris Umphres; and Susan Young.

Recognitions / Achievements / Communications: 

BOE Member Comments. Susan Young extended compliments to all who helped make the 8/15/16 Back to School Celebration a grand one. Events, noted below, were effectively planned and presented.        

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Breakfast HS Panther Pride marching band and cheerleaders Welcome by BOE president and by Superintendent Reed Introduction of new staff….and KTOY nominees Vicki McCulley and Brian Hutchinson Introduction of retired teachers Judge Tom Webb Beth Rein, GB-NEA president Business Showcase at Panther Activity Center

Education Foundation Update.

Superintendent Reed noted that the focus of Education Foundation trustees is planning their annual fundraiser, a banquet being held on Tuesday, November 22, 2016.

Approval of Local Consolidated Plan Allocation:

The 2016-2017 Local Consolidated Plan funding totals $1,214,334, which compares to a prior-year total of $1,162,485, an addition of $51,849. Following a review of details, the BOE approved the state and federal programs allocations as noted below.

Title I A Title I C Title II A Title III Total

Improving Basic Programs Migrant Education Teacher Quality English Language Acquisition

$ 851,963 $ 161,875 $ 146,928 $ 53,568 $1,214,334

Curriculum / Instruction Report: 

Professional Development Plan:

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Curriculum Committee Focus:

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AP Courses at GBHS:

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Professional Development Activities:

Implementation of MTSS is the primary emphasis of the Professional Development plan for the upcoming school year. There will be an additional focus on Technology Implementation on each of the curriculum days as well. In 2016-2017 the district will adopt new K-6 English Language Arts curriculum and will begin to study K-6 Science, 7-12 Science, and Healthy Living curricula. Curriculum Steering will be working with these committees to bring to the board recommendations on new curricula. GB High School continues to add courses for students to take for earning advanced placement credit. Mr. Popp provided an update on the progress toward AP course integration at GBHS. Tools for Teaching (Fred Jones Classroom Management) for new teachers (3 days) New Teacher Orientation (5 days) Math Training 7-12 at GB High School (1 day) District Collaboration Day (1 day)

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Assessment Information:

After a multi-year process, the goal of testing implementation

has nearly been reached.  The AimsWeb system is in full use. The data has been used for this school year to place students in courses. Initial testing will happen in September to adjust any student placements as needed.  MAP assessments will be used again this year. Last year was all about learning the system and determining the best way to test the students. This year will be about using the data with teachers to adjust instruction for students. Initial testing will happen in September.  In regard to Kansas State Assessments, last year’s data is still being processed at the state level. The district will be able to review data internally for accuracy at some point in the fall. There have been some major changes to the state assessment plan for the upcoming school year.  Within Common Assessments, K-6 Math assessments are completed across each grade level. They will be administered at the beginning and end of this school year to track progress within a school year. English Language Arts assessments will be next, but not until a new ELA Curriculum is in place. The 7-12 common assessments are mostly completed and ready for implementation.

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Personnel Update:

All positions except one have been filled including late resignations that were told would not be released unless a suitable replacement was found. This is an outstanding accomplishment and all the credit goes to the principals for their hard work to find and hire high quality applicants. There is still an ESL teacher position that remains open. It was known all along it would be very difficult to fill that position, but there is a plan.

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Meeting Minutes ~ Curriculum Steering Committee: Next meeting is 8/30/16 ~ Professional Development Council (PDC): Met 8/15/16.

Business and Operations Report: 

Projects Updates.

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Summer Lunch Program Update.

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Approval of Capital Improvements.

Khris Thexton provided information on completed summer roofing maintenance at district sites. The Eisenhower Elementary School two-week roofing project had been delayed but will start soon. Although Eisenhower teachers and students will be present during the roofing, the crew will not interfere with school routines. In July, 2016, in an attempt to avoid local childhood hunger, USD 428 served free lunches at Park Elementary School. During the nineteen service days in July, 866 meals were served. Mr. Thexton expressed appreciation to School Food Service personnel who worked to make the lunch program a success.

Board members heard descriptions of projects.

» GB High School Gymnasium Lighting. Efficient New lighting will soon replace ineffective lighting. » GB High School Football Bleachers. The current free-standing bleachers at the football stadium are in need of upgrading. Aluminum planking with risers will soon replace the deteriorating wooden planks. » Eisenhower Elementary School Jungle Gym. As a safety measure, a playground climbing unit will be replaced by a new dome-style climbing apparatus. » GB High School Auditorium Lighting. Energy-efficient LED lighting will be installed, replacing outdated system. 

Bid District Vehicles.

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Bid Sound System.

The administration requested and received BOE approval to release bids for replacing two high-mileage vehicles in the district’s fleet. Bid requests will be released, with a return date of 8/31/16. Bid responses will be brought to the BOE. The BOE approved bidding a replacement sound system in the GBHS gymnasium. Results of the bid process will be brought to the BOE for approval.

Superintendent’s Report: 

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Student Transfer Requests Report.

Determinations have been made on 2016-2017 elementary school transfer requests. The basic standard is that students attend their area’s designated school, although consideration is given to the requests. Of the approximately fifty transfer requests, six were not granted. United Way Update. In 2015-2016, the district employees were encouraged to be generous in supporting the local United Way effort, which supports twenty-one local agencies. Contribution totals increased and, for the second year in a row, USD 428 is being acknowledged as a Pacesetter Agency. Generosity toward United Way will continue to be encouraged. KASB Annual Conference on December 2-4, 2016. Mr. Reed encouraged all Board of Education members to attend the upcoming annual conference of the Kansas Association of School Boards on December 2, 3, and 4 in Wichita, KS. It is a great opportunity to increase understanding of BOE operations and to meet and share knowledge with other board members and administrators. Enrollment Update. Although enrollment numbers are quite preliminary at this time, Superintendent Reed shared that there could be an estimated 160 fewer USD 428 students in 2016-

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2017. The current economic status could be influencing the overall student enrollment. Specific information will be shared later. 2015-2016 Accomplishments. Mr. Reed read a listing of USD 428 district-wide 20152016 accomplishments. Topics began with having implemented the One District – One Book community literacy celebration and continued with matters involving installation of electronic safety doors at attendance centers, the purchase of land for future expansion, securing of a $328,000 technology grant as well as an MTSS training grant (3 years @ $180,000 annually), installation of a new district phone system, development of a new School Liaison Officer agreement, implementation of KRR and FAST programs at all K-6 buildings, completion of a safety audit of K-6 playground equipment; refinancing of school bonds, and much more. School Finance Update. Initial arguments could begin in Topeka next week on the adequacy of state funding of schools, and the process could be lengthy. Mr. Reed will attend forthcoming Topeka meetings relating to a new funding formula. Printed Calendars. The 2016-2017 school calendars are on sale at the District Education Center @ $3.00. Restorative Justice. Restorative justice is a disciplinary process, the roots of which relate to the juvenile justice system. It is a different way of looking at discipline, with less punitive action and more restoration responses. Future committee study will take place. Playground Safety. Student safety is a primary focus for USD 428, and a district-wide safety check of all playground equipment has been completed. Open Houses. At the onset of the new school year, each school facilitates an Open House for their students and parents. Approval of Grant / Contributions. The BOE approved the grant and contribution noted below.  Tina Steinert, Special Education Teacher, has been awarded a grant for a Tynker Classroom ($399 value) for use by GB Middle School gifted students. This premium Tynker classroom plan includes enhanced creativity tools, automatic assessment, and classroom management tools utilizing internet-enabled devices. The course may be used as long or as short as needed, and there is no matching cost.  Dr. Nels Lindberg and the team at Production Animal Consultation wish to donate $750 to GB High School’s FFA Chapter  Donations have been received for a new scoreboard at the GB High School gymnasium. » Innovative Livestock Services, Inc. $ 7,500.00 » Venture Corporation 7,500.00 » Farmers Bank and Trust 7,500.00 » Marmie Motors 750.00 » Marmie Ford 750.00 » Golden Belt Foundation 1,000.00 » Panther Booster Club 5,000.00 » High School Athletics 10,000.00

Financial Report: Khris Thexton presented to Board members the warrants, financial report, travel summary, energy report, unencumbered cash balance details, and health insurance status. Executive Session / Regular Session: Board members met in Executive Sessions for the discussion of non-elected personnel, utilizing the motion below. Superintendent Reed was included in the executive session. “I move that the board go into executive session. The subject to be discussed will be personnel matters of nonelected personnel. The reason this needs to be discussed in executive session is to protect the privacy interests

of the persons to be discussed. The open meeting will resume at the specified time (30 minutes) in this Board of Education meeting room.”

Consent Agenda: 

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Board members approved the following items,

Approval of BOE Meeting Minutes: July 18 and August 3, 2016. Bills and Financial Reports: As presented. Personnel Report: Licensed Teacher Appointment  Mrs. Jami Merlau, Speech Language Pathologist for Barton County Special Services.

Upcoming Event:

Board members were reminded of upcoming events.

•Breakfast and Back-to-School Celebration: at 7:00 a.m., on August 15, 2016, at GB High School Commons

•First Day of School for Students: August 17, 2016 (full day for elementary, with kindergarten half days for two days; seventh grade at GBMS, and freshmen at GBHS).

Adjournment:

The meeting was adjourned.