1.    The meeting was called to order by Board President Bernie Spradling at 5:30 p.m.

2.    Roll Call

Members Present:       

Bernie Spradling, President
Vicki Coash, Vice President
Dan Ingalls
Leon Leachman
Tom Storrer
Jim Waugh

Member Absent:            Chris Locke

Others Present:           

Sue Givens, Superintendent
Norm Wilks, Director of Fiscal Support Services
Jackie Clark, Board Clerk
Greg Buster, Director of Special Education
Jim Shum, Lincoln Teacher

3.     BOE Work Session- Review of Special Education Services

Director of Special Education Greg Buster was on hand to give an overview of the Butler County Special Education program. He provided information on the cooperative’s staff, students, programs, facilities, budget and challenges. He said that Butler County Special Education Cooperative is one of the largest district-sponsored cooperatives in the state. Buster said that all identified children are served no matter how significant their disabilities are. He said special education obligation is to serve students in the least restrictive environment and that 80% of the cooperative’s students are served in a regular school and regular classroom.

Buster said that the cooperative currently has 170 certified employees and 370 paraeducators. Of the cooperative’s $15,785,849 budget, he said, 24.19% comes from the nine districts, 18.13% is federally funded and 57.68% is state aid. Buster said that some challenges facing the cooperative include finding appropriately trained staff, funding, space for programs, and students’ progress on state assessments.

1.    The meeting was called to order by President Bernie Spradling at 6:36 p.m.

2.    Roll Call

Members Present:       

Bernie Spradling, President
Vicki Coash, Vice President
Dan Ingalls
Leon Leachman
Tom Storrer
Jim Waugh

Member Absent:            Chris Locke

Others Present:           

Sue Givens, Superintendent
Norm Wilks, Director of Fiscal & Support Services
Jackie Clark, Board Clerk
Jon Pic, The El Dorado Times
Jim Shum, Lincoln Teacher
Les Limón, Middle School Counselor
Brian Deterding, Middle School Assistant Principal
Kari Lee, Washington Teacher
Nancy Peterie, Washington Teacher
David Wagner, On-Site Project Manager
Daniel Wagner, Middle School Student
Larry Wagner, Patron
Cecelia Goebel, Patron
Katie Goebel, Middle School Student
Brad Goebel, Patron
Julie Jensen, Director of Curriculum
Lora Meirowsky, ENEA
Nancy Wagner, Washington Media Specialist
Sarah Jones, Washington Teacher
Steve Rhodes, Aramark
Gary Melcher, High School Athletic Director

3.    Executive Session

At 6:37 p.m., Jim Waugh moved to recess into an executive session for a period of 25 minutes to discuss student matters in order to protect the privacy rights of the individuals to be discussed, to discuss negotiations in order to protect the public interest in negotiating a fair and equitable contract, and to discuss personnel in order to protect the privacy rights of the individuals to be discussed with board members, the Superintendent and the Director of Fiscal and Support Services present. Dan Ingalls seconded the motion; the motion carried 6-0.

The board returned to general session at 7:02 p.m. with the same people as listed above present

4.    Approval of the Agenda

Jim Waugh made a motion to approve the agenda and the addendum (17a & 17b—Additional USD 490 Personnel Recommendations; 18a—Additional BCSBC Personnel Recommendations). Seconded by Leon Leachman, the motion carried 6-0.

5.    Approval of the Consent Calendar

Vicki Coash made a motion to approve the consent calendar as presented. Seconded by Jim Waugh, the motion carried 6-0.

•     Minutes of the March 10, 2008, Regular Meeting
•     Minutes of the March 17, 2008 Special Meeting    
•     Minutes of the March 31, 2008 Special Meeting
•     Financial Reports
•     Credit Card Report
•     El Dorado High School Activity Report       
•     El Dorado Middle School Activity Report    
•     Nurses Reports  
•     Parent-Teacher Conference Reports

6.    Comments from the Public

There were no comments from the public.

7.    Recognition

•  Duke TIP (Talent Identification Program) 7th Grade Talent Search State Recognition—
Hannah Albright, Katharine Goebel, Allison McKibban, Daniel Wagner, Dayton Winter
EMS Counselor Les Limón talked about the Duke Talent Search Program, which identifies academically talented seventh grade students.

8.    Reports

•  OSPM Report – David Wagner
Wagner reported that within the past month students and staff have moved into the new academic wing, the district held an auction to sell surplus items and the high school had an open house for the public to tour the new academic wing. In addition, he said the storm sewer was extended on the south side of the new building, the parking lot south of the activity center was paved, additional sidewalk work was completed, and workers removed some hazardous materials and chemicals from the portions of the old building scheduled for demolition. Wagner said that demolition of the old auditorium, commons, kitchen, offices and classrooms began Tuesday, April 8th. He said site work for Phase II of the project would begin as demolition progresses.

•  El Dorado Inc. Report – Dan Ingalls
Ingalls reported that El Dorado Inc. members reviewed their policies at their last meeting.

•  Legislative Update – Leon Leachman
Leachman reported that the Legislature adjourned on April 4th and that they would reconvene for the Veto Session on April 30th. He also talked about a few Senate bills still on the table including a school finance bill and a bill regarding teacher licensure.

•  PIE Report – Norm Wilks
Wilks reported that PIE approved the spring round of grants to teachers at their last meeting. He said that the grants funded totaled over $8,000. He also reported that the Cantrell special education grants were recently awarded (over $5,500).

•  Building Report – Gary Melcher
Melcher shared the USD 490 Athletic Philosophy. In addition, he gave board members an update on the Alumni Court Project. He said that $110,515 has been raised so far, of which $35,861.61 has been spent to this point. He provided a list of the items purchased including non-slip pool decking, record boards, bulletin and dry-erase boards, table and chairs, projection screen, refrigerator, water carts, paint, locker removal, and rubber flooring and wall padding in the new multi-purpose room. He also provided a list of items yet to be completed as part of this project.

•  Director of Fiscal & Support Services Report – Norm Wilks
Wilks shared a Budget Formula for School Districts handout he developed for his presentation to the Kiwanis Club. He reminded the BOE that USD 490 has the lowest mill levy of the nine school districts in Butler County. Wilks also spoke about the high school move, which he said was accomplished in far less time than was anticipated. He reported that the auction of surplus items grossed about $10,300. Wilks said that building administrators have made Capital Outlay requests for next school year and have submitted their summer maintenance requests. He said that the administration would prioritize these requests and bring them back to the BOE at the May meeting. Finally, he reported that 18 high school students have applied for the Russell Family Foundation Scholarships. He said that a local committee would rank the applications and send them on to the Foundation’s trustees who would award the scholarships by mid-May.

•  Superintendent Report – Sue Givens
Superintendent Givens estimated that over 400 patrons toured the new high school academic wing during the Open House on April 6th. She said there were a large number of students and staff who helped with the tours. She reminded the BOE that the next KASB Regional Meeting would be held in Valley Center on May 1st. In addition, she reported that the application deadline for Charter School Director is Tuesday, April 15, 2008. She also shared the Kansas KIDS Count Data provided by the Kansas Action for Children group. The document provides an analysis of the well-being of Kansas children based upon 24 indicators.

Mrs. Givens shared an updated version of the board’s goals in the areas of student achievement, safety and communication. She told the BOE that on Tuesday, April 15, 2008, the district would have a District Improvement Plan status visit from a team from the State Department of Education. She said the team would meet with the district’s improvement team and the administrators before visiting El Dorado Middle School.

    9.    Approve AdvanceED District Accreditation Proposal

Julie Jensen, Curriculum Director, presented a recommendation from the District Steering Committee to enter the AdvanceED District Accreditation process. She said our district is ready to move into the third generation of the improvement process. Jensen said that through the AdvanceED District Accreditation process the district would develop a district-wide improvement plan which buildings could individualize according to their needs.

Leon Leachman made a motion to approve the district adopt the AdvanceED District Accreditation Process. Seconded by Dan Ingalls, the motion carried 6-0.

    10.    Parents As Teachers Grant

Mid-KAP will no longer provide our Parents As Teachers contract for services. Our share of the cost would be about $30,000 if we pick up the program. Superintendent Givens said that she has explored services through South Central Kansas Education Service Center which provides some of the services in our area of the state. However, the district would have to match the grant in this case, also. She said that the program serves about 30 families in our district. She said that it is a good program but the services are often duplicated. Mrs. Givens said that she would provide additional information at the May meeting regarding similar programs in our area.     

11.    Student and Faculty Handbooks

Copies of student and faculty handbooks were distributed to BOE members. The handbooks will be considered for approval at the May board meeting.

12.    EMS Tennis Proposal

El Dorado Middle School Assistant Principal/Athletic Director Brian Deterding presented a proposal for approval of tennis as an athletic program at grades seven and eight. An intramural program was instituted this year to determine interest in anticipation of new league opportunities. In addition, the middle school conducted a student survey to determine interest in participating. Deterding gave an overview of resources necessary to add tennis as a middle school activity. He also provided a proposed girls’ and boys’ schedule. He said the middle school would coordinate practices and matches with the high school which also used the Water Works courts.

Jim Waugh made a motion that boys’ and girls’ tennis be added to EMS 7th and 8th grade extracurricular activities, to begin in the fall of 2008. Leon Leachman seconded the motion; the motion carried 6-0.

13.    Approve Stadium Committee Architect Services Contract

The Stadium Committee heard proposals from two architectural firms and recommended a contract with PKHLS for architectural services to facilitate feasibility and preliminary design of renovation/construction of a shared stadium project with BCC, the City of El Dorado and USD 490. Superintendent Givens said that PKHLS agreed to no compensation until there is an approved project. She said that an important piece of the project is to determine what the community would support.

Leon Leachman made a motion to authorize the Superintendent to enter into a contract on behalf of USD 490 and shared between BCC and The City of El Dorado, for architectural services with PKHLS to include a feasibility study and design for a shared stadium project, pending contract review by district legal counsel, and contract approval by the two other entities. Seconded by Vicki Coash, the motion carried 6-0.

14.    Policy Review and Update

The BOE reviewed the proposed changes to policies in Section I of the policy book.

Vicki Coash made a motion to approve the draft of Section I policy revisions for further review. Jim Waugh seconded the motion; the motion carried 6-0.

15.    Executive Session

At 8:30 p.m., Jim Waugh moved to recess into an executive session for a period of 30 minutes to discuss personnel matters in order to protect the privacy rights of the individuals to be discussed with board members, the Superintendent and the Director of Fiscal and Support Services present.  Vicki Coash seconded the motion; the motion carried 6-0.

The board returned to general session at 9:00 p.m. with the following people present:

Bernie Spradling
Vicki Coash
Dan Ingalls
Leon Leachman
Tom Storrer
Jim Waugh
Sue Givens,
Norm Wilks
Jackie Clark
Jon Pic
Jim Shum
Nancy Wagner
Lora Meirowsky
Kari Lee
Nancy Peterie
Steve Rhodes
Julie Jensen

16.    Approve Administrative Contract

Vicki Coash made a motion to approve the contract with Stan Ruff as Washington Elementary Principal for the 2008-09 school year. Jim Waugh seconded the motion; the motion carried 6-0.

17.    USD 490 Personnel Recommendations

Jim Waugh made a motion to approve the USD 490 personnel recommendations which include the addendum. Vicki Coash seconded the motion. The motion carried 6-0.

17b.    Additional USD 490 Personnel Recommendations

Leon Leachman made a motion to approve the voluntary resignation of Peter Henderson, EHS Speech/Drama Instructor, and the release and severance agreement with Mr. Henderson. Seconded by Dan Ingalls, the motion carried 6-0.

18.    BCSBC Recommendations

Jim Waugh made a motion to approve the BCSBC personnel recommendations which include the addendum. Seconded by Tom Storrer, the motion carried 6-0.

19.    Announcements

        •  Early Release, April 16th
        •  DARE Graduation @ EMS, April 17th, 6:00 p.m.
        •  District Science Fair, April 18th
        •  Cyberbullying Parent Meeting @ EMS, April 24th, 7:00 p.m.
        •  Inservice Day Friday, April 25th  
        •  KASB Spring Regional Meeting, May 1st @ Valley Center High School, 3:30 p.m.    
        •  May 4-10, National Teacher Recognition Week