Beloit USD 273 Board of Education had a full agenda at their meeting Monday evening. There are many decisions to make and reports to be finished up as their work comes to a close for the 2012-2013 school year.
Superintendent of Schools Dr. Joseph Harrison gave a Legislative update as far as it pertains to what will affect the future of schools. Dr. Harrison said, the Legislature has been back in session since last Wednesday and the House is still debating the sales tax issue that Governor Brownback has proposed. The schools might see this as a problem in the next few years if this is passed. The Governor says they will find extra revenue or may have to make some cuts if necessary to make up for this. However, Harrison feel there are a lot of issues concerning taxes and budget that are bigger issues for schools. He also gave the board an update on activities going on in the school in the next few weeks.
Dr. Harrison issued an invitation to the members of the Board of Education to attend a thank you dinner at the Beloit County Club on Friday, June 7, 2013. The public is invited to a get together at the District Board Office later that evening.
Each board member had a coffee cup at their place. These were given to every teacher in the district in appreciation for the work they have done over the past year.
The Superintendent congratulated board member Mike Reimann, who was absent from the meeting, on being elected to a two-year term on the Kansas State High School Activities Assn. Board of Directors.
Speaking of the new Security System the board is working to put in place, Dr. Harrison said they now have bids from three security companies including FileSafe Security Systems, R & L Security Systems and Wilson Security Systems, all out of Salina. These bids are for locks and two doors at BJSHS and also BES. Also, a card system so anyone with security can get in. Others can be escorted in using voice ID from the school offices. The high school will also have a hall camera system installed. The company winning the bid would also do the necessary wiring. The locks at the elementary school will be bid out separately. Bids were as follows: R & L - $51,135.59, FileSafe - $41,488.00, and Wilson - $39,100.00.
"The question is do you want to do anything?" Dr. Harrison asked. "Things can happen even if we do this and some would argue this takes away freedom and convenience. We can argue we have to put up with this for the safety of the children. If we do anything this is the minimum we can do and of course, more could be added later. This is a very simple camera system at the high school and we can also do more at the grade school if we feel it is necessary," he said. Board member, Sherra Odle, suggested they could put $40,000 in Capitol Outlay every year earmarked for security if they feel it is necessary.
More suggestions were made to solve problems that would still exist. The number one priority from the staff is automatic locks on room doors. FileSafe bid on this is $19,800. Wayne Huggins bid on installing the locks is $16,466. The board decided to take Huggins bid and go with it. The door locks at the elementary school have issues and Huggins will be hired to fix these.
It was decided FileSafe has been more involved and knows more abut the layout and wiring of the buildings. The board voted unanimously to hire FileSafe for $41,488 and Wayne Huggins to do the rest of the locks.
Hunter Post, Stuco President gave his final report on their activities. A number of Stuco members were present. They presented gifts to Dr. Harrison and Doris Gasper and the rest of the central office staff for their support during the year. He also thanked Brennan Eilert and her husband for the time and effort they have put in to help them. Post then turned the gavel over to Cory True who has been elected as president of Stuco for next year. Brennan Eilert gave a report on the activities of the Parent-Teachers Organization's activities.
Bryan Marshall, BES Principal, reported on the end of the year activities going on at this building. He thanked PTO for all their help during the year and the media members from the Call and KVSV for the publicity they give to the schools. Marshall noted that BES went to Topeka to accept a Spotlight Award for exhibiting current strengths in a strand of newly adopted standards of social, emotional, and character activities. They also received an award for being a recipient of the Kansas Schools of Character for schools that have demonstrated education principles that will help students succeed.
Daryl Moore, BJSHS, Principal, reported on activities at his building. He noted Mr. Duntz has all the pre-enrollment completed for next year and worked very hard this spring to get students to select a college and apply for scholarships. They are getting ready for Summer School which will start on June 28, and run four days a week for five weeks. Drivers Education will start on May 21 with the classroom work and the driving portion will conclude June 28.
Karen Niemczyk, Special Education Director, reported she has created an IEP Planning Committee to review and update the format they are currently using. They received a TIP grant for $20,801 that will be used to purchase programs and/or for staff development to promote students with disabilities in participation in the least restrictive environment. Niemczyk also gave an explanation of their extended school year program and how it works.
In other business, the Board approved the math textbook recommendations of Math Committee with input from Dr. Harrison. They approved three contracts for the Special Education Department. The Board discussed changes in the teacher's sick leave sharing policy that the Employee Council is dealing with. After discussion it was decided to have Dr. Harrison poll the staff and see what the majority want to do before making this decision. Byron Marshall discussed changes/additions he would like to make to the Elementary Handbook Policy. The board approved these actions when he gets them worked out. The Summer School and Driver's Education Contracts were approved as presented.
Dr. Harrison presented a list of Capitol Outlay/Technology expenditures and the board discussed the cost and ramifications of how each expenditure would affect the school. He also gave an update on the Kansas Educator Evaluation Protocol. The Board approved the Certified and Classified Staff Recommendations as presented by the Administrator. Following an executive session to discuss personnel matters the board passed a resolution for non-renewal of non-tenured personnel.
Personnel changes are as follows: Contracts were given to Debbie Beckmeyer, Interrelated Classroom Teacher, Lincoln Elementary School; Amber Engelbert, Interrelated Classroom Teacher, BES; Michele Hahn, Speech-Language Pathologist, Special Ed. Co-op Wide; Sarah Harvey, Vocal Music Teacher, BES; Matthew Thierolf, Sr. High Social Studies Teacher at BJSHS; and Molly Baxa, First Grade Teacher at BES.
Resignations were accepted for Courtney Giger, Charle Green, Eric Harvey, Meghan McMillan, Ethan Rodehorst, Mary Torres and William Walker.