USD 231 Board Briefs (July 2022)
July 25, 2022
Recognition - Interim Superintendent Dr. James Sutton (2.1)
The USD 231 Board of Education recognized Dr. James Sutton for his service to the school district while serving as Interim Superintendent. The Board recognized Dr. Sutton's selfless contributions and acknowledged that his experience proved invaluable as he guided the district through a challenging time.
Safe and Secure Schools Grant (6.1)
USD 231 recently learned the Kansas State Department of Education matched our request for the KSDE Safe Schools Grant! As a result, the district will receive $60,378 for enhanced safety features including an additional secured entrance at Gardner Edgerton High School and technology (software, cameras, etc.) to monitor our campuses.
Negotiations Update (9.1)
Dr. Jody Marshall and Tiffany Morawiec, Directors of Human Resources and Business and Finance, respectively, provided an update related to the negations process between USD 231 and the Gardner Edgerton National Education Association. Negotiations were positive and productive.
The slide deck for the presentation can be found HERE , including a more thorough summary of the collaboration.
Gardner Edgerton Education Foundation Appointment (10.1)
To learn more about the GESF, click HERE.
Updated Protocol - COVID-19 (10.2)
Dr. Huff provided an update related to the most current COVID-19 protocols. At this time, the Board of Education is considering the following recommendation: In line with past practice – including prior to the pandemic – the district will continue to follow the Exclusion Requirements as provided by JCHE, which now include the COVID-19 guidance. In summary, any student or faculty member who reports positive for COVID-19 is required to remain out of school for 5 calendar days and be symptom-free for 24 hours. Masking will be encouraged for days six through 10. This is almost identical to our influenza protocol.
Again, this is only a proposal and will be discussed during the August Board of Education meeting.
Resolution Authorizing Investment of Redemption Fund (11.1)
Tiffany Morawiec, Director of Business and Finance, presented information related to bond refunding.
The bond refunding approved at the November 16, 2021, BOE meeting closed on July 6, 2022. This was a "forward delivery" closing. The 2012 Bonds that are refunded are callable on October 1, 2022. The closing had to take place within 90 days of the call date. This means that the $25,680,000 is sitting in an escrow account waiting to pay the bonds on October 1, 2022.
This proposal is to invest the money for the 60+ days and receive around $100,000 in interest. The investment would be in a State & Local Government Series (SLGS). The money could only gain interest, not lose principal. The interest can only go into the bond fund and spent on bonds.
When proposed on 7/12/2022 the interest rate was 1.91%.
Gardner Edgerton Strategic Priorities (11.3)
The Board of Education summarized the results of their work session with Dr. Huff (July 18, 2022) and highlighted the Strategic Priorities for the 2022 - 23 school year:
- Initiate plans to develop a comprehensive district-wide strategic planning process to address the future direction of the district.
By October 1, consultant identified
By May, 2023, plan developed and communicated
By June 2023, plan adopted by the Board
Assess the current state of PK - 12 academic achievement, including special education, and develop plans to address academic shortcomings.
Conduct assessment of district academic achievement - October 15, 2022.
Identify strategies to address academic gaps and report to the board by November 15, 2022.
Develop a process to address changing district demographics to support the development of a long-term facility management plan to address existing and future infrastructure needs.
By May 1, 2023, report to the board findings and recommendations.
Assess the existing board committee structure to determine ways to strengthen their ability to help the district meet identified goals.
By August 1, appoint a board committee to begin the process of evaluating existing structure, researching structures of other districts and consider a consultant with expertise on developing committee structures.
By November 1, report findings and recommendations to the board.
Develop strategies to improve internal and external communication that results in greater stakeholder engagement and improved trust in Gardner Edgerton Schools.
By September 15 deliver plan to Board.
General Statement of Policy - (11.14)
Board Member Jeff Miller proposed the adoption of a Board policy related to procedures regarding gender identification. The Board engaged in a brief conversation and agreed to table this topic until the September 12, Board of Education Meeting
- 3.1 - 3.3 - Approved election of Tom Reddin as Board President; election of Lana Sutton as Vice President; appointments of individuals and agencies to certain school district functions for SY 22 - 23.
- 7.1 - 7.10 - Approved Consent Agenda consisting of: Minutes of the regular meeting held on June 6, 2022, and special meeting on July 18, 2022; Renewal of student accident insurance with First Agency; Security Resource Officer contracts for SY 22 - 23; Cyber Security services through Greenbush ($20,000); Financial Statements and ESSER expenditure reporting; Organizational Chart for SY 22 - 23; JCPRD - Gardner Edgerton USD 231 Childcare Agreement for SY 22 - 23; $4.00 service fee to be added to online payment of Instructional fees on My School Bucks; and Approval of Claims.
- 11.1 - Approved resolution authorizing investment of the redemption fund established to pay certain maturities of the general obligation refunding bonds, Series 2012-A of Unified School District No. 231, Johnson County, Kansas (Gardner Edgerton), and authorizing an escrow instruction letter in connection therewith.
- 11.2 - Approved an agreement that will provide compensation to USD 231 from the Gardner Edgerton Schools Foundation to pay for administrative support duties performed by a USD 231 employee;
- 11.3 - Approved the Gardner Edgerton Strategic Priorities 2022-2023.
- 11.6 - Approved the claims for the A to Z Theatrical Supply and Service invoices presented.
- 11.9 - Approved Personnel Report
- 11.11 - Approved the contract negotiated between the USD 231 Board of Education and the GENEA including increased compensation, and as ratified by the teachers.
11.12 - Approved an increase to specific support staff members’ base hourly rate of pay. This increase will apply to identified classified staff members employed on/before June 30, 2022. We propose an increase for identified classified employees, calculated as a 1.2% increase on their 2021-2022 base hourly rate of pay. The increased rate of pay would be effective July 1, 2022.
11.13 - Approved a $1,500 premium pay retention bonuses for 2022-2023 school year. An employee must have been employed as of June 30, 2022 and continuously employed through the end of the 2022-2023 school year. Payment will be made for those under contract (e.g., teachers and administrators) in January and in two payments for classified employees - one in January and one in June. This amount will be prorated for early termination/resignation based on actual days worked.
11.14 - Agreed to table a discussion regarding proposed General Statement Policy until the September 12, 2022 Board of Education Meeting.
Tom Reddin
PRESIDENT
PRESENT
Lana Sutton
VICE PRESIDENT
PRESENT
Greg Chapman
MEMBER
PRESENT
Russ Ellis
MEMBER
PRESENT
Jeff Miller
MEMBER
PRESENT
Nick Robinson
MEMBER
PRESENT
Monday, August 15, 2022 - 6:00 p.m.