January 14, 2019 at 7:00 PM - Board of Education Regular Meeting

Discussion:  Larry Winn read and signed the oath of office.

Discussion:  Mr. Chapman gave a report on security, stating that proactive measures being taken.  Curriculum has been ordered that will include information for students on bullying, treating people with kindness, etc.  Plans are in the works to organize with other schools in our area to offer inservice for teachers.  Clint Wood, Lindsay chief of police, was at the meeting and Mr. Chapman expressed his appreciation to Chief Wood, saying they've been working hand in hand since the incident in December.  He also mentioned that he understood the anger over what happened and said the principals' doors are open and phone calls are returned.  The administration and the members of the Board of Education are very concerned about this situation.  Mr. Chapman mentioned that he and board president Steve Pracht had visited and the board will be looking at a board policy to ensure nothing like this incident will happen again.

Mr. Chapman reviewed the membership report with board members.  Current enrollment is 1,232 students.  January is school board member appreciation month and Mr. Chapman presented each board member with a gift card to thank them for their tireless efforts on behalf of the school.  Paving on the south side of campus (parking lots, etc.) has begun.  Due to bad weather and poor road conditions, school was canceled on January 3rd and 4th.  Mr. Chapman suggested no changes in the school calendar at this point.  He would prefer to wait and see if any more days will have to be missed due to bad weather.  The election for the proposed bond issue will be held February 12th.  One proposition would make it possible for each student to have an iPad/Chromebook for their individual use, along with the technology/infrastructure to support the devices and the money to purchase a drivers' education vehicle and a pickup for the agriculture program.  The second proposition would provide funding for transportation, which would include six school buses (over a three year period - 2 purchased per year) and a new handicap accessible bus.  Under miscellaneous items, Mr. Chapman reviewed the transportation report and utilities summary with board members.  

 

Discussion:  Mrs. Boeckman reported for elementary.  She shared that the reading sufficiency act requires that students reach a certain reading level by third grade.  Benchmarks were taken in December and teachers are focusing on students reaching their expected levels.  There are approximately 3 or 4 students per classroom that haven't met the requirements and there will probably be 5 to 8 students that will be on the line at test time in April.  Mrs. Boeckman also mentioned that another set of Chromebooks have been made available in the elementary.  Students and teachers are making good use of the technology available.  She also shared that starting tomorrow, guidance classes will be based on safety - how kids feel, are they safe at school, helping students understand what is appropriate language.
 

Discussion:  Mr. Ferguson shared the names of middle school students of the month.  He shared that all Star testing was done just before the break in December.  Teachers were excited that the tests reflected gains, especially in math.  Teachers are preparing students for the upcoming state testing.  The junior high academic team won at regional and will advance to area.  High school basketball teams will have games tomorrow, with the boys playing first.  The Jones tournament will be held next weekend and 8th grade basketball teams will participate in a tournament at Lexington.
 

Discussion:  Mr. Karpe read the names of students of the month for high school.  The academic team participated in area competition last Saturday.  Mr. Karpe has been considering a change in curriculum for next school year.  He is thinking about replacing AP English with concurrent enrollment, which would help with the class schedule in the English department.  The AP English class has been in place for a few years and Mr. Karpe feels it's time to make a change, as a very small percentage of students enrolled in AP English test well enough to receive college credit.

 

Discussion:  Several people had filled out the appropriate paperwork to address the Board of Education at this meeting.  They were each given three to five minutes to speak.  After Jason and Valarie Martinez spoke, Larry Winn told them he appreciated their willingness to come and speak to the board members.  No action was required for agenda items VI-A, B or C.

Discussion:  No fund raiser requests had been submitted, so no action was required on this agenda item.

Discussion:  Board president Steve Pracht acknowledged the board's return to open session at 9:30 p.m.

Discussion:  Board clerk Gena Fletcher gave the executive session minutes compliance statement, saying that the board met in executive session for the purposes listed on the agenda and that no vote was taken during executive session.

Discussion:  Larry thanked board for their confidence in him by appointing him.