January Board Minutes

EXCERPTS of USD #384 Regular Board of Education Meeting

A Regular Board of Education meeting for USD #384 Blue Valley was held on January 11, 2012 at 7:00 p.m. in the Board Room.  Members present were Bruce Kaump, Angie Pfizenmaier, Marla Webster, A.G. McLean, Mitch Innes, and Michael Renfro.  Administration present were Brady Burton, Superintendent; Marion Mazouch, High School/Middle School Principal; Jim McCormick, Olsburg Elementary Principal; Melody Pfaff, Board Clerk.

President, Bruce Kaump called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.

The Agenda was approved with the following additions:  Add 11.D. Retirement; Add 13.C.1 Personnel-Executive Session; Add 13.C.2. February Meeting Date.

Board and guests recited the Pledge of Allegiance.

President Bruce Kaum welcomed our guests.

During Open Forum Curtis Gutsch was in attendance to update the board on the power lifting team.  He took nine students to a competition at the Basehor/Linwood District. The students placed very well considering that the meet consisted of mostly larger districts.  They are also planning to attend and compete in a meet at Wamego.  The Board thanked Coach Gutsch for the update.

Positive Board Comments:

1.     Angie Pfizenmaier congratulated the power lifting team on their success at the meet and good luck at future meets.

2.     All board members felt that the holiday meal was a success and all have heard positive comments.

During Recognition of Students/Staff no one was in attendance to be recognized.

Principal reports were noted. Jim McCormick wanted to add that the Kansas Day Celebration at Olsburg is going to be a fun filled day with a full day of presenters.  Marion Mazouch reminded the Board that the TVL tournament starts Saturday, January 14 with boys playing at 10:00 a.m. and girls playing at 4:30 p.m.

During his Superintendent’s Report Brady Burton updated the Board on the sponsorship of the message board.  So far there has been very good response from all business that have been contacted. Legislative session started on Monday, January 9. The Governor is proposing a change in the vocational funding.  If a district is within 30 miles of a vocational technical school students can go there for class and districts will no longer receive funding for vocational classes. The democrats are proposing their own school finance plan. There are many items to be covered and we won’t know about budget for quite some time.

The Amended Consent Agenda was approved as follows:

A.    Approved Minutes of December 14, 2011

B.    Approved Activity/Revenue/Expenditure Reports

C.    Approved Out of District Request – Victoria Wright

D.    Approved Retirement effective June 1, 2012 – Diana Hargrave

Hugoton Online Classes: Matt Schreiber was in attendance to present information to the Board about online classes through Hugoton.  He presented a demo to the Board to see what it can all entail.  There are many possibilities to this program and it would be a benefit to the District. The Board approved moving forward with Hugoton Online Classes.

An executive session was held to discuss Superintendent’s Evaluation. The purpose of the executive session is to protect the privacy interests of an identifiable individual.

The Board approved extending Brady Burton’s Superintendent contract one year. 

Warrants/Transfers were approved as presented.

Kent Unruh was in attendance to present information on a new telephone system through Twin Valley Communications.  This would be a district wide system.  The system currently being used is outdated and it is very hard to find replacement parts.  The new system would be an Internet based system.  Erate funding could possibly aid in the funding of this project.  This project is only in the preliminary planning stages and more information will be presented as it becomes available.  The Board thanked Kent for the information and is looking forward to receiving more information in February or March.  This was an informational item only no action was taken.

The Board approved Calendar Option one for the 2012-2013 school year as recommended by the calendar committee.

An executive session was held to discuss personnel. The purpose of the executive session is to protect the privacy interests of an identifiable individual.  No action was taken during the executive session.

The Board discussed changing the Monday, February 13 meeting due to a conflict with parent/teacher conferences.  After discussion the Board approved leaving the meeting as scheduled on Monday, February 13 at 7:00 p.m.

An executive session was held to discuss Negotiations. The purpose of the executive session is to protect the district’s right to the confidentiality of its negotiating position and the public interest.  No action was taken during the executive session.

Future Agenda Items:

A.    Phone System

B.    Principal Evaluations

Meeting adjourned at 9:56 p.m.

Melody Pfaff

Board Clerk