Faulkton Area School District 24-4 Board of Education
Wednesday, December 13, 2017
6:00 p.m.
The regular meeting of the Faulkton Area Schools 24-4 Board of Education was called to order by Chairman Ryan Nelson at 6:00 p.m. in the Faulkton School Lunchroom.
Roll call of members present were Kelly Aesoph, BJ Kalkman, Scott McCloud, Ryan Nelson and Jerry Weyand. Also present were Superintendent Derek Barrios, Secondary Principal Craig Cassens, Business Official Lisa Hushka, staff members: Vanessa Bowman, Jeremy Demery, Alicia Hammond, Nikki Melius, Danica Mickelson, Dylan Mickelson, Janet Reed, and Shae Stephenson, Val Ramsdell from the Faulk Co. Record, and the following district patrons: Gloria Bode, Tim Bowar, Trevor Cramer, Carrie Deiter, Mike Grunewaldt, Mike Kalkman, Jeff & Tammy McCloud, Jim Otter, John Pfeifer, Tom Strasburg, and Corrine Weyand. The pledge of allegiance was recited.
2017-18.77. Agenda Approval. Motion by Aesoph, second by Kalkman, to approve the proposed agenda. Unanimous.
Acknowledgments. Mr. Barrios acknowledged FCCLA members who attended the Region II Meeting on Monday. The following students were STAR event state Qualifiers: Ashly Senn, Gabby Kast, Amber Potter, Sydney Campbell, Emili Quinn, Bailey Hustead, and Chloe Law. Barrios said the FCCLA quiz bowl team qualified for state. Barrios recognized Alex Sorensen who ran for a region office and Abbi Quinn for completing her duties as the Region II FCCLA President. Barrios then recognized the Oral Interpretation students who received 5 superior awards and the team excellence award at state.
Conflict of Interest. No conflict of interest waivers were presented.
Open Forum Time. No comments were made.
2017-18.78. Minutes & Financial Approvals. Motion by McCloud, second by Weyand, to approve the following consensus agenda: minutes of the November 13, 2017 meeting and November 27, 2017 special meeting, November 2017 Financial Statement, November 2017 Imprest Report, and November 2017 Trust and Agency Fund Report; and payment of the presented bills for December 13, 2017. Unanimous.
November 2017 Imprest Fund: Fees/Reimbursements: Howard HS $170.76, James Valley Christian $133.74, SD Basketball Coaches Assn. $90, SDHSCA $80, Gettysburg HS $20.94, DCI $1,283, Clark HS $50.
Supplies: KC Lumber $129.64, Heather Bode $57.24, Melissa Hayes $41.96.
Travel Fees/Reimbursements: K&D Busing $345, Dylan Mickelson $37.38, Mallory Fischer $75, Amanda Barrios $101.28, Dacotah Bank $214.
Others: BerMac $50.94 Gas, Jennifer Ell $115.40 Judge.
December 13, 2017 Bill Payment: A&B Business $768 Equipment, Ace Refrigeration $614.04 Repairs, Bantz Gosch Cremer Peterson $304 Services, Bauer’s Super Valu $170.58 Supplies, Deb Beilke $389.10 Services, Brooklyn Publishers $125 Supplies, Cardmember Services $1,975.46 Supplies/Repairs/Equipment, Century Business $700.25 Services, City of Faulkton $186.78 Water/Sewer, Dakota Education Consulting $6,097.89 Services, Delta Dental $2,817.98 Insurance, DustTex $170.40 Services, Faulk Co. Record $250 Publishing, Faulk Co. Sheriff’s Office $435 Services, FAMC $1,676.25 Services, Faulkton Drug $7.79 Supplies, Faulkton School $2,996.28 Reimb. Imprest Fund, Hase Plumbing $985.65 Repairs, Homan Ace $219.11 Supplies & Repairs, House of Glass $627.05 Repairs, JW Pepper $42.89 Supplies, Johnson Controls $1,614.60 Repairs, Jostens $81.76 Supplies, K&D Busing $20,174.31 Bus Contract, Michele Latt $112.24 Travel, Little Bits Electronics $5,536.63 Equipment, Marc $3,294.86 Supplies, McCrossan Boys Ranch $5,029.80 Tuition & Residential Services, NCFE $217.18 Gas, Northern Plains $3,466.65 Propane, Northwestern Energy $2,155.78 Electricity, Reliastar Life $23.40 Insurance, Renaissance Learning $238 Software, Reuer Sanitation $585.00 Services, Robert Bosch Tool Corp. $10,175.34 Equipment, SASD $60 Fees, Schatz Electric $154.81 Repairs, School Specialty $38.57 Supplies, Taylor Music $241 Supplies & Repairs, Thrive Nutrition $14,144.18 Food Service Contract, Time Management Systems $40.24 Services, Toennies Plumbing $56.12 Repairs, USI $363.32 Supplies, Venture Communications $500.38 Phone/Fax/Internet, Vosika Fencing $1,962.08 Repairs, Wells Fargo $469.36 Lease, Ted Williams $1,176 Services, Wellmark $23,422 Health Insurance; November 2017 Payroll: General Fund: $170,002.27 w/ benefits, Special Ed. $25,585.88 w/ benefits, Food Service $2,536.04 w/ benefits, Pre-K & Driver’s Ed. $3,857.84 w/ benefits.
2017-18.79. Student Handbook Policy Changes. Cassens read for a first reading two topics in the student handbook policy: College Visitation Day and Smoking and Chewing. The College Visitation Day added an additional day for seniors to visit a college. The Smoking and Chewing added e-cigarettes and vapor hookahs to the list of prohibited items. Motion was made by Kalkman, seconded by Aesoph, to have the second reading of both policies at the January meeting. Unanimous.
Secondary Principal’s Report. Cassens stated semester tests for grades 7-12 will be next week. He also stated there will be community outreach events (such as caroling and nursing home visits) also. School will dismiss at 2:30 p.m. Friday for Christmas break. Cassens also said the Senior class has their “Senior Trip to Orlando” presentation ready for the January meeting.
Teacher Accountability Waiver. Barrios explained to the board that initially the district had received a letter stating we did not meet the teacher accountability for fiscal year 2017. Barrios said the district provided documentation to the state to prove we indeed spent the funds given and that the discrepancy was a reduction in staff and a certification error that misinterpreted the amounts. Barrios said the state approved the district’s waiver.
Opt-Out Discussion. Hushka told the board that she double checked with the state on when the board would need to pass another opt-out resolution. Hushka stated the board would want to pass the opt-out after January 1, 2019 and have the process completed by July 2019 in order for opt-out funding not to be interrupted. Hushka said the amount of the opt out could need to be raised depending on the Capital Outlay fund needs once the new law, placing a cap on funds, is in place.
2017-18.80. Strategic Plan. Barrios stated he would recommend adopting the entire plan but the board does have the option to change parts of that if they so choose. The board discussed each component of the plan and made a couple minor changes. Motion was made by Aesoph, seconded by Kalkman, to have the second reading of the strategic plan in January. Unanimous.
2017-18.81. Building & Grounds Update/HKG Project Discussion. Barrios told the board that he included an article from the Argus Leader in their packets addressing how a Sioux falls school is dealing with this same process. Barrios also said that HKG and the Building and Grounds committee met with the staff. The staff shared some concerns, but mainly HKG gave the staff surveys to complete. The surveys were reviewed by HKG and Barrios and he explained some of the positive aspects of the current building and the major concerns that formulated out of the process. Barrios said HKG would charge the district $5,000 to move the forward with the process. This would provide the district with possible options and costs. The next step would be distributing parent surveys out to elementary parents. After that, HKG would take all the information and put together options and present them at a community meeting. Barrios also said himself, Weyand, and HKG representative Scott Sikkink looked at the elementary roof again today. Sikkink visited with Grote Roofing on the phone during the visit and stated the elementary roof is generally in good shape and could be maintained for another 4-5 years. The current roof could last 15 more years if the sheets and rubber were replaced and it is redone without rocks for $92,000. Motion was made by McCloud, seconded by Weyand, to move forward with hiring HKG for $5,000 to survey parents, compile all survey results, and have a community meeting where building/remodeling options addressing the district’s needs are provided. There was discussion that followed regarding how the district would pay for a remodel and in how long, if any additional money would be put away for the future, and if a structural engineer would be brought in to verify the integrity of the elementary building. Chairman Nelson then called for a roll call vote. Weyand, Kalkman and McCloud voted aye. Aesoph and Nelson voted nay. Motion carried and Barrios will contact HKG and get the parent surveys started. Barrios stated the results of those surveys would most likely happen after the holiday break.
Board Member Classroom Visits. Barrios reminded board members to contact him or Mr. Cassens to visit the five classroom site locations. Nelson stated this was recommended.
Delegate Assembly Report. McCloud, board appointed delegate assembly representative, reported on the meeting he attended in Pierre on November 17th. McCloud said ASBSD (school district lobby group) ran the meeting and the delegates voted on their support of the bills. McCloud said ASBSD recommend school boards visit about the bills before sending their delegates to this meeting.
Superintendent’s Report. State Superintendent Meeting. Mr. Barrios shared some issues that were discussed at the state Superintendent’s meeting: 1. The governor has recommended a 0% increase to state aid funding this year and districts will be fighting for the 1.7% inflation increase. 2. Capital Outlay fund concerns were discussed due to the cap law going into effect in fiscal year 2021. 3. Concerns with the federal tax reform bill and its effects on public education were discussed. Districts would not be allowed to refinance bonds anymore with this law. Superintendent Evaluation Handout/January Board Meeting Change. Barrios gave the board members a copy of the Superintendent’s evaluation form that will be completed on their own and brought to the January meeting. Barrios stated Chairman Nelson would then compile the results and present Barrios with one evaluation. The board decided to meet at 5 p.m. January 8th with the regular meeting first and the evaluation to follow.
Open Forum. Corrine Weyand thanked the board for having these hard conversations in front of everyone.
2017-18.82. Adjournment. Motion by Kalkman, second by Aesoph, to adjourn at 7:10 p.m. All in favor, motion carried.
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Board Chairman, Ryan Nelson Business Official, Lisa Hushka