BOE Meeting - January 17th, 2018
February 14, 2018
REGULAR MEETING – January 17th, 2018
Minutes of the board meeting are not official until after approval at the next regularly scheduled board
meeting.
The Board of Education of USD #511 met in regular session on Monday, January 17 th and was called to
order by President Lynda Newberry at 6:00pm. Members present included Jolene Peterson, Tye
McDaniel, Brett Traffas, Rogena Grigsby, Shirley Barrett, and Roger Goodman. Guests present were
David Banks, Stan Busby, Levi Poindexter, Amber Wood, Michael Vandeveer and Kate Hankins. Also
present was Superintendent Charles Keller and Clerk of the Board Amie Loreg.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all in attendance
President Lynda Newberry welcomed guests.
Open forum
Stan Busby with Busby Ford & Reimer, LLC accounting firm, met with the board to present the audit. He
reported no unusual findings.
Cindy Warren entered the meeting 6:03 p.m.
Stan Busby left the meeting 6:05 p.m.
Michael Vandeveer met with the board on behalf of the junior class to seek permission to not serve a
meal at prom. They would rather have dinner on their own before coming to the dance. The junior class
would also like to open prom up to all grades 9 through 12. The board saw no issue with either of these
items.
Michael Vandeveer, Levi Poindexter, & Amber Wood left the meeting at 6:08 p.m.
David Banks met with the board concerning Greenbush taking over the transport gas for the USD. The
result would be Black Hills Energy would only charge for delivery. Black Hills Energy is stating that they
are not willing to share the data until they negotiate in April. Mr. Banks informed the board that he
would continue to work with Black Hills Energy to make it possible for the USD to enter into an
agreement with Greenbush, resulting in lower gas bills.
David Banks left the meeting 6:31 p.m.
Traffas moved and McDaniel seconded to amend and then accept the amended agenda to add f. Move
February board meeting. 7-0, motion carried.
McDaniel moved and Goodman seconded to approve the consent agenda including the resignation of
Erin Keller as Library aide. 7-0, motion carried.
Special Education - Mr. Keller reported that the Pratt Cooperative will be allowing superintendents to
help with the budget. He stated that communication is getting better with the cooperative. The meeting
that was scheduled for Tuesday the 16th was cancelled due to extreme cold temperatures and is
rescheduled for next Tuesday, January 23rd.
Curriculum - nothing at this time
Technology - Peterson asked about the wifi passwords being changed. Mr. Keller reported that the
Chromebooks were given password specific wifi passwords over the holiday break. Grigsby questioned
errors on the school website. She stated that a lot of the information was not up to date and there was a
lack of schedules for the different programs. Mr. Keller stated that he would address the issue.
Summer Recreation - It was reported that biddy ball has started. Mr Keller stated he had received an
email from Angie Alexander, Rec Committee Member about purchasing two digital clocks for $200
apiece for the Wellness Center gymnasium. Alexander's proposal was for the Rec and the USD to each
pay for half of the total amount. After discussion it was decided that the USD would pay for half of one
o'clock. Mr. Keller stated that he would talk to Alexander.
Transportation log - Goodman asked about the new bus if it was still running well Mr. Keller advised
everything was going good. Mr Keller stated that there is a repair they are aware of that will need to be
done in the spring.
Budget Summary - Peterson questioned how many more payments we would be making to Pratt
cooperative Amie Loreg stated the last assessment payment was made in this month's bills.
Wellness Center - Mr Keller reported that 16 lights were changed over the Christmas break, leaving 18
more to complete the project. He informed the board that he will look into selling those that were
removed.
Grigsby questioned a $40,000 deduction on the legal max letter. Mr Keller informed her that he had
spoke with several people concerning this as he was not sure what could have caused it and the
consensus is, until the audit is done by the state we will not know for sure why or if there will actually be
a deduction. At the current time it appears that reporting of the Pre -K students may be the issue.
Foreign exchange students - Foreign exchange students are entered in as seniors automatically creating
some issue for the senior class where things like the class trip are concerned with finances. After
discussion it was decided to ask other schools how they handle placing foreign exchange students when
they come into their school.
College classes and GPA - Newberry questioned students taking college classes and the effect it has on
their GPA in comparison to students who are not taking college classes. The concern is students may
stop taking college classes if it is going to affect their GPA negatively and keep them from top class
honors. Mr Keller reported students can be held harmless if it will affect them negatively. schools are
also allowed to give .25 or .50 credit extra for college classes as an incentive for students to take them.
Discussion was held with no change to the current policy at this time.
College classes and responsibilities of materials - in the handbook it states the school will be responsible
for supplying books for college classes taken by students. When that was established there were three
or four college classes offered each year to approximately 5 to 10 students. Now with the T2C program
and the direction the state is moving, a student can take any number of college classes in a year
resulting in much higher book fees for the USD. A discussion was held about possibly rewording the
handbook to make parents responsible for materials unless there were to be a hardship case.
College class / Odysseyware class enrollment - Creating a deadline for college class/Odysseyware
enrollment. The issue that has been happening is students have been joining these classes 1 to 2 weeks
after they begin, leaving them without proper materials or set up in the course. It was decided that
Cindy Warren as the Alternative Ed teacher and Amie Loreg, financial Clerk could come up with a
proposal on enrollment deadlines to present to the board at a future meeting.
Superintendent contract - tabled
February board meeting date - Peterson moved and Traffas seconded to change the regular February
board meeting from February 12th to February 14th due to the possibility of junior high playing a
tournament game on the 12th. 7-0, motion carried.
Board Comments
Traffas asked about having softball practice in the gym once a week for a team that will have some
Attica students playing on it.
Peterson questioned a sports rotation on uniforms. A discussion was held about how to start a rotation
Mr. Keller stated that he would talk to Mr. Vandeveer and the coaches to figure out what would work
the best for them and to see where the greatest need was right now. Goodman questioned the water
main leak outside of the elementary entryway. Mr. Keller explained it was an issue with the main that it
would be looked at more in depth later in the spring. Grigsby asked if a report could be done on the T2C
program as she would like to be updated with what is happening with the program. Mr. Keller said he
would invite Britt Hedlund, T2C advisor to a future meeting. Mr. Keller stated that the spelling bee was
scheduled for next Wednesday.
Administration
Mr Keller stated that the flu was in the building, several teachers were out mostly Elementary. He also
stated that there were a lot of outdated items found in the chemistry lab and they have been disposed
of properly. Mr Keller discussed with the board getting a bid from Honeywell to control unnecessary
heat in the building when school is not in session. He reported the staff development day, stating all but
one staff member was on the keep system, the second grade teacher is it currently out on maternity
leave and he approved a junior high Sweetheart dance for February 23rd.
Peterson moved and McDaniel seconded to go into executive session for 30 minutes to discuss a specific
employee’s status, pursuant to the non-elected personnel matter exemption to protect the privacy
interest of an identifiable individual with the board. 7-0, motion carried. Meeting to resume at 8:01 p.m.
Traffas moved and Peterson seconded to extend the executive session for 30 minutes and invite Mr
Keller in. 7-0, motion carried meeting to resume at 8:31 p.m. McDaniel moved and Goodman seconded
to extend the executive session for 15 minutes with the board. 7-0, motion carried meeting to resume at
8:46 p.m.
Traffas moved and Peterson seconded to have a special meeting on Monday, January 22nd at 6 p.m. 7-0,
motion carried.
Traffas moved and Peterson seconded to adjourn the meeting at 8:48 p.m. 7-0 motion carried.
Meeting adjourned
Amie Loreg
Clerk of the Board of Education 511
