Board of Education Meeting Summary Archive for School Year 2002-2003

August 12, 2002	February 24, 2003
August 26, 2002	March 10, 2003
September 23, 2002	March 31, 2003
October 15, 2002	April 14, 2003
October 28, 2002	April 28, 2003
December 9, 2002	May 12, 2003
January 13, 2003	May 29, 2003
January 27, 2003	June 9, 2003
February 10, 2003

USD 434 Main Page

Board of Education Meeting Summary - June 9, 2003 The Santa Fe Trail USD 434 board of education met on Monday, June 9 at the District Administrative Center to consider an agenda dominated by planning and budgeting issues for the new fiscal year. As part of celebrating success in the school district, the Board of Education officially recognized former SFT standout track performer Cameron Babb. Babb recently won the gold medal in the Class 4A State Track & Field Championships. The Board brought special attention to select members of the Food Service Department in recognition of their very positive efforts to promote the department, to participate in continuing education activities and to provide service to the community. Under the leadership of Director Carroll Schooler, the department committed itself to volunteer fundraising in order for a large contingency to attend the annual National Food Service Conference in Reno, NV later this summer. Staff members in attendance to receive the board's recognition included Carroll Schooler, Dolores Weekley, Debby Greenfield, Diane Drown, Pat Barr, and Shari Untz. Board of Education Vice-President Fred Berry took time, midway through the meeting, to recognize retiring BOE President Jeff Badger and to express appreciation on behalf of the district for his service. Badger began his service in the month of June 1993. His veteran leadership collaboratively caused many improvements in the instructional program, the personnel program and in physical plant improvements. In board of education regular business items, the following actions and/or considerations were given: Preliminary approval was given for the final stages of the district's school budget for the new fiscal year. The general fund was tentatively approved at a reduction of just over 2% from one year ago. Also approved were the tentative budgets for the bond & interest fund and the supplemental general fund. Due to the refunding/refinancing of the general obligation bonds, the Santa Fe Trail board of education will have savings next year of just under $77,000. A proposal to reorganize the district's Internet program called TrailNet was approved. With the approval, a deadline of September 1 was set to reorganize the program and establish a management/advisory group to report regularly to the board of education. The TrailNet program produces its own revenue instead of relying on any district level funding. With the reorganization approval, the job position of TrailNet Clerk was approved. Voting yes were Jeff Badger, Fred Berry, Heather Swisher, Jim McFarland, Brad Shaffer and Debbie Prochaska. Voting no was Carolyn Hug. The board unanimously approved physical plant improvement projects for completion in the months of June and July that include 1) the replacement of exterior doors at the high school at a cost of $22,262; 2) the removal of old energy inefficient windows at Carbondale and Overbrook replaced with reconstructed walls and new windows at a cost of $66,333; 3) the upgrade of electrical panels at the high school, Carbondale school and Scranton school at a cost of $9,000; 4) the installation of improved water supply lines for the high school at a cost of $13,142; and 5) the resurfacing of the high school parking lot and circle drive at a cost of $44,280. All approved projects have been on the district's long-range building improvement project list for several years. Due to the lower than expected costs for the contracted energy management program, funds became available for the summer projects. The board of education provided input for meeting dates, times and committee participation in the new fiscal year. Next year's board meetings will all begin at 5:30 pm and will normally be conducted on the second and fourth Mondays of each month. BOE members, in addition to the two regular meetings conducted each month, volunteered to serve on numerous district committees. Director of Curriculum & Instruction Sheree Gill provided update reports concerning all summer school programs currently underway and she also briefed the board concerning district scores on the Kansas Assessment Program. A lengthy executive session was conducted to discuss personnel, student matters and professional employee negotiations. Following the executive session action was taken for the following: The board of education, by unanimous vote, approved a contract for Sandy Honeyman as a fulltime district substitute for the 2003 - 04 school year and approved a contract for Tracy Henry as office manager for the high school. All board members voted to ratify the negotiated agreement with the Santa Fe Trail Education Association. The agreement modifies some minor language in the contract and provides for a 2% increase on each step of the salary schedule. With experience steps and movement on the schedule for earned graduate hours, the average returning teacher salary increase for the new school year will be 3.2%. The board unanimously voted to approve 2% increases for district classified staff that are contracted by the hour. All board members agreed to delay any decision affecting salaries for administrators, department directors and salaried positions until after October 1, 2003. Within the consent agenda, all board members voted to approve: 1) business reports from the preceding accounting period; 2) a resignation letter from Scranton Gr. 4/5 Instructor Jessica Starr; 3) a supplemental contract for Sandy Honeyman to serve as the Overbrook assistant cheerleader/pep club sponsor; 4) out-of-district enrollment for a high school senior; and 5) the use of the high school's campus areas for a youth soccer program scheduled to begin in the late summer. The next regular board meeting will be conducted on Wednesday, July 2 at 5:30 pm. The meeting will be held at the district administrative center. Special Board Meeting Held - May 29, 2003 The Santa Fe Trail USD 434 Board of Education met in special session at noon on Thursday, May 29th. The meeting was called to consider the refinancing of the district's general obligation bonds. With the very low rates available and upon the advice of the district's financial adviser, John McArthur of the Fahnestock Company, the district's current bonds were refunded and refinanced. The average coupon (interest rate) on the old bonds was 4.64%. After refinancing, the average coupon (interest rate) on the new bonds is 2.79%. The savings gained by refinancing to the taxpayers of Santa Fe Trail will be just under $402,000. In 1998, the board took advantage of declining interest rates and refinanced at a savings in interest of $300,000. Since the bond issue was approved in 1994, aggressive monitoring and action by the governing body has resulted in a savings in excess of $700,000. With 12 years remaining on the current bond program, it will be six years before the board can once again consider the refund of its current general obligation bonds. Board of Education Meeting Summary - May 12, 2003 The Santa Fe Trail USD 434 board of education met on Monday, May 12 at the District Administrative Center. Since this was the only meeting for the month of May, the agenda contained numerous instructional planning issues and business operations issues. Of great importance to the governing body was the recognition of numerous individuals and organizations who have reached levels of success or organizations that have contributed gifts to the school district. Gifts from The Colleen Babbitt Memorial, the Hallmark Corporation, Wal-mart Foundation, Westar Energy and various class funds were received by the board with gratitude and appreciation. For a complete listing of all gifts and selected student achievements please click here. The board received reports, recommendations and took formal action concerning: Director of Curriculum & Instruction Sheree Gill presented the final curriculum report of the year recommending a slight program realignment for Trail Blazer Math and Connected Math. The board voted unanimously to endorse the recommendations. The Professional Development Council year-end report was given by Sheree Gill covering topics such as teacher inservice for the next school year; review of the school accreditation process for all attendance centers; and affirmation of professional development points for selected certified staff. The board received the annual technology report and recommendations from Director Rita Blosser. The board affirmed a "freeze" for the technology spending in the 2003 - 04 school year to be no more than current levels. Limited technology equipment will be acquired in the school year and will be primarily focused on school libraries and vocational education programs. The board adopted the plans presented and technology acquisition plans with all members voting "yes". Under the consent agenda, the board approved monthly business reports, accepted personnel resignations from Rachel Padfield, assistant track coach and Trudy Anshutz, high school office manager; approved out-of-district enrollment in the 2003 - 04 school year from several parents; and approved out-of-state travel for the high school's FBLA organization. School principals presented tentative plans for instructional scheduling in the next school year. The plans were affirmed by the board and endorsed. All revised programming is planned to enhance and promote improved instruction times for core subject areas of the curriculum. Handbooks for parent, students and student activities and the FAST LANE Program were approved without dissent for the 2003 - 04 school year. The board unanimously approved the list of materials and supplies used by students and parents for the 2003 - 04 school year. All board members voted affirmatively to accept the gifts of CPR Annies and an Automated External Defibrillator through the generous gifts of the Overbrook PTO, The Carbondale PTO, Scranton Lions, Santa Fe Trail FBLA, Overbrook Rotary, Carbondale Lions, Patron Susan Bernhardt, Patron Carolyn Wells, Fire District #4 and miscellaneous grant funding. Numerous physical plant maintenance improvement projects were given general consensus by the board in order to proceed with pricing and bidding. This includes: replacement of 30 year old exterior doors at the high school, replacement of glass block exterior windows at Carbondale, replacement of windows at Overbrook from the original building addition, electrical panel upgrades for the high school and at the Carbondale school, upgrade to the water supply line at Santa Fe Trail High School, parking lot repairs at the high school and potential replacement of the communications system for the high school. Final plans and pricing will be examined by the board at the June 9 meeting. Tentative adoption was given in the on-going process to establish the school budgets for FY 04. The board tentatively approved by unanimous vote the expenditure plans for the capital outlay fund. The board conducted a lengthy executive session concerning non-elected personnel and a student issue. Following the executive session two personnel items were given approval. These included: Supplemental contract assignments were approved as presented by district administrators. Voting for: Jeff Badger, Fred Berry, Jim McFarland, Brad Shaffer and Debbie Prochaska. Voting against: Heather Swisher. Selected classified employees were affirmed unanimously by the board for re-employment during the next fiscal year. Within the superintendents' monthly report, information was received concerning school organization reports; continuing education activities for board members; an update from the Three Lakes Education Cooperative; a status report concerning a potential activities league change for Santa Fe Trail High School; and the board received the first in a series of budget control activity reports. The next meeting of the board will be held on Monday, June 9, 2003 at 6 pm in the board room of the District Administrative Center. Board of Education Meeting Summary April 28, 2003 The Santa Fe Trail USD 434 board of education met on Monday, April 28 at the Scranton Attendance Center. This completes the board's goal to conduct a meeting at each attendance center during the school year. SAC Principal Michael Flax and his staff welcomed the board to the meeting with a tour of the school's facilities and an opportunity to observe the Scranton's FAST LANE After School Program in operation. As the board of education has visited each attendance center updates were given concerning school improvement plans, status reports concerning North Central Accreditation and program changes planned for the future. Principal Michael Flax briefly outlined the proposals to assist the Scranton school in meeting expectations for new testing requirements and new requirements for curriculum accountability. At the May 12th regular board of education meeting the board will review all proposed curriculum and instruction changes for the 2003 - 04 school year from each attendance center. The board of education formally recognized Dale and Joyce Ullery for their 27 years of service to the Santa Fe Trail school district and specifically the years of continuous service to the Scranton community. The Ullerys have provided transportation services through the operation of two bus routes and countless activity trips during the past quarter of a century. The board extended to the Ullerys a plaque of appreciation and best wishes in their pursuit of other interests. In other board business, the following actions occurred: The board of education endorsed a study/work trip to Mexico for the high school's Spanish program under the direction of Mr. Allan Marquart. The trip will occur in the month of June and will involve as many as twelve participants. The trip is funded through the efforts of the students and instructor by completing fundraisers and seeking donations. A key to the board's approval for the Mexico trip was the receipt of a corporate gift from the Charlton-Manley Insurance Company which agreed to pay the cost of the required additional liability insurance. The vote to approve the trip was unanimous. The board of education received an annual report from the Scranton Attendance Center's parent involvement groups. The Scranton PTO's review of parent/school involvement was provided by PTO President Steve McDonald and Principal Michael Flax. The school's concern about the loss of the family-style lunch program was presented and a specific request to have the program spared from the prior approved budget reduction package was given. Following the receipt of additional parent input through comment and the receipt of a signed petition requesting the reinstatement for the program, the board considered a motion to open the possibility of maintaining the program under certain conditions. The conditions included continued funding subsidy by the board for one year and securing a state department waiver for portions of served food. The motion to reinstate the special lunch program failed. Voting for the motion were Jeff Badger, Jim McFarland and Fred Berry. Opposing the motion were Debbie Prochaska, Brad Shaffer and Heather Swisher. The board received and approved the staffing proposals for summer school of 2003. The vote to approve was unanimous. A new three-year contract for student transportation services was awarded to Mercer Transportation. The contract includes a cost increase of 5% spread over the three year period. The vote to approve was unanimous. The board of education adopted proposed expenditure plans in FY 04 for the transportation fund, the special education fund and the summer school fund. The transportation fund will have a 2.5% increase due to new contract prices and rises in costs for bus fuel. The vote to approve was unanimous. The board, by consensus, adopted a summer meeting schedule as follows: May 12th, June 9th, July 1, August 11th and August 25th. The board of education conducted a lengthy executive session to discuss professional employee negotiations, non-elected personnel and a student matter. Considering personnel, the board approved the resignation letters of Brian Luther, SFTHS English instructor/ head boys' basketball coach; Greg Nilges, OAC assistant boys' basketball and football coaching; Amy Marshall, OAC cheerleader sponsor; Jack Coppoc, SFTHS head track coach and Leanne Hansen, SFTHS scholars' bowl sponsor. The vote to approve was unanimous. As part of the formal actions needed to complete the budget reduction process, the board of education adopted a final resolution to not renew the employment contract of the school social worker, Janet Delgado. Voting for the motion were Jeff Badger, Fred Berry, Brad Shaffer, Debbie Prochaska and Heather Swisher. Opposing the motion was Jim McFarland. Continuing in the work needed affected by the budget reduction process, the board voted to rescind a previous resolution to reduce the teaching contract of English instructor Karen Hoffsommer. The vote to approve the recision was unanimous. The board of education voted unanimously to approve contract extensions for all professional staff not previously noted for action in the budget reduction process or in other notices of resignations or position actions. Action was taken to formally name Fahnestock & Co., Inc. as the district's fiscal agent in the re-financing of general obligation bonds. The vote to approve was unanimous. The next meeting of the Santa Fe Trail USD 434 board of education will take place on Monday, May 12th at 6 pm in the board room of the District Administrative Center. The tentative agenda for that meeting will be posted on the following website (http://www.sft434.k12.ks.us/boe/brdof_edu.htm ) by 3 pm on May 5. Board of Education Meeting Summary April 14, 2003 The Santa Fe Trail USD 434 board of education met on Monday, April 14 at the district administrative center. The board welcomed new member-elect Jim Jolly of Overbrook, who will join the governing body on July 1. The board opened the meeting with a presentation from the high school's Odyssey of the Mind competition team. Sponsored by parent volunteers, Pam Beach and Tina McIver, students gave a 10 minute sketch that recently received the top award at state competition. Students participating Monday evening included Callahan McIver, Ryan Roy Beach, Tosha Ellis, Melinda Beach, Alexis Symonds, Josh King and Michael Meerian. The board of education received the final report from the Graduation Study Committee concerning changes mandated by the new requirement of the federal legislation called No Child Left Behind. The legislation, passed nearly a year ago, requires significant changes throughout the school district. High schools are affected by changes in required subjects to reach graduation. Most importantly, the new mandates require graduating high school seniors by the year 2005 to have increased requirements in mathematics, science and fine arts. Currently high school seniors must have two credits in math and science while there is no requirement for fine arts. Effective in 2005 students must complete three math credits, three science credits and a required unit in fine arts. The high school graduation study committee, chaired by Associate Principal David Swaim, recommended several changes to the board. These included: Gradually increase the number of graduation credits from the current 25 to a required 29 for all students by the 2007 - 2008 school year. There would be a gradual increase for each entering freshman class until the new requirements are fully implemented. Changing the current block schedule to allow students to take eight classes over a two-day period instead of the current seven. Increase math and science credits from two to three and add a required unit in fine arts. In addition, one-half credit in world history would be required and full credit would be required in the freshman rotation classes. With the proposed new requirements, the study committee has recommended that students must be passing at least six subjects to participate in extra-curricular activities. The board of education raised many questions about the proposed changes. Some of these pertained to issues related to the use of a daily seminar period, the actual need to raise the number of required credits to 29 and the expansion of elective classes with accompanying new course work design. Tentative approval was ultimately given for the recommendations in the study report. Final action could take place at the May 12th meeting. Other board business resulted in the following: Recognized numerous students and staff for various accomplishments in the current school term including Odyssey of the Mind, Future Business Leaders of America, Kansas Wesleyan University Humanities Festival, and the Lawrence Journal-World Academic All-Star Team. (For a complete listing of these student honorees click here.) Delayed an endorsement of a high school Spanish class to study/travel to Mexico pending the resolve of insurance liability issues. Reviewed ramifications of recently approved budget reductions for 2003 - 04. Determined that a decision to reduce a social studies position at the high school should be rescinded due to results of pre-enrollment of students for the next school year. Discussed at length the district's achievement testing program and determined that grade nine should be added to the current practice of testing students in grades 2, 4, 6 and 8. Adopted a participation fee for the FAST LANE Program beginning in the 2003-04 school year. The new fees will range from $3 to $5 per day for one child depending on income and $4.50 to $7.50 per day for more than one child depending on income. Funding assistance will be available for those who show need. The participation fee will begin in order to solidify a funding base for the very popular FAST LANE program when federal dollars no longer exist. Received an update concerning summer school program planning. Received a report concerning potential changes needed in board policy as a result of federal legislation. Currently several restrictions are in place that govern which elementary school a student attends. Board policy will change in the next few months to conform to the No Child Left Behind legislation. Determined that lunch prices and enrollment fees should remain unchanged for the 2003 - 04 school year. Tentative approval was granted for budget expenditure plans in the bond/interest fund, the inservice fund and the vocational education fund. Following a 20 minute executive session several personnel items received formal action including: 1) approval of employment contracts for Sheila Mumford, high school computer applications; Steven Stanhope, high school industrial technology; and Dathan Fischer, Scranton junior high mathematics, 2) extended the employment contracts of all district administrators and directors for one year, 3) approved reduction of staff notice of intent letters for a high school English position from 1.0 to .5 for the 2003 - 04 school year and the elimination of the school social worker position for the 2003 - 04 school year. Determined board of education participation for end-of-the-school year celebrations including high school commencement, grade eight recognition activities and the end of the year employee recognition banquet. Received the regular superintendent's report sharing building level information, continuing education updates for board members and information from the Three Lakes Education Cooperative. Also included was information concerning the possible involvement of Santa Fe Trail High School in the Frontier Activities League for the 2004 - 05 school year. The next meeting of the Santa Fe Trail Board of Education will take place on Monday, April 28 at the Scranton Attendance Center. The meeting will begin at 5:30 p.m.

Board of Education Meeting Summary March 31, 2003 The Santa Fe Trail USD 434 board of education met on Monday, March 31 at the Overbrook Attendance Center. The Overbrook location allowed the board of education to visit the after school program called FAST LANE and to view the Santa Fe Trail Boys & Girls Club located at the old junior high building. FAST LANE Site Coordinator Tammy Luther and Boys & Girls Club Unit Manager Wendy Coonrod provided brief overviews of each program. Work completed by the board on the regular agenda included: Monthly business reports were approved. Approval was granted for out-of-district enrollment to two students at the Carbondale Attendance Center. Principal Gary Foulke reviewed various programming topics for the Overbrook Attendance Center. Included within his report were accreditation updates, assessment test data from the Iowa Test of Basic Skills and a report concerning school climate at the Overbrook school. Parent involvement updates were received from the Overbrook Site Council, the Overbrook C.A.R.E. Committee and the Overbrook Renaissance Program. Participating in the reports were Principal Gary Foulke with Parent Leaders Carol Collins and Nancy Varner. The board established a timeline of work sessions to complete various phases of the 2003 - 04 school budget. An executive session was conducted to review non-elected personnel and a student matter. Personnel resignations were accepted from Judy Golden, math instructor at Scranton and Michelle Brightup, paraprofessional at Overbrook. Employment contracts were approved for Penny Tubbs, elementary art; Kristina Nelson, grade six at Carbondale; and Brenda Dahl, grade five at Overbrook. All of the employment contracts are effective for the 2003 - 04 school year. Approval was given for various job assignment changes in the 2003 - 04 school year including: Jack Coppoc, from computer applications to high school science; Linda Fockele, from grade 3 to Title I instructor at Carbondale; Millicent Phillips, from Title I instructor to grade 2 at Carbondale; Carrie Yeske, from grade 5 to grade 3 at Carbondale; and Susan McCollum, from grade 6 to grade 3 at Carbondale. In another consideration the board of education endorsed an effort by the High School S.A.D.D. organization to promote a tobacco product free environment at the physical properties of USD 434. The next meeting of the Santa Fe Trail USD 434 board of education will be conducted on Monday, April 14 at 6 pm. The meeting will be held at the District Administrative Center. Board of Education Meeting Summary March 10, 2003 The Santa Fe Trail USD 434 board of education met on Monday, March 10 for its first meeting of the month. Once again, the agenda was dominated by proposed budget reduction options for the next budget year. Other items considered by the board included curriculum and textbook recommendations for the next school year. Key personnel appointments were approved for the professional staff affecting areas of program instruction that are essential for the school district. A group of nearly 30 patrons and staff were in attendance to observe the board's discussions and actions. The board of education has studied numerous areas of the district's budget for several months. The board not only is faced with a $27 per pupil reduction issued last August but also has to manage planning issues to consider the enrollment drop of 40 students. The amount of lost budget revenue for the next year is estimated at $252,000. After receiving much public comment, the board debated several budget recommendations and formally voted on each. A limited amount of budget revenue enhancement was approved. The budget work summary shows: Students will not have an activity participation fee for the next school year and nearly all of the current extra-curricular activity programs will remain. The board had considered a participation fee for each student to participate in extra-curricular activities. After much discussion it was determined that the revenue generated (approximately $17,000) was not large enough to offset the negative effects of who should be assessed in which area of extra-curricular activities. Action was taken to increase the cost of family activity passes for the next school year. Each category was increased by $10. New costs for passes will be as follows: District Family: $90 - High School Family: $60 and Junior High Family: $40. Budget cuts were approved in the following areas: 1) reduction in the number of assistant coaches, assistant club sponsors and activity transportation costs - $24,449; 2) reductions in district office expense items such as contracted fees/assessments, supply orders and in-service funding - $32,951; 3) 7.5 positions lost in personnel include a social studies instructor and part-time English instructor at the high school, a junior high language arts position at Carbondale, the district's social worker position, one professional health education position and three elementary paraprofessional positions - $169,045; and 4) the reduction of the family style lunch program at the Scranton Attendance Center - $7,000. Total budget reductions will be $233,335. The amount is still short of the anticipated loss by just under $20,000. Work will continue to find other ways to account for the remaining lost budget funds. In other board of education business: It was reported the school district currently has openings for positions in art education, two elementary classrooms, a high school counselor and an industrial technology education. The vacancies will be filled in the next three weeks. The board received a testing report update from Director of Curriculum & Instruction Sheree Gill and reviewed implications of the testing results for the new federal program: No Child Left Behind. Recommendations were received and approved from the Curriculum Coordinating Council to approve the new technology curriculum for grades K-12 and to adopt a new social studies textbook series for grades K- 5. The fiscal note for the new textbook adoption is $21,095. Curriculum Director Sheree Gill presented the tentative findings of the mathematics curriculum committee which was charged with examining the effectiveness of the elementary mathematics program. No significant changes will be made in the short term within the current curriculum. The district's 21st Century Community Learning Program (locally called FAST LANE) is developing a participation fee for its before and after school programming. In the first two years of the program there has been no participation fee. Due to the decline in financial support for this federally supported program, it is highly probable that a daily fee could be charged beginning in August, 2003. The board of education will consider recommendations for a fee structure not later than the April board meeting. Several personnel items were considered following a 35 minute executive session. Employment contracts were approved for Janay Blome, high school counselor; Dave Watkins, high school head football coach and Jason Garner, maintenance worker. The next meeting of the Santa Fe Trail Board of Education will be held on Monday, March 31 at 5:30 pm. As part of the board's plan to conduct at least one meeting at each attendance center, the March 31 meeting will be held at the Overbrook Attendance Center. return to top of page Board of Education Meeting Summary February 24, 2003 The Santa Fe Trail Board of Education met at Santa Fe Trail High School on Monday, February 24. The meeting was dominated by a public forum concerning proposed budget reductions for the next budget year. Prior to and immediately following the public forum, the board took action on these topics: Monthly business reports were presented and approved from the consent agenda. The board received and approved an early retirement request from Mr. Robert Von Stein, counselor at the high school for the past 23 years. Mr. Von Stein has also completed 25 years of experience as the head boys' football coach. High School Principal Gary Blosser provided an overview of various improvements completed in the high school during the past year; focusing on the three-year plan of improvement for the vocal and instrumental music department. Principal Blosser also reviewed the highlights of the recently completed Class 4A regional wrestling tournament hosted at SFTHS. It was reported that nine Charger athletes had qualified for the state tournament and that the SFTHS team took team honors for the regional tournament. High School Associate Principal David Swaim reported extensively about the accreditation process now underway. The school improvement plan, as reviewed by the associate principal, includes improvement goals in reading, writing and problem solving. Director of Curriculum & Instruction Sheree Gill and David Swaim reviewed changes that must be made in the high school for mandates provided in the federal legislation, No Child Left Behind. Most notably will be changes affecting the Class of 2005 for graduation requirements. Increases in mathematics, science and fine art requirements will be made. A complete report from the Graduation Requirements Study Committee will be presented at the April 14th board meeting. Other reports received included technical program reviews of all vocational programs at the high school and the potential changes under consideration for the activities league membership for the high school. The board entered a brief executive session to discuss non-elected personnel. A public forum was conducted as part of the regular meeting. Nearly 100 district patrons, students and staff were present to share comments concerning budget reduction proposals. The board is considering budget reductions in areas of extra-curricular programs, both certified and non-certified personnel and in other operation budget line items. Also under consideration are participation fees for various activities. Final board decision-making for budget cuts and activity fees will be made on March 10. The next meeting for the Santa Fe Trail Board of Education will be Monday, March 10 at the district administrative building beginning at 6 pm. return to top of page Board of Education Meeting Summary February 10, 2003 The Santa Fe Trail USD 434 Board of Education conducted its first meeting of the month on Monday, February 10. President Jeff Badger led the governing body through a difficult agenda punctuated by on-going decisions concerning budget-cutting moves for the next fiscal year. A full house of district employees and community members were present to offer both formal and informal comments concerning areas of proposed budget reductions. The board opened the meeting on a very positive note with the recognition of Bart Jamison Law, SFTHS junior, who has been selected to study in the country of Belgium for the 2003 - 04 school year. Jamison is sponsored by the Overbrook Rotary Club. The board gave formal recognition to Overbrook Rotary President Larry Butel for the club's work to sponsor the unique learning opportunity. The board has completed about three fourths of its work in determining fiscal matter priorities. High on the agenda for the Monday meeting was consideration of Category 2 Budget Reductions: Extra-Curricular Programming. A list of possible cuts in spending for the activities programs totaled just less than $50,000. Prior to the receipt of advocacy statements, the board received an update regarding prior discussions for various professional level positions. Superintendent Terry Schmidt updated the board on projected enrollment numbers for the Carbondale Attendance Center. It was recommended to the board (and concurred by the board) to not reduce an elementary classroom position. The board of education affirmed the need to keep class sizes as small as possible within current economic conditions. Due to attrition, the board of education will be able to limit its professional staff reduction plan to include only two positions. A final decision regarding this plan will be made on February 24th. The board of education received comments concerning Category 2, Extra-curricular activities. Providing comments were parents, students and teachers. Comments addressed such things as 1) retaining separate high school dance teams and cheerleader squads 2) maintaining two fine arts production opportunities for high school students - consideration was given to only one production each year; 3) keeping two staff sponsors for the high school's FBLA program; and 4) keeping the golf programs for the high school as separate seasons rather than combining boys and girls in to one spring activity. In addition to comments about retaining certain programs without cuts, suggestions were made in two other areas. One suggestion was to reduce the amount of salaries paid to district administrators in order to avoid program cuts and the second was to charge a user fee for each student involved in extra-curricular programming. No formal action was taken by the board of education in the area of Category 2, Extra-curricular programming. Budget reduction discussions will continue at the next board meeting, Monday, February 24th. In other board business: Final approval was given for policy JFA, Peer Grading of Assignments - this policy does not allow for students to grade other student's papers when the grades are placed in record. Early-retirement requests were received and approved for Arlene Mayes, Carbondale junior high instructor and Susan Alley, Carbondale elementary classroom instructor. Resignations were accepted from Willis Bourquin, maintenance worker at Carbondale, and Kim Bolton, SAC food service worker. Final approval was granted for the new junior high activities handbook effective for the 2003 - 04 school year. Director of Curriculum & Instruction Sheree Gill and Scranton Instructor Linda Lilja were granted approval by resolution to seek outside grant monies for various district programs. Summer school fees were established by the board. In cooperation with the district's FAST LANE Program, a summer enrichment program will be offered as a full day option. The fee for a full day program will be $6 per day and the fee for a half-day program will be $3. There will be no charge for the required remedial program offered in the morning. Summer drivers' education enrollment fees will be $125 for in-district students and $225 for out-of-district students. All summer programs will begin on June 2nd and end on June 27th. Approval was granted for next year's school calendar, contingent on issues that may arise during professional employee negotiations. The first day for students will be Thursday, August 21st while the last day will be Wednesday, May 26, 2004. The December holiday period for students will begin December 22nd and end January 2nd. The spring break will be March 22, 2004 through March 26, 2004. A detailed overview of the new school calendar will be printed in the next issue of the Trail Talk. Reviewed the status of current goals and objectives identified at the planning retreat conducted in the fall. Conducted a lengthy executive session to discuss professional employee negotiations, a student matter and issues affecting non-elected personnel. No formal action was taken following the executive session. Received the superintendent's regular report that included updates from each attendance center, announcements concerning future board member continuing education programs, reports from department directors, an update from the Three Lakes Education Cooperative and an update regarding the Kaw Area Technical School. The next meeting of the Santa Fe Trail USD 434 Board of Education will be conducted on Monday, February 24th at 5:30 pm. The meeting will be held at Santa Fe Trail High School. There will be a public hearing on proposed budget reduction plans for the next fiscal year. This hearing will take place at 7 pm. return to top of page Board of Education Meeting Summary January 27, 2003 The Santa Fe Trail Board of Education met at the Carbondale Attendance Center for its second meeting of the month on January 27th. Carbondale School Principal Ed Gerhardt and his staff welcomed the board with a pre-meeting program tour and presentation. The board was able to see the CAC FAST LANE Program in full operation under the guidance of Site Coordinator Stacey Breneman. In addition, the board was able to observe the grant-funded program called TeleKidCare as explained by Program Director Sheree Gill. The board of education will visit all school sites before the end of the school year to observe and examine special building programs and to be accessible to patrons of each school community. The board of education received a detailed report from Principal Ed Gerhardt concerning his academic and student/parent support programs. The Carbondale Attendance Center has led all schools with academic performance increases. Results of the latest Iowa Test of Basic Skills revealed significant gains in the areas of mathematics computation and reading skills improvement. According to the principal's report, areas of targeted concern are lower than desired assessment scores in the second and fourth grades. Targeted improvement strategies were shared with the board. Principal Ed Gerhardt provided an extensive review of the work underway by the Carbondale PTO and the Carbondale Site Council. Not only are the two parent involvement groups significantly contributing to the school's success, each is involved with community-wide improvement programs building pride in the community through positive recognition and community-wide clean-up activities. The most important topic considered by the governing body at its latest meeting was taking the next steps in the budget reduction program for fiscal year 2004. Due to the loss of nearly 40 students in the current school term coupled with declining state revenue assistance, the board is strategically and carefully adopting a plan to reduce expenditures by nearly $252,000. Lower class numbers are causing the need to reduce the teaching force by four positions. Most of the reduction in the teaching corps will occur through attrition. Additional budget cuts receiving board scrutiny are personnel reductions in the area of health education and school paraprofessionals. The board is looking favorably in the retention of the school social worker position and in maintaining and building the elementary art program. The board received numerous presentations from district staff that were present to speak on behalf of sparing certain programs from the budget reduction exercise. Before taking final and formal action to reduce the school budget for the 2003 - 04 school year, the board will conduct another inquiry and information exchange meeting on February 10 to consider significant cuts in the extra-curricular activities program and in non-personnel/non-instruction budget line items. In other board business, the governing body considered the following: • Adopted on a first reading new policy language concerning peer grading of student work. The new policy language will not allow a student to grade another student's work when the work is recorded as a grade by the teacher. The policy comes about as a result of privacy rights afforded to students by legal definition. • The board accepted the resignation of SFTHS Industrial Technology Instructor Terry Stanton and authorized the recruitment of the position for the 2003 - 04 school year. • The board received an update concerning the implementation of the energy performance contract with T.A.C. Americas. Work gets underway in the next ten days and will continue throughout the spring and summer months. When completed the high school will have 90% of its heating and air conditioning units replaced with high energy efficient equipment in addition to new energy efficient control systems for all district schools. • The board of education authorized the second FAST LANE Summer School Program to begin Monday, June 2 and continuing for twenty days. Summer school for elementary school students will involve an increase in the learning enrichment program by expanding to a full day while the remediation program (mandated for learners of need) will remain a half-day program. Program fees will rise for those who choose to attend a full day of enrichment learning activities. The established fee will be set by the board on February 10th. The innovative program for incoming kindergarten students called "Ready - Set - Go" will be held at designated times in June at each elementary school. Summer instrumental music classes will be conducted at the Carbondale Attendance Center under the sponsorship of FAST LANE. Transportation will be provided from the Overbrook and Scranton Attendance Centers. The fee structure will follow the guidelines of FAST LANE. Summer drivers' education classes will once again be available for eligible students at Santa Fe Trail High School. The cost for learning how to drive will rise from $75 for the summer session to the board approved new fee of $125. Due the closure of several drivers' education programs in surrounding towns because of budget reductions, the Santa Fe Trail Board of Education has authorized district administrators to open its enrollment and assess a fee of $225 per student. Allen County Community College will once again provide summer school classes for those interested in college level course work. On-site Coordinator Dave Swaim of SFTHS may be contacted during regular office hours for more information regarding dates, enrollment times and fees. • The board of education provided brief discussion concerning the adoption of a school calendar for 2003 - 2004. A final decision will be made on February 10th following a review and input from district teachers and other staff. • The board authorized the district officials to work with the Overbrook Fair Association to use part of the district facilities for a fair concert if inclement weather occurs. The next meeting of the Santa Fe Trail Board of Education will take place on Monday, February 10 at 6 p.m. in the board room of the District Administrative Center. return to top of page Board of Education Meeting Summary January 13, 2003 The Santa Fe Trail Board of Education met on Monday, January 13 to conduct its first meeting of the new calendar year. Board President Jeff Badger, with five other members in attendance, considered an agenda dominated by study committee reports, student testing results and an on-going discussion for budget reductions that must be made prior to the start of the 2003 - 04 school year. Curriculum & Instruction Director Sheree Gill provided the district-wide results for the Iowa Test of Basic Skills (ITBS) completed by students last fall. The test is administered to students in grades 2, 4, 6 and 8 covering mathematics, reading, language arts, social studies and science. The test results indicate the district has shown substantial gains in the area of mathematics computation skills. The test results also show that grades 2 & 6 are not meeting expectations for expected achievement. Director Sheree Gill outlined some possible causes and identified several planned strategies to assist in score improvement for grades 2 and 6. On the Reading Total Score, grades 2, 4 and 8 showed substantial increases. It was also reported by the director that when the same groups of students were compared in reading, math and language arts over a two year period, all groups showed gains. According to Mrs. Gill, the district also administers the Cognitive Ability Test that can draw conclusions about the district's children and their ability levels. The fall results show or indicate that all grade levels tested have average or above average ability levels. A significant discussion was held with district administrators and directors concerning needed budget reductions for the next fiscal year. Due to the loss of 40 students in the current year's enrollment and due to the expected continuation of shortfalls in state support, the board has determined that $252,000 in budget cuts must be made prior to July 1, 2003. The cuts will be made in three areas: 1) extra-curricular activities, $50,000; 2) discretionary line items not affecting personnel, $25,000 and 3) professional and licensed personnel, $182,500. With 87% of the district's budget committed to personnel expenditures, it is the intent to find as much savings as possible in this area without creating harm in the instructional programs. Due to declining enrollments, the district can make adjustments in its personnel programs and still maintain reasonable class sizes and student services. Areas of reductions in personnel under consideration include: one elementary classroom position one junior high classroom position two high school teaching positions possible loss of a school social worker possible loss of one professional in health education possible loss of an elementary art instructor possible loss of a limited number of elementary school paraprofessionals Extra-curricular budget reductions could include a scale-back of the number of people employed to operate activities. Within the current discussions, no entire sport activity would be eliminated but many would be adjusted to utilize less personnel expense. Scheduling changes, travel expenses, insurance costs and other programming costs would be initiated to save budget dollars. The board of education will continue its decision-making for budget reductions at the next meeting scheduled for January 27th. In other board business, the following considerations and actions were taken: The board conducted two executive sessions. The first included discussion concerning a student matter while the second session held later in the evening discussed professional employee negotiations and non-elected personnel. The board accepted the early retirement benefits request of Robert Hubbard who has been employed in the art department of the school district for the past 22 years. Hubbard will retire from the teaching profession at the close of the current school year. The board also accepted the resignation letter submitted by Ms. Christine Bradley, grade five instructor at the Overbrook Attendance Center for the past 3 years, who plans to relocate. The board gave final approval to a contract with T.A.C. Americas to complete energy performance contracting in the school district. Final approval was granted to a change in board policy affecting pro-rated enrollment fees and the refunding of enrollment fees. The board approved the payment of an invoice dispute with its architectural firm, Wilson & Company and the board approved a donation to the After Prom Committee in the amount of $200. The superintendent reported on progress made to provide an alternative learning center for district students who need special services in learning. Collaborative planning efforts are now underway within the Three Lakes Education Cooperative. Planning concepts were approved for the formation of the 2003 - 04 school calendar. The school calendar will be very similar to the one currently in effect. The board of education took action to extend the employment contract for the superintendent of schools by one year. The next meeting of the Santa Fe Trail board of education will be conducted on January 27 at 5:30 pm. The meeting will be conducted at the Carbondale Attendance Center. return to top of page Board of Education Meeting Summary December 9, 2002 The Santa Fe Trail Board of Education met on Monday, December 9 to consider several critical financial planning issues and to act on recommendations made by two different district study committees. All board members were present as President Jeff Badger guided the board through a five hour work session. Two areas of district operations were debated and resolved after much discussion. Both will impact the current and future school budget at significant levels. The first area affects district staff. The board adopted a mid-year budget reduction plan that results in six district staff losing their jobs effective January 2, 2003. The positions lost include a para-professional position at the high school, an office support position at the high school, an office support person at the district office, a part-time tech support person for the district, a part-time staff member in the food service department and a maintenance staff member at Carbondale. In addition, two contracts were shortened in the health education department. The total budget reduction package is just under $80,000 which represents approximately 1% of the current school year's budget. Budget reductions have come as a result of the shortage in state funding for public schools. It is anticipated the State of Kansas will continue to have serious shortfalls in revenue that will cause all state supported programs to face reductions. It is the belief of the SFT board of education that making budget reductions now will help off-set more serious, more critical budget reductions in the months ahead. Santa Fe Trail USD 434 does not have a large enough contingency fund or high special fund cash balances that are required to avoid mid-year budget reductions. Governor Graves announced on November 26 significant budget cuts in state government without addressing public education k-12 programs. He did indicate that some of the state supported programs were not fully funded by last year's legislature. This short reference by the governor says monumental things. The under funding of current programs could result in a budget shortfall of nearly $161,000 for Santa Fe Trail in the current school year unless the new legislature takes swift action in January. It is the belief of the Santa Fe Trail BOE that the state will not be able to make-up the shortfall and additional cuts will be needed. To reduce budgeted funds by 1% now will lessen the more serious budget cuts anticipated in the months ahead. The board of education received and approved a set of recommendations from the District Music Study Committee that will significantly change the organizational scheme for music instruction in the 2003 - 04 school year. Currently music teachers must travel to all district sites which creates a loss of nearly five hours of instruction for district students. With the new scheme, teacher travel will be reduced by 50%. The Overbrook, Carbondale and Scranton Attendance Centers will have the same vocal instructor in grades k-8. The Scranton Attendance Center will have the same instructor in vocal and instrumental classes. The high school will gain additional class offerings as a result of the reorganization - namely the creation of a performance jazz class. Because of the reorganization, there will be a reduction in expenses approximating $3,000. In other board of education business: Gave tentative approval to a board policy that will not allow peer grading of student work in classrooms and to a plan for administering district fees when students transfer in and out of the district. Final approval will be considered on January 13. Received a report from Curriculum and Instruction Director Sheree Gill concerning changes made in the human development instruction program, status of textbook reviews for social studies, status of the technology curriculum writing project and plans to review the elementary math program before the end of the current school year. Tentatively approved a contract with T.A.C. Americas to provide performance based energy management in the buildings of Santa Fe Trail. Performance contracting of the district's energy systems will result in a guaranteed annual savings of $35,545. The project, funded by an agreement in Santa Fe Trail USD 434 with the Koch Financial Corporation will replace all of the heating and ventilating systems (older than 1986 models) with new energy efficient systems at Santa Fe Trail High School. In addition, high efficiency lighting systems will be installed in high school classrooms and new electronic energy control systems will be added to the Carbondale Attendance Center. Other minor energy efficient measures are included in the contract with T.A.C. The total cost of the project is $881,137 spread over a ten-year period. During that time, guaranteed energy savings will be at least $355,450. Final approval of the project is expected on January 13, 2003. Tentatively approved an activities handbook for all junior high programs in the school district as presented by Activities Director Brady Anshutz. Conducted a lengthy executive session to discuss non-elected personnel, student issues and professional employee negotiations. Following the executive session no formal actions were taken. The board reviewed the major tasks ahead in determining a budget reduction plan for the 2003 - 04 school year. Due to the loss of 40 students in the current school term and anticipated loss of state funding in the future, it will be necessary to significantly reduce expenditures in fiscal year 2004. Work will continue in the budgeting process at the January 13 board meeting. The next meeting for the Santa Fe Trail Board of Education will be conducted on Monday, January 13, 2003 in the board room of the District Administrative Center beginning at 6 pm. return to top of page Board of Education Meeting Summary October 28, 2002 The Santa Fe Trail Board of Education met on Monday, October 28, 2002. President Jeff Badger conducted the meeting agenda with four members present due to the illness of two other members. Highlights of the board meeting included the recognition and final approval for a youth center operation to be located at the old junior high building in Overbrook. Too, the board took action concerning possible state funding reductions in the months ahead. A group of Overbrook junior high students led by volunteer sponsor, Jennifer Hardesty, developed over the previous summer months a concept to provide a youth center for young and middle teens. An initial proposal to begin the venture was given tentative board of education approval on September 23 with an understanding that funding would be needed from outside sources. The original developers of the youth center concept were called The B.AT. Club (Building Assets Together). At the Monday, October 28 meeting the organizers and sponsor announced to the board of education that a major player/partner was secured. This partnership announced was the Boys and Girls Club of Topeka. This is in addition to the partnership well underway with the school district's FAST LANE program. Boys & Girls Club Executive Director John Farr announced a commitment of staffing and equipment support totaling $65,000 to begin the new venture. The new organization, to be located in part of the old Overbrook Junior High building, is to be known as Boys & Girls Club of Santa Fe Trail. It would be open daily from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. and on special non-school days for all students in grades 5 to 12 throughout the school district. The Board of Education gave its support to the new endeavor with a commitment to review and assess the program near the end of the current school year. A large group of district patrons and staff members were present to participate in the public hearing for proposed mid-year budget cuts if so dictated by declining state aid revenues. The public hearing provided presentation time for those interested in maintaining the special food service program at Scranton called "family style lunch"; for those interested in maintaining the Alternative Learning Site in Overbrook and for those concerned about the layoff of experienced, long-serving employees of the district. Following the public hearing, the board took unanimous action to give final approval to five levels of budget reductions without the inclusion of the special food service program at Scranton. The actual implementation of any level of budget reduction will be announced when more information is received from the State of Kansas. The least affected level of budget reductions would find no loss in personnel or special programming. The loss of state aid in the first level would be absorbed with the limited financial reserves of the district. The harshest level of budget cuts, Level V, could see the loss of ten district classified employees, the reduction of working days and hours for select employees and a reduction where possible in all staff expenses for the remainder of the current school year. In other board action: A proposal by a district patron to lease part of the old junior high building for business purposes was dropped due to the establishment of the youth center concept. District Financial Adviser John McArthur of the Fahnestock Company reviewed the district's current general obligation bond program. The board was advised to seek the refunding of the current 1994 bonds in the spring of '03 in order to access lower interest rates. It is estimated the district would save over $368,000 during the life of the bond repayment schedule. McArthur also reviewed various funding formulas for any potential building improvement. It was reported that each one million dollars approved in building programs would necessitate just over one (1) mill in additional ad valorem taxes. A progress report concerning performance contracting for energy efficiency was received by the board from Director of Maintenance David Drown. It was reported that utility audits were completed and specifications for the energy proficiency update were well underway. It is expected the governing body will receive bids and quotes in late November or early December with performance contracting work to begin in early 2003. As part of the district's on-going physical plant maintenance and improvement program, bids were tentatively awarded for the replacement of a large section of roof at Santa Fe Trail High School and a smaller section of roof on the older part of the Overbrook Attendance Center. The low bid of $131,883 was submitted by Mid West Coating of Topeka. In other routine business the board approved the monthly business reports, approved enrollment for an out-of-district student and appointed Vice President Fred Berry as the voting delegate to the 2002 KASB Delegate Assembly. The next meeting of the Santa Fe Trail Board of Education will be conducted on Tuesday, November 12 at 6 p.m. The special meeting day is due to the legal holiday, Veteran's Day, on Monday, November 11. The meeting will be conducted at the district administrative center, 1663 East US Highway 56. return to top of page Board of Education Meeting Summary October 15, 2002 The Santa Fe Trail Board of Education met on Tuesday, October 15 to consider several instruction program reports and to begin the task of building a budget reduction plan for reduced state funding. It is anticipated the State of Kansas could once again reduce the amount of state aid during the current school term. Director of Curriculum and Instruction Sheree Gill presented a comprehensive review of the newest federal legislation called No Child Left Behind. As presented by Mrs. Gill, the new legislation will require additional testing of students beginning at the third grade level and continuing into grade eleven of the high school years. Accountability rises with the new federal program and mandates that adequate yearly progress must occur. Sanctions can be imposed on individual schools if adequate progress is not met. The full implication of the legislation is only now becoming clearer. Even as the schools of Santa Fe Trail are working toward the rigors of the North Central Accreditation Program more work for teaching and learning accountability will be needed. Additional accountability reports concerning the students of Santa Fe Trail were received by the board of education. State averages for the Kansas Assessment Program were compared to the scores of Santa Fe Trail. Leading the area of above average scores was the district's reading program. Results showed that Santa Fe Trail students tested in grades 5, 8 and 11 scored above the state average. In mathematics, students tested in grades seven and ten scored above state averages while students in grade four scored just under the state average. Students from grades five, eight and eleven tested in the area of writing scored above state averages. All Kansas second graders are required to complete a reading diagnostic test each year. Results are made available to teachers and parents who then work together to show reading improvement prior to the end of grade two. The district's second grade students' average score indicated 54% of the students were at or above the second grade reading level. By the end of the year, a follow-up diagnostic test is given to measure growth and to determine if all grade students are at grade level or above. Staying with the theme of assessment reporting, the board of education examined a report by High School Associate Principal Dave Swaim concerning the annual ACT test results. For the first time in two years, the average composite score for Santa Fe Trail graduating students dipped just below the state average. In other board reports and actions: The director of curriculum and instruction provided a report concerning the academic tracking of students moving from grade eight into the first year of high school. Following the end of the first grading period, data will be gathered to determine if all current district freshmen students are making satisfactory learning progress in the first year of high school. The Carbondale Attendance Center and Santa Fe Trail High School recently completed on-site visits for the North Central Accreditation Program. Each school received strong, positive reports concerning the educational programs provided to students. Accreditation teams will return later in this school year and next fall to measure the improvement process and to determine adequate growth. (The Overbrook and Scranton schools will receive accreditation visits later in the current school year.) Director of Curriculum and Instruction Sheree Gill provided a review and update concerning the on-going training and professional development for district teachers. Two financial reports were received by the board of education. The first report provided a comprehensive accounting of fundraisers conducted by students and staff in the 2001 - 2002 school year. The purposes of the numerous fundraisers vary from accessibility for students to have an enriched academic experience to raising funds for extra equipment and program supplies. The total number of dollars reported as raised in the school district exceeded $125,000. The total does not include the extensive effort made by the high school's After Prom Committee nor does the total reflect individual gifts. The second financial report involved discussion and idea-sharing for a contingency budget reduction plan should additional state aid cuts occur in late December or early January. In August the Governor announced a $27 per pupil reduction in state funding. This amounted to just over $52,000 and took place only one month into the new budget year. It was determined by the board that the limited district reserves would be used to cover the shortfall. Continuing issues with state funding has caused the board of education to have in place a contingency effort if more state aid funding is reduced. During its meeting the board of education examined five different levels of funding cuts. The first two levels of funding cuts would require a minimal loss of personnel while the most severe funding reduction plan could create the loss of ten classified jobs in the district for the last half of the budget year. The board discussed the overall budget reduction plan and then gave tentative approval as presented. A public hearing for the possible budget reduction plan will be held on Monday, October 28. Staff, students, parents and other district patrons would be encouraged to voice their concerns to the board of education. Action could be taken on October 28 to approve the plans for implementation should any new announcement concerning state aid be announced in December or January. The board conducted a brief executive session to discuss personnel matters and a student issue. Following the closed door session, action was taken to employ Kirk Wiscombe as a part-time assistant wrestling coach and to end the contract of a current worker in the food service department. Under the consent agenda, the board approved minutes from the previous meeting, accepted a contract resignation from Kristina Vowinckel, CAC pep club sponsor; approved a contract for Arlene Mayes as CAC pep club sponsor; approved the revised district professional development council in-service plan; and gave final approval for the board's goals and strategies for 2002 - 2003. return to top of page Board of Education Meeting Summary September 23 The Santa Fe Trail Board of Education met on Monday, September 23 at 5:30 p.m. with all members in attendance. Dominating the evening's discussions were updates regarding the efforts of a junior high student organization to establish a Youth Center at the old middle school building in Overbrook and requests from others to also use parts of the old building. In order to move the proposed project for a Youth Center to another level of planning, the board of education endorsed the project contingent on a firm financial and operational plan receiving closer scrutiny. It is planned to have a follow-up discussion concerning this proposed program within 30 days. Due to serious budget constraints, the board of education determined the only source of financial aid for a proposed youth center would require use of the 21st Century Community Learning Center grant funds. The board determined the use of grant funds would not exceed $3,000. Topics discussed and considered by the board included: Received a proposal from district patron Dale Fox concerning the possible lease of space at the old junior high building in Overbrook for a truck and trailer parking spot. No action was taken on the proposal. Received a proposal from the Overbrook Attendance Center staff to utilize a limited amount of space at the old junior high building for a new elective class for seventh and eighth graders. The boe deferred the proposal to the Curriculum Coordinating Council for review and recommendation. Approved out-of-state travel for the Santa Fe Trail FBLA group to attend a leadership conference in Colorado. The only cost to the district is the cost of substitute teachers. Approved a supplemental contract assignment for Instructor Eric Aspegren. Received a report from the SFT Student Council concerning guidelines for behavior at school sponsored dances to take effect immediately. The board affirmed the proactive work completed by the student council and its sponsor, Brian Biermann, to provide a more acceptable standard of conduct for those participating in school dances. Parents as Teachers Instructor Amy Fischer accompanied by district patron Boni Butel provided the annual program update concerning services provided in the Santa Fe Trail school district. The program is in its tenth year and has a maximum number of 45 children/families that can be served. The cost each year for the school district to provide this valued service is $10,500. Performance contracting for energy savings throughout the Santa Fe Trail school district was affirmed by the board. With the contract, the district is guaranteed $18,500 annually in energy cost reductions. Along with the performance contract endorsement, the boe agreed to update the current lease purchase contract with Koch Financial Corporation at the annual interest rate of 4.9%. The board of education conducted a lengthy executive session to discuss specific issues affecting named students and non-elected personnel. No official action was taken in open session concerning the discussions. The September 20 enrollment report was received and discussed. Santa Fe Trail USD 434 has shown a sharp decline in the full-time equivalency numbers as 39.5 fewer students are enrolled for 2002-03. This loss of enrollment will necessitate steep budget cuts in the year ahead. It is the board's intent to have a budget reduction package in place for the 2003-2004 school year not later than February 1. Planning for fiscal year '04 is extremely difficult when the district's enrollment numbers are expected to decline again and when the number of out-migration students is unknown. Current budget year concerns remain critical for the board of education. Due to the poor state economy, all school districts in Kansas were ordered to reduce the anticipated state financial aid by $27 per student in late August-after the new budget for 2002-03 was adopted. The current loss of $52,000 will come from existing budget resources and will effectively wipe-out any contingency funds available. It is widely anticipated another round of state funding will be announced not later than January. Additional reductions in state funding will trigger certain staff lay-offs for the second semester of the school year. No professional positions will be lost in the middle of the year but the support areas of clerical, maintenance, food service and paraeducators will be affected. The board of education intends to announce its budget reduction contingency plan not later than November 1 assuming the State of Kansas again reduces its funding to schools. The board reviewed its work completed at the annual goal-setting workshop and gave tentative approval to the goals and strategies developed on September 7. The next regular meeting of the Santa Fe Trail USD 434 board of education will be conducted on Tuesday, October 15 beginning at 6 p.m.  return to top of page Board of Education Meeting Summary August 26, 2002 The Santa Fe Trail Board of Education met on Monday, August 26 for its second meeting of the month. Highlighting the meeting was a presentation by a group of Overbrook youth whose organization is called The B.A.T. Club which stands for Building Assets Together. The group was formed after attending a regional youth retreat called, "Take a Second, Make a Difference", with their sponsor, Ms. Jennifer Hardesty. The group of junior high students made a presentation to the board of education concerning their goal to begin a youth center for the community of Overbrook. Specifically the group was seeking permission from the board of education to use part of the old junior high building in Overbrook as a community youth center. Following a time of sharing and exchanging information with the board, it was determined that additional information would be needed from district staff before a response could be given to the young people. The B.A.T. Club will return to the board meeting on September 23 to listen to the board's deliberations and decision. Other items that received board attention on August 26th included: The board welcomed new members of the district's music department Mr. Bob Ball and Mr. Eric Aspegren and received a presentation concerning program improvements for the music students of the school district. Following a discussion concerning the aged equipment used in the instrumental program and listening to the great needs of the department to meet its mission, a proposal was debated to make a significant investment in the replacement of outdated and inferior band instruments. The board determined that an investment of capital outlay dollars would be needed over a three year period of time to offer the music department the best chance for success. The board unanimously affirmed a recommendation to invest $25,000 annually in equipment purchases from the capital outlay fund. School principals presented their annual opening of schools reports. Only one attendance center experienced a growth of enrollment. The Overbrook Attendance Center reported an increase of students. The Carbondale Attendance Center experienced an enrollment decline of 19 students while the Scranton Attendance Center showed a drop of 11 students. The high school reported a decline of 9 students. District-wide enrollment dropped a surprising 39 students on opening day from one year ago. Even though the final enrollment will not be certified until September 20, district administrators project that the decline will create some serious financial issues for the board in the following fiscal year, '04. The board intends to begin its process of budget review at the September 23 regular meeting. High School Associate Principal Dave Swaim presented results from the senior exit survey conducted in late spring. Results of the survey indicated a very high percentage of satisfied learners in the area of high standards, expectations for quality work, learning in a positive environment and academic success. Areas that need continued work and emphasis include planning for future learning after graduation and assistance in making the transition to life after high school. Director of Curriculum & Instruction Sheree Gill and building principals reviewed with the board the Kansas Assessment Program results from the last spring semester. Results in the areas of reading, mathematics and writing indicate very close scores to those found one year ago with a limited number of grades showing test score improvement. Comparative results in Santa Fe Trail with state averages will occur when the State of Kansas releases the average scores. The board will receive an updated report at that time. Superintendent of Schools Terry Schmidt provided a brief overview of financial issues for the district following the recent allotment system in state funding. Due to the severe budget woes for the State of Kansas, state funding cuts are affecting all Kansas school districts. In Santa Fe Trail the cut in state aid of $27 per student will result in a loss of $53,281. The superintendent reported that budget planning for the current fiscal year anticipated state funding would not materialize at full funding and therefore accommodations were made in anticipation of the reductions. Any expanded or new budget cuts that might be announced could result in serious cash management problems for the district. The board concurred that close monitoring of the district budget would be a priority and budget reductions would be necessary if more cuts in state funding are announced. BOE Vice President Fred Berry was recognized for his commitment to continuing education for board service. He was recognized with a certificate of appreciation from the Kansas Association of School Boards. Within the superintendent's regular report the board 1) reviewed communications from the four attendance centers, 2) discussed scheduled continuing education activities for the governing body, 3) received the regular monthly report for the FAST LANE program as provided by Program Director Sheree Gill, 4) received a report concerning the Three Lakes Education Cooperative from Vice President Fred Berry, 5) reviewed plans for the upcoming board of education goal-setting workshop scheduled for Saturday, September 7, 6) discussed the Region 2 Teacher of the Year program honoring local area teachers including Carbondale third grade instructor Linda Fockele and 7) received a report concerning the Alternative Learning Site in Overbrook. Monthly business reports were received and approved by the board. The next meeting of the Santa Fe Trail Board of Education will be conducted on Saturday, September 7 in order to complete the annual goal-setting workshop.

return to top of page   Board of Education Meeting Summary August 12, 2002 The Santa Fe Trail Board of Education met on Monday, August 12 for its regular monthly meeting and to conduct the public hearing for the FY 03 school budget. Items receiving formal approval by the governing body included: Approved personnel actions as follows: accepted the resignation letter from French instructor Sheri Valentine and extended the part-time contract for Karen Hoffsommer to teach additional English classes. Due to no candidates for the French position, the program for beginning French students will not be available in the new school year. Approved out-of-district enrollment for several families. Conducted a public hearing on the FY 03 school budget. Without comment from patrons and with little comment from the governing body, the new school budget was approved. Took tentative action to move forward with energy performance contracting. Bid announcements were authorized for publication. The governing body intends to select an energy management group not later than the September 23 board meeting. Reviewed the current lease-purchase agreement with the Koch Financial Corporation and authorized the superintendent to renew the agreement for future physical plant improvements. Of greatest interest to the board of education is the replacement of roof-top heating and air conditioning units that are original equipment with the high school building. Equally important is the board's goal to replace one large section of the high school roof and to replace an older section of the Overbrook Attendance Center roof. If funds are available, additional physical plant improvements would be considered. The board conducted a brief executive session to discuss non-elected personnel. Following the special session, the board took action in the open meeting to accept the resignation letter from French instructor Sheri Valentine and extended the part-time contract for Karen Hoffsommer to teach additional English classes. Due to no candidates for the French position, the program for beginning French students will not be available in the new school year. Approved a contract for Brenda Dahl to serve as a full-time teacher substitute in the new school year and authorized a 2.9% increase in compensation for the superintendent.   return to top of page

August 12, 2002	February 24, 2003
August 26, 2002	March 10, 2003
September 23, 2002	March 31, 2003
October 15, 2002	April 14, 2003
October 28, 2002	April 28, 2003
December 9, 2002	May 12, 2003
January 13, 2003	May 29, 2003
January 27, 2003	June 9, 2003
February 10, 2003

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