District Leadership: Meeting Notes

September 11, 2006...

...Board Meeting Notes

by Randy Rivers

September 12, 2006

The Board approved the CONSENT AGENDA, which included:

Minutes of the Regular Meeting of August 14, 2006
Treasurer's Report
List of Bills submitted for payment
Northeast Elementary Activity Fund Report
Northeast High School Activity Fund Report

INFORMATION ITEMS

1. Building Principals and the Superintendent summarized business in their buildings and upcoming events for the Board.

2. The Board discussed sending a representative to the upcoming Kansas Association of School Boards Regional meeting in Yates Center on October 4^th. KASB is seeking input from local boards regarding a new position on school finance for the upcoming legislative session.

DISCUSSION ITEMS

1. The Board held a discussion regarding strategies for addressing the needs of at-risk youth. The District will receive a significant influx of funding for at-risk youth over the next three years and the discussion was aimed at exploring priorities for the application of this funding in high-yield programs. Discussed were: early intervention strategies like all-day kindergarten and comprehensive preschool; efforts to create strong student teacher relationships with strategies such as reduced class-sizes and professional development; efforts to increase student engagement in learning at the middle and high school levels, including the possibility of investigating the promise of a one to one laptop initiative. Additionally the student engagement discussion focused on curriculum alignment and development initiatives and the possibility of investigating how the "Big Picture Schools" model may provide alternatives for learning at the high school level.

2. Principal Larry Hill unveiled a Discipline Plan proposal for the junior high school to the Board. The plan will be shared with parents for feedback and finalized for approval at the October meeting. If approved, the plan will go into effect beginning with the 2^nd quarter. The junior high has been operating with the 2005-2006 discipline plan during the 1^st nine weeks. The new plan has been a collaboration between new principal Hill and the NJH staff.

3. The Board engaged in a discussion of reapportionment of voting districts. A bill passed by the legislature this past session requires school districts to change member districts if the population of a member district is more than 5% above or below the mean population of other districts. It was found that current member districts are significantly beyond the 5% tolerance. Mr. Rivers presented a plan for rebalancing the member districts and the Board gave direction to have a legal description drawn up for the new member district boundaries. A district mailing will be sent to patrons, describing the proposed changes before the October meeting when the Board is expected to consider final action on the reapportionment of Board Member Districts.

4. Mr. Rivers shared changes in the school finance law regarding Capital Outlay with the Board. Beginning with the 2005-2006 school year, capital outlay now has an equalization or state aid component. Northeast is a high state aid district, meaning that for every local dollar generated for capital outlay, 50 cents in state aid can be received. The Board voted to adopt a resolution to make an annual tax levy for Capital Outlay for a period not to exceed 5 years in an amount not to exceed 4 mills. (This levy cannot be initiated until the 2007-2008 budget cycle.)

5. The Board discussed options for a driver's education program to be conducted evenings and weekends during the school year. The Superintendent was given authority to purchase a good used car for the program.

6. Curriculum Leader, Nichola Traul, briefed the Board on the initial meeting of the District’s newly forming Curriculum Council. The policy that was developed by an ad hoc committee of teachers, administrators and community members was presented. Input will be received from staff and Board members over the next month and final action on adoption of the policy will be taken at the October meeting.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

The Board entered Executive Session to discuss Negotiations and Non-Elected Personnel.

ACTION ITEMS

1. The Board voted to provide all classified staff with a 50 cent per hour wage increase for the 2006-2007 school year.

2. The Board voted to provide the Superintendent, High School Principal and High School Assistant Principal 3% raises for the 2006-2007 school year. The Junior High and Elementary Principals’ contracts had been acted on previously.

3. The Board appointed Shari Miller to the position of PDC (Professional Development Committee) Chair for the 2006-2007 school year.