District Leadership: Meeting Notes

November 12, 2007...

...Board Meeting Notes

by Randy Rivers

November 14, 2007

The Board began the evening session at 6:00 with a continuation of the goal setting discussion. The Board agreed to establish a date to meet with certified staff for discussion of Board Goal Setting. The meeting will be on Monday, November 26^th beginning at 6:30 PM in the high school band room.

The Regular Meeting was called to order at 7:00 PM. The Board approved the CONSENT AGENDA that included:

Minutes of the Regular Meeting of October 8^th and the Special Meeting of October 29^th
Treasurer's Report
Bills submitted for Payment
Northeast Elementary Activity Fund Report

INFORMATION ITEMS

1. The Principals presented their building reports.

• Larry Hill introduced junior high student Emily Allen and teacher Kris Rivers. Emily shared a video she had created in Mrs. Rivers’ class as an example of how the new laptops were being integrated into the curriculum.

• Alan Roberts highlighted the efforts of the new KAYS club at Northeast High School in the recognition of American Education Week.

• Ken Cleland highlighted Austin Bogina's medal effort at the State Cross Country meet and information about the start of basketball practices at the high school.

• Nichola Traul introduced Donna Fleury and Melissa Sisney who shared details of the elementary school's efforts to individualize reading instruction and track its effectiveness.

• Mrs. Traul also highlighted the Northeast Curriculum Council's recommendation for adjustment to the Long-Range Curriculum Development calendar.

2. Board Member Ann Miss briefed the Board on activity at the Special Education Interlocal Board Meeting and about an article she had read about sex-offender access to schools. She has asked that the Board consider developing a policy to address this issue.

3. Superintendent Rivers visited with the Board about the importance of participating in the Kansas Association of School Board's convention. The convention this year is November 30^th through December 2^nd in Overland Park. Joe Broyles will be the Board's appointed delegate for the association's delegate assembly on Saturday, December 1^st.

4. Mr. Rivers also introduced Steve Lechliter who provided information about 1 to 1 laptop initiatives around the state. Mr. Rivers highlighted the fact that last month, the Kansas City, Kansas school district adopted a 1 to 1 initiative in its high schools providing 5,500 students a laptop. Mr. Rivers shared that Mr. Roberts had been asked to begin a conversation with the high school staff about this possibility.

5. Mr. Rivers presented the Board with a draft copy of a JOB DESCRIPTION HANDBOOK. The Board discussed a consistent format to use for all job descriptions that had been added over many, many years. Mr. Rivers will begin making some changes to the descriptions for consistency and share the draft with staff for feedback. The project may take a few months and will be reported on monthly until ready for Board adoption.

DISCUSSION ITEMS

1. The Board discussed Board Policies introduced at the last meeting.

2. The Board discussed the currently vacant half-time maintenance helper position. An ad will be placed to seek applicants qualified for the position.

3. The Board discussed the possible addition of an assistant high school secretary position and chose not to pursue the idea any further.

4. The Board's discussion of budget priorities for 2008-2009 was postponed until December.

ACTION ITEMS

The Board adopted the following policies:

An instructional policy allowing for mutual agreements with other districts to allow students to pursue vocational classes not available at Northeast High School.
A policy regarding personal use of district vehicles and equipment.
A policy requiring background checks for the employment of classified employees. (Note: background checks are already done on certified staff when they apply for certification)

The Board went into executive session to discuss non-elected personnel.