USD 234 holds monthly meeting

Members of the USD 234 Board of Education met Monday for their regular monthly meeting.

During the meeting, the Fort Scott Chapter of the Kansas National Education Association negotiations team made a short presentation to the board, which also acknowledged the receipt of negotiations lists from the board and FS-KNEA for the 2010-11 school year.

The board approved various board policy changes and additions. The board approved a 1,116-hour school calendar for the 2010-11 school year, pending negotiations.

Fort Scott High School Principal Bob Beckham discussed proposed course changes at the high school for the 2010-11 school year. The board approved the changes.

USD 234 Business Manager Alan Drake updated the board on the payoff status of the capital outlay temporary notes in the amount of $510,000. The notes were secured from Landmark Bank to complete the 2008 HVAC projects at the Fort Scott Preschool Center, the Eugene Ware 1974 addition, and the board office. The board approved an early repayment request that would save the district about $11,000.

The board also approved a request from Drake to let bids for a 65-passenger bus to maintain the district bus fleet.

Board members approved the following employment matters:

* Accepted early retirement requests from Drake, Winfield Scott Elementary School second grade teacher Debbie Lewis, Eugene Ware Elementary School fifth grade teacher Glenda Miller, Fort Scott Middle School and FSHS orchestra teacher Jane Williams, and FSHS Latin teacher Ron Klassen.

* Hired Ronette Center as an additional gymnastics coach at FSMS, and approved a leave of absence for Winfield Scott fourth grade teacher Karen Cook.

Board members also approved a consent agenda that included the treasurer's report, the $1.1 million district payroll for January, bills and claims, district gifts, and a second semester enrollment count.

The board also conducted an executive session to discuss personnel matters for nonelected personnel and to discuss matters relating to employer-employee negotiations whether or not in consultation with the representative or representatives of the body or agency.

The board returned to open session with no further action and later adjourned.