Staff writer
Peabody-Burns board of education members considered several financial issues at the regular board meeting Sept. 14.
Peabody Community Foundation President Lynn Berns and Central Kansas Community Fund Executive Director Sandra Fruit spoke during a public forum, requesting to be placed on the evening’s agenda to discuss the community fund.
Legislative changes to regulations for community foundations and the possible transfer of some kinds of district funds to Peabody Community Foundation were discussed. The board approved the addition of the topic to the agenda.
Nelson Patton explained the history of the foundation, the reasons behind its establishment, and the benefits to the community and the endowed organizations.
The administration processes, possible use of matching funds, and benefits of transferring endowed district funds to the community foundation were explained.
Superintendent Rex Watson reviewed research he had done on other school districts and how they handled their own involvement with community foundations.
After discussion, the topic was tabled until the October meeting to give individual members time to review the information they had received.
Later in the meeting, board member Bruce Burke requested that Watson seek a second opinion from an outside source regarding the transfer of district funds to the foundation.
A second issue involving policy and school finance came when Watson reported that the district’s capital outlay resolution was nearing its expiration date. Review and re-publishing would be required.
The resolution allows districts to approve an increase of four to eight mills if a situation should arise and the district had no way of acquiring additional funds. The money from the resolution can only be used for structural repairs or construction maintenance, to buy buses, and a few other items.
“We have never levied for the funds,” Watson said, “but the resolution is approved for five years at a time and is on the books in case the district needs it.”
After discussion, a motion was made to approve and publish a 5-year capital outlay resolution at four mills. The motion was amended to approve and publish a 5-year capital outlay resolution at eight mills. Board members Tony Zappone and Julia Ensminger voted against the motion.
In other business:
- Emergency substitute licenses and standard teaching substitute licenses were approved for Kenneth Fast, Marjorie Richardson, Jonathan Smeeton, Jerold Smith, Harlin Unruh, Brenda Bartel, and Dawn Yonally. Also approved were a revised job offering to Matt Schroeder as shop aide, a custodial job offering to Aaron Unruh, the resignation of Kim Topham as junior class sponsor, the approval of Steven Rainer and Kerry Czarnowsky as junior class sponsors, and Courtney Dealy and Cassey Marshall-Langerot as freshman class sponsors.
- Goals/goal development workshop with Kansas Association of School Boards representatives Max Heim and Doug Moeckel will be Oct. 10. At Watson’s suggestion, the board selected a group of teachers, staff, administrators, and community members to attend the meeting with the board. That group will become a goals development committee.
- Negotiations and interest-based bargaining training will take place in the central office Nov. 20.
- The board heard that Peabody-Burns cheerleaders are recruiting team and individual sponsors as well as corporate sponsors to fund their trip to a bowl game in Florida the end of December.
- FCCLA members Amanda Pickens and Lauren Pickens made a presentation for students to attend an FCCLA cluster meeting in Louisville, Ky., Nov. 20 through 22. The board approved the request for an overnight trip with the district providing transportation, student meal allowances, and sponsor travel expenses.
- A 3-year plan of improvement for the business department was presented by Patty Savage and approved unanimously by board members.
- Zappone was appointed as board delegate to the annual KASB convention. All other board members were appointed as alternates. The convention will be Dec. 4 through 6 in Overland Park. Members were reminded the fall regional meeting would be at 3:30 p.m. Oct. 15 at USD 408 Performing Arts Center, Marion.
- After hearing from HUB founder Dale Hague who was seeking funding to keep the youth center open, the board discussed options, but took no action. The topic was tabled until a future meeting.
- Summer School Fund was dissolved and a resolution approved to transfer monies to the kindergarten through 12th grade at-risk Fund. Kansas State Department of Education recommended the action.
- Board members went into executive session twice to discuss personnel. The sessions took five minutes each. No action was taken on return to open meeting.
- Board members went into executive session for six minutes to discuss the acquisition of real property. No action was taken on return to open meeting.