Cities vie for special education programs
Consultant will present findings
at Nov. 19 meeting
Staff reporter
Representatives of Marion and Hillsboro have contacted consultant Kent Stewart regarding an interest in providing some assistance of buildings in the communities.
The information was given to members of Marion County Special Education Cooperative during Monday's meeting.
Stewart was hired by the special education co-op board to provide a feasibility study regarding possible locations of a new facility. Three communities were targeted — Hillsboro, Marion, and Peabody.
Stewart sent letters to the three cities, asking for incentives for having special education programs brought to their districts.
Currently, OASIS and CLASS programs are operated on the Florence campus.
USD 398 representative and special education cooperative board president Doe Ann Hague asked cooperative director Chris Cezar for clarification of Stewart's role. Cezar said the cities will respond to Stewart's request, Stewart will compile the information, and make a presentation at a future meeting.
Hague said she thought the requests were being made to the school districts instead of the cities.
USD 410 representative Deb Geis said her understanding was for Stewart to present his recommendations for a site as a third party and someone not involved. She added that the board wanted to have an idea of its direction by the December meeting.
Stewart will collect information and present at the Nov. 19 meeting.
USD 410 Superintendent Doug Huxman, who was at the meeting, said he had worked with Stewart in the past and said Stewart probably will contact the superintendents in the county while compiling the information.
The question then was asked about the transfer of ownership of the cooperative property from USD 408 to the City of Florence.
USD 408 representative Lyle Leppke said he was not aware of any movement. USD 408 board president Chris Sprowls had instructed Cezar not to make a lease payment to the school district but to wait for the transfer of property to the City of Florence. Hague asked for a written document from USD 408 regarding the payment situation.
Cezar said the $25,000 payment was due in September.
In other business:
— The board approved the purchase of a 2000 Chevrolet Astro van with a wheelchair lift for $7,000 from Van-Leroy-Gridley School District.
— An insurance premium with Case & Son Insurance of Marion was approved. The premium was $5,307, a decrease from the previous year, $6,025. The premium does not include insurance for the newly-purchased van for an additional $419 per year.
— Teresa Moritz has been hired as an occupational therapist. The cooperative will contract with the Emporia cooperative for three days per week.
— Resignations of classified staff members Lee Dalrymple, Ranita Brown, and Mark Collett were approved.
— A part-time nurse will be hired to address students with medical issues. Cezar said the cooperative used to contract with Marion County Health Department but the health department discontinued the service. A part-time nurse previously had been hired and had worked less than 10 hours per week.
Cezar said he would make an offer to a registered nurse at no more than $20 per hour. State statute requires a review of medications given to students.
— Hague was appointed as a delegate of Kansas Association of School Boards.
— The professional development committee have the following members: Melinda Harry will replace Judy Picard, and Susan Wallace will continue as chairman, Shawn Hake, secretary, and Paula Barta, committee member.
— The illness and disability pool committee will retain the same members as last year — Jane Weber, Doug Vogel, Dwayne Abrahams, and special education cooperative director Chris Cezar.
— The board reviewed board policies.
Cezar reminded the board that special meetings can only follow the set agenda. No other agenda items can be added.
He also recommended that the president ask for a show of hands regarding motions instead of verbal consent. A vote of abstention is considered a "no" vote.
Public input is allowed at meetings but individuals should contact the director at least seven days prior to the meeting to be placed on the agenda. The public is limited to five minutes.
Cezar also reviewed the seven reasons for executive sessions.
— Hague said she was concerned about the security of the unoccupied buildings on the cooperative grounds but not leased by the co-op. Leppke suggested sending a letter to the Florence mayor and council. Cezar said he would do so.
— Executive sessions for a total of 25 minutes were called to discuss personnel.
The meeting reconvened with no decisions.
The next meeting is at 7 p.m. Oct. 15, at Florence.
