The Board of Trustees of Fort Scott Community College will meet in regular session on Monday, February 17, 2020.
The meeting will be held in the Heritage Room at Fort Scott Community College.
5:00 p.m. Dinner in the Heritage Room at 5:00 p.m. followed by regular board meeting at 5:30 p.m.
THE AGENDA
5:00 DINNER
5:30 ROLL CALL, 3
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
CALL TO ORDER, 4
A. Comments from the Chair, 4
B. Softball Update, 4
CONSENT AGENDA, 5
A. Approval of Agenda, 5
B. Approval of Minutes of previous Regular Board Meeting conducted on January 27, 2020, 6
C. Approval of Treasurer’s Report, Bills, and Claims, 8
D. Approval of Personnel Actions, 5
ACTION/DISCUSSION ITEMS, 55
A. Consideration of 2020-2021 Tuition and Fees, 55
REPORTS, 61
A. Administrative Updates, 61
EXECUTIVE SESSION, 76
ADJOURNMENT, 77
1
UPCOMING CALENDAR DATES:
• February 17, 2020: Board Meeting
• March 16, 2020: Board Meeting
• March 23, – 27, 2020: Spring Break – Campus Closed
• April 3, 2020: Aggie Day
• April 10, 2020: Good Friday – Campus Closed
• April 20, 2020: Board Meeting
• May 11 – 14, 2020: Final Exams
• May 15, 2020: Graduation
• May 18, 2020: Board Meeting
• May 25, 2020: Memorial Day – Campus Closed
• June 15, 2020: Board Meeting
Sincerely,
John Bartelsmeyer, Chair
Alysia Johnston, President
FSCC’s vision for the future is to support “Students First, Community Always” through a central focus on teaching and learning; advancing strong, innovative programs and
departments; maximizing and leveraging opportunities; initiating efficient and effective processes; and developing the region’s workforce.
2
ROLL CALL
_____ John Bartelsmeyer
_____ Jim Fewins
_____ Dave Elliott
_____ Kirk Hart
_____ Bill Meyer
_____ Robert Nelson
3
CALL TO ORDER
A. COMMENTS FROM THE CHAIR
B. SOFTBALL UPDATE
4
CONSENT AGENDA
A. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
B. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS
1) Attached are the minutes of the Regular Board Meeting conducted on January
27, 2020.
C. APPROVAL OF TREASURER’S REPORT, BILLS and CLAIMS
Attached are the Treasurer’s Report and the Bills and Claims Report.
D. APPROVAL OF PERSONNEL ACTIONS
1) Additions
a) William Henry, Assistant Football Coach, effective January 20, 2020
b) Ricardo “Amir” Gant, Assistant Football Coach, effective January 24, 2020
c) Susan Benson, CAMP/SSC/TRIO Tutor, effective February 18, 2020
2) Separations
a) Dustin Johnson, Assistant Football Coach, effective February 7, 2020
b) Ronda Bailey, Instructor, effective May 15, 2020
c) Art Houser, Instructor, effective May 15, 2020
d) Larry Shead, Instructor, effective May 15, 2020
RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended that the Consent Agenda items be approved as presented.
BOARD ACTION: MOTION _____ SECOND _____ VOTE _____
DISCUSSION:
VOTE: Bartelsmeyer Elliott Fewins
Hart Meyer Nelson
FORT SCOTT COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Minutes of the Board of Trustees Training
January 27, 2020
PRESENT: John Bartelsmeyer, Jim Fewins, Dave Elliott, Kirk Hart, Bill Meyer (by phone), Robert Nelson (by
phone)
ALSO PRESENT: Alysia Johnston, President, Juley McDaniel, Board Clerk, faculty, staff, and community members.
Chairman Bartelsmeyer called the meeting to order at 5:35 pm. The meeting was opened with the Pledge of Allegiance.
COMMENTS FROM THE CHAIR: None.
MIGRANT GRANT PROGRAMS UPDATE: Jennifer Quick, Jena Russell, and Lynne Wheeler provided an
overview of Migrant Education Program (MEP), High School Equivalency Program (HEP), and College Assistance
Migrant Program (CAMP) respectively.
The programs serve varying populations of migrant students and generate over $200,000 of revenue for FSCC annually. They added that FSCC has a very strong reputation in migrant education.
ACTION/DISCUSSION ITEMS:
A. A motion was made by Elliott, seconded by Fewins, and carried by unanimous vote to approve the 2020-
2021 calendar as presented.
B. A motion was made by Hart, seconded by Fewins, and carried by unanimous vote to approve disposal of a
semi-tractor and two semi-trailers as presented.
C. The Board briefly discussed technology training, and all agreed that they would notify Juley McDaniel of
availability for training via email.
D. The Board discussed graduation attendance. All members plan to attend graduation.
E. Nelson reminded the Board that it is time to start considering if they want to award an honorary degree this
year. Alysia will send criteria in an email update, and the Board will discuss at February’s meeting.
REPORTS:
A. ADMINISTRATIVE UPDATES: The Board reviewed and heard reports from the Gordon Parks Museum, Student Services, Athletics, Instruction, Finance and Operations, and the President.
ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business to come before the Trustees, a motion to adjourn was made at
7:15 p.m. by Meyer, seconded by Fewins, and carried by unanimous vote.
Chairman Clerk
The tagline for the 2020 Census is “Shape your future. START HERE.” Courtesy photo.
The 2020 Census is coming on April 1, 2020, and with it comes the opportunity to provide for community needs.
The data used is helpful because it impacts everything from school lunches to libraries to wastewater systems, Kansas Secretary of Commerce David Toland said in an April, 2019 press release.
It is vital to Kansas businesses and communities to have a full and accurate count of people living in the state, Secretary Toland said.
“Census results help determine how billions of dollars in federal funding flow into states and communities each year.
The results determine how many seats in Congress each state gets.
It’s mandated by the U.S. Constitution in Article 1, Section 2: The U.S. has counted its population every 10 years since 1790.” according to the census website.
Per capita income is determined by dividing an area’s income by its population and counts each man, woman, and child, even newborn babies, as a member of the population. Household income counts all people residing under one roof as a household, according to investopedia.com
In Bourbon County, the median household income is $40,733 in 2018, according to the census website.
People living in poverty account for 16 percent of Bourbon County’s population.
Snapshot of Bourbon County
To get a snapshot of the local economic scene, FortScott.Biz asked local business, school and government entities some questions on what their employees earn and what services they provide the community.
The information given is intended to look at the wages in the public and private sectors. It also includes services the entities provide.
The Bourbon County Courthouse.
Bourbon County
The county has a land area of 635 square miles, and in 2019 had 14, 653 people living here, according to the government census website.
The Bourbon County government has 112 employees.
Jody Hoenor is the economic development director for Bourbon County and is the highest-paid employee earning $70,000 a year.
The lowest hourly wage, $8.58 in the county, is for election board workers, according to files provided by Bourbon County Clerk Kendall Mason.
The county provides county law enforcement, emergency medical services (ambulance) in collaboration with the city of Fort Scott, road and bridge repair and maintenance, emergency preparedness, landfill, land deeds, health department services, economic development services, appraisal services, Elm Creek Lake services.
For more information about the county, click below;
USD 234 is the Fort Scott School District that provides education for pre-school through high school students.
It is also one of the biggest employers in the city.
“Currently we have 373 that we consider being full-time employees receiving benefits for our purposes,” Gina Shelton, USD234 Business Manager, said. “Full-time with the school is 630 hours a year or more which is the Kansas Public Employee Retirement System threshold. On a typical month, we run a payroll of 440 employees, which would include subs, recreation hourly, and other part-time help. The recreation department is a part of our budget and their employees are part of our payroll,” Gina Shelton, business manager of USD 234 said.
To view the USD234 Salary Schedule, which is on the website of the district:
Ted Hessong, superintendent of the Fort Scott school district, is the highest-paid employee and earns $118,000 a year, according to the info provided by the district.
The lowest hourly wage in the district is for summer part-time not- on-contract and bus monitor employees, who earn $7.25 per hour, according to the info provided by the district.
Uniontown High School
USD 235
The Uniontown School District serves the area outside the Fort Scott district and the campus is located in western Bourbon County.
USD 235 provides education to pre-school through high school-age children and also has a fitness center for students and patrons in the district’s use.
“We have 123 employees on the payroll, with 79 full time,” Sherri Hartman, clerk for the district, said.
“The entry-level pay varies by position, but the lowest entry-level pay is 80% of $12.27 hourly. The highest entry-level pay is 80% of $19.65 hourly. Teacher placement is according to the salary schedule.”
“The highest earner is the superintendent, Brett Howard, at $95,350,” she said.
For information on the school district, click below:
Fort Scott Community College is a two-year college.
For January the FSCC payroll had 173 faculty and staff, 56 adjunct instructors, and 33 work-study students, Juley McDaniel, human resource director at the college, said.
The lowest entry-level wage for employees at FSCC is $9.50/hr. for full time regular staff employees working at an hourly wage. FSCC has federal work-study students and tutors that are hired at a flat rate of $8.00/hr. and are part time student-filled positions.
“Median faculty salary is $41,967,” McDaniel said. “This does not count adjunct wages as they are paid per credit hour taught. Median staff wage is $37,450 when counting part time assistant coaches. This does not count student workers, but does take into account the migrant grant positions in other states where we serve as the fiscal agent. Median staff wage is $40,050 when not counting part time assistant coaches. This does not count student workers, but does take into account the migrant grant positions in other states where we serve as the fiscal agent.”
To be considered full time for faculty is a bit different at the college level.
“Per the negotiated agreement between faculty and administration, full time entails 32-40 hours a week,” McDaniel said. “Our faculty fall into one of four categories – 169 day, 189 day, 209 day, and 12 month.”
Some of the services the college provides to the community:
The community service of student clubs and athletic teams, reading with elementary students, cleaning, supporting USD 234 activities like Family Fun Night, reading, first day of school welcome, fundraiser product disbursement , etc. Over 6000 hours were clocked from athletics alone in 2018. This doesn’t count student clubs like President’s Ambassadors, Phi Theta Kappa, Student Nurse Organization, McDaniel said.
Other services FSCC provides:
Bourbon county tuition waiver up to 15 credit hours per semester,
Bourbon County High School Waiver for any Bourbon County high school student taking a concurrent class for one KBOR-approved class,
Ellis Fine Arts Center– school programs, community meetings, etc. (multiple use by school district including testing, theater),
Gordon Parks Museum – free to visitors and hosts school field trips to schools,
Student Success Center – computer, internet, and printer access (up to 10 pages free) for students and general public,
Library access,
Host annually Math Relays, Music Contest, National History Day, Aggie Day,
Cosmetology services through Cosmetology Program,
Continuing ed. classes for the public, specialized training for businesses as needed,
Walking trail and old Lincoln Schoolhouse are maintained by FSCC maintenance,
Free Kid’s Fairs twice a year
Home Show help
Kid’s College once a year
Parade participation
Cosmotology provides free haircuts for students
Cosmotology provides free hairstyling and manicures at nursing homes (Pittsburg)
Zumba classes last year
Donations to community events, prom/after proms, and other events
Deb Needleman, Human Resource Director for the city gave the following information:
The highest-paid employee earns $107, 463- City Manager Dave Martin.
Earnings of part-time entry-level positions are for summer seasonal help-life guards and golf cart attendees, Needleman said.
The lowest full-time entry-level employee in the city is $21, 555 per year.
The city has 100 full-time employees.
The city provides police and fire services, emergency medical services(in collaboration with the county government), public water services, public works (including streets), parks, lakes, the LaRoche Ball Park, an aquatic center, a golf course, an airport, community development, economic development, and a tourism office, according to information provided by Needleman.
To learn more about the city of Fort Scott, click below:
The Fort Scott Public Library although not a department of the city, does receive MILL Levy funds which pass through the City of Fort Scott, but the City is a pass-through only for those funds, Needleman said.
Buck Run Community Center (BRCC) is owned by the city and the city provides funds to maintain and operate it, the decisions about activities that are offered operates through the recreation board, Needleman said.
For a private sector view, Ward-Kraft, Inc. gave the following information.
Ward-Kraft, Inc.
Ward-Kraft, Inc. is one of the largest employers in the county and has six companies under its umbrella. It is not a public entity like the others featured.
Ward-Kraft Holding Company, Inc includes Ward-Kraft, Fort Scott Munitions, KW Cattle, Reprologix, 4-States Sanitation, and Christian Learning Center and has 326 employees, according to Gina Staudinger, Chief Business Officer with Ward-Kraft.
Average work hours involve three shifts for production 7 am – 3 pm, 3 pm – 11 pm, 11 pm – 7 am. Office hours vary between 7 am – 5 pm. All full-time members are expected to work at least 40 hours per week, and overtime as needed, Staudinger noted.
The median wage for employees is $15.50.
Entry-level wages are $10.00 – $11.81 per hour base but vary with previous job experience and position filled. For office personnel is it $10.26 – $15.60; off-line production – $10.00 – $16.30; press operators, collator operators, machinists, machine maintenance – $11.60 – $22.20.
Non-government entities are not required by law to supply information and Ward-Kraft said they do not share who the top earner is in the business.
There will be a Special Meeting of the Fort Scott City Commission held at 3:00 p.m. on Friday, February 14th, 2020 at the City Hall Commission Room, 123 S. Main Street, Fort Scott, Kansas 66701. It is anticipated the City Commission will recess into Executive Session to conduct this meeting to discuss non-elected personnel. There is no action anticipated.
39 Kansas towns to receive Community Development Block Grants
Topeka, Kan. – Secretary of Commerce David Toland announced today the award of more than $17 million in Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) to 39 Kansas communities.
A total of $17,486,103 in federal funds is being made available through the CDBG program this year. Communities receiving grants have presented plans for projects to make improvements toward water and wastewater systems, streets, facilities and housing.
“Quality of life is key to economic development,” Secretary Toland said. “Each of these investments in critical infrastructure helps keep communities competitive as they work to retain and recruit residents and businesses. Governor Kelly and I are proud to support these projects in rural communities across our state.”
CDBG funds are one of Commerce’s primary tools in supporting the state’s small, predominantly rural communities. Each community awarded has a population less than 50,000.
The CDBG program allows the Department of Commerce to distribute federal funds to Kansas cities and counties looking to improve their communities. To receive funds, projects must meet at least one of the following federally mandated criteria:
The project benefits low- or moderate-income individuals
The project removes or prevents slum or blight conditions
The project eliminates an urgent need created by a disaster when local funds are unavailable
Grants in this category are awarded through an annual competition and support a variety of activities in communities throughout the state of Kansas.
The following communities are recipients of Community Development Block Grants:
COUNTY
CITY
Bourbon
The City of Fort Scott will receive $665,303 in CDBG grant funds to purchase a new 100’ Platform Ladder truck for the city. The city will contribute $665,303 in local city matching funds.
Butler
The City of Rose Hill will receive $144,000 in CDBG funds to complete a street project in the city. The city will contribute $604,890 in local city matching funds.
Cherokee
The City of Columbus will receive $600,000 in CDBG grant funds to complete a street project in the city. The city will contribute $600,000 in local city matching funds.
Cheyenne
The City of St. Francis will receive $600,000 in CDBG grant funds to complete a street project in the city. The city will contribute $812,110 in local city matching funds.
Clark
The City of Ashland will receive $421,303 in CDBG funds to make water system improvements throughout the city. The city will provide $421,303 in matching funds it secured through the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.
Cloud
The City of Concordia will receive $561,660 in CDBG funds to make sanitary sewer and storm sewer improvements in the city. The city has local funds of $561,661 to contribute in matching funds.
Cloud
The City of Miltonvale will receive $35,212 in CDBG funds to complete a demolition project. The city will contribute a total of $35,213 through local city funds, force account construction and Landfill Fees.
Cowley
The City of Cambridge will receive $182,000 in CDBG funds to make water system improvements throughout the city. The city will provide $738,200 in matching funds it secured through USDA Rural Development.
Cowley
The City of Udall will receive $494,360 in CDBG grant funds to complete a Library and Wellness Center project in the city. The city will contribute $474,360 which they secured through USDA Rural Development.
Decatur
The City of Oberlin will receive $600,000 in CDBG funds to make water distribution improvements throughout the city. The city has local funds of $662,700 to contribute in matching funds.
Dickinson
The City of Chapman will receive $600,000 in CDBG funds to build a non-discharging wastewater treatment facility to serve the city. The city will provide $3,535,794 in matching funds it secured through USDA Rural Development.
Dickinson
The City of Solomon will receive $600,000 in CDBG funds to make water distribution system improvements throughout the city. The city will provide $1,416,424 in matching funds they have secured through the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.
Ellis
The City of Ellis will receive $412,113 in CDBG funds to make improvements to its water distribution system. The city will provide all matching funds themselves in the amount of $412,112.
Franklin
The City of Williamsburg will receive $421,230 in CDBG grant funds to complete a street project in the city. The city will contribute $421,230 in local city matching funds.
Labette
The City of Parsons will receive $272,500 in CDBG grant funds to complete a storm sewer project in the city. The city will contribute $272,500 in local storm water funds as a local match.
Lincoln
The City of Lincoln Center will receive $600,000 in CDBG funds to make water distribution system improvements throughout the city. The city will provide $605,961 in matching funds they have secured through the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.
Lyon
The City of Emporia will receive $300,000 in CDBG Funds and pledged $88,400 in matching funds. This grant will rehabilitate 14 homes for owned and rental units.
Marion
The City of Marion will receive $600,000 in CDBG funds to make water distribution improvements throughout the city. The city will provide $3,334,478 in matching funds they have secured through the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.
Marshall
The City of Marysville will receive $600,000 in CDBG grant funds to build a new fire station for the city. The city will contribute $938,448 in local city matching funds.
McPherson
The City of McPherson will receive $300,000 in CDBG funds to rehabilitate approximately 13 homes for low-to moderate income families. The city will provide $72,710 in local matching funds.
Montgomery
The City of Coffeyville will receive $268,500 in CDBG grant funds to complete an ADA sidewalk project. The city will contribute $268,500 in local city matching funds.
Nemaha
The City of Centralia will receive $535,423 in CDBG grant funds to complete an electrical distribution system improvement throughout the city. The city will contribute $535,423 in local city matching funds.
Osage
The City of Osage City will receive $600,000 in CDBG funds to make sanitary sewer improvements throughout the city. The city will provide $979,000 in matching funds they have secured through Kansas Department of Health and Environment.
Osage
The City of Overbrook will receive $600,000 in CDBG grant funds to make improvements to their water treatment facility and distribution system. The city will provide $5,575,300 in matching funds they have secured through USDA Rural Development.
Osborne
Osborne County will receive $60,350 in CDBG grant funds to purchase a new brush fire truck for the county. The county will contribute $60,350 through funds secured through the Osborne County RFD #3.
Ottawa
The City of Minneapolis will receive $300,000 in CDBG funds to rehabilitate eight homes for owner occupied and rental residents and demolish one unoccupied dilapidated housing unit. The city will provide $13,700 in local matching funds.
Pawnee
The City of Larned will receive $598,497 in CDBG funds to make water distribution system improvements throughout the city. The city has local funds of $598,497 to contribute in matching funds.
Reno
The City of Arlington will receive $600,000 in CDBG funds to make wastewater improvements throughout the city. The city will provide $670,000 in matching funds it secured from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.
Reno
The City of Hutchinson will receive $256,500 in CDBG funds to rehabilitate approximately ten homes for low-to-moderate income families. The CDBG funds will be match with $75,130 in local funds.
Republic
The City of Belleville will receive $175,000 in CDBG grant funds to purchase a new Standard Pumper Fire Truck. The city will contribute $175,000 in local city matching funds.
Riley
The City of Riley will receive $600,000 in CDBG funds to make sanitary sewer improvements throughout the city. The city will provide $729,200 in matching funds they have secured through the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.
Rush
The City of Liebenthal will receive $220,850 in CDBG grant funds to make improvements to their sanitary sewer treatment facility and install a new pump station. The city will contribute $220,850 in matching funds they have secured through the USDA Rural Development.
Russell
The City of Lucas will receive $264,852 in CDBG grant funds to complete a Community Center and Library project. The city will contribute $264,853 which they secured through USDA Rural Development.
Russell
The City of Russell will receive $600,000 in CDBG grant funds to complete a street project in the city. The city will contribute $992,800 in local city matching funds.
Sumner
The City of Conway Springs will receive $600,000 in CDBG funds to make wastewater improvements for the city. The city will provide $2,977,275 in matching funds it secured through the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.
Washington
The City of Hanover will receive $600,000 in CDBG funds to make water distribution system improvements throughout the city. The city will provide $3,730,247 in matching funds they have secured through the USDA Rural Development.
Wichita
The City of Leoti will receive $596,450 in CDBG grant funds to complete a street project in the city. The city will contribute $596,450 in local city matching funds.
Wilson
The City of Fredonia will receive $600,000 in CDBG funds to create a wastewater treatment facility. The city will provide $2,219,400 in matching funds they have secured through USDA Rural Development.
Woodson
The City of Yates Center will receive $400,000 in CDBG grant funds to purchase a new Quint Fire Truck for the city. The city will contribute $400,000 in local city matching funds.
For more information on the Community Development Block Grant program, contact:
9:00 – Executive Session – Consultation with an attorney for the body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the attorney-client relationship (Lynne Oharah, Jeff Fischer,
Governor Laura Kelly and Julie Lorenz, Secretary of the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT), announced a new transportation program, FORWARD, at a news conference today as part of the Transportation Day activities at the State Capitol.
“Key features of FORWARD include a flexible, responsive rolling program where major projects are selected every two years rather than once a decade,” Kelly said. “FORWARD also calls for completion of delayed T-WORKS projects; transit, aviation, rail, bike and pedestrian solutions that solve problems in rural and urban Kansas; and more partnerships with local communities to increase both local matches and the number of improvements we can make.”
FORWARD will also provide more resources to communities through new initiatives such as the Cost-Share, Local Bridge Improvement and Strategic Safety programs to help address Kansans’ pent-up demand for transportation investments, Secretary Lorenz said.
“Most importantly, FORWARD will provide better service through helping communities solve more transportation problems by utilizing all of KDOT’s resources,” Secretary Lorenz said.
Both Governor Kelly and Secretary Lorenz stressed the need to end transfers out of the State Highway Fund. Over the past several years, more than $2 billion has been transferred, causing the condition of the state’s highway system to decline. Governor Kelly’s budget, with the Legislature’s support, began to reverse that trend last year.
“To pass FORWARD, we must close the ‘Bank of KDOT’ – and make sure that funding for transportation is spent on transportation,” Kelly said. Governor Kelly has pledged to close the “Bank of KDOT” by the end of her first term.
The FORWARD program is a plan for Kansans, developed in consultation with Kansans, that works for the whole state.
“Kansans are ready to build a better transportation system for themselves and for future generations,” Secretary Lorenz said. “With FORWARD, KDOT will be ready to deliver.”
Members of the USD 234 Board of Education met on Monday, February 10, at the Board of Education office for their regular monthly meeting.
President David Stewart opened the meeting. The board approved the official agenda. The board also approved the consent agenda as follows:
Minutes
Bills and Claims
Payroll – January 17, 2020 – $1,371,497.09
Financial Report
Bond Proceeds Reconciliation
Activity Fund Accounts
Fundraising Project – HS Debate and Forensics
Stephanie George, KNEA President, presented a report. Administrators from each building shared information with board members.
Superintendent Ted Hessong reported on BOLD training, Recruit and Hire, PSU Teacher Interview Day on February 19, Stop School Violence grant, accreditation visit, and Crisis Go.
Gina Shelton, Business Manager, discussed health insurance, the health stipend, the KSDE audit, and the roof project that will begin at middle school.
Board members approved the following items:
Allowance of proposals for refinancing of the bond
Roof payment
Resolution to establish election of school board officers
Board members shared comments and then went into executive session to discuss personnel matters for nonelected personnel and returned to open meeting. The board approved the following employment matters:
Retirement of Beverly Cummins, Eugene Ware paraprofessional, effective May 18, 2020
Resignation of Shawn LaSota, high school English teacher, effective at the end of the 2019-20 school year
Resignation of Brooke LaSota, Eugene Ware paraprofessional, effective at the end of the 2019-20 school year
Transfer of Andrea Heckman, preschool long-term substitute teacher, to a licensed teacher at New Generation for the remainder of the 2019-20 school year
Leave of absence request from Billie Young, high school kitchen manager
Transfer of Cheryl Marsh, high school ticket clerk, to interim high school kitchen manager and transfer of Brenda Hathaway, high school cook, to high school interim ticket clerk for the remainder of the 2019-20 school year
Adjustment in the work agreement for Moriah Dillow, Winfield Scott paraprofessional, from a 6-hour day to a 7.5-hour day for the remainder of the 2019-20 school year
Addition of the following positions for the 2020-21 school year:
High School Family and Consumer Science Teacher
Middle School 7th and 8th grade English/Language Arts/Social Studies Teacher
Lockdown Lifted at Hutchinson Correctional Facility – Central Unit
At 12:30 p.m. February 10, 2020, the lockdown at the Hutchinson Correctional Facility – Central Unit, where an inmate disturbance occurred on Tuesday, February 4, 2020, has been lifted. Inmate movement has returned to normal. Visits will resume as scheduled for this weekend, February 15, 2020.
· The 2020 fiscal year begins in July and, since that time, the state has collected $116.9 million more in tax revenue than experts predicted.
· Also since July 1, individual income tax receipts exceeded estimates by $51.1 million and corporate income tax revenue was $24.4 million more than analysts anticipated.
· To date, from July to January, we have collected $273 million or 6.8%, more than the same period last year.
U.S. Economy: The U.S. economy remains strong. The Washington Post reports the labor market added 225,000 jobs in January 2020.
Early Learning Resources from the State Library
Britannica School is an online resource from the State Library of Kansas for children. Most of the content is for grades 2-4 but it includes Fundamentals! for Pre-K which uses games, videos, and drawing tools to engage younger learners.
BookFlix pairs video storybooks with related nonfiction e-books. Imagine Curious George paired with a nonfiction book about monkeys! The read-along storybook highlights each word as it is read. This option can be turned off. Related games reinforce early learning reading skills. BookFlix requires Flash.
Britannica E-Stax (PreK-6) features nonfiction books that can be read online or downloaded to any Internet enabled device. Both are available at no charge through the State Library’s web site https://kslib.info/kids .
If the page above asks for a Kansas Library eCard number, you may get one at any library in Kansas. Most people will be automatically recognized as being in Kansas and will not need this step. Adobe Flash is needed to view the animation and hear the narration. Questions: [email protected] or 785-296-3296.
FLOOR ACTION
Senate Bill 157 was carried over from last year and passed the Senate floor by an overwhelming majority (Yea: 39 Nay: 1) I sponsored and voted in favor of this bill. It was amended on the floor to make technical updates to statutory references.
The bill amends the Kansas Family Code, which governs temporary parenting plans, to presume when ordering a temporary parenting plan, that it is in the best interest of the child for fit, willing, and able parents to have temporary joint legal custody and share equal parenting time while working on a permanent agreement.
The bill includes exceptions for equal time in cases where domestic abuse has occurred or is occurring assuming in those situations temporary equal custody may not be in the best interest of the child.
During a debate, a question was raised about the definition of the word “fit” in the context of “fit, willing, and able parents” which might unintentionally become a harmful factor. The word “fit” was not specifically defined in the bill. The concern was a judge might consider a parent with certain disabilities as ‘unfit’. Senator Wilborn clarified that was not the intent and a Revisor stated the language was conventionally used in statutes. The bill does add definitions for “equal parenting time,” “joint legal custody,” and “parenting time.”
Senate Bill 258 was considered under the Consent Calendar and overwhelmingly passed the Senate floor (Yea: 39 Nay: 1) I voted in favor of this bill.
The bill addressed administrative issues within the statehouse and removes the requirement for certain reports to be submitted to the Legislative Division of Post Audit. Because of another bill the Senate passed in 2018, that department no longer oversees the audit work associated with the four reports specified in the bill and has no meaningful use for receiving them.
I had the opportunity to present Jake Holmes of Mulberry a Senate Tribute. Jake took home the gold at the Junior World Finals in Las Vegas, and became a world champion in the 12 and under tie-down roping and breakaway.
ATTORNEY GENERAL TESTIFIES ON MEDICAID EXPANSION
Attorney General Derek Schmidt testified for just under an hour before the Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee. Most of his time was spent reviewing three types of cases currently being argued in high level courts, which may put several ACA provisions in jeopardy. Several of these provisions, if overturned, would affect the current Medicaid expansion plan.
The second type of cases the Attorney General explained were cases related to the Health Insurance Providers (HIP) fee. Currently, the State of Kansas, along with five other states, is involved in a suit in the United States District Court arguing that HIP fees, which are mandated by the ACA, are a de facto tax on state treasuries. The states contend the federal government does not have the legal authority to tax state treasuries. This case is currently awaiting a hearing in the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals.
The final type of cases the Attorney General brought to the committee’s attention were those dealing with religious freedom and its interaction with health insurance. The State of Kansas recently joined an amicus brief filed by sixteen states alleging the current religious exemption rules in the ACA ensure that proper respect is afforded to sincerely held religious objections to rules governing this area of health insurance and coverage.
REVENUE NUMBERS ARE GOOD; TAXPAYERS SHOULD BENEFIT
Kansas has collected more tax revenue than expected almost every month for more than two years now and in January the trend continued. The latest Department of Revenue report released last week shows collections were nearly $60 million more than anticipated leading Republican legislators to continue to work on their plans to help Kansans benefit with long-term tax solutions. Two bills being heard in the Assessment and Taxation Committee are SB 294 and SB 295 which demand transparency in property taxes and rising appraisal rates.
The $60 million more than analysts predicted translates into a 9% January surplus. Since the current budget year began in July, tax collections have run nearly $111 million more than budget officials expected. Even with extra revenue being collected monthly, Governor Kelly continues to reject that idea that Kansans should be able to itemize on their mortgage interest, healthcare costs, and property taxes.
Hearing on SB 294(I cosponsored this bill) was held in Assessment and Taxation on Tuesday, February 4th
Honorable Wayne Niederhauser, Former State Senate President from Utah, gave a presentation on the Utah Tax Model. The goal of their Property Tax System is to protect taxpayers against automatic or unnecessary property tax increases as well as allow local government to pay for the services they provide for constituents.
The bill wants to promote transparency by implementing Truth-In-Tax. If the local entity wants to receive more property tax revenue this year than last year, they may adopt a higher property tax rate than the Certified Rate. Before they adopt that a higher rate, the entity must notify all property owners within the jurisdiction that they plan to raise property taxes and when and where they hold a public hearing about the proposed property tax hike. In the public hearings, the City Council explains why they want to increase property taxes. Members of the public may express support or opposition to the proposed property tax hike. At the conclusion of the hearing, the local elected officials must vote on the final property tax rate.
Hearing on SB 295(I cosponsored this bill) was held in Assessment and Taxation on Thursday, February 6th
The goal of SB 295 would be to prevent the county appraiser from increasing the valuation of property solely as a result of normal repair, replacement, or maintenance of existing structures, equipment, and improvements in their property. The bill indicates that normal repair, replacement, or maintenance does not include new construction. There are things such as building sheds or adding square footage that should be looked at when appraising a property, but many believe that homeowners should not be penalized for maintaining their property. The way the system is set up now ends up taxing many out of their homes causing people to leave. As Kansas has seen more people leave than migrate into the state, this bill would help keep many in their homes and in the state.
GOVERNOR’S REORGANIZATION PLAN
We’re still researching the pros and cons on how one massive agency proposed by Governor Kelly would affect some of Kansas’ most vulnerable citizens. The governor submitted an Executive Reorganization Order, ERO 44, to create a new Health and Human Services Agency which would combine the Department of Families and Children (DCF), Kansas Department of Aging and Disabled Services (KDADS) and the Juvenile Services Division of the Department of Corrections.
The current Secretary of KDADS and DCF, Laura Howard, is set to head the new department and has been crisscrossing the Statehouse to meet with Legislators and share the Governor’s vision.
People who support the merger say the ability to offer a range of services to a single family through one office as an advantage. However, many of the programs within these agencies are already facing criticisms in the news and among the public. The Department for Children and Families, for example, has been working to ensure Kansans foster children find homes and will no longer be sleeping in workers’ offices.
The Senate Health Committee has 30 days to review the Executive Reorganization Order and decide whether or not to send it to the full Senate for further review. The Senate will then have an additional 30 days to respond.
IS GOVERNOR KELLY GETTING READY TO INTRODUCE HER VERSION OF THE GREEN NEW DEAL?
Governor Laura Kelly submitted Executive Reorganization Order Number 46 to the Senate last week. This ERO moves the Energy Office out of the Kansas Corporation Commission and establishes it as a separate, independent entity. The Governor claims the reorganization will allow the office to preserve its existing programs but will also allow the office to begin developing policy, including developing a state energy plan and engage in “stakeholder outreach.”
The Governor said the reorganization is a first step for the state to draft a comprehensive energy plan, a strong suggestion made by London Economics (more on that below), which, we can assume, would focus strongly on renewable energy and energy efficiency.
I AM PROUD TO BE A COSPONSOR OF THE PLAN TO KEEP KPERS SOLID
Several Republican Senators along with myself sent SB 368 to the Ways and Means Committee. SB 368 will pay back money owed to the Kansas Public Employee Retirement System (KPERS) and should also serve as a message to Governor Kelly that her plan to use state employee pension funds to balance her budget is not one that we support. We must be vigilant in keeping KPERS strong for our teachers and state employees.
The bill pays off $268 million in state/school group debt to KPERS and will save the state $209 million in interest payments by doing so early. Notably, once the funds are transferred, they cannot be removed from the KPERS Trust Fund. This bill is similar to the 2019 SB 9 which passed both the House and Senate unanimously. SB 368 has 23 sponsors.
AT-RISK STUDENT FUNDING CONCERNS
School District officials from across the state came to Topeka to urge members of the Education Committee to preserve high-density at-risk school funding. The $50 million funding source is set to run out at the end of the current school year unless the Senate approves SB 271. Districts qualify for the additional high-density funding source when the at-risk population is 35% or more of all students.
I will be supporting this bill as long as it does not get amended in a negative way. If this statute is allowed to sunset, it will have a negative impact on every school district in my Senate district.
UTILITY STUDY RESULTS ARE IN
The Senate Utilities Committee heard a full report on the Kansas Electric Rate Study from London Economics International, the firm chosen by the committee to complete an in-depth analysis of the causes of Kansans’ high electric bills. The firm completed Phase One of the rate study, focusing specifically on rate-making options and possible ways to improve the competitiveness of Kansas electricity. A.J. Goulding, LEI president, and Gabriel Roumy, managing consultant of the study, spoke for just under an hour about the firm’s process to study electric rates in Kansas.
Our state’s rates have made headlines in the last several months for being considerably higher than the regional average. The LEI study found the primary reasons for these unusually high rates to include high tax rates in the state, slowing consumer demands for electricity, investment by electric providers in complying to strict government standards related to the environment and increasing transmission costs.
RAW MILK HAS VOTERS TALKING
The Senate Ag and Natural Resources Committee will hear two controversial, and competing, bills next week related to the sale of raw milk. Presently, the state allows the sale of raw milk. However, there are two caveats: all raw milk must be sold on the premises of the farm where it is produced and dairy producers may only advertise their raw milk products by posting a sign on their farm premises stating raw milk, or raw milk products, can be purchased on that premises. Current statutes prohibit farmers and other dairy producers from advertising raw milk in any other way, including verbally telling potential customers about their products in any place except their farm. Raw milk proponents contend this statute makes it nearly impossible to sell their product.
The existing statute was challenged in November 2019 when two goat farmers, who sell raw goat’s milk, contended in the Shawnee County District Court that the strict advertisement laws violated their 1st and 14th Amendment rights. In an unprecedented move, both the Kansas Attorney General, Derek Schmidt, and the Kansas Secretary of Agriculture, Mike Beam, conceded to the court, agreeing the statute was unnecessary and unenforceable.
Secretary Beam then began urging the 2020 Legislature to amend the state’s raw milk statutes, which leads us to where we are today.
SB 300 (to be heard on Wednesday): This bill strikes all language from current statutes that makes the sale of raw milk legal. In effect, this bill would require all milk sold throughout the State of Kansas to be pasteurized before it is sold to any consumer.
SB 308 (to be heard on Thursday): This bill legally allows the on-farm retail sale of raw milk products only if they conform with specified labeling standards outlined in the bill. These standards state the label of the raw milk product must include the following warning: “This product contains ungraded raw milk that is not pasteurized and, as a result, may contain organisms that cause food-borne illness, especially in infants, young children, older adults, pregnant women and people with weak immune systems.” The warning must be printed in uniform size and must be in the same size font as the largest font used on the label.
An identical warning must be printed on all advertisements used for the sale of raw milk products. However, the bill would allow raw milk producers to advertise their products in any way they desire, provided they include the required warning statement somewhere on the advertisement. This would make current statues comply with the District Court’s ruling on the advertising rights of raw milk producers.
COMING UP NEXT WEEK
Monday, February 10 (Last day for committee bill requests)
Ø Hearing: SB 267 — Clarifying that a violation of the statute requiring secured vehicle loads is a traffic infraction. (8:30, Transportation, 546-S)
Ø Hearing: SB 305 — Increasing the bond amount required for a vehicle dealer license. (8:30, Transportation, 546-S)
Ø Discussion and action: SB 252 — Expanding medical assistance eligibility and implementing a health insurance plan reinsurance program. (9:30, Public Health and Welfare, 118-N)
Ø Hearing: SB 321 — Amortizing the state and school KPERS unfunded actuarial liability over a 25-year period and authorizing the transfer of $268,412,000 from the state general fund to the KPERS fund during fiscal year 2020 and eliminating certain level-dollar employer contribution payments. (10:30, Ways and Means, 548-S)
Ø Hearing: ERO 45 — Transferring the functions of the state employee health benefits plan and the state worker compensation self-insurance fund from the department of health and environment to the division of the state employee health benefits plan within the department of administration. (10:30, Ways and Means, 548-S)
Ø Hearing: SB 335 — Authorizing school districts to pay the tuition for a student’s dual enrollment in a postsecondary educational institution. (1:30, Education, 144-S)
Ø Hearing: SB 380 — Prohibiting municipalities from imposing additional requirements on video service providers for the provision of wireless services. (1:30, Utilities, 548-S)
Tuesday, February 11
Ø Hearing: SB 152 — Authorizing the secretary of health and environment to collect underground injection control program fees and redirecting water well license program fees. (8:30, Agriculture and Natural Resources, 159-S)
Ø Hearing: SB 153 — Providing for department of health and environment response operations for water and soil pollutant release, discharge or escape (8:30, Agriculture and Natural Resources, 159-S)
Ø Hearing: SB 326 — Increasing the age for eligibility to renew drivers’ licenses online to 65. (8:30, Transportation, 546-S)
Ø Hearing: SB 342 Allowing drivers’ license renewal notices to be sent electronically. (8:30, Transportation, 546-S)
Ø Hearing: SB 242 — Property tax abatement for agricultural improvement destroyed or substantially destroyed by a natural disaster. (9:30, Assessment and Taxation, 548-S)
Ø Hearing: SB 279 — Expanding the property tax exemption for property used to provide humanitarian services to include additional not-for-profit organizations. (9:30, Assessment and Taxation, 548-S)
Ø Hearing: SB 338 — Allow municipalities to adopt an alternate budget procedure. (9:30, Ethics, Elections and Local Government, 142-S)
Ø Hearing: SB 290 — Updating how the securities commissioner may be appointed and removed.(9:30, Financial Institutions and Insurance, 546-S)
Ø Hearing: SB 289 — Updating the version of risk-based capital instructions in effect. (9:30, Financial Institutions and Insurance, 546-S)
Ø Discussion and action: SB 304 — Establishing a process by which a reciprocal may convert to into a mutual insurance company. (9:30, Financial Institutions and Insurance, 546-S)
Ø Discussion and action: SB 252 — Expanding medical assistance eligibility and implementing a health insurance plan reinsurance program. (9:30, Public Health and Welfare, 118-N)
Ø Discussion and action: SB 283 — Authorizing sports wagering under the Kansas expanded lottery act.(10:30, Federal and State Affairs, 144-S)
Ø Discussion and possible action on: SB 255 — Appropriations to the University of Kansas Medical Center; creating the Cancer Research and Public Information Trust Fund. (10:30, Ways and Means, 548-S)
Ø Hearing: SB 354 — Amending the private and out-of-state postsecondary educational institution act clarify the state board of regents’ authority and provide additional student protections and institutional accountability. (1:30, Education, 144-S)
Wednesday, February 12 (last day for individual bill introduction)
Ø Hearing: SB 300 — Prohibiting the sale of unpasteurized milk for human consumption. (8:30, Agriculture and Natural Resources, 159-S)
Ø Hearing: SB 361 — Affording public employees and professional employees certain rights with respect to withholding of public employee organization and professional employee organization dues.(8:30, Commerce, 548-S)
Ø Hearing: SB 315 — Providing for the love, Chloe foundation license plate. (8:30, Transportation, 546-S)
Ø Hearing: SB 316 — Providing for the together as one foundation license plate. (8:30, Transportation, 546-S)
Ø Hearing: SB 278 — Expanding the ability for cities and school districts to operate and finance a community historical museum. (9:30, Assessment and Taxation, 548-S)
Ø Hearing: SB 310 — Requiring all voting systems for elections to use individual voter-verified paper ballots. (9:30, Ethics, Elections and Local Government, 142-S)
Ø Hearing: SB 292 — Granting the commissioner of insurance flexibility in assessing certain excess lines coverage penalties. (9:30, Financial Institutions and Insurance, 546-S)
Ø Hearing: SB 347 — Concerning insurance department regulations for financial examinations, including requirements for hiring consultants, examination fees and examiner compensation. (9:30, Financial Institutions and Insurance, 546-S)
Ø Hearing: SB 334 — Modifying certain rules of evidence in the code of civil procedure related to authentication of records and documents. (10:30, Judiciary, 346-S)
Ø Hearing: SB 344 — Removing the requirement to photograph vehicles in the scrap metal theft reduction act. (10:30, Judiciary, 346-S)
Ø Hearing: SB 348 — Increasing reimbursement rates for providers of home and community-based services under the intellectual or developmentally disabled waiver. (10:30, Ways and Means, 548-S)
Ø Hearing: SB 339 — Allowing the state corporation commission to approve certain electric contract rates and associated cost recovery from all rate classes. (1:30, Utilities, 548-S)
Thursday, February 13
Ø Hearing: SB 308 — Allowing the on-farm retail sale of raw, unpasteurized milk so long as certain labeling and advertising requirements are met. (8:30, Agriculture and Natural Resources, 159-S)
Ø Hearing: SB 275 — Eligibility requirements for restricted driving privileges and elimination of additional 90-day wait period of suspended or revoked licenses. (8:30, Transportation, 546-S)
Ø Hearing: SB 356 — Clarifying the weight restrictions for drivers’ licenses. (8:30, Transportation, 546-S)
Ø Hearing: SB 320 — Expanding the definition of “infectious disease” in certain testing statutes related to crimes in which the transmission of body fluids from one person to another may have been involved.(9:30, Public Health and Welfare, 118-N)
Ø Hearing: SB 359 — Removing the monetary cap on irrevocable prearranged funeral agreements.(9:30, Public Health and Welfare, 118-N)
Ø Hearing: SB 362 — Allow retail sales of fireworks all year; extend the seasonal sales of fireworks; repeal the ban on bottle rockets; allow cities and counties to regulate or ban fireworks sales. (10:30, Federal and State Affairs, 144-S)
Ø Hearing: SB 333 — Modifying criminal procedures relating to a defendant’s competency or incompetency to stand trial. (10:30, Judiciary, 346-S)
Ø Hearing: SB 332 — Changing requirements for court orders directing a child to remain in a present or future placement issued for children in need of care. (10:30, Judiciary, 346-S)
Ø Hearing: SB 336 — Creating the Kansas reinvest in postsecondary education act. (1:30, Education, 144-S)
Friday, February 14 (last day for committee bill introductions)
Ø Happy Valentine’s Day!
Ø 8 AM Session
Ø Hearing: SB 346 — Authorizing the insurance department to retain the proceeds of the sale of insurance department surplus real estate and any improvements thereon in the insurance department service regulation fund. (10:30, Ways and Means, 548-S)
Ø Many committees will meet on call of the chair.
Thank You for Engaging
Thank you for all your calls, emails, and letters regarding your thoughts and concerns about happenings in Kansas. Constituent correspondence helps inform my decision-making process and is taken into great consideration when I cast my vote in the Kansas Senate. I hope you’ll continue to engage with me on the issues that matter most to you, your family, and our community. If you are on Twitter or Facebook, I encourage you to follow along with the #ksleg hashtag for real-time updates on legislative happenings in Topeka.
Please know that I am fully committed to addressing the current issues in our state, and I am proud to be your voice in the Kansas Senate.
Richard Hilderbrand Kansas State Senator District 13 | 1116 Military Ave, Baxter Springs, KS 66713
Please note that the meeting will begin at 1:30pm in the Commission Room at the courthouse. At 6:00pm meeting will be at the Ellis building on the FSCC campus for Windfarm discussion.
