NEWS RELEASE
Monday, January 11, 2021
Members of the USD 234 Board of Education met at the Fort Scott Middle School Commons on Monday, January 11, 2021, 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:
A. Minutes
B. Bills and Claims
C. Payroll – December 18, 2020 – $1,425,514.45
D. Financial Report
E. Activity Fund accounts
Board members heard reports from building principals and Dalaina Smith, Director of Academics.
In addition, Superintendent Hessong gave a KSDE update, discussed vaccine distribution, negotiations update, the USD 234 COVID-19 Attendance Dashboard update, and recognized school board members for their service for January School Board Recognition Month.
Gina Shelton, Business Manager/Board Clerk, presented a report on CARES funds, quarantine and COVID-19 leave, payroll and finance work, and upcoming negotiations.
Board members approved the following items:
· Health insurance rates for 2021
· A resolution to establish election of school board officers
· A resolution to set board meeting dates for 2021
· Board policy updates
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:
A. Early retirement request from Kyle Parks, high school vocational agriculture teacher, effective at the end of the 2020-21 school year
B. Early retirement request from Martha Clements, middle school history/geography teacher, effective at the end of the 2020-21 school year
C. Early retirement request from Patricia Giltner, middle school language arts/reading teacher, effective at the end of the 2020-21 school year
D. Early retirement request from Ronda Peterson, middle school math teacher, effective at the end of the 2020-21 school year
E. Early retirement request from Donna Davis, Winfield Scott special education teacher, effective at the end of the 2020-21 school year
F. Early retirement request from Leslie McDonald, Winfield Scott counselor, effective at the end of the 2020-21 school year
G. Early retirement request from Lois Herman, Eugene Ware technology teacher, effective at the end of the 2020-21 school year
H. Retirement of Sondra Ruhl, Eugene Ware special education teacher, effective August 1, 2021
I. Resignation of Mariela Rico, athletic trainer, effective January 24, 2021
J. Leave of absence for Brooklyn Newell, Winfield Scott kindergarten teacher
K. Adjustment of work schedule for Judy Warren, Eugene Ware paraprofessional, from five days per week to two days per week; employment of Laura Gulley as a Eugene Ware paraprofessional for three days per week
L. Termination of Allison Nighswonger, high school paraprofessional, effective December 15, 2020
M. Employment of Baylee Newman as a Eugene Ware paraprofessional for the 2020-21 school year
N. Employment of Lucretia Olsen as a high school paraprofessional for the 2020-21 school year
O. Employment of Aaron Shockley as a mentor teacher for the 2020-21 school year
P. Employment of Mary Jo Harper as the high school musical music director; employment of Taylor Qualls as a high school second play assistant; removal of the high school after-school choir position; employment of Whitley Chesney for the high school vocal presentations position for the 2020-21 school year
Q. Removal of the middle school after-school choral club position for the remainder of the 2020-21 school year
R. Employment of Whitley Chesney for the middle school vocal presentations position for the 2020-21 school year
S. Extension of Superintendent Hessong’s contract through the 2022-23 school year
T. Retirement of RoAnn Blake, Eugene Ware third grade teacher, effective at the end of the 2020-21 school year
The board adjourned.