USD 383 Board of Education

December 16, 2009

Kathy Dzewaltowski, observer

Dr. Bob Shannon, Superintendent, reported that a finance committee has been meeting to discuss how the district may need to make budget cuts due to reduced state aid. The committee estimates that the district will need to cut $1.5 million at the minimum and possibly $3.5 million at the maximum if additional funding cuts are made at the state level.

The board was presented with schematic design plans for Wilson Elementary. The plans call for adding 6,300 sq. ft. on the southeast side of the building. Wilson is an older, two-story school, and Pete Paukstelis asked if an elevator would need to be added. The project architect said that he has been told that an elevator will not be needed because the programming spaces that a student would have to have access to are all on the main level. The board approved 7-0 the schematic design plans.

The board discussed the construction timeline for Amanda Arnold Elementary and the construction firm recommended to do the project based on its bid. Board members expressed concerns about the timeline because construction will not be finished by the time school starts in August. The principal said they will be able to work around the construction projects and doing so will allow them to save $100,000 that can be used to fund alternates. The board approved 7-0 to contract with Ferrell Construction for the improvement projects at Arnold.

Dr. Bob Seymour, Associate Superintendent, reported that a design idea being considered for the high school includes relocating the cafeteria and the library to the hallways next to the commons, and relocating wrestling to the fitness center (which is a separate, detached building) and moving P.E. classes from the fitness center to the main building. Changing how the fitness center is used during the school day would allow the building to have a secure perimeter because students would not need to be walking outside to the fitness center.

The board approved 7-0 a Memorandum of Understanding with the Kansas Department of Education to participate in a federally funded school reform program over the next four years. Areas of focus will include standards and assessments, data systems, improving teachers and leaders, and improving the lowest-achieving schools.