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A quorum being present, the regular meeting was called to order by Board Vice President Ken Wuthrich at 7:00 p.m.

School administrators present:  Jeff Graves, high school principal; Joel Pedersen, middle school principal; Linda Perry, elementary school principal; Dan Roberts, director of support services; Ryan Woods, assistant high school principal and activities director.

Patrons of the district present:  several teachers, several students, Ken Turner, Steve Dent, Edward Reese, Jr., Jeff Ashmore, parents of Julie Miller’s music students, Anne Morgan, Scott Spurgeon of the Bloomfield Democrat.

During the public comment time, Jeff Ashmore stated he did not think the meeting agenda was specific enough regarding the closed session item, and he asked the school board to consider hiring a part-time superintendent rather than a full-time superintendent.  He also discouraged the school board from building a new bus barn until after the high school building project is completed.  Ken Turner thought the union contract should allow snow days and holidays to be used as snow make-up days.  He also made a statement regarding the open meetings law.

Rob Melvin moved to approve the tentative agenda as follows:

Educational program

Consent agenda

Resignation(s) / contract(s)

Approve board policies – 200 and 300 series

Adopt resolution signaling intent to participate in the Instructional Support Levy

Approve 2010-11 school calendar

Update on cost savings ideas

Approve audit report for fiscal year 2008-09

Administrative reports

Adjournment

Exempt negotiating session

Rod Lynch seconded the motion.  AYES-Bodkins, Johnson, Lynch, Melvin, Wright, Wuthrich.  NAYS-None.  Motion carried.

Julie Miller, elementary music teacher, and some of her kindergarten students performed two songs for the school board members.  One of the songs taught the students about opposites and the other song incorporated movements.

There were no positive comments to report.

Alan Johnson moved to approve the consent agenda items as follows:

Rod Lynch seconded the motion.  AYES-Bodkins, Johnson, Lynch, Melvin, Wright, Wuthrich.  NAYS-None.  Motion carried.

Representatives of Story Construction gave updates on the high school building project.  They reviewed the Project Cost Summary for payments through December 25, 2009 and the updated Project Schedule.

There were no contracts to approve.

Superintendent Miller advised that 20 applications were received for the elementary principal opening.  These will be reviewed by the administration team later in the week, and the incoming superintendent may want a voice in hiring an elementary principal.  He advised that superintendent applications are due February 22, 2010.  He stated that three applications have been received and former superintendent Anne Morgan has expressed an interest in coming back as an interim superintendent for one year.  The school board will need to determine a salary for a new superintendent; the state average is $113,000 plus benefits.

Sheryl Wright moved to approve the following resignations:

Alan Bodkins seconded the motion.  AYES-Bodkins, Johnson, Lynch, Melvin, Wright, Wuthrich.  NAYS-None.  Motion carried.

Alan Bodkins moved to approve Board Policies 200 and 300 series.  Rob Melvin seconded the motion.  AYES-Bodkins, Johnson, Lynch, Melvin, Wright, Wuthrich.  NAYS-None.  Motion carried.

Rod Lynch moved to approve the Resolution to Consider Participation in the Instructional Support Program.  Rob Melvin seconded the motion.  AYES-Bodkins, Johnson, Lynch, Melvin, Wright, Wuthrich.  NAYS-None.  Motion carried.

Sheryl Wright moved to approve the 2010-11 school calendar.  Alan Bodkins seconded the motion.  AYES-Bodkins, Johnson, Lynch, Melvin, Wright, Wuthrich.  NAYS-None.  Motion carried.

Superintendent Miller provided a list of cost savings ideas received via the website and from staff members.

Rod Lynch moved to approve the 2008-09 audit report.  Sheryl Wright seconded the motion.  AYES-Bodkins, Johnson, Lynch, Melvin, Wright, Wuthrich.  NAYS-None.  Motion carried.

Administrative Reports:

Jeff Graves – Students and advisors are reviewing ITED scores and departments will review the results at the next professional development day.  The high school staff held a meeting that day to discuss cost savings ideas.

Joel Pedersen – Completion of the ITBS has been a challenge with the weather problems.  A parent of a Chariton student called him to commend our students for helping a Chariton student who was injured during a ballgame.

Linda Perry – Make-ups for ITBS are being completed.  The literacy coach, Susan Martin, is going the next step in assisting teachers with ways to help students.  A Title I family night will be held later in the week.

Ryan Woods – Winter sports are winding down.  The boys basketball team won the conference championship.  Zach Fligg will be wrestling at the state tournament later in the week.  Spirits are very high at the high school as a result of those two accomplishments.

Sam Miller – He commended Dan Roberts and the bus drivers for their hard work in dealing with a very snowy winter.  In an effort to make up snow days, March 19 and April 22 will now be regular student attendance days instead of all-day professional development.  The professional development days will be made up sometime during the summer.

There being no further business to come before the board for consideration at this time, upon motion made by Rob Melvin and seconded by Alan Bodkins, the Vice President declared the meeting adjourned at 8:20 p.m.

An exempt negotiation session was held following adjournment.

Betsy J. Bassett

                                                                        Board Secretary/Business Manager

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