South Barber School USD 255 Superintendent Dr. Andi Williams apprised the board the district will not receive the $219,000 in extraordinary funding from the State of Kansas as they had hoped for the remainder of the 2016-17 school year due to state budget shortfalls. After meeting with the school's auditor Randy Ford, Superintendent Williams said USD 255 will likely deplete their contingency fund this school year.

“This is a great opportunity for us to be creative (with funds),” Williams said. “We're not cutting positions – just not replacing if we have a resignation.” For example, board members suggested the open assistant tennis coach position not be filled unless finances improve.

The superintendent plans to restrict overtime, which she estimates will be a savings of about $12,000. Williams suggested other cost-saving measures such as: go electronic whenever possible (instead of paper); climate control; shut off the lights; make only black and white copies unless you must use color; etc.

This was at the January meeting of the South Barber Board of Education Monday night. President Steve Allen called the meeting to order with all members present including: Mike Miller, Mark Pollock, Melissa Simpson, Dooli Rugg, Deb Helfrich and Mariah Doherty. Superintendent Williams and Board Clerk Julie Johnson also sat at the board table.

Following a few brief executive sessions toward the end of the meeting, the board extended Superintendent Williams' contract through June 2019.

The contracts of PK-6th grade Principal Eric Stoddard and 7-12 Principal Brent Shaffer were also extended an additional year. Reportedly no other action was taken after executive session.

Superintendent Williams Explains Summer Meals and More

Besides finances, Superintendent Williams reported on several subjects to the board.

One of those regarded school kitchen inspection. She said some mice had been found in the kitchen at the high school. “We feel our problem is corrected,” Williams said. However, the paperwork is not yet caught up with the solution, she said.

The school terminated their contract with Terminex, she said. They entered a contract with Reida Pest Control.

Williams said she and Food Service Director Lori Sahadi went to Medicine Lodge School to learn more about a “very successful” summer food program they have for young children to age 18.

“It won't cost us money,” the superintendent said. The state reimburses the school for the food, which is served at a determined location, likely the school, she said. Volunteers like Kiowa's Faith in Action group would be asked to help as they've previously helped with summer food service for youth.

The Medicine Lodge cooks said they learned that hot meals are more popular than cold sandwiches – even during hot summer temperatures.

“This is very doable,” Williams said of the summer food program to help children not go hungry.

Williams called a special meeting of the board for Wednesday, Jan. 18, at 5 p.m. This is for the board to hear the Investment Grade Audit that could help them get financing for the P1 Master Plan for physical improvements at the high school. The financing can come from cost-saving measures the improvements would make at the school, such as lower utility costs, etc.

She said the promised savings will be helpful to the USD 255's general fund this spring.

Other South Barber Board Businesses

Approval of current bills totaling $276,518.42 received board approval. Of that total, $157,357.07 was payroll, the records showed.

The state mileage reimbursement rate was approved at 53.5 cents instead of 54 cents. The superintendent said it was changed so it would not be taxable.

Williams provided a lengthy list of Kansas Association of School Board's (KASB) Policy Updates for the board to review. Those updates cover a gamut of issues from public records, homeless and foster care students, to release of student records and the Kansas Education Systems Accreditation.

Principals Praise Students and Update

Elementary Principal Stoddard had a short report since school just returned to session last week. He reported on Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) and Multi-tiered System of Reports (MTSS) programs designed to better the school experience for students and help them reach higher standards.

Teachers continue training for PBIS and MTSS on select dates. “We hope it will be a full go for next year,” Stoddard said.

Principal Shaffer said the honor roll is out and seven students made the superintendents roll with a total of 31 students earning a place on the honor roll. He said at the same time last year those numbers were eight and 49.

Reporting on sports, Shaffer said the Lady Chieftains basketball team was 6-2 as of Monday and the Chieftains were 4-4. Tuesday South Barber had their first Pack the House Night with free admission thanks to Kiowa's First State Bank. The boys play in the 54 Classic at Cunningham Jan. 17, 20 and 21. The girls 54 Classic is at Skyline Jan. 24, 27, 28.

The SBHS Basketball Homecoming is Friday, Feb. 3. The junior high Tornadoes basketball teams have eighth-grade parents night Feb. 6.

SBHS FFA students have many upcoming contests.

Shaffer said the school's annual “Block the Door Day” was successful for Kiowa's Ministerial Alliance Food Pantry. The principal said Baptist Minister Ken Bowden said the school's food donation was “the most we've received from the high school in years.”

Forensics is underway with 25 students competing with coach Megan Henry. The South Barber Forensics Meet is February 4. As always judges from the community are needed. The Regional Scholar's Bowl is at the high school February 2.

Joseph Bowden was selected for All-State Choir. The choir performs in the Century II Concert Hall Saturday, Feb. 25, at 4:45 p.m.