South Barber and NWOSU graduate hired as K-12 music teacher in Kiowa

• School lunch prices increase by a dime

 


The South Barber Board of Education covered a full agenda at their June meeting last Monday that lasted nearly three hours. Discussion and action led to the hiring of a new vocal music teacher, hiring P1 Group for sewer and gas piping repair projects, accepting several resignations and much more.

Board President Steven Allen called the meeting to order with the following members present: Mike Miller, Melissa Simpson, Dooli Rugg, Deb Helfrich and Mariah Doherty. Mark Pollock was absent. Superintendent Dr. Andi Williams sat at the table as did board clerk Julie Johnson.

Naicee Gugelmeyer was approved as the new K-12 vocal music teacher by a vote of 5-1. Casting the “no” vote was Rugg. Gugelmeyer replaces Boram Shin who had submitted her resignation and the board accepted it at this meeting.

Gugelmeyer attended South Barber since kindergarten and graduated in May 2012. Graduating from NWOSU in December 2016, she earned a bachelor's of music degree – vocal performance. At NWOSU she won the President's Prize Competition and second place at the District NATS (National Association of Teachers of Singing). She earned numerous scholarships and was listed on the president's and vice president's honor rolls. As a member of the University Singers, she had the opportunity to perform in China, New York, Nashville and more locations in the U.S.

“I cannot wait to get started in August! It's really an honor to be able to come back home and be a part of an amazing school system,” Gugelmeyer told the Newsgram.

Regarding further action on personnel, the board accepted the resignation of Natalie Pence Title I para-educator; approved Dale Jean Probst as half-time first-grade support to help with the larger than usual class; approved teacher and coach Tim Carey for a third summer help position; and accepted the resignation of Kaley Stoner, full-time cook at the high school.

More South Barber Board Discussion and Action

Following months of research, planning, discussion and consideration, the board approved the P1 Group of Wichita to make some physical improvements at the school. Superintendent Williams told the board that P1 is the only one who submitted bids for the projects. P1's total amount for the two projects is $186,157. She said those “valid bids meet RFP (request for proposal).”

One bid is to repair the K-6 grade building's sewer. The bid is $98,687. The other bid is to fix gas piping at the high school for a total of $87,470. She told the board that two banks have expressed interest in financing for the project.

The board approved the fiscal year 2018 Child Nutrition Agreement, which had “only very minor changes,” Clerk Johnson told the board.

Meal prices for compliance to the CNPA were raised 10 cents by the board. That makes the K-6 lunch price $2.70, and the 7-12 lunch price $2.95.

The K-6 grade handbook was approved. However, the high school handbook was discussed, but no action was taken until more research is completed. Grade 7-12 Principal Brent Shaffer mentioned several subjects under consideration such as cell phones, the dress code (shirts must be long enough to cover yoga pants, length of shorts, etc.), disciplinary action, etc.

Shaffer asked the board about their support regarding drug and alcohol testing if a student is suspected to have drugs or alcohol in their system. The school reportedly has the right to use a breathalyzer test for someone suspected of drinking. Shaffer wondered about the school's authority to require a student to take a drug test if suspected “of being stoned at school.” Administration and board members agreed with the principal to check with the Kansas Association of School Boards for guidance before a decision is made.

Payment of current bills in the amount of $513,335.12 received board approval. Johnson explained $201,729.55 is summer payroll. Special education flow-through money is $59,508.

At the end of the meeting the board held three brief executive sessions with no action taken upon return to open session. Those sessions were for: negotiations, 15 minutes; student transcript, five minutes; student issue update, five minutes.

Superintendent Comments on Finances and Summer Food Program Success

Superintendent Williams said she is “super excited” about the success of the Kool Kidz Summer Lunch Bunch program going on this summer in the elementary lunch room. USD255 is sponsoring the program. She said they needed at list 20 participants to make it work and they are having from 40 to 70 kids daily. It's not just elementary age children eating. She said they've had from age two through high school and some adults.

Children age 1-18 eat for free and meals for adults are $4. Kool Kidz continues through July 28.

Williams said 20 volunteers are helping with the lunch program. “It's pretty fantastic!” she said.

The superintendent said she met with the school's auditor Randy Ford. She said USD255 closes out the year with nearly $70,000. Utility costs decreased about $5,000 due to people conserving the school's energy, the superintendent said thankfully. The school's tax money for next year is looking level with last year at this point, she said.

Further updating on school finance, Williams told the board that if needed, USD255's Local Option Budget (LOB) could be raised from 30 to 33 percent. She discussed capital outlay.

She explained where the district is in the five-year process regarding the strategic framework for their mission, goals, accreditation and outcomes.

The bleacher repairs in the SB gym are finished at a cost of $3,800, the superintendent said. Shaffer added that the people who did the repairs said those bleachers are in good shape for their age.

Reportedly, SB was approached by another school about playing an additional sport together. This was about baseball, but could be for any sport. Board members discussed at length the pros and cons.

An example was when Allen asked, “Can we fill even half of a team? If not, then why even bother? Other board members commented about how thin students are spread already with extra-curricular activities.

Shaffer said if interested SB has a Jan. 1 deadline. No action was taken.

PreK-6 Principal Eric Stoddard provided the board with a detailed report with the 2017 State Assessment Results. His report also had his proposed changes to the elementary handbook, which were board approved.

Shaffer said 18 are enrolled in driver's education, which will conclude at the end of June. Regarding state assessments, he said no one declined and all are maintaining. The superintendent reminded that assessments assess a program, not individual students.

Shaffer projects fall enrollment at 66 for the high school and 22 for the junior high, which he said is low. The principal said the junior and senior high cheerleaders have already attended cheer camp. The SBHS football summer weights program began Monday and is four days per week.

 

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