Wamego’s USD 320 Board of Education has selected a new superintendent. At Monday’s meeting, Board member Amy Schwein opened by offering a contract to Wamego High School Principal Tim Winter in the amount of $102,500. The offering and approval of the contract was approved by a vote of 7 to 0.
In other business, the Board recognized teachers Rachel Buessing , Angela Dau, Philip Kline and Molly Townsend for their acceptance into the KSU Leadership Academy. According to Dr. Mary Kaye Siebert, the Leadership Academy is a 2-year program where the individuals will be part of Topeka USD 501 and Kansas State University, which allows them to earn course credit toward a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership.
At Monday’s meeting, BBN Architects Carl Riblett brought back a summary list of the District’s Bond Status, which highlighted projects the board approved with the cost breakdown. The list also included the additional projects approved without pricing. The total cost of BBN’s list of requested and approved District projects for all locations comes to $17,422,200. The Board plans on floating a $20,000,000 Bond Issue, to be included on the November ballot, which will not incur an increase in the current mill levy.
After this discussion, Technology Director Anitta Staats went over a detailed list of the District’s immediate technology needs. She stated some of the Microsoft platforms will no longer be serviced after a specific date. After a lengthy discussion, Superintendent Denise O’Dea reminded the Board that some of these critical issues could be paid for out of the Capital Outlay contingency fund. With that, Board Member Joe Steele made a motion to approve the purchase of upgrades to Office, Maintenance Staff, Teacher and Special Education Staff at a cost of a little over $85,000. Staats said there are some infrastructure needs that need to be addressed and suggested adding them to the bond issue.
Wamego’s USD 320 Board of Education approved the 2016-2017 enrollment fees. At Monday’s meeting, the Board reviewed the Enrollment Fee Schedules for all grade levels including Pre-school. There was a slight increase in some of the lab fees for the Middle School, but the Technology Fee for all grades will increase from $5 to $30. According to Technology Director Anitta Staats, this fee is for the equipment itself, which hasn’t increased in the past 15+ years. This increase was suggested by Staats during her presentation, and the Board approved the increases by a vote of 7 to 0.
In other business, Superintendent Denise O’Dea summarized all of USD 320’s Facility’s approved plans and projects, and gave the Board a proposed Bond timeline. Her list included the possible additions that included the technology needs, capital improvements discussed in 2013 and a ‘dream sheet’. The Board will be visiting all of these needs for an accurate Bond issue request.
Wamego’s USD 320 Board of Education accepted a memorial gift for West Elementary. At Monday’s meeting, Principal Amy Flinn introduced Larry Smart, father of former employee Shanea Smart, a para-educator who passed away recently. Also present was Michaela Smart, sister of Shanea, who read the statement of the family and presented a check in the amount of $1,250 to Flinn. Flinn said the funds will be used for the Friendship Bench to be built on the playground. The board voted 7 to 0 to approve the gift. Shanea was 25 years old.
In other business, High School Principal Tim Winter went over the survey results of changing the 2017 graduation date and time. He said 2/3rds of the junior parents that responded to the survey wanted graduation to be on Saturday. The time of the day was discussed and decided that 1 p.m. would be better because Rock Creek’s graduation is at 3 p.m. The board approved the request by a vote of 7 to 0.
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