The entire meeting agenda can be viewed at: April 13, 2017 BOE Meeting
Re-organizational Meeting
An election was not held for School Board Director because the number of candidates was equal to the number of positions available. The Board members beginning new terms are Wayne Terpstra, Barbara Polette, Paul Alexander and Chuck Cornforth. The Board accepted t the election results from the Kansas City Election Board and the Jackson County Election Board regarding the bond issue showing a combined 74.1% Yes votes.
Officers for 2017-18: Wayne Terpstra – President; Leonard Greene – Vice President; Paul Alexander - Treasurer
Program Evaluations
The Gifted Program served 125 students during the 2016-17 school year. Demographics mirror the general student population: 60% African American, 30% White, 10% Hispanic. Participation in the Duke Talent Search project provides opportunities for extended learning during the summer months through participating universities.
Meal Prices for 2017-18
The Board approve a 5 cent increase to all meal prices for the next school year to maintain compliance with school nutrition legislation. A high school lunch will cost $2.60.
Salary and Benefit Recommendations
The Board approved adding 12 cents to each cell on all classified (support staff) salary schedules and increasing the base salary by $75 on the teacher’s salary schedule. These adjusts keep the district salaries in the upper third in the metro area. Substitute teachers pay was increased by $5 per day making GC$ sub pay the most competitive of area districts. The Board approved the continuation of fully-Board paid employee benefits.
Safety and Security Surveys
The board reviewed safety and security surveys from students and parents. Data shows that students at all levels feel safe at school and that students know how to report unsafe situations. Data also reveals areas that can be improved such as bus safety and more effective conflict resolution.
Summer Bond Projects
As a result of patrons supporting the bond issue, the district will move forward with 10 summer projects which include: fire alarm upgrades at Belvidere, Butcher-Greene, High Grove, GMS and GHS; roof replacement at GMS and over the GHS library; new gymnasium flooring at Conn-West; rear parking lot renovation at GHS; asphalt replacement at Meadowmere and Maintenance; new HVAC rooftop units at High Grove and a condensing unit at Belvidere, and new light fixtures at the Transportation building.