By Jayden Mies
Freelance Reporter
Special to the Tribune
On Monday, January 13, the USD 382 Board of Education met for their regular monthly meeting. This meeting was also the first of the year 2025, and there were several changes and updates to the district that were discussed. Board President Bill Bergner called the meeting to order at 7:00 P.M.
Several changes to USD 382 personnel were made and approved in this meeting. First, Elizabeth Poort resigned from her position as PHS Forensics Coach, and she will be replaced by Angela McGraw. Another change came from within the Board staff. Former clerk Beth Shelden will now be replaced by Lori Girard as the clerk who will record each meeting’s minutes.
This meeting began with the Board elections, where they first began by officially appointing Girard as the new clerk. Following her was Bergner, who was re-elected as the Board President. Lastly, Donna Hoener-Queal was re-elected as the Board Vice President.
After going through the process of approving items within the consent agenda, the Board was given a presentation by the PHS English Department. This was given by teachers Pamela Rhodes, Rose Beilman-Shoup, and Lindsay Bergner, and they discussed various learning tools and books that they have employed, as well as different course offerings at the high school.
After this presentation concluded, the Board moved to individual reports. First was SCKSEC Board member Chris Drake. He said that they are continuing to work on auditing and training staff with Skyward, and an update on ESSDACK was also given. For governmental relations, Hoener-Queal reported that legislature was back in session, and things like cell phones in schools were under the microscope.
Maintenance Director David Inslee’s report:
– The backflow preventers at PHS and LMS were successfully rebuilt.
– There were some compressor problems at the east Southwest Elementary location.
– 100 bags of ice melt were used in order to compensate for the multiple snowstorms in the beginning of the year.
– There was a quote from Home Lumber for the LMS carpet replacement
Next was the newly appointed Antonia Villa giving the Assistant Superintendent’s report:
– Schedule change bells were added in the PAC.
– Information regarding typing/library time, Greenback mentors, and math tutoring
Items from Superintendent Tony Helfrich’s report:
– An update on the bond project, where he discussed the PAC landscaping fundraiser, updates on the PAC Board A/V room, and a quote for AV visiting other schools.
– There were three snow days to start the year, and full days off are declared as “emergency days”, per KSDE. He said that they have three more days of grace, and 4/18 could convert to a school day if needed.
– On April 21, there will be no school for PHS students, but LMS and Pre-K will still be in session, as this is for staff work for the CKL Forensics meet at Pratt.
– Helfrich discussed the survey results as well. He said that 72% of parents preferred professional full-day development, and the Board gave consensus to convert two of the student contact days to professional development days.
Items in new business:
– Several BOE policy updates were approved through a motion made by Jennifer Hopkins and Jeremy Demuth.
– Through a motion by Hoener-Queal and Hopkins, the Pre-K tuition and Beyond the Bell fees were approved as they were presented.
Following these, the Board recessed into executive session to discuss non-elected personnel changes. The meeting returned to open session at 8:49 P.M.
In addition to the ones mentioned above, a few more personnel changes were approved. First, Shelden will now be in the PAC library and a science para, as she will be replacing Lexie Litke. Heather Nystrom will be transferring from PT LMS Secretary to PAC Dyslexia support. Lastly, Kendall Miller will be replacing Larry Eisenhauer as a PHS Assistant Football Coach.
After these changes were discussed and approved, the meeting was adjourned at 9:18 P.M.
