The USD 457 Board of Education met Monday, March 6 during a regularly scheduled meeting. The meeting was held in the Educational Support Center Board Room, 1205 Fleming Street.
The Board recognized Ashlee Villarreal and Alejandra Facio, recipients of Rudd Scholarships, Isabel Zamarripa, recipient of a University of Kansas School of Journalism Scholarship, and the Garden City High School Girls and Boys Wrestling teams. They also recognized Carlos Prieto as the 2022-2023 Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association 6A Boys and 6-5A Girls Head Coach of the Year.
They received a Kansas Education Systems Accreditation (KESA) presentation from Jason Johnson, Assistant Superintendent. The goal for the district is by the end of the five-year KESA cycle in 2027, the district will increase Kansas State Assessment Math level 3’s and 4’s from 17.85% (2022) to 25% and Reading level 3’s and 4’s from 22.42% (2022) to 30%.
They heard a Capturing Kids Hearts presentation from Gina Galpin, Principal at Bernadine Sitts Intermediate Center, Ben Luna, Principal at Buffalo Jones Elementary School, and Melinda Stewart, Principal at Jennie Wilson Elementary School. The information provided showed that the program is working at reducing the level of discipline referrals.
Garden City High School presented their Wildly Important Goals Report. The school’s goals are to increase literacy across all content areas.
Under new business, the board received a Long Range Facilities Update from Shane Faurot, Director of Plant Facilities and Colleen Drees, Financial Officer. The presentation was on projects for the next 10 to 20 years on keeping the district facilities in top operating order.
Shane Faurot and Colleen Drees presented information on an Inventory Platform. The district is looking at a system that will keep track of the asset inventory across all of the facilities.
The board held an executive session on personnel matters for non-elected personnel. At the end of the executive session, the board approved a settlement agreement and release of the contract employee from the district.
The board approved the following items during the meeting. They include the minutes of the February 20, 2023 regular Board of Education meeting. Technology Firewall bid from TwoTrees for $76,400.00; Technology Access Points bid from Aercor for $86,540.41; Technology 2GB Internet to GCHS for 1 year bid from Idea Tek for $1,600.00 per month. Charles Stones Intermediate Center and Bernadine Sitts Intermediate Center generators for $89,888.00. Replace furniture at Garden City High School for $21,907.72. Custodial carpet cleaning machines and chemical systems for $60,523.80.
The board held two (2) executive sessions. The first was for matters relating to employer-employee negotiations whether or not in consultation with the representative or representatives of the body or agency. The second was for personnel matters for non-elected personnel. No action was taken at the end the executive sessions.
The next meeting of the Board of Education will be Thursday, March 23, 2023, at 5:00 p.m. in the Educational Support Center Board Room, 1205 Fleming Street.
The Board of Education agenda can be viewed here.
The Board of Education meeting can be watched here.