The Baxter Springs board of education held a regular meeting on Monday, March 8, 2004 at 6:00 p.m. in the Middle School board room. Members present were: Wayne Stith, Kim Wilson, Melanie Bingham, DeAnne Binns, Chuck Sweeton, Chuck Wren and Terry Daniel. Also present were: Dennis Burke, Vicki Bradley, Jamie Carlisle, Steve Taylor, Robert Womack, Michelle Bottorf, Mary Kirkpatrick, Sam Ames, Nancy Vogel, Glenn Crotts, Greg Kissel, Ross Davis, Brandon Fry, Stephanie Kuehn, Jeff Street, Jeffrey Williams, Mike Cook and Gary Krokroskia.

Melanie Bingham made a motion to approve the agenda as printed. Kim Wilson seconded. Carried 7-0.

Kim Wilson made a motion to approve the consent agenda which included the approval of bills, treasurer’s report and approval of minutes of the February 9 and February 23, 2004 meetings. Chuck Wren seconded. Carried 7-0.

Greg Kissel, Michelle Bottorff, Nancy Vogel, Glenn Crotts, Mary Kirkpatrick, Jamie Carlisle and Robert Womack, all reported on various activities at Baxter High School. They thanked the board for their support in providing funding and other support to enable them to give students the opportunities to participate in these extra-curricular activities. The board thanked the staff for a job well done and extended their appreciation.

Brandon Fry, Senior Class President, and Stephanie Kuehn, Senior Class Treasurer, asked the board for permission to take a Senior Trip to Branson Missouri on May 7-9, 2004. Chuck Sweeton made a motion to allow the Senior Class to take a trip to Branson Missouri on May 7-9, 2004 with the board to provide transportation and a pizza party for the class. Terry Daniel seconded. Carried 7-0.

Ross Davis presented the Power School Student Information System to the board, and made a recommendation that the district purchase this tool to be implemented in the 2004-05 school year. Melanie Bingham made a motion to purchase the Power School Student Information System as recommended by Mr. Davis. Wayne Stith seconded. Carried 7-0.

Steve Taylor made a recommendation to implement an all-day kindergarten program beginning in the 2004-05 school year, and to have three kindergarten classes, and three first grade classes. Chuck Sweeton made a motion to accept the recommendation of Steve Taylor to implement all day kindergarten, having three kindergarten classes and three first grade classes for the 2004-05 school year. Melanie Bingham seconded. Carried 7-0.

DeAnne asked the board for a special board meeting on April 5, 2005 at 6:00 p.m. in the Middle School Board Room. The purpose of the meeting will be for hiring and other business that may arise in the interim.

Dennis Burke reported on the ball field maintenace. Chuck Wren made a motion to all Mr. Burke to take bids for the mowing/maintenance of the Senior League and Girls Softball Parks on Lions Road for 2003-04 as requested. Wayne Stith seconded. Carried 7-0.

Dennis Burke gave a legislative update to the board on school finance issues.
Terry Daniel made a motion to take a 10 minute break. Wayne Stith seconded. Carried 7-0.

7:30 p.m. Break Began.
7:40 p.m. Meeting resumed.

Deanne Binns presented resignations from Linda Leonhard and Kenneth Blalock. Melanie Bingham made a motion to accept the resignations of Linda Leonhard and Kenneth Blalock with regrets. Chuck Wren seconded. Carried 7-0.

Kim Wilson made a motion to enter into executive session to discuss personnel matters of nonelected personnel in order to protect the privacy interests of the individuals to be discussed, and that we return to open session in this room after a 30 minute period of time. This executive session shall include the board, Superintendent and administrators as needed. Chuck Sweeton seconded. Carried 7-0.

7:42 p.m. Enter executive session.
8:12 p.m. Resume regular session.

Melanie Bingham made a motion to enter into executive session to discuss personnel matters of non-elected personnel in order to protect the privacy interests of the individuals to be discussed, and that we return to open session in this room after a 20 minute period of time. This executive session shall include the board, Superintendent and administrators as needed. Terry Daniel seconded. Carried 7-0.

8:12 p.m. Enter executive session.
8:32 p.m. Resume regular session.

Kim Wilson made a motion to enter into executive session to discuss personnel matters of non-elected personnel in order to protect the privacy interests of the individuals to be discussed, and that we return to open session in this room after a 10 minute period of time. This executive session shall include the board, Superintendent and administrators as needed. Chuck Wren seconded. Carried 7-0.

8:34 p.m. Enter executive session.
8:44 p.m. Resume regular session.

Terry Daniel made a motion to enter into executive session to discuss personnel matters of non-elected personnel in order to protect the privacy interests of the individuals to be discussed, and that we return to open session in this room after a 5 minute period of time. This executive session shall include the board, Superintendent and administrators as needed. Wayne Stith seconded. Carried 7-0.

8:44 p.m. Enter executive session.
8:49 p.m. Resume regular session.

Terry Daniel made a motion to enter into executive session to discuss personnel matters of non-elected personnel in order to protect the privacy interests of the individuals to be discussed, and that we return to open session in this room after a 20 minute period of time. This executive session shall include the board and Superintendent Melanie Bingham seconded. Carried 7-0.

8:50 p.m. Enter executive session
9:10 p.m. Resume regular session.

Kim Wilson made a motion to enter into executive session to discuss personnel matters of non-elected personnel in order to protect the privacy interests of the individuals to be discussed, and that we return to open session in this room after a 10 minute period of time. This executive session shall include the board, and Superintendent. Chuck Wren seconded. Carried 7-0.

9:12 p.m. Enter executive session.
9:22 p.m. Resume regular session.

Jamie Carlisle, Mike Cook, Gary Krokroskia and Steve Taylor made recommendations to re-hire all certified staff in their respective buildings for the 2004-05 school year. Wayne Stith made a motion to accept the recommendations of the administrative staff and re-hire all certified staff for the 2004-05 school year. Kim Wilson seconded. Carried 7-0.

Terry Daniel made a motion to hire Peyton Kessler as school nurse for the 2004-05 school year. Kim Wilson seconded. Carried 6 for 1 against, with Chuck Sweeton voting no.

Dennis Burke recommended hiring Angela Conley as assistant track coach for Baxter High School for the 2003-04 school year. Melanie Bingham made a motion to accept the recommendation of Mr. Burke to hire Angela Conley as assistant track coach for BHS for 2003-04. Kim Wilson seconded. Carried 7-0.

Melanie Bingham made a motion to adjourn. Chuck Wren seconded. Carried 7-0.

Meeting adjourned: 9:37 p.m.