Routine business and public forum were main subjects of the regular monthly meeting for Madison/ Virgil USD 386 Board of Education on Monday, October 9.
The board heard an agricultural building update by Madison FFA Booster Club President Carla Davis. She shared the facility is driedin, the interior framing is complete, the electrical to the building has been run to the box and the roughin plumbing is done. Davis also stated that they have raised approximately 70% of the $390,000, further noting that $223,749 has been paid to-date because of a generous community and volunteers. This amount does not include any of the donated materials, machine time and volunteer hours that have been put into the project to-date. Davis also shared that they did receive $15,300 from the ADM Cares Program. The booster club plans to continue to raise funds through fundraisers and private donations, as well as search for grant opportunities.
The next phase includes finishing the outside plumbing (running water and sewer lines, gas and technology lines) and finishing the underlayment and leveling of the parking lot and the road with the underlayment and rock. Davis concluded by sharing they are also working to secure materials that they expect to have a large increase in price after the first of the year.
During public forum, Kim Gaines with the Madison High School (MHS) 2024 After Prom committee asked the board for a donation of a family activity pass for the 2024-25 school year, to be used as a raffle prize at the Donkey Basketball fundraiser. She advised the board that the Donkey Basketball event will be held on November 12 at 6 p.m. with a free will donation dinner sponsored by the senior class starting at 4 p.m.
A transportation update was given to the board by Transportation Director Mark Adams. He explained to the board his recommendations on replacing two buses coming off the lease program. Adams also explained that all companies have advised him that bus prices will be increasing after November 1. The board is considering holding a special meeting prior to November 1 deadline to decide a plan for future district bus replacements. This meeting information will be advised at a later date. Adams also advised the board that he is creating a replacement schedule for all the districts small/personal size vehicles.
Board member Ty Gaines asked for an update concerning a recent issue that arrived during the volleyball game held at Burlingame. Superintendent Tammy Baird advised the board of a recent bus driver policy change, in response to this issue. The new policy, per Baird, states that bus drivers will no longer be allowed to leave once they have dropped students off at an event.
Following a discussion, board member T. Gaines, moved to add spring golf for girls and boys for the upcoming spring season.
It passed with a 7-0 vote, following Baird informing the board of the possible costs involved in adding it to the Madison High Athletics program. The new golf program will cost approximately $10,000 to add this year. She stated that this cost includes the following amounts, $4,200 for a coach, $1,500 in entry fees, $500 for range fees at the Emporia Municipal Golf Course and $100 for golf balls per athlete. Baird did advise that the uniforms will need to be purchased by the students and she hopes to have additional club sets donated by community members. Baird did state there will be five track meet conflicts and one FFA state conflict, so students will need to designate a primary sport, like the fall sports do currently.
Latham Wiggins, FFA advisor, presented information to the board on upcoming FFA out-of-state trips. Wiggins advised that for the first trip to Nebraska, they will leave right after the Lyon County League volleyball tournament. For the first trip, there will be no cost to the District other than transportation and fuel. Wiggins then asked the board to contribute one-third of the cost for the trip in November to the national FFA convention in Indianapolis, Ind. He advised that the MHS state champion meats judging team will compete at the national contest during the National FFA Convention. Wiggins also advised three other members will be joining them for the convention portion only. Some of the events those three individuals will do, while the meats judging team competes, include a concert, opening ceremonies, sessions, workshops and tours of agricultural industry businesses. The board approved both trips and also agreed to pay one-third of the cost of the trip for all seven students to the National FFA Convention.
Board President Jeff Williams gave an overview of the Cooperative Sports Agreement with Hamilton USD 390 and what was requested by USD 390 during the counter proposal. He personally told them that he would present it to the board, but that he is not in favor of it. He suggested that it stays as a two-year contract, because like this year he feels the USD 386 district got caught with significant inflation of costs that the USD 390 portion did not cover. He did suggest what was offered five years ago. The discussion got heated and board member Dallas Luthi stated he was good with either option. “I just don’t think we need to be hostile. It is really hostile tonight in this room,” Luthi stated. Baird and Williams, will set up another meeting with them to discuss it further with the two solutions that were approved by the USD 386 board. Those included a two-year contract at $600 per student fee with no step up, the other option was $500 per student fee with a step up of $50 every year during a three-year contract.
Baird advised the board of the district’s projected FTE numbers being 230 students and the auditor will confirm the number.
The board reviewed the new Open Enrollment Draft recommendation, Baird stated it will be published in the paper for two weeks. The board plans to vote on it during their November 13 meeting at 7:05 p.m.
Superintendent Baird advised the board during the food service update, that OPAA is currently searching for a permanent position for nutrition supervisor and a permanent kitchen staff. Board member Jennifer Watts stated that the district needs to keep a running tally of when OPAA are good and when they are not so good, pertaining to food quality and staffing. She went on to state this will give the board information and research on their accountability to make decisions in December when the food service contract comes up. Board member Janette Luthi stated that she thinks the district needs an incentive or “carrot” to entice people to stay or come here and work.
Administrative reports were given by Elementary Principal Amanda Schild Superintendent Baird.
The board held a five-minute executive session for personnel. No decisions were made.
It was asked if the district had looked into changing its board positions from districts to all at-large positions. Superintendent Baird was going to look into the matter.
In other business, the board adopted several policies; Superintendent gave the second reading of the KASB policy updates; heard an update on KESA, Strategic Planning, Entegrity project and Boiler repair.
The board meets monthly on the second Monday of each month, at 7 p.m.
