President Jeff Williams called Dec. 11, 2023 Madison/ Virgil USD 386 Board of Education meeting to order at 7 p.m. Roll call was answered by Williams, Jennifer Watts, Todd Pyle, Gary Kile, Dallas Luthi, Ty Gaines and Jannette Luthi. Also attending were Superintendent Tammy Baird, Kristy Johnson, Amanda Schild, Marcie Harrison, Kim Gaines, Amy Hind, Jim Lentz, Julie Buster, Alana Engle, Ryan Engle, Makenna Engle, Avery Miller, Lane Darbro, Lucie Celte’, Diane Williams and Justin Isch. Mark Adams joined the meeting at 8 p.m.
Watts made a motion to approve the November regular board meeting minutes and the agenda, with changes. D. Luthi seconded the motion. Motion carried. 7 yes, 0 no.
Several Senior class officers presented the plans for the senior trip to Branson, Mo. J. Luthi made a motion to give permission to the senior class to travel out of state for their senior trip, with transportation provided by USD 386. Kile seconded the motion. Motion carried. 7 yes, 0 no.
The senior students, and A. and R. Engle left the meeting at 7:07 p.m.
Buster discussed the need for a full-time nurse for the 2024-2025 school year.
Superintendent Baird presented Williams and Pyle with plaques for their years of service as Board members.
Buster and Williams left the meeting at 7:33 p.m.
J. Luthi made a motion to approve the Business by Consent. Pyle seconded the motion. Motion carried. 7 yes, 0 no.
Williams made a motion to approve the resignation of Carla Argabright, effective at the end of the school year. Kile seconded the motion. Motion carried. 7 yes, 0 no.
J. Luthi made a motion to approve the Resolution to transition to all At-Large Board member positions at the next upcoming election. Watts seconded the motion. Motion carried. 7 yes, 0 no.
J. Luthi made a motion to accept the Cooperative Sports Agreement, as presented, with USD 390 for fiscal years 2025-2027. T. Gaines seconded the motion. Motion carried. 4 yes, 3 no. Kile, J. Watts, and J. Luthi voted no.
Information items discussed were KESA, Food Service, FFA building, and 2024-2025 Calendar.
Adams gave an update on transportation.
Williams made a motion to proceed with accepting open bids for the GMC Yukon. D. Luthi seconded the motion. Motion carried. 7 yes, 0 no. Adams left the meeting at 8:07 p.m. Superintendent Baird gave a 1st Reading on Board Policy Updates. Principal Schild discussed MES activities and upcoming events.
Superintendent Baird gave updates to the Board on MJSHS activities and projects.
Watts made a motion to go into executive session with Board and Administration for 30 minutes to discuss personnel matters of non-elected personnel. This does not apply to general discussion about personal politics, but only about individuals, with the open meeting to resume at 9:11. Dallas Luthi seconded the motion. Motion carried. 7 yes, 0 no.
Hind left the meeting at 8:41 p.m.
Pyle made a motion to approve Tabitha Cowley as 7th– 9th grade ELA teacher for the 2024-2025 school year. D. Luthi seconded the motion. Motion carried. 7 yes, 0 no.
Williams made a motion to go into executive session for 5 minutes with the Board and Administration to discuss the teacher contract pursuant to negotiations exception under KOMA, with the open meeting to resume at 9:19. Todd Pyle seconded the motion. Motion carried. 7 yes, 0 no.
Williams made a motion to appoint Kile as acting facilitator for the January, 2024, Board meeting. Jennifer Watts seconded the motion. Motion carried. 7 yes, 0 no.
Pyle made a motion to adjourn. Williams seconded the motion. Motion carried. 7 yes, 0 no. Meeting was adjourned at 9:24 p.m.
Editor’s note: The above report was created using the unofficial minutes of the December meeting of the USD 386 Board of Education, submitted by Clerk Kristy Johnson.
