USD 457 Board of Education Meeting May 18, 2020
USD 457
The USD 457 Board of Education met Monday, May 18th, during a regularly scheduled meeting.
The Board of Education conducted its meeting virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This was done to make sure the public, Board members, and school staff involved in the meeting are safe. The meeting was presented live on YouTube and has been posted on the district’s YouTube channel, which can be found as a button at the bottom of the district’s website at www.gckschools.com.
The Board heard a report on the Summer Programs. There will be five schools that will be involved in the Kansas Reading Roadmap summer school that include: Gertrude Walker Elementary, Victor Ornelas Elementary, Buffalo Jones Elementary, Florence Wilson Elementary, and Abe Hubert Elementary School. It will be provided virtually Monday-Friday in June. The instruction areas will concentrate on Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Mathematics (STEAM), Family Engagement, Math and Physical Education. Summer school will look a little different this summer due to the pandemic. It is the goal of the Kansas Reading Roadmap to a fun and engaging summer school experience. Migrant summer program will provide learning packets of reading and math activities, and building relationships with families in the community. The Special Education Extended School year will provide learning packets to students.
The Board heard a report on the Autism Master Teachers in the district. The district has a number of teachers that have completed the STEP program: Strategies and Techniques for Effective Practice: Educating Children with Autism. It was created by the TASN ATBS (Kansas Technical Assistance System Network Autism and Tertiary Behavior Supports) Team to help educators across the state enhance their programs and outcomes for students with autism by providing training and on site supports.
The Board approved the 2020-2021 Negotiated Agreement. The salary schedule will be maintained for the 2020-2021 school year. Step and column movement will be maintained for all who are eligible. With the agreement being ratified prior to September 1 then the pay adjustments will be included in the September payroll (this is the first payment for most teachers). A 4% average increase has been agreed to, which includes maintaining the salary schedule, an additional $100 at each step, and an additional $500 on the base. Due to uncertainties in funding for next year, the increase will be received in stages, beginning with 2%, and then additional percentages added depending on the level of potential funding losses for the 20‐21 school year. Changes to Supplemental Salary Schedule include: SPED supplemental will be increased to an S‐5, “FCCLA Sponsor” will be modified to read as “FCCLA Sponsor/Educators Rising Sponsor”. Inservice timing will be brought into alignment with the duty day. The number of contract days will be reduced by 1 day. The reduction will occur on the final day of spring parent/teacher conferences. Teachers will be required to document additional parent contact during the semester. The language will be modified to continue the Attendance Incentive pilot for the 2020‐2021 school year. All references to “MLP” will be changed to “PD management software. The appendix section will be reviewed and updated if necessary. The Mandatory 4 hour timesheet will be added.
The Board approved the Special Education for the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Grant Assurances. They approved the LCP Assurances for Title I, Migrant, ESL and Homeless Programs. They also approved the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund (ESSER) Grant Assurances.
Other business that the Board approved under the consent agenda included carpet replacement at Edith Scheuerman Elementary School and Garfield Early Childhood Center, horizontal sealants at Garden City High School, exterior insulation and finish systems (EIFS) restoration at Victor Ornelas Elementary School, truck with dump bed, and walk in freezer at Kenneth Henderson Middle School.
The next meeting of the Board of Education will be Monday, June 8, 2020, at 6:00 p.m. in the Board Meeting Room at the Educational Support Center, 1205 Fleming Street. Due to social distancing requirements, the public will not be allowed in the Board Meeting Room. The meeting will be streamed live for public viewing on the USD 457 YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/user/usd457.
