USD 379’s regular monthly Board meeting on January 13th started with the election of officers. Tracy Claeys was re-elected as President for the year, with Jason Bergsten being re-elected as Vice President. The meeting then continued.
Wakefield School principal Mark Moneypenny presented the Wakefield School’s Action Plan, focused on developing academically prepared students, and socially prepared students, including increasing student assessment scores and decreasing absenteeism. Monitoring data will include walkthroughs and assessments.
The team that cleaned the snow and got the schools ready and safe for the students and staff after Winter Storm Blair were thanked for their efforts.
Superintendent Brett Nelson reported on USD 334 and future decisions they may make when it comes to closing all schools and how the Boards will work on a plan if this were to happen. Members of the five area school districts are planning to get together and work on a plan if it were to happen. He also stated that the newly formed USD 379 Excellence Foundation was awarded $10,000 from the Clay County Educational Endowment Association. The money is to be used in the best interest of the students. Matt Weller, speaking on behalf of the Excellence Foundation spoke on ways the funds can be used, including staff retention, and other options.
Anita Breen, TLEC Director, reported on TLEC. She said USD 379 is in need of a School Psychologist or Integration Specialist. She also said that student IEP numbers were down 44 compared to last year as of December 1st.
Jaclyn Pfizenmaier, Director of Curriculum & Instruction presented the Kansas Assessments Overview Calendar for 2024-2025. The calendar gives testing windows for different assessments and grade levels along with other key information on exemptions and subjects. She stated that teachers are able to administer Interim Assessments twice a year to prepare for State Assessments.
The Board discussed the 2025-2026 District Calendar, after much discussion a motion was made to pass next year’s calendar, passing by a vote of 4 to 3.
The Board discussed the new KASB fundraising policy that was put into effect in December 2024. The Board spoke of different policy options and what to adopt moving forward. A motion was made to adopt option 2, passing unanimously.
Superintendent Nelson spoke of a possible budget reduction for the upcoming fiscal year. He shared that the District saw a significant decline in students, with trends continuing down. The strategy and talk are meant to be proactive before it becomes a crisis. The District is working to identify and implement a $475,00 budget reduction for next school year due to student decline. More information can be found in the Board minutes.
A motion was made to give final approval for the purchase of an LED sign to be installed in the CCCHS gymnasium. Motion passed 7-2.
The meeting finished with the hirings and resignations of USD 379 staff that were brought to the Board.
