School Board Meet 3-8-2004 -- Collinsville, OK -- From The Newspaper Museum Site

All board members were present and the following topics were acted on:

(Note: I missed the start of the meeting ... conducting a Newspaper Museum tour for Cub Scout Den 5 ... arrived during the grant application agenda item) -- Ted

The school board approved $2500 for a grant application fee to be used for a new approach to grants presented by Rachel Chronister. Mrs. Chronister indicated the biggest grant need for Collinsville Schools was in the technology area.

The board approved the hiring of Cara Nail as the middle school custodian so they could then approved the resignation for the position held only about a week. The resignation of James Kennedy as middle school custodian was also approved. The hiring of LeeAnn Smith was approved for the 2nd semester as a Herald Elementary classroom teacher.

The board approved additional funding for spring sports. This time $4K was transferred from the snack bar fund (i.e. M.S. Gym Lunch Room Activity Fund).

Two buses and a suburban were declared suplus. Louis Keith indicated the buses hadn't even been started in about a year.

School property on "Smelter Hill" south of town was declared surplus and will be sold via a live auction. An appraisal and survey should be completed this week. The school already has had 3 different folks indicate an interest in the land. The property is comprised on 6 lots (about 2 acres) and is too small for future school development. The 10 acres west of the High School (which the school will buy now that the bond issue has passed) will also be surveyed this week.

Demolition of the Middle School Media Center will begin as soon as school is out in May to allow as much time as possible for building the new cafeteria during the summer. The board briefly discussed Lee Fugate's offer to demolish/remove the building for $10,500. Given the time available before the demolition can begin, the board deferred action to see if there were any others also interested in doing the work. Board member Wendell Johnson asked that no matter who does the demolition, the agrements with the city & school (on utility locates, etc.) be made absolutely certain and that the contractor's insurance be verified beforehand.

The board approved the purchase of a steel building for storage at the high school. That building is to be constructed on an existing slab. The total cost is estimated at $18K.

The board discussed possibly adding the design of new (automated) bleachers at the middle school to the architect's contract. They decided to check with bleacher vendors first as they likely also provide the required architecture services. The board reaffirmed that the existing obsolete bleachers were not worth spending any more money on.

The board then went into executive session to discuss "administrative personnel and certain extra duty contracts" for FY2005. Upon return to open session, the borad approval rehiring the current administrative personnel and extra duty personnel for the 2004-2005 school year.

In Mr. Creech's report he indicated that the school's driver's education car (driven by a student) was involved in an accident Friday morning about 7:30am near Walmart (in Owasso). No one was injured but the car will likely be out for repairs for several weeks. The driver of the other car was cited. The school will use the old driver's ed car until the new one is repaired.

Under new business (which was not known at the time the agenda was posted Friday) the board acted on the following three items:

* The board accepted the resignation of basketball coach Jon Coleman
* The board certified the election results (just received Monday March 8th) which showed Ted Clark relected for another 5 year term and approval of the school bond issue.
* Wendell Johnson was approved by the board as the next president of the school board. Ted Clark will be vice president.

-- Ted Wright 3/8/2004