Action - Blue Springs Board of Education

The Blue Springs Board of Education typically meets the first and second Monday of each month. Because of scheduling conflicts, the board met June 3, 2008, and took the following action (unanimous unless otherwise noted):

• Recognized Debbie McCoy as the June Employee of the Month. McCoy is the secretary at Chapel Lakes Elementary School and has been with the district for five years. One coworker described her as “going above and beyond the normal secretary hours, coming in early and staying late. She always gets the job done.”
• Heard a presentation from Glen McMillian, director of transportation, regarding the Bus Rider of the Year and the Driver of the Year.The Bus Rider of the Year is Tyler Pittman, a soon-to-be fifth grader at William Bryant Elementary School. More than 1,000 students have been selected as Bus Rider of the Month since last fall.The Bus Driver of the Year is Lori Haller. She has been with the district since 2002 and was chosen from 140 bus drivers and bus aides in the school district.Both Tyler and Haller receive a savings bond from the six State Farm insurance agents in Blue Springs.
• Heard a report on summer school. There are currently 7,795 students enrolled in the summer program.
• Approved three bids. These were for $60,087 for carpet and flooring at various locations throughout the district; $18,048 for playground equipment at John Nowlin Elementary School and $200,265 for asphalt at various district locations.
• Approved the renewal of contracts with Maximus Financial Services, Inc. for the provision of Medicaid reimbursement services. The contract will be renewed through June 30, 2009.
• Approved St. Paul Travelers for the district’s worker’s compensation insurance coverage for the 2008-09 school year. The premium is $188,120.
• Approved St. Paul Travelers for the district’s property insurance coverage for the 2008-09 school year. The insurance premium is $221,709.
• Approved one policy revision. This is in regard to graduate credit. The portion of the policy being omitted is no longer needed to revisions in the state of Missouri certification requirements to become an educator.
• Approved one student trip request. This is for the Blue Springs and Blue Springs South high school orchestra to attend the National Festival of States in Washington, D.C., in March 2009.
• Approved the submission of several reports. These include the IDEA Certification statement; application for exceptional pupil aid; application for state school money; the annual secretary’s report; the pupil transportation report; the Title I application (Improving the Academic Achievement of the Disadvantaged); the Title II application (preparing, training and recruiting high quality teachers); the Title III application (English as a Second Language); the Title IV application (21st Century schools) and the Tile V application (promoting informed parental choice and innovative programs).
• Approved the re-employment of Cochran, Oswald and Roam L.L.C. to represent and advise the district in legal matters for the 2008-09 school year.
• Approved the final bus routes for the 2007-08 school year. There were 409 bus routes this past school year.
• Approved nonresident tuition for the 2008-09 school year. Tuition will be $8,303, K-12.
• Approved the authorization for Kim Brightwell, Chief Financial Officer, to make wire transfers, bank agreements, purchase orders and to receive bank bids. In addition, the board approved the authorization for Jim Finley, assistant superintendent for administration, to offer contracts, make purchase orders more than $50,000 and handle titles, leases and insurance issues.
• Approved changing the August board meeting date from Aug. 11 to Aug. 25.
• Approved the school start times for the 2008-09 school year.
• Approved the resignation of Carrie McDaniel, Hall-McCarter Education Center; Marsha Elliott, Liggett Trail and Alan Hull, Hall-McCarter Education Center.
• Approved the employment of the following probationary teachers – Lori Agee, Thomas Ultican; Joshua Albarelli, Freshman Center; Genevieve Brabant, James Walker; Grace Carrender, Voy Spears; Danielle Friedel, Blue Springs High School; Lauren Weber, Sunny Vale; Lauren Wilson, William Yates and Lisa Yong, Voy Spears.

– Compiled by Kelly Evenson