Board of Education Meeting Agenda - USD 320

Wamego USD 320, a progressive and committed school district, in a cooperative effort with families
and community, will educate students to be responsible, problem-solving citizens who produce quality
work in their individual pursuit of excellence by offering relevant, academically challenging and
diverse learning experiences.
Board of Education Meeting Agenda
Wamego Public Schools
Merlyn Pence, President April 13, 2009 Richard Weixelman, vice-president
Mike Morton 7:00 p.m., Wamego Middle School Richie Chrest
Barb Downey
Janet Armstead
Amy Schwein
I. Roll Call
II.
III.
Pledge of Allegiance
Approval of Agenda
IV. Items for the Good of USD 320
A. Recognize the USD 320 Teachers of the Year for 2008-09, Mrs. Angie
McCune, 3 rd grade West Elementary School and Mr. Troy Hemphill, social
science teacher, Wamego High School
B. See list titled Items for the Good of USD 320
V. Consent Agenda
A. Approval of payment of March bills
B. Approval of March Treasurer’s Report
C. Approval of minutes of March 10 and April 2, 2009 Board of Education
meetings
D. Approval of building activity fund reports
E. Approve journal entries for March, 2009
F. Approve policies EBBD, BCAC JBD, JR, and KG on second reading
G. Accept the resignation of Christie Ballenger, Reading Recovery teacher;
Amanda Jantz, women’s tennis coach; Michelle Ebert, head cheer and dance
sponsor; Jill Selland, MS FACS teacher; Bob Johnson, HS science;
H. Approve the hiring of Lindsey Radzins, ELL para; Cally Frederking, CE
music;
I. Approve the payment of $10,284 for KASB dues and $1,100 for the KASB
Legal Assistance Fund for the 2009-2010 school year (Enclosure)
J. Approve the student and teacher handbooks for Central and West Elementary
Schools
K. Approve request from Mrs. Topliff to allow for travel to the national Forensics
meet in Albany, N.Y. (Enclosure)

L. Accept roofing bid from Midwest Coating for work on MS roof at the price of
$129,689.46 (Enclosure)
M. Approve a request from Teri Dow, 5 th grade teacher at West Elementary, and
Cleion Morton, principal for Mill Creek Public Schools, to conduct an ethical
dilemma survey to 4 th grade students at West Elementary School (Enclosure)
N. Approve request from FBLA to travel to nationals in Anaheim, CA from June
23 to June 29
VI.
VII.
Discussion of Items Pulled from Consent Agenda
Request for Vocal Music National Trip
Mr. Wildin will present a request for the vocal music program to take a national
trip next year to Washington D.C. from June 15 to June 21, 2010. (Enclosure)
Discussion and action item
VIII.
Dual Credit
The BOE asked that Dr. Siebert bring to them guidelines for the offering of dual
credit courses for offerings other than classes where Advance Placement courses
are offered.
Discussion and action item
IX.
Central Elementary Facilities
Time is being set aside for further discussion regarding the proposal for the
Central Elementary School project.
Discussion item
X. Budget Reduction Choices
Time is set aside for further discussions concerning the district budget situation
for the 2009-2010 school year and beyond. Some action may need to be taken in
order to implement items that the BOE agreed to on April 2.
Discussion and action item
XI.
XII.
Executive Session
A. Negotiations
Adjourn Meeting

Central Elementary School:
Items for the Good of USD 320
• Our March parent/teacher conference attendance rate was 94%.
• First graders have been studying about dental health this month. The culmination
of all the activities was a visit by Dr. Steve Bates and his staff to help students
have a real life understanding of the importance of taking care of their teeth.
• Our annual Read Across America was held on March 2nd. This is an evening
when parents and their children come to our gym with their pillows and blankets
and read together.
• Each team at Central Elementary recently completed SMART goals. This are
goals that address the most important needs identified by the team. Each team set
goals and are now working towards achieving them within the next year. Each
team shared their goals and strategies for meeting those goals at our March
faculty meeting.
• Our Reading Recovery and kindergarten teachers attended the annual Reading
Recovery Conference at Emporia State University. They all came away with
research based strategies that will continue to enhance our reading program.
• Central Elementary had a record number of students enter a project in the
Wamego Regional Science Fair. In the past we typically have from 1-3 entries
but this year we had about 20 with many of those students winning awards. We
are certain that our own science fair in late January spark a greater interest in
science and gave students the knowledge and skills to enter this much bigger
event.
• Our pre school students worked with Mrs. Rice's fourth graders in writing letters
to obtain a grant to update the train at Wamego City Park. They were recently
informed that this letter writing campaign was a success. The train enhancement
project will receive $100,000 from the State of Kansas to continue their work at
the park. A special assembly will be held on March 31st to celebrate this
wonderful accomplishment.
• Central Elementary's PTO will host their annual taco dinner on Thursday, April
16, (5:30-7:30) in our gym. There will be a basket raffle as well. Everyone is
invited to have a great meal and enjoy time with friends and family.
• Kindergarten students will perform a musical program entitled "The Cheese
Stands Alone". This program will be held on Thursday, April 30 at 6:30 and
7:30.
West Elementary School:
• Congratulations to third grade teacher Angie McCune, the USD 320 Elementary
Teacher of the Year! Mrs. McCune will now compete for Kansas Teacher of the
Year. Mrs. McCune is highly deserving of this honor and we are very proud of
her for this accomplishment! Best of luck to Mrs. McCune as she continues
through this process!

• Congratulations to Pottawatomie County Farm Bureau Safety Poster Contest
winner, Kevin Boeckman! Kevin was a second place winner in the Grades 3-4
division. Of the 388 entries from Pottawatomie County schools, 36 were from
West Elementary School.
• Thank you to all parents and students that were able to make it to conferences
before Spring Break. We had an overall attendance rate of 90%.
• Thank you to Kelley Brummett, Crissie Gamino, Sarah Bloom, and Janet Vance
for organizing the spring conference dinner for teachers. Thank you also to all
parents that provided the delicious food! The meal was greatly appreciated by
all!
• Several West students received special recognition for their Science Fair entries in
early March. Congratulations to the following students for their
accomplishments: Intermediate Biology: 1st place--Berkley Wiegers;
Intermediate Chemistry: 1st place--Shianne Figge; 2nd place--Matthew Logan;
Intermediate Consumer Science: 3rd place--Morgan Riat; Intermediate
Mathematics: 1st place--Noah Bailey; Intermediate Physics: 1st place--Sam
Wohler; 2nd place--Darius Neff; Intermediate Social/Behavioral Sciences: 1st
place--Jenny Hupe; and 4th place--Elle Wolfe. State Fair Finalists are: Shianne
Figge, Jenny Hupe, Matthew Logan, Darius Neff, Morgan Riat, Berkley Wiegers,
and Sam Wohler. Congratulations to each of these students and also to all other
students that entered the Science Fair this year!
• Several West teachers attended some outside professional development activities
earlier this semester. Angie McCune attended the M.A.C.E. conference in
Manhattan, which focuses on instructional technology, and Cheryl Stallard and
Sue Woods attended a Dyslexia conference in Kansas City. All three teachers
presented their new learning at faculty meetings this spring.
• Parent Clark Flynn made a presentation to fifth grade students while he was home
on leave from Iraq. He shared information about a “mud school” 71 students
attend. The troops are in the process of helping them build a new school. The
students are very appreciative of any supplies they donate to them. There is only
one electrical line that supplies one room with electricity through a drop cord.
Mr. Flynn shared several pictures of the Euphrates River, the only major river in
Iraq. He also shared pictures of the landscape and the House of Abraham and
Sarah. He gave some history behind the excavation of the site, burial grounds of
nobles, and servants and other areas of interest. Mr. Flynn also explained why we
have troops in Iraq and how they came to be sent there. The students learned a lot
and enjoyed the presentation by Mr. Flynn.
• Fifth grader Berkley Wiegers recently won grand prize at Wamego’s 2009
Children’s Art Project at the Poppyfield gallery. An estimated 125 children
participated in the project. Third grader Channing Schneider took second place in
the contest. Congratulations to Berkley and Channing! We are very proud of
both of them!
• The Train Enhancement Project for Wamego City Park was recently awarded a
$100,000 grant from the State of Kansas thanks in part to a group of students at
West Elementary School. Lori Rice’s fourth grade students and Jenny Brase’s
and Carrie Ficke’s preschool students worked jointly to write letters of support for

the grant to restore the new train. To honor these students, and to also allow all
West students to see the engine of the new train, West students attended an
assembly hosted by Eric Artzer, Cliff Baughman, Jenny Stewart, Julie Roller,
Kourtney Brase, and Karla Rosell. Ms. Rice’s, Mrs. Brase’s, and Mrs. Ficke’s
students were presented with a Certificate of Achievement for their efforts and a
small treat.
• Members of the British Soccer Team visited third and fourth grade gym classes at
West on Friday, April 3.
• West Elementary is one of a handful of schools selected to participate in Cans for
Conservation, an activity sponsored by Sunset Zoo in Manhattan. For six weeks,
students will have the opportunity to learn about the importance of recycling, as
well as different habitats around the world. Students at West have set a goal for
each student to collect at least two pounds of aluminum (approximately 64 cans).
The cans will then be collected by Sunset Zoo each week. In return for students’
recycling efforts, West Elementary will enjoy zoo visits to its school with live
animals, animal artifacts, stories, and activities focusing on conservation. The
objectives of this program are to turn recycling into a habit, allow students to
become community contributors, and give students the opportunity to learn more
about animals. All schools that meet their goal of two pounds of aluminum per
student will receive free entry into Sunset Zoo for students and their immediate
family members. The ultimate recycling school with the highest student per can
ratio will receive a Zoo Ambassador Program for their school in May for an endof-the-year
celebration!
• Third grade will make their annual trip to Topeka on Wednesday, April 22. They
will travel to the Topeka Capitol Building and Dome to tour the facility and learn
more about our state government. They will then eat a school sack lunch at Gage
Park.
• Fourth grade students continue to attend STARBASE at Forbes Field in Topeka.
Students will attend the hands-on academy for five sessions. Some of the
concepts that students learn about in STARBASE include Newton’s Laws of
Motion, Four Forces of Flight, Bernoulli’s Principle, Model Rocketry, Aircraft
Control Surfaces & Components, Properties of Air Development, Innovation &
Use of Technology, Properties and States of Matter, Flight Simulation, Space
Exploration, Goal Setting, Teamwork, and Avoiding Substance Abuse.
Additional classroom instruction will include a focus on math, Earth sciences,
physical sciences, life sciences, social sciences, and applications of technology.
Students will also take “mini” field trips to tour a KC-135, the fire station, and
engine shop. Each student will also build and launch their model rockets.
• Fifth graders will be returning to Fort Riley for an on-post visit on Thursday, May
7. Students will view a presentation by the Mounted Color Guard and tour Fort
Riley to learn more about its history and current military equipment, as well as the
roles and responsibilities of the Fort.
• All third graders will participate this spring in “Mini-Society”, a comprehensive
social studies project. Students will establish their own society, print their own
currency, open their own business, and create their own government. This
experience will help students learn more about entrepreneurship, economics,

government, law, math, and ethics, all of which are components of the Kansas
Social Studies Standards. In addition to the subject-area learning that will take
place, students will experience several “side” benefits. They will work
cooperatively and actively in problem-solving by finding creative and workable
solutions to the many problems that occur in any society. Each student will have
a voice in the decision-making process. Teachers have found that one result of
Mini Society has been an increase in student interest in government and how it
operates both economically and legislatively. Students will eventually be
producing a product or providing a service to others at “market” during this
project. One goal is to foster entrepreneurial qualities and creative ideas in
children. The students are encouraged to think in terms of products or services
they can sell that they can create with little or no money. A special thank you is
extended to third grade teachers Sherry Helus, Angie McCune, Emily Stein,
Cathy Wilber, Kandy Williams, and Sue Woods for organizing this learning
opportunity for our students.
• The third grade team has invited Central Elementary second grade students to
West Elementary for a special visit on Monday, May 11 beginning at 11:40am.
The students will be involved in a variety of activities with our third grade
students during their visit. They will tour the building, learn more about third
grade from our current third grade students and teachers, and meet the principal.
They will also eat a sack lunch with the third grade students and go to recess.
This activity is part of our efforts to make the transition from Central to West
smooth for our students.
• The fourth grade social studies curriculum allows fourth grade students the
opportunity to learn to locate and identify the 50 states in the United States.
Students began their states study by learning the states in each region. In addition
to learning to locate and identify each state in a region, they also learned about the
land and climate of each region. To master the identification of the 50 states,
students have used interactive computer games, United States maps, and U.S.
Quizmo to help them learn the names of each state. Learning the names of the 50
states will help them prepare for fifth grade when they are responsible for
knowing both the states and their capitals.
• Best of luck to all of our West robotics competitors at the state meet in Manhattan
on April 18 at Susan B. Anthony Middle School! Thank you also to our Robotics
Club sponsors, Teri Dow and Angie McCune, as well as Enhanced Learning
teacher, Jennifer Nider, for supporting our students in this venture.
• The fifth through eighth grade Spring Band Concert is scheduled for Tuesday,
May 4 at 7:00pm at WMS. The fifth grade band students have made tremendous
progress this year in their instrumental skills! Please join us for this special
evening of good music provided by USD 320 students!
• The fifth grade music class and the Early Riser’s Choir will present a combined
concert with the WMS sixth graders on Tuesday, May 12 at 6:30pm at the
Wamego Middle School. We hope you can join us for an evening of good music
and fun!
• The Early Riser's Choir will perform their Spring Tour on April 23. They will
perform at Vintage Park, Valley Vista Good Samaritan Center, and the

Grandview Suites. They have worked very hard to prepare a 30 minute concert
and look forward to sharing their music with the residents of these facilities.
Wamego Middle School:
• We’ll start this month with a “Congratulations!” to our seventh grade basketball
players, the 2009 NCKL Champions. Eighth graders clenched third place at the
NCKL tournament this year. All our athletes did an outstanding job!! The teams
were coached by Shane Neel, John Schmidt, Michael Petermann, and Matt
Peschel. Thanks to you all!
• The KAYS participated in Read Across America again this year by going to
Central Elementary and sharing their favorite Dr. Seuss stories. The following
students attended: Sixth graders Samantha Akin, Hannah Duncan, Cody Filbert,
Brandi Peverley, Maddie Vontz, Ashley Grossmann, Mariah Stringfield, Georgi
Bowman, Gabriel Klein, Alexis Pettay, True Mussetter, Blythe Wagner, Brianna
Peddicord, Amanda Chaffin, Allison Seufert, and Paula Serb. Seventh graders
Bryce Rincon, Madison Bowser, Courtney Roberts, Britta Seljestad, Madison
Wiegers, and Judy White. Eighth graders Amy McMillin, Rachel Griffitt, Laura
Furney, Alexis Rincon, Emily Stratton, and Ashley Steffans. The KAYS are
sponsored by Brad Bowser and Marcia Gier.
• The student Band and Vocal Concert on March 3 was outstanding! We were
treated to three to four pieces by each band and five selections were performed by
the choir. Each group really showed off how much their skills have grown over
the course of the year. Special thanks to Susan Gartner, Chris Richmond, and
Josh Wildin for the great job!
• Fine Arts Fair was held March 6. This activity, coordinated by WMS teachers
Marc Stratton and Susan Gartner, is designed to expose students to careers in the
arts. This year’s talented presenters were all ages and from the surrounding area,
including Manhattan and Topeka. The students were able to select presentations
in which they were interested ahead of time, and then followed their schedule for
the half-day. Students could go to Cowboy Poetry, Cake Decorating, Textile
Crafts, Copper smithing, Dance, and Drums, just to name a few of the 20 plus
presentations available. Perhaps the greatest thrill of the day was the opening
mini-concert performed by a three-person jazz combo in our commons with a
marimba player in his office in New York City, Skypeing in to join the group.
Thanks again to all the teachers for their help monitoring, Mrs. Lindley and Mrs.
May who so graciously took care of the presenters all day, student greeters, and
Mr. Stratton and Mrs. Gartner. It was a very good day!
• Calder Malin, grade 8, represented WMS at the Kansas Spelling Bee over his
spring break on March 14. We are proud to report that Calder placed eleventh!
Great job, Calder!!
• FCCLA has been busy again in the month of March. Three eighth grade girls,
Kayla Ayres, Tessa Buxton, and Emily Stratton, represented WMS at the State
Leadership Conference and STAR Events in Wichita on March 30-31. Kayla also

presented her STAR event, for which she had received a silver at District
competition in February.
• The Cutest Pet Contest returned for another year! Students entered their pet for a
$2.00 fee and then students voted with their loose change for one week. The
monies donated through voting, $235.00, was donated to the Pottawatomie
County Humane Society at our Academic Assembly on March 27. Prizes given:
Best Pose Award: Stacie Westgate’s cat, Sammy
Most Creative Name Award: Pluffy and her owner, Ty Rose.
Most Unique Entry Award: Maggie Shermoen and her hamster, Margarita
Cutest Eyes Award is Ethan Malin’s cat, Cookie.
Horizontally Challenged Award: Madison Weiger’s dog, Hersheys.
“AH” Award: Remi, Shyanna Cassatt’s dog.
In third place, bringing in $39.86: Davida Holley’s dog, Rocky.
In second place, bringing in $57.52: Brandon Ebert’s dogs, Sugar and Spice.
Winner of the 2009 KAY Cutest Pet Contest, bringing in $57.97: Marissa
Colson’s horse, Jackie.
• Other students participating: Naomi Terabelian, Alexis Shockey, Stacey White,
Garrett Rose, Rebecca Wahl, Bryce Rincon, Christopher Rosell, Michelle Wahl,
Kevin Lewis, Paula Serb, Kalli Ayres, Emmalee Chrest, Tierra Teske, and Mary
Mumpower.
• Faculty News
• WMS Faculty Basketball Challenge on February 27 was a HUGE success! First,
we’d like to thank the teachers from other buildings who came to make the night
such a huge success: Diane Barden, Carol Conwell, Sherry Helus, Beth Lang,
Andy Morton, Don Patton, John Scoggins, and Christi Wiegers. We’d also like to
thank the high school band students for running an outstanding concession stand!
Through the generosity of our students and community, we collected $467.25 for
our WMS Activity Fund. The high school teachers have already thrown down the
challenge for next year – in their gym! We can’t wait!!
• It is our pleasure to announce the middle school nominees for Teacher of the
Year: Susan Partridge and Chris Richmond. The nomination letters for both of
them expressed heartfelt respect as teachers and people. We are pleased to have
them on our staff.
• Mrs. Tanner and Mrs. Jennings attended a presentation on Multi-Tier System of
Supports by Dr. Wayne Callendar in Kansas City on March 12. They were part of
a group of teachers and administrators from across the district who took
advantage of a free opportunity to learn more about academic interventions for all
ages of students.
• Mrs. Jennings was participated in the Senior Interview Day at the high school as a
potential employer. The students were well-prepared and nervous, but they did an
excellent job, practicing for their future.

Wamego High School:
• Hannah Kientz, junior, has been selected as Wamego High School's first ever
entrant for the NCTE Achievement Awards in Writing, which recognizes
outstanding 11th-grade writers from around the nation. Hannah will submit an
impromptu timed writing, as well as a collection of her best writing later this
month. Her sponsor for the contest is Lori Goodson.
• The WaKaller newspaper staff at WHS published its first 16-page newspaper in
March. Since the beginning of last year, the newspaper has doubled in size and is
now available on the school website. The staff includes Megan Salfrank, editor;
Hannah Kientz, assistant editor; and Mallaurie Serb, Starla Simmons, Michelle
Haskins, Catie Huston, Katie Davis, Kris Velasco, Laurina Hannan, Jessica
White, and Olivia Parrish.
• Lori Goodson has been selected as a table host and discussion leader at the 2009
Middle Level Section Get-Together during the annual NCTE convention in
Philadelphia in November. This year’s featured speaker for the Middle Level
Section Get-Together is Cris Tovani, classroom teacher and author of Do I Really
Have to Teach Reading and I Read It But I Don't Get It. Table hosts/discussion
leader’s help by encouraging discussion after Tovani’s talk.
• Jessica White will be representing Wamego High School again this year at the
Grand National Forensics Tournament. She qualified for nationals in Dramatic
Performance. Nationals will be held in New York this year.
• WHS National Honor Society brought seventeen new members into the fold
during the annual Induction ceremony Monday, March 30 in the high school
auditorium. Members, both current and new inductees, are to meet on stage at 7
p.m. to rehearse, with the ceremony starting promptly at 7:30 p.m.. A reception
for new members and well wishers will follow in the Commons. The public is
invited to attend.
• National Honor Society recognizes students who exhibit strength in scholarship,
service, leadership, and character. This year’s inductees are: C.J. Barden*,
Samantha Bonderer, Jacob DeHart, Macy Ebert, Lane Eichman, Josie M.C.
Gonzales, Laurina Hannan, Alicia Killian, Britt Massingill*, Conner McManus,
Brooke Powers, Casey Roberts, Cassie Routh, Taylor Shaffer, Jordan Umscheid,
Sean Webb, and Cat Wethington.
• These inductees will join current NHS members Hillary Dreher*(president),
Amelia Fosen* (treasurer), Nick Hartwich*, Drew Kiker*, Sydney Lippman,
Stephanie Neilsen, Elyse Pachta*(vice president), Paula Peterson*, Elizabeth
Scherer, Nichole Straub*(secretary), Sarah Van Petten*, Jessica White*, Seth
Klein, Connor Nickerson, Chelsea Prockish, Amanda Scheideman, Kevin
Thomas*, Kris Velasco*, and Kayla Woerman*. Sponsors Kate Coddington and
Shawn Hornung want to thank this year’s Faculty Council for reviewing all
submissions and completing the selection process. Those faculty are Ms. Beth
Lang (chair), Mr. Bob Johnson, Mr. Chris Richmond, Mr. John Scoggins, and
Mrs. Cristi Wiegers. Congratulations are also extended to Ms. Jeani Wilson,
administrative assistant at WHS, for being selected as this year’s Honorary
Member for all she does to support students during school, at extra curricular

events, and behind the scenes. Ms. Wilson was selected for this honor by NHS
members.
*Denotes graduating seniors
• Sixty-four members of the Wamego High School Chapter of Future Business
Leaders of America attended the State Conference in Topeka on March 24th and
25th . Adviser Mrs. Karen Hynek accompanied the group, along with chaperones
Anne Jardine, Travis MacDonald and Maria O’Halloran.
• The WHS FBLA chapter was one of 13 chapters from across the state (out of 111)
to earn the Hollis and Kitty Guy Gold Seal Chapter Award of Merit. This
recognition is based on the chapter’s active participation in programs and projects
throughout the year that advanced the goals of FBLA-PBL.
• Five local chapter members were named to the 2008-2009 Who’s Who in Kansas
FBLA: Jameson Eichman, Elyse Pachta, Sarah Van Petten, Kelsey Peterson &
Trenton Modean.
• Fourteen WHS FBLA students placed in the top 10 in the state of Kansas in their
various events. Listed below are the results of the State Conference:
*1st Place – Virtual Business Challenge (Fall and Spring Challenge)
o Lane Eichman
o BJ Kohler
*3rd Place – Introduction to Technology Concepts – National Qualifier!!!
o Brett Holle
*3rd Place – Spreadsheet Applications
o Trenton Modean
*4th Place – Chapter Scrapbook
o Sarah Van Petten
*5th Place – Computer Applications
o Trenton Modean
*6th Place – Computer Applications
o Sierra Hodges
*7th Place – Mr. FBL
o Jameson Eichman
*8th Place – Ms. FBL
o Elyse Pachta
*8th Place – Local Chapter Annual Business Report
o Kelsey Peterson & Parker Abel
*9th Place – FBLA Principles & Procedures
o Krystal Gee
*9th Place – Business Communication
o Jason Smith
*10th Place – Business Law
o Crystal Long
*10th Place – Electronic Career Portfolio
o Samantha Bonderer
WHS FBLA would like to thank the USD 320 BOE for their support in attending

this State Conference. The educational value, along with the real-life experience,
of the competitions and business sessions is extremely valuable and rewarding.
• The WHS Future Business Leaders of America have completed required
activities/projects to qualify for the National Outstanding Chapter Award. The
officers of the WHS chapter have completed a 44 page report that is being
submitted as application for the award. We will not receive notification on the
status of this award until the end of this school year or during the summer at the
National Leadership Conference.