East Buchanan Community School District
Regular Board Meeting Minutes – November 13, 2024
Call to Order - President Andy Sperfslage called the meeting to order at 5:00 pm. The board recited the East Buchanan Mission Statement. Board members present were Scott Cooksley, Andrew Maas, Tim Recker, Andy Sperfslage, and Heather Steffens. Administrators attending were Superintendent Kory Kelchen, MS/HS Principal Eric Dockstader, Dean of Students Nathan Reck, and Business Manager/Board Secretary Teresa Knipper. Several visitors attended the meeting. Motion carried with all ayes unless otherwise noted.
Approve Agenda – Motion by Steffens, second by Maas to approve the agenda as presented.
Approve Consent Agenda - Motion by Cooksley, second by Recker to approve the consent agenda. Items included on the Consent Agenda: minutes from the regular meeting on October 9, 2024; hiring of Al Snyder as assistant girls’ basketball coach, Sarah Horn as associate, Brent Lenox as MS wrestling coach, and Lee White as assistant boys’ basketball coach; resignation of Jessi Opitz as MS volleyball coach; expenditures listed; and financial reports.
Community/Program Presentations – Students from the interior design class presented ideas for improvements to the HS entryway, ramp walkway, and 6th grade hallway. Denovo Construction provided the assessment report to the board and presented an overview of the assessment.
Administrative Updates and Reports – Reck reported that 96% of parents attended elementary conferences, Halloween events went well, veterans answered student questions on Veteran’s Day, sixth graders led the Leader in Me assembly and planned Veteran’s Day activities, and Molly the therapy dog has started her work in the school. Dockstader reported the Veterans Day assembly went well with students planning the event, students are registering for college classes for the second semester, and there are a lot of activities going on now. Kelchen reported that the district has been selected for on-site assessment accountability this year and that the doors are being installed this week with the cameras already in use.
River Hills SBRC Request – Motion by Recker, second by Maas to approve the application to the SBRC in the amount of $4,459.17 for special education administrative costs associated with the River Hills Consortium program for the 25-26 school year.
Cooperative Sharing Agreement – Motion by Recker, second by Steffens to approve the cooperative sharing agreement with Independence CSD for boys’ soccer, girls’ soccer, and boys bowling as presented.
Financial Presentation – Kelchen presented financial indicators and explained what needs to be considered when looking at the financial condition of the district. He also explained how the Jester Break/Fix Program works regarding equipment repairs.
Early Graduation Request – Motion by Maas, second by Cooksley to approve the early graduation request as presented.
Early Retirement Policies – Kelchen presented options for the retirement policies. Motion by Maas, second by Steffens to approve the second reading of the retirement policies as discussed.
Student Questions - No students were present
BucPr1de – Veterans Day assembly went well.
Adjourn – Motion by Maas, second by Recker to adjourn the meeting at 6:25 pm.
The above are not official minutes until approved at the next regular board meeting. A copy of the official minutes may be viewed in the office of the Board Secretary any Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.