The Fieldcrest CUSD 6 Board of Education held its regular Board meeting on Wednesday, May 25, 2016. Members present were Tom Barth, Tammi Coons, Scott Hillenburg, Joe Kirkpatrick, Greg Kroeschen, Tim McNamara, and Danielle Reichman. Also present were Superintendent Dr. Daniel L. Oakley, East principal Mr. Nate Lorton, and several of staff and community members.
The Board held closed session prior to the open meeting for the purposes of discussing specific employee concerns, compensation, school security concerns, and negotiations with the FEA.
During the public comment section, Mr. Andrew Nenne addressed the Board regarding attendance centers.
In Board action during regular session, the Board: approved the consent agenda; approved computer purchases to renew the district's 1:1 computing program; adopted the final FY16 public school calendar as required by law; approved an extension of the superintendent's contract to June 30, 2019; adopted a Board meeting schedule for 2016-2017; posted a tentative amended FY16 budget with a hearing date of June 29, 2016; adopted a resolution directing the school treasurer to partially abate and transfer monies from the working cash fund to the education fund; renewed the district's driver's education car lease with Geiser Ford for three more years; and approved an amended employee retirement agreement.
Mr. Lorton talked about end of year activities at East. Mr. Lorton was very proud of his staff and the efforts to improve student academic performance. Dr. Oakley noted that not much has changed in Springfield. There are still no resolutions with the budget or several proposed laws that would change the district's fiscal realities.
Dr. Oakley then addressed attendance centers. At the April Board meeting, the Board asked for information regarding attendance centers and the possibility of closing a building.
Dr. Oakley found that the only building closing option at this time that would work, if the potential for larger class sizes was taken into account, would be to have PK-3 at West, 4-8 at East, and close South. That leaves the Board with three options: retain the status quo; move to attendance centers with PK-2 at South, 3-5 at West, and 6-8 at East; or move to attendance centers with PK-3 at West, 4-8 at East, and close South. There were a number of pros and cons that the Board and Dr. Oakley discussed following the presentation, including fiscal responsibility and effects on student academic performance. The Board is currently slated to vote on attendance centers at the June Board meeting.
To download a Power Point presentation of the attendance center analysis, click here.
The next regular Board meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, June 29, 2016, at 6:30 pm at Fieldcrest High School band room, with closed session starting at 6:00 pm.