USD 333 board again has open seat

For the second time this year, the Concordia Unified School District 333 board of education has an open seat.
Tony Miller, who held the Position 3, Sub-District 3 seat on the school board, submitted a letter of resignation, effective July 14. He has accepted a position as an assistant coach for the Concordia High School football team.
Miller’s letter stated, “I am glad I had the opportunity to express my thoughts and concerns over the years to make this district a better place. Thank You and keep striving for excellence and Always put the KIDS first. Always remember the amount of effort you put into something is the amount of success you will have.”
Mark Nordell had resigned from the school board in January. He was replaced by Jenny Parker.
Miller was first elected to the board in 2015 and was re-elected in 2019. He had filed to run for a third term in November, and his name will appear on the ballot.
Mike Cleveland and Jerlynn Johnston have also filed to run for the now vacant seat.
The board did approve a resolution, during its regular meeting on Monday night, authorizing to fill the vacancy no sooner than 15 days following publication in The Concordia Blade-Empire.
Should the board appoint someone to the open position, their term would end in January when the newly elected school board member would take over.
Leaving Miller’s seat on the board open through the remainder of the term was discussed.
“We can choose to accept applications and then not fill it,” USD 333 superintendent of schools Quentin Breese said.
Also approved by the board during the meeting was an application process for an open board seat, that was presented by Breese.
“What I would like to do is have a process that is more consistent and systematic,” Breese said.
In other action taken during the meeting, the board approved the 2023-2024 negotiated agreement with the North Central Education Association.
Included in the agreement approved by the board and by the teachers is an increase in the base salary of 1.8 percent, from $41,000 to $41,250.
The board set a date for the fiscal year 2023-2024 budget hearing and revenue neutral rate public hearing. They will take place during the regular meeting on September 11 at 6 p.m.
All taxing authorities, under Kansas statute, are now required to have a public hearing and send notification to property owners for proposed budgets that exceed the revenue neutral rate, which is when the taxing jurisdiction budgets the exact same amount of property tax revenue, in dollars, for the upcoming budget year as they did for the current year.
The proposed budget, which will be published this week, calls for a slight increase in the tax rate, from 46.481 mills to 46.980.
The board approved its long term and short term goals that had been established during its board retreat last month.
The long term goals include: 1. Recruit, develop and retain high quality effective staff. 2. Provide world-class education in a stable financial environment. 3. Amplify the Concordia Education Fund to enrich educational opportunities and sustain our future.
The short term goals include: 1. Improve the USD 333 Data Dashboard to drive instruction and professional development. 2. Refine a strategic and positive Master Facility plan. 3. Enhance the USD 333 consolidated comprehensive communication platform through Parent Square. 4. Improve academic and cognitive preparation to increase technical and employability skills while encouraging civic engagement.
Also approved by the board, during the meeting, was a mileage reimbursement rate of 65.5 cents per mile; Concordia Middle School, Concordia Junior-Senior High School and USD 333 daycare handbook revisions; board policy updates; and a Learning Cooperative of North Central Kansas contract for physical therapy services.
New hires for USD 333 included in the classified staff changes approved by the board are: Megan Pearson, assistant high school girls' basketball coach; Sofia Gallup, assistant high school volleyball coach; Crystal Lowell, para sub/teal teacher sub; Lydia Shorney, para sub/teal teacher sub; Sara Fleming, teacher/para substitute; Amber Rogers-Clark, accompanist at Concordia Junior-Senior High School; Meechie Whitley, food truck driver; Karen Barrett, food service server; Chloe Behrens, CAP teacher; Katie Jackson, CAP teacher; and Madison Meyer, daycare substitute.
Classified staff resignations accepted include: Mariah Blazek, assistant high school volleyball coach; Audrianna Stephenson, regular education Concordia Middle School educator; and Chloe Hibbs, daycare substitute.
Breese presented the board with an enrollment report during the meeting.
As of Monday there were 1,078 students in pre-K through 12th grade enrolled.