Adopted the 2002-03 Calendar. Teacher in-service days will be held on August 21-23 with the first day of classes beginning on Monday, August 26. The last day of school will be May 30, 2003.

Reviewed and approved a list of facility improvement projects to be funded by PPEL funds. These projects include:

• …Complete the roof repair at the bus garage
• …Install concrete reinforcement and sidewalk project north and west of the track area
• …Purchase a new school bus
• …Remodel the north entrance to the MS/HS building
• …Replace some of the carpet in the MS/HS building
• …Establish a rotation for the purchase and replacement of student lockers
• …Install roofs on the softball dugouts
• …Upgrade a piece of equipment for the Industrial Technology classroom
• …Replace the air conditioning coil at the MS/HS

Received the initial bargaining proposal from the South Hamilton Education Association for the 2002-03 teacher contract.  The proposal included the following items:

• …Proposed new language in the contract that would create a master calendar committee.
• …Proposed new language to guide the New Professionals Mentoring Program in the district
• …Proposed a $450 increase in the base salary for teachers for the 2002-03 school year. The proposed base salary for first year teachers with no experience would become $23,950 under this proposal. The estimated cost increase would be approximately $98,000 or a 3.6% increase above the teacher contract costs for this year.

Approved a request from a teacher for a day of unpaid leave.

Accepted the early retirement request from Ivan Vust, 5th and 6th grade science teacher and co-wrestling coach. Mr. Vust has served the district for the past 30 years.

Approved an open enrollment request for a kindergarten student to enroll into the district for the 2002-03 school year.

Accepted a newly created Superintendents' Scholarship to be granted to a graduating senior from South Hamilton High School. The scholarship will be funded through contributions from Mr. Richard Textor and Mr. Mike Rogers, both retired superintendents of the South Hamilton Community Schools, and present superintendent Mr. Kinley. The amount of this year's scholarship will be $1000.

Heard a presentation from Todd Coy, activities director, on proposed revisions to the Junior High Athletic Program. The proposal creates a better and more equitable use of district facilities for 7th and 8th grade boys and girls basketball, allows for more floor space and time for practices and improves the coach/player ratios during practice time. The proposed schedule places an increased emphasis on skill development and increased opportunities for meaningful playing time for participants. The proposed changes in schedule would create a modified split season for 7th grade boys, allowing them to participate in both wrestling and basketball if they chose to do so. The board took no action on the proposal, but will consider it for approval at the March meeting.

Appointed Dave Carlson, Selwyn Rash and Vicki Hill as a sub-committee to make recommendations to the board on non-teaching salaries for 2002-03. This sub-committee will meet later this spring.

Mr. Kinley provided the board with an overview of the budget development process and the factors that enter into establishing the district's budget authority. The Board will receive and review the budget proposals for 2002-03 at its March meeting and set a date at that time for the public hearing and adoption of the budget for the 2000-03 fiscal year.

Approved the scheduling of a varsity boys basketball practice on Sunday, February 17 prior to the district basketball tournament game on Monday, February 18. 
Elementary Principal Paul Hemphill reported that the elementary school was the recent recipient of a $1000 Literacy Grant from Sam's Club. He also reported that the Jewell Jubilee committee is donating $250 toward the purchase of a new portable sound system.

Secondary Principal Steve Gray reported that the MS/HS math and science program recently received $2500 in graphing calculators through a grant program at Iowa State University. The $5000 prize from the Malls4schools Program has also been received.

Mr. Gray reported to the board on plans for the final school day for seniors and the Senior Breakfast. The final day of classes for seniors will be Friday, May 17. The Senior Breakfast is scheduled for Tuesday morning, May 21. Commencement is scheduled for Saturday evening, May 25.

Curriculum Coordinator Carroll McLuckie reported that the district has received an e-rate reimbursement check for $5800 from Qwest.

Superintendent Kinley reported that the most recent state discussions on an across-the-board 2.6% budget cut would result in an additional $59,565 reduction in state revenues for the district.

Energy and fuel expenses for this year are approximately $35,000 less than they were at this time a year ago. The mild winter and conservation efforts by all staff have contributed to this savings.

"Coffee and Conversation with the Supt." was held on Feb. 2 with 15 people in attendance.

Mr. Kinley reported on the involvement of South Hamilton teachers in the new teacher mentoring program this year.

Mr. Kinley briefly reviewed the special meeting recently held with the Hubbard-Radcliffe board and indicated that a similar meeting with the Northeast Hamilton board will be scheduled in the near future.