At the regular monthly meeting, the South Hamilton Board of Directors:

Reviewed the school calendar that was approved in February and considered moving the starting date for school ahead from the established date of August 26. After much discussion, the board decided to leave the calendar as approved earlier. Classes will begin on Monday, August 26.

Approved an increase in the student admission to football games to $3 to correspond with the admission prices set for all district football games. Raised the price of an adult punch ticket by $5 (from $25-$30). The student punch ticket will remain at $15. A free senior citizen ticket is available to citizens 65 and older by contacting Mr. Coy.

Accepted the bid of Evans Floor Covering to replace carpet in the MS/HS building. The carpet in the rotunda, front hallway, high school office, and auditorium will be replaced at a cost of $12,275.45. The project will be paid through PPEL funds.

Approved the expenditure of PPEL funds to upgrade the phone system in the MS/HS building to accommodate additional digital phones which will be purchased to replaced older phones that are becoming inoperable. The cost of the upgrade will be approximately $2000 plus the cost of replacement phones as needed.

Took action on several personnel items:

• …Accepted the resignation of Jim Klein as head girls' basketball coach.
• Agreed to modify, by mutual agreement, the teaching contract of Keri Hodnefield to a .25 FTE for the 2002-03 school year.
• …Approved a teacher's request to extend the due date for return of his 2002-03 contract.
• …Approved the following recommendations for employment:
• Travis Anderson - junior high assistant baseball coach
• John Lovell - assistant fall play director
• Approved the voluntary transfer request from Cathy Stakey to move from the K-12 media special position to the classroom teaching vacancy in the 5th grade. The district is currently advertising for a media specialist to replace Mrs. Stakey.
• …Approved math teacher Gary Gorman as a volunteer coach in the high school softball program.
• Approved the issuing of contracts for 2002-03 to the school support staff and approved the following recommendations from the support staff salary committee:
• Approved a salary increase of 2.71% for all support staff employees. Approved an additional salary increase of $1600  for board secretary/business manager Susan Headley to bring her salary closer to the average for similar positions in the other conference schools. 
• In response to a request for 9-month employees to be paid during the summer, agreed to establish a direct deposit program for employees who desire to divert some of their salary into an account to be drawn upon during the summer months.
• Approved the use of vacation time by custodial staff for vacation periods during the school year when students are not in session. This would include the Friday of Thanksgiving, vacation time during winter break and spring break. Requests for vacation time would need to be made in advance.
• Agreed to provide superintendent John Kinley a board-paid annuity in the amount of $3600 in lieu of the single premium medical insurance coverage.

Reviewed student fees and school food service prices for 2002-03. The board approved a 10-cent increase in school lunch prices in grades 7-12, kept breakfast prices the same at all grade levels, approved a $10 fee per year to provide snacks for students in grades K-1. Student textbook fees (K-12) will remain the same for 2002-03.

Granted approval for Student Assurance Services, Inc. to provide student accident insurance information to any interested families. The board also approved the renewal of the district's catastrophic insurance program for student activities and interscholastic athletics.
Approved the use of the MS/HS gym, cafeteria and auditorium for use by the Jewell Jubilee committee in the vent of rain. Approved the use of the school auditorium for a scheduled Sunday afternoon program sponsored by the Jewell Jubilee committee for the nominal cost of custodial time to clean up after the event.

Heard a report from high school principal Steve Gray on the possibility of creating an early bird PE Class for 2002-03. This would provide an opportunity for some students to pick up an extra academic class during the school day. Enrolments numbers are currently being established. Mr. Gray will provide a final update at the June meeting.

The board reviewed a proposed redistricting plan for board director districts that was received on May 10. A number of changes have been proposed in response to the 2000 census. Given the fact the board did not had sufficient time to review the plan and develop an appropriate response prior to the May 15th deadline, the board passed a resolution indicating that the board has reviewed the proposed plan and advises the public that through circumstances beyond its immediate control, the District has not received or had sufficient time to review the proposed changes and/or develop a plan that would meet the standards set forth in the Iowa Code regarding the establishment of new director district boundaries. The board will act in good faith to provide a timely response to the state regarding this proposal.

Approved the list of seniors in the Class of 2002 for graduation, contingent upon each student successfully completing all of the district's requirements for graduation.

Approved Will Johnston and Beth Hoff as two new members of the South Hamilton Foundation board.

Received a status report on the preliminary discussions that have been held with neighboring districts about future educational program opportunities. A letter has been sent to Northeast Hamilton and Hubbard Radcliffe district requesting an opportunity to meet again and tour their respective facilities. In addition, the superintendent was directed to contact the Iowa Department of Education and request a feasibility study be completed for the district to provide additional information to the board regarding district strengths and opportunities and assist the board in making informed decisions about the future.

Elementary Principal Paul Hemphill provided an update on the implementation of Accelerated Math in grades 5-6. Time adjustments have been made in the school day to allow students more time to complete math requirements. Student progress and mastery of course objectives have improved significantly during the fourth quarter.

Curriculum Director Carroll McLuckie reported that the district's Phase III plan will be brought to the board for approval in June, as well as a schedule of late starts and early dismissal that will be requested to support staff development during the 2002-03 school year. Staff Input regarding professional development needs is being collected.

Superintendent Kinley distributed a 2002 legislative summary and a list of items for legislative consideration for 2002-03 to the board for their review. This being School Board Recognition Week, the board members were thanked for their dedicated service to the community. Refreshments were provided by the South Hamilton Education Association and the elementary booster club in recognition and appreciation of the board's efforts throughout the year.

The board adjourned and then entered into closed session to conduct the evaluation of the superintendent's job performance.