PCS board prepares for administrative transition, reviews transportation needs
The Perkins County Schools Board of Education approved several financial and administrative changes June 15 as the district prepares for new leadership beginning July 1.
The board voted to replace outgoing Superintendent Mark Jolliffe with incoming Superintendent Benjamin “Ben” Jones as an authorized signer on district bank accounts, credit cards and the district’s safe deposit box.
Jones will replace Jolliffe as an authorized signer on the district’s activity fund, lunch fund and transaction cash accounts. Tanya McArtor and Dawnya Dreiling will remain authorized signers.
The board also approved replacing a general fund credit card issued in Jolliffe’s name through Sandhills State Bank with a card issued to Jones through Pinnacle Bank. Jolliffe’s superintendent credit card will also be canceled and replaced with one for Jones effective July 1.
Jones and board Treasurer Jayson Bishop were added as authorized signers for the district’s safe deposit box.
Similar changes were approved at the principal level. Tara Sudbeck will replace Dalton Pettera as an authorized signer on the district’s lunch fund and transaction cash accounts.
Board members thanked Jolliffe and Pettera for their years of service to the district.
During his superintendent’s report, Jolliffe said the district continues to make summer improvements at both school buildings. New furniture has been delivered, carpet is being installed and a sidewalk project on the north side of the elementary school has been completed.
The district is also considering adding Kenton Heights as a school bus stop.
Transportation staffing could become another area of focus for the district. Jolliffe told the board that bus driver Rex Burge plans to retire following the upcoming school year. A person who had expressed interest in working as a substitute driver may be interested in taking over the route next year.
Jones has also requested information about what nearby school districts pay their bus drivers.
At the junior and senior high school, Principal Dalton Pettera reported that ACT assessments completed online were being rescored. The district’s results increased following the rescoring, and officials believe there may have been a problem with the ACT testing software.
Elementary Principal Anthony Reisig reported that summer school was underway. Elementary staff members have also been invited to present during the Nebraska Multi-Tiered System of Support summit scheduled for October in Kearney.
Activities Director Chris Cole said the district’s Turf Tank robotic field painter had arrived and been tested. Ten coaches were scheduled to attend a coaches clinic, and the district expects to receive reimbursement checks from the Nebraska School Activities Association in July.
Technology Coordinator Renee Seiler reported that the district was working with 20/20 Technologies to address security technology issues at the elementary school.
The board approved several policy updates recommended by KSB School Law. Policies concerning board meetings, purchasing, emergency planning, staff conduct, student discipline and curriculum were among those approved.
The board postponed action on five other policies until all six board members could be present for the discussion.
Board members also approved general fund expenses totaling $851,980.78, including $275,426.53 in payroll and $576,554.25 in bills. Lunch fund expenses totaled $22,227.77, including $11,043.81 in payroll and $11,183.96 in bills.
Board members Chris Fryzek, Jayson Bishop, Jason Noyes and Holly Cornelius attended the meeting. Tori Gengenbach and Cameron Sis were absent. No members of the public spoke during the meeting.
The board’s next meeting is scheduled for Monday, July 20. A budget meeting will begin at 5 p.m., followed by the regular meeting at 6:30 p.m.