Marion school board extends superintendent's contract
Staff writer
Without fanfare, the Marion-Florence USD 408 board of education voted Jan. 10 to extend superintendent Lee Leiker's employment contract an additional year.
The unanimous vote extends Leiker's contract through the 2006-07 school year. Leiker was hired in February 2004 on a two-year contract set to expire at the end of the 2005-06 school year.
In other matters, the board:
— Heard a Professional Development Council report from Marion High School staff member and PDC chairman JoAnn Good. She noted the district's professional development plan had been sent to the state and approved for this year and all USD 408 teachers had a PDC plan on file.
— Approved a technical update in the district's Section 125 plan.
— Approved keeping driver's education fees at $100 for in-district students and $200 for out-of-district students.
Leiker said the in-district fee has been set at $100 for several years.
"The driver's ed fund is financially in better shape now than it was a year ago," Leiker said.
He also noted the $100 was difficult for some parents to generate.
— Approved several mid — year policy update recommendations from the Kansas Association of School Boards.
One policy included new language regarding a blanket fidelity bond for school employees and a position bond for the treasurer, clerk, and superintendent for an amount to be set by the board.
District business manager and clerk Martin Tice noted the superintendent currently is not bonded.
"I feel the superintendent should be bonded," said board member Keith Collett.
After discussion, the board amended the policy setting a $5,000 bond for all employees and a $97,500 bond for treasurer, clerk, and superintendent.
Other policies approved were in reference to the Fair Labor Standards Act regarding work schedules of certified personnel and attendance requirements for all employees and defining the work week. Another policy was edited to account for students who need to give themselves insulin injections or other injectable medications if they have a signed permission slip.
— Scheduled a board retreat for 6 p.m. Feb. 7 at the central office.
