GUESTS: Dr. Shelly Kiblinger, Superintendent of USD 308, our guest speaker and Luke Steinle, Erics son.
FINES: Sergeants-At-Arms Scott Potucek and Larry Sloan were again without the necessary dirt required to levy this weeks fines but made up for it drilling us with Scotts version of Today in History. However they did manage to fine Ward Davis, Randall Haltom and Dan Power for being late. They followed up with a Breakfast Card check.
ANNOUNCEMENTS: The club social on February 16th has been canceled due to a scheduling problem. It will be rescheduled for a later date.
Paul Hardenberger – Vice President of Operations for Marlen Research, was sworn in as our newest member. Congratulations Paul and Welcome to our club!!
PROGRAM: Dan Power, former longtime board member of USD 308, introduced Dr. Shelly Kiblinger, Superintendent of USD 308. Dr. Kiblinger has been Superintendent for 1-1/2 years following interim Superintendent Jan Strecker . Formerly Dr. Kiblinger was assistant superintendent of personnel at Garden City High School for three years and prior to that an educator for 22 years. Dr Kiblinger discussed the recent announcement that the three-judge panel, in the lawsuit of Ganon vs. Kansas, ruled in favor of school districts on January 11, 2013. The judges found that the Kansas legislature had failed to adequately provide funding to provide for a suitable for a suitable education as required under the states constitution. This victory for Kansas schools means that no less than $4,492 the Base State Aid Per Pupil (BSAPP) be paid based on the 2009 approved level that was never reached. As an added benefit the courts also ordered the state to fully fund the equalization required under the Local Option Budget, which helps districts with low assessed valuation raise funds without an unwarranted burden on local taxpayers. The past few years, districts have received a prorated amount of state aid. However the decision has been appealed to the Kansas Supreme Court and it will probably take a year for a final decision to be reached. If all is approved this will be a win for students and local tax payers as well in the amount of an additional $5 million per year from BSAPP. USD 308 had invested approximately $90,000 in the lawsuit.
50/50 Drawing: Terry Brigman won $18
Newsletter Drawing: Eric Lucky Steinle won $20 for knowing the name of his guest and our newest member.
Newsletter question: For $5, what is Dr. Kiblingers full first name?
Editor: Steve Conard