Fall Harvest Festival promotes healthy eating

Posted on September 18, 2012 by angeliquemcnaughton

By Angelique McNaughton

September 16, 2012

Two years ago, 3-year-old Bella Bryan got her first dose of agricultural education when her day care center became involved in the Farm to Child Care program.

The Douglas County Childhood Development Association’s program aims to encourage healthy eating habits and choices by working with local farmers, families and child care providers to increase food education and access to local produce through children’s gardens.

Charlie Bryan said the initial exposure to gardening piqued his daughter’s interest and since then the Bryan family has purchased plots through the Lawrence Community Garden Project and has planted a garden at their home.

The new garden enthusiasts were among about 130 local families who attended the Fall Harvest Festival on the open grounds of Pendleton’s Country Market, 1446 E. 1850 Road, on Sunday evening. Under cloudy skies and what felt like fall weather, the festival served as the culmination of the two-year program.

“I think it (the program) is great, and it’s made a big difference,” Bryan said.

“Farm to Child Care” participants were spread about the east Lawrence farm decorating crafts, going on hayrides and eating local foods as part of the potluck dinner.

Event co-organizer Emily Hampton, DCCDA Food Systems coordinator, said she saw many familiar faces and was pleased with the turnout, which matched last year’s attendance.

“It’s fun to have a time to celebrate and see the kids out playing at a farm,” Hampton said. “To see everything all come together about food and gardening: That’s the highlight for me.”

In its second year at the same location, the three-hour event also featured live music, prizes and a recipe exchange.

Lawrence resident Sarah Hoskinson brought her three daughters — Abby, 5, Lexi, 2, and Izzy, 1 — out to the festival for the first time. Both Lexi and Izzy help with gardens at their child-care centers, Hoskinson said.

The program is great, she said, and serves as an extension of what her family already practices.

This year, the Farm to Child Care program doubled and in some cases tripled participation, reaching about 950 children at 27 in-home providers and nine child-care centers.

Organizer Ashley Graff, DCCDA Food Systems educator, said it’s imperative to expose children to natural produce while their tastes and preferences are developing.

“The obesity crisis is booming, and it’s scary,” Graff said. “That’s what we are working against.”

Implemented in 2011, DCCDA received a $100,000 grant from the Untied Methodist Health Ministry to fund the program.

For more information or to become involved, contact Emily Hampton at (785) 842-9679.

Civil rights probe; Federal officials investigating complaint filed against USD 234

Posted on August 15, 2012 by angeliquemcnaughton

Wednesday, August 15, 2012

By Angelique McNaughton

The Office for Civil Rights is conducting an investigation into a complaint filed by a parent against USD 234, Superintendent Diane Gross said Tuesday.

Gross told school board members about the complaint during Monday night’s regularly scheduled board meeting following a budget hearing. OCR personnel are currently interviewing district staff.

Gross said the complaint was filed sometime last year, but the new superintendent was unable to comment on the specifics surrounding the case. Gross replaced former superintendent Rick Werling on July 1.

“I’d rather not do that right now,” Gross said. “I can’t elaborate (on the complaint).”

The OCR enforces five federal civil rights laws that prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability and age in programs that receive federal assistance from the U.S. Department of Education, the Department of Education website said. A complaint must be filed within 180 calendar days of the alleged discrimination.

“If something happens and a parent or student feels like their civil rights have been violated, they have an avenue to file a complaint,” Gross said.

Typically, Gross said a district will try to cooperate and share facts with the investigating parties.

Calls to the Office for Civil Rights regional office in Kansas City, Mo., were not returned Tuesday.

Superintendent, board begin work on goals

Posted on August 15, 2012 by angeliquemcnaughton

Wednesday, August 15, 2012

By Angelique McNaughton

Following the USD 234 district budget hearing on Monday evening, school board members approved a change in board policy regarding the annual report to allow Superintendent Diane Gross to deliver it monthly, rather than annually.

In her August monthly report, Gross said since taking on the role of superintendent she has began to formulate a foundation for establishing the district’s new mission statement and goals.

“I would go as far as to say it’s about putting us all on the same page as to … the main objectives we are trying to address,” Gross said told board members.

The seven-member school board began considering changing the district’s goals and mission statement at the end of 2011.

Business Manager Tiffany Forester said in a past Tribune article that board members thought it would be a “good idea” to review the statements because the district’s goals may not be the same as they were in the early 1990s.

“What they (the school board) ended up doing was kind of putting that (district goals) on hold until a new superintendent was hired,” Gross said. “So I took the information that was shared with me when I began and began using that as a foundation.”

Gross outlined six goals for the district, in no particular order, that would replace the district’s current objectives, which were adopted in October 1993:

They include:

* Community engagement with the parent/family environment

* Curriculum instruction and assessment

* Recruit, retain and train highly effective staff

* Build capacity for use of technology operation and instruction

* Develop a long-range facilities plan

All of the revised goals include action plans to help the district fulfill its ambitions and explain the value and importance of each.

Gross said she will continue to meet with building administrators to “get some indicators” as to where certain individuals would like to see the direction of the district go.

“I eventually will be working with teams of teachers from each of the buildings to really put the action plan into place so that we are all taking ownership of these goals,” Gross said. “Some discussions will include community leaders and different organizations, as well.”

It’s important that community members understand and “take ownership” of education locally, Gross said.

District goals serve as an “agreement” among staff, that are adopted through the school board.

In other business, the board:

* Heard that the staff opening ceremony will be held at 7:30 a.m., Monday, Aug. 20. Gross said it will include several presentations, a performance by the Fort Scott High School drumline and a few words from school board President Janet Braun.

* The district’s reception for new employees will be held at 5 p.m., Monday, Sept. 10, at the Board Office before the school board’s monthly meeting. Board Secretary Connie Billionis said the informal reception provides an opportunity for new employees to meet board members.

* Approved a 5-cent increase in the price of adult lunch fees, according to a news release.

The full price for an adult lunch was $3.15 at the end of July. A full price breakfast was $1.95.

* Approved hiring: Angela Kemmerer, early childhood coordinator in the Early Steps to Success Program; Nancy Geneva, Fort Scott Middle School ticket clerk; Jenna Campbell, Fort Scott High School assistant freshman volleyball coach; Erin Broadbent, Winfield Scott Elementary School counselor; Dustin Wiley, Eugene Ware Elementary School physical education teacher; and Jared Martin, FSMS football coach.

The panel also approved the following employment matters: The resignation of Jeanie Murrow, Eugene Ware paraeducator; the resignation of Julie Mewhinney, Fort Scott Middle School ticket clerk; retirement request of Phyllis Combs, FSHS cook; and a maternity leave of absence request for Amy Hixon, FSMS science teacher.

A special board workshop is scheduled for 5 p.m. today with Doug Moeckel, of the Kansas Association of School Boards at the Board Office. The workshop is meant to assist board members with the transition into the school year with the new superintendent.

Lowell Milken Center awarded grant honoring Sendler

Posted on August 3, 2012 by angeliquemcnaughton

Friday, August 3, 2012

By Angelique McNaughton

The Lowell Milken Center was recently awarded a substantial grant to benefit the Irena Sendler Award through the Life in a Jar foundation, Program Director Megan Felt said.

The center received a $10,000 grant from the Frank Family Foundation Fund on Monday to benefit the “For Improving the World” award, named in honor of Sendler’s work. Tulsa Community Foundation adviser Brad Frank helped the Frank Family Foundation make the grant happen, Felt said. She noted the center is always looking for donations to help with costs incurred by having the award.

“We actually did have a family from Los Angeles who funded the award for several years,” she said. “We’ve been looking for someone new to fund the award.”

One teacher in Poland is annually awarded the monetary gift for their “innovative and inspirational” teaching of Holocaust education. In the past, the award has been $10,000, Felt said, and has included an American educator. Recipients are selected by a panel of judges who are leaders in Holocaust education.

This year’s award ceremony will take place sometime in September and Felt said it is a “very special event” that features Poland’s top representatives and officials.

Eleven educators from both Poland and the United States have been honored with the award since its inception.

The award originated in 2006 after the Association of “Children of the Holocaust” became associated with the Life in a Jar Foundation and then-Uniontown High School teacher Norm Conard.

Conard, Lowell Milken Center director, was personally nominated by Sendler as one of the award’s first recipients that year.

The “Life in a Jar” presentation chronicled the life of Sendler who helped save 2,500 Jewish children from the Warsaw Ghetto during World War II.

Felt, who was one of the original students who told Sendler’s story and developed the project under Conard’s instruction, said because of the “Life in a Jar” project, Holocaust education has become mandatory in Poland.

“You have changed Poland; you have changed the United States; you have changed the world,” Sendler told Felt in May 2008, just days before she passed away.

“It’s absolutely wonderful that her story becoming known has impacted other countries,” she said. “Our goal was to make her story known throughout the world … (It’s) very amazing to see that.”

Felt said neither she nor any of her fellow classmates could have envisioned the impact their project would have on people’s lives.

“I don’t want to predict what could happen in the future because I don’t want to put a cap on it,” she said. “(I’m) excited to see how the project goes and how it can continue to help other people with their goals and ideas.

“I’m excited to be on this amazing journey,” Felt added.

For more information on Sendler, visit www.lowellmilkencenter.org and for information about the award, go to www.irenasendler.org.

FSCC could raise mill levy

Posted on August 1, 2012 by angeliquemcnaughton

Wednesday, August 1, 2012

By Angelique McNaughton

Fort Scott Community College trustees got a glimpse of the school’s proposed 2012-2013 budget Monday night, which included a recommendation to raise the local mill levy for the second year in a row.

The board spent almost an hour going through the proposed finances during a work session at FSCC held prior to the college’s regularly scheduled meeting.

FSCC President Clayton Tatro said the session provided an opportunity to “lay out and hash out the budget” with board members. Officials have been working on the budget since February.

Those at the meeting were given documents and graphs outlining revenues and expenditures, including the recommendation for a .637 mill levy increase.

“We’re not making any decisions tonight … (We’re) just hoping to reach some consensus,” Tatro said. “(I) feel good with what we are presenting and why.”

The projected budget shows about $12.3 million in total revenue and expenses. Of that, about $8.4 million is in the college’s general fund; about $3.1 million for technical or vocational education; and a little more than $763,000 for the FSCC truck driving program.

If the board approves the budget, this would mark the second year that FSCC has raised the local mill levy. Last year, it was raised a little more than 2 mills, but from 2004-2011 it stayed flat.

Bourbon County property valuations went up by approximately $1 million this year and FSCC is expecting to generate about $48,000 in revenue because of the increase. If the trustees also approve the mill levy increase, it would generate another $59,000 for the college.

Based on preliminary numbers, about $2.6 million will be generated from Bourbon County taxpayers in 2012-2013. FSCC’s three primary sources of revenue are state, county and student sources, such as tuition.

It was a year without a high number of budget cuts, Tatro said, so it was a “fairly straight forward” year and work session. Tatro said he expects about $307,000 in state funding through the new technical education formula.

“(The year’s) going to be huge in terms of new revenue coming in,” Tatro said in a July 24 interview. “But it’s getting more expensive to do business.”

A $180,000 expense increase to account for the faculty and staff raises agreed upon this year and a 7.5 percent, or about $84,000, increase for the health insurance benefit premium, are among the almost $600,000 in increased expenses officials projected for the coming year.

“(We’ve) got more money coming in and more money going out,” Tatro said.

Trustee Jim Fewins said Tuesday the budget is “pretty well in line” because of work during the past few years to put certain “things into place” that wouldn’t create any financial surprises.

“(We) try and be good stewards of what we put in there,” he said. “From a local standpoint, we want to keep things in balance. We don’t want to make a real burden … I’m a taxpayer myself.”

A former CPA, Fewins said his experience conducting audits gives him a better understanding of the workings of the budget. He said college officials have done “excellent” the last two years in preparing it.

In addition to Tatro, all the school’s deans and an 11-member administration council work on the budget.

“What is best for students without a doubt, that’s a big driver,” Tatro said. “But at the end of the day, our revenue has to match our expenses. You have to set up a budget (and) treat it as if it was your home or business budget and it has to balance.”

College officials work very hard to be effective and efficient, Tatro said. “Students first; community always,” he added. “Kind of a nice driver with the budget as well.”

A budget hearing is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Aug. 13 in the Heritage Room in the Administration Building at FSCC, 2801 S. Horton. It is an open meeting. State law requires the budget to be approved by Aug. 15.

“We made some tough decisions … and spent a lot of time on the budget,” he said last week. “And we are exceptionally cognizant of the community in which we live.”

In other business, following the work session, the board approved:

* Officers for the 2012-2013 school year: Myrtle Anne Colum as chairman; Bernita Hill, vice chairman; Karla Jo Farmer, information officer; Kathleen Hinrichs, clerk of the board; Mindy Russell, treasurer; Juley McDaniel, Kansas Public Retirement System (KPERS) representative; Robert Nelson, Kansas Association of Community College Trustees (KACCT) and Council of Presidents representative; and Jim Sather, Greenbush representative.

* The consent agenda which included the following additions: Tommy Hoyt, webmaster; Janet Burke, PEC cosmetology instructor; Michael Brown, wastewater instructor; Trey Pike, assistant football coach; Richard Johnson, assistant football coach; Morgan Beck, IT director.

And the following separations: Cordell Upshaw, assistant football coach; and Megan Myers, HEP administrative assistant.

* Employment and approval of pay benefits for staff and faculty for the upcoming school year.

* An update to the allowable expenses policy. Officials said the purpose of the policy is to “merely comply” with the current Internal Revenue Service regulations.

The next regularly scheduled board meeting is Aug. 13, following the college’s budget hearing at 5:30 p.m.

USD 234 mill levy stays at 2011-12 level

Posted on July 17, 2012 by angeliquemcnaughton

Tuesday, July 17, 2012

By Angelique McNaughton, The Fort Scott Tribune

USD 234 Board of Education members met on Monday night in what was considered a special meeting.

Board members spent the majority of the meeting in executive session to discuss issues relating to “personnel matters”.

After the closed portion of the meeting concluded, business manager Tiffany Forester informed the board that she spoke with a representative at the Office of Labor Relations in Topeka about the teacher contract negotiations. Forester said she was told that “they will be assigning a case number and then sending the case on to federal mediators” soon.

“They gave no estimate on time for this,” Forester said, referring to when talks will continue.

Forester also gave a review of the district’s 2012-2013 budget to the board. One of her goals, she said, was to keep the mill levy the same at 43.972, which she was able to do.

According to the projected budget, the assessed valuation of all funds excluding the general fund has also increased about $1 million.

“So that is a good sign,” Forester told the other board members.

School board president Janet Braun said it appears

to her that “things are in place” for the coming schoool year.

A budget hearing is scheduled for 6 p.m. August 13 at the board office, 424 S. Main. The budget has to be submitted to the state before August 25.

District, teachers to file papers for federal mediation

Posted on July 16, 2012 by angeliquemcnaughton

Saturday, July 14, 2012

By Angelique McNaughton

Having failed to reach an agreement over a loyalty stipend and health insurance, talks between USD 234 and the Fort Scott, Kan., National Education Association have reached a standstill.

Authorized by the school board, district officials presented what they called their “last, best and final” offer of a 1 percent salary increase for 2012-2013, advanced degree movement and one step up within the salary schedule. The teachers’ union had agreed to the district’s proposal, but also requested an increase to the health insurance contribution and some form of “loyalty stipend” for some 45 employees who did not receive any back pay from the recouped lost steps last week.

“I think I already know what we will say after discussion,” Fort Scott High School social science teacher and KNEA lead negotiator Roberta Lewis said.

After less than five minutes of talking over the board’s final offer — minus the loyalty stipend — Lewis returned with the teachers’ response: no.

Fort Scott High School social science teacher and KNEA lead negotiator Roberta Lewis stares straight ahead after announcing the teachers’ union refused to accept USD 234 district’s “last, best and final” offer for 2012-2013 teacher contracts during negotiations Friday morning at the board office. Both parties filed joint impasse papers and will await the appointment of a federal mediator to continue talks.(Angelique McNaughton/Herald-Tribune)

“I’ve told you everything I can tell you. We’ve tried to present everything as fairly as possible to the rest of the board members,” school board president and district spokeswoman Janet Braun said. “I don’t think we can move any further.”

Business Manager Tiffany Forester immediately began filling out the joint impasse papers to send to the Office of Labor Relations in Topeka requesting that a federal mediator step in and attempt to break the deadlock. If the mediation fails, a “fact-finding” panel of experts would be appointed to further dissect the district’s budget and make recommendations to the school board.

Deputy Clerk/Secretary Connie Billionis said this is not the first time teacher negotiations have reached impasse. Billionis couldn’t remember when the last time was, though.

“It doesn’t happen often, but it’s happened,” she said.

After the meeting, Winfield Scott Elementary At-Risk teacher Linda Jackson said, “we just want what’s fair for the teachers; that’s it.”

The collective bargaining process began at the end of March, covering items such as salaries and the district’s health insurance contribution. Both sides have gone back and forth amicably, frequently praising the other for their efforts but respectfully declining the offers.

New Superintendent Diane Gross said when she was at a school district in Liberal, teacher negotiations reached an impasse, but were settled before official action was taken. A contract was not ready for the beginning of the school year in Liberal, Gross said, which created “a lot of uncertainty” and flagging teacher morale.

“This is not the ideal way to start (the school year), and especially from my seat,” Gross said. “I was hoping we would have some sort of agreement.”

Approximately 154 teachers are waiting for the conclusion of the talks. Educators recently accepted the district’s offer to use end-of-the-year funds to recoup lost steps from 2009 through 2012. District officials also agreed to forfeit any new state money — about $148,000 — to fund the salary increases and step movements. The money comes from the state legislature’s proposed $58 increase in base state aid per pupil.

School board members also recently agreed to award classified district staff a 2 percent salary increase and one step on the staff salary schedule. The original proposal included both administrators and classified staff, about 172 total, but board members did not approve the raises for administrators.

“My understanding is that the 2 percent for the classified staff is minimal compared to the certified staff,” Gross said. “Our certified staff and buildings cannot operate without the support of paraeducators and it takes everybody to operate the system to be the best we can be and classified staff have not seen a raise and (are) not getting any recouped steps.”

During the negotiation meeting, a district teacher who asked to remain anonymous, said the classified staff raises “didn’t help” the teachers’ decision to reject the district’s offer.

Federal mediators will contact the district to set up an available date to continue conversations in about four to six weeks.

A special school board meeting is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Monday.

A majority of that gathering will be spent in executive session.

‘Zumbatomics’ helps keep kids moving

Posted on July 11, 2012 by angeliquemcnaughton

Wednesday, July 11, 2012

By Angelique McNaughton

The Latin dance-fitness craze known as Zumba has kids moving to the beat and learning about nutrition at the New Generation child care center this summer.

Winfield Scott Elementary School music teacher Mary Jo Harper has taught two Zumbatomic classes, specifically designed for children, at the center. Harper recently became a licensed Zumbatomic and Zumba basic instructor through a Kansas City-based training program after taking classes in Pittsburg and Joplin, Mo.

“It was fabulous and so much fun,” Harper said of the classes.

As a teacher, Harper said she thought it would be “really cool to learn how to do this.” She said Zumba beats and steps tend to be complicated and sensual in nature and the Zumbatomic moves are more “kid-friendly and appropriate.”

Winfield Scott Elementary School music teacher Mary Jo Harper leads about 10 kids in her second Zumbatomic class at the New Generation child care center on Tuesday morning. Based on Zumba, the Latin dance craze, Zumbatomic is specifically designed with children in mind.
(Angelique McNaughton/Tribune)

The exuberant dance “classes” range from 50 to 60 minutes, starting with a warm-up. After youngsters are loose, they learn a dance, play a game and have a cool-down.

New Generation Director Amy Boyd said she’s an advocate of kids’ physical fitness and nutrition education, so when Harper called and asked to do the classes she “was all over it.”

“And the kids just love it,” Boyd added.

About 10 children spent Tuesday morning dancing to the Latin-style music, constantly moving around the small classroom.

Five-year-old Mackayla Chapman said she had fun and was out of breath during the dancing.

“My favorite part was the Freeze Dance,” Chapman said referring to the day’s game. All smiles, Chapman hugged her instructor at the end of class.

The educator in Harper emerged throughout the morning as she used cross-curricular teaching to get the youngsters discussing nutrition and healthy eating habits while practicing Spanish language skills learned through the accompanying music.

Harper said she remembers doing aerobic-style fitness classes as a kid.

“I was overweight as a small child and I would always have my parents, my family and friends getting me to do fitness activities,” Harper said. “I remember doing Jazzercise in first grade and it was fun; more fun than stretching. But I really loved the dance classes.”

“Zumba incorporates all the things I love … the fitness, the stretching, the high-intensity cardio and the organized part of it,” she said.

Whether an adult or child interested in improving their physical health, Harper said, “come ready to have fun.

“I hope they have fun, first and foremost because if it’s not fun they wont want to do it again,” she said. “If they’re not having fun, I’m not having fun.”

Harper said she’d like to continue with bi-weekly classes through the summer at the center until she goes back to teaching full time in the fall. Ultimately, Harper said she would like to incorporate Zumbatomics into the school district through the Wellness Committee, eventually weaving the program into the regular school day.

“I’ve done similar dance routines and exercise classes, but this incorporates so many different aspects of learning …,” Harper said. “And combining fitness and knowledge is a really revolutionary idea and I really like that.”

The New Generation child care center serves 84 students throughout the school year, ages 2 weeks through 6 years. During the summer, the kids are typically between 6 and 12.

USD 235 accepting preschool applications

Posted on July 11, 2012 by angeliquemcnaughton

Wednesday, July 11, 2012

Tribune Staff Report

The USD 235 school district in Uniontown is currently accepting applications for the free 4-year-old preschool program for the 2012-2013 school year.

Children eligible for the program must be 4 years old by Aug. 31, 2012, and not yet 5, a news release said. They must also meet one of the following criteria: live in a single-parent home; qualify for free lunches; have a parent who was a teen parent; have a parent who has not yet completed high school, or a general equivalency diploma; be developmentally or academically delayed; be referred by Kansas Social Rehabilitation Services; or have limited English proficiency.

The program provides hands-on learning opportunities and experiences to enhance a child’s cognitive, language, social, emotional and physical development, the release said.

Presechool applications are available by calling 1-800-554-2412.

Teacher talks reaching conclusion

Posted on July 10, 2012 by angeliquemcnaughton

Tuesday, July 10, 2012

By Angelique McNaughton

After nearly three hours of negotiations, USD 234 officials and Fort Scott Kansas National Education Association members failed to reach an agreement regarding salaries and the district’s health insurance contribution for the 2012-2013 school year.

Representatives from both sides, including new Superintendent Diane Gross, met Monday at the board office to discuss items still up for negotiation on teacher contracts for the coming school year. Educators recently accepted the district’s offer to use end-of-the-year funds to recoup lost steps from 2009 through 2012 as a separate item. Checks were made available on July 3 for those who were eligible.

District officials had previously promised to forfeit any new money — totaling about $148,000 — acquired from the state legislature’s proposed $58 increase in base state aid per pupil funding to help pay for salary increases or step movement.

School board president and spokeswoman Janet Braun said based on available funds, the district could offer one of two proposals: a 2 percent raise and funding for advanced degree movement, but no step movement within the salary schedule; or advanced degree movement, one step within the salary schedule and a 1 percent raise. Neither district offer included any additional contribution for employee health insurance.

After discussing the offers, Fort Scott KNEA representatives declined both scenarios counter-proposing a $30 contribution to health insurance and a one-time “loyalty stipend,” or bonus, for some 45 individuals considered “stuck” in the salary schedule and who didn’t receive any back pay from the lost steps. The bonuses would cost the district about $22,000.

Fort Scott High School social science teacher and KNEA lead negotiator Roberta Lewis said, “we have a hard time letting our experienced teachers go backwards.

“We feel that those who voted for the offer (to recoup lost steps) and got nothing, they deserve something more,” Lewis said. “We would accept $25 on the insurance, but we would like the bonus for those people.”

After going back and forth for most of the morning, district representatives agreed to the $25 health contribution, but Braun said the insurance offer only stands without the bonus.

“The bonus is the problem,” Braun said. “The new money stops with 1 percent and advanced degrees and we can’t go over the new money at this point. We just feel like the district has other needs and we want to give you all the new money, but we can’t take it away from the other people or things.”

Money has been the most contentious item during this round of negotiations, with both sides refusing to budge. Fort Scott KNEA representatives continue to ask for salary increases while district officials contend they’ve offered all they can afford while still leaving the district fiscally responsible.

“The board came to us with their parameters,” Lewis said. “With our people, we ask that they try to find the additional money to give them (teachers).”

The teachers are willing to compromise, Lewis said, if the board “gives us something to work with.

“We’ll see what we can do from that, but we ultimately feel like they need something and we want them to get that,” she said.

Braun said the district’s proposals were the “last and best final offers.

“I had gone as far as I can go based on what I was told by other board members and that was as far as they felt comfortable going,” Braun said.

Both parties did agree to revise and clarify language referring to personal and sick days. It was decided that personal and sick days would be considered under discretionary leave, allowing more flexibility for educators under the negotiated agreement.

Braun brought the results of the negotiations to fellow board members at an executive session at Monday’s regular board meeting. The next scheduled teacher contract negotiations are scheduled for 9 a.m. Monday.

“My guess is we’ll either settle, or we’ll file for impasse because that’s where we are,” Braun said.