Keota closer to sharing agreement

KEOTA?The Keota School Board voted Monday to pursue a superintendent sharing agreement with the Tri-County School District.

Board members made the decision after conducting the second of two interviews with superintendents from both Tri-County and Belle Plaine School Districts.

On Monday?s meeting, the board heard from Belle Plaine Superintendent Chad Straight. The board met with Tri-County Superintendent Dennis Phelps at a Feb. 18 meeting.

While board members said they were favorably impressed by Straight, they voiced their concern that the Belle Plaine School District had yet to make a firm commitment to sharing a superintendent with Keota.

Tri-County has indicated that it is ready to sign an agreement, board members said.

Keota board president Billie Kindred said a discussion with the Tri-County school board president indicated that they are looking at several other agreements. The Keota board might need to act soon if it is interested in sharing with them, he said.

Board member Pat Hammen agreed that waiting for a final decision from the Belle Plaine School district could put Keota in a difficult position, if no agreement is reached with either school.

Moving the discussion forward, board member Jim Tinnes said he thought Tri-County superintendent Phelps was a better fit for the Keota school district.

Kindred agreed, pointing out that Phelps also had more experience than Straight. There is also a cost difference between the choices, he said.

Sharing with Tri-County results in a net $2,500 expense to the Keota School district, he said, while sharing with Belle Plaine would cost about $20,000. The difference is due in part to the higher salary of Straight.

There is some difference in the terms of the contract, however. With Belle Plaine, the district would contract for 40 percent of the superintendent?s time, or two days out of a five-day week.

The agreement with Tri-county would be a 50 percent share, calling for two days out of a four-day workweek. Phelps has indicated he plans to work from home on Wednesdays.

Board member Scott Flynn said the board should look at the length of any contracts signed and said he favors one-year agreements. Board members agreed that it was in the best interests of the district to request a one-year agreement.

Pat Hammen?s motion to move forward with an agreement with Tri-county was approved by the board. Board members anticipate that the agreement would be ready for final approval at its next board meeting.

In other business, the board agreed to hire an additional track coach for this season. The number of students out for track has increased, making it difficult for the track coach to schedule and attend separate meets for boys and girls.