High Plains Educational Cooperative

Board of Directors Minutes

September 18^th, 2025

7:00 PM

 

 

611	Kim Cruz	Asst. Director	452	Val Zamudio	BOD
611	Marlene Dodge	Asst. Director	507	Will Hatcher	Alt. BOD
611	Alexa Beltz	Director	214	Joel Applegate	Supt.
363	Dr Scott Myers	Supt.	611	Grace Gomez	BOD Clerk
209	Brian White	Alt. BOD	611	Flor Galindo	Treasurer
214	Diana Nuñez	BOD	611	Mark Dierking	Asst. Director
215	Michael Pepper	BOD	467	Bruce Loy	BOD
RSC	Kim Mauk	Guest	209	Valerie Thompson	Supt.
507	Karen Burrows	Supt.
	Via Zoom
216	Amanda Johnson	BOD	218	Crystal Fleming	BOD
371	Ashlin Davidson	BOD	466	Andy Trout	Alt. BOD
476	Shawn Breneman	BOD	494	Jonna Upson	BOD
200	John Niehues	Supt.	215	Clifford Williams	Supt.

        

1.         Call to Order  

Diana Nuñez, Board President, called the meeting to order at 7:00 P.M. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

 

2.         Approve Consent Agenda

Brian White moved to approve the Consent Agenda as presented.  Val Zamudio seconded the motion. Motion carries 10 yes, 2 abstained.

 

3.         Comments from the Public

There were none in writing.

 

4.         Committee Reports

            a.         RSC

Kim Mauk gave the report.

 

John Niehues left the meeting at 7:02 P.M.

 

            b.         Council of Superintendents

There was nothing to report.     

 

John Niehues joined the meeting at 7:03 P.M.                                                                                               

 

5.         Update on Special Education Staff

Alexa shared paraeducator numbers with the Board as well as an update on HPEC teaching staff.

 

 

6.HPEC Policies, Practices, and Procedures

Alexa shared the requested addition regarding the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to aid in IEP writing to the Policies, Practices, and Procedures manual.  Brian White moved to accept the revised handbook as written.  Bruce Loy seconded.  Motion carries 12 yes, 0 no.

 

7.         Committee Appointments for 2025-26

Will Hatcher moved to approve the committee members as presented in the board packet.  Michael Pepper seconded the motion. Motion carries 12 yes, 0 no.

 

8.         Contracts/Resignations

Bruce Loy moved to accept the resignation of Tina Barton, interim Interrelated Teacher at Wichita County Elementary.  Val Zamudio seconded the motion.  Motion carries 12 yes, 0 no.

 

Brian White moved to approve a contract for Katherine McCue as interim Interrelated Teacher at Wichita County Elementary.  Val Zamudio seconded the motion.  Motion carries 12 yes, 0 no.

 

9.         Adult Jails

Alexa shared the state’s requirements for ensuring that students with disabilities receive services if they are in a county jail.

 

Jennifer Cunningham joined the meeting at 7:13 P.M.

 

10.       Categorical Aid/Local Assessment Payment          EXECUTIVE SESSION

Diana Nuñez moved to go into executive session for 10 minutes for the purpose of discussing concerns regarding Categorical Aid/Local Assessment, and to return to the open session in this room at 7:25 P.M.  This executive session is to include members of the Board, administrators, superintendents, the HPEC attorney, and the Treasurer of the Board; this executive session is to exclude the member of the Board from USD 218 and the superintendent.  Michael Pepper seconded the motion.  Motion carries 12 yes, 0 no.

 

Crystal Fleming and Kim Mauk left the meeting at 7:15 P.M.

Crystal Fleming joined the meeting at 7:25 P.M.

 

Diana Nuñez made a motion to extend the executive session for an additional 10 minutes, and to return to open session in this room at 7:36 P.M.  Bruce Loy seconded the motion.  Motion carried 10 yes, 2 abstained.

 

Crystal Fleming left the meeting at 7:26 P.M.

Crystal Fleming joined the meeting at 7:36 P.M

 

Diana Nuñez made a motion to extend the executive session for an additional 5 minutes, and to return to open session in this room at 7:42 P.M.  Val Zamudio seconded the motion.  Motion carries 12 yes, 0 no.

 

Crystal Fleming left the meeting at 7:37 P.M.

Jennifer Cunningham left the meeting at 7:42 P.M.

Crystal Fleming and Kim Mauk joined the meeting at 7:42 P.M.

 

11.       Staff Development

Kim shared with the Board information on the different groups that had been to the central office recently to receive professional development training.

 

13.       Director’s Report

            a.  Fall Goal Setting

In the fall, administrators meet with teachers to set their goals for the year.  The goals will be reviewed with administrators again in the spring.

            b.  Staff Evaluations

In October, the administrative team will begin evaluations for new teachers.  Staff on years one and two will be evaluated twice per year.  HPEC administrators will seek input from the building principals during this process.

            c.  IDEA/Gifted File Review and Indicators 11 & 12

There are 9 districts that are part of Cohort 2 for IDEA/Gifted File Review and Indicator 11 & 12.  HPEC pulled the files and reviewed them for compliance.

 

14.       Other

There was nothing else to share.

 

15.       Adjourn

Brian White moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:52 P.M.  Will Hatcher seconded.  Motion carries 11 yes, 1 abstained.

 

 

 

 

 

________________________________________

President, Board of Directors