High Plains Educational Cooperative

Board of Directors Minutes

July 17, 2025

7:00 PM

 

611	Kim Cruz	Asst. Director	217	Kim Hull	BOD
611	Grace Gomez	Clerk	611	Alexa Beltz	Director
611	Marlene Dodge	Asst. Director	611	Flor Galindo	Treasurer
214	Daron Cowan	Alt BOD	363	Scott Myers	Supt.
209	Brian White	Alt BOD	467	Bruce Loy	BOD
214	Joel Applegate	Supt.	507	Will Hatcher	BOD
452	Rhett Seyb	Alt BOD	RSC	Kim Mauk	Guest
	Via Zoom
476	James Loepky	BOD	216	Marilyn Danler	Alt BOD
215	Michael Pepper	BOD	371	Ashlin Davidson	BOD
218	Crystal Fleming	BOD	494	Jonna Upson	BOD
466	Scott Noll	BOD	374/217	Rex Richardson	Supt.
	Jennifer Cunningham	Attorney	507	Karen Burrows	Supt.

        

1.         Call to Order  

Kim Hull, Vice-President of the Board, called the meeting to order at 7:00 P.M.

 

2.         Introduction of HPEC Representatives

 

3.         Approve Consent Agenda

Brian White moved to approve the agenda as presented.  Bruce Loy seconded the motion.  Motion carries 13 yes, 0 no.

 

4.         Comments from the Public

There were none in writing.

 

5.         Committee Reports

            a.         RSC

Kim Mauk gave the report.

            b.         Council of Superintendents

There was no report.

 

6.         Election of Officers

Brian White moved to appoint Diana Nuñez as President for the 2025-26 school year.  Bruce Loy seconded the motion.  Motion carries 13 yes, 0 no.

 

7.         Consent Agenda for Reorganization

            a.         Clerk                                                   Grace Gomez

            b.         Treasurer                                             Flor Galindo

            c.         Attorney                                              Jennifer Cunningham

            d.         Depository                                          Grant Co. Bank, Ulysses, KS

            e.         Official Publication                            Ulysses News

            f.          KPERS Representative                       Flor Galindo

            g.         Freedom of Information Officer         Alexa Beltz

            h.         Fees to Compile and Copy Records   $20 an hour to compile                      

10 cents per page

            i.          Privacy Officer for                              Flor Galindo

                        Health Care Plan

            j.          Board Member Hearing Officer         Diana Nuñez

            k.        

l.          Resolution for the Annual Waiver of Requirements of

                        Generally Accepted Accounting Principles

13.       
14.       Mileage Rate

Mileage rate will remain the same as the state mileage rate.

            o.         Designation of HIPAA Security Officer   Alexa Beltz

 

Will Hatcher moved to approve the consent agenda for reorganization as presented in the packet.  Doran Cowan seconded the motion. Motion carries 13 yes, 0 no.

 

8.         Credit Card Limits and Uses

Alexa shared that due to the rising cost of products and inflation, HPEC is requesting to raise the credit card limit of the office business manager’s credit card to $10,000 and the limits of the four administrators credit cards to $2,500 each.  Brian White moved to approve the raise in credit card limits.  Doran Cowan seconded the motion.  Motion carries 13 yes, 0 no.

Recommended limits and uses as identified:

• HPEC has 5 VISA cards:  four administrators’ cards and one business manager’s card.
• Credit limits:  credit limit is $2,500 per card.  The business manager’s credit limit is $10,000.
• Administrator’s credit card use:  gas for HPEC vehicle, expenses (meals) while traveling, recruitment, workshop expenses, materials (books, etc.), car emergency (ex. new tire).
• Office credit card use:  registrations, motel reservations and materials if necessary.

 

9.         Designated Meeting Time and Place

Due to difficulties establishing a quorum at the regularly scheduled December board meeting in previous years, Alexa has requested that the December board meeting be held via Zoom during the noon hour of the third Thursday in December.  There was no motion to approve this item.  Item tabled.

 

 

 

10.       HPEC Interlocal Agreement

Alexa shared the summary of the HPEC Interlocal Agreement.  Information was on the screen.

 

11.       HPEC Policy, Procedures and Practices

Alexa shared the revisions summary for the HPEC Policy, Procedures and Practices.

 

Crystal Fleming left the meeting at 7:17 P.M.

 

12.       Approval of Handbooks

Bruce Loy moved to approve the changes to the Certified Personnel, Interim Teacher, Paraeducator, Professional Development, and Evaluation Handbooks for the 2025-26 school year as presented.  Brian White seconded the motion.  Motion carries 12 yes, 0 no.

 

Crystal Fleming joined the meeting at 7:21 P.M.

 

13.       Staff Contracts and Resignations

Brian White moved to approve contracts for Peggy Burns, Speech Pathologist; eLuma for occupational teletherapy services; Stanton County Hospital for occupational therapy services; Manuela Melendez for cleaning services for the HPEC Central Office and PSB; and to pay the deposit to Ready Roofers for roof repairs at the Central Office.  Will Hatcher seconded the motion.  Motion carries 11 yes, 2 abstained.

 

Karen Burrows joined the meeting at 7:28 P.M.

 

14.       Negotiations

Certified Staff has voted to accept the tentative negotiated agreement between the Board and the teachers.  Bruce Loy moved to accept the ratification of the FY26 Negotiated Agreement.  Brian White seconded the motion.  Motion carries 11 yes, 2 abstained.

 

Jennifer Cunningham joined the meeting at 7:30 P.M.

 

15.       Transfer of Funds    

Will Hatcher moved to approve the year end transfer of funds.  Doran Cowan seconded the motion.  Motion carries 12 yes, 1 abstained.

 

16.       Staff Development – August Inservice Activities

Alexa shared with the Board July 29^th and 30^th will be new teachers and mentors inservice at HPEC Central Office and All Staff inservice will be August 6^th at Grant County civic center.

 

17.       Categorical Aid/Local Assessment Payment          EXECUTIVE SESSION

Kim Hull moved to go into Executive Session for 20 minutes for the purpose of discussing concerns regarding Categorical Aid/Local Assessment, and to return to open session in this room at 7:55 P.M.  This Executive Session is to include members of the Board, administrators, superintendents, the HPEC attorney, and the Treasurer; this Executive Session is to exclude members of the board from USD 218 and the superintendent.  Brian White seconded the motion.  Motion carries 12 yes, 1 abstained.

 

Kim Mauk left the meeting at 7:34 P.M.

Crystal Fleming left the meeting at 7:34 P.M.

 

Crystal Fleming joined the meeting at 7:55 P.M.

 

Kim Hull moved to extend the Executive Session for an additional 10 minutes, and to return to open session in this room at 8:06 P.M.  Will Hatcher seconded the motion.  Motion carries 10 yes, 3 abstained.

 

Crystal Fleming left the meeting at 7:56 P.M.

Scott Noll left the meeting at 8:03 P.M.

Karen Burrows left the meeting at 8:06 P.M.

 

Crystal Fleming joined the meeting at 8:07 P.M.

 

Kim Hull moved to proceed with the board council sending a demand letter to USD 218 Board Members, their superintendent Charles Anglin, and their Attorney.  Bruce Loy seconded the motion.  Motion carries 11 yes, 1 abstained.

 

18.       Adjourn

Brian White moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:09 P.M.  Rhett Seyb seconded the motion.  Motion carries 11 yes, 1 abstained.

 

 

 

 

 

________________________________________

President, Board of Directors