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St. Francis Community School Board rejects preschool/daycare partnership proposal, approves accreditation and extends superintendent contract
Summary
The St. Francis Community School Board voted 5–1 to reject a proposed preschool/daycare partnership, approved KESA accreditation and a new 8:00 a.m.–3:30 p.m. school day beginning August 2025, adopted an updated attendance policy effective January 2025, and extended Superintendent Penka’s contract for two years.
The St. Francis Community School Board voted 5–1 on Dec. 18 to reject a proposal to partner with the Cheyenne County Childcare Coalition to create a new preschool and daycare, while approving a set of routine policies, accreditation renewal and a two‑year extension of the superintendent’s contract.
The board, meeting in the administration office, considered a proposal presented by Jessica Matthies of the Cheyenne County Childcare Coalition. Board member Bruce Swihart reported he and Matthies visited a Plainville preschool/daycare facility. After discussion, board member Dustin Andrist moved to turn down the proposal “in its entirety”; J. W. Milliken seconded and the motion carried 5–1.
The rejection came amid other business that included routine financial and reporting items. The board approved the consent calendar, which included minutes for Nov. 14 and Dec. 5, a list of direct deposit slips (1119001–1119077) and checks (BANKWEST checks 12548–12562; FNB Bank checks 17904–17972), and activity fund reports dated Nov. 30, 2024. The consent approval also accepted a $400 donation from the St. Francis Wrestling Club. The checks and direct deposits listed in the consent calendar totaled $480,815.32.
The board approved policy updates recommended by the Kansas Association of School Boards (KASB). In the same motion block the board approved renewal of its KESA accreditation and accepted a recommendation to set the school day to 8:00 a.m.–3:30 p.m. beginning August 2025. Principal Schmidt presented an updated attendance policy for junior high and high school that the board approved; the policy goes into effect January 2025.
Board members also held a 15‑minute executive session under K.S.A. 75‑4319 to discuss nonelected personnel. After returning to open session, Chris Hingst, seconded by Bruce Swihart, moved to extend Superintendent Penka’s contract for two years; the motion carried. The meeting record notes that Superintendent Penka, principals and clerks left the meeting during the executive session and later returned; the meeting record does not provide a roll‑call vote tally for the contract extension.
The board set its next meeting for Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025, at 7:00 a.m. and adjourned at 9:17 a.m.
Meetings of the St. Francis Community School Board are held in the administration office.
