Frontenac USD 249 elects Sean Anderson president 4–3; board approves reorganization, benefits changes and pay increases

The Frontenac Unified School District 249 Board of Education reorganized leadership and approved a package of administrative and personnel actions at its July 13 meeting in the JH/HS library.

Matt Frankenbery, the board president at the meetingstart, called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. After nominations, a motion by Stacy Ferraro, seconded by Seth Nutt, to appoint Sean Anderson as board president for the 2026—27 school year passed 4—3; Scott Kunshek, Lindsay Smith and Jenna Stout voted against the appointment. A subsequent motion by Seth Nutt, seconded by Matt Frankenbery, to appoint Stacy Ferraro as vice president passed unanimously.

The board approved a district reorganization resolution that establishes the regular meeting schedule (second Monday of each month, 6:00 p.m., district office/library), names district officers and representatives, and sets multiple fees and operational policies. Appointments and designations in the resolution include attorney (Spigarelli Law Firm), KPERS representative (Julie Underwood), district treasurer (Kendra Zafuta), clerk (Julie Underwood), freedom of information officer/purchasing agent (Superintendent Brandy Stanley), records custodian (Julie Underwood), Title IX/Section 504/ADA coordinator (Brandy Stanley), and Labette Bank (Frontenac branch) as the district depository. The Pittsburg Morning Sun was named the districts official newspaper.

The reorganization also set several fees and rates: a PreK—12 textbook enrollment fee of $55 ($25 reduced, $0 free), a technology fee of $50 for grades 6—12, a band fee of $20 for grades 6—12, substitute teacher pay at $120 per day and long-term substitute pay at $155 per day, a district mileage rate of $0.45 per mile, and a $500 petty cash limit. Meal prices were adopted (adult lunch $4.85; elementary lunch $2.90; junior high and high school lunch $3.10; adult breakfast $2.75; student breakfasts $2.00) and milk price set at $0.50. The board adopted a 1,116-hour school term for 2026—27 and designated May 24—26, 2027 as inclement weather days. The resolution also authorized destruction of routine records over five years old per K.S.A. 72-5369.

On benefits, the board approved signing a joinder agreement to join the Greenbush Health Captive, transitioning the district toward a self-funded model that uses a third-party administrator, a pharmacy benefits manager and stop-loss insurance to limit catastrophic claims exposure (motion passed 7—0). Separately, the board approved maintaining current district health insurance plan rates for 2026—27 (motion passed 7—0).

The board approved an HVAC annual service agreement with Harris Heating & Air for $10,450, and it adopted KASB policy updates on a unanimous vote.

Following two executive sessions (one on negotiations and one on non-elected personnel under the Kansas Open Meetings Act), the board ratified the 2026—27 negotiated teacher agreement. The package is a 2.5% increase that includes step and column movement, an $800 base increase (raising the base to $48,400) and a $10-per-month insurance fringe increase (taking the fringe to $760 per month). The motion to ratify passed unanimously.

The board also approved classified staff and director pay adjustments (a $0.60/hour increase and a $10/month insurance fringe increase; directors could alternatively take a 2.5% increase that includes the fringe), and a 2.5% increase for administrators (including the $10/month fringe). The board approved a $6,500 additional increase to the superintendents salary in addition to the 2.5% raise (motion passed unanimously). A motion to add $3,000 to the high school principals salary in addition to the 2.5% raise passed with five votes in favor and two abstentions (Scott Kunshek and Jenna Stout recorded abstentions).

The board accepted resignations of Reese Clements as junior-high girls head volleyball coach and of Joe Martin as a route bus driver (Mr. Martin will continue to drive as a substitute/activity driver). The board approved several coaching and interim nominations, including Garrett Wilson as interim head high school football coach, Tricia Montojo as assistant high school girls wrestling coach, Brady Snider and Jesse Wall as high school assistant football coaches, Alvin "Trace" Metcalf as junior-high assistant boys wrestling coach, and Abigail Albright as junior-high assistant girls wrestling coach.

The meeting ended with a 7—0 vote to adjourn at 7:38 p.m.

Votes at a glance: - Election of Board President (Sean Anderson): motion passed 4—3 (Kunshek, Smith, Stout opposed) (SEG 003) - Election of Vice President (Stacy Ferraro): motion passed 7—0 (SEG 003) - Consent agenda (agenda, minutes, bills): passed 7—0 (SEG 004) - District reorganization resolution (meetings, officers, fees, designations): passed (SEG 006—SEG 009) - Greenbush Health Captive joinder: passed 7—0 (SEG 010) - Health insurance rates (no change): passed 7—0 (SEG 010) - HVAC annual service ($10,450): passed 7—0 (SEG 010) - KASB policy updates: passed 7—0 (SEG 011) - Ratification of 2026—27 teacher agreement (2.5% package; $800 base raise; $10/month fringe): passed (SEG 013) - Staff/director/administrator raises and superintendent/HS principal salary adjustments: passed as recorded (SEG 013)

Next steps: the board adopted meeting dates and officers for the coming year, implemented fee and policy changes that will take effect with the 2026—27 school year, and authorized personnel and benefits actions as recorded.