School board approves measure to improve communications
After another lengthy special meeting, most of which was spent in closed-door discussions, the Tonganoxie School Board voted to accept an organizational chart to streamline operations and improve communications.
The school board met in executive session for a total of three hours and 30 minutes to discuss personnel and attorney-client privilege.
The board called its first executive session for 60 minutes and then called for another 60 minutes and then 45 minutes. After a 10-minute break, the board met for 30 minutes and then another 15 minutes before returning to the Tonganoxie Middle School library.
The school district’s attorney, Donna Whiteman, met with the board for all of the closed-door meetings, while Superintendent Richard Erickson joined in for the final 45 minutes.
Board president Leana Leslie said after the meeting that the chart would be a flow chart showing who reports to whom. She did not supply specifics of the chart, but said she likely would have more information in the next two days.
The special meeting was the second such meeting scheduled in as many weeks by the board. Both come after an Aug. 16 incident in which director of operations Jamie Brun and Erickson had an argument at the board office. Brun made a 911 call stemming from the argument, but Tonganoxie Police have said neither Brun nor Erickson has filed complaints and have said they will not file complaints. Both have declined comment about the situation.
Brun was present at the beginning of the special meeting when the board met in open session. When the board moved to go to into executive session, Brun left TMS and did not return.
During the open session, the board approved the purchase of a 40-gallon tilting kettle for the elementary school kitchen for $12,471 from Muckenthaler. Another $700 will be paid for delivery and installation. The company has the item in stock and will be able to deliver it next week.
The board also approved the purchase of a hot tray cart at TES, not to exceed $2,000.