Minutes
Draft
High Plains Educational Cooperative
Board of Directors Minutes
July 16, 2026
7:00 PM
|
611 |
Kim Cruz |
Asst. Director |
215 |
Michael Pepper |
BOD |
|
611 |
Grace Gomez |
Clerk |
611 |
Alexa Beltz |
Director |
|
611 |
Marlene Dodge |
Asst. Director |
611 |
Flor Galindo |
Treasurer |
|
214 |
Diana Nuñez |
BOD |
611 |
Mark Dierking |
Asst. Director |
|
371/476 |
Jay Zehr |
Supt. |
467 |
Bruce Loy |
BOD |
|
214 |
Joel Applegate |
Supt. |
452 |
Christy Hammer |
Supt. |
|
452 |
Rhett Seyb |
Alt BOD |
363 |
Sean Sheets |
BOD |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Via Zoom |
|
|
|
|
|
476 |
Shawn Breneman |
BOD |
216 |
Amanda Johnson |
BOD |
|
210 |
Scott Schechter |
BOD |
507 |
Kerston Meyer |
BOD |
|
218 |
Crystal Fleming |
BOD |
209 |
Lisa Whitham |
BOD |
|
216 |
Crystal Steinmetz |
Supt. |
215 |
Cliff Williams |
Supt. |
|
RSC |
Kim Mauk |
Guest |
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1. Call to Order
Michael Pepper, President of the Board, called the meeting to order at 7:00 P.M.
2. Introduction of HPEC Representatives
3. Approve Consent Agenda
Diana Nuñez moved to approve the agenda as presented. Bruce Loy seconded the motion. Motion carries 10 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. 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 Michael Pepper
k. Credit Card Limits and Uses Flor Galindo
l. Resolution for the Annual Waiver of Requirements of
Generally Accepted Accounting Principles
- Designated Meeting Time and Place
July – June the meal will be at 6:30 P.M. with the meeting immediately following. The board meeting will be the third Thursday of the month, with the exception of March, which will be the fourth Thursday of the month. The designated meeting place will be at High Plains Educational Cooperative Central Office in the conference room. A Zoom option will be available for those members not wishing to travel to the Central Office in Ulysses.
- Mileage Rate
Mileage rate will remain the same as the state mileage rate.
o. Designation of HIPAA Security Officer Alexa Beltz
Diana Nuñez moved to approve the consent agenda for reorganization as presented in the packet. Bruce Loy seconded the motion. Motion carries 10 yes, 0 no.
Kim Mauk left the meeting at 7:07 P.M.
7. HPEC Interlocal Agreement
Alexa shared the summary of the HPEC Interlocal Agreement. Information was on the screen.
8. Approval of Handbooks
Sean Sheets moved to approve the changes to the Certified Personnel and Interim Teacher, Paraeducator, Professional Development, Policies, Practices, and Procedures, and Evaluation Handbooks for the 2026-27 school year as presented. Diana Nuñez seconded the motion. Motion carries 10 yes, 0 no.
9. Approval of Board Policy Handbook
Diana Nuñez moved to approve the changes to the Board Policy Handbook as presented. Bruce Loy seconded the motion. Motion carries 10 yes, 0 no.
10. Recruiting Agreement
Bruce Loy moved to approve the changes to the Recruiting Agreement as presented. Diana Nuñez seconded the motion. Motion carries 10 yes, 0 no.
11. Staff Contracts and Resignations
Diana Nuñez moved to approve the contract for Claire Lewis, interim secondary interrelated teacher at Satanta Jr/Sr High School. Bruce Loy seconded the motion. Motion carries 10 yes, 0 abstained.
12. 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 FY27 Negotiated Agreement. Diana Nuñez seconded the motion. Motion carries 10 yes, 0 abstained.
13. Transfer of Funds
Diana Nuñez moved to approve the year end transfer of funds. Bruce Loy seconded the motion. Motion carries 10 yes, 0 no.
14. Office Remodel
Alexa shared information regarding the relocation of audiology services to the central office, and potential remodels to the office that would be necessary.
15. Staff Development
Alexa shared with the Board July 28th and 29th will be New Teacher training at HPEC Central Office and All Staff inservice will be August 5th at Grant County civic center.
16. Paraeducator Update
Alexa shared an update with the board on our current para numbers and the process for hiring new paras.
Crystal Fleming joined the meeting at 7:32 P.M.
17. Other
There was nothing else to share.
18. Adjourn
Michael Pepper moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:33 P.M. Diana Nuñez seconded the motion. Motion carries 11 yes, 0 no.
____________________________
HPEC Board President
____________________________
HPEC Board Clerk