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Minutes

Draft

 

High Plains Educational Cooperative

Board of Directors Meeting

June 18, 2026

7:00 PM

 

 

611

Flor Galindo

Treasurer

611

Alexa Beltz

Director

611

Grace Gomez

Clerk

611

Mark Dierking

Asst. Director

611

Marlene Dodge

Asst. Director

214

Diana Nuñez

BOD

RSC

Kim Mauk

Guest

611

Kim Cruz

Asst. Director

452

Val Zamudio

BOD

467

Bruce Loy

BOD

215

Michael Pepper

BOD

214

Erica Daugherty

Guest

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Via Zoom

 

 

 

 

507

Karen Burrows

Supt.

210

Scott Schechter

Alt. BOD

371

Ashlin Davidson

BOD

215

Clifford Williams

Supt.

209

Valerie Thompson

Supt.

216

Amanda Johnson

BOD

218

Crystal Fleming

BOD

217

Kimberly Hull

BOD

466

Deb Drohman

BOD

 

 

 

 

1.      Call to Order

Diana Nuñez, board president, called the meeting to order at 7:09 P.M.

 

2.      Approve Consent Agenda

Michael Pepper moved to approve the consent agenda as presented.  Val Zamudio seconded the motion.  Motion carries 9 yes, 0 no.

 

3.      Comments from the Public

There were none in writing.

 

4.      Committee Reports

         a.      SWPRSC

Kim Mauk gave the update on upcoming trainings.

         b.      Council of Superintendents

Clifford Williams gave the report. 

 

5.      Staff

         a.      Open Positions

Alexa shared the open positions and current new placements.   

 

Deb Drohman joined the meeting at 7:13 P.M.

 

6.      Contracts and Resignations

         b.      Contracts

There were no new contracts.

         c.      Resignations

There were no resignations

 

 

 

7.      Professional Development Council

Marlene shared that the professional development council met on May 27th.  There were 236 PDC requests and the team was able to approve 146 of them.

Mark, Kim, and Alexa will be going to Wichita for a leadership conference next week.

 

8.      End of Year Data

Kim shared that HPEC school psychologists completed 264 initial and re- evaluations this year, with 79% of the students evaluated being placed.  32 students were also exited from services as their objectives had been met.

 

9.      Western Kansas Summer Institute (WKSI)

         a.      Staff Reflection

Erica Daugherty is a secondary interrelated teacher who attended the WKSI training.  She shared her experience with the training and how it can help her and other teachers in the classroom.

         b.      Admin Reflection

Kim shared that plans are already being made for next year’s training.  Overall, the training was a success.

         c.      Budget

Kim shared the budget for the WKSI training and thanked donors who made the training possible.

 

10.   BOD Nominations

         a.      President

Val Zamudio made a motion to appoint Michael Pepper as the 2026-27 HPEC board president.  Diana Nuñez seconded.  Motion carries 9 yes, 1 no; Crystal Fleming abstained.

         b.      Vice-President

Diana Nuñez made a motion to appoint Bruce Loy as the 2026-27 HPEC board vice-president.  Val Zamudio seconded.  Motion carries 10 yes, 0 no.

 

11.   FY26 District Assessments

Alexa shared that we have currently received 16 of 17 final assessments from school districts for FY26, and we expect to receive the missing final assessment any day.

 

12.   Negotiations Committee Report

Alexa shared changes made to the proposed negotiated agreement.  We are waiting on a final vote from certified staff before it can be brought before the board.

 

13.   FY27 Budget

Val Zamudio moved to approve the budget for FY27 as presented.  Michael Pepper seconded the motion. Motion carries 10 yes, 0 no.

 

14.   Form 120

Alexa shared she will complete the Form 120 since the FY27 budget has passed.  This information is necessary for district superintendents to add to their budgets.

 

15.   Central Office Staff

Alexa shared the roles and wages of the HPEC Central Office Staff and Administrators and proposed an increase.  Bruce Loy moved to approve the wage increase.  Val Zamudio seconded the motion.  Motion carries 10 yes, 0 no.

 

16.   HPEC Board Policy Updates

Alexa shared proposed updates to the HPEC board policy handbook.  Action will be taken in July.

 

17.    Central Office 2026-27 Calendar

Michael Pepper moved to approve the 2026-27 Central Office calendar as presented.  Bruce Loy seconded the motion.  Motion carries 10 yes, 0 no.

 

18.   Administrative Team Report

         a.      August Inservice Dates

Alexa shared the dates for August inservice.  New teachers and mentors will meet July 28th and 29th, with All Staff being August 5th at Ulysses Civic Center.  All board members are invited to attend.

         b.      LEA Trainings

Both in person and virtual LEA trainings will be held at different times in the fall for principals to attend.  There will be two in person and two virtual options.

         c.      SPP/APR Report

Alexa shared recent SPP/APR report findings.

         d.      USD 218’s Petition to Leave HPEC

Due to KSDE staff resigning, the process is delayed.  There is no update at this time.

 

19.   Other

Mary James, who worked for HPEC for 27 years and previously served as board clerk until retiring in 2024, has passed away after a battle with cancer.  Her memorial service will be held at 2 P.M. June 29th at Garnand Funeral Home Chapel in Ulysses.

 

20.   Adjourn

Michael Pepper moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:59 P.M.  Bruce Loy seconded the motion. Motion carries 10 yes, 0 no.

 

 

 

HPEC Board President

 

 

 

 

 

HPEC Board Clerk