November 12, 2013 at 5:00 PM - Board of Education Regular Meeting

Discussion:  Those present included: Cassie Burpo, Student Board Member, Kim Wilson, Janet Shaeffer, Angie Dickey and Jan Schult. Jill Bauerle, Jason Speck, Linda Lakey & Sheryl Clevenger arrived at 5:06pm. Becky Odens & Lynn Rinehart arrived at 5:15pm.

Discussion:  No comments were made.

Discussion:  Mr. Hauxwell noted the Cybex Arc Trainer that was purchased for the weight room utilizing donations has been well used, especially in rehabilitating athletes. Hauxwell noted the completion of Fall sports with Winter seasons starting, including two Junior High wrestling meets already attended. Hauxwell noted the bleachers continue to be an issue of note, with overhaul costs estimated at approximately $10,000. Work done to date, including wheels & wiring,in addition to further work will be required to maintain operation. Hauxwell noted attendance at the NISAAA recently in Kearney. He highlighted the conference discussed good information. He also will be attending the District 5 Meeting in McCook November 13 noting the transgender issue has been removed from the agenda. Board member Oneil inquired as to team updates to the SPVA & Hauxwell noted Kimball (13-14) & Bridgeport (14-15) have joined with dates of participation as noted.

Discussion:  Stewart highlighted successful community & school participation in recent activities including costume parade and pumpkin contest,an initial monthly elementary assembly showcasing student learning, Veteran's day program for elementary and high school (HS) Stewart noted recent & upcoming committee meetings. Title I and ELL School Improvement meetings were held. Ell School Improvement, consisting of a committee of teachers, parents,admin and ESU support staff, will meet monthly towards an action plan of parent involvement, Handbook Spanish translation, Parent Modules Report, data retreat, staff development, and a welcome book. Stewart participated in safety meeting which discussed evacuation drill and appropriate changes to the protocol. Other safety items noted were the assembly and placement of emergency kits in all rooms. Lastly, a successful intruder Drill was held on Nov. 7. Stewart highlighted recent professional development which included differentiation for elementary & HS teachers and Google Docs for 4th and 6th grade teachers. Stewart reported NeSA reading and math practice assessments were given to grades 3-6 to be completed by Thanksgiving. In addition, she noted the replacement of Terra Nova with MAPS testing for grades 2-6 highlighting the benefits of MAPS. Board Member, Stromberger inquired regarding safety communication to substitutes and both Stewart & Sorensen noted appropriate information has been added and is disseminated to substitute teachers. Stewart said she has started teacher evaluations and they will continue thru November and December. She noted for next year, she will be making changes to the current evaluation form in accordance with Nebraska Framework for Effective Teaching. Principal Sorensen congratulated Fall teams and sponsors for their success including FFA Marketing Plan Team , The Little Mermaid cast & crew, softball District Runner Up, cross country 6th at State, and the successful weeks for Red Ribbon & Veterans day by FCCLA & FBLA, respectively. Sorensen further noted November NeSA prep tests for Grades 7,8 and 11 in Match, Reading & Science. He also gave a School Improvement Update highlighting #1 Goal of improvement of reading comprehension skills for all K-12 students and then he further addressed objectives and proposed strategies. Board Member ONeil inquired regarding use of assigned email addresses by HS students. Sorensen noted teachers continue to promote and utilization continues to increase. Brief discussion was held regarding Nebraska's standard for AYP in 2013-2014 as having been set at 100%.

Discussion:  Burpo noted the fall musical was a sell out both nights. She highlighted a large group of students attended National FFA, as well as FBLA attended National Fall leadship. One act has began. FCA Huddle attendance continues to increase and a group of approximate 20 recently attended Weekend of Champions. Lastly she noted 2 qualifiers for All State choir. Board Members held brief discussion of how protocal addresses use of cell phone during drills. Teachers present affirmed the success of recent drill highlighting the value of classroom discussions held in response.

Discussion:  Supt. Schoeppey began noting he has been addressing audit items noted for increasing efficiency and effectiveness. The first included making relevant documents and resources readily available for members. Improvement also includes the addition of new financial reports for monthly board review. Lastly, Schoeppey noted that even though only 1 original signature is required in Board policy, CCS will have 2 original and 1 pre-printed going forward. President Olsen inquired regarding the status of converting all funds into Apta and Schoeppey noted that the last will be activity funds, which will be effective in January of 2014. Oneil inquired regarding back up in regards to the new security system and Schoeppey noted back up at CCS is estimated at approximately 1 hour.

Discussion:  Letter was received from the IEA association.

Discussion:  Schoeppey addressed items of note from the report. First, in regards to segregation of duties, he explained with the necessity to cross-train in a small organization for continuity reasons, that CCS has done all that is reasonable to segregate duties where possible. Secondly, he elaborated on the lunch overspending noting both budgeted revenues and expenses were exceeded in 12-13 related to increased enrollments, however, at the end of the year actual revenues still exceeded actual expenditures for a net lunch profit. A similar issue occurred in the Qualified Capital Purpose Undertaking Fund (QCPUF) where again cash available was used to make qualified payments, however, these qualified payments had been in excess of budgeted payments. Discussion was held regarding the origination of the QCPUF and activity reported therefore determination to research further and review next month was decided.

Discussion:  Proposed bus to be retired is a 1998. Application for the grant was submitted November 12. Grant, if awarded, would result in approximately $26k in funds. Discussion resulted in Board's desire for transportation committee to assess this purchase more fully and make a proposal to the Board. It was also determined the committee should review a current asset listing, usage, age, necessary repairs etc as part of an annual review. Olsen inquired as to current status of a physical inventory that was performed last year. Sorensen noted teachers submitted reports electronically of their room's inventory to him. Inventory, specifically of electronics, was primarily discussed. Computer hardware is barcoded by Jerel, and other items may be done by Mrs. Vires but a formal systematic policy is not currently in place for safeguarding assets. An annual review of an asset listing was recommended. No motion was made.

Discussion:  Board exited Executive Session at 8:02 p.m. No action taken.

Discussion:  Board exited executive session at 8:55 p.m.

Discussion:  Board exited Executive Session at 9:54 p.m. No action was taken.

Discussion:  IEA members & Board discussed tentative date for negotiations as December 2, 2013 at 5pm.

Discussion:  Committee meeting will include 2 representatives appointed by each principal. Meeting tentatively set for November 18, 2013 at 4:00pm.

Discussion:  Supt Schoeppey noted in discussion with kitchen manager that federal implementation would require an application. Operationally it warrants consideration of additional kitchen staff hours, arrival of buses by 7:45 and discontinuation of the current ale carte program. The implementation will require no additional POS software other than man power. In general, Board supported the addition of it, noting it will make meals available to the children who need it. Further analysis including a survey of parents will be conducted to assess before program approval is considered further.

Discussion:  Discussion centered around rural pick up hubs where parents would transport their children to these hubs. This would allow buses to begin routes approx. 30 minutes later. Underlaw, no HS transportation is required and a state limit for elementary parent travel is 3 miles; any travel in excess would requirement parental reimbursement. The hubs may or may not be used at the end of the day. The Board believed the advantages of further consideration were warranted. Item would also be sent to transportation committee.

Discussion:  Olsen proposed a Superintendent evaluation prior to the offering of a contract. Current procedures suggest a formal review in January & June, but the Supt contract is renewed in December. Board members agreed Olsen's proposal seemed reasonable and logical and Olsen agreed to adjust suggested procedures and return to the Board with a proposal considering the limits as defined by current Board policy.

Discussion:  Meeting set for December 16, 2013 at 6pm.

Discussion:  Supt Schoeppey addressed that he would like Board to consider a monetary bonus if teachers notify district of retirement/resignation prior to contract period, which currently can not begin before April 1. Schoeppey suggested a written notice in the January period and agreed to move to the agenda item and discuss with legal counsel for further consideration before next meeting.

Discussion:  Meeting adjourned at 9:55 p.m.