March 11, 2014 at 6:00 PM - Board of Education Regular Meeting

Discussion:  Present when the meeting was called to order was Kim Wilson, Jason Speck, and Rex Stewart. Jan Schultz arrived at 6:12 pm. Angie Paisley arrived at 6:26 pm.

Discussion:  Noted vendor label for US Bank was incorrectly labeled NAG. Vendor name will be corrected, check will be voided and reissued accordingly.

Discussion:  No comment was noted.

Discussion:  Mr. Hauxwell, Activity Director noted the following: NSAA released the football schedules at 8:00 AM MST on February 12th for the 2014-2015 school years. Adjustment of weight room hours to close as 6:00 PM has been received without discontent. He noted the weight room has been much cleaner. District Speech in Gering March 20th. Chase Co Schools will be taking 15 or 16. The team finished 3rd at SPVA. Spring Sports Participation numbers are strong with HS Boys Track 37, HS Girls Track 28, and Golf 12 (9 Boys & 3 Girls). JH track will begin in the next couple weeks and we will host JH SPVA this year.

Discussion:  Mr. Sorensen, HS Principal, noted his last month's participation in the external visitation of Grand Island Northwest (GINW)was an exciting professional opportunity. Sorensen returned with an Effective Learning Environments Observation Tool (ELEOT), that he will propose incorporating here at CCS. The intervention theory, employed by GINW, would provide extra instruction for students on the down list during the current advisory period. Sorensen noted the Q4 plan will be discussed with HS teachers at March 12 staff meeting. Together he, and Elementary Principal Stewart discussed the February conference they attended in Phoenix, which focused on Professional Learning Communities (PLC). The Principals emphasized how creating a PLC environment is essential to obtaining the Board's goal of continual improvement in staff instructional strategies through professional development. Creating a working PLC culture requires a shift in teaching from isolation to team collaboration in order to quantify achievement toward measureable goals. In addition, ESU#15 has been creating PLC in conjunction with NESA assessment standards. When asked by Board member Smith as to the greatest hurdle CCS faces in creating effective PLC, the Principals noted both providing teachers the time to collaborate as well as a potential shift in the grading paradigm to measuring what students know verses their progression towards learning.In conclusion, this idea of PLC would be presented at both the next HS & Elementary staff meetings. Elementary Principal Stewart discussed the following significant dates: -February 14 inservice focused on student engagement strategies, which Stewart noted employed in recent classroom observations. -March NeSA practice assessments preliminarily showed evidence of student improvement. Official testing for grades 3-6 reading, math, and science are scheduled for April. -Spring MAP (Measure of Academic Progress)testing for Grades 2-7 will be focus of March 25 inservice. -Kindergarten Round Up April 4. Registrations are available at chasecountyschools.org. Since last Board meeting, Stewart noted the Response to Intervention (RTI)team has collaborated, the Title One Improvement members have discussed the possibility of a summer school/summer math learning camp, and the ELL School Improvement team met. Lastly, Stewart noted she will be attending & presenting on Celebrating Success at the Region V Principal’s meeting March 19t.

Discussion:  Cassie Burpo, Student Board Member, noted recent FFA Labor auction resulted in approximately $20,000. In addition, she noted FBLA & FCCLA have also been doing state fund raising. She noted student preparation for choir & band SPVA music March 25. Lastly, she noted student council discussions to provide additional tutoring during advisory.

Discussion:  Supt. Schoeppey highlighted his attendance at the AASA Supt. Conference last month in Nashville where he primarily attended sessions addressing technology & leadership. He has created a working Board Goals document for the upcoming Board retreat and has obtained initial data regarding activity hours that will be used for further assessment of the Districts current Schedule B "Extra Assignment Salary" schedule. The Schedule B committee has met twice discussing current data. Superintendent Schoeppey noted upcoming Chamber of Commerce and Western NE Administrators and ESU combined meetings that he will be attending. He noted Q4 begins this Monday following spring break. Lastly he noted the coach bus is repaired and will be picked up this weekend with pending discussions to be held regarding the future of the bus. President Olsen inquired regarding roof repairs this summer. Supt Schoeppey noted this is an item that will need to be discussed at the upcoming retreat.

Discussion:  See discussion under Principals reports above.

Discussion:  Board Member Reeves inquired as to Cathy Hanna's resignation, and Supt. Schoeppey noted that in resigning, Mrs. Hanna expressed interest in teaching part-time should such a position arise.

Discussion:  Board exited executive session at 7:30 pm.

Discussion:  Olsen requested, and Board agreed, that in discussing timeline for Board goals that assessment dates throughout the year should be established. Supt. Schoeppey noted a request for the creation of a professional development committee for the next year.

Discussion:  Supt. Schoeppey compiled and presented to the Board a sample of sick leave donation policies. When addressed by Board Member Meeske, Supt. Schoeppey expressed his approval for an equitable donation policy where you donate to a bank and a committee administers verses allowing entirely discretionary contributions among employees. Smith favored a fall trial of a sick leave bank. He proposed a 30 day enrollment period highlighting the definition of specific parameters regarding eligibility based upon years of service, immediate family, and eligibility would require participation. Discussion was held regarding Classified verses Certified as well. Board will precede as Supt. Schoeppey drafts a proposal.

Discussion:  Retreat was set for March 25th at 6pm.

Discussion:  Board exited executive session at 8:15 pm. No action was taken regarding the Superintendent Evaluation Process.

Discussion:  Meeting was adjourned at 8:15pm.