September 9, 2014 at 6:00 PM - Board of Education Regular Meeting

Discussion:  Those present were Jan Schultz.

Discussion:  Athletic Director Hauxwell noted strong fall sports participation numbers as follows: HS Football- 29, JH Football- 33,HS Volleyball- 22, JH Volleyball- 28,HS Cross Country- 18 (10 Boys and 8 Girls),JH Cross Country- 4 (2 Boys and 2 Girls)and Softball- 21.The Chase County Cross Country Invitational is Thursday with 13 High School teams participating and 7 in Junior High. Hauxwell noted coaching agenda items of Rachel Maxwell helping Leslie Nordhausen with Junior High volleyball, with Lindsey Brophy being available to assist when needed, this year. Lynn Luhrs is recommended as a replacement for cheerleading sponsor, as Audrey Jennings-Meeske has turned in her resignation for this year. Hauxwell wanted to thank Audrey for the time she has contributed to the program. Fall sport schedule changes include the addition of Axtell in Volleyball and Southern Valley in Basketball. Games will be played at McCook Community College and they will provide concessions and CCS will receive the gate dollars. Principal Sorensen highlighted enrollment numbers as of September 9, 2014: 7th Grade: 50 (Females 26, Males 24), 8th Grade: 40 (Females 17, Males 23), 9th Grade: 53 (Females 25, Males 28), 10th Grade: 49 (Females 26, Males 23), 11th Grade: 37 (Females 17, Males 20), 12th Grade: 44 (Females 21, Males 23) for a total of 90 junior high and 183 high school. Sorensen noted new computers have been received and issued to freshmen and new students this week. He further noted fall MAPS testing for 10th grade will be conducted Monday through Thursday this week followed by 7th grade next week. Students are being assessed in Math, Science, Reading and Language Arts. MAPS assessments assist teachers in assessing student strengths and weaknesses. Sorensen summarized Professional Learning Communities (PLC) which has begun in Trenton, with Kelly Erickson facilitating. Erickson has organized each group using Google Community in order to enable Google Hangouts for teachers to converse/meet rather than travel to the ESU. Sorensen noted initial teacher response has been positive in regards to the value of both horizontal (within their own grade level) and vertical (grades above and below) interaction within the PLC. During 2014-2015, the second year, of the College Access Challenge Grant, Chase County Schools will both repeat as well as conduct several newly planned events including senior financial aid night, sophomore & junior college visits involving parents with visits to UNK, MPCC (North Platte), NCTA Curtis, Colby CC, and Western Nebraska CC, dual credit class promotion for 10th-12th grade, John Baylor Test Prep for 11th and 12th grade, ACT Assessment for 11th grade, and a career fair for grades 9-12. The grant emphasis is to getting under-represented students, include minority and low socioeconomic status, to further their education to postsecondary institutions with success. Lastly Sorensen noted new Student Board Member, Jessica Hartman, was not able to attend tonight due to softball. Principal Stewart began with brief presentation regarding a need assessment parent survey conducted last spring. She noted receipt of only approximate 40 responses. In general, 70-80% of responders agreed or strongly agreed that Chase County Schools was meeting their educational needs. Survey responses in regards to more than one parent/teacher conferences did result in further discussion and will be given additional consideration. Board member Haarberg also noted in proceeding with an annual survey to consider less questions & more frequency. Stewart continued after the presentation noted she has be conducting teacher observation walk-thus, daily. Stewart attended the ESU15 principal’s meeting, which also focused on Professional Learning Communities (PLC). Stewart mentioned National Geographic science and SMART board trainings held in August for staff. Board Member Stromberger inquired as to Principal Stewart’s thoughts on the newly implemented science curriculum and Stewart noted that it is still early, but emphasized the new curriculum is geared towards hand-on, interactive learning. Board President Olsen inquired as to an at-home login, similar to what students have available with the existing math program and Stewart noted it will be forth coming as Chase County Schools moves further into the program during the year. Stewart noted Multi- Tiered System of Support (MTSS) or Response to Intervention (RTI) meetings are in place and goals geared towards providing effective instruction and support for all students have been established. Stewart mentioned elementary assessment testing is underway, which is AIMSWEB for grades K-2 and MAPs for grades 2-6. Stewart noted the safety and security plan has been updated and distributed to staff, the Title One School Improvement team will meet Sept. 18 to review the goals, the Title One state required parent meeting will be held in October, and Longhorn Pride Character Trait awards have been revised for the 2014-2015 school year. Lastly, Stewart Compared 2014 to 2013 elementary NESA scores. In Math, Reading and Science, CCS Elementary met or well exceeded the 2014 state averages, while in Writing, CCS Elementary was just 3% below the state average. Stewart attributed the strengths noted in Math & Reading to the new curriculum as well as to the success of additional instructional support and tutoring, including additional standards of math time. In addition, CCS Elementary teachers set a goal of increasing Math grade 3-6 average from 79% to 85%, and actually exceeded this goal by 4% attaining a Math grade 3-6 average of 88% in 2013-2014. Chase County Schools, with support from its RTI team leaders, have already identified students who were not at grade level, in order to better target this group in 2014-2015. Supt. Schoeppey noted since the August meeting he has worked towards finalizing budget, been assessing transportation alternatives with the boards transportation committee, completing Sept/Oct state reporting, and reviewing NESA, MAPS testing data. Schoeppey expressed concern that though thus far CCS has been able to schedule sufficiently for activity and bus routes, there still remains a need for bus. Lastly, Schoeppey mentioned the State Ed Conf. Nov 20-21 in Omaha with registration opening September 10th, 2014. Board Member Stromberger inquired regarding air conditioning in the building and Supt. Schoeppey noted there has been an issue regarding the well water temperature, which has resulted in warm temps on the hottest of days, but Trane is actually addressing with Sargent on the well. Stromberger also inquired as to participation in the new sick bank, which Schoeppey noted will be addressed this week.

Discussion:  County Treasurer numbers were finalized last Thursday.

Discussion:  Supt Schoeppey noted Bluebird is bringing a bus from Holdredge tomorrow at 11 for review that built according to this example would cost approximately $150,000 to $160,000. Trade in of the current BCI bus is not an option with Bluebird. A new Bluebird bus would have an eta of December/January. Board member O'Neil & Supt. Schoeppey have discussed with Masters and is currently awaiting a proposal from them as well regarding the current BCI. Supt. Schoeppey has also sent all the necessary information and is awaiting confirmation for the for sale ad listing on the current BCI bus. Special meeting will be called to move forward with action if deemed necessary after viewing the Bluebird bus.

Discussion:  Report was presented for review. No further discussion.

Discussion:  Meeting was adjourned at 9:38 pm.