August 14, 2017 at 7:00 PM - Board of Education Regular Meeting

Rationale: 

Mr. Lyle Schjodt, Board President, will call the Board of Education Regular meeting to order. 

Information concerning the Open Meeting Law, Chapter 84, Article 14 of Nebraska State Statutes, is posted on the bulletin board in this room.

Rationale: 

Mr. Leon Haith will lead the Board in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Rationale: 

A notice was published in compliance with the provisions of State Statute Sections 13-501 to 13-513, that the Board of Education will meet on the 14th day of August, 2017 at 7:00 o'clock P.M., at Blair Community School's Administration Building, 2232 Washington Street, Blair, Nebraska 68008 for the purpose of hearing support, opposition, criticism, suggestions or observations of taxpayers relating to the following proposed budget amendment for the Bond Fund.

The Bond Fund budget is being amended because the District was required to pay interest in July 2017 on borrowed funds from the bond issue election in November 2016 that were not budgeted for. The amended budget only impacts Bond Fund spending authority and does not impact the tax request or tax levy.  All other funds remain unchanged.

Rationale:  Per state statue §79-531 through §79-533, each school district shall develop, adopt, and annually review and reaffirm a policy outlining parental involvement in regard to 1) how the school district will provide access to parents concerning textbooks, tests, and other curriculum materials used in the school district; 2) how the school district will handle requests by parents to attend and monitor courses, assemblies, counseling sessions, and other instructional activities; 3) under what circumstances parents may ask that their children be excused from testing, classroom instruction, and other school experiences the parents may find objectionable; 4) how the school district will provide access to records of students; 5) what the school district's testing policy will be; and 6) how the school district participates in surveys of students and the right of parents to remove their children from such surveys. A public hearing is to be held prior to any revisions or affirmation of this policy on a yearly basis.

A Public Hearing on Board policy 1005.03-Parental Involvement in the Schools will be necessary to comply with statutory requirements.  After the Public Hearing, the Board may chose to reaffirm existing policy or direct the Superintendent to revise the policy based on public input and Board discussion.

Rationale: 

Building Fund & Depreciation

General Fund

Rationale: 

Activity Fund

General Fund

Rationale: 

The BHS Cheerleading Squad and BHS Dance Team is requesting to have their pictures taken professionally on Sunday, September 10, 2017.  In order to get the entire squads together, this needs to take place on a Sunday due to the number of activities each girl is involved in at BHS.

The administration recommends approving this request. 

Rationale: 

The BHS Cheerleading Squad is requesting to have a choreography clinic on Saturday, October 21 and Sunday, October 22.  This clinic is in preparation for the Nebraska State Dance and Cheer competition. In order to compete in this competition, the squad must learn and perfect a cheer and dance choreographed by a member of the Universal Cheer Association (UCA). The squad learns this routine during a two-day camp. Due to the numerous activities scheduled during weekdays, this limits us to having the camp on a Saturday and Sunday.

The administration is recommending approval of this request.

Rationale:  This is the portion of the meeting when members of the public may address the board about matters of public concern.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO WISH TO SPEAK:

Rationale: 

The Policy Committee met on Monday, July 24, 2017.  Meeting minutes are attached.

Item from this committee for proposed Board action:

• to approve on second and final notification revisions to policy 504.17-Questioning of Students by Outside Agencies and associated administrative regulations 504.17R1-Affidavite to Question or Interview Student, and 504.17R2-Affidavit and Release to Remove Student.
• to reaffirm existing Policy 1005.03-Parental Involvement in the Schools.
• to reaffirm existing Policy 504.19-Bulling Prevention.
• to approve on first notification revisions to policy 403.08-Employee Fundraising and Solicitation by or of Staff Members.

Rationale: 

The Curriculum Committee did not meet this month.

Rationale: 

The Buildings, Grounds, and Transportation Committee did not meet this month.

Rationale: 

The Finance Committee met on Thursday, August 10, 2017.  Meeting minutes are attached.

Items from the committee for possible Board action are:

• to amend the 2016-17 budget for Washington County School District 89-0001 as presented.