March 11, 2019 at 7:00 PM - Board of Education Regular Meeting

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

Mrs. Kari Loseke, Board President, will call the Board of Education Regular meeting to order. 

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The Board Secretary will conduct roll call attendance. 

Rationale:  Mr. Tom Anderson, Blair High School Principal, will introduce our Pledge of Allegiance leaders tonight.

• Blair High School Wrestling Team

Rationale:  February 11, 2019 Board of Education Work Session Minutes and Regular Meeting Minutes

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• Building Fund and Savings Depreciation
• General Fund

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• Activity Fund
• General Fund

Rationale:  Blair High School Band Director, Jeff Mount, received a Big Red Keno Grant in the amount of $3,765 for the purchase of three (3) mellophones for the band department at the High School. 

Rationale:  The Memorial Community Hospital & Health Systems (MCH&HS) and CUMC Bergan Mercy recently come to Blair Community Schools and met with principals and school nurses to educate them on the Stop the Bleed program.  MCH&HS would like to donate 48 bleeding control kits to be distributed amongst the Blair Schools. These kits will contain the items needed to act quickly to stop traumatic blood loss.

Thank you to MCH&HS for their continued support and commitment to Blair Community Schools.

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:

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The Policy Committee met on Monday, February 25, 2019.  Meeting minutes are attached.

 

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The Curriculum Committee met on Wednesday, February 27, 2019.  Meeting minutes are attached.

 

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The Buildings, Grounds, and Transportation Committee met on Thursday, February 21, 2019.  Meeting minutes are attached.

 

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The Finance Committee met on Tuesday, March 5, 2019.  Meeting minutes are attached.

 

Rationale:  Per provisions of policy 502.02-Non-Resident Students, the Board must set student capacities in relation to allowing a maximum number of option students for the next school year in any program, class, grade level or school building or in any special education programs operated by this school district.  Capacities are based upon available staff, facilities, projected enrollment of resident students, projected number of students that the school district will contract based on existing contractual arrangements, availability of appropriate special education programs. and the number of option applications received or projected to be received prior to the March 15 deadline.  

In the past, a motion to approve a resolution and capacity worksheet is presented through the Policy Committee.  Due to the March 15 deadline, this will be up for full Board discussion at the March Board meeting.  Dr. Gilson has shared a draft resolution and capacity worksheet, projected class averages, and option enrollment procedures.  Dr. Gilson is recommending that the Board establish capacities for option enrollment students as outlined in the proposed resolution for the 2019-20 school year, which will set the number of option enrollment students the district can accept for each grade level.  The district must allow space for current and potential resident students. 

Rationale:  Amend the current 2018-19 school calendar to make up for days lost due to weather.  The district has missed six (6) days.  As a result, students and teachers have had instruction and activities significantly disrupted.  A student instructional day will be added on Monday, April 22, 2019 and PLC's Friday late starts on April 26, May 3, May 10, May 17, and May 24 will be eliminated. School will begin at regular time at all buildings on those days. 

Amend the 2019-20 school year calendar, approved at the January Board of Education meeting, to build in additional snow days.  School will then end no later than May 22, 2020 for students and four (4) snow days will have been built into the calendar.  If we do not use the four (4) snow days, those days will then be subtracted at the end of the school year. 
 

Rationale:  Dr. Gilson and Mr. Haith had been working with the City of Blair officials to explore the possibility of entering into a Interlocal Agreement for summer District mowing.  Mr. Haith shared a draft of the Interlocal Agreement Contract the City created between the Blair Community Schools and the City of Blair with the Finance Committee at the March 5, 2019 meeting.  At the time of the Finance meeting, a few amendments to the agreement needed to be made prior to presenting it to the Board of Education for possible approval.   Mr. Haith has received the new Interlocal Agreement Contract with the recommended amendments from the City of Blair.  In addition, the agreement has been reviewed by school attorney, Mr. Ed Talbot.  

Rationale:  The following certified staff members have submitted a letter of resignation effective upon the conclusion of the 2018-19 school year. 

• Heather Post - School Psychologist
• Paige Dunn - 6 Grade Math Teacher

 

Rationale:  Discuss, consider and take all necessary action with regard to the Blair Community Schools Early Retirement Incentive Policy and Program (TERIP).  The following teachers have submitted all paperwork necessary to be eligible for early retirement:

1. Judy Lefeber - Preschool Teacher
2. Paula West - 6th Grade Science Teacher 
3. Norm Svoboda - 5th Grade Classroom Teacher 
4. Kristina Marcellus - 4th Grade Classroom Teacher
5. Patricia Olson - 9-12 Business Education