October 14, 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:  Mrs. Kim Leggott, K-2 PE Teacher, will introduce students who will share a slideshow on the recently held Fun Run Fundraiser.  The students will also share their favorite part of the event and will then lead the Board in the Pledge of Allegiance. 

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• September 9, 2019 Board of Education Special and Regular Meeting Minutes

Rationale:  The District received a donation from St. Mary's Episcopal Church, in the amount of $750.00,  to assist with unpaid student lunch fees.  

Thank you to St. Mary's Episcopal Church for their support for Blair Community Schools.  

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• General Fund Report - September 
• Building Fund & Savings Depreciation Report - September

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• Activity Fund
• General Fund

Rationale:  October is National Farm to School Month.  It is to help ensure kids have access to healthy, local foods.

Becca Stambaugh, Taher Food Service Director, will be introducing the Barrera Family to the Board.  The Barrera Family owns and runs Barrera Farm, which is the local farm Becca will be using to implement the PAW PAW fruit smoothies for the month of October. 

Rationale:  Mr. Chris Schuler, High School Industrial Tech Teacher, requested and received a tool donation from Milwaukee Tool, estimated value $5,000 - $10,000, as part of their technical school donation program.  The donation of tools is to further enhance the learning experience in the technical education classes.  

Thank you to Milwaukee Tool for the generous donation and thank you to Mr. Schuler for requesting the tools for the students. 

Rationale:  The Blair Community Schools Foundation is donating $2,254.20 on behalf of the Blair Wrestling Club to help offset the expenses for the Blair High School Wrestling team to travel to Grand Island for the Flatwater Fracas wresting tournament on Thursday, December 19, 2019 through Saturday, December 21, 2019.  

The administration is recommending the approval of this donation to help with the expenses for this tournament. 

Rationale:  Communication for Board consideration and possible action:

A letter has been received from Tom Anderson, Principal of Blair High School,  and Morgan Kowalewsi, FFA Advisor, requesting permission for the FFA organization to attend the FFA National Competition held on October 30 - November 2, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana.  Mr. Anderson is recommending this opportunity be approved with parental permission for all students.  Ms. Laura Joy, Assistant FFA Advisor, will be the trip sponsor. 

Administration is recommending this opportunity be approved with parental permission for all students. 

Rationale:  Communication and Board consideration and possible action:

8th Grade Band Trip to Adventure Land:  Dr. Stogdill, Otte-Blair Middle School Principal, is requesting permission for the Otte-Blair Middle School 8th Grade Band to take a daylong trip to Adventureland Park (Des Moines, IA) on Monday, June 1st, 2020.  The students will perform a concert in the park and then will spend the rest of the day enjoying the amusement park and rides under the supervision of the band director, Mrs. Chiyo Trauernicht, and parent volunteers. This trip is not required for the class or grades and participation in this performance and trip will be voluntary.  Students will be responsible for the entire cost of the trip, approximately $60 per student and includes transportation and park entrance fee.  No district funds will be used for the trip.

Administration is recommending this trip to be approved for the students with parental permission. 

Rationale:  Mr. Bubba Penas, Activities Director, and Ms. Lauren Diffey, BHS Cheer Sponsor, are requesting permission for the Blair High School Varsity Cheer Team to attend a cheer competition at Elkhorn South on Sunday, December 8, 2019.  In preparation for the annual Nebraska State Cheer and Dance competition, there are a variety of local competitions that squads can compete in to ultimately give them experience and this is one of them.  

The administration is requesting permission for the cheer team to attend this competition with parent permission. 

Rationale:  Mr. Bubba Penas, Activities Director, and Ms. Emily Peatrowsky and Mrs. Natalie Koziol, Varsity Dance Coaches, are requesting permission for the Blair High School Dance Team to hold practices on Sunday, October 20th and Sunday, November 3rd, 2019.  In the past, the dance team has gone to the Nebraska State Cheer and Dance Competition.  In preparation for this competition, the team needs to set aside special practices to learn the choreography.  With the many activities/events the team participates in outside of dance, the only possible days to have all of the girls present to learn the choreography are two Sunday's. 

The administration is requesting permission for the dance team to hold their choreography clinic on Sunday, October 20th and Sunday, November 3rd, 2019 with parent permission. 
 

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Terry Bellamy, Blair Wrestling Club, is requesting permission to use the Blair High School Auxiliary Gym, Main Gym, Locker Rooms, and Atrium for their annual youth wrestling tournament on Saturday, February 8, 2020 from 6:30pm - 10:00pm and Sunday, February 9, 2020 from 6:00am - 4:00pm.  February 9th is a Sunday facility usage request and requires Board approval.  

Administration is recommending you approve 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:

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The Policy Committee met on Monday, September 30, 2019.  Meeting minutes are attached.

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The Curriculum Committee met on Wednesday, September 25, 2019.  Meeting minutes are attached.

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The Buildings, Grounds, and Transportation Committee met on Monday, September 23, 2019.  Meeting minutes are attached.

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The Finance Committee met on Tuesday, October 8, 2019. Meeting minutes are attached.

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• 2019 State Education Conference November 20-22, 2019
  • Board members registered to attend:  Laura Ronning, Deb Parks, Bob Schoby, Brittney Gunderson and Dr. Gilson.  Agenda and Flyer is attached for you review.  
• October NASB Monthly Board Meeting Update
• Activities - October Board Report
• High School - October Board Report
• Otte Blair Middle School - October Board Report
• Arbor Park Intermediate - October Board Report
• North & South Primary - October Board Report

Rationale:  The Board of Education is authorized by state statute to hold closed sessions.  Closed sessions may be held when clearly necessary for the protection of the public interest or for the prevention of needless injury to the reputation of an individual.  Reasons that meet this standard include but are not limited to:  (a) strategy sessions with respect to collective bargaining, real estate matters, pending litigation, or litigation which is imminent as evidenced by communication of a claim or threat of litigation to or by the public body; (b) discussion regarding deployment of security personnel or devices; (c) investigative proceedings regarding allegations of criminal misconduct; (d) evaluation of the job performance of a person when necessary to prevent needless injury to the reputation of a person and if such person has not requested a public meeting; and (e) legal advice.