November 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:  Mrs. Erin Lane, 4th Grade Teacher, will introduced Arbor Park students, who will share how they are utilizing their Chromebooks.  The students will then lead the Board in the Pledge of Allegiance. 

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• October 14, 2019 Board of Education Regular Meeting Minutes

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• Thank You

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• General Fund
• Building Fund & Savings Depreciation 

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• General Fund
• Activity Fund

Rationale:  Mr. Penas, Blair Schools Activities Director, received a check in the amount of $1,500 from Sid Dillon/Chevrolet Youth Sports to assist in providing necessary equipment and materials for our athletic department.  Mr. Penas is requesting Board approval of this donation.  

Thank you to Sid Dillon/Chevrolet Youth Sports Program for the support and commitment to Blair Community Schools Athletic Department. 

Rationale:  Cubby's Convenience Store in Blair, pledges to donate $1.00 for every large pizza they sell to Blair Community Schools.  We received a check from Cubby's in the amount of $1,094.  

Thank you to Cubby's for their continued support and commitment to Blair Community Schools.  

Rationale:  Mrs. Rebecca Mathiesen, the Blair TeamMates Chapter Coordinator, is requesting District bus transportation to the Mens Creighton Basketball Game on Sunday, November 24, 2019 for all mentee and mentors of the Blair TeamMates program.  This could be around 150 attendees and could require two (2) buses.  November 24th is a Sunday and requires Board approval. 

Rationale:  Mr. Bubba Penas, Activities Director, and Ms. Emily Peatrowsky and Mrs. Natalie Koziol, Varsity Dance Coaches, are requesting permission for the BHS Dance Team to attend Skyhawk Cheer and Dance Sensation Competition on Sunday, January 12, 2020.  The competition will be held at Skutt Catholic High School in Omaha, Nebraska. Attending this will help prepare them for the Nebraska State Cheer and Dance competition.  The competition does fall on a Sunday, probably as a way to work around other activity schedules. 

The administration is requesting permission for the dance team to attend the Skyhawk Cheer and Dance Competition on Sunday, January 12, 2020 at Skutt Catholic High School in Omaha with parent permission. 

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, October 2, 2019.  Meeting minutes are attached.

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The Curriculum Committee met on Wednesday, October 23, 2019.  Meeting minutes are attached.

 

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The Buildings, Grounds, and Transportation Committee met on Tuesday, October 29, 2019. Meeting minutes are attached.

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

Rationale:  Mr. Mark Dickinson, District Technology Coordinator, is requesting the replacement of the K-2 Computer Labs Macintosh computers.  The computers are over six (6) years old and can no longer be updated.  One primary function of the Computer Lab is for MAP testing.   MAP testing software now requires a newer operating system than what these computers can run. The students take benchmark and progress tests and the current computers have aged, are cumbersome, difficult for students to see, and use.  The big problem is it affects their scores on these tests and placement in reading interventions and time according to new Nebraska reading statues. 

Mr. Dickinson is recommending replacing the computers with a Chrome Box.  A Chrome Box is the same as a Chromebook, but have a full sized monitor, full sized keyboard and a mouse.  These full sized components are important in technology skill development and testing success for younger students. 

Each lab would have thirty (30) Chrome Boxes, for a total of ninety (90).  Latest pricing for this project is $424.05 per Chrome Box, with a total price of $38,164.50.  If the Board of Education approves the replacement at the November Board meeting, we could have the new Chrome Boxes in place for the December MAP testing. 

Administration is recommending approval of the replacement of the K-2 Computer Labs computers with a Chrome Box.  

Rationale:  Acceptance of Certified Staff resignations.  

 

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• Reminder of upcoming event:  2019 State Education Conference November 20-22, 2019.
• Board Reports Attached 
  • Activities 
  • High School
  • Otte-Blair Middle School
  • Arbor Park Intermediate
  • North & South Primary 

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.

The Board will go into Closed Session for the protection of public interest on the discussion of collective bargaining and 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.