October 13, 2014 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.

Rationale: 

Arbor Park School students will lead the board in the Pledge of Allegiance and will be introduced by Principal Mike Janssen.

Rationale:  Due to a transposition error on the valuation amount of the original budget, the District requested $567.22 over the $1.05 levy lid amount.  Upon confirmation from the NDE and the State Auditor, the District can resubmit corrected documents and approve a revised tax request since the new amount is less than the original.  The revised budget reflects that the General Fund Tax Request changed from $16,874,463.46 to $16,873,896.24.
 

Rationale:  Blair PTO
Represented by Kristin Blattert

Rationale:  Riverview Grange - Dictionaries
The Riverview Grange has donated dictionaries to all 3rd grade students.

Rationale: 

Mr. Anderson is requesting permission for the BHS Choir to take a four day trip to Minneapolis, MN after the end of the school year (dates not confirmed at this time).  Mr. Hutsell would coordinate the trip and will be using C & C Tours of Bellevue as the tour company.  The focus of the trip would be clinics and performances, and students will also be able to observe performances, museums, and other areas of interest.  Students will be fundraising for the entire cost of the trip (apprx $600 per student) and no district funds would be used for the trip.

Rationale:  Bria Lally, Tournament Organizer for the Blair Volleyball Alumni Tournament, has written a letter to the Board requesting that custodial fees be waived for the annual Alumni Volleyball Tournament that will be held on November 22nd, 2014 in the BHS auxiliary gymnasium from 7:30am-5:00pm.

Rationale:  Schools Taking Action for Nebraska Children's Education (STANCE) is an organization of Nebraska public schools formed for the purpose of creating dialog and purposeful communication between school districts and state senators.  This organization represents mid-sized schools that are similar in many aspects, including general enrollment and trends, valuation base, and state aid receipts.  STANCE is engaged in legislative work and membership does require active participation from the district superintendent, and at times, board members.  

It is the recommendation of the administration that the district join this organization.  Membership dues are $250 for the first year, and $100 for each year thereafter.

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, September 29, 2014.  Meeting minutes are attached.

Items from this committee for proposed Board action:

1. Approve on first notification revisions to policies 408.02-Certificated Employee Contract Release and 408.05-Certificated Employee Reduction In Force.
2. Approve on first and final notification the revocation of policy 802.06-Food Service Uniforms.

Rationale:  The Curriculum Committee met on Wednesday, October 8, 2014.  Meeting minutes are attached.

Items from this committee for proposed Board action:

1. Approve revised Nebraska Department of Education Language Arts Standards.

Rationale:  The BG&T Committee met on Tuesday, September 30, 2014.  Meeting minutes and attachments are attached.

Rationale:  The Finance Committee met on Tuesday, October 7, 2014.  Meeting minutes are attached.

Items from this committee for proposed Board action:

1. Approve the revised Tax Request Resolution (See agenda item 6.2)

Rationale:  The Board of Education has been in the process of reviewing facilities for over 20 months.  During this time, the Board has reviewed a facilities study by DLR, visited each site, gathered input from stakeholders, and developed a possible scope of work.  As part of this process, the Board also directed the administration to seek a qualified Construction Manager to act on behalf of the district and the district's interests should any possible referendum and projects result from the Board's facility work.

An RFP for a Construction Manager at Risk was issued and four firms submitted proposals.  Personal interviews with each firm were held on August 5, 2014 and from those interviews, Sampson Construction emerged as firm that scored the highest on the rating rubric.  An preliminary agreement has been reached with Sampson Construction in which they will provide construction management services for any project from the scope of work presented with the RFP.

It is the recommendation of the administration that the district approve the agreement with Sampson Construction to serve as the Construction Manager at Risk.

Rationale:  Discussion and development of Board and Superintendent Goals.

Rationale:  Informational items from Mr. Pfeil: 

1. NASB Information
   1. State Education Conference
      1. November 19, 20, and 21.  Thur 11-20 and Fri 11-21 would be the two days for attendance.  Please contact Kerry for registration.
      2. Will be extending an invitation to the newly elected Board members.
2. Board Retreat - Wednesday, October 22 from 7:00pm to 9:00pm at Admin
3. Ribbon Cutting - BHS Auditorium - Thur 10-23

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.