August 10, 2015 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:  The Otte Middle School Apple Core students will lead the Board in the Pledge of Allegiance.  The students who are part of the Apple Core Teams are:  Chloe Eninger, Matt Simonson, Madison Ray, Joselyn Andreasen, Caroline Uffelman, Max Nickerson, Isabella Almanza, Bobby Busk, Holden Mead, Hank Frost, Luke Mathiesen, Luydia Harvigsten, Dylan Baker, Eva Dunker, and Brady Soukup.

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 10th day of August, 2015 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. The Bond Fund Budget is being amended because of refinancing bonds in order to lower the interest rate of the bond. This amendment will not impact property tax rates for the current year.  The bond expenditures increased by $9,500,000 as well as the resources.  All other things stayed the same.

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:  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, August 3, 2015.  Meeting minutes are attached.

Item from this committee for proposed Board action:

• to approve on second and final notification revisions to Board Policy 205.04-Policy Communication.
• to approve handbooks (students and staff).
• to approve revisions to the following policies:
  • 204.11-Meeting Minutes
  • 402.01-Equal Opportunity Employment
  • 404.11-Facilities for Milk Expression
  • 508.16-Return from Pediatric Cancer
  • 603.01-Curriculum Development
  • 902.03-Procedures-Bidding Construction Projects
  • 902.04-Bids and Awards for Construction Projects
• to reaffirm policy 1005.03-Parental Involvement in Schools
• to reaffirm policy 504.19-Bullying Prevention

Rationale: 

The Curriculum Committee met on Thursday, July 30, 2015.  Meeting minutes are attached.

Rationale: 

The Buildings, Grounds, and Transportation Committee met on Thursday, July 30, 2015.  Meeting minutes are attached.

Rationale: 

The Finance Committee met on Wednesday, August 5, 2015.  Meeting minutes are attached.

Rationale: 

The Papio-Missouri River NRD is in the process of updating the regional, Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan. This is an update to the 2011 plan and the primary goal is to reduce vulnerability to natural and man-made hazards.  We were asked by the city to be a part of this project.  Participation in a hazard mitigation plan makes the community (and school district) eligible for applying to FEMA grants that help fund mitigation projects such as back-up power generators and safe rooms.  

Rationale: 

General Information Items:

1. Lyle Schjodt has purchased a health insurance policy through the Blair Community Schools Blue Cross/Blue Shield insurance program. This information is to be reported quarterly, as required by state statute 79-506.

Items from the Superintendent:

1.  

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 enter into Closed Session for the protection of public interest on the discussion of real estate matters and litigation matters.