January 13, 2020 at 7:00 PM - Board of Education Regular Meeting

Rationale:  Dr. Randall Gilson, Superintendent, will call the Board of Education meeting to order. 

Information concerning the Open Meeting Law, Chapter 84, Article 14 of Nebraska State Statutes, is posted in the meeting room and at a location accessible to members of the public. 

Rationale: 

The Board Secretary will conduct roll call attendance.

Rationale:  Mr. Tom Anderson, Principal of Blair High School, will introduce high school senior students who will lead the Board in the Pledge of Allegiance.  These seniors were selected to paint a parking space to have a reserved spot for the 2019-20 school year.  The selection was done by a drawing that senior students could purchase tickets for.  The National Honor Society did this as a fundraiser.  The following students will be speaking on the benefits of having a reserved spot for the year. 

• Gabby Leonard
• Madyson Ray
• Isa Almanza
• Emma Theone
• Aiden Klanderud
• Dawson Fischer
• Ave Rech
• Zoe Sullivan
• Sam Lawton
• Ashlyn McMillen

Rationale: 

The following board leadership positions will be voted upon at this time:

• President
• Vice-President

Approval of Offices and Appointments:

• Secretary - Angie Conety
• Treasurer - Leslie Watts
• School Attorney - Edmond Talbot, III
• School Physician - Dr. Jill Reel
• Official Newspaper - Blair Enterprise
• Truant Officer - Blair Police Department and Washington County Sheriff

Rationale: 

• December 9, 2019 Board of Education Regular Meeting Minutes

Rationale: 

• Savings Depreciation & Building Fund
• General Fund

Rationale: 

• Activity Fund
• General Fund

Rationale:  Bob Tichota and Brenda Jenny from the Blair Fire Department will discuss and report on Fire Prevention Week and activities for the K-12 schools. 

Rationale:  Mrs. Rebecca Cox, District Media Specialist at North and South Primary, has written and received a Cornhusker Motor Club Foundation Education Grant.  The foundation awarded Mrs. Cox a donation in the amount of $2,000 to be designated toward the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) Program.  We would like to thank them for their generous donation and we appreciate their support and commitment to Blair Community Schools. 

Rationale:  Mrs. Holly Mackie, School Nurse, received a donation from Wyman & Laurie Nelson in the amount of $1,900 to be designated toward the purchase of a Spot Vision Screener.  With the approval of this donation, all funds have been raised for the purchase.

Mrs. Mackie has written and been awarded grants from Washington County Bank, Memorial Community Hospital, Cargill and Blair Area Community Foundation (BACF)  to assist with the purchase of the Spot Vision Screener.  The cost of the screener is $7,500.  The screener will assist the nurse's in efficiently screening students and be able to screen for more eye conditions than the traditional vision eye charts.  We would like to thank them for their generous donations and we appreciate their support and commitment to Blair Community Schools. 

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 hold a special practice on Sunday, January 19, 2020 from 1:00-3:00 pm. 

In preparation for the Nebraska State Cheer and Dance Competition, the dance team needs to set aside special practices for the girls to learn choreography.  With all the many activities/events the team participates outside of dance, the only possible day to get them all together is a Sunday. 

The administration is recommending approval for the BHS Dance Team to hold a special Sunday practice with parental 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:

Rationale: 

The Policy Committee met on Friday, January 3, 2020.  Meeting minutes are attached.

Rationale: 

The Curriculum Committee met on Wednesday, December 11, 2019.  Meeting minutes are attached.

Rationale: 

The Buildings, Grounds, and Transportation Committee met on Thursday, December 19, 2019. Meeting minutes are attached.

Rationale: 

The Finance Committee met on Tuesday, January 7, 2020.  Meeting minutes are attached.

Rationale: 

• Tami Brundige-Huff, High School SPED Teacher, has submitted her letter of retirement effective upon the conclusion of the 2019-20 school year. 
• Courney Archer, High School Language Arts Teacher, has submitted her letter of resignation effective upon the conclusion of the 2019-20 school year. 

Rationale: 

• January NASB Monthly Board Meeting Update
• Activities January 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.

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

Rationale:  Consideration fro approval of a contract agreement between the Blair Education Association (BEA) and the Blair Community Schools Board of Education for the 2020-21 and 2021-22 school years