July 13, 2020 at 6:00 PM - Board of Education Regular Meeting

Rationale: 

As President Johnson calls the Board of Education Meeting to order, she will inform everyone in attendance of the Ralston Public Schools Board of Education Meeting COVID-19 Guidelines.  Copies of these guidelines are available to all visitors and have been posted on the door of the Board Room.

Rationale: 
Please stand and join us in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Cognia Standard 1.4:  The governing authority establishes and ensures adherence to policies that are designed to support system effectiveness.
Policy 2008, Board of Education Meetings.

Rationale: 

Cognia Standard 1.4:  The governing authority establishes and ensures adherence to policies that are designed to support system effectiveness.
Policy 2008, Board of Education Meetings.

Rationale: 

A complete copy of the Open Meetings Act is posted on the back wall of the Board of Education meeting room.

Public Comment Sign In Procedure - Anyone wishing to address the Board of Education must submit a written request form, found on the public’s table, prior to Public Comments.

The Board reserves the right to move into closed session to protect the public interest or needless injury to the reputation of an individual for any action item listed on the agenda. The Board may, at its discretion, change the order of the agenda to accommodate unforeseen issues related to an agenda item.

Cognia Standard 1.1:  The system commits to a purpose statement that defines beliefs about teaching and learning, including the expectations for learners.   Policy 2009, Public Participation at Board Meetings.

Rationale: 

The Ralston Board of Education appreciates the public's right to provide public comment.  It is the practice of the Ralston Board to listen to the public comment, without discussion between the public and the Board.  Should you have a question or ask for follow-up from the Board, the Board President will direct the Superintendent to address the requests and provide additional information to you as appropriate.  We ask that you refrain from personal comments about individuals and the use of vulgar or inappropriate language in addressing the Board. 

The board will generally allow a total of 30 minutes for the presentation of all public comments.  Individuals may only speak one time per topic and must limit comments to around three (3) minutes. In the event more than 10 individuals wish to address the board, the 30 minutes will be divided equally between the number of speakers. At the discretion of the Board President or Chair, speakers may be allotted additional time.

At this time the Ralston Public Schools Board of Education will entertain public comment.

Cognia Standard 1.1:  The system commits to a purpose statement that defines beliefs about teaching and learning, including the expectations for learners.   Policy 2009, Public Participation at Board Meetings.

Rationale: 

Consent agenda items include minutes from the June 22 meeting; June Financial Reports, June bills in the amount of $621,042.73 for the General Fund, and $268,569.33 for the Building Fund. Prior to the meeting Mary Roarty and Heather Johnson reviewed the bills. 

Local Substitute Certificate for Kimberly Devlin.

Cognia Standard 1.4:  The governing authority establishes and ensures adherence to policies that are designed to support system effectiveness. Board Policy 2008, Board of Education Meetings.

Cognia Standard 1.7:  Leaders implement operational processes and procedures to ensure organizational effectiveness in support of teaching and learning. Board Policy 3007, Review of Bills.         

Rationale: 

Cognia Standard 1.4 - The governing authority establishes and ensures adherence to policies that are designed to support system effectiveness. Board Policy 2008, Board of Education Meetings.

Rationale: 

Board of Education members will discuss items they have recently observed or attended or items they wish to share with the other members of the Board of Education and the public.

Cognia Standard 1.5 - the governing authority adheres to a code of ethics and functions within defined roles and responsibilities. Board Policy 2002, Reporting to the Public.  

Cognia Standard 1.4  The governing authority establishes and ensures adherence to policies that are desinged to support system effectiveness.  Board Policy 2008, Board of Education Meetings.

Rationale: 

Cognia Standard 1.8 - Leaders engage stakeholders to support the achievement of the system's purpose and direction.  Board Policy 2022, Reporting to the Public.

Rationale:  Mr. Jim Frederick will provide an overview to the Board of Education on the results of the Remote Learning Survey that was completed with the help of NASB after school was dismissed for the summer.

Board Policy 2022 Reporting to the Public
 

Rationale: 

Dr. Adler and Mrs. Richards will update the Board regarding Legislative issues. 

Cognia Standard 1.8 - Leaders engage stakeholders to support the achievement of the system's purpose and direction. Board Policy 2022, Reporting to the Public.

Rationale:  Dr. Jay Irwin will update the Board of Education on items and information that is under consideration with the Nebraska Association of School Boards.

Cognia Standard 1.8 Leaders engage stakeholders to support the achievement of the system's purpose and direction.  Policy 2022 Reporting to the Public.

Rationale: 

Dr. Adler will review the enrollment information with the Board.

Cognia Standard 1.8 - Leaders engage stakeholders to support the achievement of the system's purpose and direction.  Board Policy 2022, Reporting to the Public.

Rationale:  Dr. Adler will provide an additional overview of the planning for the Ralston Public Schools Return to Learn Protocol.  The information and document that will be presented is a compilation of the work and planning currently being done by the entire RPS Administrative Team as we prepare for the opening of school and learning for the 2020-2021 School Year.  The Administration asks that the Board of Education approve the base plan as presented.  With continuously changing elements within our community, the Return to Learn Protocol may require changes.  All changes and adjustments will be communicated and reviewed with the Board of Education.  

Board Policy 2022 Reporting to the Public

Rationale:  On June 22nd Mr. Jason Buckingham provided the preliminary terms of the negotiated agreements that have been agreed upon by Ralston Public Schools and Local Union 226 for Food Service Workers and Operations and Maintenance Workers for the 2020/2021 School Year.  The Administration would ask that both the Food Service Workers and the Operations and Maintenance Workers contracts be approved as presented.

Board Policy 4063 Negotiations Goals and Objectives

Rationale:  On June 22nd, Dr. Cecilia Wilken, presented an adjusted District Calendar to the Board of Education that identified several potential make up days that can be accessed if needed in response to potential school closures due to COVID-19.  Any access of make up days will be communicated well in advance to all stakeholders.  The Administration asks that the 2020-2021 RPS District Calendar due to COVID-19 be approved by the Board of Education.

Board Policy 6002 School Calendar

 

Rationale:  Federal regulations require annual analysis of school lunch prices for organizations that participate in the Federal school lunch program.  Mr. Buckingham outlined current school lunch prices and options to consider in increasing the 2020/2021 school lunch prices to meet Federal regulations at the June 8th meeting of the Board of Education.  The administration would ask that the Board of Education approve school lunch prices for the 2020/2021 school year as presented.

Board Policy 3012 Meal Charges

Rationale:  Prior to the meeting this evening a public hearing was conducted to hear input on the proposed student fees for Ralston Public Schools for the 2020-2021 school year.  The Administration asks that the Board of Education approve the 2020-2021 Student Fees as presented.

Board Policy 5045 Student Fees

Rationale: 

The Board and Administration will review proposed policies.

Cognia Standard 1.5 - The governing authority adheres to a code of ethics and functions within the defined roles and responsibilities.  Board Policy 2001, Role of the Board of Education.

Rationale:  Dr. Cecilia Wilken will review suggested changes to the Student Handbooks for elementary, middle school, and high school for the 2020-2021 school year.  After discussion, suggested changes and adjustments will be made and the handbooks will be presented for approval by the Board of Education on July 27th.

Board Policy 5034 Student Handbooks

Rationale: 

Dr. Adler and the Administrative Team worked through the first round of Policy Updates for the 2020-2021 School Year at the June 22, 2020 meeting of the Board of Education.  With the COVID-19 pandemic in progress, several rounds of policy update will be necessary.  After discussion with the Board of Education and adjustments made as directed, the administration asks that the Board of Education approve the following policies as presented:

• 2002 Organization of the Board, Board Officers, Check Signing, and Committees
• 3004 General Purchasing and Procurement
• 3039Threat Assessment and Response
• 3046 Animals at Schools
• 3055 School Resource Officers
• 3061 Golden Age Pass
• 4003 Drug Policy Regarding Drivers
• 5016 Student Records
• 5035 Student Discipline
• 5054 Student Bullying
• 6020 Multicultural Education
• 6021 District Criteria for Selecting Evaluators to be Used for Special Education Evaluations
• 6033 Restraint and Seclusion of Students

Cognia Standard 1.5 - The governing authority adheres to a code of ethics and functions within the defined roles and responsibilities.  Board Policy 2001, Role of the Board of Education.

Rationale: 

The Board reserves the right to move into closed session to protect the public interest or needless injury to the reputation of an individual for any action item listed on the agenda. The Board may, at its discretion, change the order of the agenda to accommodate unforeseen issues related to an agenda item.

Rationale: 

Supplemental Documents include the following:

Annual Food Service Review
Bill Review Schedule - 2020
RPS District Equity and Diversity Overview

 

Rationale: 

                  Board of Education Meeting – Mon., July 27 – 6:00 p.m.
                                Virginia Moon Administrative Center

July 20 - RHS Graduation - Ralston Arena - 6:30 pm

                       

Rationale: 

Cognia Standard 1.4:  The governing authority establishes and ensures adherence to policies that are designed to support system effectiveness.  Board Policy 2008, Board of Education Meetings.