April 12, 2021 at 6:00 PM - Board of Education Regular Meeting

Rationale: 

As Dr. Adler calls the Board of Education Meeting to order, he 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 Media Center.

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:  Board of Education President, Ms. Mary Roarty, will conduct interactive interview sessions with all interested candidates for the open position on the Board of Education.  Ms. Roarty along with all current members of the Board of Education will interactively engage with each interested Board of Education candidate.  At the conclusion of the interactive interview sessions, the Board of Education will take official action to fill the open position on the Board of Education.

Board of Education Vacancy Candidates

• Adam M. Galvin
• Samantha R. Willey
• Carrie Hough
• Andrew Yochum
• Jason Robert Pohl
• Patrick J. McPherson

Board Policy 2002 Organization of the Board

Rationale:  The Board of Education will take official action to appoint an interested candidate to the Ralston Public Schools Board of Education.  This appointment will serve the remainder of the term vacated by Mrs. Heather Johnson.  The conclusion of the term of this position will be January, 2023.

Board Policy 2002 Organization of the Board

Rationale:  Dr. Adler administer the Oath of Office to the newly appointed Board of Education member.

Board Policy 2004 Oath of Office

Rationale: 

Consent agenda items include minutes from the March 22nd meeting; March Financial Reports, March bills in the amount of $566,883.76 for the General Fund. Prior to the meeting Mary Roarty and Robin Richards reviewed the bills. 

Recommend the following teachers be hired for the 2021-22 school year:
McKenna Donovan - Blumfield - SPED.  BA - College of St. Mary.  Current RPS substitute teacher and former RPS student teacher.
Michael Gentry - Mockingbird - P.E.  BA-Peru State; MA-Peru State.  Previous Experience:  Scottsbluff Public Schools - 2013-2021; Plattsmouth Community Schools - 2008-2013.
Kiley Frans - Karen Western - 6th grade.  BA-UNO; MA-UNO.  Current RPS substitute teacher and SLI; Bellevue Public Schools 2012-2013.
Karly Johnson -  Karen Western - Counselor.  BA-Northwest Missouri State; MA-Creighton University. 
Benjamin Billesbach - Meadows - 6th grade.  BA-UNL.  Previous Experience:  HTRS Public Schools - Humboldt, NE 2020-2021; Monroe County Schools - Bloomington, IN 2018-2020; North Lawrence Schools - Bedford, IN 2017-2018; Ralston Public Schools 2015-2017.
Nolan Field - RHS - Science.  BA-Doane; (MA-Doane in 6-2021).    

Recommend the following teacher resignations be accepted:
Sara Conahan - Karen Western - 6th grade
Katie Schwartz - Karen Western - Hearing Impaired
Jesika Maly - RHS - Counselor

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. Jason Buckingham and professionals from the Dana F. Cole Company will review the most recent District Audit Report.  Board of Education members will have the opportunity to review the entire report and ask any questions that they may have.  

Rationale:  Dr. Adler will provide an additional overview and recent update 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, planning, and operations currently being done by the entire RPS Administrative Team and staff as we continue operations and learning during the 2020-2021 School Year.  The RPS Return to Learn Protocol was approved by the Board of Education on July 13, 2020.  With continuously changing elements within our community, the Return to Learn Protocol may require changes on a regular basis.  All changes and adjustments will be communicated and reviewed with the Board of Education.  Dr. Adler and the Administrative Team will update the Board of Education on recent changes to the RPS Return to Learn Protocol.

Board Policy 2022 Reporting to the Public

Rationale:  Over the last several years Ralston Public Schools has been focused on developing a quality professional learning community collaborative structure and culture to support quality teaching and learning leading to increased student achievement.  One important component of that is a weekly common early release to allow staff to collaborate and participate in quality and targeted professional development.  The information presented is the process and structure that will be used for the weekly common early release for the 2021-2022 school year.

Rationale: 

Dr. Adler 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: 

The Board and Administration will review proposed policies.

Policy 3008: Gifts, Grants, & Bequests
Policy 3009: Audit
Policy 3010: Insurance
Policy 3017: Closing of a School Site
Policy 3021: Operation of School Business Office



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:

Heart of Learning Ceremony
ESSA 3 Year Monitoring
Bill Review Schedule - 2021

 

Rationale: 

                  Board of Education Meeting – Mon., April 26 – 6:00 p.m.
                                                 RHS Media Center

                   April 22-25 - RHS - Spring Play
                   May 5 - 5:30 pm - RHS - Heart of Learning Banquet
                   May 16 - 2:00 pm - Graduation

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.