June 14, 2021 at 6:00 PM - Board of Education Regular Meeting

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Consent agenda items include minutes from the May 10th meeting and the May 24th work session; May Financial Reports, May bills in the amount of $1,028,780.04 for the General Fund. Prior to the meeting Robin Richards and Jay Irwin reviewed the bills.  Local Substitute Certificate for Paxton Johnson.

Recommend the following teacher(s) be hired for the 2021-22 school year:
Sarah Winkler — Deaf Education Itinerant. BA-University of Iowa, MA-Washington University.  Previous Experience: District #287, Plymouth, MN (2013-21); Green Hills Education Agency, Council Bluffs, IA (2012-13); Crete Public Schools, Crete, NE (2010-12). 
John Cronican - RHS - SPED.  BA-Creighton University, MA-College of St. Mary.  Previous Experience: Omaha Public Schools (2016-21). 
Emma Morice - Seymour - 4th grade.  BA-UNO.  
Justine Griess - WW - Kindergarten.  (CADRE teacher 2020-21, now on permanent contract).
Lauren Matthews - KW - Kindergarten. (CADRE teacher 2020-21, now on permanent contract).
Emily Curtis - KW - 3rd/4th grade.  (CADRE teacher 2020-21, now on permanent contract).

Recommend the following teacher resignations be accepted:
Diane Meyer - Suburban Schools Director
Tom Earhart - RHS Science
Barb Stratman - Blumfield EL teacher

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.         

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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.

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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.

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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:  OneWorld Community Health professionals will be on hand to present information to the Board of Education about a collaborative project to begin using a Mobile Health Van in the Ralston Public Schools for the 2021-2022 school year.

Rationale:  Mr. Mike Smith will provide an update to the Board of Education about the process he is taking to build capacity to add Girls Wrestling as an activity option for students at Ralston High School.  

Rationale:  Dr. Cecilia Wilken will present the most recent student academic performance results and address any questions or concerns that the Board of Education 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:  Dr. Adler will present the details of a potential project between Ralston Public Schools, the City of Ralston, and the Wiebe Ralston Foundation to upgrade the fields at Ralston Middle School to be an all weather football, soccer and multi use complex for school district and youth program use.

Rationale:  Dr. Adler, Mr. Buckingham, and Mr. Frederick will give a brief update on a few keys areas that are under development as it relates to the District Facility Improvement Project.

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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:  Mrs. Robin Richards 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.

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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 Greater Omaha Attendance and Learning Services Center (GOALS Center) is the agency developed through an interlocal agreement to provide services and execute the Superintendents Plan to Improve Student Attendance in Douglas and Sarpy Counties as outlined by Nebraska Law.  The last GOALS Center interlocal agreement was approved by the Ralston Public Schools Board of Education on June 24, 2019.  The proposed agreement will cover the 2021-2023 term.  Dr. Adler will outline the proposed changes to the 2021-2023 GOALS Center interlocal agreement and answer any questions the Board may have.  The administration would ask that the agreement be approved at the June 14, 2021 meeting of the Board of Education.

After discussion by the Board of Education, the nondiscrimination clause was updated to include pregnancy, gender identity, gender expression, and sexual orientation.

Standard 2.1 Learners have equitable opportunities to develop skills and achieve the content and learning priorities established by the system.  Policy 5001 Compulsory Attendance and Excessive Absenteeism. 

Rationale:  Dr. Rupprecht has been working with leaders of the Sign Language Interpreters to negotiate the terms of their contract for the 2021-2022 school year.  Dr. Rupprecht will outline the details of the preliminary agreement for the Board of Education and address any questions that arise.  The administration would recommend approval of the Sign Language Interpreters Negotiated Agreement.

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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.

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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.

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Supplemental Documents include the following:

Bill Review Schedule - 2021

 

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                  Board of Education Meeting – Mon., June 28th  — 6:00 p.m.

                                    Virginia Moon Administrative Center

                       

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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.