February 14, 2022 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 January 24th meeting; January Financial Reports, January bills in the amount of $482,321.19 for the General Fund, and $466,932.66 for the Special Building Fund. Prior to the meeting Samantha Willey and Merv Riepe reviewed the bills. 

Recommend the following teachers be hired for the 2022-23 school year:
Heather Berreth - Seymour - 2nd grade.  BS-University of Nebraska-Lincoln.  Previous Experience: Millard Public Schools (2017-2022); St. Stephen the Martyr (2013-2017).
Anna Vidlak - Replacement Contract - Mockingbird - 4th grade.  BS-Nebraska Wesleyan.  Previous Experience: Lincoln Public Schools (January 2022 - current).

Recommend the following resignations be accepted:
Sarah Winkler - Deaf/Hard of Hearing Itinerant
 

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.

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District lobbyist, Mr. Joe Kohout, will be on hand to 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. Dan Schones and Stu Dornan will provide the Board of Education with a programming overview of the services offered at ESU #3.  Dr. Schones is the Administrator and Mr. Dornan is on the Board of Directors.

Rationale:  Dr. Cecilia Wilken, Dr. Ryan Pivonka, Ms. Jordan Engel will provide an update on the implementation and progress of the Freshman Success Academy currently in it's first year of operation at Ralston High School.

Rationale:  Dr. Josh Wilken will provide an overview to the Board of Education on current activities and programming within the College and Career Program within Ralston Public Schools.

Rationale:  Board President Roarty and Dr. Adler would like to propose conducting a Board of Education Retreat to spend some quality time discussing and setting the direction of multiple initiatives that will impact Ralston Public Schools over the next 12-18 months.  President Roarty and Dr. Adler would like to talk through the details of a proposed Board Retreat so advanced planning can be conducted.

Proposed Board Retreat Topics

• Humanex Leader 12 Assessment and Team Blend Activity
• Refinement of District Strategic Priorities
• Superintendent Search and Succession Planning Activity

Proposed Retreat Dates in Order of Preference

• Monday, April 18th from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM
• Monday, March 21st from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM

Rationale:  Dr. Mark Adler and other members of the administrative team will provide an update of the current instructional environment within Ralston Public Schools.  An update of the current Health and Safety protocols will also be provided to the Board of Education as it relates to the management of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Rationale:  Dr. Adler will provide an overview and timeline for the upcoming Superintendent evaluation.

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:  After successful approval from the Ralston Education Association, the administration recommends approval of the Negotiated Contract between the Ralston Education Association and the Ralston Public Schools Board of Education for the 2022-2023 school year.

An overview of the Contract details would include the following:

Rationale:  Mr. Jason Buckingham and Mr. Scott Keene will be on hand to outline the process required for the Board of Education to refund the remaining QCPUF bonds.  Over the last several years the Board of Education was able to generate enough funds to retire the QCPUF debt early and save on interest.  Mr. Keene will provide a report as to the steps needed to call these bonds and retire them early.  The Administration asks the Board of Education to approve the proposed resolution for the early call of the 2016 Limited Tax Bonds.

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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:

Learning Community Summary and Report
STEM Impact Report
Bill Review Schedule - 2022

 

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                Board of Education Meeting - Mon., February 28 - 6:00 p.m.
                                   Virginia Moon Administrative Center

February 15 - UNO PDK Dinner - Collaborative Resilience - Holland Center
March 1 -7:00 -  District Vocal Festival
March 7 - 7:00 - RHS Show Choir Concert
March 14 - 18 - Spring Break
April 1-4 - NSBA Conference - San Diego, CA    

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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.