August 8, 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 July 25th  meeting; July Financial Reports, July bills in the amount of $391,393.57 for the General Fund, and $118,631.20 for the Special Building Fund. Prior to the meeting Dr. Jay Irwin and Mrs. Liz Kumru reviewed the bills. 

Recommend the following teacher be hired for the 2022-23 school year:
Jamie Gamble - RMS - SPED. (Changed from CADRE to Certified teacher).

Recommend the following resignation be accepted:
Sara Black - Karen Western - Deaf and Hard of Hearing Program
 

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:  Dr. Adler will share a video that was created for the recently held Trailblazer Conference Kickoff Event for the 2022-2023 School Year.

Rationale:  Dr. Adler, Mr. Buckingham, and members of the administrative team will provide an update to the Board of Education on the progress of various projects in motion with the 2021 Future Ready Ralston Bond Initiative.



 

Rationale:  Dr. Cecilia Wilken will outline recent guidance from the Nebraska Department of Education concerning assessment expectations for the 2022-2023 school year.  Dr. Wilken will outline how Ralston Public Schools will conduct assessment activities for the 2022-2023 school year in response to the NDE guidance.

Rationale:  Mr. Jason Buckingham will outline the process and opportunity for the Board of Education to execute advanced payment of our Qualified School Construction Bonds.  At the Board's August 22nd meeting, the administration recommends action to approve the early retirement of QSCB's.  

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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:  Mr. Jason Buckingham provided an overview of a proposed contract from Thiele Geotech to provide testing and quality control services required for the Mockingbird Elementary construction project.  The administration would ask the Board of Education to approve the Thiele Geotech contract as presented at it's regular meeting on August 8, 2022.

Rationale:  The administration recommends the approval of the contract between the Weitz Company and Ralston Public Schools to complete Phase 2 of construction for the new Mockingbird Elementary School.  The details and financial components of this contract were discussed in detail with the Board of Education at their regular meeting on July 25, 2022.  The administration recommends the approval of the contract and guaranteed maximum price (GMP) of $23,926,803.00.

Rationale:  The administration recommends the approval of a contract between Facility Advocates and Ralston Public Schools for the replacement of the HVAC systems at both Ralston Middle School and Karen Western Elementary.  Total combined cost of the two projects is $3,550,500.  This project was presented and discussed in details at the Board's July 25th meeting.  This combined HVAC replacement project was put out to bid with the low responsible bidder being Facility Advocates.

Rationale:  Our HVAC at RMS has become inoperable due to a pit pump failure.  Timeline to fix the pump is 6-8 weeks.  We have come up with an alternative solution to restore temporary water flow to our cooling tower.  The attached bid is for the completion of that work, which will allow the RMS HVAC to operate until the system is replaced entirely.  Immediate operation of the pump is needed so school can start on time at RMS.  Without this pump there is no cooling capability at RMS.

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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.

Rationale:  Dr. Michael Rupprecht will outline proposed changes to the 2022-2023 Staff Handbook and address any questions that may arise during discussion.  The administration would ask the Board of Education to approve the Staff Handbook and any changes at its regular meeting on August 22, 2022.

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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 - 2022

 

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         Board of Education Meeting - Mon., August 22 - 6:00 p.m.
                                Virginia Moon Administrative Center

September 1 - NASB Area Membership Meeting - La Vista, NE
September 2 - Bratfest - 5:30 pm
October 13 - PDK Leadership Dinner - Henry Doorly Zoo
November 10 - Thanksgiving Luncheon at KW        
November 15 - Senior Thanksgiving Luncheon at RHS
November 16-18 - NASB State Conference

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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.