July 8, 2024 at 6:00 PM - Board of Education Regular Meeting/Business

Rationale: 

Patrons can watch the Ralston Public Schools Board of Education Meeting by following the link below.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCo8VrugRaRJ-0GL1Cg8BlBA

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

Cognia Standard 8:  The governing authority demonstrates a commitment to learners by collaborating with leaders to uphold the institution's priorities and to drive continuous improvement.
Policy 2008, Board of Education Meetings.

Rationale: 

Cognia Standard 8:  The governing authority demonstrates a commitment to learners by collaborating with leaders to uphold the institution's priorities and to drive continuous improvement.
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 2:  Learners' well-being is at the heart of the institution's guiding principles such as mission, purpose, and beliefs.
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 2:  Learners' well-being is at the heart of the institution's guiding principles such as mission, purpose, and beliefs.
Policy 2009, Public Participation at Board Meetings.

Rationale: 

Consent agenda items include minutes from the June 24, 2024 meeting; June Financial Report, June bills in the amount of $589,919.18 for the General Fund, and $3,979,925.71 for the Special Building Fund. Prior to the meeting Mary Roarty and Samantha Willey reviewed the bills. 

Recommend the following teacher be hired for the 2024-25 school year:
Sarah Hall - RHS - Dean of Students.  BA-University of Nebraska at Kearney; MA-University of Nebraska at Kearney. Previous experience - Ralston Public Schools (2020-2024).  

Cognia Standard 8:  The governing authority demonstrates a commitment to learners by collaborating with leaders to uphold the institution's priorities and to drive continuous improvement. 
Board Policy 2008, Board of Education Meetings.

Cognia Standard 11:  Leaders create and maintain institutional structures and processes that support learners and staff members in both stable and changing environments.
Board Policy 3007, Review of Bills.         

Rationale: 

Cognia Standard 8:  The governing authority demonstrates a commitment to learners by collaborating with leaders to uphold the institution's priorities and to drive continuous improvement.
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 8:  The governing authority demonstrates a commitment to learners by collaborating with leaders to uphold the institution's priorities and to drive continuous improvement. 
Board Policy 2008, Board of Education Meetings.

Rationale: 

Cognia Standard 2:  Learners' well-being is at the heart of the institution's guiding principles such as mission, purpose, and beliefs. 
Board Policy 2022, Reporting to the Public.

Rationale:  Dr. Aaron Bredenkamp will provide an overview of the District Financial Report for the month.  Dr. Bredenkamp will address any questions that the Board of Education members may have about any part of the financial statements.  

 

Cognia Standard 8:  The governing authority demonstrates a commitment to learners by collaborating with leaders to uphold the institution's priorities and to drive continuous improvement. 
Board Policy 2008, Board of Education Meetings.

Cognia Standard 11:  Leaders create and maintain institutional structures and processes that support learners and staff members in both stable and changing environments.
Board Policy 3001, Budget

Rationale: 

Mr. Buckingham will update the Board regarding Legislative issues. 

Cognia Standard 2:  Learners' well-being is at the heart of the institution's guiding principles such as mission, purpose, and beliefs.
Board Policy 2022, Reporting to the Public.

Rationale:  Mrs. Elizabeth Kumru will update the Board of Education on items and information that is under consideration with the Nebraska Association of School Boards.

Cognia Standard 2:  Learners' well-being is at the heart of the institution's guiding principles such as mission, purpose, and beliefs.
Policy 2022 Reporting to the Public.

Rationale: 

Mr. Buckingham will review the enrollment information with the Board.

Cognia Standard 2:  Learners' well-being is at the heart of the institution's guiding principles such as mission, purpose, and beliefs.
Board Policy 2022, Reporting to the Public.

Rationale:  Orignial rationale from 2/13/23 "Over the last 18 months a variety of school and community leaders have been working to establish a Family Resource Connector Network in the Ralston Area.  In addition to those efforts, the Learning Community has also been working to establish a Learning Community Center in the Ralston Area as identified as one of their strategic priorities.  These two community support organizations have combined efforts and are working collaboratively to establish the Learning Community Center and the Bridge Family Resource Connector Network in the same location.  These collaborative efforts will provide support to families and students from Birth to 3 (Learning Community) as well as academic, social, emotional, and health support to school aged children and families (Bridge Family Resource Connector Network).  The attached MOU supports the Bridge Family Resource Connector Network and was approved by the Board of Education on May 23, 2022.  Among a myriad of things, the Bridge Family Resource Connector Network will provide after school programming for students that is focused on the Arts.  Ralston Public Schools financial commitment will be a one time payment of $125,000 to support the startup and initial programming for the Bridge Family Resource Connector Network.  The administration asks that the Board of Education approve payment of the invoice from the Bridge Family Resource Connector Network in the amount of $125,000 at their next Regular Meeting on February 27, 2023." 

This agenda item is a review of how the program has pivoted and a report on how services have been provided to date.

 

Rationale:  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:  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:  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 2024-2025 school year.  The Administration asks that the Board of Education approve the 2023-2024 Student Fees as presented.

Board Policy 5045 Student Fees

Rationale:  Each summer the student handbooks at the elementary, middle school, and high school level are reviewed and adjusted as needed.  Dr. Rupprecht will provide an overview of the suggested changes to the handbooks at each level.  After discussion any suggested changes will be considered.  Once all the appropriate adjustments are made the administration would ask that the Board of Education approve the 2024-2025 Students Handbooks at the July 8th meeting of the Board of Education.

Rationale:  Presentation of the final version of the Strategic Plan and the request for BOE approval.
 

Rationale:  Policies 2006, 2008, 2009, 3003.1, 3004.1, 3017, 3032, 3053, 3057, 3059, 3060, 5001, 5035, 6031 6039 were reviewed at the Board of Education's June 24th Meeting.  After feedback and input, the administration recommends the approval of the amended Policies.

Rationale: 

The Board and Administration will review proposed policies.

Cognia Standard 8:  The governing authority demonstrates a commitment to learners by collaborating with leaders to uphold the institution's priorities and to drive continuous improvement.
Board Policy 2001, Role of the Board of Education.

Rationale:  Dr. Michael Rupprecht will outline proposed changes to the 2024-2025 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 July 22, 2024.

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The Board reserves the right to move into closed session to discuss an ongoing lawsuit. The Board may, at its discretion, change the order of the agenda to accommodate unforeseen issues related to an agenda item.

Rationale: 

Cognia Standard 8:  The governing authority demonstrates a commitment to learners by collaborating with leaders to uphold the institution's priorities and to drive continuous improvement.
Board Policy 2021, Executive Meetings.

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Supplemental Documents include the following:

Bill Review Schedule - 2024

 

Rationale: 

Next Board of Education Meeting - Mon.July 22 - 6:00 p.m.
August 9, Districtwide kickoff 11-1
Sept. 24 - NASB Area Membership Meeting
Oct. 2-3 - Labor Relations Conference - Lincoln
Nov. 20-22 - State Education Conference - CHI Center

                       

Rationale: 

Cognia Standard 8:  The governing authority demonstrates a commitment to learners by collaborating with leaders to uphold the institution's priorities and to drive continuous improvement. 
Board Policy 2008, Board of Education Meetings.