January 10, 2022 at 5:30 PM - Board of Education Regular Meeting

Rationale: 

Mission Statement

Gothenburg Public Schools is the cornerstone of a proud, passionate, and progressive community where students and staff thrive in a positive and innovative environment.  We ensure the growth of all individuals by inspiring them to own and maximize their potential.

A copy of the open meetings law is posted on the wall of the Board Room and is available to the public.

Rationale:  Dr. Rhodes will preside over the realignment of the Board of Education.

 

Rationale:  Policy #9120 states that at the January meeting of the Board of Education, a President, Vice-President, and Secretary shall be elected from the membership to a one-year term of office.  Officers in 2021 were Nate Wyatt, President, Becky Jobman, Vice President, and Kyle Fornoff, Secretary.  Dr. Rhodes will accept nominations for offices and conduct the elections.  Kay Streeter has served as Secretary to the Board and will continue to do so if approved.   Randy Waskowiak has served as Board Treasurer and has agreed to continue to do so if approved.

Rationale:  Nominations for the office of president will be accepted.  No second is required for nominations.  Paper ballots will be used if more than one board member is nominated.

Rationale:  Nominations for the office of vice president will be accepted.  No second is required for nominations.  Paper ballots will be used if more than one board member is nominated.

Rationale:  Nominations for the office of secretary will be accepted.  No second is required for nominations.  Paper ballots will be used if more than one board member is nominated.

Rationale: 

Kay Streeter, Dawson County School District #20 Business Manager, has served as Secretary to the Board and has agreed to continue in this role approved by the Board of Education.  Mrs. Streeter should be authorized to sign checks for the following funds:

Student Activity

Hot Lunch

Petty Cash

Student Fees

Employee Benefit

Depreciation

Rationale:  Mr. Randy Waskoviak, First State Bank, has served as Board Treasurer and has agreed to continue in the role if approved by the Board of Education.

Rationale:  The adoption of an order of business to guide the preparation of future agenda and conduct of meetings as defined in Policy 9300, Bylaws of the Board - Meetings.  The Table of Contents for Article 8, Internal Board Policy and Article 9, Bylaws of the Board are linked for reference purposes only.

Rationale: 

Board policy #8151, adopted in 2019, requires standing committees in the following areas:

            1.            Negotiations (Personnel)

            2.            Committee on American Civics/Curriculum

            3.            Transportation and Facilities

            4.            Finance

            5.            Policy

It shall further be the policy of Gothenburg Public Schools that the Superintendent shall appoint the members of the above committees.  The Superintendent will work with the reorganized board and submit standing committees at the February meeting.

A list of the proposed 2022 standing committees and an updated organizational structure are attached. 

Rationale:  Board Policy 8130, Annual Organizational Meeting, also directs the board to approve current Board policies and regulations at the organizational meeting.

Rationale:  The final task required by Annual Organizational Meeting Policy 8130 is the dissemination of conflict of interest policies and forms.  Copies will be distributed during the meeting and linked to the agenda.  Electronic versions of the forms were also sent to board members last week.

Rationale: 

The Board reserves the right to rearrange the order of items as needed.

Rationale: 

Opportunity for Public Expression:

• This item serves as the time entitled for public forum during which patrons may address the Board on matters of general concern per Board Policy 8346, Opportunity for Public Expression.  (A copy of the policy is available.)

• Patrons will be allowed five (5) minutes to express their view.  Board of Education Members will refrain from expressing personal opinions during the Public Forum unless asked a direct question by a patron recognized by the Board President as having the floor.  The board imposed time limit may be extended by a majority vote of the Board.  The board may limit collective comments on a particular topic when necessary. The Board may not take action on matters discussed in the Public Forum unless the item appears on the prepared agenda.

• All concerns and complaints should go through the chain of command beginning with the teacher/sponsor and then to the building administrator/program supervisor and finally to the Superintendent.  If the initiating party is not satisfied with the response of the Superintendent, said party may address a written appeal to the Board of Education through the Secretary of the Board.

As a meeting of the Gothenburg Board of Education is a meeting held in public and not a public meeting, visitors should refrain from comments unless recognized by the chair.

Rationale: 

1. Approval of Previous Minutes

2. Approval of the Treasurer's Report

3. Approval of the Warrants / Bills

  a.  Petty Cash

  b.  Student Activity

  c.  Hot Lunch

  d.  Bank Statement

  e.  Summary of Accounts and Receipts

  f.  Monthly Expenditure Report

  g. Check Journal

4. Excuse Absent Board Members

5. Consider Option Enrollment Requests

Option In:
Caroline Carter - 11th grade from Cozad

 

Rationale:  At the December board meeting, the board of education accepted a letter of engagement from Hewgley and Associates for services to complete a Facility Audit report.  This is the contract for those services.

Rationale:  Gothenburg has agreed to be the host site for a girls' state wrestling district.  The district is scheduled for Friday February 4th.  The wrestling district needs to start by 3:00 pm with weigh-ins beginning at 1:30 pm.  In order to accommodate this request, we are asking the board to consider an amendment to the 21-22 calendar changing Friday February 4th to an early-out 1:30 dismissal.

Rationale: 

Committee Reports (Chair in bold)

1.  Personnel Committee (Mrs. Jobman, Mr. Brundage, Mr. Fornoff)
2. Transportation and Facilities (Mr. Hudson, Mrs. Terrell, Mr. Wyatt)
3. Finance (Mr. Fornoff, Mr. Wyatt, Mrs. Jobman)
4. Committee on American Civics (Mrs. Terrell, Mr. Brundage, Mr. Hudson)
5. Policy Review (Mrs. Terrell, Mr. Fornoff, Mrs. Jobman)

 

Rationale: 

Rationale:  The board met with Shari Becker from the Nebraska Association of School Boards on Monday January 3rd to discuss the search process.

Rationale:  Monday February 14th-Time TBD