September 11, 2023 at 12:00 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: 

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

Rationale:  Dr. Jonas will share perspective around the policies and procedures regarding curriculum development and materials selection.

Rationale: 

Board Policy 2009 - Opportunity for Public Expression.  
(A copy of the policy is linked here.)

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

INSTRUCTIONS FOR MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO WISH TO SPEAK: This is the portion of the meeting when members of the public may speak to the board about matters of public concern.  

• Getting Started:  When you have been recognized, please stand and state your name.   

• Time Limit:  The board will generally allow a total of 30 minutes for the presentation of all public comments.  Individuals may speak only one time, and must limit comments to around 5 minutes.  If there are more than 6 individuals who wish to address the board, the 30 minutes will be divided equally between the number of speakers.   These time limits may be changed by a majority vote of the board members in attendance to extend the time for a specific item or speaker. 

• Personnel or Student Topic:  If you are planning to speak about a personnel or a student matter involving an individual, please understand that the district has a complaint policy and/or procedures to resolve such complaints and concerns.  The Board requests that you follow the policy and procedures before addressing these matters with the Board.  Board members will generally not respond to any questions you ask or comments about individual staff members or students.  

• General Rules: This is a public meeting for the conduct of business.  Comments from the audience while others are speaking will not be tolerated.  Lewd, obscene, profane, slanderous, threatening and hostile conduct or statements and fighting words (words whose mere utterance entails a call to violence) will not be tolerated. 

• No Action by the Board:  The board will not act on any matter unless it is on the published agenda. 

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:
Emma DeLuna - 5th grade from Eustis-Farnam
Brecken Archibald - Kindergarten from Brady

 

Rationale:  When we replaced the stage lights in the PAC, we kept the old lights.  We have another school interested in purchasing those lights at a fair market value.  We are looking for a motion to declare the lights as surplus and authorize the superintendent to sell them at fair market value as determined and agreed upon by both parties.

Rationale:  District #20 has been a STANCE member since the inception of this organization as Dr. Teahon was one of the 'founders'.  The mission of STANCE is Schools Taking Action for Nebraska Children's Education and focuses on tackling legislative issues through the lens of a school superintendent as opposed to a lobbyist.  This organization is important to me as a professional as it provides a wonderful networking opportunity with progressive and innovative superintendents.

Rationale:  The Gothenburg Education Association (GEA) has requested Board of Education recognition as the official bargaining agent for the certificated staff of District #20 for the 2024-2025 school year.  The request letter and the timeline are attached. 

Note that the statute requires that the bargaining unit request recognition by September 1st and that the board must respond by October 1st of the year preceding the contract year in question.

Rationale:  State Statute 77-2350 requires that "the treasurer...of any school district... shall deposit the funds received ...[into]... official depositories for such funds."  This resolution specifies the entities to which the school district will deposit funds.

We do have two Conflict of Interests filed for this item.  Mr. Wyatt & Mrs. Jobman.  Mrs. Jobman will step away from the table and abstain from voting.  Mr. Wyatt is absent and will not be voting.

Rationale:  New legislation requires that we establish standards for option enrollment before October 1st of the preceding school year.  While this can be very difficult to guess a full year in advance, there are some generally accepted standards we can adhere to.  The recommended capacity limitations will ensure we can remain committed to providing a high quality education to District 20 students in an economically efficient manner.
 

Rationale:  Annual review of our policy regarding insurance and the board of education is required.  Members of board of education may participate in the school district’s health and life insurance plans which are provided to school district employees. A board member electing to participate in the insurance program of the school district shall pay both the employee and the employer portions of the premiums to the district in advance of any payments being due from the district to the insurance carrier.

Rationale:  The purpose of the operating protocol is to provide a framework for the school superintendent and board of education to enhance the professional working relationship by clarifying the roles and responsibilities of the superintendent and board of education.  The listed items are not meant to be all-inclusive but are designed to initiate the opportunity for clear and effective communication and a better understanding of roles and responsibilities that will lead to a more effective and productive leadership team. 
 

Rationale:  Mrs. Jonas will provide an update on the budget process.

Rationale: 

Committee Reports (Chair in bold)

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

 

Rationale: 

Rationale: 

According to § 84-1410, the Board of Education may hold a closed session by the affirmative vote of a majority of its voting members if a closed session is clearly necessary for the protection of the public interest or for the prevention of needless injury to the reputation of an individual and if such individual has not requested a public meeting. 

Closed sessions may be held for, but shall not be limited to, such reasons as: 
(a) strategy sessions with respect to collective bargaining, real estate purchases, or litigation
(b) discussion regarding deployment of security personnel or devices
(c) investigative proceedings regarding allegations or misconduct
(d) evaluation of the job performance of a person when necessary to prevent needless injury to the reputation of a person.

The vote to hold a closed session shall be taken in open session. 

The subject matter and the reason necessitating the closed session shall be identified in the motion to close.  

If the motion to close passes, then the presiding officer immediately prior to the closed session shall restate on the record the limitation of the subject matter of the closed session.

The Board shall restrict its consideration of matters during the closed portions to only those purposes set forth in the motion to close as the reason for the closed session.

The meeting shall be reconvened in open session before any formal action may be taken.

Rationale:  Monday, October 9th

Swede Activities:
7th & 8th Grade Volleyball (HOME) @ 4:30
R/JV/V Vollebyall (Lexington) @ 5:00/6:00/7:00
JV Football (Ogallala) @ 6PM