April 8, 2024 at 6:00 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: 

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:  Today we would like to welcome Mrs. Lynette Stevens who is the director of our local Teammates program.  Mrs. Stevens will provide an annual report to the board along with a special surprise!

Rationale: 

Nebraska School Districts are required to have annual hearings for each of the following areas:

Budget (September)

Tax Request (September)

Student Fees Policy (June)

Parental Involvement Policy (June)

 

Other Hearings may be scheduled as needed.

Rationale:  Mrs. Richeson will provide insight on how the district addresses the components of SS 79-724 throughout the year.

Rationale:  Public Comment will be received for the purpose of hearing support, opposition, criticism, suggestions, or observations of taxpayers relating to § 79-724 - Committee on American Civics.

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
Denied Option: 1

2024-25 Option In:  
Boden Wolf - Kindergarten from Lexington
Haven Wolf - Kindergarten from Lexington

2024-25 Option Out:
Abby Negley - 11th Grade to Cozad
Aleigha Negley - 9th Grade to Cozad
Swaisen Mroczek - 11th Grade to Cozad

Rationale:  Gothenburg Public Schools has several students who receive Occupational Therapy services through an Individualized Education Plan (IEP).  Our current contractor is stepping away from providing these services and after reaching out to several people and the ESU we believe this is the option that will best meet the needs of our students.  Family Physical Therapy and Sport Center provide service to several schools in our area and have a great reputation.  

You will note this contract covers Occupational Therapy but also includes Speech Language Pathologist and Physical Therapy services.  Although we are not engaging in those services currently, this contract would allow us to do so if that need arises (vacation, maternity leave, medical leave, etc.) without interruption to our students who receive services.

Conversations around the timing of services are ongoing but we both agree that a commitment to consistency is the key factor for both students and staff.  We look forward to this new partnership and are confident we can work together to improve outcomes for kids.

Rationale:  The USDA (Federal) lunch program requires districts to eventually raise the price of their meals to an amount equivalent to a reimbursable meal.  For 24-25, the reimbursable meal price is $4.715.  

A comparison of where our prices are within our array is listed below.  For brunch, our prices are right in the middle of our array and for lunch, we are the 3rd cheapest out of the ten schools that had readily available information.

It is recommended that we increase our prices as follows:

Rationale:  This year we have had several HVAC units that have been upgraded.  While Rutt's provides the actual units, the wiring, controls, and sensors are installed and provided by Siemens.  This bill is for 10 controls and sensors - 8 of which have been installed and two are available for the next two units that go down.

Rationale:  Our current intercom system presents limitations in effectively communicating during "all call" situations. We are constrained by the number of available "lines," resulting in delays in disseminating critical information promptly.

Following a comprehensive assessment of our facilities, Mrs. Jolene Wiggins has collaborated with BTS to propose a comprehensive update to our system. This update would enable one-touch notifications in case of emergencies, ensuring swift and simultaneous messaging to both indoor and outdoor locations, including every classroom and office space.

While we have managed with our existing system, its limitations are evident and could potentially impede timely actions during emergencies creating a life safety hazard for both students and staff. The proposed update is crucial to enhancing our communication capabilities and ensuring a swift response when needed.

This proposal is for a 50% down payment on the proposal so parts can be ordered and ready for summer installation.  When the final payment is required, an additional action item will be presented.

Rationale:  Procedurally, we always wait until the April board meeting to determine our last day of school.  

Days Called Off (7)
November 1st - State Volleyball
November 3rd - State Volleyball
January 8th - Blowing Snow
January 9th - Blowing Snow
January 15th - Extreme Cold
March 25th - Blizzard Warning
March 26th - Closed Roads


Credited Days (6)
January 15th - Staff Work Day
Three "Extra" Days in Calendar
Weather Make-Up FLEX #1
Weather Make-Up FLEX #2

One staff contract day remaining for make-up.

Student Days: We will have met and exceeded the instructional hours required by NDE by our scheduled last day: Wednesday, May 22nd.  We will dismiss at 12:00PM.

No action needed as this was our scheduled last day in the approved calendar.

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, May 13th

Swede Activities:
none