January 12, 2015 at 7:00 PM - Board of Education Regular Meeting

Rationale: 

The mission of Gothenburg Public Schools, in partnership with the entire community, is to prepare all students within a positive, innovative, learning environment to become lifelong learners in the 21st century. 

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

Please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance.

Rationale:  Dr. Teahon 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 2014 were Scott France, President, Nate Wyatt, Vice President, and Lisa Geiken, Secretary.  Dr. Teahon 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 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.

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 2008, requires standing committees in the following areas:

            1.            Negotiations (Personnel)

            2.            Curriculum, Americanism and Staff Relations (Data)

            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 propose standing committees at the February meeting.

A list of the 2014 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.

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

Rationale:  Craig Jones, First National

Rationale:  This item will appear on the agendas through spring to allow for action on resignations.

Rationale: 

The purpose of this resolution is to provide the current bondholders (2010 investors) with not less than 30 days notice that their existing investment will be redeemed (paid in full including accrued interest) on March 18, 2015.  Once passed, a call notice will be sent to the paying agent and registrar of the 2010 bonds, who will then notify the existing bondholders that they will be receiving money to redeem their investment in the 2010 bonds.

The proceeds from the 2015 Refunding issue will be used to pay the 2010 bondholders.

Rationale: 

The Issuing Resolution is the action that the Board must take to authorize the issuance of the 2015 refunding bonds at the lower interest rates.  The Issuing Resolution authorizes the issuance of a par amount of no more than $6,610,000 (enough to redeem the currently outstanding 2010 bonds or, in other words, pay off the existing 2010 bondholders).  Once this Resolution has been passed the District authorizes First National to market bonds in the aforementioned amount to investors.

This Resolution also serves to allow the Board to set a minimum savings threshold it would like to see prior to First National marketing its bonds in the form of a not to exceed interest rate (i.e. the interest rate on the bonds will not exceed 2.5%) ensuring there is a minimum amount of savings to be captured before the bonds can be marketed.      

Rationale: 

1. Administrative Reports (general)

a.            Facilities & Transportation (Mr. Holmes)

b.            Primary(Mrs. Jonas)

c.            Elementary (Mr. Widdifield)

d.            Junior High and Curriculum (Mr. Groene)

e.            Activities (Mr. Ryker)

f.             High School (Mr. Evans)

g.            Special Populations  (Mrs. Jonas, Mr. Evans, Dr. Teahon)

h. Superintendent (Dr. Teahon)

Rationale: 

Draft 1 of the 2015-2016 Calendar is a duplicate of the 2014-2015 Calendar with corresponding dates except for the following:

• Fall P/T Conferences are on a Wednesday due to the number of activities conflicts that occur on thursdays in September.  We are not totally sold on this idea but it merits discussion.
• Thanksgiving break was extended to include Wednesday.
• Easter break is in March which puts it close to Spring break.
• Last day is set for May 17 with three (3) makeup days included.
• 88 days in semester 1 and 92 in semester 2.
  
  

Rationale: 

Draft 2 of the 2015-2016 Calendar delays the start of school to the following week which shortens the first semester and extends the second semester.  Other notable changes from 2014-2015 calendar include:

• An additional inservice day was included to address the Marzano training.
• Fall P/T Conferences are on a Wednesday due to the number of activities conflicts that occur on thursdays in September.  We are not totally sold on this idea but it merits discussion.
• Easter break is in March which puts it close to Spring break.
• Last day is set for May 18 with a teacher workday / inservice day and makeup days included.
• 85 days in Semester 1 and 93 in Semester 2.

Rationale:  February 9, 2015 Time to be determined.