April 13, 2020 at 6:00 PM - Board of Education Regular Meeting

Rationale: 

Rationale:  An electronic copy of the Open Meetings Act is attached to this agenda item.

1. The Board of Education reserves the right to enter into Closed/Executive Session for 1) the protection of public interest or 2) the prevention of needless injury to the reputation of an individual, and the individual has not requested a public meeting. When making a motion to enter into Closed/Executive Session, the member making such a request should be as specific as possible keeping the previously listed stipulation in consideration. 
2. If the Board is in agreement, a motion maybe to enter into Closed/Executive Session to 1) discuss a personnel matter, or 2) for the prevention of needless injury to the reputation of the individual, or 3) to discuss litigation and for the protection of the public interest.
3. Action concerning matters discussed in Closed/Executive Session will be acted upon in open session

Rationale:  To verify that notice of the meeting was given by publication in the Benkelman Post, a legal newspaper for Dundy County Stratton and by written notice to each member of the board, the designated method of giving notice

Rationale:  We should have contracts for new teachers in Math and Spanish for your approval at this meeting. 

Rationale:  Presentation of the financial status of the district, balances in various funds, recent/impending activity therein, anticipated expenses and planning for future considerations.

Rationale:  Pretty much on hold except for the stimulus things. 

Rationale:  These are attached. Any additions or changes will be made only with board approval of administrative recommendations and will not happen before the July meeting. 

Rationale:  The roof over the gym at Benkelman Elementary is 18 years old and should be replaced. Weathercraft proposes to do the work for $36,020. The Warranty on that roof section was 10 years. This project will improved the drainage on that part of the building as well as the insulation. The funds will come from the Special Building Fund

Rationale:  We talked about this last year. The gutters and downspouts are not in good shape. We don't need water staying close to the foundation. The price is for 9" gutters based on the dimensions of the building. 

Rationale:  This should be the final reading for the check signing/facsimile signature policy you passed on first reading in February. The purpose of the policy will be to allow one stamped signature on checks and to allow the use of a stamp on certain documents when the required signer is unavailable. Permission is required for office staff to use the stamp. 

Rationale:  The wellness committee is required to meet and this policy is required to be reviewed annually. The committee has met as they were able to review the policy and now the board needs to review

Rationale:  We need to discuss and consider the implications of this situation on grades and credit and school activities for the remainder of the school year. This agenda item is intentionally broad so that we may discuss all aspects of the school operation. It is also broad because it seems like every day something changes.

There exists the chance that this agenda item could require several motions. 

Potential topics include but are not limited to:

Grading

Prom

Graduation

Credits and Class Rank

Emergency Declarations

FFCRA

Lunch

Summer School

How to handle it if a quorum of the board is unavailable due to corona infection.

Per your legal counsel one of the things you need to decide is who is going to make the final decisions on topics like this. 

Among the things to consider is that even if the governor lifts the DHM after June 1 there a small chance that it will be immediately back to business as usual. The 10 person limits will probably be incrementally lifted, to 25 for a couple of weeks, then to 50 for a while, then to 250 for a while and so forth. I would hazard to guess that each increment will be approximately two weeks. Setting specific dates for any events prior to July 1 is 'risky' in the words of the governor.

Grading, credits and class rank are generally items where the board sets overall parameters and the administration interprets and enforces those. We finished third quarter so the question is what to do with fourth quarter and semester. 

How we are able to handle continuity of learning in this situation is far from perfect and people's frustration will grow. Parents aren't equipped to be teachers and students aren't as able as we wish to function without in-person access to a teacher. Some students and parents don't see why they need to do anything. 

My goal is simple: To have students ready for next year.