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

Rationale: 

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:  Val Woods will be recognized for her 31 years of service to the district.  

Rationale: 

Welcome to the Dundy County Stratton Public Schools Board of Education Meeting.  The Board welcomes citizens to attend board meetings to become acquainted with the programs and operations of the district.  Members of the public are also encouraged to share their ideas and opinions with the Board during the agenda item labeled “Public Items”.  Comments or questions from the audience at any other time during the meeting except for the agenda item “Public Items” will out of necessity be declared out of order.

The Nebraska Open Meetings Act prevents the board from speaking to a matter that is not on the agenda.  Please understand that the board may be unable to address your issue during the meeting.  It is not permissible for the board to comment on items not listed for the protection of the public’s right to know and participate in the discussion of items that do come before the board and stated appropriately in the meeting agenda.  

During this agenda item “Public Items” we ask that you abide by the following rules:

Public Comment Protocol and Procedures

1. Anyone wishing to speak to the board on specific agenda items or on other topics relevant to board business must complete a Public Comment Request Card and submit it to the Board President prior to the opening of the meeting.   The public will only be recognized and their comments heard at Item “Public Items” on the board agenda.  The total time allotted for the public comment will not exceed thirty minutes and each member of the public will be allotted not more than five minutes to address the Board.  If a group wishes to speak, please designate one spokesperson for the group.
   
   
2. Please state your name and the topic you are addressing before you begin.  
   
   
3. Speakers are asked to direct their questions and comments to the chair.  A member of the Board of Education or the Superintendent may direct clarifying questions to the chair, but the board will not under any circumstance enter into a debate with any the member of the public.
   
   
4. Speakers may offer objective criticism of district operations and programs, but the Board would encourage members of the public to address complaints concerning individual district personnel through the proper chain of command.  The chair may direct the member of the public to the appropriate means to address concerns brought before the Board; however, the board will not respond with action but will take comments under advisement and direct the comments to the appropriate staff member to address outside of the board meeting.
   
   
5. Please remember that is a public meeting for the conduct of business of the Dundy County Stratton Public School District. Offensive language, personal attacks and hostile conduct will not be tolerated. You should further be advised that there is no legal protection for any comments that are made. 
   
   
6. As stated in NEB. REV. STAT. § 79-570 Class I, II, III, IV, or VI school district; president; meetings; maintenance of order.  

   If any district meeting of a Class I, II, III, IV, or VI school district any person conducts himself or herself in a disorderly manner and persists in such conduct after notice by the president or person presiding, the president or person presiding may order such person to withdraw from the meeting and, if the person refuses, may order any person or persons to take such person into custody until the meeting is adjourned.

7. As stated in NEB. REV. STAT. § 79-571 Class I, II, III, IV, or VI school district; meetings; disorderly conduct; penalty. 

Any person who refuses to withdraw from such meeting on being so ordered as provided in section 79-570 or who willfully disturbs such meeting shall be guilty of a Class V misdemeanor. 

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:  On March 17, 2020, Governor Ricketts issued Executive Order 20-03, which allowed public boards (including school boards) to meet virtually. On May 19, 2020, Governor Ricketts issued Executive Order 20-24, which extended Executive Order 20-03 through June 30th. Governor Ricketts has indicated that he will not issue another extension. As a result, effective July 1, school boards will need to meet in person. Since Executive Order 20-03 was issued, some have questioned whether the Governor had the authority to unilaterally waive certain parts of the Open Meetings Act. To resolve this question proactively, and avoid any potential legal argument in the future, attorneys recommend that any board that met virtually or remotely at any point between March 17th and June 30th pass this motion.  

Rationale:  This item is intended to replace Adam Fette with Ethan Sullivan as a signer on accounts at Pinnacle Bank.  

Rationale:  Last year we increased meal prices by $.05; activity pass prices remained the same.  We are recommending no increases in meal or activity pass prices for the 20-21 school year.  Historical meal prices are attached.  Activity passes are $110 for a family; $60 for and adult; and $30 per student.  

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:  President Baney delcares the hearing open.

President Baney declares the hearing closed.  

Rationale:  Annually, the board must receive a report about the district's multicultural educaion curriculum.  

Rationale:  NDE is looking for evidence of parental input in the "annual evaluation" of the Title I policy and programs.  

Rationale:  The district must communicate with staff members in writing about the evaluation process which is covered in the staff handbook.  If the district revises its evaluation instrument or process, it must submit the revised policies and procedures to NDE for approval.  Currently, the plan is to stay with the current evaluation tool,

Rationale:  The safety and security committee must meet annually.  The safety plan must be reviewed by at least one person who is not on the committee and not an employee of the district.  

Rationale:  The board must review this policy annually and the review must be in collaboration with the county attorney.