February 11, 2021 at 12:00 PM - Regular Meeting

Rationale:  We have received a request to discuss the possibility of allowing JH students to participate in 2 activities at once.  This would primarily be a consideration for fall with Cross Country, Football, and Volleyball.  There are other schools in our area that allow this with the purpose of letting JH students experience all activities in order to make informed decisions on participation in HS.

Clint Painter has contacted the administration and would like to discuss the possibilities with the board. This concept was discussed last year during a Board Activities and Athletics committee meeting.  At that time, it was thought to not move forward as it was an individual request.  However, there is more interest now both on the parent and school side to possibly give this a try.

The AD's and Mr. Dike will also be available to provide input.  There is no current policy that prevents this and it is allowable or not an issue from an NSAA standpoint.

Rationale:  Annually, the board approves the date(s) and place for the regular meetings of the board.  Nebraska Statutes Revised §79-554 states that all board of education meetings for Class III districts shall be held on or before the third Monday of every month.

All board meetings shall be subject to open meeting laws as stated in §84-1408 to §84-1414.

The President or any two members may call special meetings, but all members shall be notified.

We have designated all meetings to be held at the District Office unless otherwise advertised.

The meeting times have been set at 7:00 p.m. November through March and 8:00 p.m. April through October. The board may change the meeting times at its discretion.

Rationale:  The board shall designate the newspaper of general circulation to be used for the district legal notices and official publications. Legal notices should also be included on the School District Website. Additionally, the board may announce notices of special meetings and all other notices on KBRB radio and may post these notices in public places such as the US Post Office lobby, the Court House lobby and the front door of the of Ainsworth High School.

Rationale:  The district provides each bank with a corporate resolution to approve individuals and authorized signatures for district funds and accounts.  The resolution requires two signatures among the three board officers for the Employee Benefit, Building, Depreciation, Hot Lunch, Bond, and General Funds. 

The Superintendent, Board Secretary/Treasurer, and Business Manager are authorized to make short-term intra-fund transfers from one bank to another.

Activity Fund checks may be signed by the superintendent or any two of the high school administrators and secretaries of the secondary school office.

General Fund Clearing Account to be signed by any two of Dale Hafer, Dedra Stoner, and Laurie Witte.  It is noted that West Plains Bank will not be reviewing checks for two signatures.

Rationale:  To comply with board reorganization procedures and statutory requirements, the board should move to:

1. Authorize Treasurer to pay bills within limits of the budget resolution.
2. Authorize Treasurer, per district office personnel, to invest all interim monies and funds as per policy.

Authorize Superintendent or designee:

1. As the purchasing agent for the district.
2. To receive tax monies and/or other receipts from County Treasurer.
3. To apply for and receive monies, receipts, and funds from all federal and state resources.
4. To serve as custodian of and purchasing agent for Activity Fund accounts.

        e. To serve as hearing officer for any student suspensions and      expulsions.

Rationale:  The district went through a process over the last several months to a year to critically evaluate curriculum related to a K-8 reading series.  The Principals, Mrs. Gibson, and all affected teachers participated in a research-based review of several programs in collaboration with ESU17 professional developers.

On January 27th, the leadership team presented the data and information related to the 3 best options.  After questions and discussion by the board committee, the reading series program "Amplify" was chosen as the series to recommend to the board for approval.

Rationale:  Interviews were conducted on January 25th for the Special Education vacancy.  Tasha Kruse, who is currently a SPED teacher at Holdrege, was offered a teaching contract for the 2021-22 school year.

Rationale:  Rachel Williams has provided Special Education Services for ACS for many years as an ESU17 employee.  We have the opportunity to bring Rachel on staff and under contract as an ACS employee.  This is beneficial to the district:

1) The cost will be less than if she remains an ESU employee and we are billed by the ESU.

2) This is a beneficial move in terms of special education "Maintenance of Effort" which can adversely affect our federal IDEA (sped) dollars.

3) As an ACS employee, we can assign Rachel as needed on our terms. ESU is great to work with, but if a need presented itself, Rachel could be reassigned anywhere in the ESU as their employee.  SPED teachers are very difficult to find which makes having her as our employee a positive.

4) Rachel has asked and prefers to be an ACS employee.  In addition to her teaching duties, she also does a number of extra-duty assignments for us as well.

Rationale:  Typically, Frontier Diesel performs most of our bus/vehicle inspections.  Inspections are required on any vehicle that hauls students every 80 days. 

To ensure the district has multiple options to complete 80-day inspections, the board should appoint/recognize mechanics or mechanic shops that the board wishes to use to complete inspections.

Rationale:  As per the Board's direction, we will take advantage of options to finance the following facility projects for summer 2021:  Replacement of the MS/HS Windows; Replacement of the Gym Floor; and Replacement of the Big A entry-way carpeting.

We are working with Tobin Buchanan of First National Capital Markets to Finance the Summer 2021 projects. Tobin will be joining us via Zoom during the meeting to discuss the documentation and the process before the board votes to approve the resolution.

Rationale:  The district owns 2 sheds that are located north of the bus barn.  Neither of these sheds is being used.  We have determined we do not have a use for the sheds with transportation, shop, activities, or otherwise due to the current state of the sheds.  

We have received interest from patrons in the sheds.  It would be reasonable to surplus these 2 sheds through a sealed bid process if the board approves by a 2/3 majority vote according to policy 904.02. 

If the board is not in favor of the surplus of these two sheds, it would be recommended to put work and resources into the sheds to make them useable and more accessible for storage purposes.  If the board does not want to move to surplus, this motion can die due to lack of a motion.

Rationale:  The next regular meeting of the Board is scheduled for March 8th, 2021, at 7:00 p.m. in the District Office. Current agendas will be available for public inspection in the office of the superintendent.