June 25, 2024 at 7:00 PM - Regular Meeting

Rationale:  Time limit for each person is three (3) minutes; no response or action taken by the Board.

Rationale:  Board members Richards and Winchester attended the NASB School Leaders & Law Conference held in Kearney on June 12-13.

Rationale:  Krystie Hohnstein will also share FA2 Review follow-up. There was not a Head Start Policy Council meeting in May.

Rationale:  On June 7, 2024, the Nebraska State Board of Education granted accreditation to ESU 13 for the 24-25 school year. 

Rationale:  Sioux County - Elizabeth Baker
Morrill - Todd Chessmore, interim

Rationale:  Remodeling is complete in Meridian to create more usable space for students. The playground is in need of updating. 

Sidewalk repair is set to begin soon, now that the majority of professional learning sessions are complete for the summer. 

Rationale:  Completed:

• June 11-13 - Educators Academy for Legislative Advocacy
• June 17-18 - ESUCC Retreat

Upcoming: 

• July 9-12 - Stronger to Serve
• July 16-18 - AESA Summer Leadership
• July 23-26 - Administrator Days

Rationale:  Brief sharing of the highlights of action on the strategic priorities and sharing next steps. 

Rationale:  The Policy/Legislative Committee met on June 19 to discuss updates in Board Policy. 

Rationale:  The Policy/Legislative Committee has reviewed Article 4, Section 9(D)6d and requests Board approval for deletion of the following: 

New Classified Employees — Employees who have been employed with ESU #13 less than 60 calendar days are not eligible for paid leaves. Upon reaching the 60-day employment anniversary, the employee becomes eligible for paid leaves for the remainder of the leave year.

Rationale:  An amendment to Article 4, Section 4 - Fitness for Duty is being presented as final reading: 
Employees are required to disclose orally or in writing any medical restrictions that limit their ability to perform the essential functions of the assigned position to their supervisor or the Administrator and are to request a meeting with the ADA/504 Coordinator (ESU #13 Human Resources Manager) to discuss the provision of reasonable accommodations. 

Rationale:  Proposed amendments to Article 4, Section 5 - Final Reading

A3 - Drug-Free Work Place
As a condition of employment, employees will abide by the ESU #13 drug-free workplace policies and notify the Administrator or designee of any criminal drug statute conviction for a violation occurring in the workplace no later than the next business day after such conviction.

D. Civility
Uncivil behaviors are any behaviors that are physically or verbally threatening, either overtly or implicitly, as well as behaviors that are coercive, intimidating, violent, or harassing.  Such interactions are prohibited in all forms of communication, including telephone conversations, voice mail messages, face-to-face conversations, written communications, social media, and email messages.

E. Professional Boundaries Between Employees and Students
The following non-exclusive list of actions will be regarded as a violation of the professional boundaries that employees are expected to maintain with a student:

• discussing another student’s or employee’s personal matters; when it is not appropriate outside of the instructional setting; 

M. Telework Policy

Rationale:  Proposed amendments to Article 4, Section 6 - Final Reading:

B. Safety Committee

It is the intention of the Safety Committee at ESU #13 to assist employees and administration in providing a safe working atmosphere in the job tasks and service provided to clientele. The committee does not possess any authority in making decisions with regard to budget, employee discipline, repairing or replacing facility equipment or structures, nor does the committee take responsibility for employee in employee failure to comply with policy and procedures.

Functions of the ESU #13 Safety Committee include:

• Inspect the facility regularly to ensure any facility owned or utilized by ESU 13 the facility is in compliance with safety practices. This includes hazardous chemicals, wastes, cleaning procedures, equipment, appliances, electrical equipment, and facility hazards. The purpose of the inspection is to detect any hazards or recommend any corrective action. Inspection of the facility and grounds must occur every three months while school is in session.
• Conduct regular meetings. Meetings Meeting must be held four times a year while school is in session.
• Establish, revise, and evaluate the ESU #13 Emergency Operations Plan Emergency Prevention and Response Plan on a yearly basis.

Rationale:  The Policy/Legislative Committee has reviewed the following changes and requests Board approval to waive the second reading and approve the deletion of Article 4, Section 10 G (Private tutoring or Services) and update Article 4, Section 5 G (Outside Employment). 

Article 4, Section 10
G. Private Tutoring or Services
A professional employee may not provide private tutoring or professional services in exchange for compensation from a source other than ESU #13 or an ESU #13 member school without advance approval of the Administrator:
to a child that the employee teaches or provides professional services in the course  and  scope of the employee’s duties to ESU #13; or
      2.   in an ESU #13 facility or in an ESU #13 member school facility; or
      3.   during the employee’s duty hours.
Professional employees who accept engagements to provide private tutoring or professional services are to make clear that the services are not being provided on behalf of ESU #13 to the extent the recipient of the services may in any way otherwise be caused to believe the services are provided through ESU #13.

Update to Article 4, Section 5G
The primary responsibility of employees is to the duties of their position within the Unit as outlined in their job description. Employees are expected to give the responsibilities of their position in the Unit precedence over any other employment.
 Employees shall not engage in outside employment, conduct private business, or engage in activities that interfere with, or serve to be detrimental to, the faithful discharge of their duties and responsibilities to ESU #13. This includes using employment with ESU #13 to their advantage or for personal profit by providing services which compete with services provided by ESU #13 during the course of their employment with ESU #13. However, upon occasion, employees may undertake consultative work, speaking engagements, writing, lecturing, and other professional duties, provided they first obtain the written approval of the Administrator before engaging in these activities to ensure that no conflict of interest exists.
The primary responsibility of ESU 13 employees is to the duties of their position within the Unit as outlined in their job description. Employees are expected to give the responsibilities of their position in the Unit precedence over any other employment.  Employees upon hire and then annually will complete the Outside Employment Policy Acknowledgment form if they want to engage in outside employment that relates to services provided.

Employees of ESU 13 shall not engage in outside employment, conduct private business, provide private tutoring or services, or engage in activities that interfere with, or serve to be detrimental to, the faithful discharge of their duties and responsibilities to ESU 13.  Employees of ESU 13 shall not enter into contracts or agreements (whether written or oral) or any private entity (including a sole proprietorship) that directly serves or conducts business that provides, markets, sells, or offers any education-related services or products to any school district, parent, or child (birth through high school graduation) that is enrolled in any school district that ESU 13 serves or could serve.  This includes using employment with ESU 13 to their advantage or for personal profit by providing services which compete with services provided by ESU 13 during the course of their employment with ESU 13.    

Upon occasion, employees may undertake consultative work, speaking engagements, writing, lecturing, or other professional duties.  Employees are to notify the ESU 13 Administrator of outside employment prior to accepting outside employment by submitting an Outside Employment Notification Form and having signed approval of the Administrator before engaging in these activities to ensure that no conflict of interest exists to the extent such is required for the ESU to comply with Nebraska School Retirement System Act, or other laws, or Board policy.  The ESU 13 Administrator is authorized to review, approve, and reject any outside employment request by any ESU staff member, and the Administrator's decision shall be final. For any outside employment requests by the ESU 13 Administrator, the ESU Board President shall have the authority to review, approve, and reject any such requests.  These services may not be provided in an ESU 13 facility or in an ESU 13 member school facility, or during the employee’s duty hours.  If approved, employees will need to renew an approved Outside Employment Notification Form annually in August with the start of the new school year.

The Policy/Legislative Committee requests the Board to waive the second reading on the above policy amendments. 
 

Rationale:  The Policy/Legislative Committee has reviewed the following changes to Article 4, Section 13 (Travel Policy) and requests Board Approval to waive the second reading and approve the following updates:  

C2: Employee and Volunteer Travel
Employees of ESU #13 and volunteers performing services under the supervision and at the direction of ESU #13 shall submit a Travel Request Form to the administrator for approval to attend any of the following:  educational workshops, conferences, training programs, official functions, hearings or meetings.  The purpose for attending will be detailed along with an estimated cost for travel and attendance relating to the event. It is necessary to submit the Travel Request Form at least 30 days before the dates of the trip. A copy of the Travel Request Form will be returned to the attendee after the Administrator has approved the trip. 

c. A physical or scanned copy of all related expenditure receipts must be given to the appropriate business office. A travel envelope will be available upon request. In addition, attach a copy of the conference brochure and/or the meeting agenda when submitting the travel documentation. A reimbursement check will be issued if out-of-pocket expenses are listed.

d(2)a. Use of a personal vehicle is permitted, with director approval, or if there is no ESU #13 vehicle available.

d(3)c. If employees charge non-room incidentals to the lodging bill, detailed documentation must be provided (see C2c.).

d(5)b. Meals cannot be claimed if they are provided as part of lodging, workshop, training, or meeting.

d(5)c(1).  One day travel to areas outside normal work assignment

Employees are responsible for reasonableness of all meal charges. Meal receipts must include a detailed breakdown of charges and must be submitted as part of the Travel Request. Meal expenses, including tip, must be within the US General Services Administration per diem rates at the time of travel. It is the employee’s responsibility to calculate overage and reimburse ESU 13 for that amount.

The Travel Form will be removed from Board Policy.

Rationale:  Head Start/Early Head Start requests a motion to approve the submission of the one-time funds grant application to support mental health services offered by the program.

Rationale:  Annually, the Board will review and approve the Meridian, LifeLink, and Panhandle Beginnings Student Handbooks. Note: The LifeLink and Meridian Handbook covers still reflect 23-24 but will be updated when received.

Rationale:  Annually, the Board will review and approve the Employee Handbook.