April 4, 2016 at 6:30 PM - Board of Education Meeting Agenda

Rationale:  The Bellevue Board of Education abides by the Nebraska Open Meetings Law.  A copy of the law is posted on the wall of our Board room.

Rationale: 

Administrative Recommendation: The information in sections B and D were sent toall members of the Board of Education for review.  The administration recommends approval by consent of the items in section B of the agenda identified with an asterisk and receipt of the information and proposals in section D identified with an asterisk.

Rationale:  Administrative Recommendation:  Approve the Minutes of the March 7, 2016 Board of Education meeting, and the March 21 Board of Education Work Session.

Rationale:  Administrative Recommendation:  Acknowledge receipt of the Treasurer's Report for March, 2016.

Rationale:  Administrative Recommendation:  Approve the payment of claims totaling $1,095,939,56.

Rationale:  Administrative Recommendation: Release (1) Jacquline Lucas from her contract effective June 30, 2016 and (2) Tracey Baker, (3) Kelsie Bateman, (4) Timothy Bogatz, (5) Hannah Clark, (6) Meisha Curry, (7) Stacy Elshire, (8) Elizabeth Garcia, (9) Veronica Gibson, (10) Stephanie Goltz, (11) Gladys Jones, (12) Stephanie Jones, (13) Adam Larson, (14) Allison Lex, (15) Barbara Menning, (16) Martina Niemeyer, (17) Patricia Robinson, (18) Courtney Saffold, (19) Joel Scholten, (20) Emma Vrtiska and (21) Sara Zajicek from their contracts effective May 23, 2016.

Rationale:  Administrative Recommendation:  Elect (1) Jeffrey Wagner to the certified staff for the 2016-17 school year effective July 1, 2016 subject to his release from any contractual agreements with other school districts and elect (2) Sarah Anderson, (3) Jordan Bald, (4) Laura Capel, (5) Samantha Houston, (6) Deborah Kendall, (7) Cynthia Larson, (8) Desiree Milner, (9) Anne Mullins, (10) HopeEllen Petro, (11) Debra Richardson, (12) Alexandra Seals, (13) Taylor Stevens, (14) Marcia Thull and (15) Deanna Twait be elected to the certified staff for the 2016-17 school year effective August 8, 2016 subject to their release from any contractual agreements with other school districts.

Rationale: 

Nebraska law allows public school employees to organize and bargain collectively with school boards on the issue of salaries.  An agreement has been reached and ratified by the Bellevue Education Association, the employee organization representing teachers, nurses, psychologists, and therapists.

The negotiated agreement with teachers adjusts the 2016-2017 salary for beginning teachers to $33,836 from the current beginning salary of $33,200.  This represents a proposed total package increase of 4.30%.  The increase is to cover:

• Professional Stipend increase of $100

• Employer paid health insurance increase of $340 annually per participating employee

• Vertical and Horizontal salary increases for individual employees

• An increase in the career stipend for nurses

• Two days of bereavement leave

Increased costs to the District for Certificated staff (teachers, nurses, psychologists, therapists) is $2,451,105.

The current and proposed salary programs are attached.  Also attached is the ratification notice from the Bellevue Education Association.

Administrative Recommendation:  The administration recommends the Board approve the Teacher Negotiated Agreement as presented.

Rationale: 

Each year the Board is asked to approve the school calendar two years in advance, tonight the 2017-18 calendar is being presented.  This calendar follows the same philosophy of the 2016-17 calendar, incorporating a week long spring break and earlier second semester conferences.  After receiving feedback from staff on a draft calendar, a short survey was given to staff concerning the January Professional Development date.  Based on that feedback, the proposed calendar was finalized.

Attached is the 2017-18 proposed school calendar.

Administrative Recommendation: Approve the proposed 2017-18 school calendar as presented.  

Rationale: 

At the March Board meeting the Board approved an amendment to Superintendent Frank Harwood’s contract to allow him to leave the district June 30, 2016.  At a special work session on March 21st, the Board selected Ray and Associates to conduct a national search to hire a new superintendent.  Tonight an update on the process will be presented. 

Rationale: 

As the 60 day legislative session winds down, many of the bills impacting Bellevue Public Schools are being debated.  Tonight, the Board will be given an update on bills of particular interest.  Depending on the Legislature's schedule, representatives from Ratcliff and Associates will be present to provide the latest information.

Rationale: 

The kindergarten registration process for 2016-2017 began the week of February 22, 2016.  This is an opportunity for the parent/guardian to complete registration and orient the child to the kindergarten environment and staff.  To date, 553 students have registered for kindergarten. At this time last year, 485 students had registered for kindergarten.  By state law, a child must be five years of age on or before July 31 in order to enter kindergarten.  The law also includes a provision for early entrance testing.

Rationale:  Public Comment pertaining to items not otherwise on the Agenda must be submitted to the Secretary of the Board five days prior to the Board meeting.  There were no items submitted for Public Comment for this meeting.

Rationale: 

Learning Community - Nina Wolford

BPS Foundation - Doug Cook and Frank Kumor

MABE - Mike Kinney

Board Policy Review Committee - Doug Cook, Mike Kinney, Phil Davidson

NAFIS/MISA - Phil Davidson 

Rationale: 

April 6, Board of Education Work Session, Welcome Center, 7:00 p.m.

April 9-11, NSBA Annual Conference – Boston

April 21, 4th Annual BPS Foundation Breakfast, Lied Activity Center, 7:00 a.m.

April 22, BEA Retirement Banquet, Cascio's, Social: 6:00 p.m., Dinner: 7:00 p.m.

April 25, PTA/PTSA Service to Youth Reception, Lied Activity Center, 5:00 p.m.

April 27, Board Work Session, Welcome Center, 5:30 p.m.

May 2, Board Work Session, Welcome Center 5:30 p.m.

May 3, District Retirement Tea, Bellevue West, 3:30 p.m.

May 4, Board Work Session, Welcome Center, 5:30 p.m.

May 9, Board of Education Meeting, Welcome Center, 6:30 p.m.

Rationale:  Administrative Recommendation: Adjourn to Executive Session to consider matters relating to strategy sessions with respect to collective bargaining which are necessary to be considered in closed session for the protection of the public interest.