August 8, 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 to all 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 July 11, 2016, Board of Education meeting.

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

Rationale:  Administrative Recommendation:  Approve the payment of claims totaling $1,039,246.81.

Rationale:  Administrative Recommendation: Release (1) Michaela Quinn from her contract effective May 23, 2016.

Rationale:  Administrative Recommendation:  Elect (1) Tina Clark and (2) Becky Heavrin 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: 

A two year salary agreement has been reached and ratified by Local 226 representation employees from both the Food Service and Paraprofessional groups.

Attached are copies of the current and proposed salary programs.

Administrative Recommendation: Approve the two-year Food Service and Paraprofessional salary agreements as presented.

 

Rationale: 

The 2016-17 proposed budget was developed within the parameters set by the Board of Education, and in compliance with state and federal laws and limits.  The proposed budget recommends $1.08607 in the tax levy. Currently, the Bellevue School District's levy is $1.08837.

Rationale: 

Notice of the hearing and a summary of the proposed budget were published in accordance with Nebraska statutes.

The proposed budget was developed to meet the needs of 10,050 students.  Staffing represents approximately 85% of the current expenditure budget.  

A copy of the Notice of Budget Hearing and Budget Summary is attached.

Anyone interested in addressing the Board regarding the proposed budget is asked to come to the podium, state their name and address, followed by their input limited to five minutes.

Rationale: 

Every year, the Board must approve a budget authorizing a maximum budget authority to be submitted to the Nebraska Department of Education.

Administrative Recommendation:  The administration recommends that the Board approve the 2016-17 budget as presented.  The budget presented requires a tax levy of 13.607 cents, which is a reduction of .23 cents to the levy amount approved for the 2015-16 budget.

Rationale: 

At the end of each fiscal year, funds must be transferred to various accounts or expended outside of the regular Board approval process in order to pay encumbered expenses and ensure that all funds have adequate allowances at the beginning of the next fiscal year.  Due to the fiscal year ending at the end of August, the Board is being asked to grant the Board Treasurer the needed authority to make these necessary transfers and expenditures.

Administrative Recommendation:  Move that the Board Treasurer, in consultation with the Superintendent, be granted the authority to make necessary transfers to close out the 2015-16 fiscal year.

Rationale: 

Bellevue Public Schools has launched a new system, Let’s Talk!, to provide a tool that can help us build trust and open the lines of communication between parents, staff, students and our community.

There are categories and interest areas, which provide a web-based connection to submit suggestions, questions, or compliments to staff who will provide timely and informative responses. This online system is not designed to replace other means of communication, but simply to add an additional tool to the school district’s toolbox for engaging our community.

A demonstration of the system will be provided to the Board.

Rationale: 

The Bellevue Public Schools has been approached by the Boys and Girls Club about the possibility of creating a partnership to serve local children after school in a custom designed Boys and Girls Club attached directly to an existing BPS building.  Discussion will take place regarding the potential partnership and the possibility of adding the City of Bellevue to the partnership.  Attached you will find the Request For Information provided by the Boys and Girls Club.

Rationale: 

At the May school board meeting, the school board authorized a Special Bond Election to fund the recommendations in the Facility Master Plan.  An update will be provided as we near the September 13th election date.

Rationale: 

The Bellevue Public Schools offers a variety of summer programs for students, each program serving its own purpose.  As the district evaluates summer programs, the staff is proactive to ensure each program continues to meet the intended purpose.

The elementary summer school program is designed to provide enrichment and remediation opportunities for students in an environment where content is delivered in a variety of creative ways. This year’s MAP data assisted teachers in guiding instruction to students. Elementary summer school was held June 6 through June 24 at each elementary school; 60% of the elementary/preschool students attended summer school. Participation has remained relatively stable over the last three years.

Secondary summer school was held at each of the five schools June 6-July 1 offering a wide variety of courses in addition to transition courses for students entering seventh grade.  At the high school level, nearly 50 % of students entering ninth grade acquired a physical education/health credit during summer school.  High school summer school also consisted of credit acquisition and credit recovery for students in grades ten through twelve. The CHAP Center and the BEST program also offered summer programming for students.

Math, science and technology camps were held for three weeks, June 27- July 8, and served 120 students entering sixth and seventh grades with a limited enrollment. Students participating in the camp were taught by BPS educators who expanded student opportunities beyond what is offered during the school year.  The fee for the camp was $75 per child, per week.

Finally, Day Camp was offered to all Bellevue Public Schools students exiting kindergarten through seventh grade and was housed at the Lied Activity Center June 27 -July 29.  This year was a five week program compared to prior years being six weeks because of changes in summer school dates. The fee decreased from $175 in 2015 to $150 in 2016.  There were 318 students enrolled  in Day Camp this summer.

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, Frank Kumor
MABE - Mike Kinney
Board Policy Review Work Group - Doug Cook, Mike Kinney, Phil Davidson

Rationale: 

August 9    BPS Vendor Expo, Bellevue East Cafeteria, 7:30-8:15 a.m.

August 9    All-Staff General Session, Bellevue East Auditorium, 8:30-9:45 a.m.

August 10  Years of Service Recognition Luncheon, Welcome Center, 11:45 a.m.

September 12   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 negotiations with outside agencies which are necessary to be considered in closed session for the protection of public interest.