January 9, 2017 at 6:30 PM - Board of Education Meeting Agenda

Rationale: 

New Board Members Scott Eby and Sarah Centineo, re-elected Board Member Doug Cook, and Board appointed Phil Davidson will be administered the Oath of Office.

Scott Eby and Sarah Centineo will be welcomed to the Board of Education.

Attached is the Oath of Office for Board members.

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 C and E were sent to all members of the Board of Education for review.  The administration recommends approval by consent of the items in section C of the agenda identified with an asterisk and receipt of the information and proposals in section E identified with an asterisk.

Rationale:  Administrative Recommendation:  Approve the Minutes of the December 5, 2016, Board of Education meeting.  Also, approve the minutes from the December 20, 2016, Special Board Meeting.

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

Rationale:  Administrative Recommendation:  Approve the payment of claims totaling $1,115,907.75.

Rationale:  Administrative Recommendation: that (1) Samantha Carwyn be released from her contract effective December 22, 2016 and that (2) Marya Lucca-Thyberg be released from her contract effective May 25, 2017.”
Summary

Rationale:  Administrative Recommendation:  Elect (1) Lauren Egger and (2) Taylor Wees be elected to the certified staff for the 2016-17 school year effective January 6, 2017 subject to their release from any contractual agreements with other school districts."
 

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Request for nomination of Temporary Chairman is taken.

Recommended action:  Nominate (Jeff Rippe) as Temporary Chairman of the Board.

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Nominations for President of the Board will be taken.

If no further nominations, I move that nominations be closed.

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Nominations for Vice President of the Board will be taken.

If no further nominations, I move that nominations be closed.

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Nominations for Secretary of the Board will be taken.

If no further nominations, I move that nominations be closed.

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Nominations for Treasurer of the Board will be taken.

If no further nominees, I move that nominations be closed.

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Each year the board must authorize representatives to file the applications and reports for Impact Aid, Title XVIII of PL106-398, and any other Federal applications, reports, resolutions, contracts, real estate transactions, and agreements necessary to the operation of the school district as required on behalf of the Bellevue Public School District.

Administrative recommendation:  The administration recommends that the President and Vice president be the authorized representatives of the Board.

Rationale: 

Authorize the Superintendent of Schools or his designee to act as the Board of Education’s official representative in all matters relating to local, state, and federal programs including applications, plans, reports, and verified information for Elementary and Secondary Education Act, vocational education, special education, adult education, grants, Educational Service Unit, and any other federal or state programs as required, and any contracts, real estate transactions, or agreements necessary to the operation of the school district and as authorized through Board policy.

Administrative Recommendation:  The administration recommends that the Board authorize the Superintendent or his designee as the official representative of the Board of Education.

Rationale: 

In the event that the Board officers change, the Board must authorize the use of the previous officers' signatures for the month of January.

The recommendation is that all warrants of the District issued in the month of January of this year which bear the facsimile signatures of the officers authorized during the immediate preceding term of office by this Board to sign and validate warrants of the District are hereby ratified, confirmed and validated.

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The recommendation is to nominate up to three members of the Board of Education to serve as Bellevue Public Schools' Foundation Board of Directors.

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The law requires that the President of the Board of Education appoint three Board members to examine, inspect, and approve all textbooks used in the teaching of American History and Civil Government.

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The Bellevue Board of Education serves in a quasi-judicial role at various times including when a student discipline action by the administration is appealed. The President of the Board of Education shall appoint three members of the Board to the Student Discipline Committee to hear any student discipline appeals.

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MABE is comprised of a school board representative from each of the metro area school districts.  The group typically meets monthly to share information and best practices.

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Nebraska statutes require the Board of Education to annually review the Parental Involvement in Educational Practices Policy. The existing policy was adopted by the Board of Education in 1995 and is reviewed annually by the Board of Education. Notice of the hearing was published in accordance with Nebraska statutes.

A copy of the existing policy and regulation, Parental Involvement in Educational Practices, is attached.

Rationale: 

Recognize the Bellevue Education Association as the exclusive and sole collective bargaining representatives for all teachers, nurses, psychologists, occupational therapists, and physical therapists employed by the District for the 2018-2019 school year.

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Bellevue West High School submitted their newspapers (The Thunderbeat) from the 2015-2016 school year to the National Scholastic Press Association for a critique. They were recently awarded a rating of "All-American"--their highest honor.

They received Marks of Distinction for courage in covering difficult topics, sports coverage that matches its importance to readers, design consistency, clean copy, and engaging headlines.

From the judge's concluding comments: "I got lost in your coverage--in the very best way. It was engaging and informative, and it's evident that you're working hard at planning, reporting, and presentation. With the growing prominence of your digital efforts, I'm impressed to see strong attention to the details within your print product. Way to go."

This is the first time in over five years they've submitted Bellevue West's paper to a national organization for critique. Congratulations to the staff of The Thunderbeat!

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The administration annually updates the Board about student performance as measured by various indicators.  

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Mr. Moore will give the board a brief presentation concerning the administration's desire to investigate the feasibility of creating alternative learning programs for our students.

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 - Nina Wolford

Rationale: 

January 14, Bellevue West AFJROTC Military Ball

January 20, Bellevue East/West Boys & Girls Basketball Game at East, 5:30/7:15 p.m.

February 4, Bellevue East AFJROTC Military Ball

February 6, 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 and personnel which are necessary to be considered in closed session for the protection of the public interest and for the needless injury to the reputation of an individual.