July 8, 2019 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:  Recognize Col. David Norton for his service to the Bellevue Public Schools as the Military Advisor.  Also, welcome Col. Gavin Marks as the new military advisor for the Bellevue Public Schools.

Rationale:  Recognize State Track Champion Nebtom N'Da from Bellevue East.

Rationale:  Recognize students from Bellevue East for their accomplishments at State and National FBLA.

Rationale: 

Administrative Recommendation: The information in sections C, D and F 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 sections D and F identified with an asterisk.

Rationale: 

Administrative Recommendation:  Approve the Minutes of the June 3, 2019, Board of Education meeting.

Rationale: 

Administrative Recommendation:  Acknowledge receipt of the Treasurer's Report for June,  2019.

Rationale: 

Administrative Recommendation:  Approve the payment of claims totaling $3,836,267.79.

Rationale:  Administrative Recommendation(1) Holly Lukasiewicz be released from her contract effective July 8, 2019 and that (2) Andrew Blazek and (3) Andrew Crawford be released from their contracts effective May 23, 2019

Rationale:  Administrative Recommendation(1) Erin Wienk be elected to the certified staff for the 2019-20 school year effective July 1, 2019 subject to her release from any contractual agreements with other school districts and that (2) Nicole Akers, (3)Coral Brown, (4) Kelsey Carlson, (5) Christina Kober, (6) Kris Milliken. (7) Lauren Neal and (8) Jennifer Stephenson be elected to the certified staff for the 2019-20 school year effective August 2, 2019 subject to their release from any contractual agreements with other school districts

Rationale:  Nebraska Statute 79-2,134 requires the Board of Education to annually hold a public hearing to review the student fees policy. The statute also requires a review of the amount of money collected from students pursuant to, and the use of waivers provided in, the student fees policy for the prior school year.

In accordance with the statute, the Bellevue Public Schools collected $1,548,006 for the provision of breakfast and lunch through the school lunch program. The District also collected $36,247 for reimbursement to the school district for student activity cards, property lost or damaged by students, materials used for alternative projects when the completed project became the property of the student, and fees for late library books.

Attached is a copy of the Board Policy and Administrative Regulation 504.19.

Rationale:  In preparation for the August 5, 2019 Budget Hearing, the proposed budget document will be presented. The administration will provide an overview of income and expense factors as well as further explanation of the 2019-20 state budget document and process.

A copy of the proposed budget document is attached.

Administrative Recommendation: Approve the proposed state budget document for publication as presented.

Rationale:  The administration will ask the Board to approve the bids from Musco Lighting Co. in the amount of $225,000, ProTech Electric Service in the amount of $71,995, and DC Electric in the amount of $79,620 to replace the Bellevue East baseball stadium lights.

Rationale:  The Board will receive an update on bond projects.

Rationale:  A member of the Bond Oversight Committee will provide a report to the Board.

Rationale:  The administration will ask the Board for approval to purchase materials and installation of 6 smoke hatches and doors on the roof over the Bellevue East auditorium not to exceed $52,000.

Rationale:  The Board of Education received a copy of the duties of the Committee on Americanism and a list of textbooks in May. Copies of the American History and civil government textbooks that were selected for implementation in the Bellevue Public Schools beginning in the 2004-05 school year have been made available to members of the Committee on Americanism of the Board of Education.

Members of the Committee on Americanism received, in addition to the materials that all Board members received, the following items:
1. "Americanism - Overview Statement."
2. Listing of patriotic songs learned from the elementary vocal music curriculum.
3. Listing of page references in selected textbooks that show compliance with State Statute 79-724.
4. Copy of the "Statement of Assurance" form to be signed by each principal. 5. Sample copy of the Committee on Americanism "Statement of Assurance." Signed "Statement of Assurance" forms for each school and the Committee on Americanism "Statement of Assurance" form are attached.

Administrative Recommendation: The administration recommends that the "Statement of Assurance" from the Americanism Committee be accepted.

Rationale:  Tonight, the Board will discuss the 2019-20 Board Meeting Calendar and any possible changes or additions. Attached is a copy of the 2019-20 Board Meeting Calendar.

Rationale:  Tonight, the administration will give the Board an update of Priority #1 Instructional and Curricular Innovation of the Strategic Plan.

Rationale:  ED brought a claim for injury that occurred while ED was a student in Bellevue Public Schools and a settlement was reached. Release of liability has been executed in exchange for a lump sum settlement of $400,000 which will be paid by ALICAP, Bellevue Public Schools' risk liability pool.

Rationale:  Nebraska Department of Education Rule 10 requires that the District Multicultural Education Program include arrangements to "Provide an annual status report of multicultural education to the local board of education" and "By November 1, 1995, and annually thereafter, each school district shall present evidence, in a form prescribed by the Department, that multicultural education is being taught to students in accordance with the multicultural program approved in 004.01F."

Curriculum: The District curriculum guides incorporate multicultural education. To ensure that the multicultural curriculum was implemented, teaching staff signed a "Verification of Completion" form on which the teachers indicated that they taught the appropriate multicultural concept activities in the curriculum. These forms were then submitted to the building principals.

Attached is a copy of the "Verification of Completion" form that teachers sign and copies of "Statement of Assurance" forms signed by each principal. This form is an assurance that the required multicultural education curriculum activities, or approved alternatives, were conducted in the principal's buildings.

Professional Development: Providing professional development opportunities for staff members is also required by Rule 10. Nebraska teacher certification requires a human relations course. In addition, the District has a process for provision of professional development in multicultural education including professional development for administrators, teachers, and support staff which is congruent with the District and program goals. Classes and workshops related to multicultural education were available for staff through the ESU, as well as area colleges and universities. The Curriculum Development Model and New Teacher Induction Program both address concepts and the importance of Multicultural Education.

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: 

BPS Foundation - Scott Eby and Frank Kumor

MABE - Maureen McNamara

Other Meetings Attended

Rationale:  July 16, Bond Oversight Committee Meeting, Belleaire, 6:00 p.m.
August 1, New Teachers Luncheon, BPS Lied Activity Center, 11:30 am
August 5, 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 the public interest.