July 7, 2014 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:  Approve by consent items in sections B and C of the Agenda identified with an asterisk and receive the information and proposals in section D identified with an asterisk.

Rationale:  The attached Minutes of the June 9, 2014, Board of Education meeting were sent to all members of the Board of Education for review.

Administrative Recommendation:  Approve the Minutes of the June 9, 2014, Board of Education meeting.

Rationale:  Administrative Recommendation:  Acknowledge receipt of the Treasurer's Report for June, 2014.

Rationale:  Administrative Recommendation:  Approve the payment of claims totaling $1,388,931.78.

Rationale:  Administrative Recommendation:  Release (1) Curtis Lilly, (2) Malynda Mulvany and (3) Angela Whitfield from their contracts effective May 22, 2014.

Rationale:  Administrative Recommendation:  Elect (1) Margaret Fahey, (2) Guy Hale, (3) Chadalee Jordahl, (4) Dawn Mathis, (5) Karin Schmit and (6) Carrie Weimer to the certified staff for the 2014-15 school year effective August 7, 2014, subject to their release from any contractual agreements with other school districts.

Rationale:  Administrative Recommendation: Grant Kim Hackbart a leave of absence without pay effective August 7, 2014, through May 22, 2015.

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 $1,923,077 for the provision of breakfast and lunch through the school lunch program.  The District also collected $41,477.62 for reimbursement to the school district for 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 4th Budget Hearing, an overview of income and expense factors will be presented, along with the proposed revenue and expense budgets for the 2014-15 school year.

Rationale: 

Bellevue Public Schools is eligible to receive a lump sum payment of 50% of its 2014-15 Certified State Aid in September.  Due to the loss of “Highly Impacted” federal funding, cash flow is a concern as we enter into the new fiscal year.  This early receipt will help ease cash flow through the first half of the year.

Administration's Recommendation:  Approve a resolution to request the early receipt of 50% of 2014-15 Certified State Aid from the Nebraska Department of Education.

Rationale: 

Due to the loss of “Highly Impacted” federal funding and use of cash reserves in 2013-14, cash flow is a concern as we enter into the new fiscal year.  Establishing a $5 million line of credit with Great Western Bank will give us a safety net and allow us to continue to meet District obligations.

Administration's Recommendation: Approve a resolution to establish a $5 million line of credit with Great Western Bank.

Rationale: 

In the summer of 2012, John Faiman, long time Bellevue West Dean and Football Coach, passed away before the start of his 27th season.  To honor Coach Faiman’s dedication to the students of Bellevue West, there is an interest in naming the football field “Faiman Field.”  In order to commemorate this honor, a new entrance to the field would be created. The new entrance would include the addition of a permanent ticket booth, fence and arch.

Administration's Recommendation: Approve the naming of the Bellevue West football field as “Faiman Field,” and move forward with plans for a new entrance that would include a permanent ticket booth, fence and arch.

Rationale: 

The Board of Education received a copy of the duties of the Committee on Americanism and a list of textbooks in June.  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:  The Board reviewed revised Board policies 202.02, Conflicts of Interest, 202.01, Code of Ethics for Board Members, and 1005.11, Advertisements, at the June 9, 2014, Board meeting.  The attached Board Policies are presented tonight for final approval.

Rationale:  Congratulations to Bellevue West High School student Chloe Akin-Otiko on being named Gatorade Nebraska Girls Track & Field Athlete of the Year. The Gatorade Player of the Year award honors top high school student-athletes in 12 varsity sports for their athletic excellence, academic achievement and exemplary character. Attached is a letter of congratulations from The Gatorade Company.

Rationale: 

A school district is the nucleus of a community. Schools in Bellevue are open throughout the year to meet the needs of our students and the community. The District works with many of our partners, including Offutt Air Force Base, the City of Bellevue, Bellevue Senior Community Center, Bellevue Ministerial Association, Metropolitan Community College, service organizations, families within the school district, and businesses in their request to utilize our facilities. Requests for usage vary from classrooms, swimming pools, gymnasiums, baseball, softball, football, and soccer fields, etc.

In addition to the regular day-to-day operations of the District, during the 2013-2014 school year, our facilities were used by 399,664 people on 11,466 occasions. Our facility usage continues to be in high demand and we are always improving our wellness programs and youth developmental sports programs. These quality programs for our students and community members remain strong and we will continue to expand and improve on all of our programming throughout the District.

Attached is a report summarizing the Community Use of School Facilities.

Rationale: 

Tonight, the Board will discuss the 2014-15 Board Meeting Calendar.

Attached is a copy of the tentative 2014-15 Board Meeting Calendar.

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
NASB Board of Directors - Nina Wolford
BPS Foundation - Doug Cook, Lisa Rybar, Frank Kumor
MABE - Cindy Copich
NASB Legislative Committee - Cindy Copich
Board Policy Review Work Group - Cindy Copich, Doug Cook, Nina Wolford
District Safety Committee - Doug Cook

Rationale:  July 14         Board of Education Retreat, Welcome Center, 5:00 pm
August 4      Board of Education Meeting, Welcome Center, 6:30 pm   

Rationale:  Administrative Recommendation: Adjourn to Executive Session to consider matters relating to strategy sessions with respect to collective bargaining, negotiations with outside agencies, 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.