November 3, 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:  Approve by consent items in section B of the Agenda identified with an asterisk and receive the information and proposals in sections D and E identified with an asterisk.

Rationale:  The attached Minutes of the October 6, 2014 Board of Education meeting and the October 20, 2014 Board of Education Work Session were sent to all members of the Board of Education for review.

Administrative Recommendation:  Approve the Minutes of the October 6, 2014 Board of Education meeting and the October 20, 2014 Board of Education Work Session.

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

Rationale:  Administrative Recommendation:  Approve the payment of claims totaling $1,306,225.62.

Rationale:  Administrative Recommendation: Release: (1) Jonathan Pinkerton from his contract effective December 19, 2014.”

Rationale:  Administrative Recommendation: Grant Tiona Mosby a leave of absence without pay effective December 22, 2014 through May 22, 2015.

Rationale: 

As was discussed at the October meeting, the Board is being asked to take a position on issues relating to the Learning Community Statutes.  Last month background information was presented on each of ten areas in which Sarpy and Douglas County districts are treated differently than the other 238 Nebraska districts. Tonight, the consensus recommendations formulated by the Learning Community Superintendents will be presented.

Administrative Recommendation:  Recommendations will be discussed as part of the explanation.

Rationale:  At the October meeting, Policy 502.08 was brought to the board by a patron.  This item is on the agenda in the event that the board would would like to have more discussion or take action.

Administrative Recommendation: It is the recommendation of the administration that the current policy regarding foreign exchange students remain in force for the 2014-15 school year.

Rationale: 

The Bellevue East and West yearbook and newspaper staffs had great success at the 2014 Nebraska High School Press Association fall competition.

 The Chieftain yearbook won the Cornhusker Award - the highest award for journalistic excellence in high school publications. The Bellevue East Tom Tom newspaper won an Award of Distinction, with two Golden Kernels for Photography/Strong Leads, and Story Variety/Modular Design.

The Bellevue West newspaper and yearbook won Awards of Distinction. The Thunderbeat, received a Superior award.

Rationale: 

Congratulations to Bellevue West and Bellevue East High Schools on their stellar performances at the 2014 State Marching Band Contest.

Bellevue West took first place and were crowned Nebraska's best marching band. They also won awards for best visual effect and best general effect.

Bellevue East took fourth place and captured the award for best percussion.

Rationale: 

The Bellevue Drug Commission held their annual Drug and Alcohol Awareness Breakfast on October 24th in which they recognize a person or organization who has contributed significantly to battling drug abuse. In addition, the Commission conducts a drug and alcohol awareness poster contest. The contest was open to all Bellevue sixth-grade students, and more than 90 entries were received. The theme was “Love Yourself, Be Drug Free.”

The Poster Contest winners are:

1st place- Ashleigh Ragone, Bellevue Elementary

2nd Place- Dane Toman, Fairview Elementary

3rd Place- Zoe Bruno, Fort Crook Elementary

Cash prizes of $25, $50 and $75 were awarded to the first through third-place winners, courtesy of SAC Federal Credit Union.

All of the posters that were submitted are on display at the Bellevue Public Library through the month of November. 

Rationale: 

The administration annually updates the Board about student performance as measured by various indicators.  Tonight's update will include information about the State of the Schools report

Rationale:  Radcliffe & Associates represents the Bellevue Public Schools as a state lobbyist on legislative matters in Lincoln.

Walt Radcliffe will provide the Board with information on the upcoming legislative session.

Rationale: 

The board has been notified by Pat Sullivan with Adams and Sullivan that the firm will not be renewing the contract for legal services with the district.  The current contract ends January 31, 2015.  Tonight the board will discuss different ways to structure legal services and next steps for finding legal counsel.

Rationale: 

The Policy Committee is proposing a new policy that would give direction to the process for approving a contract with the Superintendent as well as the timeline for evaluation and renewal.  The proposed policy is attached and will be discussed.

Rationale: 

Parent/Student/Teacher Conferences were held in each Bellevue Public School the week of October 13.

The following indicates the average attendance of parents and students at each level:

                     Parents                    Students

Elementary            97%                           89%

Middle School        75%                           70%

High School           53%                           49%

Activities held in conjunction with conferences included book fairs, PowerSchool parent portal assistance, high school graduation material orders, scholarship meetings, PTA/PTSA/Booster Club school product sales, and student council activities.

Rationale:  Clifton Stovall would like to address the Board regarding his termination.

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, Mike Kinney
District Safety Committee - Doug Cook

Rationale: 

November 8, Veterans’ Parade, 10:00 a.m., chili/soup feed immediately following parade

November 17, Board Work Session, Welcome Center, 5:30 p.m.

November 19-21, NASB State Education Conference (LaVista Conference Center)

December 3, Holiday Open House

December 8, 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 negotiating with outside agencies, 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.