June 8, 2015 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 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 May 4, 2015, Board of Education meeting were sent to all members of the Board of Education for review.

Administrative Recommendation:  Approve the Minutes of the May 4, 2015, Board of Education meeting.

Rationale:  Administrative Recommendation:  Acknowledge receipt of the Treasurer's Report for May, 2015.

Rationale:  Administrative Recommendation:  Approve the payment of claims totaling $1,032,808.85.

Rationale:  Administrative Recommendation: Release (1) Tara Burkum, (2) Breanne Campbell, (3) Gabriel Early, (4) Laura Flahive, (5) Ryan Homan, (6) Kirk Meyer, (7) Christine Qualman, (8) Jennifer Schneider and (9) Allison Stansberry from their contracts effective May 22, 2015.

Rationale: 

Administrative Recommendation: Elect (1) Sheri Fillipi to the certified staff for the 2015-16 school year effective July 1, 2015 and elect (2) Julie Adams, (3) Chas Busch, (4) Katie Clark, (5) Jerry Geho, (6) Kelly Gomez, (7) Martha Hensel, (8) Lauren Herrera, (9) Emma Hinrichs, (10) Kayla Kill, (11) Alexis Miers, (12) Shannon Newbold, (13) Michaela Quinn, (14) DeAnna Ryan and (15) Tiffany Towne to the certified staff for the 2015-16 school year effective August 6, 2015 subject to their release from any contractual agreements with other school districts.

Rationale: 

Each year the Board of Education considers the compensation package for non-union employee groups. This year an increase of 1.92% as well as some benefit changes are being proposed for three non-union employee groups:  Certified Administrators (B), Secretaries (E), and Supervisors/Specialists/Classified Administrators (K).  Other non-union groups would maintain current salary programs:  Substitute Teachers (S) Part Time and Temporary Staff (T). 

Changes to Compensation Packages:

Salary increases for individual employees (B, E, K) - Individuals on the E and K salary schedules will not receive vertical movement.

Employer paid Health Insurance increase of $130 annually per eligible participating employee (B, E, K)

Increased costs to the District for each group are as follows:

Certified and Classified Administrators:  $84,419

Secretaries:  $33,218

Supervisors/Specialists:  $52,570

The current and proposed salary programs are attached. 

Superintendent's Recommendation:  Approve the proposed non-union compensation packages as presented.

 

Rationale: 

On the advice of the Board's auditor, we have been making a greater separation between Bellevue Public Schools and the Bellevue Public Schools Foundation.  Tonight the Board will consider a Memorandum of Understanding (attached) between the District and the Foundation.  The MOU outlines the purpose of the Foundation.  There will need to be additional MOU’s in regards to KidsTime and specific services the District provides and privileges the Foundation receives.

 

Administrative Recommendation:  The administration recommends the approval of the MOU with the Bellevue Public Schools Foundation.

 

 

Rationale: 

For many years, the district boundaries grew as the city of Bellevue grew.  As part of the Learning Community Legislations, the rules for changes in district boundaries were changed.  In anticipation of future changes to the Learning Community law, Bellevue Public Schools has been in discussion with Springfield Platteview and Papillion LaVista regarding changes to district boundaries in Sarpy County.  Tonight the board will be asked to take public action to enter into formal negotiations with the intention of having an agreement on a plan for district boundaries before the start of the next legislative session.

 

Administrative Recommendation:  The administration recommends beginning formal negotiations with Springfield Platteview and Papillion LaVista regarding school district boundaries in Sarpy County with the intention of having an agreement on a plan by December of 2015.

 

Rationale: 

Students from BPS middle schools and high schools recently competed at the Nebraska Science Olympiad Tournament in Lincoln.

Congratulations to Mission Middle School on their 11th consecutive 1st place win (the 21st consecutive year Mission has placed in the top 3) and Logan Fontenelle Middle School on their 2nd place win, both schools advance to nationals. The National Tournament will be held May 15-16, in our very own Lincoln, Nebraska for the first time!

Congratulations are also in order for Bellevue West High School, 2nd place and Bellevue East High School, 4th place. 

Rationale: 

Bellevue West High School student Madison Larimore has been named the Central Region Youth Advocate of the Year by the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids for her leadership in the fight against tobacco. Madison was honored at a gala in Washington, D.C., on May 14, 2015.

Madison is currently working on a campaign to increase funding for tobacco prevention programs in Nebraska. She previously participated in campaigns to make parks smoke-free and raise Nebraska's tobacco tax. She worked on efforts to regulate all tobacco products, which resulted in a state ban on the sale of e-cigarettes to minors and adoption of policies regulating the placement of tobacco products in retail stores. Madison also collaborated with her school system to prohibit the use of new tobacco products on school campuses and ensure her peers learned about these new products.

Additional information about the youth award winners, gala and tobacco can be found at www.tobaccofreekids.org.

Rationale: 

SkillsUSA Nebraska, a Nebraska Department of Education student organization, recently recognized award winners and elected new state officers during its 2015 State Leadership & Skills Conference in Omaha. 

More than 1,700 people attended the conference, including 1,400 high school, college and technical students and advisors.

Students participated in 90 hands on skill and leadership contests. First place winners of the national competitions qualify for the SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Championships Conference, June 22 - 26, in Louisville, KY. 

Automotive Refinishing Technology

Mike Reafleng, 1st place, Bellevue West High School

Diesel Equipment Technology

Jayson DiMauro, 2nd place, Bellevue West High School

Rationale: 

Dr. Rippe will lead a discussion with the Board about the financing of facilities.  With the reductions in Impact Aid and the need for facilities upgrade, the district will need to find alternate means of financing projects. Tonight, the feasibility of a bond election will be discussed.

Rationale: 

In July, the board will be asked to approve for publication the 2015-16 budget.  Tonight, the board will be given a report on the progress of the current budget and the forecast for spending and revenue for 2015-16.

Rationale: 

Ms. Bodensteiner will present the August 3 - 10 schedule of back-to-school activities for new and returning certified staff.

Rationale: 

The board will be presented a proposed change to Policy 611.01, Reporting Student Progress to Parents.

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 principals' 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:  Learning Community - Nina Wolford
BPS Foundation - Doug Cook, Lisa Rybar, Frank Kumor
MABE - Cindy Copich
GNSA - Cindy Copich
Board Policy Review Work Group - Cindy Copich, Doug Cook, Mike Kinney
District Safety Committee - Doug Cook

Rationale: 

June 15, Board Work Session, Weitz Community Engagement Center, UNO, 5:30 p.m.

July 6, Board of Education Meeting, Welcome Center, 6:30 p.m.

Rationale:  Administrative Recommendation: Adjourn the June 8, 2015 Board of Education meeting.