December 12, 2016 at 7:00 PM - Regular December 2016 Board Meeting

Rationale: 

1.  Review monthly bills using the EMeetings Software.

2.  Review all credit card transactions for the month.

3.  Finance Committee Members Sign-off on review of monthly bills, credit card transactions, and district fund balances.

4.  Approve superintendent's expenses (credit card transactions, mileage, cell phone reimbursement)

5.  Call Sherman and Buffalo County Treasurer's Offices to verify correct levy.  Both were correct.

6.  Reading General Fund Expenditure Report by Object/Function Code Review

7.  SPED Expenditures for contracted services will likely go over budget, due to the need for additional contracted services

8.  School Nutrition Program Review-January Board Meeting

• What financial information would you like to review?
• What "operation information" would you like to review?
• Are you still interested in a "site visit" at an Opaa! school (Centura/Wood River)?

Rationale:  The school district generally is required to subsidize the school's lunch fund.  This year $25,266 is budgeted for transfers from the general fund to the lunch fund.  This is the first transfer required for the 2016-17 budget cycle.  Another transfer will be likely be required during the month of January, due to traditionally low receipts generated in the program at this time of the year.

Rationale: 

Congratulations to Mrs. Kelley Jarzynka, November's ABC Blue Jay Staff Member of the Month!

 

Congratulations to our December ABC Blue Jay Staff Member of the month nominees:

I would like to nominate Teresa Zinnell. 

I would like to nominate Teresa Zinnel.  She is committed to making sure her students are successful.  She volunteers her time outside of school hours working with students.  She is a caring and empathetic person which makes her easy to talk to for both students and staff.  She is an advocate for her students and sets expectations in her classroom to help students achieve their best.

I would like to nominate Teresa Mingus. The performances the band and chorus have done lately have been outstanding. Her commitment to the students goes way beyond regular school hours. She spends many weekends with the students at clinics, shops and performances. Many evenings are also spent at sporting events with pep band, and evening concerts throughout the year. Her dedication goes beyond school and reaches out to the public and religious arenas. She spreads her vocal and music talent throughout Ravenna and is much appreciated! 

Becky Keilig spends hours taking care of all the testing procedures K-12, as well as, interpreting this data for school improvement, as well as being a fantastic media specialist.  She is always engaging students that step into the library to pursue the power in learning something new, especially in her HAL program.  She also finds time to volunteer and support the AcaDeca program by creating the super quiz questions, proctoring the test each year, and driving to the regional meet.  She is well deserving of this honor!

I would like to nominate Dave Huryta for ABC Bluejay Staff Member of the Month. Dave is always willing to help immediately when I bring a computer/technical issue to him. He is knowledgeable and courteous, and when he is unable to resolve an issue, Dave will say that he has to do more research and find the answer to the problem. Dave understands that his technology position at school is more than just the laptops, servers, cameras, the school's website, wireless network, DVD players, Smartboards, etc (the list is too long!) that he maintains; Dave shows that helping the staff and the students is his number one job.

Dom Reicks is both the industrial technology teacher and the activities director at RPS. His dedication to the school as teacher and wrestling coach for 30+ years is outstanding. He goes above and beyond to organize and communicate with the staff about all the activities. In his teaching, he gives all students a chance to learn hands-on practical skills they are able to use throughout their lives.  Dom is definitely an ABC Blue Jay. 

Mrs. Mingus is committed to her students for all grade levels. She teaches skills in music for instrumental, piano and voice during regular school hours and after hours for lessons. Students are encouraged in their practice and performances for the public and before judges in yearly competitions. Students who love music enjoy being in her classes.  With all of these responsibilities she finds time to direct the music at her church and encourages performances for the community such as during Christmas, on Memorial Day, Annevar and Veterans Day.  She lives for the music she shares everyday for everyone.

I would like to nominate Sherry Nelson. She does an exceptional job bringing in technology to the classroom.

Mikki has a great amount of work on her plate and she continues to maintain flexible. She always keeps her students best interest in mind and she will do anything to be sure that they are getting the instruction necessary to be successful. Mikki keeps learning fun and my students love the games they play to learn the specific skills they are working on. Mikki does a lot for our school and she should be recognized for everything she does. 

I would like to nominate Haley G. because she has taken on the Reading Mastery program like a champ.  It was new to her this year and I feel like she is doing a wonderful job.  Teaching four classes of reading a day is a tough job.  The Map scores of our students shows that the program is working and that is due in part to Haley's teaching techniques and her ability to build rapport with our students.  The kids respect her and want to do a good job for her.  That is why I feel that Haley would be great for the ABC Blue Jay Staff Member of the Month

Rationale: 

Advertise for bids on or before January 1st.

Bids are returned to Office of Superintendent by Friday, February 3rd at 12:00 noon.

Bids are evaluated from February 3rd-February 10th.

Bids are presented to board and winning bidder is named at Regular February 13th Board Meeting.

Rationale: 

The attached weight room equipment can be declared surplus at the board's discretion, as it will no longer be needed in the weight room, after the new equipment the Ravenna Booster Club has generously donated arrives.  All items declared as surplus will be auctioned off to the highest bidder, after advertising the items on the school website.

 

Rationale: 

Annual 5th/6th Grade Garage Sale

• The students raised $670 - $335 to be donated to the Ministerial Society and $335 will be used at school to provide items for kids in need (coats, clothes, etc)  

State Principal Conference 

• Nebraska Attorney General Doug Peterson (A Generation at Risk)

Illegal prescription drug use by teens - Statewide 14% juniors and seniors reported taking a prescription drug not prescribed by a doctor.  Vast majority report getting from family or friends at no cost.  AG office transitioning to a prevention/treatment policy rather than punishment.

 Marijuana - AG Doug Peterson compared the marijuana industry to the old "Big Tobacco" in that they are marketing the product to young people, trying to make it cool and hip.  He also said they use "funky science to state that marijuana is safe.  Nationally 45% of 12th graders have reported that they have           used marijuana.  He is NOT a fan of legalizing it.

Human Trafficking - New laws that treat the young people involved as victims rather than criminals. Mr. Peterson stated that many are runaways or with social services.  The AG office monitors online activity, he stated they could run sting operations daily if he had the manpower.  Much of the activity is along the I 80 corridor with Omaha/Lincoln area having the most activity and the Kearney area with the second highest activity.

A big "THANK YOU" to Mrs. Mingus for another wonderful Holiday Concert.

MAP testing nearlyi completed for the Winter term (we have just a few "make ups").

 

Rationale: 

Secondary Principal’s Report November 2016   

One Act

Congratulations to the Play Production group for having a successful season.  They were Conference and District Champions, finishing the season 4th at State.  They have a lot to be proud of and represented the school in a first class way all year long.  

Music Program

On Tuesday, December 6th the Music Department, led by Mrs. Mingus, held their Winter Concerts.  The programs were well organized and entertaining.  The crowd in the theater was standing room only and spectators had to leave to make room for those waiting hallways for the next performance.  

Winter Sports

The Winter Sports season is now underway and all sports have already competed.  Good luck to all our Winter Sports athletes and coaches throughout the season!  

End of 1st Semester/Winter MAPS Testing

It is difficult to believe that we are down to 6 school days left in this semester/year.  Last week we completed our round of Winter MAPS testing and have already received a lot of positive feedback from students and staff about excellent improvement being made by the majority of students.  Our staff will be taking time at our January professional development to review/analyze data from those tests.  We culminated the testing with a highly entertaining staff v. student basketball game.  It was a great way to have some fun and continue to work on building positive relationships with students and staff along with improving our school culture and climate.

Information Gathering on Random Drug Testing

I am providing the board with a copy of Central City Public Schools policy to review.  I am not providing this example because I believe it is exactly what I would like to propose, just as an example for informational purposes for you to review.   

reVision

On Wednesday, November 30th our reVision team met with approximately 30 business leaders from the community at the city auditorium.  The school gathered input from those community leaders on ways that we can improve our C.T.E. programming and course offerings.  The 2 hour meeting was productive as the school was able to gather a lot of great ideas and input to help guide the district through the process.  The next step will be to have another meeting in the Spring to evaluate course offerings and decide if we would like to apply for grant money to aid in funding the process.  

Rationale: 

1.  Policy Review-Activities Handbook & 3000 Series Policies

2.  Capital Improvement Plan-Creating with Board Input & Dan Cyboron's Assistance

• Bleachers-$110,000
• HVAC-$40,000-$160,000
• Mechanical (Pneumatic HVAC Controls)-$7500
• Elementary Roof Repair-$8100
• Fire Sprinklers-?

3.  Rule 10 Visit

• Went well overall
• Math Standards
• Handrail in front of Band Room
• Multicultural Reports

4.  Safety & Security

• Completed NDE Self-Audit with Safety Committee Members Assistance
• Free Emergency Alert System
• Sending staff to "Standard Response Protocol Training"
• Working to improve overall safety and security of the school

5.  FREE Internet Safety & Digital Citizenship Presentation by Attorney General Office of Consumer Protection

6.  Little Angel's Day Care-Spoke with a realtor who thought the property might be sold for as little as $125,000.  I told her I would pass the information along to the board for the board's consideration and review. 

 

 

 

Rationale:  Congratulations to team 5W Robotics Team (Richard Reed, Joseph Walsh, and Paxton Stubbs) who went undefeated and won the entire robotic tournament during recent competition!  Such an achievement is a first for Ravenna Robotics! 

Congratulations to the Ravenna One-Act Cast & Crew on their LouPlatte Conference Championship, District Championship, and 4th Place finish at State One-Act!  -Marc Vacek

Mrs. Mingus and her K-12 music students did a fantastic job at the winter concert.  -Tara Schirmer

Mrs. Strate and her student presenters did a great job presenting their "biology naturalist projects" at the December Board Meeting.  -Marilyn Bohn

The Ravenna Wrestling Invitation runs like a well-oiled machine due to Mr. Reick's leadership, the technological savvy provided by Mr. Huryta, and all the great volunteers who help run the event!  Thanks so much to all of our community volunteers  -Mr. Brad Kjar

I appreciate the efforts of our staff in conducting the MAPS testing.  The data from testing is important to help us guide instruction and improve our school.  -Dawn Standage

Thanks to all of the business leaders and staff members who participated in the ReVision process.  -Larry Behrendt