October 9, 2017 at 8:00 PM - Board of Education Regular Meeting

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.  Lunch Program Transition Update-Required transfers from the general fund to the lunch fund that are needed to maintain adequate cash flow to meet monthly expenses (payroll & contracted services payments with Opaa!) will still be required to be made by the school district, just as has been done in the past.  However, at the end of the budget year, Opaa! will make any adjustments needed to meet the guarantee they provided in the contract for services.  Some student a parent concerns have been voiced regarding quantity, quality of food, and menu variety.  The superintendent has addressed these issues with the Opaa! representatives and will continue to address these issues for the purpose of making the program better for our students.  MONTHLY FSMC PROGRAM REVIEW PROTOCOL.

6.  Audit Follow Up-Gary & Mick from Dana F. Cole encountered no problems and raised no issues during their visit.  They reported that things looked in good order and would be issuing us a draft of the audit for our review.

7.  NPERS Retirement Audit Follow Up-The school district's correction payable to NPERS is going to be approximately $912.80.  It will be paid out over the next two months (October & November).  The employee will also be repaying the amount over the next two months as well.  The correction will be finalized by the month of December.

8. Elementary Roof & Elementary Gym Roof-Additional sealant application and final payment made at August 28th Special Board Meeting in the amount of $7437.  Still waiting to hear back from the contractor regarding what the amount for application of the additional sealant will be.

9.  Rebates on Elementary HVAC Equipment-We received the rebate from Black Hills Energy for the gas furnaces in the amount of $3000.  We also received the rebate from NPPD in the amount of $350.

10.  There is a $5,250.51 transfer from the school nutrition fund to the activities fund, as this amount was initially deposited into the school nutrition fund account.  In other words, the transfer is facilitating a correction for an incorrect deposit.

11.  Review of current fund balances, other than General Fund, using monthly "Fund Balance Financial Report".

12.  Van Purchase-Current depreciation fund balance is too low to facilitate the purchase of the van, so a transfer will be required tonight to make the purchase.  You can probably wait and save some money, if you want to buy used equipment rather than new equipment.

13.  Capital Improvement Schedule Review & Direction

Mr. Kjar was approached by a used textbook buyer.  The list below are textbooks that are out of date and out of use by the staff.  The administration is requesting that they be declared as surplus, so that they can be sold to the used textbook buyer.  The money will be deposited back into the general fund.

Members of the Public, 

This is the portion of the board meeting when we invite anyone in attendance to address the board of education. If you would like to speak to the board regarding any of the items on tonight's agenda or a public concern, now is your opportunity to do so.  Please review the orange sheet (found on the visitors' chairs) of paper that contains the guidelines for public participation.  If you wish to speak to the board at this time, please let me know.  "Would anyone like to address the board at this time?"

AFTER THE PERSON(S) INDICATE(S) THEY WISH TO SPEAK

1.  Please stand and state your name?

2.  What topic will you be speaking on?

3.  Are there others in the room who wish to speak to the same topic? (If so, ask that they be recognized so that 30 minutes of time for public comment can be apportioned as per the policy-5 minutes per person).

4.  Optional-"Please understand that public comment is your opportunity to speak to the board and present your concerns, thoughts, feelings, ideas, and observations.  Members of the board are happy to hear from members of the public, but the board will not engage in conversation or dialogue with you during public comment."

4.  "You'll have approximately 5 minutes to address the board, as we allow 5 minutes per person and a total of 30 minutes for public comment.  You may begin when you are ready?"

John Vacek will be at the board meeting to talk about the good work he is doing with the NSAA and with the students at Ravenna Public Schools.

Congratulations to Mr. Paul Anderson, who was the September ABC Bluejay Staff Member of the Month!

Congratulation to Lacey Rager, who is the October ABC Bluejay Staff Member of the Month!

Nominees this month include:

Stephanie Yost

Jean Luth

Marcie Gross

Shari Spaulding

Krissy Riesbeck

Lacey Rager

Paige Havranek

Michelle Reins

Dan Bolling

Cindy Wilke

As per Rule 10 and as per Nebraska Statute 79-724 the Ravenna Board of Education is suppose to appoint an Americanism Committee to uphold the responsibilities for the committee that are outlined in state statute.  Three board members will need to volunteer or be appointed to serve in this capacity.

After the addition of a daily, out of town special education route, the school needs to secure an additional van to add to its fleet to ensure it has enough vans to transport students and staff.

An invitation to bidders was published in the Kearney Hub.

Bid specs were formulated and provided to prospective bidders.

The superintendent called dealerships in Hazard, Arnold, Kearney, & GI, to encourage bids by the due date of September 29th, allowing at least two weeks for bids to be generated and submitted for consideration.

Bid Tabulation by bidders was as follows:

Midway: $22,500

Forrester's Dodge City: $23,180 (add $423 back rear heat)

Platte Valley Auto: $23,340

Gregg Young Dodge: $24,507

Each year, the REA makes a request for recognition as the official and sole bargaining agent for the purposes of negotiating the "Negotiated Agreement" with the Ravenna Board of Education.

Students and parents will be in to discuss the possibility of adding bowling as a school sponsored activity at Ravenna Public Schools.

Correspondences between the superintendent, Mr. Russ Crowell, and the Ravenna Superintendent are attached to this agenda item, as well as the last NSAA proposal regarding bowling, which was voted on by the delegate assembly in 2009.

-"0 Hour" payment for instructors who teach "0 Hour" (weights, band, etc.)

-Instruction payment for loss of plan time, if staff member is assigned to teach an additional period and agrees to forfeit planning time

-Dock days language for negotiated agreement

-Policy 4019-Membership of the "Workplace Injury Prevention & Safety Committee" as provided by Board Policy #4019-Current membership on the committee includes: Karalee Fiddelke, Todd VanWinkle, Dan Cyboron, Angie Drahota, Paul Anderson, Brad Kjar, Ken Schroeder, Wayne Bock, Erin Jarvi, Terry Hervert, Ravenna PD, Peg Detlefs

-Array schools mutually selected by REA and by Board of Education

Proposed Array Schools by BOE:

Centura

Wood River

St. Paul

Shelton

Amherst

Gibbon

Pleasanton

Loup City

-Comparability study timeline

-EHA Insurance Rates Release Date-Last year they were released on October 26

The superintendent is requesting feedback from the board regarding a couple of projects for the upcoming summer.  Specifically, the 2nd phase of the HVAC Project, the fire alarm/intercom/bell system, & elementary playground equipment.  These projects will be large in nature and require adequate time to secure required professional services, advertise for bids, evaluate bids, & line up contractor for the work.  The superintendent would like some clear direction on which of the capital improvement projects the board would like to pursue for sure, so that he can begin to get things in order for the summer of 2018.

Current Members of the Ravenna School Board Foundation Include:

Marilyn Bohn-Board Member (2013)

Misti Fiddelke-Board Member (2011)

Tara Schirmer-Board Member (2009/2015)

Brenda Schroeder-Community Member (2015)

Brenda Beranek-Community Member (2016)

Karrie Hurtya-Community Member (2015)

Paige Havranek-Teacher (2013)

Cindy Wilke-Teacher (2011)

Alison Yendra-Teacher (2016)

Ken Schroeder-Superintendent

The"By-Laws of Ravenna Public School Foundation" (see attached) call for the Ravenna Board of Education to appoint the board members.  The purpose of this agenda item is to review the current board appointments, begin to track the length of the board members' appointments on an annual basis, and to establish a plan to revisit these appointments for review by the board on an annual basis. 

Two of the teachers who have been on for more than three years asked to be replaced in February.  The term replacements are to be staggered so that we are not losing more than 3 board of director members in any one year.  

Board Members may serve no more than four consecutive terms:

Board members=2 year term x 4 terms max=8 years

Other appointed members=3 year term x 4 terms max=12 years

With two teachers wishing to be replaced, that means we need to have a discussion about who is willing to stay on and who is not in advance of our February Meeting.

Fall Parent-Teacher Attendance was steady as we had 90% participation.

Mrs. Dunning conducted a "Coin Challenge" with the elementary classes during the book fair.  Students were asked to bring in change on September 27.  The class with the most change won a book for their classroom.  The money raised was sent to Andee (Jackson) and Nunie Casarez of Houston TX as their home suffered significant damage during the recent Hurricane.  A total of $584.37 was raised.

I want to thank Mr. Ahrens, the FFA students, and all the volunteers for Farm Safety Day.  The kids had a good time and learned a lot too.  The RVFD and EMT's did an excellent job.  Many of the students listed it as one of their favorite sessions.

The 2017 Elementary Multicultural Report is attached for your review.  If you have any questions please let me know.

1.  State Education Conference-November 15th-17th in Omaha. 

2.  Conference Activity Passes-I believe I have Bohn's and Osten's passes.

3. Cancellations/postponements due to inclement weather.

   -Make the decision the night before by 10:00 PM if possible.

  -Late start called the night before if not capable of calling by 10:00 PM.

  -Make the decision by 6:00 AM the following morning and send to parents and media.

  -No school, no activities, no practices, when school is closed due to inclement weather.  (Burwell Wrestling Invitational & Basketball Game Down South)

  -Generating individualized calling lists for each bus route (running late, mechanical issues, poor road conditions).

  -Designated pick up points for routes with typically poor roads such as country roads (ie.  Poole Road)

   -Town kids vs. country kids and running bus services outside of town during inclement weather-What are the board's thoughts?

4.  Window Warranty Work-Pulling gaskets on the exterior of the windows that were not cut to correct length when they were originally installed.  This showed up after hot weather and the gaskets shrinking.  This was discovered when the superintendent was doing a "summer walk around".  The company was contacted this summer and have the work scheduled for this fall.  This will be warranty work and at no cost to the school district.

5.  Track Warranty Work-There is track warranty work to be done on the track.  There appear to be two seams that are splitting and one of the lanes appears to be coming up.  The company was contacted this summer and the crew plans to be out this fall to make the repairs.  This will be warranty work and at no cost to the school district.

6.  Roof Repair-There was a significant amount of water coming in on the stage.  It was repaired as warranty work at not cost to the district.  The roof is a Firestone roof.

7.  Staff Update-Kristi Hagge is going to be on medical leave for the next 4 months.  Jeff Dailey of Ravenna has been offered a position as a full-time temporary to fill in, in her absence.  Pending paperwork being completed in a timely manner, we anticipate his start date to be on or around Monday, October 16.  Jeff's photo is attached to this agenda item.

8.  Policy Review Complete-Whoohoo!  Thanks to the board for going through these policies to ensure we have up to date, solid policies.

A special thanks to the Ravenna Fire Department & EMT's for their great presentation at Farm Safety Day.  The students really enjoyed it.  -Paul Anderson, Elementary Principal

Thanks to Heath Ahrens for orchestrating and to all of the wonderful guest presenters for presenting at the annual Farm Safety Day for our students.  It is always an enjoyable and educational day for our students.  -Ravenna Board of Education

The band did a great job at UNK Band Day and the Harvest of Harmony.  Keep up the great work!  -Dawn Standage

Thanks to John Vacek for coming to the October board meeting and telling us about the great work he is doing as a Student Representative on the NSAA Student Advisory Council.  -Marilyn Bohn

Congratulations to the girl's golf team on their performance at the conference golf meet.  -Ryan Osten