December 11, 2017 at 7:00 PM - Board of Education Regular Meeting

Mrs. Paige Havranek and the newspaper will be at the meeting at 8:00 to take a photo of the whole board.

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 Monthly Review-Financial Data & Program Feedback

6.  Rebates on Elementary HVAC Equipment-The contractor has still not sent the $400 in conjunction with the HVAC Project from last summer.  ETI was contacted to reach back out to the contractor.  

7.  SPED Van Purchase-Based on feedback from Finance Committee Members, bid specs for a lower mileage van than originally proposed will be put out to dealers.  Also, the question was raised about whether or not a "sped van" could be used for a "dual purpose" and also be used to transport regular education students.  Jean Anderson at ESU 10 indicated the rules on this have changed a bit and this is a possibility.

8.  Adding staff (PE & Music) for the 2018-19-Financial Information, a Staffing Survey of like-sized schools, and salary information regarding adding staff will be shared with the Finance Committee before it is presented to the whole board during the regular board meeting.

The proofer/heat cabinet in the kitchen no longer works and is not worth repairing.  Bids were solicited by the superintendent for replacement on this item.  The superintendent would recommend replacing the equipment, by accepting the bid in the amount of $1895 from Cashway.

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?"

Mr. Ahrens and some of his FFA Chapter Members will be in to do a demo and provide an FFA update.

Congratulations to Mr. Ken Schroeder, who was November's ABC Bluejay Staff Member of the Month!

Congratulations to Mrs. Krissy Reisbeck, who is December's ABC Bluejay Staff Member of the Month!

Nominees this month include:

Krissy Reisbeck-Krissy was such a great addition to the Ravenna family. Krissy has built such an awesome relationship with the students she works with and that developed those bonds only in a very short time. I love seeing Krissy interact with students throughout the day. Krissy is also so positive, and she always has a smile on her face.

Jean Luth-Jean is a hardworking, dedicated paraprofessional. She interacts with the students in and out of the classroom in a positive and helpful manner. Her desire to see students succeed results in extra hours spent at school, but she never complains. Jean has a vast knowledge in many subject areas and is able and willing to help all students. She is greatly appreciated by the teachers she works with and is a tremendous asset to the special education program. (2) Jean is an absolute fantastic para to have in the classroom! She always works ahead on assignments in order to help the students as best as she can. She is very patient with her group of students, and all students in general. She truly cares about the students she helps and is always checking on their grades and what they received on assignments. She is just an all around great para and person and I love having her in my classroom!

Angie Drahota-Angie is a kind, caring staff member who continually goes out of her way to help others. She's never to busy to lend an ear to listen, make time to help others, and provides students or staff with sound advice. Ravenna Public Schools is lucky to have such a kind and capable Guidance Counselor!

Hilary Bolling-Hilary continually works behind the scenes to keep the school district's finances in order. She's organized, thorough, and always willing to help ensure staff are getting things they need to help effectively educate students. She's kind, caring, and responsible. She's a great lady, who does a darn great job! (2) Hilary Bolling. She does a great job of keeping on top of the school finances and maintains professionalism even when we inevitably mess up on our own paperwork.

Dom Reicks-Mr. Reicks does a great job as the school's activities director. He keeps the staff informed, organized, and he keep the activities program rolling through each of its seasons. He's never too busy to lend a hand, share a smile, or that infection laugh of his. Students like and respect Mr. Reicks because they know they are going to learn something from him and because he has clearly defined boundaries and expectations.

Barbara Ellis-Barbara Ellis. Mrs. Ellis has taken on the huge task of directing a band and choir as a young director taking over for a veteran one with a program that was already established and helping both groups continue to excel and grow even more. The band had a great marching season and has sounded excellent at our Veteran's Program and the many pep bands to date. She has also had a number of students audition and be accepted to honor bands throughout the year. The choir has also done a tremendous job, including sending a student to the All-State Convention and other various honors groups. Mrs. Ellis can be seen up at the school at all times day and night helping ensure she is providing the best opportunity possible to provide the students with an outstanding music program, including the upcoming band trip this spring as well as the many other programs they will do. She has done well at grabbing the attention of the community and stepping up to take over such an enormous program. Her tenacity and dedication to the students does not go unnoticed.

Brad Kjar-I would like to nominate Mr. Kjar for BLUEJAY staff member of the month. Mr. Kjar has consistently demonstrated a "can do" attitude, bringing solutions and positivity to many situations. He has a great rapport with our students and is often "caught" high-fiving or fist-bumping in the hallway. His ability to manage multiple things support the staff, as he never seems too busy or unavailable. He works tirelessly at getting today's work done today so he can be available for the challenges of the next day. As a staff, we are lucky to have such a hardworking, dependable, and positive leader.

Teresa Zinnel-I would like to nominate Teresa Zinnel for ABC BLUE JAY STAFF MEMBER OF THE MONTH for her support of students' academic and behavioral needs as well as her support to staff in the building. She demonstrates a passion for students that goes above and beyond typical classroom praise by holding students accountable for their actions and acknowledging their accomplishments. Through the relationships she has formed with students she demonstrates the character, pride, and respect we like to see in the students themselves. She reaches out to staff in the building offering her expertise in Special Education practices to benefit students in the general education classroom setting. As a resource to other staff she is a great "go to" person when it comes to finding new ways to connect with students in the high school setting.

Explanation for notations on the attached "2018-19 Projections" document:

Estimated Budget Authority Increase for 2018-19: $79,344

Estimated Non-certificated Staff Compensation Increase Based on Change Between 2016-17 & 2017-18: $70,000

Negotiable Items Brought Forth by BOE & REA:

-"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

-EHA Insurance Rates

As per the superintendent's contract, the superintendent is required to remind the board at its annual November meeting that they have the right to non-renew his contract by informing the superintendent of their intent to non-renew within 7 days after the regular December Board Meeting.  This renewal reminder is found in "Section 2" of the attached superintendent's contract.

Renewal of the superintendent's contract is an annual agenda item for the December Board Meeting, as per the language of the superintendent contract.

The superintendent is also required to be evaluated twice during the first year of employment and then annually thereafter.  The superintendent's evaluation is an annual agenda item for the December Board Meeting.

This agenda item serves as the written notice the superintendent is required to provide regarding his contract and performance evaluation, as per the superintendent's contract.

Board Members Bohn, Fiddelke, and Osten are up for re-election in 2018, should they choose to run for the board again.  The filing form and information on filing fees ($0) is attached to this agenda item for board members wishing to file for election.

Filing deadline for incumbents is February 15th, 2018.

5005-We do not transport option enrollment students.

5006-Foreign exchange student host families must live in the school district.  The administration usually allows 2 students per year, based on teacher feedback.

5039-Fundraising.  All fundraising is to be approved by the respective building principal.

5052-We need to review this policy at least each three years.  We have some work to do as far as our Wellness Committee.  It is not currently functioning and meeting with frequency.

The Board of Education's Policy Committee has discussed the possibility of providing drug testing for activity participants at length.  The administrative team is looking for clear direction on whether or not to pursue policy formation in this area to present to the Board's Policy Committee and eventually to the whole board for review and possible adoption for the 2018-19 school year.

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 has inidcated that she will be vacating the seat at the end of her term.

Brenda Beranek-Community Member (2016)

Karrie Hurtya-Community Member (2015)-Karrie has inidcated that she will be vacating the seat at the end of her term.

Paige Havranek-Teacher (2013)

Cindy Wilke-Teacher (2011)

Alison Yendra-Teacher (2016)

Ken Schroeder-Superintendent

Heidi Kjar & Sonya Rassmussen have volunteered to become a part of the Foundation Board as teacher representatives.

Dan Schmidt, Nikki Bock, Lenay Palser, Judy Dunning have expressed some interest as community representatives.

Marilyn Bohn has requested to resign from the board and to be replaced.  Another Board Member will need to fill this assignment.

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.

The board has been discussing the possibility of adding bowling as a school sponsored activity.  The NSAA delegate assembly will vote on whether or not to sanction the activity at its January Meeting.  If the NSAA sanctions the event, the Ravenna School Board would then have the opportunity to decide whether or not to make high school bowling a school sponsored activity.

Information in support of this was forwarded from the High School Bowling Federation and is being provided to board members for informational purposes (attached).

Annual 5th/6th Grade Garage Sale

• The students raised $600 and donated it to the public library.

MAP Testing

• We are in the process Winter MAP testing.

Playground Update

• I have established a playground committee to help with the selection of the new equipment.
• I have contacted three different vendors for bids. I have asked each vendor to provide a couple examples of what we could get with our budget.
• I would like to make a selection within the next month or so to ensure a mid- May shipping date.

1.  Window Warranty Work

2.  Track Warranty Work

3.  Staffing Consideration for Certificated Staff in 2018-19 School Year-PE/Music Teachers Survey Results (See Attached Information)

• Staff Staff Cost for first year teacher on current (2017-18) salary schedule:
  • Salary-$33,850
  • FICA-$2,590
  • Retirement-$3,343
  • BCBS Insurance (Single Coverage)-$7,640
  • Life Insurance-$95
  • Total Staff Cost=$47,518

Cons of Adding Staff

Increased program cost (materials, supplies, staff development)

Increased staff costs

Possible increased tax levy in future years

Where are we going to put them (office space)

Scheduling changes in both elementary & high school

Pros of Adding Staff

More instructional time for elementary students in PE & Music (Elementary 45 Activity Period-Alternating Day)

Increased planning time for elementary teachers (Elementary-50 minutes of additional planning time per week; 30 hours annually)

Increased "shared planning time" for elementary

Staff retention may be improved

Addition staff help provide alternative education programming

Provides additional extra duty (coaching & activities sponsors) personnel

More scheduling options for student and greater flexibility in designing the 7-12 schedule