October 8, 2018 at 7:30 PM - Board of Education Regular Meeting

Rationale: 

Agenda for Negotiations Between REA & Board of Education:

1.  Review the timeline for negotiations process

2.  Review and discuss ground rules for negotiations process

3.  Review proposed list of schools to be used for array comparability calculation.  The Board's proposed list of schools to be used to negotiate are: 

• Amherst
• Shelton
• Loup City
• Pleasanton
• Centura
• Gibbon
• Wood River
• St. Paul 

4.  Provide Board of Education & REA a copy of the  "2018-19 Negotiated Agreement" for review

5.  Discuss items that need to be researched by the Board of Education or by the REA for consideration at future negotiations meetings:

• Number of Extra Duty Positions for Select Activities-Mr. Reicks is currently collecting the information.
• Negotiated Agreement Language Regarding: Bereavement Leave, Bereavement Leave for Non-Family Members, & Emergency Leave.  (See current leave language attached as "Leave Language-Negotiated Agreement")
• Negotiated Agreement Language Regarding "Grievance Procedure"-Proposed Board Policy #4013 (Attached)

6.  Comparability Study-The superintendent has been working with the comparability study software to update staff information in the system.  He has verified the information with every staff member, to ensure it is correct.  At this point, he is waiting on the insurance rates for 2019-20 to be released and inserted into the software, so that he can conduct the comparability study for negotiations purposes.  These rates are set to be released at the "end of October".  Once the rates are released, the study will be performed and the information shared with the REA Negotiators and the Ravenna Board of Education.

7.  Other items wishing to be discussed by the BOE or the REA

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.  Lunch Fund Financial Review 

6.  Audit Update-The auditors said their visit was positive.  They indicated they would not offer any formal "findings" as a result of the audit.  They wanted to remind the board members that we are very fortunate to have such competent staff perform our attendance, HR, payroll, and accounting functions (Lacey, Shari, Hilary, & Pat).  In short, they told us to, "...keep doing what we are doing..." and that things looked good.  Drafts of the audit will be shared with all board members once they become available.
 

Rationale: 

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?"

 

 

 

Rationale: 

Congratulations to Angie Drahota, who were the September ABC Bluejay Staff Members of the Month!
 

Congratulation to Wayne Bock, who is the October ABC Bluejay Staff Member of the Month!  (See Attached Ad)

 

Nominees this month include:  No nominees this month, as there was a tie between Mrs. Drahota and Mr. Bock for the honor for the month of September.  So, Mrs. Drahota won the honor in September and Mr. Bock is being honored during the month of October.
 

Rationale:  In order to secure the purchase of depreciable items in a timely manner and secure the best pricing, the superintendent would like to have a conversation about items to be secured during the 20181-19 school year.  Possible items, with budget pricing, include:

1.  High Jump Pit & Standards-$7,190
2.  School Bus-$64,450-$42,200 (after $42,000 NDEQ Rebate)
3.  Teacher Computer Refresh-$35,000
4.  Gator-$15,000 or Used Pick Up for Maintenance Staff
5.  Student Computer Refresh (Earmark for Summer 2020)-$60,000

Total Expenditures: $121,640 to $99,390
Total Earmark for Student Computer Refresh: $60,000

Total requirements for expenditures and earmark: $181,640 to $159,390 

Rationale:  In order to secure the service of contractors in a timely manner and secure the best pricing, the superintendent would like to have a conversation about special building projects to be completed during the 2018-19 school year.  Possible items, with budget pricing, include:

1.  3rd Phase Elementary HVAC Replacement-$75,305

2.  AC Unit High School (East Condenser & Coil Replacement)-$43,582;  Other units budget price replacement are $68,757 & $99,976

3.  Roof Replacement Above Kitchen, Pre-school, Chair Storage (4600 sq. ft.)-$30,452

4.  Elementary Gym Water Heater Replacement-$10,000

5.  Concrete in Front of High School Entrance (Parking Lot to Sidewalk Transition for ADA Compliance)-$1,000

6.  Asphalt Between North Buildings & Elementary Gym & Asphalt Between West End of Elementary Gym & East Side of Elementary-$5,000

7.  Track Repair on East Outside Lane (Warranty Work) & In Front of Finish (Not Warranty Work)-$10,000

8.  Track Repair on Field Event Pads & Runways (Possible NDEQ Grant)-Waiting on Final Budget Pricing and may wish to secure pricing from a different company

Total Estimated Expenditures (Assuming all projects are done and the $43,582 condenser and coil is replaced and not including the track repair on field event pads and runways): $165,332

 

Rationale:  I want to take this time to thank Mr. Ahrens and his FFA students for another successful Farm Safety Day last Friday, October 5.  The students were given the opportunity to listen to several different speakers.

I would also like to thank the cheerleaders, band, and football players for making our elementary Homecoming pep rally so much fun this year.  The students look forward to it each year and we always have a blast.

Wednesday, October 17 marks the end of the first quarter of school.

Parent-Teacher conference attendance this fall was steady at 90%.

 

Rationale: 

1.  2 Signature Required Accounts-Please see email regarding auditor's advice on how to proceed with 2 Signature Required Accounts.  (pdf of email attached)

2.  Window Update-The superintendent continues to work with the school district's attorney and The Wilson Group to make any needed repairs to the windows.  The superintendent will continue to provide periodic updates on this issue.

3.  Bowling-A new and improved version of a proposal to make bowling an NSAA sponsored activity is circulating and will likely be introduced at the fall district meetings across the state.  The administration will keep you posted on the status of this proposal as it moves through the NSAA Legislative Process.

4.  Area Levy Rates-Interesting information compiled by Northwest Public Schools.
 

 

Rationale: