March 8, 2021 at 8:00 PM - Board of Education Regular Meeting
Agenda | |
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1. Call to Order and Roll Call - Open Meeting Law
Agenda Item Type:
Procedural Item
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2. Excuse Absent Board Members
Agenda Item Type:
Action Item
Recommended Motion(s):
Motion to excuse absent board member, Misti Fiddelke Passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
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3. The Pledge of Allegiance
Agenda Item Type:
Action Item
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4. Recitation of School Mission Statement: Preparing Students Today to Succeed Tomorrow: Family-Community-School
Agenda Item Type:
Action Item
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5. Recitation of Board Mission Statement: Providing collaborative leadership to prepare students today to succeed tomorrow.
Agenda Item Type:
Action Item
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6. Approval of Agenda
Agenda Item Type:
Action Item
Recommended Motion(s):
Motion to approve the agenda Passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
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7. Financial Report
Agenda Item Type:
Information Item
Rationale:
1. Review monthly bills using the EMeetings Software.
Recommended Motion(s):
Motion to approve the financial report Passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
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8. Consent Agenda
Agenda Item Type:
Consent Agenda
Recommended Motion(s):
Motion to approve the consent agenda Passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
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8.1. Discuss, consider, and take all necessary action to minutes
Agenda Item Type:
Action Item
Attachments:
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8.2. Discuss, consider, and take all necessary action to bills
Agenda Item Type:
Action Item
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8.3. Notice of Meeting Publication: The notice for this board meeting was published in the March 3rd edition of the Ravenna News
Agenda Item Type:
Consent Item
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8.4. Discuss, consider, and take all necessary action to Board Member Appointments to the Ravenna Public Schools Foundation
Agenda Item Type:
Consent Item
Rationale:
The Ravenna Board of Education is suppose to appoint members to the Board of Directors for the Ravenna Public School's Foundation at its February Board Meeting. Each year, we review this information together, so that the board is in a good position in February to make any needed appointments. Misti Fiddelke-Board Member (2011/2013/2015/2017/2019)-The bylaws state that no more than 4 consecutive terms can be served by a director. She is currently in her 4th consecutive term. So, she'll need to be replaced by a Ravenna School Board Member in February of 2021. Misti will continue to be a member, as she is the president of the board of education. Tara Schirmer-Board Member (2009/2015/2017/2019)-The bylaws state that no more than 4 consecutive terms can be served by a director. Tara is currently in her 3rd consecutive term. Tara is eligible to serve on the board through 2023. So, she'll need to be replaced by a Ravenna School Board Member in February of 2023 or in February of 2021, if she chooses not to continue to volunteer to be on the Foundation Board after her completion of her current term in February of 2021. Marilyn Bohn will replace Tara Schirmer. Nikki Bock-Community Member (2018)-Nikki would either need to be reappointed or replaced in February of 2021. Cindi Coulter will replace Nikki Bock. Heidi Kjar-Teacher (2018)-Heidi would either need to be reappointed or replaced in February of 2021. Heidi said she would step down, if another teacher was interested. Kinsley Musil and Tanner Ellis both volunteered to be considered for appointment to the board. Sonya Rasmussen-Teacher (2018)-Sonya would either need to be reappointed or replaced in February of 2021. Sonya said she would step down, if another teacher was interested. Kinsley Musil and Tanner Ellis both volunteered to be considered for appointment to the board Tiffani Drabek-Teacher (2019)-Tiffani would either need to be reappointed or replaced in February of 2022. Superintendent (Lifetime Ex-Officio Non-Voting Member) 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, 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. 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
Recommended Motion(s):
Motion to appoint Cindi Coulter as a community representative on the Ravenna Public School Foundation Board Passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
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8.5. Discuss, consider, and take all action necessary to the resignation of staff
Agenda Item Type:
Consent Item
Recommended Motion(s):
Motion to accept the resignation of Heath Ahrens Passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
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8.6. Discuss, consider, and take all action necessary to hiring of agricultural sciences teacher for the 2020-21 contract term
Agenda Item Type:
Consent Item
Recommended Motion(s):
Motion to hire Cody Chilewski as the agricultural sciences teacher for the 2020-21 contract term Passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
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8.7. Discuss, consider, and take all action necessary to declaring used golf bags as surplus from immediate sale or disposal
Agenda Item Type:
Consent Item
Rationale:
The golf coaches (boys & girls) have requested that the following golf bags be removed from their inventory:
4-Callaway Golf Bags 4-Ogio Golf Bags |
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8.8. Discuss, consider, and take all action necessary to declaring basketball uniforms as surplus for immediate sale or disposal
Agenda Item Type:
Consent Item
Rationale:
The boys basketball team has 6 sets (blue/white+shorts) of similar jerseys to the #30 "jays" attached to this agenda item and 4 sets (blue/white+shorts) of similar jerseys to the #31 "Bluejays" attached to this agenda item. As the boys basketball team is up for their turn in the uniform replacement schedule, Coach Habe is asking that they be declared as surplus for sale or disposal.
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9. Request to Address the Board and Correspondence
Agenda Item Type:
Procedural Item
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. Read to Speaker(s): "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. 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?
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10. Blue Jay Celebration of Success-School Wellness Committee
Agenda Item Type:
Information Item
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11. Board Report & Year One Goals Meeting Pulse
Agenda Item Type:
Action Item
Rationale:
Meeting Pulse Rules
1. The owner of the goal simply indicates if their goal is "On Track" or "Off Track." 2. The owner of goal can provide ONE sentence explaining the status of the goal, if they wish. 3. If a goal is "Off Track" it will be placed on the board agenda as a discussion items for the next month. 4. The expectation is that if a goal is "Off Track" the owner will work to get it "On Track" by the following month.
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12. Information and Action Items
Agenda Item Type:
Procedural Item
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12.1. Discuss, consider, and take all action necessary to FFCRA Leave for school staff employees
Agenda Item Type:
Action Item
Rationale:
The new relief package released by the federal government did NOT call for the extension of FFCRA leave. Some districts are offering this leave to their staff during the second semester. The option is being presented to the board for consideration.
The superintendent contacted the school district's attorney to see what options where available for the school board. The school district's attorney said that extension of leave to the teaching staff could basically take any form they choose or be none at all. However, unless the board chooses to simply make a motion to extend the FFCRA leave, any other form of FFCRA leave will require the re-opening of negotiations with teachers or at least a letter to the membership of the REA explaining the board's intentions and a reply from the REA leadership that the REA takes no issue with how the board is choosing to proceed. Classified staff benefits can simply be adjusted at the discretion of the board, through a simple board motion. Options for FFCRA Leave: 1. Do not extend the leave. Require employees to use their sick leave. 2. Extend the original level of leave provided for employees and for employees to care for themselves and for their immediate family members who are infected with the virus. This would simply be an extension of the FFCRA Leave originally provided by the law. A termination date, such as March 31st, could be applied. The termination date of leave eligibility could also be offered through the end of the second semester. 3. Extend the sick leave only to employees, but not for employees' to care for their immediate family, by providing up to 10 days of paid leave. 4. Make leave eligible to staff who have a doctor's note verifying staff are unable to perform the essential functions of their position, due to the virus, and offer them the leave. 5. Any other option or configuration the board feels comfortable with.
Recommended Motion(s):
Motion to Passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
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12.2. Discuss, consider, and take all action necessary to compensation for classified staff during 2021-22 school year
Agenda Item Type:
Action Item
Rationale:
Teachers were provided with a total compensation increase of 3.25% or $108,808. The board needs to consider what compensation increase they would like to provide for the classified staff for the upcoming school year. The current total cost by department and projections based on potential increases is attached to this agenda item.
The district's budget authority last year was $5,714,068. The district's budget authority for next year will be $5,856,920. This allows for an increase of $142,852 in spending. $108,808 has already been allocated to increased compensation for teaching staff, leaving $34,044 to allocate to classified and administrative compensation increases. Please keep in mind there are other cost increases in the budget from year to year for goods and services, but approximately 85% of the budget is allocated to staff compensation.
Recommended Motion(s):
Motion to increase classified staff compensation for the 2021-22 school year as follows: Paras-1%; Kitchen-1%; Custodial-2%; Bus Drivers-0%; and to provide head of maintenance Dan Cyboron with a 3% increase. Passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
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12.3. Discuss, consider, and take all action necessary to 20-ton condenser and coil replacement project
Agenda Item Type:
Action Item
Rationale:
Bids for the 20-ton condenser and coil replacement were duly advertised and a pre-bid meeting was held on February 16th. The bid tabulation appears below:
Jerry's Sheet Metal: $43,800 The recommendation from ETI's Marty Kasl regarding the bid recommendation is attached to this agenda item.
Recommended Motion(s):
Motion to award 20-ton condenser and coil replacement bid to Jerry's Sheet Metal in the amount of $43,800 Passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
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12.4. Discuss, consider, and take all action necessary regarding administrative staffing for 2021-22 school year
Agenda Item Type:
Action Item
Recommended Motion(s):
Motion to increase total compensation for the superintendent by 3.5% for the 2021-22 contract term and approve the superintendent's contract as presented Passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
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13. Discussion Items
Agenda Item Type:
Information Item
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13.1. Discuss, consider, and take all action necessary to the 9-12 grade student computer refresh purchase from the Depreciation Fund
Agenda Item Type:
Action Item
Rationale:
We have been saving and planning for a $150,000, 9-12 computer refresh. The money is currently sitting in the Depreciation Fund. With the allocation of $184,037 becoming available in April through the second round of the Care Act Fund, the superintendent would recommend using the money to pay for the computer refresh, as he believes this will be an allowable purchase through the grant. We might also consider using the remaining money to pay for a dishwasher through the grant, IF they will allow it. If they will not allow it to be purchased through the grant, this would be a good year to dip into the Depreciation Fund and replace it, or schedule it for early in the budget cycle next year.
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
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13.2. Discuss, consider, and take all action necessary to the work agreement for the school district technology coordinator
Agenda Item Type:
Action Item
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
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13.3. Discuss, consider, and take all action necessary to the HVAC controls replacement for the junior and senior high school building
Agenda Item Type:
Action Item
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13.4. Discuss, consider, and take all action necessary to the "Ravenna Public Schools Return to School Plan 2020-21"
Agenda Item Type:
Action Item
Rationale:
This is a monthly item placed on the agenda during the pandemic so that the Ravenna Board of Education and the Ravenna Public Schools Administrative Team can reflect on the plan and adjust it as needed to meet the needs of students and staff during the pandemic.
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13.5. Policy Review-3000 Series
Agenda Item Type:
Action Item
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13.6. Policy Review-4000 Series
Agenda Item Type:
Action Item
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14. Elementary Principal's Report
Agenda Item Type:
Information Item
Rationale:
Winter MAP Testing Summary Report w/ Mr. Kjar
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15. Secondary Principal's Report
Winter MAP Testing Summary Report w/ Mr. Anderson
Agenda Item Type:
Information Item
Rationale:
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16. Superintendent's Report
Agenda Item Type:
Information Item
Rationale:
1. Football Goal Posts-No issues in proceeding with install, as per the email I sent you, correct?
2. Pasture Management & Bids Process-Sample Lease Attached to be reviewed by the "Pasture Committee" for input. We can schedule a time to go through it prior to the April Board Meeting and refine it between the March and April Meeting. 3. Legislative Update (Updates Attached)-You can view priority bills at the following link: https://nebraskalegislature.gov/session/priority.php
4. ESU 10 Services Utilized Report (Attached)
5. ESU Stem Trailers-Mr. Neilsen took advantage of use of the ESU STEM Trailer. This trailer came with wonderful modules for the students to experience, including Welding (picture attached), smart home, CNC, Robotics, etc.. Mr. Neilsen reported that the students really enjoyed using the equipment and a young lady got the highest welding score out of all of the students. 6. Federal Minimum Wage-After much discussion over the proposed federal minimum wage increase, the Senate Parliamentarian ruled that the Senate Rules did not allow for the minimum wage increase in the latest COVID-relief bill. The minimum wage hike has, thus, hit a roadblock and will likely require different legislation in the future. For now, schools do not need to worry about increasing staff pay to conform with the increased federal minimum wage. 7. Transgender Stance Change-Last week, the Biden Administrator's OCR withdrew an opinion letter issued by the Trump Administration generally regarding the rights of transgender students to compete in activities. Specifically, the focus of the opinion letter was whether a male-to-female student should be permitted to participate in girls' sports. The Biden Administration has now reversed the Trump Administration, which reversed the Obama Administration. As a reminder, the OCR's views are not necessarily definitive or conclusive -- the courts are the final arbiters of the law. In all likelihood, it will take the U.S. Supreme Court to definitively resolve this issue. 8. Corrected District Spending Data from NASB (Attached)- A message from Jon Spatz at NASB: Following this year’s Legislative Issues Conference, NASB provided you with a district data spending sheet compared to similar state data to help share your story as we face pending caps and lids in this year’s Legislative session. When determining the average growth rate for the state budget, the state fiscal office uses a formula called the "Compound Annual Growth Rate" or CAGR. To make an apples-to-apples comparison with the local district spending growth we also used the same formula the state used. However, in the original information you received, we noticed a flaw in the formula on the district level that essentially cut off the first year listed in your chart for averaging purposes, basically beginning the calculation from 2012-13 instead of 2011-12. For most districts the modification resulted in a very small percentage change, but we wanted to make sure you had the most accurate numbers as you continue to speak with your communities and legislators. Attached are your updated numbers with the corrected formula.
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17. Positive Comments
Agenda Item Type:
Information Item
Discussion:
Congratulations to all the wrestlers on a very successful season and to those wrestlers who qualified for state level competition. -Tara Schirmer
Thanks to the activity sponsors, the activity director, Mr. Tony Schirmer, the administators, the custodians, the district technology coordinator, Mr. Huryta, and the activity participants on a very successful winter activities season. -Tara Schirmer Congratulations to the FFA Members for their recent success at contest. And good luck to Mr. Aherns at Pleasanton Public Schools. He will be greatly missed by the Ravenna FFA Chapter. -Ryan Osten |
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18. Adjournment
Agenda Item Type:
Action Item
Recommended Motion(s):
Motion to adjourn at ??? PM Passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
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