December 9, 2024 at 7:00 PM - Board of Education Regular 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

5.  Lunch Fund Review-Monthly Lunch Fund Balance Worksheet Attached

6.  Payroll Ledger Review

7.  Insurance Billing Review

8.  ACH Payroll Review

9.  School Nutrition Equipment Grant

10.  NRD Tree Removal and Reforestation Grant





 

Rationale:  The school district is looking at cleaning up the school's shelter belt.  The superintendent has secured a grant to assist with this project through the LLNRD.  Attached is the "request for funds" letter that was sent to the NRD, based on the attached "LLNRD Community Forestry Grant Application."  Also attached is the email from Aron Lewis of the Nebraska Forest Service indicating approval of the request for funds and next steps. The request of $10,000, with the line item of $8,000 for tree removal was approved by the NRD. 

The superintendent contacted a number of tree removal services, based on the recommendation of Mr. Lewis to get bids for the removal of the trees.  The bid tabulation for those contractors who submitted a bid appear below:

Scott Reynolds - $15,500
Scott Lammers - $15,000
Mark Lucht - $9,800
Prairie Cedar Solutions - $9,800
William Svoboda - $8,500




 

Rationale:  The school was awarded a portion of the funds they applied for the purchase a blast chiller.  The bid tabulation from bidders was as follows:

Restaurant Supply: $16,945
Buller: $17,500
Midwest #1: $17,550
Churchid: $18,453
Midwest #2: $23,900
MAC's: $24,998

The low bidder was contacted to ensure the bid was still good, as it expired in early November.  The current quote is good through 12/31/24.

After the grant is applied to the purchase price of $16,945, the remaining balance the school would be liable for the purchase is $9,425.90

Rationale:  The school is looking to add a van to its fleet.  Attached is a copy of the bid specifications that were developed after consulting with Mr. Maulsby and Mr. VanWinkle.  10 auto dealerships were contacted regarding the bid specifications and encouraged to bid.  Two bids were submitted.  The bid tabulation is as follows:

Bid Tabulation:
PFVT - $71,466.60
Chalmers Ford : $77,381.10

The superintendent would recommend rejecting the bids and then allowing him to work with the local auto dealer to buy a van "at the auction."  
 

Rationale:  The board has been studying a potential bond issue to improve the facilities.  The board would be required to adopt the attached resolution to call for a special election for a bond for the project.

Rationale:  The board of education and the REA (Ravenna Education Association) negotiate the terms and conditions of the teaching staff's contract terms for the upcoming contract year annually.

 

Rationale:  The superintendent is to be evaluated each contract year.  This agenda item is to provide the board of education notice of this need to evaluate the superintendent at the regular December Board Meeting.

Also, as per the language of the superintendent's contract below.  The superintendent is to remind the board of the terms of his contract renewal in writing at the November Board Meeting.  That informational reminder appears below:

Section 2. Renewal of Contract.  If a Board representative does not inform the Superintendent in writing on or before the seventh day after the regular December 2024 board meeting (and each December thereafter) of the Board’s intention to consider the non-renewal or amendment of this contract, the contract will automatically renew for a period of one year from and after the expiration date provided in Section 1 of this contract.  The Superintendent shall remind the Board in writing of this provision no later than its regular November meeting of each applicable year in which this contract may renew, starting in November 2024, and shall make the renewal of the Superintendent’s employment contract an agenda item for the regular December board meeting during each applicable contract year.  At the time of each contract renewal and/or amendment, the Superintendent shall be responsible for taking all necessary steps to insure that the School District has complied with the Superintendent Pay Transparency Act.
 

Rationale:  As per statute, the board is to be presented annually with a Financial Literacy Status Report.  Mr. Ellis will be in to share information with the board of education regarding the financial literacy status of RPS Students.

Rationale:  The current committee assignments are attached.  The final board committee assignments for the 2025 year will be assigned and approved at the January Board Meeting.

Rationale:  A "mid-year" policy update was issued by KSB Law Firm.  There are three policies for the policy committee and the board to be aware of.  The attached memo details these three policies.

The reline and draft version of the policies are attached for review by the board of education.

Rationale:  Annual Garage Sale Success
The 5th and 6th grades hosted their annual Garage Sale on November 27, successfully raising $906.00. These funds were donated to a Ravenna family in need, showcasing the community spirit of our students.

Christmas Program Recognition
A special shoutout to Mrs. Zinnell, Mrs. Ellis, and Mrs. Mingus for their outstanding efforts in organizing the Christmas Program, which continues to be the biggest show in town.

Upcoming Assessments
Students in grades 3-6 will participate in Winter MAP assessments this week.

Thanksgiving Appreciation
A huge thank you to the Jr. Jays PTO for providing Thanksgiving desserts again this year. The students look forward to this tradition every year!
 

Rationale: 

Principal Report December Board Meeting

 

Academic

• Juniors took the ASVAB test on November 26th.

• Winter MAP testing took place on December 2nd, 3rd, and 4th. 

Student Behavior/Mental Health

• 7th Graders completed SOS training on Tuesday, November 19th. 

Activities

• The One Act team was Conference and District champions.

  • They will compete in Norfolk for the 12th year in a row on Thursday to try and repeat as state champions.

• A group of Junior High students went to STEMfest in Kearney at the ESU on November 12th. 

• Secondary Christmas program will be on Tuesday at 6:30 in the theater.

• Junior High 2nd quarter sports will finish up this week. 

Rationale:  1. Mapping Grant - The superintendent is pursuing a mapping grant with NDE.  This would create a digital map of our property for use by law enforcement and emergency responders.  The estimated cost of such a service is $5,000, which would be funded through the grant. 

2.  Request for Zoning & Plat - Riverview Estates Subdivision (Attached)

3.  Distribute 2024 Audit to Board Members 

4.  Annual Report to Stakeholders for 2023-24 (Attached)

5. Building Project Task Timeline (Attached):

• "Say Yes" Group - Who could that be?  This is the big push to get this group together initially BEFORE Christmas, so the marketing department can start design work and develop marketing campaign.
• Brief Information Video About Moving Forward with the Initiative
• Press Release in Ravenna News About Moving Forward with the Initiative
• Ravenna Bond Marketing Website (Draft) available at: https://ravennabluejays.campaigninformation.org/ (top secret password)
• Teacher Testimonial Videos
• Small Information Group Meetings
  • Senior Center
  • Lion's Club
  • REDC
  • Chamber of Commerce
  • Which Other Groups?
• Possible Dates for the Public Information Meetings (these should occur in the 1st part and the last part of February) - February School Calendar is Attached to this agenda item:
  • February 5th - Parent Teachers Conferences ends at 8:00 PM - We could have a 7:30 or 8:00 meeting.
  • February 6th - There is no school, but the chances we will have a girls or boys team playing in our conference tournament is high.  This could be a 7:00 meeting.  
  • February 10th - We have a board meeting that night.  We could "double dip" and come in one night and have a longer meeting, instead of coming in multiple times.  We could have an abbreviated February board meeting and then shift to the public information meeting.  For clarity, there would be two totally separate meetings, and we would have a hard stop time for our regular board meeting.  I think we could get the board meeting done in an hour and be ready for the public bond information meeting by 8:00.
  • February 12th - Pretty open.  We could go with a 7:00 start time.
  • February 19th - Pretty open.  We could go with a 7:00 start time.
  • February 20th - First night of the state wrestling tournament.  We are likely to have kids wrestling.  Girls subdistrict play is questionable.  We could have a 7:00 start time for this meeting.

 

Rationale:  New Board Members 

• Mentors Assigned: Misti - Micah Miigerl; Ryan - Kelly Bock
• New Board Member Training Offered Through NASB
• Orientation with Superintendent & Mentors - January 8th @ 7:00 PM

Exiting Board Members

• Reminder - Exiting Board Members are still on the board through January 8th.  New Board Members' terms start January 9th.
• Keys
• Computers
• Anything Else to Turn In
• Service Awards