January 13, 2020 at 7:00 PM - Board of Education Regular Meeting

Rationale: 

As per board policy, the Ravenna School Board reorganizes itself annually at the regular January Board Meeting.

Rationale: 

The Nebraska State Laws regarding conflict of interest and the corresponding forms are available to all board members at: <http://www.nadc.nebraska.gov/e/>.  Any board member with a potential conflict should fill out a conflict of interest form and file it with the superintendent.

A copy of the Conflict of Interest Policy and a copy of the Board Code of Ethics is also attached to this agenda item for review by each board member.

Rationale: 

The school district's attorney recommends that the board review its policy on complaints annually.  Policy 2006 "Complaint Procedure" is attached for review by the Ravenna Board of Education.

Rationale: 

The board needs to appoint an official representative for all of its state and federal programs.  The superintendent requests that he be named as the representative for these programs.

Rationale: 

The board is required to appoint the bus mechanic(s) that do the regular inspections of the fleet vehicles.  The mechanics currently working on the buses and completing the inspections are: Ravenna Coop, Chris Stahl, Holiday Express Bus, & Todd VanWinkle.

Rationale: 

The Ravenna Board of Education needs to decide how they will publicize their meetings and record that method in their minutes.  It is the recommendation of the administration to publicize the meetings in the manner described in Board Policy 2008, which reads, "The board shall give reasonable advance publicized notice of the time and place of each of its meetings.  Such notice shall be transmitted to all members of the board and to the public.  Notice of regular and special meetings shall be posted in three prominent places within the school district at least 48 hours before the announced beginning of the meeting. Such notice shall contain a statement that the agenda shall be readily available for public inspection at the administration office of the school during the normal business hours. In addition, the superintendent is authorized, but not required, to publish the notice of any meeting in a newspaper of general circulation within the district if, in the opinion of the superintendent, it is convenient and useful to do so."

A copy of Board Policy 2008 is attached to this agenda item.

Rationale: 

The board needs to appoint standing committee members for the upcoming school year.  The suggested appointments are attached to this agenda item for the board's review and approval.  They may adjust these committee assignments in any manner they see fit.

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 Program Monthly Review-Financial Data & Program Feedback

6.  Bids

• Track-Special Building Fund
• Bus-Depreciation Fund
• Lockers-Special Building Fund
• 60-Ton Condenser & Coil-Special Building Fund

7.  Nebraska Liquid Asset Fund Information

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 Dave Huryta, who is this month's ABC Bluejay Staff Member of the Month!

Dave's nominator wrote:

Who you going to call? Ghostbusters? Nah, we call Dave Huryta. Dave is always accessible and ready to help staff or students take care of any difficulties they have with technology. Dave always has a smile, is polite, knowledgeable, and energetic while managing the complex and demanding tasks the district computer systems throw at him.

Nominees this month include:

Kelly Jarzynka-I would like to nominate Mrs. Kelley Jarznyka. She bleeds "Bluejay Blue", is hard working, dedicated to her students, and is a valued member of our staff. The Science department, Accadeca, Robotics, and One-Act Play are all better due to Mrs. J! She is just awesome!

Julie McGuigan-I nominate Julie McGuigan.. Julie goes with the flow and works well with her co-workers. She takes good care of Jackson, but also help several other students. She is very attentive to every student she works with.

Lisa Anderson-Lisa is a vital member of the Bluejay Staff. She solidly supports the efforts of classroom teachers with a smile and a "can-do" attitude. Her knowledge of special education and assistance with special education paperwork in invaluable to the school district. Additionally, she does a great job as a coach, running the scorer's table, and operating the school's concession stand. She helps the district out in many ways and always does so with a smile and strong work ethic.

 

Rationale: 

Information Requested since the last negotiations session, regarding number of sick leave days used by staff and number of sick days paid out at a rate of $40, per unused sick leave day in excess of 50 days:

 

Rationale:  The Fair Labor Standards Act requirements have recently changed the minimum income threshold from $455 per week to $684 per week for "exempt" employees.  This change became effective on January 1, 2020.  As a result, the school district will need to adjust the salary paid to those "white collar/exempt" employees who serve in a supervisory capacity in the school district and do not currently earn the required minimum salary amount.  There is one staff member who fits into this category and is currently not receiving the required compensation.  That employee is Mrs. Lynda Endecott.  Her current annual salary is $29,056, well below the $35,568 annual salary required by the FLSA.

Information pertaining to the change is outlined in the document attached to this agenda item entitled, "FLSA Act-Wage Update Information" as provided by the school district's attorney.

Attached is a copy of her current contract and a copy of her proposed contract.  The recommendation of the superintendent is to approve the amended contract to be in compliance with the federal FLSA law.

Below is a comparative pay history that shows her actual pay by year compared to what her pay by year would have been, had she not been employed by Opaa!:

Actual Pay by Year:
$29,000 15-16
$29,890 16-17
Opaa! 17-18
Opaa! 18-19
$29,056 19-20, will be change to $32,854 due to FLSA

Projected Pay by Year With Pay Increment Increases Given to All Classified Staff:
$29,000 15-16
$29,890 16-17
$30,816 17-18
$31,602 18-19
$33,024 19-20
 

Rationale:  The Wilson Group has offered a cash settlement in the amount of $45,000 to the Ravenna Public Schools for faulty work they performed during the installation of the windows.  The board must consider this settlement and determine whether or not to accept the settlement.  The settlement agreement is attached to this email.  After attorney's fees and contractor's fees for removing several of the windows and reinstalling them, the net from the settlement will be approximately $30,000.

Budget Pricing is provided as an attachment for two repair options.  "Option 1" is full removal and reinstallation of the windows.  The estimated cost for this option will be: $74,858.  The estimated cost for "Option #2" is $25,200.   "Option #3" would be to address only the windows that are need of substantial repair, as indicated by an "air intrusion" study conducted by Paul Davis Restoration.  The cost of "Option #3" would have to be calculated after the study by Paul Davis Restoration and be done on a "time and materials" basis with a chosen window contractor.

The superintendent and head of maintenance recommend pursuing "Option #2 " for the following reasons:
1) No evidence of water intrusion or pollutants (mold, fungus, algae, etc.) in the wall area has been seen.  The walls have been inspected twice by Paul Davis Restorations using thermal imaging and "scope cameras" used to access the interior wall area, and they find no evidence of damage.

2)  Air intrusion is the issue with the windows.  This can be corrected by installing missing caulking seams, adjusting window vents, "pinning" the windows, and using wider weather stripping (windlas) seals.

3)  We had a spring and summer that was, very, very wet.  If the drainage system of the windows were going to fail due to water, they would have failed.  There is simply no evidence of this failure, according to the inspections that were performed by Paul Davis Restoration, as recently as this past fall.

4)  The end damns that may have been installed improperly can be back filled and secured by filling the area with a water proof foam sealer.  This is a cost effective way to correct the installation error that presents the greatest possibility for failure of the windows' drainage system, namely the incorrectly installed end damns.

5)  Missing thermal brakes and additional exterior caulk seams can be installed to stop the air penetration without window removal.

6)  The cost to remove and reinstall the windows isn't going to considerably improve the performance of the windows.  There is air leaking into and out of the windows, which is costing additional heating and cooling cost, but those cost can't be substantial enough to justify the expense of a full removal and reinstallation of the windows, and the cheaper repair will address much of this air transfer.

7) Option #2 provides the district with some (est. $5,000) reserves to address any needed repairs in the future, should "Option #2" prove to not remedy each and every window.

8) At 3:24 PM on January 7th, Dave Welty of Manko (the window company), said that the warranty on the window would transfer to the owner, namely Ravenna Public Schools, after The Wilson Group is released from the contract.  He also indicated that Manko is willing to provide supplies and materials for the repair job at Ravenna Public Schools.  He said, "Manko wants to do whatever it takes to make things right at Ravenna and make them happy."

The superintendent will proceed with this issue however the board directs him to do so.

Rationale:  The track runway surfaced need to be improved for event competitors.  The surfaces will be improved by the addition of a structural spray over the base mat.  Bids were solicited by the superintendent using the attached bid specifications for the project.  This will almost entirely be paid for with NDEQ Grant money that was secured by the superintendent during the original installation of the running track.

Bid Tabulation:
Pro Track & Tennis: $20,500
Midwest: $21,600

Superintendent's Recommendation: Award the bid in the amount of $20,500 to Pro Track & Tennis

Rationale:  Ravenna Public Schools was awarded and NDEQ Diesel Emissions Program Grant in the amount of $42,000 towards the purchase of a new bus, which meets NDEQ Emissions Requirements.  The superintendent advertised to bids and reached out to 5 vendors.  2 vendors submitted bids below, which are attached for review.

Bid Tabulation:
Cornhusker International Bid: $82,940
Nebraska Central-Bid 1: $87,588
*Nebraska Central-Bid 2-Alternate Bid: $78,399
*This is a "demo bus" with 200 miles on it.  It does NOT have the specified 260 HP Cummins Diesel motor or the air ride seat.  The air ride seat could be added for an additional $850.

Superintendent's Recommendation: Purchase the bus from Cornhusker International.

Rationale:  Scott Daniel and NASB have presented to the board of education and offered their strategic planning services to the board.

Scott Daniel is offering his services for $5,000 for two days of strategic planning assistance.

NASB is indicating the cost of their services will be $3500-$4000.

Rationale: 

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 the contract 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.

Rationale:  As the school improvement cycle starts over again this year, the CIP Leadership Team wants to gain greater involvement in the process by the school board members.  To facilitate this, the CIP Leadership Team would like to provide periodic updates to the school board and we would like each board member to volunteer to be a member on one of the 6 Tenet Teams.

At this point, board members are asked to select 2 Tenet Teams they would be willing to be assigned to.  Once board members make their selections, the CIP Team will assign them to a committee.  Board Members will be added to the team drive for the Tenet Team and may be asked to provide input regarding decisions made within the Tenet Teams.  Basically, each board member will serve as an advocate for the Tenet Team.  Those Tenet Teams include:

1.  Positive Partnerships, Relationships, & Success
2.  Transitions
3.  Educational Opportunities & Access
4.  College, Career, & Civic Ready
5.  Assessment
6.  Educator Effectiveness

The EBA for the school district and the EBA Rubric from NDE are attached to this agenda item, to help board members make an informed decision about what Tenet Team they might like to be a part of.  Board Members are asked to let the superintendent know which Tenet Teams they'd prefer to be a part of.
 

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.  Therefore, last year, we began to collectively review this information together annually, so that the board would be in a good position in February to make any needed appointments.

The superintendent would like to review the information with the Board of Education to ensure its accuracy and to plan for any new appointments that need to be made at the February 11, 2019 Board Meeting

Current Members of the Ravenna School Board Foundation Include:

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.

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.

Marc Vacek-Board Member (2018)-Needs to be either reappointed or replaced in February of 2020.

 Jill Hurt-Community Member (2019)-Jill is working through her first three-year term.  Jill would either need to be reappointed or replaced in February of 2022.

Nikki Bock-Community Member (2018)-Nikki would either need to be reappointed or replaced in February of 2021.

Dan Schmidt-Community Member (2018)-Dan would either need to be reappointed or replaced in February of 2021.

Heidi Kjar-Teacher (2018)-Heidi would either need to be reappointed or replaced in February of 2021.

Sonya Rasmussen-Teacher (2018)-Sonya would either need to be reappointed or replaced in February of 2021.

Tiffany Drabek-Teacher (2019)-Tiffany 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, 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. 

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

 

 

 

 

Rationale:  As part of our on-going policy review, board members should please review our 1000 & 2000 Series Board Policies in advance of the January Board Meeting.  The superintendent will do the same and provide any suggested revisions to the Board Policy Committee & to the whole board at the January Board Meeting.  To the superintendent, nothing requires immediate attention.  It's simply best practice to continually engage in a review of board policies, and we have been a little lacks about doing this lately.

Rationale:  During our January 3^rd professional learning day the teachers were organized into tenant teams to begin working on school improvement.  The six AQuESTT tenets are as follows: College and Career Ready; Assessment; Educator Effectiveness; Positive Partnerships, Relationships, and Student Success; Transitions; and Educational Opportunities and Access. This format allows ALL teachers to be involved in the CIP process.    Each team reviewed the EBA rubric for their tenet and began working on the AQuESTT Evidence-Based Analysis; Discussion Spreadsheet, this sheet is used as a guide to help consider and document our district’s work in each tenet.

Winter MAP testing window will be January 27-February 1.

 

Rationale:  1.  Student Artist of the Month-Makenna Mundoft (Art Attached)

2. Rule 10 Safety Audit-This went well.  There were a few suggestions for the staff, which the principals, Mr. Cyboron, I are working together to address.

3.  Bids

• Track Resurfacing
• 60-Ton Condenser Unit & Coil
• Bus 
• Athletic Lockers

4.  Legislative Issues-Important Dates

• 60-Day (short) Session
• First Day: January 8
• New Bills Introduced Through January 23
• Legislative Issues Conference in Lincoln on February 9-10
• Priority Bills Announced on February 25
• Hearings Start January 21 & End February 27
• Full Day Day Debate Begins March 3
• Final Day of Legislature is April 23
• Please see attached copy of LB147 that was originally introduced and the amended version, that are attached to this agenda item.

5.  Chimney-Recent melting snow has revealed significant degradation of the chimney.  Photos are attached to this email to illustrate the issues.  The superintendent is investigating the cost of removing the chimney, rerouting the vent pipes for the boilers in the basement or lining the chimney and repairing it.

Monthly Superintendent Goals Update (Goals Document Attached):

Academic Achievement

• Worked with CIP Leadership Team to identify data points to be used for baseline data and progress monitoring during the next school improvement cycle.
• Co-Chairing the "Partnerships, Relationships, & Success" & "Educator Effectiveness" School Improvement Tenet Teams.

Vision

• Planned January 3rd CIP Agenda for staff with other administrators.

Community Relations

• Attended first REDC meeting on January 2nd at 7:00 AM, as their newest board member.