March 14, 2016 at 5:30 PM - Board of Education Regular Meeting

Rationale:  The Norfolk Public School District's board of education meeting is called to order.  

Rationale:  If any board member is absent, there will need to be a  motion to excuse the absence.

Rationale: 

Angie Hausmann- Jefferson Building Goal and School Improvement Plan

Beth Nelson - Curriculum Update

Rationale:  Please stand and join us in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.

Rationale:  Using Data to Motivate Students and Improve Learning

Rationale:  Melissa Coler- District General Ledger at Central Office

Rationale:  This is the time during the board meeting when the public may request to address the board regarding an agenda item. If you wish to comment, we ask that you identify yourself and indicate the agenda item to which you will be speaking.

Rationale: 

Total amount of claims to be approved in the consent agenda for the month of March, 2016 by specific fund are as follows:
General Fund = $669,697.80

Nutrition Services Fund = $120,975.19

Cooperative Fund = $12,773.63

Depreciation Fund = $3,095.00

Special Building Fund = $82.12

Student Fee Fund= $6,884.89

The total amount of claims for the month of February, 2016 in the Activities fund are as follows:
Activity Fund = $107,293.37

All the claims for the month of March and Activity claims for the month of February were reviewed earlier today by the Finance and Facilities Committee.  Second quarter reimbursements have been submitted for our Title, IDEA, and other grant programs.  Our district continues to watch closely the legislation that is currently being discussed in Lincoln.  As the current session goes into its final days hopefully more clarity on these topics will evolve.

Rationale: 

Curriculum Instruction and Assessment

• The district is in the thick of assessment season. Happy to report we’ve only had a few minor technicalities with technology-none of which were due to a district problem.

   

  Technology

• We have successfully completed the bid process for our server replacement.

   

  Title I

• Existing Title I buildings have documentation and plans to submit to the state for peer review. Our new application of the Middle School has documentation requirements due as well. This deadline will be successfully met before April 1. 

Rationale: 

Parent Teacher Conferences- participation results.

2. Preparations are being made for our district’s Kindergarten Round-up for the 2016-2017 school year. Activities for students and information for parents/guardians will be scheduled in all of our elementary buildings on Wednesday, April 20th.

3. The pilot project of having Telehealth services available in the Jr. High started today, March 14th. We will be working with Oasis Counseling to gather information on the effectiveness of the having the services in the building at the end of the quarter.

Rationale: 

School Improvement/Professional Development

On February 21, the Perceptual Survey link for our parents, students, and staff closed.  The Nebraska Department of Education is currently generating reports based on the results.  Once those are assembled, Heidi Rethmeier from ESU 8 and Tim will meet with building administrators to examine the data.

Jake Luhr and Angie Hausmann were external members of the AdvancED Team at Battle Creek Public Schools on February 29 and March 1.  Their experience will be a great asset to Norfolk Public Schools as we prepare for our accreditation review during the 2016-2017 school year.

Safety

On February 29, Tim met with representatives from Norfolk Catholic, Lutheran High Northeast, Christ Lutheran, Park Avenue Christian, St. Paul’s Lutheran, Keystone Academy, and the Eastern Learning Center.  Collaboratively, they organized a strategy to communicate with each other when a potentially unsafe challenge occurs in our community in which our students may be at risk.  They will meet each fall to review the strategy and make changes as needed.

Human Resources

Jason Bauer has been approved as a local sub.

Open Certified Positions: 

Elementary Principal – WP

Art – HS

Digital Integration Facilitator – District

Elementary Teacher – WA

English/LA – HS

English/LA – JH

Family Consumer Sciences – HS

Guidance Counselor – HS

Guidance Counselor – WP

Reading/Math Interventionists – MS

Spanish – HS

Speech Language Pathologist – District

Vocal Music – Elementary

 

Coaching:

Head Varsity Softball Coach

Assistant HS Volleyball Coach

 

Rationale: 

Listening Lunches:

I will be holding a Listening Lunch in each school building between now and the end of the school year. This is an informal opportunity for staff to visit with me about their ideas, insights, concerns, etc. (right in the comfort of their own Staff Lounge). This should be a nice way for me to get to know our staff better and develop stronger communication between CO and building staff. 

I held my first Listening Lunch at the Senior High last week. It was very well attended. I was able to listen to a variety of ideas and concerns, and I received some positive feedback, as well.  Staff seemed very appreciative to have this opportunity to visit with me in a relaxed, informal setting.  I think this will be a very positive addition to my communication with staff and look forward to visiting with staff in the other buildings before school is out in May.

HAC:

The Heartland Athletic Conference has denied our request to join their conference. This may be reconsidered if additional schools request to join (so that they go from 8 schools to 12) and/or if the NSAA makes a decision regarding the reclassification of "Class A".

Rationale:  As stated earlier the committee reviewed all claims for the month of March as well as the February Activity claims.  The committee received a facility update on our Central Office updates as well as other projects in the district.  We also reviewed upcoming action items on our server farm, and Superintendent contract.  The meeting concluded with updates on the Food Management Company Bidding process, updates on upcoming roofing bids and discussions concerning traffic patterns at Lincoln School in the morning and afternoon.  Our next meeting is scheduled for April 11th at 12:00 noon. 

Rationale: 

The Policy and Government Relations Committee met on March 3rd to review Board Policies 4026-4140 and 4141-4260 Related to Personnel. Slight changes were made to Policy 4110 and 4150. Significant changes were made to Policy 4140, as recommended by the Professional Growth Committee.  The policy now more closely matches the intent of state statute and makes it easier for certificated staff to obtain their required professional growth points.

The GNSA met on February 17th.   We are watching several bills very closely.  LB 958 and 959 continue to be are biggest concern, due the impact that they could have on state aide and our ability to make important budget decisions at the local level.  Multiple amendments have been proposed to these bills, but so far, the committees have not decided which approach to support. The GNSA meets again this Wednesday. 

Rationale: 

The Activities Committee met at noon on Monday, February 22, 2016. The following topics were discussed:

Unified Bowling:

Mr. Dolliver and Mrs. Luhr shared information with the committee regarding Unified Bowling, a new sport being offered via the NSAA.  Unified Bowling teams would be comprised of students with and without disabilities, competing together.  After discussing the costs and benefits of adding this sport, the committee decided to recommend that the BOE approve this addition.

Volleyball, Softball, and Baseball Coaches:

The committee discussed the possible addition of 1 volleyball, 1 softball, and 1 baseball coach in order to better meet the needs of these growing programs and ensure equity among our programs.  Although this is an administrative decision that does not require Board action, feedback was elicited from the committee. Based on that feedback and the information that Mr. Dolliver provided, it was decided to hire 1 volleyball coach to ensure equitable programming.  It was decided to wait to make a decision regarding the softball and baseball positions until the current legislative session is complete and we have a better picture of district finances.  We will also consider adding Freshman/Reserve games at that point, as well.  These have been requested by coaches in order to address the growing number of participants in these sports.

Speech Coach:

Mr. Dolliver also indicated that our Junior and Senior High Speech numbers are growing very rapidly and that another coach (1/2 time at Junior High and 1/2 time at Senior High) is needed.  Again, feedback was elicited from the committee, and  it was decided to wait to make a decision regarding these positions until the current legislative session is complete and we have a better picture of district finances.

Band Uniforms:

Mr. Dolliver and Mr. Robinson shared the band uniform prototype with the Activities Committee. Purchase of these uniforms was approved at our February 25th Board meeting.

Booster Club:

Mr. Dolliver also shared a Booster Club update.  Their truck raffle was very successful, and they are purchasing three electronic kiosks for the senior high, at a cost of $24,700.  These kiosks will be used to showcase a variety of athletic, academic, and activities information for our patrons.

Our next Activities Committee meeting is scheduled for noon on Monday, April 25th.

Rationale: 

Troy Berryman--Principal at Grant Elementary and Lincoln-Montessori Schools

Bachelor of Arts in Education  from the University of Nebraska-Kearney

Master of Arts in Educational Administration (grades 7-12) from the University of Nebraska-Kearney

Endorsement in PK-6 Educational Administration from Wayne State College

Currently the President of Norfolk Catholic Schools.

Nancy Probasco -- Bel Air, Grade 2

Bachelor of Science Degree in Education in Elementary Education and Special Education from the University of Nebraska in Kearney, Nebraska

Currently a Title 1 teacher for the Wisner-Pilger Schools in Wisner, Nebraska

Mary Gray --  Bel Air, Grade 4

Bachelor of Science Degree in Education in Elementary Education, Reading/Writing, and ESL from Wayne State College in Wayne, Nebraska

Currently a substitute teacher for Norfolk Public Schools

 

Julie Volwiler -- Woodland Park guidance counselor

Bachelor of Arts in Education in Elementary from Wayne State College 

Master of Science in Education in Secondary School Counseling from Wayne State College

Endorsement in Elementary School Counseling from Wayne State College

Currently a K-12 Guidance Counselor for Winside Public Schools in Winside, Nebraska

 

Rationale: 

Julie Hamm-Senior High Spanish

Scott Dodson-Principal at Woodland Park Elementary

Virginia Hilkemann - Senior High Counselor

Leann Buss- Elementary Music

Roxann Gomez - Junior High English

Theresa Gebers- Title I teacher at Jefferson and Grant Elementary Schools

Rationale: 

Norfolk High School- Unified Sports proposal

We would like the board to consider adding Unified Sports in the area of  bowling to Norfolk Public High school.   Unified sports is an inclusive sports program. It brings together, as teammates, individuals with intellectual disabilities, unified student athletes, and those without intellectual disabilities, called unified student partners. They train, compete and socialize as equals, wearing school uniforms.  Fostering an environment of social inclusion.

Norfolk Public Schools has been in contact with Kings Lanes regarding collaboration of offering the Unified Sport of Bowling. Kings Lanes shared they would be willing to donate bowling practice time, bowling balls and shoes to our students.   Transportation costs have been considered but the needs of the students may dictate some change of the cost.  Coaching assignment would be considered an intramural level, due to the short season and facility availability for practices. There may be up to 6 games scheduled depending on area schools involved in Unified Sports.

Rationale:  The technology department received one qualifying bid for our server farm replacement, the bid was from Dell for $37,858.21.  This bid met all of our required specifications and was within our budgeted dollar amount.

Rationale:  Attached for the Board of Education and the public is the 2016-2017 Superintendent Contract and Pay Transparency Notice, these items are also posted on our district website for review.  The compensation package reflects a similar percentage increase used with our other employee groups for 2016-2017 and fits within our current budget.   If approved, this compensation package will keep our district within midpoint of comparable array districts.

Rationale:  This policy revision is recommended by the Activities Committee.  It would allow FFA students to participate in their National Convention on an every other year basis.  All expenses would be covered by FFA fundraisers.

Rationale: 

The Policy and Government Relations Committee has reviewed the following policies and is not recommending any revisions at this time. They were approved in December of 2013. 4014: Receiving Agents, Salespersons, and Other Business Representatives 4015: Unauthorized Purchases 4016: Use of School Facilities and Equipment by School Employees 4017: Activity Passes 4018: Community Relations: Political Activity 4019: Fair Labor Standards (Minimum Wage and Overtime) 4020: Shredding Consumer Reports 4021: Social Security Numbers 4022: Military and Family Military Leave 4023: Notification of Arrest, Criminal Charges, and Certificate, License, or Child Abuse Complaints 4024: Wage and Deduction Information 4025: Professional Boundaries Between Employees and Students

Rationale: 

The Policy and Government Relations Committee met on Thursday, March 3rd to review  Board Policies 4026-4140 Related to Personnel. Slight changes were made to Policy 4110 and 4150. Significant changes were made to Policy 4140, as recommended by the Professional Growth Committee.  The policy now more closely matches the intent of state statute and makes it easier for certificated staff to obtain their required professional growth points.

4026: Appropriate Dress

4100: Qualifications for Appointment as Teacher

4101: Qualifications for Appointment to Administrative and Supervisory Positions

4110: Contract

4111: Certification

4120: Probationary Certified Employees

4121: Permanent Certified Employees

4130: Assignment of Duties

4131: Agents/Tutors

4132: Student Teachers and Pre-Student Teachers

4133: Substitute Teachers

4140: Professional Growth

 

 

Rationale:  The next meeting of the Norfolk Public Schools' Board of Education will be held at 12:30 P.M. on Thursday, March 24th in the Central Administration Offices.