December 13, 2010 at 7:30 PM - Board of Education Regular Meeting

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

Rationale:   

It is the vision of the Norfolk Public Schools to actively engage all students in learning
through a relevant and comprehensive standards-based curriculum that integrates
 21^st century skills, tools, context, and assessments.  

• Goal #1:  All students will succeed at each grade level and graduate from high school well-prepared for a variety of post-secondary pursuits.

• Goal #2:  All students will feel connected with the school and the learning process.

• Goal #3:  District resources, programs, and departments will be aligned to attain high levels of student achievement and instructional excellence.

• Goal #4:  The community will be engaged to support high levels of student achievement.

  The mission of the Norfolk Public Schools is to prepare studentswith the skills and knowledge to meet the challenges of a complex, global society.

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rationale:  November 8, 2010 - 4:30 Study Session

November 8, 2010 - 7:30 Regular Session

Rationale: 

Policy 405.6 aligns policy with administrative regulations developed by the board and professional growth committee.

Rationale:  In regard to 603.3 LB 403 states:Every contract between a public employer and public contractor shall contain a provision requiring the public contractor to use a federal immigration verification system to determine the work eligibility status of new employees physically performing services within the State of Nebraska.

Rationale:  Policy 606.2 specifies in policy criteria to assist in meeting requests for public records.

Rationale:  This policy is outdate, has not been in practice, and is not being used, therefore it should be removed from the policy manual.

Rationale: 

These are challenging times for school districts.  The cost of doing business continues to increase yet our revenue flow seems to be dwindling.   However, the District spending is parallel to the first three months of last year.  If we can continue to spend similar to last year, we will end the year in good shape.  Our federal dollars are less due to the completion of ARRA dollars.  We had minimal carryover of ARRA funds. 

The first quarter reimbursement requests for NCLB and other grants have been submitted.  We are also working on meeting final requirements for ARRA IDEA funding relative to the Achievement Center, Transition building, Lincoln Elementary and Westside renovation projects.  Once the NDE has given final approval, we will request reimbursement for those monies also.

Rationale:  Curriculum & Assessment

Rationale: 

Fall sports are in full swing this month, so please review your Norfolk Public Schools Activity Calendar and select those activities you might want to attend.  This support is very important to our staff and student body.

 

            Some important dates to remember:

                        December 22 marks the end of our First Semester

                        Winter Vacation: December 23-January 3, 2011

                        January 4 -Staff Development Activities and Planning

                        January 5- first day of second semester for NPS students

 

            Norfolk Public Schools 6^th and 8^th grades have been selected to participate in the Nebraska Risk and Protective Factor Survey.  Participation in this survey is voluntary for the students and the responses are anonymous.  Data will be collected by the University Of Nebraska-Lincoln Bureau Of Sociological Research Department.  Data collected are important to funding for the State of Nebraska, but also important to school districts that make various grant applications.  (Sixty to eighty of Nebraska schools were selected to participate.)

 

            Test moratorium at Senior High School begins on 12/16 and Final Tests begin on 12/21 and 12/22

            Fine Arts Holiday Concert will be held on Sunday 12/19 @ 2:00 p.m. at Carson Theatre

            Norfolk Public Schools activity moratorium will be 12/22-12/26.

 

Rationale: 

The Finance Committee met on Thursday, December 9^, 2010 at 4:00 P.M.  The Committee met earlier than usual in order to allow time to adequately review the responses to the District audit and insurance RFPs that were published last month.

The Finance Committee reviewed the 2009-2010 audit report and is recommending acceptance of the report to the Board. 

The Finance Committee reviewed the bids for District Property and Casualty Insurance coverage for the 2011 year.  Bids were received from:

·         Insurance Associates, Norfolk

·         Town & Country Insurance, Norfolk

·         Public Risk Management (ALICAP), Omaha

Action on the District’s property and casualty insurance coverage will be taken later in the agenda.

The Finance Committee reviewed the bids for District audit services for the fiscal years 2010-2011 through 2014-2015.  Bids were received from:

·         Christiansen, Brozek & Faltys, Norfolk

·         Kruse, Schumacher, Smejkal & Brockhaus, Columbus/Norfolk

·         Morrow, Davies & Toelle, Norfolk

Action on the District audit services will be taken at the January 10^th Board meeting.

Rationale:  The finance committee and board of education have reviewed the district audit.

Rationale:  Last month the board took action to put out a Request for Proposals for district insurance services. The board finance committee has reviewed those submitted bids and is recommending acceptance of the bid from Insurance Associates.