February 13, 2017 at 5:30 PM - Board of Education Regular Meeting

This is the time during the meeting when the public may request to address the Board. If you wish to comment, we ask that you identify yourself and the topic that you wish to address. Each individual's comments will be limited to five minutes.

 Please note that  the Board cannot discuss or act upon matters that are not listed on the agenda. Therefore, Board  members will not respond to your comments or questions.  If you wish to request that an item be placed on a future Board agenda, you may contact the Superintendent or her assistant during normal business hours.

Also note that concerns related to school personnel need to be addressed to the Superintendent using the approved district protocol.

Curriculum, Instruction & Assessment

• The math pilot is progressing well. Teachers have been positive and supportive of the process. Today we came together to collaborate on our new findings with the program. They worked in same program groups to present to the opposite group and administrators. They also spent time working at grade level to be certain that they are remaining consistent in their teaching concepts. Student opinion varies across the district. More students like the new programs than don’t and state that the program is more rigorous.
• We are preparing for spring assessment season by double checking our uploaded data for accuracy. There will be NeSA training occurring within the next month and half.
• I went with a small team to Bellevue to observe their Apple Academy. It was very educational. Until you see a strong blended environment, it’s difficult to embrace the concept.

Title I

• We just completed our District Title I review with state representatives. We have and continue to meet the requirements of the program. This review occurs every 3 years at a district level.  

• February 23rd and 24th I will be attending the Nebraska Association of Special Education Supervisors (NASES) Legislative Conference in Lincoln.  

• Parent/Teacher Conferences were held last week.  I will share an attendance summary of conferences at all Norfolk Public Schools, at next month’s board meeting.   

• Thursday, February 9th the High school hosted Career and College Readiness Activities for sophomores.  The activities included, resume writing, interviewing skills, college presentations, ACT prep, and advice from a panel of current seniors.

• ELPA 21 started for our district ELL students on Monday, February 6^th and will continue through March 17^th.

• Kindergarten enrollment has started for the 2017-18 school term. Registration is being held at neighborhood schools. Parents must have a birth certificate and a copy of immunizations to begin the enrollment process. Kindergarten Round up will be held Wednesday, April 19th at your neighborhood elementary.

January 23rd Staff Development Day (ESU # 8 Winter Workshop):

• On Monday, January 23rd Norfolk Public Schools and ESU #8 hosted our Winter Workshop event at Norfolk Senior High School.
• This collaborative event brought together several area school districts for consistent and relevant staff development on topics designed to enhance educational effectiveness.
• The keynote speaker was George Couros. He is the author of the book The Innovator’s Mindset.
• Staff feedback on the speaker and the workshop was very positive.

Digital Citizenship Presentations:

• On Wednesday, January 11th Norfolk Public Schools hosted a guest speaker here in the district to talk with our students and staff about Digital Citizenship.
• The guest speaker for the event was Karen Haase (a school attorney out of Lincoln).
• Karen gave three different presentations (2 student and one staff) and she did an excellent job of discussing the importance of positive online behavior and the legal and civil consequences of negative online behaviors.
• All of the presentations had very positive feedback from staff and students.

Career Fairs

• There are several area “education related” Career Fairs coming up in the next couple of months. We will be visiting these area Career Fairs to positively promote our district and recruit outstanding educators to our district.

Superintendent Goals

January 2017-December 2017

1. Create and implement a District Communications Plan to strategically enhance internal (staff, admin, board) and external (community and state level) communications and public relations.

2. Provide leadership and direction regarding the creation, implementation and maintenance of a district instructional model.

3. Advocate for Norfolk Public Schools and Nebraska Public Schools within our community, the state, and the political arena

Legislative Update:

GNSA Testimony:

LB 118: Education Savings Account Act (Tax Credits) -- opposed

LB 144: Ag Land Valuation-- opposed

LB 265: Foundation Aid-- opposed

LB 295: Opportunity Scholarships Act (Tax Credits)-- opposed

LB 571: Allocated Income Tax (similar effect as Foundation Aid)-- opposed

LB 540 -- Temporary Aid Adjustment--monitor/support if needed

    * Co-written by GNSA

    * Most equitable way to reduce education funding if absolutely necessary

    * Will be introduced on the last day of bill introductions if needed.

Written Testimony from Supt:  

LB 118: Education Savings Account Act (Tax Credits)

LB 295: Opportunity Scholarships Act (Tax Credits)

LB 608: Parental Choice Scholarship Program Act (Voucher Program)

Letter to Appropriations, Revenue and Education Committees from Supt:

* School Funding = High Priority

Recommendation: Board Letter Appropriations, Revenue and Education Committees

* School Funding = High Priority

Coming Soon:

* Letter to Education Committee re: LB 595 (Student Discipline Bill)

NOTE: I "cc" all letters and testimony to Senator Scheer and Senator Albrecht.

The committee met today at 12:00 noon and reviewed all claims for February, activity claims for January and current fund balances.  We also discussed the following items:

• Facility Updates on the Career Academy
• Auditing Services for 17-18 through 19-20
• Recommendation on Route Bus Bid
• Trash and Pest control services
• Reviewed roof restoration and replacement for Jr. High, Washington, Jefferson, Grant, and Westside
• Results of the retirement audit with NPERS
• Errors with direct certification with some families from the state

Our next meeting will be on March 13th at 12:00 noon.

The Policy and Government Relations Committee met at 1:00 on Thursday, January 26th.

They conducted a thorough study and revision to the policies in section 8110-8232 related to internal board operations, in order to ensure that they match state statute and our current practices.

In addition, the committee wrote several new policies related to standing committees that were not previously referenced in policy, including the Finance and Facilities Committee, Activities Committee, Policy and Government Relations Committee, and Superintendent Evaluation Committee. Once these policies are approved, the Superintendent Evaluation Committee will reconvene to revise our Superintendent Evaluation Policy in accordance with advice provided by our school attorneys related to the Open Meetings Act.

We will need to hold a Public Hearing on Policy 8231 at our March Board meeting, as this is required by state statute in order to change the cost limit for service recognition gifts for Board members, employees and volunteers.

The Committee also discussed Policy 6910 related to Dispensing Medications which is up for Second and Final Reading tonight.  Our nurses suggested that we look at section 2b related to Medication Competent Staff and section 5 related to Refusal to Administer Medication.  In the end section 2b was not changed, but section 5 was changed to reflect current and best practice. In short, if a nurse refuses to administer a medication (because she believes it exceeds the FDA's recommended dosage, it isn't approved by the FDA, or other reasons), she will notify the principal, the director of student programs and the student's parents, and she may contact the students' physician if warranted.

Sandy Wolfe and Tammy Day attended the GNSA meeting on January 18th, where they received an update on the current legislative session and critical issues that need to be monitored, such as the state's revenue shortfall, many senators' desire for tax reductions, and the possibility of changes to our state aid formula and retirement system.

The Activities Committee met at noon on February 3, 2017.  David Nelson shared information about our Swimming program, and Peggy Belt shared information regarding our Speech and Debate program.  Mr. Ries updated the committee regarding coaching positions that are available, conference affiliation, and possible changes that may be coming within the NSAA.

In regards to our Conference Affiliation:

NPS currently belongs to the GNAC.  We applied to the HAC last year, but we were not accepted at that time. We have since received an invitation from the HAC, asking us to consider joining their conference for the 2018-2019 school year.  On the surface, it appears that the HAC would be a good fit for Norfolk.  However, Mr. Ries is being very thorough in making a recommendation regarding this important decision.  He has reviewed the HAC By-Laws and visited with our coaches and administration.  He and Mr. Luhr will meet with the HAC on February 15th to ask some clarifying questions. They will then update our Activities Committee on February 27, 2017.  

Sarah Wapelhorst-First Grade Teacher at Jefferson Elementary

Kyle Fletcher- Junior High Math

The District received two qualifying bids for a replacement bus under the State Diesel Rebate Program.  The bids were the following:

1. Cornhusker International $80,400

2. Truck Center of Nebraska $83,322

After receiving the rebate through the Diesel Rebate program the net price would be the bid price minus $20,000.  Funds for this purchase would come from our general fund vehicle/bus replacement budget.

Based on the enrollment projections that I shared with you during a previous Study Session, it is anticipated that all grade levels, programs, and buildings will be at capacity for the 2017-2018  school year -- except the 2nd grade.  Second grade will be able to accept one option enrollment student for the 2017-2018 school year.  I am recommending that all other grade levels, programs and buildings be closed to Option Enrollment students for the 2017-2018 school year.

The Policy Committee did a thorough study and revision to the policies in this section to ensure that they match state statute and our current practices. In addition, the committee wrote several new policies related to standing committees that were not previously referenced in policy, including the Finance and Facilities Committee, Activities Committee, Policy and Government Relations Committee, and Superintendent Evaluation Committee. Once these policies are approved, the Superintendent Evaluation Committee will reconvene to revise our Superintendent Evaluation Policy in accordance with advice provided by our school attorneys related to the Open Meetings Act.

We will need to hold a Public Hearing on Policy 8231 at our March Board meeting, as this is required by state statute in order to change the cost limit for service recognition gifts for Board members, employees and volunteers.

This policy has been reviewed by the Policy and Government Relations Committee, our school nurses, and the Director of Student Services, and we have consulted our school attorney regarding best, legal practices as well.

After considerable discussion, Section 5 was changed to reflect current and best practice. In short, if a nurse refuses to administer a medication (because she believes it exceeds the FDA's recommended dosage, it isn't approved by the FDA, or for other reasons), she must notify the principal, the director of student programs and the student's parents, and she may contact the students' physician if warranted.

No other changes were made to this policy, which closely follows State Statute and NDE Rule 59.

No changes have been made to these policies since their First Reading. 

Policy 6910 is being discussed and considered separately.

The NCSA is encouraging superintendents and school board members to contact the appropriations committee, asking them to make school funding a priority.  

I have already sent a letter from me to the appropriations, revenue and education committee regarding this topic.  However, many state senators would rather hear from school board members and parents, so I am recommending that the Board approve the attached letter to be sent in addition to my own letter.  I would send it via email to the appropriations, revenue and education committees, and to Senator Scheer and Senator Albrecht.