March 9, 2020 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:  This is a legal meeting of the board of education, as advertised by the means specified in board policy. A complete copy of the Open Meetings Act is posted in the board room for your review. A copy of the agenda is available at the desk of the recording secretary.
 

Rationale:  Project Problem Solve (Big Red Keno STEM Day) -- Josh Weber
Coronavirus Precautions -- Dr. Jami Jo Thompson
Building Visit Reports--Board Members
 

Rationale: 

Welcome to the Amended Budget Hearing for the 2019-2020 school year. The purpose of this hearing is to give taxpayers the opportunity to provide support, opposition, criticism, or suggestions and observations regarding the budget.

There will be a review of the amended budget items and the board will provide an opportunity for public comment. The adoption of the amended budget will take place by a vote during the board meeting and not at the hearing.

Due to the district refinancing its Qualified Capital Purpose Undertaking bonds, the expenditures of that fund will exceed the current budgeted expenditures. The expenditures will need to be increased by $8,500,000.  Refinancing these bonds will save the district approx. $100,000 in interest while providing funding for needed life safety code projects previously approved at the February board meeting.  This amendment will not increase the districts 2019-2020 levy.  

All of the district's other funds will stay the same as previously budgeted for 2019-2020.  Attached for public review is the current 19-20 budget and the proposed amended budget for 19-20.

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

Rationale:  Bel Air- Bucket Fillers

Rationale:  Deb Brunswick--Senior High English Teacher

Rationale: 

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.

Rationale: 

Total amount of claims to be approved in the consent agenda for the month of March, 2020 by specific fund is listed below:

General Fund = $369,790.65

Nutrition Services Fund =$265,553.72

Cooperative Fund = $11,197.26

Depreciation Fund = $261,921.65

Special Building Fund = $25,426.25

Student Fee Fund = $1,341.20

Employee Benefit Fund = $260.99

The total amount of claims for the month of February, 2020 in the Activities Fund were:
Activity Fund =$141,969.90

All of these claims were reviewed earlier today by the Finance and Facility Committee.

Rationale:  Curriculum Instruction and Assessment:

• The Teaching and Learning Department continues to plan and work on details regarding preparedness for Spring NSCAS testing.
• A sample group of K-2 teachers are piloting a different Science program, called TWIG. The pilot is in early stages so there is nothing to report yet.
• We are also monitoring a pilot program called MAP Fluency in select grades and buildings. So far we are finding great information from testing but continue to work with it to see if it gives us the progress monitoring information we need. I appreciate the leadership from Jamie London and Nancy Probasco to spearhead this work.
• The Teaching and Learning Department continues to work with elementary principals to shore up details on walk through check points. A walk through tool can be powerful for opening up communication between teachers and instructional coaches regarding sound instructional methods.
• The large Target-Based Grading committee meeting is scheduled for March 17^th. Subcommittee work is complete and ready to be reported back to the large committee.
• Mickie Mueller has assisted us in getting organized with a helpful toolbox for digital instruction. Not only is this handy for teachers that would like to evolve more digital learning into their current classroom but also for reaching students that are unable to attend school or in the event of a quarantine crisis.

Federal Accountability:

• NPS has successfully completed its onsite review of Title I programs.  This occurs every 3 years.

Rationale: 

Conference Numbers: 

Little Panther Preschool

Bel Air                    97%

Jefferson                99%

Grant                     97%

Lincoln                  100%

Washington             91%

Westside               100%

Woodland Park      95%

Middle School          75%

Junior High             55%

Senior High             34%

Immunizations were offered through Elkhorn Logan Valley Public Health Department during 7th grade registration on March 3rd and will be again at the August registration.

Kindergarten enrollment has started for the 2020-2021 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 22nd at your neighborhood elementary school.

The ELPA  assessment will end this Friday, March 13th for our ELL students. We will get the results of the assessment in May.

Rationale: 

School Safety Information:

• On Wednesday, March 4th our District Reunification Team held a practice drill at First United Methodist Church. This drill (conducted in collaboration with Washington Elementary 3rd and 4th grade students/siblings and staff) was an excellent way for our team to realistically respond to a student /parent reunification event.

• Our team did an excellent job working the event and we appreciate the flexibility and "on the spot problem solving" abilities of our team members. It was great to see our staff handle this critical event with care, compassion, and attention to detail. 

• Special thanks also goes out to the staff at First United Methodist Church and our Norfolk area first responders who helped with the event. Their cooperation and participation is great evidence that student and school safety is a community priority. 

• The practice of these drills again exemplifies our district commitment to keeping our staff and students safe. 

Hiring Season: 

• Hiring season continues to be very busy as we carefully review applications and select outstanding candidates to fill our most recent (and anticipated) openings. We also remain proactive in recruiting high quality educators through a wide variety of media sources, networking activities and campus visits.

Personnel Update:

Current Openings:

• Westside Elementary: LIFE Para w/driving
• Bel Air Elementary - LIFE Para w/driving
• Deaf Education/Sign Language Interpreter (Full-Time)
• Aftershock Club Facilitators
• School Bus Activity Drivers
• Substitute Custodian (on-call)
• Substitute Paras and Teachers
• Summer Mowing (Part-Time)
   

2020-2021 School Year Openings:

• Westside Elementary: 2nd Grade teacher
• Middle School: Upper Elementary Teachers (2)
• Senior High: Math
• Junior High: Foreign Language
• School Psychologist
• Speech Language Pathologist

  2020-2021 Coaching Openings:

•  HS Assistant Football
• HS Assistant Boys Basketball
• HS Assistant Girls Soccer 
• 8th Grade Assistant Boys Basketball
• JH IM Football

Rationale:  As discussed during the Study Session, Norfolk Public Schools is working closely with local and state health officials to ensure that we are prepared in the event that Coronavirus affects our community.

We are also exploring the possibility of adding Spanish One at the Eighth Grade level.  We are in the very early stages of this investigation, but believe that it could be a way for us to provide additional advancement opportunities for our students at the Junior High and reduce class sizes in our Spanish One classes at the Senior High. I will provide more information to you about this as we get closer to making a determination.

I had the pleasure of meeting with Dr. Leah Barritt, the new President of Northeast Community College earlier today.  We had a great conversation about educational possibilities. I look forward to working with her to continue and enhance our partnership in the future.
 

Rationale:  The committee met at 12:00 noon today.  The claims for the month of March and Activity claims for February were reviewed.  The committee was updated about the potential bond projects and the feedback received to this point from the individual building meetings that have taken place over the past month.  The committee then went over the following items:

• Review of the amended QCPUF budget
• Review the recommendation on bids for the parking lot projects
• Reviewed recommendation to seek proposals on student picture and ID card services and also copy and printer services
• Reviewed recommendation on substitute teacher compensation for 20-21 and for future years
• Reviewed recommendation to purchase a coach bus for the district
• Reviewed compensation for district administration going into 20-21

The next regular meeting will be on Monday, April 13th at 12:00 noon. 

Rationale: 

The Policy Committee met on February 27, 2020 to discuss policies 4030-4190 related to personnel.  

Substantial revisions have been made to Policy 4140 (Professional Growth) to simplify the process, honor the professional development that teachers participate in throughout the year, and meet the requirements set in state statute.

According to state statute, teachers  must complete six semesters of college credit or the equivalent every six years.  This policy indicates that participation in our district's professional development program will be considered equivalent to one credit hour of college credit per year; thus meeting this requirement. This policy also outlines a make-up procedure to be used in the event that a teacher is absent from a professional development day.

Non-substantive changes were made to Board Policy 4110 (Contract), 4141 (Teacher Training), and 4170 (Leave of Absence).

Our next Policy Committee meeting is scheduled for March 26, 2020.

Rationale: 

The Government Relations Committee met on February 27th, we attended the GNSA meeting on February 19th, and we have contacted Senators regarding several important legislative proposals.

The majority of our focus has been on LB 974, Senator Linehan’s Property Tax Relief Bill. We support the concept of property tax relief and understand its importance, but also need to protect public schools from budgetary cuts and spending restrictions.  We have been working with Senator Scheer and Senator Linehan regarding our concerns and some possible amendments to make this legislation more palatable. We cannot support the bill in its current form but are willing to reconsider our position if acceptable amendments are adopted.

We have also sent emails and letters of opposition regarding LB 1202 which would create nonrefundable income tax credits for donations to private school scholarship programs, diverting public tax dollars to private schools which are not held to the same standards as public schools and costing the state up to $10 million a year.

We continue to watch this legislative session carefully and are prepared to contact senators when needed.

Rationale: 

The Activities Committee met on February 24, 2020.

Mr. Ries Provided an NSAA Legislative Update regarding Bowling, Girls Wrestling and Summer Activities. We do not know at this point whether Bowing and Girls Wrestling will be recognized as NSAA activities for 2020-2021 or if the NSAA will require a summer moratorium.  Norfolk Public Schools may impose its own summer moratorium for a few days around July 4th regardless.

Mr. Ries also provided a HAC Update. Columbus will join the conference in 2020-2021 and Lincoln Public Schools  plans to build two new high schools, with one opening in2022 and one opening  in 2023. This will expand the conference to 14 schools and require rescheduling of conference and non-conference events.

Senior High Summer Camps scheduled are nearly finished and will include a summer camp for golf at Fairplay Golf Course.  The school musical (The Addams Family) is scheduled for March 15-19. District Music will be held at the Senior High on Friday, April 24 and the District track meet will be held April 23.

Mr. Viergutz provided a Junior High Activities update. He noted that Sioux City North has been added to our Track Invite and that we have a added a couple of track meets, including Wayne, Schuyler and Yankton.

Our Co-op agreements for baseball, boys swimming and girls swimming are up for renewal.  Participation numbers are still below the cap, so we will continue these co-ops for two more years. 

Dr. Robinson provided a facilities update, including updates to our track at the Senior  high, as well as, a donation for benches around our tennis courts. He also mentioned that Tom Asmussen will be traveling to Chicago to inspect and drive a used Coach bus, which we may add to our fleet.

Our Next Activities Committee Meeting is scheduled for Monday, April 27, 2020 - 12:00pm at the Central Office. 

Rationale:  Minutes of the following meetings are attached.

1. February 10, 2020 and March 3, 2020 Nurses Meetings
2. March 3, 2020 Student Health Meeting 

Rationale:  Minutes of the February 10, 2020 and February 27, 2020 meetings are attached.

Rationale: 

Sharra Lutjens

• 2020-2021 - Junior High English Teacher
• Bachelor of Science, Fine Arts, Wayne State College, Wayne, NE (Masters to be completed 12/2022)
• Has taught 6 years at Neligh-Oakdale Public Schools, English 8, 10, 12 and Advanced 12, Yearbook and One-Acts

 

Rationale:  Faye Simpson--Spanish/French Culture and Language Teacher at the Junior High

Rationale:  Attached are the claims for the month of March, 2020.  These claims were reviewed earlier today by our Finance and Facility Committee.  All of these claims are up for approval except #923 which will be considered for approval later in the meeting under Action Item 10.6    Also attached are the conflict statements on specific claims that need to be read before voting.

Rationale:  I recommend to the Board of Education to approved the Amended Budget for 2019-2020 as presented during the public hearing earlier this evening.

Rationale:  The district received bids from Hespe, M & B and Platte Valley for the paving of parking lots at the Sr. High, Washington and Jefferson schools.  The bid pricing is listed below. I am recommending to the Board of Education to accept the low bid from Platte Valley for these projects. The expenditures on these projects will be paid from our QCPUF fund. Also attached is a letter of opinion from our engineer on these projects as well as the bid tab.

Platte Valley PreCast, Inc. - $389,423.50
M & B Quality Concrete - $486,877.55
Hespe Company - $505,999.29
 

Rationale:  We are currently in the final year of our agreement for District School Pictures and ID Services.  This agreement is strictly a service agreement with no cost to the District.  I recommending to the Board of Education to approve the seeking of proposals for a new 5-year agreement with the District.

Rationale:  The District is in its final year of our lease agreement for copiers, printers, and service on those machines.  I am recommending to the Board of Education to grant permission to seek proposals for new 5-Year agreement.

Rationale:  The District has not increased its compensation for substitute teachers over the past two years.  We have also received feedback from our current sub pool on things to consider when determining compensation for 20-21.  The attached compensation proposal for 20-21 has a base increase of 6.36%.  This increase is reflective of a combination of the percent increases approved for all of our other employee groups in 18-19 and 19-20.  The proposal for 20-21 also includes adjusting the compensation annually based on the settlement with our certified staff; this would be the same process used for all of other employee groups.  Attached for your review is the proposal for 20-21 which includes the recommended increase and also the addition of a category for staff that have retired from NPS.

Rationale:  Over the past several months we have been looking for a replacement coach bus for #9524.  #9524 has been difficult to find parts for when repairs are needed which is concerning when looking into the next several years and our activity bus needs.  A used coach bus has become available through the MCI dealer in Chicago.  The bus is a 2012 (56 passenger MCI) that meets the needs of our district and has the mechanical components that can be worked on locally or in Omaha if needed.  This bus has been reconditioned and comes with a 60 day warranty after taking possession.  Our Maintenance director has personally seen the bus, drove it and inspected the engine and other components as well.  After this review, I am recommending to the Board of Education to approve the purchase of this coach bus claim #923. Funds for this would come out of our depreciation fund.  Claim #923 is $255,000 which is $5,000 less than the agreed upon purchase price, because the district has submitted a $5,000 refundable deposit to hold the bus for purchase if approved.

Rationale:  The 2020-2021 calendar is very similar to last year's calendar.  It includes 133 days, with 928 total hours for full-day students and 465.5 total hours for half-day students. (The NDE requirement is 450 hours.)

 

Rationale:  According to enrollment projections, all classes and programs are full for 2020-2021. They are considered "closed" to option enrollment students for the 2020-2021 school year.

Rationale:  The 2nd monthly meeting of the Board of Education has been scheduled for noon on Thursday, March 26, 2020.

The next regular meeting of the Board of Education will be held on Monday, April 13, 2020. The Study Session will begin at 5:30 and will be followed by the Business Meeting at 6:30. All components of these meetings will be held at the NPS Central Administration Offices and will be open to the public unless an Executive Session is needed in order to protect the interest of the district or the reputation of an individual.
 

Rationale:  We would like to hire an additional full-time substitute teacher, so that we have one specializing in the elementary (K-6) grades and one specializing in the secondary (7-12) grades. One of our most reliable substitutes is interested in this position if it is added, and the additional cost to our district would be minimal.
This is just one additional step that we are recommending to address our substitute teacher shortage, which is prevalent throughout Nebraska.