February 11, 2013 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: 

The  board will consider the following resignations, effective at the end of the 2012-13 contract year:

1. Jenny Gubbels, Third Grade, Woodland Park Elementary
2. Bob Hastings, Director of Teaching & Learning

Rationale:  This item will continue next month.

Rationale:  Grant Elementary School

Rationale:  No items to report.

Rationale:  The total amount of bills approved in the consent agenda for the month of January, 2013 by specific fund are as follows:

General Fund=$339,159.81; Cooperative Fund=$7,350.25; Lunch Fund=$88,133.05
The Finance and Facility Committee reviewed all bills for this consent agenda. Bills unique to this month were discussed for clarification.

The Business office has distributed W-2's to all NPS employees. We did receive approval for an extra 6 cents per meal by having our menus in compliance with all the new school lunch nutritional regulations.  We will be reimbursed for all meals at this new rate including those meals served back to October 1st of this school year.  I would like to thank Lanette Stoffel and our kitchen managers for doing an outstanding job this year with these changes and getting us into compliance. This extra reimbursement will be receipted into our lunch fund and will provide some extra dollars for upcoming equipment needs in our lunch program.  Building principals and staff are in the process of submitting orders for central supply.  This is a buying cooperative for schools that allow us to purchase a number of school items at wholesale pricing.  Diane Hledick and Melissa Hansen from the Business and Special Education office having been working at organizing this annual event with building principals and their assistants.  Cash flow continues to be adequate at this time in all or our funds.

Rationale: 

Spring Assessment Schedule

 

January 21 – February 8 NeSA-Writing (4, 8, 11)

February 11 – March 22 English Language Development Assessment (ELDA)

February 25 – March 22                    MAP Test (3-8, 10)

March 25 – May 3                               NeSA-Reading, Math, & Science (3-8, 11)

April 29 – May 10                             DIBELS (K-4)

 

 

High School Course Development

With the recent move from a 20 credit graduation requirement in science to a 30 credit requirement, the high school science department and administration have been working hard to develop classes that will meet the 3rd year requirement and be alternatives to Chemistry.  Two classes are being developed and will be offered in the fall of 2014.  They include Chem Com or Chemistry in the Community and Environmental Science.  These classes will still address chemistry standards prescribed by the Nebraska State Science Standards, but will do so with more of a community and environmental focus.  The environmental class will focus on urban and agricultural concepts and the Chem Com class is designed for students who do not plan to pursue a career in a science related field.

Other changes being discussed include requiring that all ten physical education requirements be in activity-based classes and the development of an English 11 class.  More information about these changes will be provided in an upcoming meeting.



Textbook Review Updates

Groups of teachers and administrators are in the process of reviewing textbooks for potential adoption in the areas of 3-5 Language Arts and 9-12 Mathematics.  The Math textbook adoption is one that has been delayed for financial reasons for a couple of years and needs to be done to ensure proper alignment to Nebraska and national Mathematics standards.  The 3-5 Language Arts study is one that we have been discussing for about a year.  We are currently studying two products and hope to make a decision about either full adoption or piloting of the products sometime during the month of March.  More information will be provided about this process in future meetings.

Rationale: 

VIII. Report D
February 11, 2013

ASSOCIATE SUPERINTENDENT OF STUDENT SERVICES

 

- Last week, schools completed their Spring Parent-Teacher Conferences.  I plan to give you a summary of the conferences at the second meeting in February or our regular meeting in March.

- Spring sporting activities are set to begin on Monday 25 February. Mr. Dolliver has contacted Aaron Rang, Supervisor of Buildings and Grounds and he is organizing his work to accommodate this start-up date.

- Norfolk Public Schools had 12 students participate in Dental Day at UNMC Dental School.  These students were accompanied by one of our school nurses, Cori Pena.  She shared that a lot of dental work was started and/or completed.  We will be receiving paper work in the near future regarding these treatments.  Norfolk received good news coverage in the Norfolk Daily News as well as in the Omaha World Herald.

- Norfolk Public School’s first grade students will have the opportunity to attend a spring theatrical presentation of “Skippyjon Jones.”  This play is being sponsored by the Norfolk Arts Center on Friday, March 1st at our Johnny Carson Theatre.

- Dr. Uhing, Bill Robinson, Ron Lilja and I had our first meeting with Heartland Roofing representatives, Terry Mallott and Zach Williams, to discuss our action plan for roof repair, replacement and restoration.  The company is putting together a “plan of action” which will be discussed in the near future.

Rationale:  The Finance and Facility Committee met at 12:00 noon today at the Central Office Board Room. The committee reviewed all the claims for this months consent agenda and discussed any claims unique to this past month. Mr. Witte shared some updates concerning our roofing projects.  Information concerning our 403 B plan in the district was shared, as well as information about district procurement cards.  Some specifics about the 2013-2014 proposed teaching contract with the NCEA was also discussed.  The next meeting is scheduled at 12:00 noon on Monday March 11th at the Central Office Board Room.

Rationale: 

The Activities Committee met on January 28. 

• Upcoming events were discussed: Winter Play, Winter Sports Districts and State Events (Basketball, Wrestling, Swimming)

• February 21 Spring Season begins

• Junior High Girls Basketball has just started
• Donations: Booster Club funded decals on bus
• Coaching Openings for 2013-14: Boys Track
• Alyson Bowers new Activities Secretary 
• Next Activities Meeting is February 25, 2013

Rationale:  This agreement between the NPS Board of Education and the Norfolk City Education Association is equal to a 3.1% increase in the total compensation package.

Rationale:  The second meeting of the month will be held on Thursday, February 28, 2013 at 12:00 noon in the Central Office board room. 

The next regular meeting of the board of education is scheduled for Monday, March 11, 2013. The study session will be held at 4:30 p.m. at the central office board room and the regular business meeting will be held at 7:30 p.m. at the city council chambers.