July 13, 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:  Please stand and join us in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.

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 July, 2020 by specific fund is listed below:

General Fund = $1,009,084.34

Nutrition Services Fund =$161,409.61

Cooperative Fund = $977.12

Depreciation Fund = $165,525.56

QCPUF = $491,592.96

Student Fee Fund = $12,788.39
 

The total amount of claims for the month of June, 2020 in the Activities Fund were:
Activity Fund =$142,651.64

All of these claims were reviewed earlier today by the Finance and Facility Committee.  As we come to the end of our current fiscal year the financial position of the district looks to remain strong and for that to continue into 20-21.  There will continue to be many unknowns with the COVID pandemic and the need to find property tax solutions that are sustainable.  I believe NPS is well positioned financially going into 20-21 to continue to provide a high quality education while following our continued conservative spending practices.

Rationale:  Curriculum, Instruction & Assessment

• The summer time has been focused on making plans to be instructionally ready for the next school year in whatever capacity that may be.  
• The Teaching and Learning Team has collaborated with Angie Baumann to prepare for the beginning of the school year on new teacher training.
• The TnL Team put together a comprehensive E-Learning website that contains training from May. Our intention is to continue to add to that for our teachers and principals so resources are readily available when needed.
• The TnL department is also working on website revision for district communication on curriculum, instruction and assessment. There is a lot information and resources that will become available to parents, although we understand that our parents are best served if we send out small doses of information at a time.  Especially when the information is meaningful. For example, after Fall MAP assessments are done, we can direct parents to a short explanation video about their child’s results.

Rationale: 

Sixpence Board of Trustees has approved our continuation request for the 2020-2021 school year. This grant allows us to continue to provide the highest quality childhood experiences to the youngest children in our community. 

As certified staff report for the new school year, I will be meeting separately with the Special Education and ELL (English Language Learners) staff to discuss program plans for this school year. The nurses will meet in early September. 

I will be participating in the NDE, Social Emotional Learning 5 part webinar series that will focus on social emotional learning (SEL) from an adult perspective and inform participants of best practices that improve school culture, teacher efficacy, and student outcomes. School counselors and school psychologists were invited to participate in the series as well.

Rationale: 

Summer school ended June 24th for the High School. There were 306 students who participated in the online summer school program either for credit recovery or normal credit bearing classes. Summer School at the elementary level finished on June 26th. We had 81 students that participated in our summer reading program. 

Back to school open houses:

• Elementary schools August 11th 5:30pm - 6:30pm
• Middle school August 10th 5:30pm - 6:30pm
• Junior High August 10th 7:00pm - 8:00pm
• Senior High August 10th 6:00pm - 8:00pm

Technology 

Chromebooks for 2nd grade are here and being sent to buildings. We are expecting our other shipment of Chromebooks at the end of the month. 

Rationale: 

Beginning of School Information:

• Our "New to the District" teacher training is Tuesday, August 4 - Friday, August 7.
• All certified staff report on Monday, August 10.
• The first day of school for students is Thursday, August 13.

Job Postings Update:

  Current Classified Positions:

• Multi-Building Custodian (Full-time)
• Junior High Head Evening Custodian (Full-time)
• Junior High After-Hours Custodian-2 positions (Full-time)
• Maintenance - Mowing

  Certified Positions:(2020-21 school year): 

• Secondary Math Teacher 
• Secondary Special Education Teacher
• Substitute Teacher

  Classified Openings: (2020-21 school year):

• Junior High Special Ed Para w/driving (Full time) 
• Senior High - Para 4/with driving
• Senior High Special Ed Achievement Center Para (Part time)
• Senior High - Special Education Resource Para (Part-time)
• Sixpence Family Facilitator 
• Washington and Bel Air Evening Custodians (Part-Time)
• Westside Elementary - Classroom Para
• Substitute:  Paraprofessional, Health Tech, Secretary & Nurse

  Coaching Opportunities (2020-21 school year):

• Assistant Theater (2nd Semester)
• HS Head Boys Golf Coach
• SH Assistant Speech

Rationale:  COVID-19 Return to School Planning Committee Update

Prom and Graduation Update

Rationale:  The committee met at 12:00 noon today.  The claims for the month of July and Activity claims for June were reviewed.  The committee was updated about current facility projects under contract as well as other summer maintenance items. There was also discussion on the upcoming 20-21 school year, specifically with the reopening of facilities.  The committee then went over the following items:

• Budget development 20-21
• Recommendation to seek proposals for SH Chilling system
• Update on CARES Act funding
• Wifi "Hotspots" for 20-21, update
• Proposal on maintenance agreement for roofs
• Admin compensation for 20-21

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

Rationale:  The Policy Committee met via Zoom on June 25, 2020 to discuss a number of items.

First the committee reviewed suggested policy updates provided by Perry Law Firm.

1. The Perry Law Firm had suggested that we add tasers and mace to our policies as dangerous weapons, as they have been misused by students across the state.  We currently have some students at the senior high who carry mace on their keychains for self-protection. We decided to continue to allow this practice, as long as students keep the mace in their lockers and understand that any misuse of the mace would result in disciplinary action. Language about this will be added to the senior high handbook.  Tasers will be listed as a dangerous weapon in handbooks at all levels. No changes related to dangerous weapons need to be made to existing policy (5406) which already addresses dangerous weapons.
2. Policy 1040 (Annual Report and School Improvement) was updated to mirror the language in NDE Rule 10.
3. A new policy was added 6111-(Classroom Environment) to address the emerging trend of staff members using essential oils in classrooms. This can be problematic for students with allergies and/or sensitivities to the oils. This policy prohibits their use, which mirrors our current practice. The policy also restricts other classroom distractions to ensure the learning environment is appropriate.
4. Policy 6117 (Ceremonies) was updated to align with the new American Civics law, making our list of ceremonies and holidays to be celebrated consistent with the new statute.
5. Non-substantive changes were made to policy 5506 (Safe Pupil Transportation Plan).

The committee is also recommending several changes to existing policies.

1. Policy 8153 (American Civics) was updated to reflect Nebraska Statute, clarifying the number of public meetings that must be held annually.
2. Policy 5202 (Graduation) was updated to clarify that 145 hours of required (versus core) courses are required for graduation, rather than 160.  The overall number of hours required does not change.

The committee discussed a proposed new policy that explains the purpose of grades and how grades are determined and assigned. We recommend that Policy 6250 (Grades) be approved on first reading this evening.

Finally, the Policy Committee discussed a proposed NASB Standing Position regarding the use of accountability data for school improvement.  The committee suggested the proposed standing position be submitted by the NPS Policy Committee to the NASB Legislative Committee for consideration. If the NASB committee approves the standing position it will be voted on at NASB Delegate Assembly during NASB State Conference in November.


 

Rationale: 

The Government Relations Committee is preparing for the Legislative Session to resume on July 20th.  Representatives will attend the Greater Nebraska Schools Association (GNSA) meeting on July 22nd, and the Committee will meet on August 5th.  There are only 17 days remaining in the legislative session to cover some very important topics, such as budget amendments, property tax relief, and business incentives, so we are expecting things to move very quickly.

Rationale: 

The Activities Committee met on June 11th.  The main purpose for the meeting was to discuss the possible re-opening of our athletic facilities for weight-lifting and conditioning purposes.  Mr. Ries went through a detailed presentation of the safety protocols and procedures that would be put in place, including symptoms screening, social distancing, thorough cleaning, and traffic flow.  The Committee indicated that they felt comfortable with the proposal and agreed to re-open our facilities for this purpose, following a successful "dry-run" or "pilot" of the procedures.

The Committee also discussed a plan for mini-camps to be held in July for 9th-12th graders only. They agreed to move forward with these with no cost for participation.

Mr. Ries then provided the Committee with a variety of updates, including the following:

• Cheerleading , Pink Panthers, Show Choir, and Flags Corps completed virtual try-outs, which went very smoothly.

• We had several students participate in the National Speech Competitions, virtually. 

• The NSAA approved Bowling as a sanctioned activity.  

  • The administration is not recommending the addition of new activities or programs this year, due to the economic uncertainty we are facing. We need to focus on maintaining the outstanding programs we already have in place.

• The NSAA approved Girls Wrestling as an Emerging Sport. Girls will continue to be allowed to participate in boys events, if there are not enough girls available in a tournament.  There will be no additional cost for the district. 

• There will be a lot of uncertainty for activities moving into the fall.

1. Some sports may get to play and some may not

2. Individual games could be cancelled to due to "circumstances"

3. Sports budgeting--will order by season, coaches have been asked to be frugal

4. Fundraising activities will be greatly curtailed, as we want to be responsive to the impact that the pandemic has had on our parents and community members’ financial situation.

5. We will discuss a variety of options regarding activity passes, depending on our ability to have spectators at events. 

• The Girls finished 7th and the boys finished 5th in the NSAA Cup Final Standings.

2020-21 NPS Activities Committee Meeting(s)

• Monday, October 5, 2020, Noon, Central Office
• Monday, December 14, 2020, Noon, Central Office
• Monday, February 22, 2020, Noon, Central Office

Rationale:  Minutes of the June 8, 2020 school board meeting are attached.

Rationale: 

Letishia Lindhorst

Letishia will graduate on August 15 and begin employment with NPS on August 17.  For this reason, her contract was rewritten to show the correct number of contract days she will work for the 2020-2021 school year.  

Rationale:  None at this time.

Rationale:  Attached are the claims for the month of July, 2020.  These claims were reviewed earlier today by our Finance and Facility Committee.

Rationale:  On March 17, 2020, Governor Ricketts issued Executive Order 20-03, which allowed public boards to meet virtually. However, some individuals have questioned whether the Governor had the authority to unilaterally waive portions of the Open Meetings Act.  Therefore, we are now approving all actions taken by the Board of Education virtually during that time period.

Rationale:  This resolution will allow allow us to move forward with fall planning and move within phases of our Return to School Plan without making numerous and frequent changes to district policies and student and staff handbooks.  For example, visitors are encouraged in our current board policies, however they will not be allowed in various phases of our Return to School Plan.  We must be able to move within these phases seamlessly and nimbly based upon community spread levels in our area and the recommendations of our local health department, without waiting for official board action on policies and handbooks.

I will continue to bring as many actions to the board as feasible and will promptly inform the board of any actions taken according to this resolution.

Rationale:  The administration would like to recommend that the Norfolk Senior High School hold graduation at Skyview Lake on July 26th at 2:00 P.M.   Holding an outdoor ceremony will allow all graduating seniors to participate at the same time, and it will provide them with a memorable commencement ceremony.  If inclement weather were to occur on July 26th, we would hold two separate graduation ceremonies in the Senior High gym, with students separated by the alphabet.   Current Directed Health Measures will not accommodate all seniors and families in our gym at the same time. Detailed plans and safety procedures for both of these options have been cleared by the Elkhorn Logan Valley Public Health Department.

Rationale:  I am recommending to the Board of Education to grant permission to seek proposals for the replacement of the Senior High Chilling system.  This would be the final large pieces of equipment in the overall updating of the Sr. High HVAC system.  KPE Engineering estimates competitive bidding for the project, with the project starting late fall and being completed by early Spring of 2021. Funds for this project would come from the district QCPUF dollars.

Rationale:  Due to the additional students that we will have at Lincoln Montessori next year, the additional COVID procedures and responsibilities that will be in place, and the need for additional behavioral support in the building, I am recommending that we increase the Principal position from a 0.6 FTE  208 day contract to a 0.8 FTE  219 day contract, with the intent of moving this to a 1.0 FTE 230 day contract in the future. This is consistent with our long-term strategy identified within our Strategic Growth/Staffing Plan.

Mrs. Hausmann is aware that I am making this recommendation and supports this change.

Rationale:  This new policy outlines district expectations regarding grading. It is consistent with the recommendations previously presented by the ad-hoc Target-based Grading Committee and our revised Homework Policy.

Rationale: 

This new policy is recommended to address the emerging trend of staff members using essential oils in classrooms. This can be problematic for students with allergies and/or sensitivities to the oils. This policy prohibits their use, which mirrors our current practice.

Rationale:  Minor changes were made to these policies to ensure they align with state statute and to address wording irregularities.

Rationale:  Addendums have been made to the student handbooks at all levels to include tasers as a dangerous weapon.

Language has been added to the senior high student handbook to clarify the circumstances under which students may have mace on school property.

Rationale:  Please see attached.

Rationale:  See the attached document.

Rationale:  The next meeting of the Board of Education is scheduled for noon on Thursday, July 23, 2020 to discuss the district's COVID-19 Return to School Plan and conduct regular business. The meeting will be held at the Central Administration Office at 512 Phillip Avenue and will be open to the public, unless an executive session is needed to protect the interest of the district or the reputation of an individual.

The next regular meeting of the Board of Education will be held on Monday, May 14, 2018. The Business Meeting will begin at 5:30. 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.