August 10, 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 August, 2020 by specific fund is listed below:

General Fund = $535,818.91

Nutrition Services Fund =$148,245.41

Cooperative Fund = $1,409.20

QCPUF = $408,446.88

Student Fee Fund = $5,004.42
 

The total amount of claims for the month of July, 2020 in the Activities Fund were:
Activity Fund =$44,965.70

All of these claims were reviewed earlier today by the Finance and Facility Committee. We are in the process of closing this current fiscal year and will start the 20-21 fiscal year on Sept. 1st.  Auditors will be on site the week of Sept. 21st to perform the annual audit for 19-20.  The Business office has been busy with getting new hires set up in payroll with their salary and benefits as well as other start of the school year items.  Maintenance has done a nice job of getting buildings and grounds ready for school.  Tom Asmussen (Maint. Director) and his team have been going full speed for several months, I appreciate their efforts and flexibility.

Rationale: 

• It’s a delight to report that we’ve held new teacher training face to face. The Teaching and Learning team has a couple of important goals to achieve during new teacher training. Building relationships is important for new teachers to be comfortable reaching out for help. Educating new teachers on the instructional model, their curriculum and textbook programs as well as a basic understanding of how PLC’s work in our district is an important foundation.
• I have had multiple hours of zoom time with the Nebraska Department of Education regarding the processes and deadlines for this year. Transitioning at all levels is a challenge. Because things can change quickly, I find myself double checking deadlines often.
• Due to the interruption last spring, the state department is offering a Fall ACT test opportunity for any former junior student that would still like to take advantage of a free ACT test. It is not required, nor does it satisfy an accountability measurement.  We have fall PreACT testing of students in 9^th, 10^th and 11^th grades and K-8 MAP Growth testing scheduled for this fall.
• Just like any other year, we have a long list of curriculum work to update. The pace of curriculum work this year will rely on the health of our teachers and community. We may have to become creative on our collaboration and flexible on our speed.

Rationale: 

Thursday, August 6th, para education staff participated in the ESU 8 paraprofessional training for the 2020-2021 school year.  

During these first days with the staff I am meeting with the school nurses, speech pathologists, school psychologists, ELL teachers and the district special education staff. We will be reviewing the return to school plan and our role in student support and success at each level.  

Title VI- Native American school supplies are available for pick up for our families.  Please contact our Native American Home/School Liaison for more information. 

 

Rationale: 

We are only a few days away from getting our 2020/2021 school year rolling. Everyone across the district has done an amazing job of making sure we are prepared and have safe learning opportunities for our students. 

All NPS students have been divided into Groups A or B, divided based upon households. Group A will attend on Thursday August 13th and Group B will attend on Friday August 14th. This will give each building time to train their students on proper Covid safety procedures. These will also be the groups that will be used if Elkhorn Logan Valley Public Health Department moves our area color dial to orange. 

Monday August 17th we will be back to all students K-12 in classes for the first time since March. Lastly, Little Panthers Preschool teachers will be doing their required home visits over the next week and a half. If approved by the Board tonight, those students will be starting school in a similar process as our K-12, half would attend on Thursday August 20th and the other half on Friday August 21st.  

 

Rationale: 

Beginning of School Information:

• Our "New to the District" teacher training was Tuesday, August 4 - Friday, August 7.  The group consists of 26 new teachers and they are excited to get started.
• All certified staff reported today, Monday, August 10.
• The first day of school for students is Thursday, August 13 or Friday, August 14, depending on which group they are assigned. 
• Substitute teacher training was held on August 6 and will be offered again on August 17.
• Substitute paraprofessional training was held on August 10.

Job Postings Update:

Certified Positions: 

• Secondary Math Teacher 
• Secondary Special Education Teacher
• Full-Time Substitute Teacher
• Substitute Teacher

  Classified Openings: 

• Aftershock - Club Facilitators (Part-time)
• Aftershock - Partnership Specialist (Contracted/Part-time)
• Central Office - Front Desk Receptionist/Assistant to District Administration
• Evening Elementary Custodians (Part-time)
• Grant Elementary - 2 Classroom Paras (Part-time)
• Jefferson Elementary - 2 Classroom Paras (Part-time)
• Junior High Custodian/Night Supervisor (Full-time)
• Junior High Evening Custodian (Full-time)
• Middle School - ELL Para (Part-time)
• Maintenance - Mowing
• Multi-Building Custodian (Full-time)
• Senior High - 2 High Needs Para w/Driving (Full-time)
• Senior High Special Ed Achievement Center Para (Part-time)
• Substitute:  Paraprofessional, Health Tech, Secretary & Nurse
• Westside Elementary - Evening Custodian (part-time)
• Westside Elementary - Title 1 Paraprofessional (part-time)

Coaching Opportunities:

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

Rationale:  Return to School Update
Weekly News Bulletin (COVID Update from Communications Subcommittee)
Senior High Booster Shirts

Rationale:  The committee met at 12:00 noon today.  The claims for the month of August and Activity claims for July 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:

• Recommendation for SH Chilling system
• Annual Audit
• Admin compensation for 20-21

The next meeting will be a special meeting on Aug. 26th at 3:00 p.m. to discuss the 20-21 budget and then our regular meeting on Sept. 14th at 12:00 noon.

Rationale: 

The Policy Committee met on August 5, 2020 to discuss student and staff handbook supplements. These supplements were recommended by the Perry Law Firm to address situations unique to the 2020-2021 school year due to COVID-19. They include rules and expectations that are intended to ensure the health and safety of our students, staff, and community.

Some of the topics covered in the handbook supplements include: 

• The requirement for staff (in yellow and orange levels) and students (in orange level only) to wear cloth masks or clear face shields when on school grounds

• The procedure for staff and students to use when they have COVID-19 symptoms or they suspect that they have been exposed to COVID-19

• The district’s expectations regarding the completion of work at home

• The need for staff and students to be honest and forthcoming about COVID-19 symptoms and exposures

• The recommendation that staff follow guidance provided by the Elkhorn Logan Valley Public Health Department and the State’s Directed Health Measures when off-duty

• The assumption of risk for exposure to COVID-19

The Policy Committee also reviewed waivers recommended by the Perry Law Firm for extra-curricular activities. 

 

Rationale: 

The Government Relations Committee met on August 5, 2020 to discuss recent developments within the Nebraska State Legislature, including:

• LB 1107: This bill has advanced and is expected to pass.  It would provide property tax relief via the property tax credit fund and an income tax refund. It would also provide business incentives and pledge funding for the NeXT project and UNMC.  As written LB 1107 would not affect TEEOSA or Norfolk Public’s Schools funding. There is some concern, however, regarding how the state will fund this proposal.

• LB 1089: This bill was passed.  It will require all students to complete the FAFSA prior to high school graduation, regardless of whether they plan to attend college or seek financial aid.

• LB 1186: This bill was passed. It  states that "a school district employee who is physically injured by another person who "intentionally, knowingly or recklessly causes bodily injury" to that employee will receive injury leave and be paid their usual salary for the time they are absent and unable to work as a result of the injury."

• LB 1080: This bill passed.  It will require schools to adopt policies regarding appropriate relationships between students and employees, student-teachers, and interns.

• LB 147: This bill did NOT pass. It was Groene’s discipline bill which would have allowed student restraint. An interesting caveat is that lottery funding was set aside by the Legislature to pay for training related to this bill (even though it subsequently did not pass).

  The Government Relations Committee would like to thank Senator Jim Scheer for his service to the Nebraska Legislature, as his second term will end with the last day of this session, which is scheduled for Thursday, August 13, 2020.

Rationale: 

The Activities Committee met at noon on July 29, 2020.

Mr. Ries reported that summer camps went well, people complied with the safety protocols and everyone stayed healthy.  He also shared that fall practices are scheduled to start August 10th, but that some Class A schools are considering a later start.

The Committee reviewed tentative safety protocols and discussed when it should be determined that activities should be postponed or discontinued. They also discussed coaches compensation and determined that coaches should be given the opportunity to complete other work if their season was cut short or discontinued.

Mr. Viergutz discussed Junior High activities.  At this time, the plan is to hold a regular season, with safety protocols in place.  However, intramural options are being explored as a back-up plan. 

Activity Cards are not being sold at this point.  They will be sold on a seasonal basis this year, rather than an annual basis.  If it is determined that fall competitions will be held with spectators, fall activity cards will be sold for $10.

2020-21 NPS Activities Committee Meeting(s)

• Monday, October 5, 2020, Noon, Central Office
• Monday, December 21, 2020, Noon, Central Office 
• Monday, February 22, 2020, Noon, Central Office
• Monday, April 26, 2020, Noon, Central Office

Rationale:  There are no minutes for this month.

Rationale:  Minutes of the July 13, 2020 and July 23, 2020 meetings are attached.

Rationale:  None at this time.

Rationale:  None at this time.

Rationale:  Attached are the claims for the month of August, 2020.  These claims were reviewed earlier today by our Finance and Facility Committee.  There are no conflict statements for this month.

Rationale: 

• The major changes to the Substitute Handbook include the area of Substitute Daily Rate Pay and the section on Weapon Free Workplace.  The Daily Rate of Pay was approved at the School Board Meeting on March 9, 2020 and was updated in the handbook.  The Weapon Free Workplace section was updated to match the Certified and Classified Handbooks.

• The section on Classroom Environments was also added to address essential oils in classrooms.

 

Rationale: 

This handbook supplement was recommended by the Perry Law Firm to address situations unique to the 2020-2021 school year due to COVID-19. It includes rules and expectations that are intended to ensure the health and safety of our students, staff, and community. 
See attachment for more information.

Rationale:  This handbook supplement was recommended by the Perry Law Firm to address situations unique to the 2020-2021 school year due to COVID-19. It includes rules and expectations that are intended to ensure the health and safety of our students, staff, and community. 
See attachment for more information.

Rationale:  We would like to start with half of our LPP students attending school on August 20th, the second half attending on August 21st, and all students attending on August 24th.  This recommended change is very similar to the change adopted last month for our K-12 students.  It will allow us to teach and practice our new practices and procedures with smaller groups of children.

Rationale:  I am requesting a motion to approve to spend up to $2,500,000 of additional claims out of the General Fund in August for completion of 2019-2020 budgets, grants, and transfers to depreciation.  An end of August claims list will be posted for the Sept. 14th board meeting.

Rationale:  Listed below are the qualified bids for the Sr. High Chiller replacement project.

MCS CONSTRUCTION    West Point, NE    $988,088.63
RASMUSSEN    Council Bluffs, IA    $1,573,651.00
JOHNSON CONTROLS    Kearney, NE    $980,921.00
BAKER MECHANICAL, INC    Ankeny, IA    $1,295,674.00
STROBEL ENERGY GROUP LLC    Clarks, NE    $915,849.38

KPE Engineering will be overseeing this project which will be funded from our QCPUF allocation.
 

Rationale:  It is recommended to approve a 3.32% package increase for our PK-12 administrative staff and Superintendent for 2020-2021, the recommended salary structure for PK-12 administration for 2020-2021, Proposed Superintendent Contract and Schedule D are all attached.  The 3.32% package increase is the same increase approved for all of the district's other employee groups.  The Proposed Superintendent Contract and Schedule D have all been posted on the District website since August 3rd.

Rationale:  No changes have been made to this policy since its first reading last month.  The policy committee recommends that this policy is approved, as written.

Rationale:  No changes have been made to this policy since its first reading last month.  The policy committee recommends that this policy is approved, as written.

Rationale:  No changes have been made to these policies since their first reading last month.  The policy committee recommends the approval of these policies, as written.

Rationale:  It is my recommendation that we suspend this policy and the practice of accepting Foreign Exchange Students for the 2020-2021 school year, due to COVID-19. 

Rationale:  The 2nd monthly meeting of the Board of Education has been scheduled for noon on Thursday, August 27, 2020.

The next regular meeting of the Board of Education will be held on Monday, September 14, 2020. 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.