April 14, 2014 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:   

It is the VISION of Norfolk Public Schools to be a top-performing school that provides outstanding educational opportunities for every student and is a source of pride and an asset to our community.

The MISSION of Norfolk Public Schools is to prepare all students to pursue their goals for the future.

Strategic Goals:

• Goal #1:  By Fall 2017, NPS will implement and communicate a curriculum that is scoped, sequenced, and aligned with state and national standards.

• Goal #2:  By Fall 2017, NPS will expand career awareness activities and provide course offerings in all 6 (Nebraska Career Education) Career Cluster areas through partnerships.

• Goal #3:  By Spring 2015, NPS will implement a continuous and comprehensive integration of technology for all students.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

Rationale:  Tammy Day

Rationale:  There is no Award for Excellence this month.

Rationale:  Allison Suckstorf, Kindergarten Teacher at Grant Elementary Presents
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5EvkItW8sz8

Rationale:  Data Books

Rationale:  This is the time during the board meeting when the public may request to address the board regarding an agenda item. If you wish to comment, we ask that you identify yourself and indicate the agenda item to which you will be speaking.

Rationale:  See Attachments

Rationale:  Total amount of claims approved in the consent agenda for the month of April, 2014 by specific fund are as follows:

General Fund=$416,861.03
Cooperative Fund=$16,955.56
Bond Fund=$103,193.97
Student Fee Fund=$21,943.99
Depreciation Fund=$191.04
Special Building Fund=$167.72
QCPUF Fund=$89,111.65
Nutrition Services Fund=$109,085.24

The total amount of claims for the month of March, 2014 in the Activities fund are as follows:

Activity Fund = $78,229.91

The Finance and Facility Committee reviewed all April claims for approval by the board.  Activity account claims for the month of March were also reviewed. We are currently on par with our budget for 2013-2014 fiscal year.  We have watched items closely over the past few months as well actions in the legislature concerning school finance.  It looks like we will have a slight decrease in TEEOSA for 14-15 but a number that we can manage with continuing our conservative approach on all fiscal issues.  All of our other funds continue to have adequate cash flow and have maintained their fiscal health that they had at the beginning of this fiscal year.  I anticipate that continuing into 2014-2015 with some careful planning.  I will be able to start sharing some more details on the 2014-2015 budget as we enter the summer months and start preparing for another school year.

Rationale: 

ASSESSMENT SEASON:

All public schools across the state of Nebraska are in the middle of the NeSA Testing Window. The Nebraska Department of Education contracts the testing management through a company called eDirect. This year eDirect implemented several software changes and updates to the program. It has been problematic in a wide variety of ways. Although, the intentions of the updates are for the betterment of valid testing and support the special needs of students, it has caused some tribulation to districts because of the technology updating process. I’m confident of our in house management of the software updates, and any troubles we have encountered have been due to issues on the end of eDirect and not with NPS.

During the writing window, we had instances where students in midsession of the online writing test, had partial loss of their work. NPS testing proctors that were aware of the situation coached the students to go in and add back to their lost parts. At the completion of the testing window, NDE scanned writing pieces and contacted schools if pieces appeared to be incomplete. NPS was given the opportunity to review 4 student’s work to ensure all of their responses were complete. I believe NDE was doing diligence to our district by giving us that opportunity. Since then however, NDE has notified that they will not be using the writing test as a determining factor for AYP (Adequate Yearly Progress) this year. Scores will still be posted for districts.

During the current Reading, Math and Science testing window, we have encountered a few issues where computers froze and computers had to be restarted or tools within the program did not function as planned. The good news is that no questions or answers have been lost by this but it does create a sense of anxiety in teachers and students and of course we want our students to be as successful as possible.

I will not guarantee the 100% met proficiency as expected by the government’s goal line, but I will guarantee high quality efforts of our students and professionals. As the rules and guidelines change for accountability, I will keep you informed and of course as the results are made public I will also report that to you.

 

Rationale: 

April Board of Education Report

1.  I have meet with all of our local Parochial Schools Administrators  for the purpose of explaining what NCLB programs Norfolk Public Schools will be participating in for the 2014-2015 School Year. I need to meet with them annually to share our program plans and seek their signatures regarding our meeting and any participation on their part.

2.  TeamMates of Norfolk -Mentors and Mentees- attended the University of Nebraska Spring Game and participated in State TeamMates Activities scheduled there during the day.  Susie Buss, Coordinator for TeamMates of Norfolk, has done an excellent job with these preparations.

3.  Spring Break is scheduled for April 18-21 - meaning No School for students and staff.

4.  District Music Contest is scheduled for Friday, April 25th.  Hopefully you can schedule some time to come and sit in on some of the performances.  ( I will let you know when our large groups or ensembles perform once that is determined) If you can‘t attend on the 25th, they are having a Pre-contest concert on Tuesday, April 22nd.

5.  Aaron Rang, supervisor of our district’s Buildings and Grounds crew, is getting machinery for spring tasks in order.  He is also currently taking applications for our summer maintenance and trimming crew.

6.  Preparations are being made for our district’s Kindergarten Round-up for the 2014-2015 school year. Activities for students and information for parents/guardians will be scheduled in all of our Elementary Buildings on Wednesday, April 30th.

Rationale:  State Aid Certification
Montessori 
Dean of Students

Rationale:  The Facility and Finance Committee met today at 12:00 noon in the central office board room. The committee had an opportunity to review all claims for April, and fund balances for March, as well as the activity fund claims for March, 2014.  The committee reviewed bids on the Jefferson HVAC project and the Sr. High HVAC project.  Recommendation to the board on these bids are in tonight's action items.  The committee reviewed the request for getting bids on our Milk, Bread, Pest Control, and Sanitation Services for 2014-2015.  Mr. Witte updated the committee on the demolition of the "Old Jr. College" building and also reported on our Title I and Poverty program audit conducted by NDE.  We also shared the timeline for the Jr. High roof and HVAC projects.  All these facility improvement projects are a part of the 3 to 5 year facility plan shared with the board previously and being funded through QCPUF.  The committee also reviewed some staffing recommendations as well as TEEOSA "Tax Equity and Educational Opportunities Support Act" dollars for 2014-2015.  

Rationale:  The Activities Committee has not met since our last Committee Report.  Our next meeting is scheduled for noon on Monday, April 28th.

Rationale:  The Policy and Government Relations Committee met Wednesday, April 2nd at 5:30 P.M.  Bob Waite did not attend, in order to avoid a quorum.

Items of discussion include:

*  Policy Section 5000 e-g related to students.  These draft policies were  discussed by the committee and have been made available for the remainder of the board to review prior to tonight.
 
Policy Section 5000 c-d is up for 2nd reading and possible approval tonight.  Sections 5000 e-g are up for First Reading.  

Are there any policies in either of these sections that you have questions about or would like to discuss?

Tentative Policy Revision Schedule

April

2nd Reading:   5000 c-d Students

1st Reading:    5000 e-g Students

May:

2nd Reading: 5000 e-g Students

1st Reading: 6000 a Instruction

June:

2nd Reading: 6000 a Instruction

1st Reading: 6000 b Instruction

July:

2nd Reading: 6000 b Instruction

1st Reading: 8000 Board Policy

August:

2nd Reading: 8000 Board Policy

1st Reading: 9000 By-Laws

September:

2nd Reading: 9000 By-Laws

1st Reading: 2000 Administration

October:

2nd Reading: 2000 Administration

1st Reading: 7000 New Construction

November:

2nd Reading: 7000 New Construction

1st Reading: Miscellaneous “old” policies not already covered

December:

2nd Reading: Miscellaneous “old” policies not already covered

Rationale:  There are no other committee meeting minutes to report. 

Rationale: 

• March 6, 2014 Special Board Meeting Minutes
• March 10, 2014 Regular Board Meeting Minutes
• March 27, 2014 2nd Monthly Meeting Minutes

Rationale:  Erik Wilson - Senior High Assistant Principal
Jason Settles - Senior High Assistant Principal
Tim Kwapnioski - Director of Human Resources, Public Relations, and School Improvement
Lynn Behnke - Special Education Teacher at Junior High

Rationale:  Attached are the Claims for the month of April, 2014

Rationale:  Attached is the proposed 2014-2015 Hourly wage schedule for our classified staff.  This schedule represents at 3.35% increase with all of our positions.  The schedule and overall compensation system was discussed with the finance and facility committee as well as the board of education at a previous meeting.  I have also shared this with different representatives from the classified staff. 

Rationale:  Attached is the proposed 2014-2015 salary framework for our administrative staff.  This schedule represents a cost effective and competitive compensation system for our administrative team.  The 2014-2015 framework represents an increase for administrators which is calculated by taking 3.35% of the frameworks base salary. Currently we do not have a clear and transparent system for the employee, public, and board of education to see and review but feel this proposal provides that for next year and into the future.  There has been many hours of thought and research that has gone into this framework.  Dr. Thompson and I have also received feedback from our current administrative staff and finance committee on this proposal.

Rationale:  In order to keep competitive pricing and follow our current policies, I am requesting permission to put out RFP's on the following:

Milk
Bread
Pests
Sanitation services

Rationale:  The finance and facility committee reviewed all bids and made the recommendation to engage in a contract with Rasmussen Mechanical to complete the HVAC project at Jefferson Elementary School for the amount of $156,971.

Rationale:  The finance and facility committee reviewed all bids and made the recommendation to engage in a contract with Rasmussen Mechanical to complete the HVAC project at the High School for the amount of $256,792.

Rationale:  220 Dell Replacement Desktops (3010)
$538.99/desktop
Total:  $118,577.80

Rationale:  CWDG Bid:
1,200 Chromebooks for the Senior High School
$236.00/Chromebook
$27.00 per Chromebook for Domain Management
Total:  $315,600.00

Additional Costs related to Chromebook purchase, but not included in bid:
Covers:   $15.30 each /Total: $18,350.00 
Engraving:  $5.00 each/  Total:  $6,000.00

Rationale:  We do not anticipate taking action regarding this item this evening.

Rationale:  The Second Meeting of the Month is scheduled for Thursday, April 24th at noon at the Central Office/Administration Building in the Board Room.

The next Regular Board Meeting is scheduled for Monday, May 12th. The Board Supper will be held at 5:00 p.m., a Board Study Session will be held at 5:30, and the Regular Meeting will begin at 6:30.  All components are open to the public and are held at the City Chamber Office.