April 11, 2022 at 5:30 PM - Board of Education Regular Meeting
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1. Date Public Notice Appeared in the Norfolk Daily News:
Rationale:
April 4, 2022
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2. Call to Order
Rationale:
The Norfolk Public School District's board of education meeting is called to order.
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2.1. Roll Call
Rationale:
If any board member is absent, there will need to be a motion to excuse the absence.
Recommended Motion(s):
Motion to excuse the absence of Tammy Day passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
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2.2. Declaration of a Legal Meeting
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.
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3. Study Session
Rationale:
Dinner and School Nutrition/Meals Update -- LSI
Updates on Career Academies and Aftershock -- Austin Casselberry Board Building Visits -- Board Members |
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4. Pledge of Allegiance
Rationale:
Please stand and join us in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.
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5. Annual Student Fee Hearing
Rationale:
At this time I would like to open the hearing to discuss, consider, and receive input on the student fee policy. Attached for your review are the following: 1. Student fee receipts and expenditures in 2020-21 (Attachment A) At this time, if any member of the public wishes to comment or give opinions on the student fee policy and proposed fees for 2022-2023, we ask that you come to the microphone and state your name. Comments The district collected $113,838 in board approved student fees in the areas of instruction and activities during the 2020-2021 school year. These fee dollars can only be expended for the items for which they are collected. The district had $52,931 in board approved disbursements for 2020-2021 which left the fund with a cash balance of $399,787 as of August 31, 2021. The cash balance is primarily composed of those fees which are not necessarily expended on an annual basis such as the technology and summer school fees. The district reviews all items on the proposed fee list annually and only lists those fees which we believe are necessary to help offset the total cost to the district.
Attachments:
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6. Presentations, Special Recognition, Focus on Students
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6.1. Focus on the Students
Rationale:
"Communication Productions"--Norfolk Junior High School
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7. Public Comments & Communication
Rationale:
This is the time during the meeting when the public may request to address the Board. According to state law, if you wish to comment you must identify yourself, including your address, the name of the organization you represent and the topic that you wish to address. "Public Comment" cards are located at the Media table, in the back of the room. Please pick up a card and provide the required information, if you plan to speak. Each individual’s comments will be limited to five minutes. |
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8. Information and Discussion Items
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8.1. Finance & Facilities Report
Rationale:
The total amount of claims to be approved on the consent agenda for the month of April, 2022 by specific fund are listed below: General Fund = $627,911.58 Nutrition Services Fund =$344,979.23 Cooperative Fund = $8,977.43 The total amount of claims for the month of March, 2022 in the Activities Fund is listed below: All of these claims were reviewed earlier today by the Finance and Facility Committee.
Attachments:
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8.2. Teaching & Learning Report
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CURRICULUM, INSTRUCTION AND ASSESSMENT
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8.3. Student Programs Report
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ELL- Our students have completed the ELPA summative assessment. These results will be available the first week of May 2022. Our ELL team of teachers are scheduled to meet May 4, during PLC. Special Education- I, along with Directors Baumann, Nelson and Wilson, attended the NASES spring conference in Omaha, March 31 and April 1. The conference focus: A High Tide Floats All Boats: Implementing universal instructional strategies to ensure equity and access for all. District special education staff will meet this Wednesday, April 13 for a final time this school year during PLC. Our Completion Ceremony will be held Wednesday, May 11 at 2:30 PM. Please join us at this celebration. |
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8.4. Student Services Report
Rationale:
We completed our boundary exception meeting last week for families wishing to attend an elementary building outside of their neighborhood elementary school. Those families have been notified of approval or denial based on enrollment capacity at each elementary building. That is our last step before Kindergarten Round Up, which will be held on April 28th. Kindergarten Round Up is an important event for soon to be new Panthers. There will be activities for students and information provided to parents about Norfolk Public Schools at the event. Parents are encouraged to reach out to their neighborhood school if they have not registered yet. Our High School students participated in Prom ceremonies over this last weekend. We want to say thank you to all our senior parents and community partners who fundraised and gave donations that made it possible for our students to have a successful Post Prom that evening. A few other big dates we want to make sure get on your calendars are, May 15th, we will be hosting our graduation ceremony in the Senior High Gymnasium, May 18th is the last day of school, and May 19th is the last day for certified staff. |
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8.5. Human Resources & Accreditation Report
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HR Update: The search for high quality teachers for the 2022-2023 school year continues. I am excited about the teachers that have been hired already and will be joining the NPS staff for the 2022-2023 school year. We are struggling to fill several of our positions, but will continue to advertise, network and talk to colleges to attempt to recruit quality candidates. The External Accreditation Team was on site March 22-23. Their exit report was just received by the district and we will be sharing that information with the School Board at the May meeting. |
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8.6. Superintendent's Report
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Monthly Enrollment Report
COVID Update Grants |
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9. Committee Reports
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9.1. Facilities & Finance Committee Report
Rationale:
The committee met at 12:00 today. The claims for the month of April and activity claims for March were reviewed. The committee then reviewed the following items:
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9.2. Policy Committee Report
Rationale:
The Policy Committee did not meet this month.
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9.3. Government Relations Committee Report
Rationale:
The Government Relations Committee did not meet this month, but has been actively monitoring legislation.
Dr. Thompson sent letters to Senators regarding LB 1218 which would help with teacher recruitment through loan repayment and multiple certification pathways. The bill has been amended to remove the certification piece but could still help with teacher recruitment through the load forgiveness program. It has advanced to select file on a 39-0 vote, so it has a strong chance of passing. |
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9.4. Activities Committee Report
Rationale:
The Activities Committee did not meet this month.
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9.5. Norfolk Public Schools Foundation Committee Report
Rationale:
The Norfolk Public Schools Foundation Board of Directors met on March 21, 2022 at 4:30 p.m. at the NPS Administration Building. Twelve board members and 2 guests were present. Board Vice President Metka Kolm called the meeting to order at 4:31pm. The board reviewed the meeting minutes from February, the financial reports, and updates to the Strategic Plan. The scholarship committee chair, Bobbi Theisen, informed the board that scholarship selection preparations are underway and that all volunteer positions for the selection teams have been filled. NPSF is very grateful for these volunteers that share their time and talent with NPSF. The classroom grant committee chair, April Pearson, informed the board that the Classroom Grant applications are now open to NPS staff and they are encouraged to apply before the deadline on 4/20/22. Over $20,000 in classroom grants will be awarded to NPS in 2022. |
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9.6. Minutes of Committee Meetings
Rationale:
The minutes of the April 5, 2022 Nurses Meeting are attached.
Attachments:
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10. Approve Consent Agenda
Recommended Motion(s):
Motion to approve the consent agenda passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
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10.1. Minutes of Previous Meetings
Rationale:
Minutes from the March 14, 2022 and March 24, 2022 meetings are attached.
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10.2. Contract Approval
Rationale:
Zach Ahrenholtz
Tyler Beranek
Kristin Colvey
Amber Lenton
Carla Miles
Alexis Phillips
Amanda Smith
Judy Stepp
Tracy Trumper
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10.3. Claims
Rationale:
Attached are the claims for the month of April, 2022. These claims were reviewed earlier today by our Finance and Facility Committee. There is a conflict statement for this month that will need to be read before voting.
Attachments:
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11. Action Items
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11.1. Discuss, consider and take action to approve the 2022-2023 Student Fees
Rationale:
It is recommended to the Board of Education to make a motion to reaffirm Board Policy 5416 (Student Fees, attachment A) and approve the appendix (attachment B), setting student fees for 2022-2023
Recommended Motion(s):
motion to approve the 2022-2023 Student Fees passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
Attachments:
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11.2. Discuss, consider and take action to approve resignations--pending the hiring of suitable replacements
Rationale:
Derek Summers--Industrial Technology Teacher at Norfolk High School-- Derek is starting his own business.
Brian Cleary--Special Education Teacher at Norfolk Junior High School-- Brian has been offered a position in Tilden, NE. Both of these resignations were received after our deadline of March 15th and do not qualify as extreme extenuating circumstances. Therefore, their resignations should be accepted pending the hiring of suitable replacements.
Recommended Motion(s):
Motion to approve the resignations of Derek Summers and Brian Cleary--pending the hiring of suitable replacements passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
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11.3. Discuss, consider and take action to approve the proposal from BSN for Nike athletic uniforms and BSN equipment
Rationale:
This agreement would provide the district with better pricing for Nike brand athletic uniforms for varsity sports except swimming and wrestling (Nike does not have a strong product line in these activities, so other brands could be purchased) and potential future cost savings for equipment and other items. Moving to brand-name uniforms will allow the district greater design and color options as well as the length of time a specific color or design is produced. Overall, uniform fit and quality are also factors in this purchasing change. The BSN agreement does still allow local vendors the continued opportunity to do business with the district as they have traditionally done over the years. Even though the BSN agreement does provide cost savings when moving to Nike uniform purchases, this does increase the overall cost of uniforms by approx. 27%. The pros and cons have been discussed in both the Activities and Finance committees. Both committees agreed to request proposals to determine the best financial package for the district if it moves to brand name uniform purchasing.
Recommended Motion(s):
Motion to approve the proposal from BSN sports for Nike athletic uniforms and BSN equipment. passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
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11.4. Discuss, consider and take action to approve the purchase of curriculum materials for English/Language Arts, grades 6-11
Rationale:
Selecting an English Language Arts program is a time-intensive process that includes many pieces such as previewing literary texts, writing instruction and analyzing the embedded components that support new research on the science of reading. As with all resource selections, a thorough compatibility matrix was completed along with the piloting of materials in the classroom. It is my recommendation that we purchase Study Sync from McGraw Hill for the 6th through 11th grade English Language Arts program. This includes student and teacher materials, both hard copies and digital subscriptions. The cost equates to approximately $27/student/year on a six-year subscription. This purchase will be funded through ESSERS III and the district's annual curriculum budget.
Quotes were received by Savvas and McGraw Hill. Savvas: $344,625.05 McGraw Hill: $318,025.15
Recommended Motion(s):
Motion to approve the purchase of curriculum materials for English/Language Arts, grades 6-11 as presented passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
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11.5. Discuss, consider and take action to grant permission to seek RFPs for Chromebook Touches
Rationale:
We are requesting permission to seek RFPs for Chromebook Touches, to be purchased through Emergency Connectivity Funding. This grant program has been expanded, allowing us an opportunity to purchase additional equipment. If we do not receive the grant funding, purchase of this equipment will be re-evaluated, with the large majority of the purchase being postponed.
Recommended Motion(s):
Motion to grant permission to seek RFPs for Chromebook Touches passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
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11.6. Discuss, consider and take action to approve the second and final reading of board policies 5417-5602 related to students
Rationale:
No changes have been made to these policies since their first reading last month.
Recommended Motion(s):
Motion to approve the second and final reading of board policies 5417-5602 related to students passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
Attachments:
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12. Future Meetings
Rationale:
The 2nd monthly meeting of the Board of Education has been tentatively scheduled for noon on Thursday, April 28, 2022.
The next regular meeting of the Board of Education will be held on Monday, May 9, 2022. The Study Session will begin at 5:30 PM. The regular business meeting will start at 6:30 PM. 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. |
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13. Executive Session -- To Discuss Potential Litigation--As Needed to Protect the Interest of the District
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13.1. Convene Executive Session -- To Discuss Potential Litigation--As Needed to Protect the Interest of the District
Recommended Motion(s):
Motion to Convene Executive Session -- To Discuss Potential Litigation--As Needed to Protect the Interest of the District passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
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13.2. Reconvene Meeting from Executive Session
Rationale:
The meeting reconvened from the Executive Session at
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13.3. Approval of Any Action Deemed Necessary as a Result of Executive Session
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14. Adjournment
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