June 9, 2014 at 5:00 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.

Tammy Day:
Dr. Brad Krivohlavek:
Bruce Mitchell:
Arnie Robinson:
Bob Waite:
Sandy Wolfe:

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:  According to State Statute, schools must conduct a public hearing regarding their parental involvement policy annually.  Our current Parental Involvement Policy will be reviewed, as well as the Parental Involvement Policy that is up for 1st Reading this evening.  The  public will be given the opportunity to present information and opinions on these proposed policies.

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

Rationale:  This will begin again in the fall.

Rationale:  This will begin again in the fall.

Rationale:  Mr. Andreasen and Mrs. Roberts will present information regarding changes that we are making to our preschool program, beginning with the 2014-2015 school year, including a name change (Little Panthers Preschool).

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.

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CURRICULUM
Unsellable Algebra 1, 2 and Statistics books will be donated to Norfolk Private School in Malawi-as well as any unsold computers after the sale. Other items are also being considered for donation; however maintenance does have some storage issues we need to keep in mind.  Anything we can receive buy back monies for has been processed.

During this time of the year, NSSRS reports become the forefront of attention in my department. Working diligently to meet those deadlines.

We are hosting our own PLC workshop on June 23-24^th at the LLLC. So far 75+ people are lined up to be in attendance. We are excited to give so many staff members this leadership training and opportunity.

The beginning of the curriculum work with teachers will occur on June 25-26^th and continue throughout other days in the summer and school year.

Text/software needs are being ordered for next year.

A Reading Coach has been selected for our district - a strong applicant in place.

HUMAN RESOURCES
Through HR, we are still working on filling some positions. Internal movement has created a domino effect but we are doing quite well. All but one teaching position is left to fulfill and we were waiting for student numbers to dictate the need. With the approval of contracts tonight, you can see how busy we have been.

We have updated our hiring paperwork to reflect a legal change with regards to background checks of employees.

As the onset of Mr. Kwapnioski coming to central office to take over HR, I have been preparing for the transition.

TECHNOLOGY
The replacement for the senior high technology support person has been hired and the tech department will be training and helping the new person beginning June 19.

The Dells and Chrome books we ordered are available and being worked on to be prepared for the next school year. We hope to be confidently ready for the 1:1 roll out this fall in the senior high. 

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Rationale:  School Board Candidate Seminar:
All five school board candidates have been invited to attend a School Board Candidate Seminar led by the Nebraska Association of School Boards. This seminar will provide candidates information about the governance roles and responsibilties of a board member and provide them with resources and information to support them in their undertanding of board service and administrative leadership.  The seminar will be held at the Life Long Learning center on July 17th from 5:30-7:00 PM. I will also attend this workshop to help answer any questions that candidates may have regarding Nofolk Public Schools.

Negotiations Seminar:
A seminar for board members, superintendents, and business managers involved in teacher negotiations will be held earlier that day from 3:45-5:00 PM. NASB will be presenting their new North Star Negotiations Software, that we may want to consider utilizing in the future. Please let Sara Goodwater or me know if you are interested in attending this presentation with me.

Superintendent Evaluation:
It is time for my second evaluation of the year.  Please have your completed forms and comments returned to Bruce by ____________, so that he can compile these prior to the July Board meeting.

Rationale:  Mr. Witte will review changes to the 2014-2015 Handbooks prior to approval.

Rationale: 

In compliance of Law 79-719 Multicultural Education I report to the Norfolk Public School Board of Education that all school buildings have included the studies of culture, history and contributions of African Americans, Hispanic Americans, Native Americans and Asian Americans – among other not mentioned- with an emphasis on human relations and sensitivity toward all races. 

Rationale: 

In compliance with Nebraska State School Law 79-724-Americanism, all building Americanism reports have been submitted to my office/folder and are available for your review if you so choose.

In summary, some of the focuses are listed, but were not limited to the following:

The daily exercise of the Pledge of Allegiance, Constitution Day, Nebraska American Indian Day, Columbus Day, Veteran’s Day, Thanksgiving, Martin Luther King Day, Presidents’ Birthdays, Statehood Day, Loyalty Day, George Norris Day, and Chief Standing Bear Day. A large variety of activities were used to support the recognition of these focus days and topics. 

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 June, and fund balances for May, as well as the activity fund claims for May, 2014.  Initial dates for the 2014-2015 budget process were intially set for August through October.  These dates include Budget workshop and study session for the entire board, tax request and budget hearings for the public, as well as the process on the additional QCPUF bonds for the upcoming projects in our district. The committee reviewed bids on the Jr. High carpet and Sr. High door projects and the proposal for architectural services for central office and old maintenance building renovation projects.  I will be able to give more information to the board on these items and some possible design concepts at our July meeting and retreat.  The committee also received updates from Mr. Witte on the Carson theatre and also the Old Jr. College building. Recommendation to the board on the bid items are in tonight's action items.  We closed with an update of our current facility projects that are underway in our district.

Rationale:  The Activities Committee has not met and is not scheduled to do so until school resumes in the fall.  However, we can schedule a special meeting of this committee if the board would like them to review the Cooperative Activities Policy Revision prior to its Second Reading.

Rationale:  It has been a busy month for the Policy Committee. We met at 7:00 AM on Wednesday, June 4th to discuss the revision of the Cooperative Activities Policy, which we have brought to the board for First Reading tonight.  Adoption of this policy revision would allow us to coop with schools outside our boundaries for swimming.

We met again at 6:45 PM on Wednesday, June 4th to discuss the Annual Policy Revisions recommended by Perry Law Firm. These are policies that need to be revised and/or adopted due to changes that occurred during the most recent legislative session. Those policies being considered for First Reading tonight included 1120 (Tobacco), 5008 (Attendance), 5208 (High School Credits), and 5506 (Safe Pupil Transportation).  Revisions have also been made to policy 6283 (Concussions) to address legislative changes. However, this policy is up for 2nd Reading tonight.

We also reviewed Policy Section 6000b (6370-6920) related to Instruction.  These policies are being considered for First Reading tonight.

Rationale:  05-12-14 Regular Monthly Meeting Minutes
05-22-14 2nd Monthly Meeting Minutes

Rationale: 

Eric Brommer
2014-2015 – Social Science Teacher at Norfolk Senior High
Bachelor’s Degree in History from Morningside College in Sioux City, Iowa
Bachelor’s Degree in History Secondary Education from Wayne State College in Wayne, Nebraska
Currently teaching at Grand Island Senior High in Grand Island, Nebraska

Curt Guenther
2014-2015 – Science Teacher at Norfolk Junior High
Bachelor’s Degree in Middle School Math and Science from Wayne State College in Wayne, Nebraska
Student taught at Randolph Public Schools in Randolph, Nebraska and is currently substitute teaching

Brian Disch
2014-2015 – Math Teacher at Norfolk Senior High
Bachelor’s Degree in Natural and Social Sciences from Wayne State College in Wayne, Nebraska
Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction in Mathematics from Wayne State College in Wayne, Nebraska
Currently the head baseball coach at Wayne State College in Wayne, Nebraska

Curtis Reese
2014-2015 – Science Teacher at Norfolk Senior High
Bachelor’s Degree in Biology from Wayne State College in Wayne, Nebraska
Natural Science teaching endorsement from University of Nebraska at Kearney, Nebraska
Currently teaching science and physics at Battle Creek High School in Battle Creek, Nebraska

Trevor Osten
2014-2015 – Math/Physical Education Teacher at Norfolk Senior High
Bachelor’s Degree in Math and Physical Education from Concordia University in Seward, Nebraska
Currently teaching math at Battle Creek High School in Battle Creek, Nebraska

Jill Blaylock
2014-2015 – Reading Coach based out of the Central Administration Building
Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from Wayne State College
Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Doane College in Crete, Nebraska
Currently teaching sixth grade in the Stanton Community Schools in Stanton, Nebraska

 

 

 

 

Rationale:  A public hearing was held to discuss, consider, and receive input on the Parental Involvement Policy.  The public was given the opportunity to present information and opinions on the Parental Involvement Policy before the board took any action regarding this policy.

This policy (6400) is contained within section 6000b, which is up for First Reading tonight.  However, we will consider it separately in order to be provide optimal transparency.

Rationale:  State law requires that we review our Anti-Bullying Policy (5415) annually.  This policy was revised and adopted last month.  No additional revisions are recommended at this time.

Rationale:  Recent legislative changes have resulted in state law that requires schools to review their attendance policy annually.

This new state law includes several other changes, which have been incorporated into revised Policy 5008.  The biggest change is a requirement for school personnel to hold a meeting with parents to develop a collaborative plan to improve attendance for students who exhibit "excessive absences".

We will be reviewing this policy further in the next few weeks and may have some additional changes prior to Second Reading and Adoption, but would request that you consider the policy as is for First Reading.

Rationale:  The Policy Committee has drafted a revision to Cooperative  Policy 503.4 based upon the Board's decision last month to allow NPS to coop with schools outside our district boundaries for swimming.  The related Administrative Rule has also been revised.

This issue has been discussed at length in previous meetings, so unless there are questions, I would request that  you approve the First Reading of this revised policy.

Rationale:  Please note addition to Policy 6283 since 1st Reading.  A Return to Learn Protocol has been added based upon new legislation.

Rationale:  This policy has been updated to include vapor products (such as e-cigarettes), alternative nicotine products, and tobacco product look-alikes.

Rationale:  This policy would allow 8th grade students to earn high school credit if they complete a math course that has equivalent content requirments as a course offered at the high school. The credit would be listed on their transcript at the end of their 1st semester at the high school.

Rationale:  This policy is identical to the policy that we approved last month, with the addition of section 8, which are procedures to be used if a drop-off location appears to be unsafe.    According to the policy students are only to be released if a responsible adult is present.  If an adult is not present, the child should remain on the vehicle and be taken back to the school at the completion of the transportation route.

Rationale: 

The Superintendent's salary will be increased 3.24%.
 2013-2014 Salary: $175,000
 2014-2015 Salary: $180,863

A breakout of all contract expenses is attached.

Rationale:  The Midlands Superintendents' Academy was started last year by the University of Nebraska at Omaha to provide new school superintendents with the skills, knowledge, and mentoring that they need to successfully lead and manage school districts.  Keith Lutz, long-time superintendent of Millard Public Schools,  serves as program director and brings real-life experience to the program.  Topics studied include:
Community Engagement
Systems Thinking
Strategic Planning
Work Process Management
Ethical Leadership
Accountability for Student Learning
Crisis Management
Communication and Marketing
Elections
Innovations in Technology
Politics of the Superintendency
Legislative Processes 
Superintendent/School Board Relationshiips
Policy Development
Student Achievement

Classes are held one day per month throughout the school year, and participants are provided with a mentor.

Total cost of the program: $2000

I have visited with superintendents who participated in this program last year, and they indicated that is it was very beneficial.  

See the attached brochure for additional information.

Rationale:  I recommend to the board of education to pass the resolution as stated in the attached document.  This will allow the district to continue to proceed with QCPUF projects where dollars for those budgets will not be encumbered until November or early December 2014.  This resolution allows us legally to proceed will all of those transactions within the QCPUF fund without borrowing or paying back to other funds during this overlap of budgets connected with specific bond issues.  The amount of this overlap of budgets cannot exceed $500,000.

Rationale:  Our next Regular Board meeting will be held at noon on July 14th at the Chamber of Commerce Building.  This will be followed by the Board Retreat, beginning at approximately 1:00.

Board members will reserve noon-1:00 on June 26th  in case a 2nd meeting of the month is needed to conduct board business (such as contract approvals).