January 16, 2023 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:  NPS Board of Education Code of Ethics (Policy 8272) -- Sandy Wolfe

Parliamentary Procedure -- Dr. Thompson

Board Reports regarding building visits, special events, and/or professional development activities attended

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

Rationale:  According to Board Policy 9121, the Board President:
* Presides at all meetings of the School Board
* Countersigns all orders upon the school treasury for funds to be dispersed by the district
* Countersigns all warrants of the Secretary of the County Treasurer
* Maintains order at public meetings of the School Board
* Appears for and on behalf of the district in all suits brought by or against the District
* Appoints or provides for the election of committees of the Board and stays apprised of the work of all such committees
* Calls special meetings of the Board when warranted

The Superintendent will call for nominations for the office of Board President.  Once nominations have ceased, one of the following procedures will be utilized:

If only one person is nominated: 
The superintendent will ask for a motion to approve that person as Board President and proceed with an electronic vote.

If more than one person is nominated:
The Superintendent  will provide Board members with a ballot on which they will write the name of the person that they want to vote for. 

Mary Hoien will count the votes and read the tally for the record.

The candidate with the most votes will serve as our 2023 Board President, beginning immediately.

Rationale:  According to Board Policy 9122, the Vice President shall perform the duties of the President in case of the absence of the President.

The Board President will call for nominations for the office of Vice President.  Once nominations have ceased, one of the following procedures will be utilized:

If only one person is nominated: 
The superintendent will ask for a motion to approve that person as Vice President and proceed with an electronic vote.

If more than one person is nominated:
The President will provide Board members with a ballot on which they will write the name of the person that they want to vote for. 

Mary Hoien will count the votes and read the tally for the record.

The candidate with the most votes will serve as our 2023 Vice President, beginning immediately.

Rationale:  Norfolk Middle School Staff and Student Presentation: 
Walk 2 Unlock Nebraska w/ Mrs. Koozer

Rationale:  Michelle Munderloh--Special Education Teacher at Norfolk Middle School

Rationale:  The Norfolk Public Schools staff, administration and students would like to thank the individuals that serve on the Board of Education for their dedicated service.

Although School Board Appreciation Week will actually occur January 22-29, we want you to take some time now to tell you that we appreciate everything you do for Norfolk Public Schools.  Thank you for all the time and effort you volunteer in order to ensure that all of our students are provided with outstanding learning opportunities that prepare them to meet their goals for the future.

We have a variety of gifts for you from students and staff across the district, as well as a short video to remind you why you have chosen to serve as a member of the Norfolk Public Schools Board of Education.

https://youtu.be/UX9psE6kPMc

Rationale: 

It is customary for the district's Superintendent to serve as the Board's Secretary. Therefore, I recommend that you appoint me as your 2023 Board Secretary.

Rationale:  It is customary for the District's Director of Business Services to serve as Board Treasurer. Therefore, I recommend that you appoint Dr. Bill Robinson to serve as the 2023 Board Treasurer.

Rationale: 

For numerous years, the district's primary legal counsel has been provided via the attorneys at Perry Law Firm.  We continue to be satisfied with their advice and performance. Therefore, I recommend that we continue to use their services on an as needed basis.

Other legal firms may be used from time to time for special cases that require specialized expertise.

Rationale:  See attached.

Rationale: 
RESOLVED, that the official depository of school funds for Madison County School District 59-0002 is hereby designated to be at Bank First, Elkhorn Valley Bank & Trust, Midwest Bank and Nebraska Liquid Asset Fund, and that the designation of any other institution as the depository of school funds is hereby withdrawn.  Bank First will be the primary depository for the General Fund. Midwest Bank will be the primary depository for the Bond Fund, Special Building Fund and Depreciation Fund. Elkhorn Valley Bank & Trust will be the primary depository for all other Funds and Nebraska Liquid Asset Fund will serve as a depository for cash reserves in the General, Bond, QCPUF, Special Building, and Depreciation Funds.

Rationale: 

Historically, we have used the Norfolk Daily News as our newspaper of record.  This is where we publish public notices, RFPs, etc.

Rationale:  According to Policy 3130 the Board of Education shall be presented annually the list of recommended card assignments that have authority to use school district issued credit cards and purchasing cards.  The credit cards are issued through Bank First.  All credit cards have the school district's name and card number on them, not individual names. The district Voyager fleet cards for fuel can only be used by organizations that qualify for the state fuel rate. These cards are also numbered with the school district name on them.  All cards are initially checked out through the Business Office and returned to the Business Office when they expire or a listed assignment is no longer needed in the district.

Rationale: 

State statutes require that School Board members disclose any Conflicts of Interest that they may have related to contracts and employment issues, as well as any other matters that may have a financial impact on the Board member or his/her family.  The procedures for conflict disclosure and reporting have been provided to all Board members for their review.

All Board members understand their duty to disclose potential conflicts of interest and refrain from voting on such items.  Potential items that may be a conflict include: reimbursement of expenses and the payment of wages for activity workers. Our Finance Office will notify Board members if such items appear on the monthly claims and assist them in preparing a conflict of interest disclosure statement.

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.

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: 

The total amount of claims to be approved on the consent agenda for the month of January, 2023 by specific fund are listed below:

General Fund =$567,056.31

Nutrition Services Fund =$293,722.42

Cooperative Fund =$5,195.94

Special Building Fund =$6,625

QCPUF = $177,468

Student Fee Fund = $3,355.18

The total amount of claims for the month of December, 2022 in the Activities Fund is listed below:
Activity Fund =$86,776.14

All of these claims were reviewed earlier today by the Finance and Facility Committee.  Employee W-2's should be going out by the end of this week and 1095's by mid February.

Rationale:  Curriculum, Instruction & Assessment

• There is not much new to report at this time since we’ve been on mid-year break. We have successfully met our mid-year assessment requirements and teachers are reviewing assessment data to help determine instructional decisions moving forward.
• There will be more to report as the semester unfolds.

 

Rationale: 

Our English Language Learner (ELL) students will be able begin taking the English Language Proficiency Assessment (ELPA)  on February 6, 2023 - March 17, 2023.   This assessment evaluates our students' proficiency in speaking, listening, reading and writing the English language.  The ELL teachers and I will be meeting January 18th in preparation. 

Our district special education team will meet on Wednesday, January 25th where our special education leadership team will review IEP preparation and meeting guidance. On January 11th, the leadership team met in preparation for this meeting.

Rationale: 

Reminder that Parent Teacher Conferences are scheduled for:

• Monday, Feb. 13th: K-8 from 4pm-7pm
• Tuesday, Feb. 14th: K-4 from 4pm-7pm
• Tuesday, Feb. 14th: 9-12 from 4pm-7pm
• Wednesday, Feb. 15th: 5-12 from 4pm-7pm 
• Thursday, Feb. 16th: Students are dismissed at 11:30am
• Thursday, Feb. 16th: K-12 from 1pm-4pm

Individual buildings will be sending out information to parents as we get closer regarding in-person and virtual options.

With the start of 2nd semester, we begin thinking about Kindergarten registration and Round Up for next school year. The application process for Kindergarten students to enroll in our Montessori program at Lincoln elementary opened on Jan 1st. There will be a drawing on April 3rd to fill our 2 kindergarten sections in that building. We have also started taking registration information for kindergarten students at their neighborhood elementary school. Parents must have a birth certificate and a copy of immunization records to begin the enrollment process. Finally Preschool Registration begins Jan 17th at Little Panthers Preschool.

 

Rationale: 

HR Update:

Advertising will begin tomorrow for certified positions for the 2023-2024 school year.  I am scheduled to attend job fairs to begin recruiting at the University of Nebraska Lincoln, the University of Nebraska Kearney, Wayne State College and the South Dakota Teacher Fair.

Today, NPS hosted the ESU 8 Winter Workshop at the Senior High.  Approximately 19 school districts gathered to listen to keynote speaker, Tina Boogren, share her message about utilizing a research-based framework for educator wellness.  For the remainder of the day, teachers and administrators had the opportunity to attend three different sessions of their choice, choosing from over 100 sessions that covered a wide range of topics.

Rationale:  Enrollment
Staffing Updates (January 4th Current Realities Presentation and January 16th Listening Sessions)

Rationale:  The committee met at 12:00 today.  The claims for the month of January and activity claims for December were reviewed. Other items reviewed and discussed:

• Updates on current district projects
• Review of staffing proposal
• Review of Banking Resolution and Credit/Fleet card recommendations 

The next meeting will be Monday, February 13th, at 12:00 noon.

Rationale:  Minutes from the December 12, 2022 and December 27. 2022 board meetings are attached.

Rationale: 

~ Traceton Halley

• Jan. 17 - May 24, 2023, Physical Education Teacher, Norfolk Junior High School
• Bachelor of Science, K-12 Physical Education, Wayne State College, Wayne, NE, December 2022
• Sept. - Dec. 2022, Student Teacher, Grant & Washington Elementary Schools and Norfolk Junior High

Rationale:  Austin Casselberry --Career Academies Coordinator--starting own business
Jordan Nelson--Adult Transition Teacher at Senior High-resigned
Lexi Bacon--Special Education Teacher at Senior High-resigned
Justin Parr--Business Teacher at Senior High-resigned
Karen Arkfeld--District Special Education Teacher/Diagnostian-retiring
Connie Bennett--Art Teacher at Grant, Lincoln, Washington and Westside
        Elementary Schools-retiring
Mark Ritchey--Art Teacher at Senior High-resigned

Rationale:  Attached are the claims for the month of January, 2023.  These claims were reviewed earlier today by our Finance and Facility Committee.  There are several conflict statements for this month that will need to be read before voting.

Rationale:  The Norfolk Public Schools COVID-19 Safe Return to In-Person Learning Committee developed our original COVID-19 safety protocols during the summer of 2020. Those plans allowed us to safely return to in-person learning.

We have revised those plans multiple times based upon COVID-19 transmission rates within our community and changing guidelines from the Center of Disease Control (CDC) and Elkhorn Logan Valley Public Health Department (ELVPHD).

We are satisfied with our current plan which allows us to maintain a fairly "normal" school routine.  However, we are required by federal guidelines to review this plan every 6 months until September 2024.

Our committee reviewed our current plan and recommends that the Board of Education reaffirm the plan, as is. The committee did not provide any recommendations for changes at this point. 

Rationale:  As discussed during my Superintendent's Report, the hiring of this teacher is necessary in order to complete the second track of Montessori programming at Lincoln Elementary School. This second track was added in order to address our increasing class sizes caused by our overall growth in enrollment. 

Current enrollment data indicates that we will have 87 third and fourth grade students at Lincoln Montessori next school year. If we do not add another teacher, this will give us class sizes of 32-33 students per teacher, which is not conducive to learning.  The addition of one teacher will put class sizes at 21-22, which is similar to our other elementary classrooms across the district.

The total cost (salary and benefits) for this additional position is estimated at $70,000.

Rationale:  As discussed during my Superintendent's Report, Norfolk Public Schools has experienced a large increase in the number of special education students across the district. 

In the last four years, our special education enrollment has increased from 686 to 819, which is an increase of 133 students.  In order to address this large increase of special needs students, we need to add two resource teachers at the elementary level and one at the senior high level. 

Both of the elementary special education teachers would be split between two building assignments, in order to keep caseloads near our goal of 20 students per teacher. 

The high school special education teacher would be used to co-teach our new personal finance courses, which are a graduation requirement. This teacher would also assist with coverage of our Achievement Center, which currently lacks a teacher 3-4 periods each day.

Special education services are required by federal law and state regulations, with half of those costs being reimbursed.  Therefore, the total cost (salary and benefits) is estimated at $105,000.

Rationale:  The overall number of students who require English Language Learner services because they do not speak English has increased in recent years. In addition, the level of service that these students require has also increased. This is because a larger percentage of those students are new to our country and speak little to no English.  These students require more services than students who have been in our country for a few years and are able to speak some English.

The Board granted us permission to hire a half-time ELL teacher to assist with our increase in non-English Ukrainian students at Woodland Park second semester, which will be a temporary help.  However, it has become apparent that we need this teacher to work full-time at Woodland Park in order to meet those students' needs.  (Currently, we are taking an ELL teacher from Jefferson to assist at WLP, which means that neither school is getting the amount of ELL services that they need.)

In addition, we only have a half-time ELL teacher at the Middle School and a half-time ELL teacher at the Junior High. Both of these positions need to be full-time. 

ELL services are required by federal law and state statute. However, we receive little federal or state funding to assist with these costs. 

The estimated cost for one full-time and one half-time ELL teacher is $105,000.

Rationale:  There will not be 2nd monthly meeting of the Board of Education  in January.

The next regular meeting of the Board of Education will be held on Monday, February 13, 2023. 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.