August 12, 2024 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:  Mr. Wilson will present a draft budget and tax levy scenarios for the Board's initial consideration.  

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. Individuals who make false, defamatory,  or slanderous statements during public comments may be held legally liable. Slanderous comments are not protected just because they are made at Board meetings.

Additional procedural guidelines are available at the media table.

Rationale: 

The total amount of claims to be approved on the consent agenda by specific fund are listed below:

General Fund = $556,507.76

Nutrition Fund = $44,848.23

Cooperative Fund = $28,490.00

Subsidiary Fund = $1,962.35

Special Building Fund = $678,412.08

Senior High Activity Fund = $49,312.24

Junior High Activity Fund = $750.00

Student Fee Fund = $660.00

All of these claims were reviewed earlier today by the Finance and Facilities Committee.

Rationale: 

CURRICULUM, INSTRUCTION AND ASSESSMENT

• Final shipments of instructional materials and supplies have arrived and have been delivered to the appropriate classrooms. 

• All of the district PLC and assessment schedules have been shared and posted with teachers. 

• The Teaching and Learning Team spent time with 'new to the district' teachers helping them find access to curriculum, schedules, and online instructional platforms.  We also gave them a brief overview of PLCs, curriculum, assessment and the NPS Instructional Model.  An in-depth instructional model training is scheduled for new teachers in August. 

• I attended administrator days at the end of July where I attended sessions that outlined changes and updates to instruction, assessment, and grant requirements.

Rationale: 

Last week, I met with our district ELL and Special Education teachers to kick off our new school year.  Each department reviewed procedures and discussed goals.  Educational Service Unit 8 trained our new special education teachers and our paraprofessionals.  Dr. Matt McNiff presented to all our teaching staff regarding behavior management.  

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

Rationale: 

• During the month of July and beginning of August, I met with our principals to discuss how safety looks in their respective buildings.  We had great conversations about how to keep students and staff safe.

• Our fall online registration (OLR) process went pretty smoothly for it being our initial year.  It expedited the registration process for parents.  We received mostly positive feedback from parents and staff and were able to make adjustments when needed and look forward to it being better in the years to come.

• I participated in Administrator Days in Kearney.  I was able to attend sessions on keeping our buildings safe and secure along with keeping up to date on legislative changes to help me in the student services area.

• The Nebraska Department of Education would like to recognize schools that meet the highest standards of safety and security.  Schools can earn Silver, Gold, or Diamond badges highlighting their commitment to ensuring the safety and security of students, staff, and visitors.  This past week, Norfolk was awarded the "Diamond" badge which is the highest honor NDE gives out.  

• I look forward to the upcoming school year for our students and staff!

Rationale: 

The past two weeks have been busy and exciting!  Our "New to the District" teacher training was Wednesday, July 31st - Monday, August 5th.  NPS has gained some passionate and knowledgeable new teachers and they are excited to get started.  In addition, we have 5 student teachers with NPS for the first semester of the school year.  Training has been held for our new classified staff, instructional paraprofessionals, substitute teachers, and substitute paraprofessionals.  Positive energy could be felt at the different trainings and workshops.  

Believe it or not, I will be starting with my first job fair for the 2024-2025 school year in three weeks.  I will attend the UNK Education Fair in Kearney on September 5 and will begin networking with potential new teachers.

Rationale:  Staffing Data
RSP Planning for the Future

Rationale:  The Facilities & Finance Committee met earlier today. Board members present were ___ . 

The committee reviewed claims and financial reports. They also discussed the renewal of ALICAP insurance.

A facilities update was given regarding the Middle School construction project, interior/exterior door locks, and Memorial Stadium Field Turf. 

Mr. Wilson shared the budget preview and the timeline for the budget planning process.

Our next Finance and Facilities Committee meeting is scheduled for September 9, 2024.

Rationale: 

The Policy Committee met on August 2, 2024.

Members Present included Tom Stanton, Brenda Carhart, and Cindy Booth.

Staff Members Present included Dr. Jami Jo Thompson and Chuck Hughes.

The Committee discussed recent updates to Title IX including the following:

1. The implementation of the new Title IX regulations proposed by the Biden administration has been blocked in Nebraska following an injunction by the US District Court of Eastern Missouri. Therefore, Governor Pillen’s Executive Order regarding restroom use and NPS’ School Board Policy 5301 regarding athletic participation remain in effect.

2. Due to the frequent and sudden changes occurring with Title IX our attorney has recommended that we create a policy that authorizes the Superintendent to create Title IX sex discrimination procedures that are compliant with Title IX and update them as necessary.  This will expedite the process when changes become necessary due to legal updates.  

• The Policy Committee Reviewed Policy 1210 (Title IX-Discrimination) and recommends the approval of its first reading.

• The Policy Committee recommends the rescission of Board Policy 1220 (Title IX- Procedure For Informal/Formal Hearing) and the related Form for Filing Complaints 1220z as these will be contained in administrative rule moving forward. 

3.  Chuck Hughes- Director of Student Services and Safety is our District Title IX Coordinator. He has been trained in the new investigation process.

Rationale: 

The Government Relations Committee met Tuesday, July 30, 2024 at 9:00 AM.

Board Members Sandy Wolfe, Teri Bauer, and Beth Shashikant were in attendance, along with NPS staff Dr. Jami Jo Thompson, Erik Wilson, and Tiffany Settles.

The Committee reviewed multiple bills related to school funding and agreed to take the following actions:

• LB 1:  Email local Senators Dover, Albrecht and Moser to let them know we oppose LB 1 due to a) changing the distribution of funding from a needs/enrollment based system to a land/valuation system and b) the erosion of local control, particularly in regards to the override of caps.

•  LB 9: Email Senator Hughes with tentative support and the following questions:  a) Where does the funding come from?  b) What happens if the state is not able to provide enough funding? 

• LR1CA- Send a letter of support, as it would end unfunded mandates.

Dr. Thompson informed Committee members that Senator Dover had invited them to attend a Town Hall Saturday 8/3/2024 at 10:00 AM regarding taxes and LB 1. - Sandy Wolfe, Tom Stanton, Jami Jo Thompson, and Erk Wilson attended the Town Hall.

A tentative Committee meeting was set for Tuesday, August 6, 2024, but was canceled due to lack of progress in the legislature.


**It should be noted that significant amendments have been made to LB 9 since the Government Relations Committee last met. The Nebraska Council of School Administrators, Nebraska Association of School Boards, Nebraska State Education Association, Schools Taking Action for Children's Education, Greater Nebraska Schools Association, Nebraska Rural Community Schools Association, Education Service Unit Coordinating Council, and Stand For Schools have all joined forces to oppose the bill as currently written, as it would detrimentally affect all schools across Nebraska.  It is our understanding that the Revenue Committee is currently working on additional amendments.

 

Rationale:  Minutes from the meeting on July 22, 2024 are attached for review. 

Rationale: 

Diedrichsen, Hattie

• ‘24-’25 Speech Pathologist, Westside Elementary and Christ Lutheran Schools

• Master of Science, Speech Language Pathology, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE

• 9/2023-Present, Norfolk Family Physical Therapy, Speech-Language Pathologist

Rationale:  Attached are the claims. These claims were reviewed earlier by our Finance and Facilities Committee. 

There are no conflict statements this month.

Rationale:  It is the time of year for our annual insurance renewal. ALICAP has been our provider for Workmans Comp and Property Insurance since January 2024 and we have been very happy with their service. Our rates will remain pretty much flat for next year but our property deductible increase from $500 to $2,500 per occurrence. Our Workmans Comp mod rating was unchanged at 1.03. So our total for the 24/25 school year coverage will be $544,863 minus our owner dividend of $1,349. I recommend approval of the ALICAP renewal for 24/25.

Rationale: 

1. Due to the frequent and sudden changes occurring with Title IX our attorney has recommended that we revise our Title IX policy to authorize the Superintendent to create Title IX sex discrimination procedures that are compliant with Title IX and update them as necessary.  This will expedite the process when changes become necessary due to legal updates.  

• The Policy Committee Reviewed the recommended changes to Policy 1210 (Title IX-Discrimination) and recommended the approval of its first reading.

Rationale: 

1. Due to the frequent and sudden changes occurring with Title IX our attorney has recommended that the Board authorize the Superintendent to create Title IX sex discrimination procedures that are compliant with Title IX and update them as necessary.  This will expedite the process when changes become necessary due to legal updates.  

• The Policy Committee Reviewed Policy 1210 (Title IX-Discrimination) and recommends the approval of its first reading.

• The Policy Committee also recommends the rescission of Board Policy 1220 (Title IX- Procedure For Informal/Formal Hearing) and the related Form for Filing Complaints 1220z as these will be contained in administrative rule moving forward.

Rationale: 

The 2nd monthly meeting of the Board of Education is scheduled for Monday, August 26th, 2024 at Noon. This will include a Budget Workshop. 

The next regular meeting of the Board of Education will be held on Monday, September 9th, 2024 at 5:30 PM. This will include a Budget and Tax Hearing.

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.