December 8, 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:  1. Annual Report
2. Nebraska Associationof School Boards State Education Conference

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

Rationale:  Westside

Rationale:  Westside

Rationale:  1.  Dr. Brad Krivohlavek: 
  * 30 year service award
  * NASB Ann Mactier Award

2. Jo Roberts: NAESP Distinguished Principal of the Year Award

3. Frank Hebenstreit: Distinguished Service Recognition

Rationale:  Brief Summary of Each Option
* 3 Track at Bel Air
* Double Track Montesorri at Lincoln

If you wish to comment, we ask that you identify yourself and spell your name for the record.

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: 

Total amount of claims approved in the consent agenda for the month of December, 2014 by specific fund are as follows:
General Fund = $418,522.51

Nutrition Services Fund = $121,623.90

Cooperative Fund = $6,285.68

Depreciation Fund=$372.00

Special Building Fund = $978.75

QCPUF Fund = $136,267.61

Bond Fund=$666,463.75

Student Fee Fund = $16,689.12

The total amount of claims for the month of November, 2014 in the Activities fund are as follows:
Activity Fund = $97,522.06

The Facility and Finance Committee reviewed all claims for the month of December, 2014 as well as all activity claims for the month of November, 2014.  The NDE audit of the lunch program this past month went well.  NDE was complimentary on our food prep process and compliance with all rules and regulations.  I would like to thank our Nutrition staff for their work and help during this audit process.  During our last business managers meeting I am glad to report that the state retirement system that our district and employees participate in has slowly recovered some of the losses that occurred during the recession.  Current projections show the fund at an adequate funding level with projected modest growth. This demonstrates the actions taken over the past several years have paid off and our retirement system has regained some of the fiscal health it had in the late 90's and early 2000's .

Rationale: 

CURRICULUM & ASSESSMENT

• Three principals and I attended a workshop titled Rigorous Curriculum Design. This was an excellent workshop. It reinforced some of what we already knew and gave us some very useful strategies for teaching teachers about curriculum as a whole, writing curriculum and applying curriculum into effective and rigorous units of study.
• The Strategic Action Planning Curriculum Committee met to review our plan and objectives, and finalize what a published curriculum format will look like for the district.
• Norfolk Senior High is now a Certiport Testing Center and students can take Microsoft Office Certification exams at no charge. Students passing the exams will obtain certification in Microsoft Office applications.

TECHNOLOGY

• I’m putting together a five+ year technology plan for the district that includes restructuring the infrastructure of the network. This includes several steps, beginning with addressing the location of the district’s server farm and the piping of the internet. The plan will expand to include moving the district to stronger wireless capabilities in all classrooms. We will be trying to qualify appropriate expenses through ERate to keep costs as economical as possible.
• Website companies have presented to a team of us to showcase their website services. RFP’s will be opened next Friday, Dec. 12th at 1:00 p.m at Central Office. I will be able to report back on the website hosting decision at the next board meeting.

PRIVATE SCHOOL OF MALAWI

Hi Beth!

On behalf of Norfolk Private Schools-Malawi, Inc. board and indeed on my own behalf I would like to thank Norfolk Public Schools for a very generous donation of 120 CPUs, Keyboards, and mice and the text books. This donation will make a difference to the students in Malawi that will be coming to be educated at Norfolk Private Schools-Malawi starting next September. Please, convey our heartfelt thanks to the NPS board. 

These donations have already been collected and handed over to Orphan Grain Train who has accepted to ship them for us to Malawi prior to the school opening. We look forward to continued partnership with NPS as we begin the job of educating students in Malawi the job which NPS has ably been doing for decades. Your partnership is greatly appreciated.

Thanks, Joe Matika

Rationale: 

School dismisses for winter vacation on Friday, December 19th.  This will mark the end of our first semester for the 2014-2015 school year.  Teachers and students return for second semester on Monday, January 5th.

There are several winter Fine Arts activities in the next few days for several of the district buildings:

• Tuesday, Dec. 9 Jazz Band and Show Choir will complete the tour of schools performance

• Wednesday - Friday, Dec. 10-12 - State One-Act Play competitions at Johnny Carson Theatre

• Sunday, Dec. 14 - Sr. High Band, Choir and Orchestra Concert - 2:00 p.m. at Johnny Carson Theater

• Norfolk Public Schools website will have complete listing of the Middle School, Jr. High and Elementary music programs also coming up

Rationale: 

School Improvement/Professional Development

On January 22, Norfolk Public Schools is teaming with ESU 8 and school districts served in the ESU 8 area to host Walter Bond.  Walter is a motivational speaker on personal development.  Breakout sessions will follow the keynote.  Breakout session themes include: secondary reading strategies, the PLC process, digital citizenship, NeSA, early childhood, flipped classrooms, and career academies.  Beth Nelson and I are working with Heide Rethmeier from ESU 8 on confirming final arrangements.  We are anticipating around 800 teachers in attendance.

Safety

With the assistance from building administrators, I am in the process of reviewing and updating our district/building emergency security plans.  Once this is complete, a committee comprised of internal and external community members will assess the plans and present feedback.  Once procedures are confirmed, training as needed will be provided. Based on Rule 10, plans will be reviewed yearly.

Human Resources

Morgan Obermiller and Michael Dekker of Norfolk have been approved as local substitute teachers. Morgan is endorsed in elementary education and Michael is endorsed in theater.

Public Relations

On December 4 at Divots, the Norfolk Chamber hosted the first of three networking socials for professionals new to Norfolk.  All of our new teachers and administrators were invited.  The activity provided an opportunity of our new staff, along with their spouse, to mingle with other new professionals in the area.  Part of the festivities included networking, socializing, and smores by the fire. 

TeamMates currently have 115 matches.  This is the highest number of matches our chapter has ever had.  On November 20th, 35 mentors and mentees volunteered at Mercy Meals and packed over 3,900 meals.  TeamMates mentor and mentees will also be having a gift-wrapping event at the Elkhorn Valley Museum on Sunday, December 14th from 2 - 4 pm.  The public is invited to bring in their holiday gifts to be wrapped by TeamMates mentors and mentees.  Free-will donations will be accepted.

Aftershock is currently serving 140 students at the Middle School weekly and averaging 90+ each day.  Current clubs at the Middle school include:  Fit Club, Board Games, Middle Ages, Creative Writers, World Language, Card Club, Sign Language, Explorers (Science), Cartooning, Glee (Show Choir), Crafty Crew, & Dance Fitness

Aftershock is currently serving 90 students at the Junior High weekly and averaging 40 each day.  Current clubs at the Junior High include:  Family Game Night, Cultural Heritage, Spanish Club, Drama, Creative Writers, Art, Archery, & Sports Fitness.

 

Rationale:  1. Tax Increment Financing
2. Legislative Update
* GNSA
* Leglislative Conference

Rationale:  The committee met today at 12:00 noon and as stated earlier, reviewed all claims and financials being presented this evening.  We also reviewed our current facility projects and ones that will be coming up.  Some of those items will be safety upgrades at Grant Elementary and at our Central Office building.  The committee also discussed recommendations on our copy contract and also entering into a contract with a public adjuster for representation on our hail claim with Zurich Insurance Co.  Our next meeting will be on Jan. 12th at 12:00 noon in the CO board room.

Rationale:  The Policy and Government Relations Committee did not meet this month, as we are waiting for our final policy revisions from Perry Law Firm.

Rationale:  The Activities Committee met at noon on Monday, December 1st. Winter participation, facility usage, and the Jr. High Coop Policy were reviewed by Mr. Dolliver and Mr. Strong.  Professional development for coaches and  admission prices were also discussed.  Adult admission prices will be raised $1 starting this Friday, December 5th (students $4/adults $6).  Committee members were reminded that both our Sr. High and Jr. High activities are regulated by the NSAA.  These regulations are available on the NSAA website.  Mr. Robinson is facilitating an advisory committee that is reviewing our activities programs in light of Title IX.  Patrons are encouraged to provide input via a survey that is available on our district website.

Rationale:  12-2-14 Nurse's Meeting Minutes and 12-2-14 Student Health Meeting Minutes

Rationale:  November 10, 2014 Regular Board Meeting Minutes

Rationale: 

Ellen Larsen

 2014-2015 – Special Education Resource at Senior High  (Second Semester)

 Bachelor’s Degree in Special Education K-12 from Peru State College in Peru, Nebraska

 Previously student taught at Norris Elementary and Norris High School in Firth, Nebraska

Rationale:  I recommend to the Board of Education to approve the contract with D.A. Lamont for Public Adjusting Services on behalf of the school district.  I believe it is in the districts best interest to have an independent adjuster review our entire hail claim with Zurich Insurance Co. and represent us in any possible disagreements that may come up in the process.

Rationale:  We will not have a Second Meeting of the Month in December due to the Holidays.  Our next meeting will be held Monday, January 12, 2015.  A Study Session will be held a 5:30, followed by a Regular Business Meeting at 6:30.  All components of the meeting are open to the public and will be held at the City Administration Offices.