January 12, 2015 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:  Process for the Election of Officers and Appointment of Treasurer and Secretary
Committee Assignments
GNSA/Legislative Issues Discussion

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

Rationale:  President
Vice President

Rationale:  We are satisfied with the performance of our current legal counsel, which is Perry Law Firm, based out of Lincoln, NE.  I strongly recommend that we continue to use their services, when needed.   

Rationale:  This resolution specifically recognizes the financial institutions where district and taxpayers dollars are deposited.  This resolution also meets the requirement of full public disclosure of financial institutions used by the district.  I would also like to point out that all three financial institutions provide banking services to the district at no charge while also fully securing all of our funds.

Rationale:  This is the newspaper that we utilize to post our official notices, bids, etc. 

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 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.

Are there any questions about these procedures--or any conflicts of interest that you would like to report at this time?  

These statutes have been put in place to protect the district. It is very important that if a conflict of interest arises at any time, the Board member disclose and report it immediately and refrain from voting on that issue.

Rationale:  College Access Grant

Rationale:  Cheryl Baumann, Junior High Guidance Administrative Assistant

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 January, 2015 by specific fund are as follows:
General Fund = $535,779.62
Nutrition Services Fund = $69,716.36
Cooperative Fund = $10,522.03
Depreciation Fund = $6,218.90
Special Building Fund = $74,819.85
QCPUF Fund = $82,000.12
Student Fee Fund = $9,876.77


The total amount of claims for the month of December, 2014 in the Activities Fund are as follows:
Activity Fund = $102,525.04

The Facility and Finance Committee reviewed all claims for the month of January, 2015 as well as all activity claims for the month of December, 2014.  We had a number of projects that took place over winter break and that information was shared with the Facility and Finance Committee.  Payroll office is working on finalizing employee W-2's which should be sent out in the next few weeks so everyone can start working on their 2014 taxes.  Our cash flow and overall budget is on pace going into 2015.

Rationale: 

CURRICULUM & ASSESSMENT

• Second semester brings about the testing season. The Nebraska Statewide Writing testing window for grades 4, 8 and 11 will open on January 19 and closes on February 6^th. Claudia Olsen and I have been conducting the teacher trainings in preparation for this testing window. This is just the beginning of the series of tests that will occur this semester. Following the writing test, MAP testing, English Language Development Assessment (ELDA) and the other NeSA tests in Reading, Math and Science for grades 3-8 and 11 will take us up through the beginning of May.
• Summer School specifics have been discussed. The dates have been selected but we are waiting to see when the Internet wiring transition can occur before publishing official dates.
• Norfolk Public School district recently received a grant from the Nebraska Department of Education to participate in a strategic planning process called reVISION. The purpose of reVISION is to align our Career Education programs with Nebraska’s economic and workforce development priorities. This will help us ensure that our students leave high school with the knowledge and skills required for employment or the continuation into a postsecondary education program. We know that education plays a critical role in training a qualified workforce that meets local and regional workforce needs of today and tomorrow, and the reVISION process is designed to bridge the gap that may exist between education and employment. We will be seeking input from businesses to help us align our Career Education courses with local, regional, and state workforce demands; and we also are seeking input on the knowledge and skills that students need for jobs in our local/regional economy.

  TECHNOLOGY

• We are in the middle of the bidding process for the network restructure we discussed last month. Pat Wolff has been very busy meeting with different vendors to give them tours of our facilities and answering specific questions about our needs. Bid opening occurs tomorrow, Tuesday, Jan. 13^th at 1:30. 

Rationale: 

1. On Friday, February 6th, eight of our students will travel to the UNMC College of Dentistry for Dental Day.  A variety of dental services will be performed by the college students, with supervision from Dr. Brown.  There is no cost to the district or to the students for these services.  The Elkhorn Logan Valley Health Dept. is coordinating the event.
2. Norfolk Public Schools is scheduled for a 5 year NDE Monitoring of Special Education to support school improvement and outcomes for students with disabilities.  Following the file review in January, and monitoring visit in February, Dr. Thompson and I will receive a report regarding their findings.
3. Our ELL teachers and some administrators will be participating in a Platform Trial of ELPA 21(English Language Proficiency Assessment for the 21st Century) this week.  This trial allows our teachers a chance to review the assessment prior to its implementation in the 2015-2016 school year. ELPA 21 will be replacing the current ELDA (English Language Developmental Assessments).

Rationale: 

School Improvement/Professional Development

Angie Hausmann, Michael Hart, and I will be serving as team members for the South Sioux City Public Schools Frameworks Accreditation visit.  The visit is scheduled for April 6-8. As members of the external team, we will visit buildings and conference with classified staff, teachers, parents, and administrators regarding learning and school improvement. We will also discuss the process and review observations and findings from the experience.

 Safety

As part of the requirements for operating school vehicles and ensuring Policy 3410 is being observed, staff members (who want to use a school vehicle) are required to complete the district driving class.  The class is taught by Kathy Amen who is part of the NPS transportation department.  Over the years Kathy has provided training for staff who drive vans and our small buses.  We currently have about 140 staff members and parents who have met the course requirements. 

 Human Resources

On December 11, at Wayne State College, I interviewed fourteen December graduates for potential employment with Norfolk Public Schools.  The interview platform allowed graduates to share their skills, experiences, and interests and for me to boast about the exceptional opportunities that are available with NPS.

 Current NPS Openings:

Administrative Assistant (Superintendent)

Paraprofessionals (Middle School, Westside)

 Public Relations

The National Speech & Debate Association has announced Chris Begeman as its newest Diamond Coach. Chris received a Second Diamond Award after earning 3,851 points on 11/10/14. A diamond award recognizes a professional career that combines excellence and longevity.

 January is National Mentoring Month!  On behalf of the TeamMates of Norfolk Board of Directors, I would like to invite you to attend a Mentor Appreciation Reception on Wednesday, January 28 from 11 AM to 2 PM at the Elkhorn Valley Museum.  This is a small “thank you” for your continued support of this very valuable and worthwhile mentoring program.

Rationale:  New Board Member Orientation

Brief summary of the GNSA/Legislative information provided during the Study Session

Strategic Planning Update with Dr. Larry Dlugosh

Rationale:  The committee met today at 12:00 noon and 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 were flooring upgrades at the Middle School and Sr. High as well as updates on the HVAC project in the Carson theatre.  The committee also discussed recommendations on contracts for our district web-site management, copiers and printers, as well as offering a contract to a general contractor for the AFS / Career Education Center. Our next meeting will be on Feb. 9th at 12:00 noon in the CO board room.

Rationale:  The Policy and Government Relations Committee has not met since our last board meeting. We are waiting for our final policy revisions from Perry Law Firm. We hope to receive and review these prior to our February board meeting.

Dr. Thompson attended the year's first GNSA meeting on Wednesday, January 7th and met with Senator Scheer on Monday, December 29th. This information was discussed during the Study Session earlier this evening.

Rationale:  The Activities Committee has not met since our last board meeting. Our next meeting is scheduled for Monday, January 26th, but will need to be rescheduled due to a conflict with the NASB Legislative Workshop.

Rationale:  None at this time.

Rationale:  Heather Gates, Senior High Art Teacher

Rationale:  I recommend to the Board of Education to make a motion to accept the claims as posted for the month of January, 2015.  These claims were reviewed today at 12:00 noon by the Finance and Facility Committee.

Rationale: 

Possible Short-Term Reallocation Plans for Elementary

We have two options to consider, keeping in mind that our goal is to maximize current space and maintain appropriate class sizes, while evaluating the long-term effects of enrollment increases (growth) on the district. 

Option A: 

Make Bel Air a Three-Track Elementary

• Move the Life Program to Westside
• Have an additional overflow Kindergarten available at Woodland Park
• Make 1 classroom available at Westside & 1 at Jefferson for additional Preschool (in future years)

Option B: Make Lincoln a Two-track Montessori Program

• Spread the Preschool Program across the district (Westside, Bel Air, & Jefferson)
• Have an additional overflow Kindergarten available at Woodland Park

Rationale:  * 2.85% increase to the total package
* $424 will be added to the base salary, making it $35,114 for a first year teacher with no previous experience or hours beyond their bachelor's degree.
* $400 will be added to the fringe benefit package

Rationale:  Salaried classified staff compensation will be discussed at a future meeting.

Rationale:  The following contractors submitted bids as the general contractor for the new AFS / Career Center:

1. B-D Construction, Inc. - $879,020

2. Crafts construction - $1,029,464

3. Christiansen Construction Co., Inc. - $757,580

4. J. H. Hespe Co., Inc. - $797,000

5. Radec Construction Co. Inc. - $853,000


All of the bidding contractors met specifications and bid bond requirements.  After reviewing the bids with both our architect and engineer, I recommend to the Board of Education to make a motion to accept the bid from Christiansen Construction Co. in the amount of $757,580 as the general contractor for the AFS / Career Center project.  This project will paid by funds from our QCPUF fund, Special Building Fund and Depreciation Fund.  Anticipated completion date for this project is the fall of 2015.

Rationale:  The following proposals were submitted for copier and print services starting July 2015 through June 2020.

Western Office - $11,754.38 per month ($141,052.54 annually)

Eakes  - $11,544.74 per month ($138,536.91 annually)

Both vendors met all specifications required by the RFP and bid identical equipment.  Based upon pricing and reviewing all aspects of each vendor's service, I recommend to the Board of Education to make a motion to accept the bid from Eakes and engage in a 5 year agreement with them for the district copier and print services.

Rationale: 

The following vendors submitted bids for contracted services for our district website:

Idea Bank - $23,120/5 year contract

Unanimous - $25,300/5 year contract

Nebraska Digital - $26,630/5 year contract

SOCS - $49,875/5 year contract

All vendors met required specifications on RFP. Based upon pricing and considering variable expenses, I recommend to the Board of Education to make a motion to accept the bid from Idea Bank with a five year contract with annual payments.

 

Rationale:  At this point we do not anticipate a second meeting in January.  

The next regular board meeting is scheduled for Monday, February 9, 2015. The study session will begin at 5:30 P.M. and will be followed by the business meeting at 6:30 P.M.  All components are open to the public and will be held at the City Administration Offices.