May 14, 2012 at 6:30 PM - Board of Education Regular Meeting

Discussion:  Board members present were Jedlicka, Vavricek, Brabec, Misek, and Parr; Semerad was absent. Also present were Principals Grammer, Pavlik, Vrba, Assistant Principals Cline and Cunningham, Activity Administrator Egr, Director of Facilities Mundil, and Curriculum Director Gibbons.

Discussion:  All present participated in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Discussion:  President Jedlicka pronounced this meeting has been preceded by advance notice and is hereby declared to be in open session. A copy of the Open Meetings Act is posted in the hallway outside the Media Center.

Discussion:  A question was raised about how much we are currently paying for lawn care products vs. how much the local Co-op sells its fertilizer for and if we need to use lawn care products every year or would every third year be enough? Are we comparing apples to apples with the fertilizer currently being used vs. the straight nitrogen Co-op sells.

Discussion:  The negotiations committee met with the SEA bargaining unit to come up with an agreement for the 12-13 school year. The biggest change is the offer of a two year agreement instead of the typical one year. The motion was amended to a one-year only contract. The point of contention was how can SCS justify giving raises when some staff members were not offered employment in 12-13 due to a severe reduction in budget dollars?

Discussion:  Charts were presented detailing 2009-2010 and 2010-2011 federal accountability and annual yearly progress for grades 3,4,5,6,7,8 and 9-12. A plan to increase AYP has been created and approved by the Department of Education and some parts have already been implemented such a creating a new vision statement and the creation of teacher collaboration time built into the 12-13 schedule.

Discussion:  Contracts with Clarkson, Leigh, and Howells/Dodge have been completed for softball at SCHS.

Discussion:  SCS received a grant from Waste Reduction and Recycling for $6,125.00 to pay for the cost of rubber mulch used on SCS playgrounds.

Discussion:  Preschool enrollment is currently at 83. Schuyler Preschool's last day will be May 15th and Schuyler Elementary School's last day will be May 16th.

Discussion:  The eighth grade class from the middle school attended the University of Nebraska-Lincoln campus on Thursday, May 3rd. They listened to a presentation by the UNL staff, took a tour of the campus. This trip was paid for by a grant from EduQuest Foundation.

Discussion:  The math opening at SCHS was offered to and accepted by Mr. Charles James. NeSA assessments in reading, math, and science were completed by our Junior class on April 25th; official results will not be released until August. Eighth grade visitation and the Activity Fair were held on May 8th at SCHS.

Discussion:  Nu-Trend Homes will come to look at two of the modular classrooms at SMS for a possible purchase.

Discussion:  Due to staff reductions and reduction in hours for various staff, the following amounts will be realized in the general budget for the upcoming year: Certified staff, $280,000 – general fund; Paraeducators, $190,000 – general fund; School Nurses, $30,000 – general fund, and Food service -$45,000 – lunch fund.

Discussion:  A survey will be available to all those who are leaving the SCS system. The survey allows those leaving SCS employment to give a reason for leaving and asks for comments.

Discussion:  An employee of SCS has requested twelve days from the classified staff/administration Emergency Medical Leave Bank. There are adequate days in the bank to grant this request.

Discussion:  Graduation for the class of 2012 will be held on May 20, 2012 in the west gym at 2:00 PM. All members of the school board are encouraged to attend.

Discussion:  Construction on the SES addition is on schedule. The moisture level in the concrete floor has reached the proper level so the floor tile will be laid. When classes dismiss for the summer, the renovation will began on the existing building. July 15th is the projected completion date.

Discussion:  The administrators would like to meet with the school board to discuss this issue again. The original plan included the purchase of laptop computers but the plan has changed to the use of I-Pads, thus the purchase price has been reduced.

Discussion:  Mr. Comley, Mr. Cline and Mr. Stevens have met with Shari Freeman, the Early Childhood SPED teacher and Mike Goos, SCS School Psychologist to discuss potential changes to the preschool for the 12-13 school year. Teachers at the preschool will also be consulted about the changes. The group is recommending the following changes in the preschool program: Add one section resulting in 6 half days and allow identified special needs students who are three years old to attend the preschool. The priority will be: 1. Identified special needs 3 year olds – approximately 12 students 2. Identified special needs 4 year olds – approximately 12 students 3. Non-identified 4 year olds – approximately 66 students. The plan is to continue to partner with Head Start and Early Head Start programs; a meeting to strengthen the partnership will be held in June.

Discussion:  The changes in the 12-13 Student/Parent handbook have been suggested and will be ready for school board approval at the next meeting.

Discussion:  The need for changes in the Residency Policy will be discussed. Specifically, students in Ktg., 6th and 9th grades will be required to fill out the proof of residency in addition to two other minor changes.

Discussion:  The policy committee will meet to discuss the Early Retirement Incentive Policy and report back to the board at the June meeting.

Discussion:  Brian Vavricek spoke for the SCS Foundation stating that they have chosen the Teacher and Para-educator of the Year. They will also be awarding four scholarships to members of the class of 2012. An ice-cream social will be held on May 16 at SES to announce the winners. It is their hope to have teacher and para-educators nominated three times per year and then honoring one of each group at the end of the year.