December 19, 2011 at 4:00 PM - December Board Meeting

Rationale:  The Consent Agenda consists of approval of the agenda for this meeting, approval of the minutes for the regular meeting on November 21, 2011, the December 8, 2011 Board training, as well as claims on the General Fund in the amount of $204,188.14, Building Fund in the amount of $55,770.86, QSCB Account in the amount of $118,101.00, BAB Account for $67,524.20, the QCPU Fund in the amount of $27,523.69, the Lunch Fund in the amount of $1,788.68 and December payroll in the amount of $594,051.73. 

Rationale:  Lunchtime Solutions - $604.44
Culligan - $117.60
Lunchtime Solutions - $83.90

Rationale:  BAB Account (DLR Billing pay back) - $54,293.89

Bush Enterprises - Work at Middle School - $1,476.97

Rationale:  McCauley Contractors - Track project - $67,524.20

Rationale:  Siemens - High School project - $109,117.00

Energy Roofing - High School project - $4,000.00

Rationale:  Adams Bank - Bond fees - $2,500.00

Adams Bank - Bond interest - $25,023.69

Rationale:  Bill has received a bid from Nebraska Safety and Fire for the replacement of the hood system in the kitchen at Progress Elementary for $3,135.00.  It is enclosed for your review.

Rationale:  We have received 2 bids for the repairs on the Aud.  One from Bush Electric & Handyman Service and one from Nebraska's Home Improvement Center of Ogallala. They are attached for your review and Bill will be at the meeting to answer any questions you may have.

Rationale:  The minutes for the October 3, 2011 and February 9, 2011 minutes are attached for your review. 

Steve Williams, an Attorney from Harding & Schulz said that he spoke with Natalee Hart, Assistant Attorney General.  She wrote the disposition letter for the first Open Meetings Act complaint, and she will be investigating and responding to the most recent complaint.

He said that Ms. Hart acknowledged and confirmed what we already knew - there is a previous Attorney General opinion that found that preparing meeting minutes by converting an agenda into minutes does not comply with the OMA.  The real reason he called was to get some guidance from her about whether the board should take action to issue corrected minutes.  He said that there is no question based upon some court decisions that the board has such authority.  However, he wanted to see if she had any position about whether this would be helpful or harmful to the school in terms of her investigation.  Ms. Hart said that her position is that anytime a school can take action to mitigate or correct any OMA oversight, mistake, or violation before the AG issues a response, it should do so.  In such cases, the disposition letter will generally say something along the lines that although a mistake was made, it has been fixed, and no further action needs to be taken.

Based upon that conversation, he recommends that the board take action to adopt corrected minutes. 

Rationale:  We have received a request from a family to allow their daughter, who is home schooled, to participate in NSAA sponsored activities. Four area schools do allow participation and three do NOT allow NSAA activity participation and part-time enrollment.  Nebraska Education Law #79-2, 136 allows part-time enrollment but does not dictate NSAA participation. Our current policy #5002 corresponds with state law, be sure to read the current policy, it has been attached for your review.

According to Policy 5002: "Extracurricular Sports and Activities. Exempt school students may not participate in extracurricular sports and activities; provided, they may participate in activities that are part of the school district curriculum (e.g. band performance). Exempt school students who become full-time students and satisfy the eligibility requirements of the district and the Nebraska School Activities Association, where applicable, may participate in extracurricular sports and activities."

Rationale:  The proposed school calendar for 2012-2013 is attached for your review.

2011-12 Calendar-major changes (suggestions only)
a.    Start elementary three days later than high school
b.    Move Parent-Teacher conferences to a Wednesday night.
c.    January 21 2013 inservice with area schools
d.    Remove the fall break days

Rationale:  We have received recogntion from Alicap as a top performing school in the Alicap insurance pool.  The letter and certificate are attached for your review.

Rationale:  Dale DeForest is retiring at the end of December.  His letter of resignation is attached for your review.

Rationale:  The Administrator's reports are attached for your review.

Rationale:  The board will go into closed session to discuss the Superintendent's evaluation.