March 10, 2014 at 7:00 PM - Regular March Board Meeting

Rationale: 

Public Participation at Board of Education Meetings:

BOE Policy/Regulation 8346 outlines the parameters of public participation at Board meetings concerning items on the agenda as well as those not on the agenda.  A copy of this policy is available in the Superintendent’s office and at each monthly Board meeting.

Rationale:  This is safety equipment that was recommended by the Office of Homeland Security to protect Jan and others who work the front desk in the office.

Rationale:  Please let Mr. Schroeder know if you want to register for one or both days of this event, which will be held on March 20th & 21st.

Rationale:  Scott & Raquel attended the meeting on Friday, February 28th, on community involvement.  All board members and administrators were asked to view the video at <http://members.nasbonline.org/servicesandprograms/Services/BoardDevelopment/SitePages/EducationForum.aspx> and come to the March board meeting with the answer to two questions:

1)  What are we currently doing that the speaker suggests we should be doing?
2)  What could we do beginning next school year that the speaker suggests we should be doing?

Rationale:  Between the February and March Board Meeting, staff and board members are invited to review the 1000 (Community) & 2000 Series (Administration).  There have been no concerns or suggested revisions brought to the attention of the administration.

Thus far, the following series of policies have been reviewed:
December:8000 & 9000
January: 7000
February: 1000 & 2000

Rationale:  Staff and Board Members are asked to review the 5000 Board Policy Series between the March and April Board Meeting.  Please forward any concerns, questions, or suggestions for revision to the administration.

Rationale:  While reviewing the results of the annual staff survey.  I had a staff member ask me, "What's normal?  What does job satisfaction look like across the board?"  In addition to the annual survey, there is a study on job satisfaction.  The sample size of this study is large, over 25,000.  It provides one viewpoint on what is "normal" in respect to job satisfaction for teachers and administrators.

Rationale:  Mr. Schroeder met with the Building & Grounds Subcommittee of the Board.  The decision was made to advertise the position and see whether or not we would have difficulty in attracting quality applicants.  If that was problematic, the board would move forward with outsourcing.  If that was not problematic, the board would choose to not outsource the position.  Mr. Schroeder has shared the names of the applicants for the position thus far with the Building & Grounds Subcommittee Members.  We all agree that we have a strong pool of applicants to draw from.  Further discussion among the Building & Grounds Committee and the Mr. Schroeder regarding job description, salary, and benefits considerations need to occur prior to moving forward with narrowing the application pool and bringing in candidates for interviews.

Rationale:  Mrs. Kahrs would like to have a discussion with the board about the utility and purpose of the crossing guard.

Rationale:  There is currently approximately $60,000 available for summer projects through the depreciation fund.  We need to decide what projects we wish to pursue so that we can line up contractors to do the work this summer.

The possible projects and approximate costs are as follows.  Some of these amounts are based on actual bids that have been received, but many of the bids are in excess of $5,000.  Therefore, if there is only one bid for the possible project, the sole bid is not being disclosed at this time, in order maintain a competitive biding process.  Multiple bids for each project whose total will be in excess of $5,000 will be secured after the board determines exactly which projects the board want to pursue for certain. 

1) Lighting in the kitchen-$4000

2) Lighting in the media center-$4200-$8700 (Depending on whether old fixtures are used or if new "toffer" fixtures are used

3) Lighting in the cafeteria-$6500

4) Stage curtain replacement-$10,000

5) Concrete repair in parking lot-Waiting on bid(s)

6) Locker replacement in the lower elementary wing-$15,000-$30,000 (Depending on color and quality-still waiting on bids, these numbers are based on preliminary pricing)

7) Elementary hallway painting-$3783

8) Main gym painting and dry wall work around the stage-$15,650

9) Banner & scoreboard replacement in main gym-$(2,000-Banners) & ($11,000-Scoreboard)

10) Wall Mat replacement in main gym-$5000-$7000

Rationale: 

                                     
                                                  Elementary Principal’s Report
                                                           March 2014

Paraprofessional of the Year

On February 17th, Ingrid Lennemann was selected as the Nebraska Paraprofessional of the
year.  Ingrid started working for the school district in 1983.  She has worked primarily in the
elementary grade levels under the Title 1 program for the majority of those years.   Ingrid also
serves the district as the activity account manager and currently manages the scheduling of
substitutes in our district. This award is a reflection of her exceptional dedication she has made
to our children, the district and community.

Read Across America Day

On Monday, March 3rd, the students in K­-6th grades celebrated 2014 Read Across America Day with the Cat in the Hat (Mrs. Kahrs).  This program is sponsored by the National Education
Association and is celebrating its 17th year.  Our elementary teachers selected a state to
prepared a 20 minute lesson for students.  Students traveled with their “passports” to the to
various states.  Students enjoyed a variety of activities as they traveled  to Hawaii, California,
Florida, Colorado, Massachusetts, Alaska, Wyoming, Montana, New York, Texas, Kansas, and
Pennsylvania.  The day concluded with singing “Happy Birthday” to the state of Nebraska. The
birthday party included delicious cupcakes furnished by “The Bandits”.   I would like to thank all
the teachers for their work in making the day a great success!  I would also like to thank our
paras, Kim Molzahn, Cassie Schmidt, and Heather Boettcher, Kenton Fritson, Cheyenne
Knehans, Brayton Kahrs, Mackenzie Rose, Jaylin Randall, and Kelsey Randall who served as
group leaders.  A thank you to Dottie Gramke, Angie Grube, Jessica Jackson, and Heather
Boettcher for providing the 200 cupcakes needed for the Nebraska celebration!  A “big” thanks to Michelle Kahrs for her assistance in organizing our helpers and to Kim Molzahn in helping set up the birthday party.

Franklin Elementary Travels to the Capital

Franklin Elementary students were selected  to sing in the rotunda of the capitol building during
Music Education Week. On March 4th,  Mrs. Antholz, 4th­6th grade students, and FPS teachers
and staff traveled to Lincoln for the concert.  Senator Tom Carlson did a meet and greet with
students before their performance.  Students from Omaha Central, Mission Middle School,
LIncoln Southeast High School, Omaha South, Dawes Middle School, Thayer Central and
Waverly performed throughout the week. Students enjoyed a tour of the capital and a trip to
Morrill Hall. The highlight for some students was the Titanoboa Monster Snake that is on exhibit
until September at Morrill Hall. The snake is from a fossil bed 60 million years ago measuring 48
feet long and weighing 2,500 pounds. This would definitely catch your eye!

                  

 

Rationale: 

High School Principal’s Report – March 2014

Board of Education

 1. Academic Information

• Book Study Update – How to Grade for Learning – We have concluded the reading of the book, and I am having the staff compare the suggested grading policy in Appendix D with our current grading policy in our policy books.  I am having them make suggestions of things that need added, replaced, or taken out, and will have these suggestions at a future date for the creation of a new Grading Policy that will be followed K-6 and 7-12.
• Math Standards Work – See Attached Write-up
• Social Studies Standards – See Attached Write-up
• Next year we will begin the essential standard work for the Language Arts Standards K-12.
• NeSA begins this month, and we will continue to prepare both staff and students for this.
• Schedule and Curriculum Changes Update – See Attached Page.  At this point Kelly Simmons and I will be requesting that we only increase the graduation requirement of Social Studies from 3 years to 4 years.  As you see though there are other parts that we have kept as well.

2. Activity Information

• Schedules – On the bright side we have a complete and full schedule for our Volleyball team next year, which includes more JV opportunities as well as 5 out of our 8 football games being Football/Volleyball nights.
• Winter Sports Gate Totals – See Attached PDF – This is just an FYI for you.  This is something I have done in my previous schools.  Is this something that you would like to see in the future?
• Spring Sports Practices are underway – Track has about 14 girls and 10 boys out and golf has approximately 8-10 out.

4. Other Information

• FCS and MS History Position Updates
• Shelley and I attended the ESU 11 Principal’s Meeting on February 26^th.  During this meeting they had two Principal’s present on the piloting of two of the teacher evaluation models that the state has put together.

Rationale:  Mr. Schroeder was excused from the March Board Meeting so that he could serve on the external evaluation team for Sandhills Public Schools.