April 10, 2023 at 6:30 PM - Board of Education Regular Meeting

1. Call to Order

1.1. Roll Call

1.2. Recognition of Open Meeting Law

1.3. Pledge of Allegiance

2. Reports, Communications & Public Participation

2.1. Board accepts public comments

2.2. Student board member report

2.3. Art display by Ms. Goodenberger's Jr. High Art Club

3. Approve the consent agenda, which includes the minutes and financials

3.1. Approval of Expenditures/Payroll for March 2023

4. Reports from Staff Members and Committees

4.1. Programs Committee

4.2. Activities Committee

4.3. Safety Committee

5. Administrator's written reports: Please review prior to the board meeting

6. Superintendent's comments

School Improvement

1. Shared building level action plans were made following the review of perceptual parent survey data.
2. Demographic Data
   1. Reviewed demographic trends
   2. Reviewed NSCAS, ACT and CRT assessment results
3. Shared teacher survey data
   1. Reviewed district survey data
   2. Discussed some actions already taken to address teacher concerns made in the comments section.
      1. Values
      2. Norms process and document
      3. PLC agenda template
      4. Homework for building teams is to review building specific data, identify trends, and develop action plans to address needs.
4. Shared 2022-2023 easy read report card
   1. This report card supplements the Annual Report

Vision Statment

1. Vision Statement
   1. Developed by the school improvement committee, Every McCook Public School graduate will possess the skills to become a responsible, respectful, and productive citizen who is engaged in their community and achieves personal success. 

Staffing & Recruiting

• The teachers shortage is impacting school districts across the state, and McCook has not been immune to this unfortunate trend.
• The District has attended more than 6 recruiting fairs this year in an attempt to widen our net to attract talent to McCook to teach.
  • We have had some success at the recruiting fairs the past couple of years. 
• Although we have sent out several contracts this week to new hires, we are still looking for teachers for several positions. We are also starting the process of looking for teachers internationally. 
  • There are potential opportunities to hire teachers from other nations where teachers are more abundant. 
• We will also be hiring teachers outside of their endorsed area when it is clear no other options are available. 

Science Materials Adoption

• The district is close to finalizing a deal with one of two science material publishers. At this point, we are working through the costs and trying to come to an agreeable price.
• It is our belief that we will have an agreement prepared for board approval by the May board meeting.

7. Business Manager Comments/Report

8. Board member comments

9. New Business

9.1. Approve resignations

9.1.1. Mrs. Stephanie Gaulke - 2nd Grade 

9.1.2. Mr. Ben Weyeneth - Sr. High Math

9.1.3. Mr. Dalton Pettera - Elementary Physical Education

9.1.4. Mrs. Rachelle Pettera - Kindergarten 

9.2. Approve New Teacher Contracts 


Some contracts may not be signed and returned to the district until the day of the board meeting. Any signed contracts returned to the district prior to the board meeting will be presented for approval.

9.2.1. Laurel Schmidt - Kindergarten

9.2.2. Alexis Goodenberger - 3rd Grade

9.2.3. Lorri Grafel - 2nd Grade

9.3. With gratitude, accept a check from McCook National Bank for McCook Bison debit card donations

9.4. Approve district surplus

10. Positive Comments

11. Adjournment

12. Items for Review