March 11, 2024 at 6:00 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

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

3.1. Approval of Expenditures/Payroll for February 2024

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

5. Reports from Staff Members and Committees

5.1. Programs Committee

6. Superintendent's comments

District Website Updated and New Phone App

• McCook public schools updated and improved the district website, including each of the district's building pages. The new site has a modern design,  which allows for news, events, and other information to be easily accessed by patrons. In addition to the website overhaul, the district proudly introduces a new mobile app, designed to provide users with crucial communications and information seamlessly, even when mobile.

School Safety and Security

• Dedicated to perpetually enhancing the safety and security across all school campuses, the district is actively seeking grant funding from both state and federal sources.
  • On March 4th, the district submitted a grant proposal to the Nebraska Department of Education, aiming to secure funds for installing safety film on all ground-level windows and doors. This initiative is designed to strengthen our buildings' defenses against unauthorized access by reinforcing these locations.
  • In addition, the district will also pursue grant opportunities from the Federal Department of Justice (COPS grant) to upgrade our camera surveillance and recording systems. Although our facilities are currently equipped with cameras, the existing surveillance technology is aging and increasingly challenging to maintain. Securing this grant would allow us to modernize our surveillance capabilities with higher quality video recordings, a more user-friendly management interface, and enhanced operational efficiency.

Building Project Surveys

• Currently, residents residing within the school district's boundaries are being contacted via phone calls and text messages by an organization conducting a survey. This survey aims to gauge community support for the proposed construction of a new junior high school and renovations to certain areas of the high school. Upon completion of this data collection, the survey findings will be presented to the Board of Education. This will assist the Board in making informed decisions concerning the advancement of a potential bond issue.

Legislative update

• Amid the array of legislative proposals currently under consideration in the unicameral that raise concern, I wish to highlight one particular bill: LB 878, which pertains to the scheduling of bond elections by public municipalities. During a bi-monthly phone call with Senator Murman at the Keystone, I took the opportunity to discuss our apprehensions regarding the bill's present draft. As it stands, LB 878 poses a significant challenge by stripping nearly all local autonomy from school boards and city councils in determining the timing for bond elections. Moreover, by consolidating all bond elections to a single date in November of even-numbered years, the bill not only risks creating a bottleneck effect that could hinder competitive contractor bidding but might also lead to a reduction in the number of available bonding agencies within the state. Such a concentration could, in turn, increase both bond service fees and interest rates. The underlying assumption by the bill's proponents, is that special elections ought to be minimized, which overlooks the intimate knowledge that local boards and councils have concerning their community's needs. 
• Based on the requirements that currently exist in this bill, I believe all municipalities and community members, by proxy, will be forced to endure higher prices and longer wait times for important infrastructure projects to be completed. 

7. Business Manager Comments

8. Board member comments

9. New Business

9.1. Accept resignation from Jolene Boesch, High School Counselor 

9.2. Accept resignation from Lori Grafel, 2nd Grade Teacher

9.3. Accept resignation letter from Evans Appiah - Sr. High Math

9.4. Approve contract for Jordan Lewis - High School counselor

9.5. Approve contract for Jenna Morgan - 2nd Grade

9.6. Approve contract for Cameryn Berry - 4th Grade

9.7. Approve ELA Materials Adoption - 6 - 8 grade

These materials are used to help us teach our locally developed curriculum.

9.8. Approve Science Materials Adoption - 9-12 grade

These materials are used to help us teach our locally developed curriculum. 

9.9. Accept a donation from the NE Community Foundation in the amount of $8,000.00 for McCook bond issue survey with gratitude.

9.10. Accept a donation from the Charities Aid Foundation (From Parker) in the amount of $5,600.00 for the Career and Technical Education Program (CTE) with gratitude.

9.11. Accept a donation from the United States Tennis Association in the amount of $28,750.00 to be used for the resurfacing project at McCook High School.

9.12. Approve the 2024-2025 School Calendar

10. Positive Comments

11. Adjournment

12. Items for Review

12.1. McCook Public Schools Policy - Section 2000