May 13, 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. Thank McCook Education Foundation for grant for Elementary playground equipment

2.3. Recognize Student board member - Jonathan Frank

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

3.1. Approval of Expenditures/Payroll for April 2024

4. Reports from Staff Members and Committees

4.1. Committee on American Civics

4.2. Facilities Committee

4.3. Finance Committee

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

4.5. Superintendent's Report

Student Handbooks

• A copy of the 2024-2025 student handbook has been provided for your review. As you look through the handbook, if you find anything that needs correction or if you have any questions, please send a note to the principals representing the respective buildings.

Cell Phone Policy 

• Introduction of New Policy: At the June board meeting, a proposal for a stricter cell phone policy will be presented for approval. The objective of this change is to boost student engagement and academic performance by reducing distractions. Research clearly indicates that cell phone use in schools distracts from learning and impedes both academic and social development.
• Parent Survey Results: Data collected from parents earlier this spring overwhelmingly support a change to our cell phone policy. Parents clearly indicated that a much more restrictive cell phone policy should be put into place. 
• Teacher Support: High school teachers have unanimously expressed their commitment to fully support a more restrictive cell phone policy. While they have diligently integrated technology into their classrooms, they find that cell phones do not enhance these efforts and, instead, act primarily as a distraction.
• Details of the Proposed Policy: Under the proposed policy, the use of cell phones will be prohibited during school hours, with the exception of student lunch periods. Students who bring cell phones to school will be required to store them in a specially designed container that blocks all electronic signals.
• Consequences of Policy Violation: If a student's cell phone is seen during school hours outside of lunchtime, the cell phone will be confiscated. Additional disciplinary actions may also be applied.
• Flexibility: The policy will also allow for school buildings to be more restrictive. Currently, the Jr. High does not allow any cell phone usage at any time, and this practice will remain in place as indicated in the Jr. High portion of the student handbook. 

Potential Changes to Title IX Regulations

• Recently, the Biden Administration released new Title IX regulations that would significantly overhaul the existing Title IX regulations. Almost as soon as the new regulations were released, opponents promised to sue to block their implementation and outright refuse to follow the new rules. Four states sued to enjoin the regulations from taking effect. This lawsuit will, in all likelihood, last at least as long as the proposed implementation date (August 1, 2024), and there may be other legal challenges that arise. 
• Given the uncertainty of the court challenge, and the fact that the upcoming presidential election could nullify any regulations that are temporarily enjoined anyway, school attorneys are monitoring the progress of these regulations but do not see any immediate need for schools to begin worrying about complying. 
• One change we may want to implement is having 3 fully trained members of the staff in the Title IX investigation process. Currently, we are only required to have one. 

4.6. Director of Business Services Report

5. Board member comments

6. New Business

6.1. Accept Resignations

6.2. Accept resignation from Jody Dellevoet - 1st Grade 

6.3. Accept resignation from Cherie Wallace - 3rd Grade

6.4. Approve contract for Mary Jo Overton - McCook Elementary

6.5. Approve contract for Shari Goodenberger - McCook Elementary

6.6. Approve the policy package 2000s--Administration, as presented to the Board of Education, and remove the following policies currently in place: 200.01, 204.011, 205.06,301.01, 301.02, 302.04, 303.07, 409.02, 601.011,

6.7. Approve the policy package 3000s--Business Operations, as presented to the Board of Education, and remove the following policies currently in place: 702.03, 704.02, 706.01, 706.03, 801.06, 801.07, 801.05, 801.08, 802.03, 905.02, 

7. Positive Comments

8. Adjournment

9. Items for Review

9.1. Student Handbooks for Elementary, Central, Jr. High, and Sr. High Schools

9.1.1. McCook Public Schools Policy - Sections 5000 and 8000