October 14, 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. Recognize-

• Nutrien Ag Solutions-Dan Votapka, they are sponsoring their flights and their officer quarter zips for the Chapter
• Kugler Company-Chad Magnuson, they sponsored the chapter Tshirts

They are helping with expenses of travel to the National FFA Convention

2.2. Board accepts public comments

2.3. Student board member report

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

3.1. Approval of Expenditures/Payroll for September 2024

4. Reports from Staff Members and Committees

4.1. Finance Committee

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

6. Superintendent's comments

Technical Assistance Rubric Self-Assessment

• The school improvement team completed a self-assessment using the Technical Assistance Rubric.
• The group assessed the district at the 2nd highest or operational level, noting that the one area we did not reach the very highest level was in achieving 100% buy-in to the school improvement process from all stakeholders.
  • Stakeholders include all individuals in the community connected to the school system.

Survey Results on School Improvement Goal

• The district conducted a staff survey regarding the school improvement goal and the steps being taken to achieve it. Results are as follows:
  • Question #1: Are you familiar with the District’s school improvement goal? 99% Yes
  • Question #2: Has a building administrator, supervisor, or a school improvement team member shared the school improvement goal with you? 97% Yes
  • Question #3: There are five key elements to our comprehensive instructional program approach. Do you know all five elements? 72% Yes
    • Action: Based on this response, we are enhancing our communication and training efforts.
  • Question #4: Has a building administrator, supervisor, or school improvement team member shared the five key elements of the comprehensive instructional program approach with you? 95% Yes
  • Question #5: Have you seen the school improvement goal and its five key elements in district documents or postings? 95% Yes
• Survey Comments: Tangible Actions Taken
  • Collaborative teaming: 25 mentions
  • Professional development: 21 mentions
  • Learning interventions (PRtI/MTSS): 18 mentions
  • Curriculum development: 16 mentions
  • Assessment development: 13 mentions

Bond Information Meeting Recap

• The presentation covered key aspects of the bond project, from its history to the proposed construction process.
  • Steps taken since 2013 to reach the current stage
  • Challenges faced in the Jr. High and Auditorium
  • Title IX concerns, including the need for larger girls’ locker rooms
  • Design and Objectives:
    • Quality classroom space
    • Improved safety and security
    • Quality industrial arts spaces
    • Quality performing arts spaces
    • A well-constructed building expected to last 80–100 years
  • Financial Impacts:
    • Breakdown of financial effects on individual valuations, including agricultural land
  • Per-Pupil Spending Data:
    • Data on local property tax contributions per pupil compared to other districts
  • Construction Timeline and Phases
  • Frequently Asked Questions section addressed common concerns

Upcoming Teacher Training

• We are finalizing details to secure a renowned expert in assessment and teacher clarity.
• We anticipate a short Zoom training session with Rick Stiggins on January 20.

K-5 ELA Materials Adoption

• Mr. Bednar is leading the elementary staff through a materials adoption for ELA materials. This is one of the largest adoptions that we go through and also one of the most expensive. The process will take up much of the school year, and involves teaching staff from all ot the impacted buildings. 

7. Director of Business services report

8. New Business

8.1. Accept $1,775.05 from MNB from the Bison debit cards with gratitude. 

8.2. Accept resignation from Julie Carpenter - Special Education Teacher at McCook Senior High school

8.3. Accept Resignation from Lynne Kinne - Life Skills, Summer school, and Unified Bowling coach at the Sr. High

8.4. Accept Resignation from Donita Priebe - Director of Bands 

8.5. Accept resignation from Carol Brown - 5th Grade Reading and Head coach to Lady Bison Golf team

8.6. Accept Resignation from Michele (Shelly) Sehnert - Mathematics Senior High and McCook Community College Dual Credit Math Instructor

8.7. Accept resignation from Jason Cochran - Mathematics and McCook Senior High

8.8. Approve Policy 4150 --Teacher Evaluation.

Following a review of our new teacher evaluation policy by the Nebraska Department of Education, we were requested to reapprove it. According to their accreditation rules, the policy must be approved by the district after receiving their approval. No changes have been made to this policy. 

8.9. Reapprove the following policies and change their file numbers to correspond with our new policy manual. 

• Certificate of Attendance and change File 611.071 to policy number 5210
• School Volunteers and change File 607.08 to policy number 2450
• Vendor Relations and change File 706.04 to policy number 3590
• Use of School Owned Vehicles and change File 801.11 to policy number 3525
• Facilities Inspections and change File 905.01 to policy number 6119

9. Positive Comments

10. Adjournment

11. Items for Review