May 9, 2016 at 5:30 PM - Board of Education Regular Meeting

Rationale: 

STRIVE  •  COMMIT  •  SUCCEED  -  District Mission Statement

Schuyler Community Schools in partnership with parents, students, and the community is committed to educate students to become skilled, knowledgeable and responsible citizens in a global society - District Vision Statement

Notice of this meeting was given in advance according to State Law 84-1411, by giving notice of the meeting to the public.  Notice of this meeting was also given in advance to all members of the Board of Education

Rationale:  This meeting has been preceded by advance notice and is hereby declared to be in open session.  A copy of the Open Meetings Act is posted in the hallway outside the Media Center.

Rationale:  Discuss, Consider and Take Action on the consent agenda

Rationale:  This committee is responsible for recommending approval of building/grounds and transportation programs, vehicle replacement schedule, building and maintenance and upgrade schedule.

Rationale:  See attached bids.

Rationale:  The vehicle replacement cycle has a bus purchase scheduled for 2016-17.  The board committee met and approved a fall purchase on this vehicle.  See attached bids for further information.

Rationale:  This committee is responsible for budget, finance, and contract negotiations with administration, certificated staff, and support staff.

Rationale:  Attached is information regarding the renewal of our district insurance plan.  This plan begins on May 15th, 2016 and ends May 14th, 2017.  The board committee, Ronnie Mundil and Dr. Hoesing met with Holly Hild to review facilities, automobiles, and liability coverage included in the policy.  We adjusted some of the auto coverages on the high mileage vehicles and trailers.  Our mod rate for workman's comp. has been raised from .71 to .91.  This is a significant increase.  As a result, We will be required to implement the return to work and safety program for the 2016-17 school year to try to keep lower this rating.  See attached information.

Rationale: 

1.  Adrianne Didier:  2nd Grade Teacher

2.  Elizabeth Hellbusch:  High School Science Teacher

3.  Dana Garrison:  High School Vocational Agriculture Teacher

4.  Danielle Peckenpaugh:  Elementary Special Education Teacher

5.  Jodi Bruegger:  Elementary Para-Educator

6.  Barbara Raya:  Preschool Administrative Assistant

7.  Paloma Lopez:  Preschool Para-Educator

8.  Michelle Schafersman:  SCHS Asst. Principal/AD

 

Rationale: 

1.  Jesse Zavadil:  Middle School Assistant Principal/AD/Teacher Combination

2.  Samantha Kelly:  SES 5th Grade Teacher

3.  Brandi Zavadil:  High School Spanish Teacher

4.  Allison Dolezal: High School Science Teacher

5.  Rachel Papa:  Richland Teacher

6.  Hayley Block: Middle School Language Arts Teacher

7.  Lauren Nelson:  Middle School Science Teacher

8.  Mitzi Santos:  SES Para-Educator

9.  Cristal Melgar:  Preschool Admin. Assistant

10.Marilyn Houdek:  SCHS Industrial Technology Teacher

11. Molly Brandt:  SCHS Vocational Agriculture Teacher

Rationale:  The board finance committee has met and reviewed the support staff salary and benefits schedule for the 2016-17 school year.  This schedule has been presented to support staff for their input and adjustments made to create equity in our schedule while providing incentives for special skills, longevity, education, etc...  This is the second year of the schedule.  It will take three years for us to successfully make the transition from our current salaries to the new salary schedule, therefore, the support staff proposed salary increases are recommended for the 2016-17 and 2017-18 school year..  See attached salary schedule.

Rationale:  The administrators have worked hard to assign extra-duty contracts for the 2016-17 school year.  In their deliberations, they considered qualifications, experience, teaching/coaching loads, etc... and who can best lead our programs that will result in more success for our students.  See attached information.

Rationale:  Attached are the strategic plan recommendations for 2016.  See attached strategic plan and identified action plans in response to the priorities set by parents and staff.

Rationale: 

Preschool and 3-5 Principal Report:  Mr. Comley

Field Day is May 5th. We will have an update at the meeting.

NeSA has wrapped up.

Preschool has had around 103 register to this point for 2016-17.

K-2 Principal and K-8 AD Report:  Mr. Kovar

The end of the year is here, and I survived my first year. I feel that it was a very successful year. There are always some bumps in the road, but that is true at every school. Teachers worked very hard with the new I-Observation, and improving writing this year. As a whole the Elementary staff works very hard to do what is best for kids. Thank you for the opportunity.

At the time of the board meeting, JH athletics will be complete. I feel it was a good year for all of our teams, and we will work to keep improving the experience for all kids.

The 6th grade track meet was May 5th.  The event was well planned by our PE teachers and well supported by parents!

SMS Principal's Report:  Mrs. Burton

NeSA testing is complete at SMS.  We will have Discovery Education benchmarks this Wednesday to wrap up the assessment year.

6th Grade Orientation took place this last week.  We dismissed early to accommodate the 5th graders coming to SMS, and the 8th graders going to SCHS for the afternoon. This event focused on informing students and parents of the next step in his/her educational career.

Hiring is complete at SMS.  I have attached the staff assignments for next year.  

All evaluations will be complete by Wednesday, and teachers are busily working to finalize their Student Learning Objectives for the year.  Mr. Reinsch and I will conference with all SMS staff members the final week of school.

Upcoming events at SMS:

*May 10th-Band/Choir Concert at 8:30 a.m.

*May 10th-Academic Honors and Awards at 5:00 p.m.

*May 13th-Athletic Awards at 10:30 a.m.

*May 18th-8th Grade Graduation at 10:00 a.m.

It has been a great year at SMS!  We are thankful for the parent and community support that we have!  

SMS Enrollment:  

6th Grade: 121 students

7th Grade: 130 students

8th Grade: 124 students

Total Enrollment:  375 students

High School Principal's Report:  Mr. Grammer

1.  Fred Arnold Track Meet had great weather and the meet went on without a hitch.  Our teams competed well and it was a great day.

2.  SCHS Prom was on Saturday, April 23rd at the Oak Ballroom.  Prom was well attended.  The students walking across the bridge and promenade was a neat addition to Prom.  The students in attendance enjoyed the D.J.'s music and had fun dancing.  Great job by Mrs. Sorenson and Mr. Sayer.

3.  On April 26th & 27th, district staff took part in an APL training at SES gyms.  We had previously taken part in an APL training with a small group of teachers and administrators and this training was more detailed and to the whole district.  It was a valuable and practical training that staff could implement in the classrooms right away.  Thanks to Dr. Hoesing and Dave Gibbons for bringing this training to our district.

4.  On Thursday, April 28th, I met with senior and junior parents over concerns with the graduation slide show.  We met for about an hour and had good discussions.  There were pros and cons offered and some solutions to the concerns.  One of the solutions was to run the video during the time parents and families are entering the gym to be seated.  I have also attached my response to the parents regarding their concerns. 

5.  A busy week, the week before graduation.  Activities Awards Banquet on Monday, May 9th at 7:00 p.m. in the West Gym; Senior Class Dinner on Tuesday, May 10th at 5:00 p.m. at the Golf Club; NHS Senior Cord Recognition on Tuesday, May 10th at 6:00 p.m. in the East Gym;  Academic Awards Banquet on Tuesday 10th at 7:00 p.m. in the West Gym; and graduation rehearsal on Friday, May 13th at 10:00 a.m. in the West Gym.

6.  Seniors Last Day was May 5th and we are preparing for Graduation on Sunday, May 15th in SCHS's West Gym.  It will be a great time to honor our graduates for a job well done through high school.  Hope you all plan to be at our graduation ceremony.

Rationale: 

Special Education Director' Report:  Mrs. Vrba

 Thank you so much for granting me the opportunity to attend the Council for Exceptional Children National Convention! I took 2 classes during the week dealing key topics for our Special Education program. Using Proactive Discipline and Co-Teaching Core Subjects...both classes were phenomenal! We had 951 "breakout sessions" to chose from and the highest attendance count was Friday morning with 9,300ish people in attendance! All of the states were represented along with 24 countries!

The ESU #7 coordinators met with our ILCD team to give us guidance on our next steps to complete our goals and compile our data. Lori Benesch, Connie Palu, Caitlin Fett, Lanette Bathen, and I designed a "road map" to use over the summer to make sure everything is completed by August 1st!

I have had the opportunity to visit Coleridge and Norfolk to learn about other schools methods of providing their students the best services possible! I really, really liked what I saw and would like to implement some of the programs with our students.

The end-of-the-school craziness has begun...I have officially fastened seat belt and am ready to enjoy the ride!!

Curriculum, Assessment, Accountability, and Grant Programs Report:  Mr. Gibbons

Curriculum Assessment and Accountability – The NeSA Assessment season ended May 6^th.  To be sure that you are all aware ahead of time, we know that we will not hit 100% participation this year.  That is always a goal, but it is not always possible.  We must have at least 95% participation and we will reach that number.

LB 930 has changed state testing for the state of Nebraska – schools will be required to give all 11^th graders a college entrance test instead of the NeSA Reading, Math and Science Assessments.  This will come at no cost to districts. The statewide writing assessment will end after next year with writing being incorporated into the Reading Assessment starting in 2017-18.  I am a member of the Assessment and Accountability Advisory Committee to the NDE.  I will be attending a meeting May 27, so I will know more after that.

After School/Summer School – The after school program is finishing up nicely.  We will be very close to meeting our goal number of students.  The running club at SES held a one-mile road race on Friday, May 6, that was well attended.  We want to thank all who participated and thank the city for allowing us to close off 22^nd Street and Denver Street in front of the School.  We have quite a few students signed up for summer school and are signing up more every day.

Professional Development – Just as a reminder, we will have two more sessions of A.P.L. Associates May 23^rd and 24^th.  We will also have the Leadership Blueprint workshop May 25^th and 26^th.  Over the summer, multiple professional development opportunities are available at ESU 7.  For example, we have 31 teachers signed up to attend a workshop on building Learning Goals and Proficiency scales.

Rationale: 

1.  Leadership Blueprint:  We are hosting "Leadership Blueprint" on May 25-26 at the Benedictine Retreat Center.  All administrators are required to attend along with any board members and community/business leaders.  We need to have a formal count in this week.  Please let me know if you can attend. 

2.  State Soccer:  We qualified for State Soccer Competition in Omaha on Friday at 11:00 AM.  We recommend canceling school for high school students and allowing faculty members to attend for supervision.  Those not attending will be expected to report to work.  The other buildings will have a regular school day.   Mrs. Schafersman will consider special considerations from employees from the other buildings.

3.  Staff Recognition:  We will host our year-end staff recognition day on May 19th at 8:00 AM.  If you are able to attend, we would appreciate your help in recognizing longevity, retirements, outstanding employees, etc...

4.  Graduation:  Graduation is scheduled for 2:00 PM on Sunday, May 15.  As in the past, any board member who has a child graduating is welcome to assist with the distribution of diplomas.  Please let us know if you wish to have a place on stage or would like to sit with your family until the presentation of diplomas.  See attached program.

Rationale: 

SCHUYLER COMMUNITY SCHOOLS FOUNDATION

MEETING 05/02/2016 @ 12:00- 1:00 pm

@ SCHUYLER MIDDLE SCHOOL CONFERENCE ROOM

Membership:  Lumir Jedlicka-Treasurer, Brian Vavricek- President, Virginia Semerad- Secretary, Joyce Baumert, Sandy Seckman- Vice President, Victor Lopez, and Dan Hoesing

Guests             -Tiffany Cone – Chamber Executive Director              

                      -Kem Cavanah – Economic Development Coordinator

-Shelley Friesz –shelley.friesz@schuylercommunityschools.org – 402-352-3527 Ext 216

Foundation Assistant      

-Sheri Balak – sheribalak@gmail.com – Alumni Honors consultant  

Vision:  To support the enrichment of educational programs and student life experiences

Goals:  -To promote education in Schuyler Community Schools

           -Conduct feasibility study on possible new construction at high school building 

Secretary Report/Minutes – Review and Approve (refer minutes emailed by Shelley Friesz – April 4, 2016)

 Treasurer’s Report – Balance as of 05/02/2016 

·     $1500 ck to Christ United Methodist Church for book

·     $75 ck to Schuyler Baseball Corp split cost with Athletic dept to hang up banner at baseball field

New Business:

·     More discussion regarding making donations online to the foundation

Committee Reports:

·     Labor Day:  Brian, Victor, Virginia & Sandy

·     Scholarship:  Sandy, Lumir

• Education:Lumir &Brian

·     PR/ Communications: Dan, Sandy, Sheri & Virginia      

·     Alumni Honors Committee- Joyce & Sheri    

·    Mission Statement & Goals updated- Joyce, Sheri & Brian

·     Fundraising- Sandy & Holly

·     School Facilities- Dan, Joyce & Holly               

Next Meeting –June 13, 2016 @ 12:00 Noon @ Schuyler Middle School Conference Room

 

Minutes for May 2016 Foundation meeting

Members Present:  Brian, Lumir, Dan, Sandy, Victor & Joyce

Members Absent:  Virginia

Others Present:  Shelley

Brian called the meeting to order at 12:05 pm

Brian read a thank you from the Christ United Methodist Church regarding our donation

Secretary Report/Minutes:  were approved as emailed

Treasurer’s Report was approved

New Business

·     Motion was made by Lumir and 2^nd by Sandy and motion was carried to have Kady set up a paypal account for donations to foundation

Committee Reports

Labor Day- Brian, Victor, Sandy & Virginia

·     Nothing new but Brian did review the goals and actions plans that they had submitted last month will revisit again in June

Scholarships- Sandy & Lumir

·     The Distinguished Alumni and James & Delores Sindelar Scholarships have been picked

·     Lumir or Brian will present them at the Academic Awards night on May 10^th

·     Few changes will be made for the James & Delores Sindelar regarding recommendation letters, need one from the community not affiliated with the school

·     Possibly attend the parent teacher conferences and set up a table to explain the scholarships

·     Need to figure out the best way to handle the second year award either when awarded the first year a letter goes out with the 2^nd year criteria and then see Shelley at Superintendent’s office

Education- Lumir & Brian

·     3^rd quarter outstanding educator, para and support staff were decided at prior meeting

·     Will award the 2^nd, 3^rd and year winners at May 19^th meeting by Brian, Lumir or David

·     Look at 2016/2017 calendar and set the dates to award them quarterly

PR/Communications- Dan, Sandy, Sheri & Virginia

·     Someone from the committee will meet with Kady

·     Representative from each building will attend monthly meeting regarding website

·     Sheri Balak reported positive feedback from the alumni website

Alumni Honors Committee- Joyce & Sheri

·     Sheri & Joyce submitted a very detailed goals and action plan regarding the DA

·     Larry Vrba cannot attend the dinner but sent a $100 donation

·     Brian will do the prayer at dinner and present at graduation

Mission Statement & Goals updated- Joyce, Sheri & Brian

·     Will meet soon

Fundraising- Sandy & Holly

·     Dan reported that we have collected over ½ of our pledged donations for SMS Fieldhouse

·     Now we need to look at donation board for the SMS Fieldhouse

·     Construction is going well some delay due to weather

·     Will have an open house at the completion with a ribbon cutting ceremony

Dan gave details regarding a leadership seminar at the Benedictine Center on May 25 and 26^th

Brian adjourned the meeting at 1:10 pm

Next meeting will be June 13, 2016 at Schuyler Middle School Conference Room

*Note the date change