January 19, 2017 at 6:30 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:  1.  Congratulations for Chuck Misek and Virginia Semerad on their re-election to the board of education.
2.  Congratulations to Mynor Hernandez on his election to the board of education.
3.  Thank you to Eric Cerny for his service and commitment to Schuyler Community Schools.

Rationale: 

2016 Board Offices

President - Rich Brabec                                Vice President -Brian Vavricek

Secretary - Virginia Semerad                        Treasurer -Chuck Misek

NASB Delegate - Rich Brabec                        Recording Secretary -Cathie Marking

 

2017 Board Offices

President -                                                  Vice President -

Secretary -                                                 Treasurer -

NASB Delegate -                                         Recording Secretary -

Rationale: 

Process for Office Nominations:

1.  Board member makes a nomination for the position  (no second needed)

2.  If more than one member is nominated for an office, written votes should be used and passed to the recording secretary for count.

3.  If only one nomination is made, any member of the board may make a motion for nominations to cease and cast a unanimous ballot for the nominee.  Motion must have a second, followed by a voice roll call vote.

Rationale: 

Process for Office Nominations:

1.  Board member makes a nomination for the position  (no second needed)

2.  If more than one member is nominated for an office, written votes should be used and passed to the recording secretary for count.

3.  If only one nomination is made, any member of the board may make a motion for nominations to cease and cast a unanimous ballot for the nominee.  Motion must have a second, followed by a voice roll call vote.

Rationale: 

Process for Office Nominations:

1.  Board member makes a nomination for the position  (no second needed)

2.  If more than one member is nominated for an office, written votes should be used and passed to the recording secretary for count.

3.  If only one nomination is made, any member of the board may make a motion for nominations to cease and cast a unanimous ballot for the nominee.  Motion must have a second, followed by a voice roll call vote.

Rationale: 

Process for Office Nominations:

1.  Board member makes a nomination for the position  (no second needed)

2.  If more than one member is nominated for an office, written votes should be used and passed to the recording secretary for count.

3.  If only one nomination is made, any member of the board may make a motion for nominations to cease and cast a unanimous ballot for the nominee.  Motion must have a second, followed by a voice roll call vote.

Rationale: 

Process for Office Nominations:

1.  Board member makes a nomination for the position  (no second needed)

2.  If more than one member is nominated for an office, written votes should be used and passed to the recording secretary for count.

3.  If only one nomination is made, any member of the board may make a motion for nominations to cease and cast a unanimous ballot for the nominee.  Motion must have a second, followed by a voice roll call vote.

Rationale: 

This can be an appointed position by the newly elected board president.  In the past you have appointed Cathie Marking for this position.

 

Rationale:  Board Policy 203.06

Committees will be appointed by the president of the board.  These committees are created for specific tasks of seeking information or investigation and will report back to the board for its consideration and action.  Committee action is considered to be advisory only.  The following committees are appointed at the annual board organizational meeting for one year.

Foundation Committee:  Responsible for working with the Schuyler Community Schools Foundation.  2 Members Required in Bylaws.  Foundation meets the first Monday of the month at 12:00 PM.  (2016 - Brian Vavricek and Virginia Semerad)

Meets the First Monday of the Month  (Foundation Meeting date - If necessary)
Americanism, Curriculum, Assessment and Instruction:  Responsible for reviewing curriculum recommendations, textbook selection, staff requisitions and inventory.  This is the only committee required by law (79-724)  3 members required.  1:00 PM (2016 - Virginia Semerad, Holly Hild, Rich Brabec)
 
Board Policy/Handbooks/Support Programs:  Responsible for annual review of board policies, handbooks, and safety/crisis plan. 2-3 members recommended.  Following the Americanism Committee Meeting.  (2016 - Virginia Semerad, Holly Hild, Rich Brabec)

Public Relations/Strategic Planning/Calendar:  Responsible for recommending the annual district calendar, strategic planning process, and promoting positive public relations and communication.  2-3 members recommended.   Following the Policy Committee Meeting.  (2016 - Virginia Semerad, Holly Hild, Rich Brabec)

Meets 2nd Monday of the Month:  (Board Meeting Night - If necessary)

Building/Grounds/Transportation:  Responsible for recommending approval of the building and grounds and transportation programs, vehicle replacement schedule, building maintenance and upgrade schedule)  3 members recommended.  5:00 PM.  (2016 - Chuck Misek, Eric Cerny, Rich Brabec)

Budget/Finance/Negotiations:  Responsible for budget, finance, contract negotiations with administration, certificated staff negotiations and support staff contracts. 3 members recommended.  Following the Bldg/Grnds/Transportation meeting or following the board meeting.  (2016 - Chuck Misek, Rich Brabec, Brian Vavricek)

*  Special temporary committees of the Board, except as specified by statute, may be appointed by the president or chosen by a vote of the Board as needed.  The function of all such committees shall be fact-finding, deliberative and advisory, but never legislative or administrative.  When the specified purpose of all sub-committees appointed to conform to statute.  The superintendent shall be an ex-officio member of all such committees.

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

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

Rationale: 

Barbara Raya:  Early childhood teacher for Head Start (Contract with Head Start for teacher)

Jackeline Chavez:  High needs paraeducator at Head Start:  16hrs a week, Job will end in May

Contracts with Head Start Program for reimbursed employees.

Rationale:  The negotiations committee is recommending extending the superintendent's contract as presented below:

In compliance with the superintendent Pay Transparency Act, the board of education will consider a two-year contract extension for Dr. Daniel J. Hoesing at their regular January board meeting.  The contract extends the current two-year contract (2016-17, 2017-18) for an additional year (2017-18, 2018-19).  The proposed contract includes a salary increase from $160,000 to $166,000.  Health Insurance deductible increased from $900 deductible to $1,000.  All other contract provisions remain unchanged.  The current and proposed superintendent contracts are posted on the lower right hand corner of the main district website at:  http://www.schuylercommunityschools.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/2017-Superintendent-Contract.pdf

Rationale:  Attached is the first draft of the 2017-2018 school calendar.  The board committee will meet in February to consider input from staff.  Our goal is to have the calendar ready for board approval in March.

Rationale:  We have completed our input sessions with staff, parents, community patrons, and community leaders.  We are at the point of sitting down with staff to consider all the input and begin our focus on priorities for 2017.  We need to schedule a board work session with administration to review final recommendations and recommended action plans to address the board's priorities for 2017.  Please check your calendars for Tuesday, January 31st or Wednesday, February 1st for an evening work session.  Thanks in advance for all your work and support of this process. 

Rationale: 

Preschool and Grades 305 Principal's Report:  Mr. Bill Comley

Barbara Raya has accepted a partnership position at Headstart.  Headstart will reimburse us for her 2nd semester total cost.

February 9th from 5-8 we will be having an Early Childhood night at SES. The night will have a focus on mental health with many community partners involved. Please stop in if you are available for some free pancakes.

Traffic has been moving well.

Kindergarten - 2nd Grade Principal's Report:  Mr. Darin Kovar

As we begin the start of the 2nd Semester, formal observations for tenured teachers have already begun. On January 18th, Mr. Comley and I will be participating in the Midland Lutheran College Job Fair. It gives potential teachers a chance to interview with current School Administrators, and gives administrators a chance to find some potential teacher candidates.

Kindergarten - 120             1st Grade - 130         2nd Grade - 157

Rural Schools Principal's Report:  Mr. Gerry Reinsch

MAP testing will be conducted at Richland and Fishers during the next two weeks.

Mr. Burton has PE students at both school involved in Jump Rope for Heart.

Teachers and I at both schools are discussing strategies for upcoming Strategic Planning Parent/Community Meetings.  Our challenge is to make the most efficient use of our facilities and staff to best meet the needs of our rural school students.

SMS Assistant Principal's Report:  Mr. Jesse Zavadil

We are finished with the 1^st Semester edition of our Project Based Learning course and look forward to the 4^th quarter class.  Both the students and myself learned a lot from the class.

Recent tweaks to our discipline model that we have taken from Capturing Kids’ Hearts have already paid dividends in our building and we have had a very smooth start to the second semester.

The Capturing Kids’ Hearts seminar was great!  We learned a lot of tangible practices that some of our teachers are already implementing in their classrooms.

We have completed our winter rounds of MAP testing and Mrs. Kment and our teachers did a great job of making sure that every student had their best score.  We will use this information in order to shape education plans going forward.

SMS Principal's Report - Mrs. Michelle Burton

Current Enrollment: 403 Students

Students at Schuyler Middle School successfully helped fundraise for various community projects throughout the month of December, notably the Colfax County Christmas Project, the Schuyler Ministerial Association's Food Bank, and the Sock Project for Homeless Veterans.  In addition, there were several staff members that adopted families this year.  Thank you for your generosity!

The SMS Choir and Band Concerts were well attended this year.  Our choirs and bands performed for a packed gymnasium both evenings!

Thank you to the various community leaders that came to our SCS Meeting at Schuyler Middle School on Tuesday, January 3rd.  The SMS Administration will be working with building and district staff to ensure that the items of importance are addressed with high fidelity.  

As we near the end of the School Improvement Grant process for SMS, we are thankful for the improvements that have been provided for our staff and students.  We continue to hold student achievement and behavior at high regard.  While both areas have shown improvement, we will work on establishing and strengthening building processes and culture over the next three years.  We have the unique opportunity to have two unique trainings for SMS Staff.  The first is on employing rigor utilizing traditional text and media for our certified staff.  The second is Mental Health First Aid Training for our classified staff members.  I would like to ask that SMS not have school on Monday, February 20th, when SCHS is not in attendance.  

We recently had a Warrior Academy Family Night on January 12th.  Thank you to the SMS staff and families that attended!

We look forward to seeing our patrons at SMS events in the coming month!  Basketball begins at home on Tuesday, January 17th!

High School Assistant Principal's Report:  Mr. Jim Kasik

• In School Suspensions are down and our Saturday School numbers are also going down.
• I continue to work with Ms. Pavel and Mrs. Dimas on student attendance issues along with tardy reduction for our students.  We are working on modifying our current system.
• We continue to train our staff in Discovery Ed. Training within our building and I am seeing these strategies as well as APL improving our lessons.
• We are starting to look at scheduling changes and ways to make our school better for next year.  There will be challenges with this as we continue to see our student numbers increase.

Rationale: 

K-6 Youth Activities Director Report:  Mr. Darin Kovar

As the Rec Center nears completion, basketball signups will be wrapping up. At the time the board report was submitted we had around 75 students signed up. We are hoping that number will be well over 100 by the time it's all said and done. As the Rec Center opens to the public, we will evaluate how we can best utilize our space for all kids.

SMS Activities Director Report:  Mr. Jesse Zavadil

Boys Basketball is already underway, Coach Hall has 63 players signed up and started.  We are working on finding more competitions to give all of our students an opportunity to play as many games as possible.

Our We will have 3 home games before the next board meeting the games will be Jan 17^th Vs. Central City,  January 26^th Vs. Scotus and, Feb 2^nd Vs. Aquinas.

Mr. Kasik and myself will be attending the NSAA district II meetings at Boys Town Wednesday the 11^th  in order to cast our votes on new NSAA legislation.

High School Athletic/Activity Director:  Mr. Kasik

• Winter seasons are well underway.  Our Wrestling team currently has an 11-4 dual record and has been competing well at tournaments.  Our Boys Basketball team is currently 2-5 and finished 2^nd at our Holiday Tournament at Lakeview. Our Girls Basketball team is currently 0-9 after starting the season with a win in the Jamboree game over DC West.
• Our One-Act group moved up to class “A” this year capturing a Conference Runner-up finish and a District Champion finish.  In mid-December they brought home the Class “A” Runner-up trophy from the State Tournament in Norfolk.  Jessica Hernandez was named Class “A”s top Female performer and our team also was selected as the top Play Production Crew in Class “A”, GREAT JOB!
• On Wednesday, 1/11 Mr. Zavadil and I attended the second NSAA meeting of the year at Boys Town to vote on approved bylaw changes.
• We continue to compile strategic plan items to direct our focus for improvement in our activity and sport programs.

Special Education January's Board Report:  Mrs. Darli Vrba

At the beginning of the second semester, the high school special education teachers will be co-teaching with the core subject teachers. The core subject areas being defined as English, math, social studies, and science. Our core teachers are deemed as the experts of the content in their given subject area, hence our sped teachers are the experts on how students learn. Although this teaching style is a win-win for our students, the teachers have many different hurdles to clear before "they" will be an effective co-teaching team; such as: forming a working relationship, finding time to plan their lessons together, determining how best to present contents to their students, teaching in whole group or small groups, developing learning stations in the classroom, etc.!

We are working with Amy Mazankowski from ESU #7 Resource Team on strategies to develop with some of our students with extremely high behavioral needs. All of us have been going through numerous trainings and team meetings to find that right key to each child's success! Sometimes, we need to remember the famous quote from George Evans..."Every student can learn, just not on the same day, or in the same way."!

Curriculum, Assessment, and Federal Grant Programs:  Mr. Dave Gibbons

Curriculum – I have been visiting with principals about the curriculum cycle for this year.  Please see the attachment for the areas that we are proposing at this time.  It is a little more than $200,000, but I have plans to pay for some items out of grant money that we have.

Assessment - Assessment dates this year:

• ELPA 21: February 6 - March 17, 2017 

  • Given to all Limited English Proficient students

• NAEP: SES 4th Grade is February 21; SMS 8th grade is February 22

  • A random sampling of students taking a variety of tests.

• NeSA - ELA, Math, Science: March 20 - May 5, 2017

  • Students in 3rd - 8th grade (Science is 5th and 8th)

  • New Assessments with new question types.

    • Text Dependent Analysis

  • Expect Scores to Drop

Professional Development - Here are some dates of upcoming professional development opportunities:

• January 17 - Discovery Ed Project Based Learning Coaching

• January 18 - Discovery Ed Project Based Learning Workshop

• January 17 & 18 - APL Training at Wayne State

• January 19 - Discovery ED Admin Team PBL update

• January 19 - APL Training at ESU 1 in Wakefield

• January 20 - TDA Training in Fremont (one Teacher)

• January 23 - Discovery ED with SCHS Leadership Team

• January 25 - TDA Training in Lincoln (two teachers)

• January 26 - Discovery Ed Digital Leader Corps at SCHS Group 2

• January 27 - Discovery Ed Digital Leader Corps at SCHS Group 2

• January 30 - TDA Training in Lincoln (two teachers)

Warrior Academy - Both the elementary and middle school programs are off to a strong start for 3rd quarter.  We continue to need more adults to run programs. Schuyler Middle School held a Warrior Academy Family Night on Thursday, January 12.  More details to follow.

Rationale: 

1.  2017-18 Contract Renewal Dates:

     a.  January:  Superintendent's Contract

     b.  February:  Administrators' Contracts

     c.  March:  Program Directors' Contracts

     d.  April:  Certificated, non-supervisory Contracts

     e.  May:  Support Staff Contracts

2.  Voluntary Early Retirement Applications:  All teachers over 55 attended a meeting in December to review the voluntary early retirement policy approved by the board last fall.  Applications will be accepted from January 1st to March 1st. 

3. Bond Interest Rates:  Jay Spearman notified me that bond rates have continued to drop since the first of the year.  He will continue to monitor this and see if there is a possibility of taking advantage of some savings through a refinance option of our regular bonds. I will keep you informed and forward information to you as I receive this correspondence.

4.  Field House Courts:  The field house courts are scheduled to be finished this weekend.  We are currently working out court markings to see if we can mark additional activity courts without making the floor too confusing.  The main lines on the courts are for volleyball and half-court basketball.  The full-court basketball  court will be modified width and junior high length.  We are investigating how single tennis court lines and possibly pickle ball courts could be included without too much confusion. 

5.  State of the State:  The Governor's State of the State address seems to promote something for all interests, including proponents of public education and those who want property tax relief.

Governor Pete Ricketts outlined his vision for the next biennium under four principles:
First:     revenue gap must be addressed without increasing taxes;
Second: the budget must be balanced;
Third:    reduce government expenditures; and
Fourth:  keeping about $500 million in the cash reserve.

The Governor supports changes to the methodology for assessing property value from a market-based system to an income-potential assessment.  He believes income potential is a fairer measure, and will slow the growth of ag land valuation increases.  He believes if this system were in place for 2017, it would reduce ag land valuations by about $2.2 billion.

Under the Governor's 2017-19 Biennium Budget priorities, state aid to schools would grow by 2.7% for each year of the biennium.  Special education funding would also be increased by 1.5% in each year of the biennium.

He also warned lawmakers, "Now, you will be lobbied that this budget "doesn't fully fund education."  That is not true.  That statement is based upon a flawed school aid formula that encourages spending.  The formula allows schools to grow their budgets 12 percent."

See attached NASB Legislative Notes from his State of the State Address

Rationale:  The January Foundation Meeting was rescheduled for January 23rd.