May 16, 2011 at 1:00 PM - Board of Education Regular Meeting

Discussion:  Those present included Principals Baumert, Comley, Vrba, Grammer; Assistant Principals Cunningham and Cline; Activity Administrator Egr; Technology Coordinator Droge; Curriculum Administrator Gibbons; Director of Facilities Mundil, and Superintendent Stevens. This meeting was moved to the afternoon due to the SCHS playing in the State soccer finals.

Discussion:  President Jedlicka declared the meeting was preceded by advance notice and declared to be an open session.

Discussion:  Shirley Kroenke and Paula Mares were present to be recognized. Shirley was voted "Teacher of the Year" and Paula Mares was voted "Support Staff Member of the Year."

Discussion:  Student representative Cesar Gonzalez reported that the back-to-school dance will be August 9 from 8:00 PM to 11:00 PM.

Discussion:  Mr. Stevens administered the Nebraska Public Official Bonding oath to board treasurer, Chuck Misek.

Discussion:  Plans are to replace some laptop computers in SMS, SES, 504R, and SCS preschool for the 2011-2012 school year for the amount of $98,319. Seventy laptops were purchased for district use four years ago. Laptop computers belonging to teachers will be re-imaged and will be put into use as student computers. The additional student computers will be helpful during NeSa testing.

Discussion:  A request was made from the technology department for twenty new laptop computers (and a computer cart) for the amount of $31,395 to replace twenty desktop computers. The laptop computers would contain more memory to meet the software requirements of the new CAD programs.

Discussion:  Currently Reading Mastery is taught in the 6th grade and Reading 180 is taught in 7th and 8th grades. A request was made to change reading curriculum for the 6th grade in 2011-2012 to Reading 180 for an amount of $$88,385. There is no extra charge for teacher training with the Reading 180 curriculum. If the curriculum change is not approved, teachers will need to create new curriculum for the 2011-2012 6th grade reading.

Discussion:  All federal programs are paid for with Title dollars. We have received more than $580,000 in federal funds though the district budget must be created before the district knows the amount of Title dollars to be distributed. A board member made a point that every department should strive to cut 10% from their individual budget and questioned whether a four-year computer replacement rotation could be stretched to a five-year-rotation? Mr. Gibbons noted that in three years all 4th graders will be required to take all state testing online. Also brought up was the fact that the budgeted amount for substitute food service workers has been exceeded this year. All board members were asked to get involved in the expenditure reduction by sharing ideas before the September board meeting, when budget cuts will be made.

Discussion:  John Bierman was present representing Bierman Contracting, Inc. He addressed questions about the new addition at SES including reinforcement of casting beds and acoustic properties of one inch and two inch acoustic panels.

Discussion:  The negotiations committee met with members of the certificated bargaining unit. On Wednesday, May 18 the negotiations committee will make their presentation to the certificated committee.

Discussion:  The budget and policy committees will meet to further discuss the ERIP policy.

Discussion:  Principal Baumert reported that summer schools will be taking place the month of June. Summer schools that are being offered are as follows: Title I reading, Title I math, OdysseyWare Credit Recovery, OdysseyWare Gifted, and keyboarding.

Discussion:  Assistant Principal Cunningham will present all student-parent handbooks for approval by the board.

Discussion:  Regarding District Accreditation from AdvancED, the cost per school will be $550.00. Since Richland District 1, Fisher’s 24, and 504R school are smaller and all have the same administration, they will be counted as one entity resulting in a total cost for accreditation of $2200.00. The U.S. Department of Education visited SCS to monitor the use of Title III funds.

Discussion:  Mr. Stevens reported that SMS and SES did not meet AYP for the 2009-2010 school year. The scores for 2010-2011 will not be available until October of 2011. The NDE is in the process of evaluating statewide test scores.

Discussion:  The NSAA passed new weight classes for wrestling. (April 26, 2011). These are the most significant changes in weight classes in high school wrestling in 23 years and will take place in the 2011-12 season. Clarkson Public Schools has signed a two-year softball co-op agreement. Victor Cruz and Jonathan Lara have been invited to participate in the Shrine Bowl.

Discussion:  State regulations require our school system to have an annual inspection of all fire extinguishers in the school building and vehicles by certified inspectors. In 2009 Heartland Fire Protection was awarded the three year contract. A three-year contract with Waste Connections was signed.

Discussion:  Preschool enrollment is currently at 63. Schuyler Preschools last day will be May 17th, followed by home visits to all the children’s houses. Schuyler Elementary last day will be May 18th.

Discussion:  All open positions at SMS have been filled. Mr. Grammer, Mr. Cunningham, and Mr. Droge attended the annual Data Conference held in Kearney in April; this conference focused on how to utilize collected data.

Discussion:  Schuyler Middle School raised over $800 in pennies to help the victims of the Japan earthquake.

Discussion:  Mr. Stevens included a tribute to Linda Baumert, first grade teacher at SES, who passed away.

Discussion:  In 1997 the City of Schuyler purchased equipment for the communications class to record school board and city council meetings. The local cable TV company agreed to broadcast these meetings on channel 99. Presently, a communications class is not being taught. A suggestion was made that either the class shall be offered at SCHS or channel 99 will be discontinued.