September 12, 2011 at 6:30 PM - Board of Education Regular Meeting

Discussion:  This hearing was opened at 6:23 PM for the purpose of hearing support, oppositions, criticisms, observations, or suggestions of taxpayers relating to setting the final tax request at a different amount than the prior year tax request.

Discussion:  This hearing was opened at 6:34 PM for the purpose of hearing support, oppositions, criticisms, observations, or suggestions of taxpayers relating to setting the final tax levy for 2011-2012.

Discussion:  The tax levy hearing was closed at 6:54 PM.

Discussion:  The meeting was called to order at 6:55 PM by President Jedlicka. Those present were Superintendent Stevens, Principals Pavlik, Grammer, Vrba, and Comley, Assistant Principals Cunningham and Cline, Director of Facilities Mundil, Activity Administrator Egr, Curriculum Administrator Gibbons, and Student Council representative Cesar Gonzalez.

Discussion:  All present participated in the Pledge of Allegiance.

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

Discussion:  Seventeen students that had attained all A's for all four terms during the 2010-2011 school year were presented with certificates and academic letters. They were as follows: Jordan Brabec, Elyse Muhle, Celeste Palensky, MacKenzie DeMarque, Megan Jedlicka, Anabel Lira, Mitchell Heavican, Caleb Krejci, Will Martin, Morgan Semerad, Kalen Kasik, Kylie Goodrich, Kylie Brabec, Jill Brichacek, Rachel Folda, Kellan Heavican and Brittany Johnson.

Discussion:  The request for a budget increase was due to cash flow purposes such as having a cushion at the beginning of the fiscal year and the allowance of a fund for repayment of tax support received due to the requests of outside entities.

Discussion:  Colfax Co. Dist. #24 – Fisher’s public water supply system was notified that the system is in violation of the established drinking water standard for selenium of 0.05 milligrams per liter (mg/L) for the quarterly period of July 1, 2011 through September 30, 2011. Selenium has been measured at an annual average concentration of 0.07 mg/L* in routine samples collected from this system. Affected persons in the area were also notified. Bottled drinking water, though not required, is being provided for students and staff at this time.

Discussion:  A storage unit will be constructed on the SES site. Preliminary costs are being collected; Magnum Builders will provide the metal roof at no charge.

Discussion:  Representing the SEA were Jayne Hlavac and Laurie Schlautman to further discuss the Blue Cross-Blue Shield premium holiday in December. The negotiations committee had met previously with member of the SEA without reaching an agreement. The SEA proposed that the total amount that SCS would save be divided in half with the school retaining half and all certified staff members receiving the other half. A comment from a board member stated that since certified staff members do not contribute to the monthly Blue Cross-Blue Shield premium, they should not be entitled to the money saved during this one-month premium holiday. Another meeting will be scheduled between the SEA negotiators and the school board negotiating committee.

Discussion:  The fee for 2011-2012 will be for a consultation basis only by phone or email. The program has been in effect since 2008-2009 and reading scores have increased. This year's third grades are the first class that allow teachers and trainers to gauge the progress made using the NIFDI program. Also brought up was that dollars spent on this program have gone toward professional development.

Discussion:  Board members requested that the date for the November School Board retreat be set in late October or early November in to allow decisions to be acted on at the November School Board meeting.

Discussion:  Superintendent Stevens has requested that the policy committee review the action taken on the ERIP policy at the August meeting to clarify the policy.

Discussion:  Principal Grammer met with all operating councils between August 29 and 31 to discuss topics concerned with changes in district policies, such as transportation, athletics, parent-teacher conferences, and field trips. Other topics discussed were repairs needed at some of the facilities, curriculum (reading and math), movement of the junior high grades in town, and the need of a paraprofessional at Fisher’s.

Discussion:  Principal Pavlik reported that student enrollment at SCHS on September 8 was 436. Beth Cook, a para-educator in the alternative education classroom submitted her resignation effective September 9, 2011. He also would like to implement a new graduation requirement of community volunteerism, beginning in 2012-2013 with the freshman class.

Discussion:  Voting for Homecoming candidates began Monday September 12th and will continue until Wednesday September 14th for the 1st round. National Honor Society, Student Council, S-Club vote in the first round. Second round voting will begin on September 19th and 20th with votes from the entire student body, with King and Queen being announced after the football game on Friday September 23rd.

Discussion:  Mr. Gibbons provided to those present copies of a compilation of longitudinal and program data results of reading scores from the previous two years from grades 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 11. A team of teachers from across the district will be attending a school improvement workshop in Norfolk Oct. 12 and 13. This will ensure that we are fully prepared for hosting our Quality Assurance Review for our accreditation September 16-19, 2012.

Discussion:  Participation numbers in fall sports at SCHS are as follows: football - forty-four, softball - nine from SCHS and three from Clarkson, cross country - five girls and fifteen boys, girls golf - five and volleyball - twenty-six.

Discussion:  Magnum Builders will complete the job at Schuyler Middle School this week and begin the roofing repair job at SCHS the following week.

Discussion:  A pep rally was held at SES on September 9. Athletes, cheerleaders and the dance team from SCHS were invited to share the school spirit.

Discussion:  Preschool is currently at sixty-eight children. We currently have sixteen on the waiting list and are in the process of looking for a new part time teacher.

Discussion:  The Schuyler Community Resource Center opened up the first of June. To date 34 English learners have registered to take advantage of the Rosetta Stone program. The first presentation on July 26th from East Central District Health Department took place with eight people attending. Other classes and meetings will be offered, such as Alegent Health meetings, United Way Banking classes, Immigration Informational meetings, Tai Chi, Family Literacy Nights, and GED Classes in Spanish.

Discussion:  Schuyler Middle School has several students participating in extra curricular events this fall: football - 26 7th graders and 29 8th graders; volleyball - 19 7th graders and 16 8th graders; and cross country - 7 7th graders and 6 8th graders.

Discussion:  Superintendent Stevens presented an investment summary of our QSCB (Qualified School Construction Bonds) that the district has in the Nebraska Liquid Assets Fund – NLAF.

Discussion:  A support staff member at SMS has requested thirteen days from the Emergency Medical Leave Bank.

Discussion:  The NDE notified the Schuyler Community School district that it is again accredited by the State of Nebraska for the 2011-2012 school year.

Discussion:  Lucar Video will continue to video the City of Schuyler council meetings at SCS expense. The city clerk, city attorney and Superintendent Stevens will work on a Memorandum of Understanding and a new contract.