April 9, 2012 at 6:00 PM - Board of Education Regular Meeting

Discussion:  Others present at the meeting were Principals Pavlik, Grammer, Comley, and Vrba, Assistant Principals Cunningham and Cline, Curriculum Director Gibbons, Facilities Director Mundil, Activity Administrator Egr, and Superintendent Stevens. Also present were Student Council representatives, Rudy Pineda and Cesar Gonzalez.

Discussion:  All present participated in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Discussion:  President Jedlicka declared it to be an open meeting.

Discussion:  Jon Knutson, representing the Social Studies department at SCHS, gave a presentation of what the four teachers in this area have been teaching. Other Social Studies teachers are Matt Turner, Larry McGowan, and Jeff Duranski. He said that their main goal is to get students to become informed, concerned, and active in social studies. Areas of study in Social Studies are: Government, History, World Studies,Psychology, Economics, Multicultural Studies and ESL Social Studies.

Discussion:  Rudy Pineda, Student Council Representative reported on FFA, FCCLA, Dance Team and Cheerleader tryouts for 2012-2013, Science & Math Club, Prom, and National Honor Society.

Discussion:  The district liability insurance policy will be reviewed by Misek, Parr, and Jedlicka before the May meeting.

Discussion:  Superintendent Stevens has received a verbal bid for two of the modular classrooms for $25,000 each. He has placed a newspaper ad listing them for an asking price of $30,000 each. Each modular classroom is over 2000 sq. feet. In addition, there was discussion about using the District 504R school for the preschool location. The Department of Education will send representatives to SCS on 4/10/12 to determine if any other sites would be in compliance for a preschool site.

Discussion:  The negotiating committee will meet with members of the SEA to negotiate a contract for 2012-2013 on April 26th at 5:00 PM.

Discussion:  Mr. Gibbons explained the 2012-2013 school calendar. 185 days are needed with 1080 contact hours necessary for SCHS and 1032 for SMS and SES. The school days are aligned to be the same among all buildings. Days are built in for collaborative time for teachers and the length of the year and length of the school day will increase at SCHS.

Discussion:  This summer food service program will be offering lunch at the SMS for any child ages two to 18 everyday during the summer. The cost, according to the Department of Education, will be totally reimbursed - paid for by the U.S. Government but administered by the State of Nebraska. The rationale behind this program is that 70% of our students already qualify for free or reduced meals. The philosphy is not to make money on the program but to break even. The program will begin by preparing 300 meals to gauge the number of children who will take advantage of it.

Discussion:  The SCS Foundation will offer scholarships for graduates of the class of 2012 and will be involved in the selection of recipients. They will also contribute $250 each toward the recipient of the Teacher and Paraeducator of the Year.

Discussion:  A new curriculum template for 2012-2013 has been created which contains the following four challenges: 1. What do we need to have all students learn? 2. How will we know when each student has learned? 3. How will we respond to initial difficulty with a student? 4. How will we extend and enrich the learning for students who are already proficient?

Discussion:  Two male pole vaulters have graduated to 13 ft. poles. Because of this, Schuyler Community Schools will be become a helmet required school for pole-vaulters. All pole-vaulters (7-12) will have a school issued helmets. SCHS Gym: The new railings have been placed on the end of the bleachers. During the inspection of the gym, a frayed cable was found that was rubbing on the knee brace of the backboard along with the fire sprinklers. Posilocks will be placed on these backboards.

Discussion:  The radon testing that was done on 3/29/12 at District 504R was completed; all radon levels are below 4.0. Light poles that broke off at SES will be replaced under warranty but SCS is responsible for labor costs.

Discussion:  April 12th and 13th Parent Teacher Conferences will be held by invitation only! Reading NeSA test dates are April 18th and 19th and the Math NeSA test date is April 25th.

Discussion:  The Schuyler Communnity Resource Center has been offering classes in finance, diabetes control, parenting, foods, domestic abuse, and GED. Twelve students are registered in the GED program with one recently graduating.

Discussion:  Mr. David Cunningham was named as the recipient of the Nebraska Council of School Administrators / Nebraska State Association of Secondary School Principals – Region III, Assistant Principal Recognition Award at the Region III meetings in Norfolk on March 14th. SCS administration has been taking part in the NCSA School Law Webinar Series. The webinars are given by the Perry Law firm

Discussion:  Resignations have been received from Jan Vrbicky, 2nd Grade; Kayla Biernbaum, 6th Grade; Rebecca Sanders, Kindergarten.

Discussion:  Our relationship with ESU7 for Title I services will be severed and the Title I responsibilities will be taken over by Dave Gibbons, Administration; Marlene Hartman, Financial; and a part-time administrative assistant. The projected costs to remain in the relationship was $33,000. The projected cost for SCS to assume duties is $23,000-all to come out of the Title I funds The $10,000 savings will still be part of the Title I funds, but it will go to the students who are in need of reading and math help.

Discussion:  Motion by Misek and second by Jedlicka to enter into executive session at 9:15 to discuss personnel and student matters - all vote aye. Motion by Misek and second by Jedlicka to exit executive session at 9:38 - all voted aye.

Discussion:  Meeting adjourned at 9:39 PM.