June 13, 2022 at 6:30 PM - Board of Education Regular Meeting

Rationale: 
1.  Hold a Public Hearing to discuss, consider, and receive input on the Parental Involvement Policies (1005.03 & 1005.12).  The public will be given an opportunity to present information and opinions on a proposed Parental Involvement Policy.  Attached are our parent involvement and parent engagement policies.

Rationale: 
Student Fees Policy Annual Requirement:
1.  Hold a Public Hearing to discuss, consider and receive input on Student Fee Policy 504.19.  The public will be given an opportunity to present information and opinions on the Student Fee Policy.
2.  Review the amount of money collected from student pursuant to, and the use of waivers provided in, the student fee policies of the District for the 2021-22 school year.  The annual report reflects student fees waived for 2021-22 were $2,608, fees collected were $35,640.  In comparison, fees waived for 2020-21 were $4,120.00,, fees collected were $19,611.76.

 

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 front of the meeting room.

Nebraska Open Meetings Act:  http://nitc.nebraska.gov/documents/statutes/NebraskaOpenMeetingsAct_current.pdf

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

Rationale:  This committee is responsible for annual review of board policies, handbooks, and crisis/safety plans.  This committee is also responsible for the support and development of support programs(nursing, food service) in the district.

Rationale: 
Student Fees Policy Annual Requirement:
1.  Review the amount of money collected from students pursuant to, and the use of waivers provided in, the student fee policy of the District for the 2021-2022 school year.
2.  Review Student Fees Policy, Request, Waivers and Notification Documents.
3.  The student Fees Policy was updated in the fall of 2022.  The new policy and number is 504.19.
 

Rationale: 
The State of Nebraska does an annual review of lunch prices and costs associated with our food program.  According to the guidelines, if you are operating in the black, you do not have to increase prices.  If you are in the red, breakfast prices can only increase 5 cents, and lunch prices can only increase 10 cents.  We recommend leaving our breakfast and lunch prices the same for the 2022-23 school year.

        SES and Rural Schools              Middle School                   High School                  Adult
Meal          2021-22     2022-23        2021-22     2022-23         2021-22     2022-23     2021-22     2022-23
Breakfast     $1.65        $1.65             $1.65        $1.65              $1.65        $1.65          $2.45        $2.45
Lunch          $2.45        $2.45             $2.55        $2.55              $2.60        $2.60          $3.75        $3.75

Rationale: 

Activity Pass (Activities/Field House)	Required	Admission	Pass Cost
Preschool children	No	Free	NA
K-5 Students	No	$4.00	$10.00
6-8 Students	Yes	$4.00	$10.00
9-12 Students	Yes	$4.00	$10.00

Adults	No	$6.00	$40.00
Senior Citizens	No	$6.00	$20.00

Rationale: 
Policy Update Subscribers,

In January we sent out a revised Policy 702.03 Budget Adoption Process to deal with LB 644 passed by the Legislature last year and taking effect on January 1, 2022. This will alter your previous budget procedures that take place late this summer. After several discussions and close readings of LB 644 we have made a couple of additional changes to 702.03, so it is included with this email along with a redline comparing it to the earlier January version. We have also reissued Administrative Regulations 702.03R1 and 702.03R2. Administrative Regulation 702.03R3 has now been split into R3 and R4 to separate the checklist procedures from the allowable growth definitions. The changes made to the main policy carry through the administrative regulations.

Policy 204.12 is updated to include changes from LB 83 also passed last year and allowing the board to require those wishing to address the board to provide their name, address, and organizational affiliation. Our January Policy Update already included policy revisions from LB 83 to the agenda and meeting minutes policies, along with a new policy 204.13 allowing virtual conferencing in some circumstances.

Policy 508.17 Seizure Safe Schools is a new policy and was created by LB 639 passed last year and describes training for employees handling epileptic seizures in a school and periodic training for all certificated employees.

Policies 902.02 and 902.04 change monetary limits for requiring the hiring of an architect or engineer and limits when a formal bid is required. These revised limits have been approved by the Nebraska Department of Education.

Later this month we will issue a revised set of section 612 Special Education policies to meet changes to NDE Rule 51. We will also issue additional language for Policy 718 Fiscal Management Internal Controls and a greatly expanded Policy 402.05 Employee Grievances to include the detailed grievance procedures required by Title IX.

One last suggestion - this is an appropriate time to check policy or handbook language relating to employee personal appearance (Policy 405.00 Employee Conduct and Appearance) that your district may have. Social norms have changed greatly in the last decade and some older language may now seem very outdated. In particular, if your district formerly prohibited any body piercings, tattoos, or related adornments, you may need to reconsider what is more fitting today. If you wish to specifically address these items, you might consider some language similar to the following: "Body markings, as with messages or depictions on clothing, must avoid subjects not suitable to an educational environmental environment. Body jewlery, piercings, or accessories shall not present a health or safety hazard to others, or substantially interfere with the educational process." NDE standards for professional conduct set out in Rule 27 largely avoid the subject entirely. Similar revisions might apply to student handbook and policy language.

Thanks again for your participation in NASB Policy Updates.
 

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

Rationale:  This service has worked well for our morning and afternoon routes.  Below is an updated outline of the arrangements and corresponding dates we used last year.
Lonnie’s Trailer Court Bus Service
1.  This is an unsupervised load/unload bus service.
2.  The morning bus route pickup: 18^th and Fort Street at 7:15 AM.
3.  The afternoon bus route drop off: 18^th and Fort Street at 4:15 PM.
4.  Regular bus route rules apply.
5.  Fee (per bus):  $450 per semester ($5 per day/ $1.66 per mile).
6.  First Semester bus payment due:  September 8, 2022.
7.  Second Semester bus payment due:  January 5, 2023.
8.  We will use the same buses that go to Richland Elementary.
 

Rationale:  This committee is responsible for recommending the annual district calendar, strategic planning process, technology, and promoting positive public relations and communications program.

Rationale: 
In the 2021-22 school calendar, the graduation date was May 15th.  The 2022-23 calendar has the graduation date as May 14th.  As it falls in 2023, it is Mother's Day. 
Several years ago, Schuyler Central High Graduation was on Mother's Day.  Through our strategic planning process, we had many requests to move off of Mother's Day.
The third Sunday is May 21st and we are out of school on May 18th.  Therefore, we recommend the Graduation Date of May 7th in 2023.

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

Rationale: 
1.  Joy Jenkins:  SCHS Food Service

 

Rationale: 
1.  Adrienne Blaser:  SCHS Social Studies Teacher
2.  Noelle White:  SMS Nurse
3.  Maria E. Arciva:  SMS Kitchen
4.  Alfredo Millan Marino:  SES Custodian/Maintenance
5.  Patti Sparling:  SES Special Education Teacher
 

Rationale:  Steps for recommending handbook changes
1.  Review ThoughtExchange input
2.  Review input from faculty
3.  Submit recommended changes to NASB, Jim Luebbe, for alignment with policy manual.
4.  Receive policy updates from Perry Law Firm and submit to Jim Luebbe for codification.
5.  Present first reading of new and amended policies.
6.  Present recommended changes to the school board for review.
7.  Approve second reading of new and amended policies.
8.  Approve 2022-23 Handbooks
     A.  Certified Staff Handbook
     B.  Support Staff Handbook
     C.  SES Handbook
     D.  Rural and Dual Language Handbook
     E.  SMS Handbook
     F.  SCHS Handbook
     G.  Activity Handbook
* Handbooks are on each building's website

Rationale: 
1.  Priority School Update:
    Thursday, June 2nd:  Dr. Lefdal, Mrs. Ladwig, Mr. Steinhoff, Mrs. Zavadil and Dr. Hoesing participated in a question and answer session with a committee of the State Board of Education Priority School Committee and NDE Representatives.
    Friday, June 3rd:  This same group, along with Mr. Brabec presented to the State Board of Education at their June Board Meeting.  Following our presentation and comment session from the State Board, they took action with unanimous consent to remove Schuyler Central High School from the "Priority School" Designation.  We have not received any official confirmation at this time.  However, you can watch the board meeting online. 
See Omaha World Herald Article Midlands Section:
https://omaha.com/eedition/sunrise/midlands/page-b1/page_51ef50db-fdca-5af6-a90b-cbcb743fb0ea.html


2.  Dual Language School Remodel:  Progress is on budget and on track with the schedule for the east wing.  The north wing demolition is ahead of schedule.

3.  Dual Language drop-off:  We received approval from the Nebraska Department of Roads to move forward with this project.  We have one bid on the project and are awaiting the second bid.  If these bids are not within the budget allowances, we will need to go to a formal bid process. 

4.  District Remodel Projects:  The northeast hallway ceiling grid is in, waiting for lights for the classrooms and hallway, then they should finish the ceiling tiles.  Window replacement on the 1953 addition at SCHS is on schedule to begin next week. Waiting for a bid for carpet for the northeast hallway classrooms and schedule for removal and installation.  The Technology Department is continuing on their schedule to replace the Promethean Boards in selected classrooms.

5.  Building/Grounds Maintenance:  All of the buildings are on schedule for summer carpet cleaning, stripping, waxing, painting, etc...  New supplies are coming in and, after check-in, will be distributed to buildings and classrooms.  Mowing, landscaping, maintenance continues district-wide.  Still looking for a trailer to haul mowers and our lift. 

6.  Summer School:  K-12 Summer School is a 3-week, morning and afternoon program.  This program began on June 6th and will run through June 24th.  The high school program is a June-July program with expanded options for credits through EL, Weight Training, Music, Voc. Ag, and Core Academic Programs.  The programs that are not online offer the option for students to receive 1 credit for every 15 hours in attendance.  This meets the Carnegie Units for high school credits.

Rationale: 
1.  Foundation Meeting Report:  See Foundation Website for Minutes, Treasurer's Report, etc..

2.  Strategic Plan Update:  Below are summary of thoughts from comments receive from board members.  Some of these may be worded differently or intertwined with some of the actions plans that are already in place.  Please share and discuss with the appropriate teams.

School Climate and Learning Environment

• Continue to pursue methods of engagement with students that define respect for everyone
• Continue to address ways to improve schoolwork accountability
• Continue to address ways to improve make up time for absence and tardiness to be "value added" time
• Provide for discipline that promotes our goal of educating students to become skilled, knowledgeable and responsible citizen in a global society
• Continue to evaluate and adapt student interventions to be the most successful

               
School Safety

• Investigate potential methods to eliminate vaping/other in bathrooms
• Expand engaging activities with law enforcement with regularity, promoting relationships
• Discuss and evaluate potential of resource officer with possible grant funding

Morale of staff

• Celebrate the positives, recognizing the high performers that manage their classrooms in exemplary fashion.
• Celebrate those that participate and achieve due to the effort and example they set.

School Governance and Public Relations

• Establish additional board training (retreat) to strengthen understanding of roles and responsibilities, discuss concerns, goals, etc

Building and grounds

• Develop ideas to upgrade visual appeal to West Gym
• Evaluate possible project funding by boosters/foundation

Suggested Action Plans

• Pursue bids for purchase and installation of vape detection systems for SMS and SCHS.
• Continue Navigate 360 Annual Threat Assessment Workshop.
• Work with local law enforcement to increase police presence in and around schools.
• Continue district level meetings each semester with City/County Law enforcement.
• Work with local organizations, Foundations, Booster Clubs, etc... to raise money to promote school spirit in the new gym.

3.  NASB Monthly Update:  See attached.