July 11, 2022 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 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 reviewing curriculum recommendations, textbook selection, requisitions/inventory, and instructional programs.

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: 
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:  The policy recommendations on the June agenda are updated to include recommendations by the board committee:  (Rich Brabec, Renee Sayer, and Guadalupe Marino).  The changes listed below will be added to the recommended changes attached below. 
Board Committee Recommended Changes
Page 21 SCHS Step Program -  Strike the first word, Any.
Page 32 Does the term "vaping" need to be included or is it implied under illicit drugs? Added the word vaping.
Reorganization:  No Board Action Needed
Page 6   Why are we proposing to eliminate line?  Is it just expected behavior?(No Action Needed)
Page 12 Student information-move Early graduation to page14, before withdrawals.(No Action Needed)
Page 13 Move student registration ahead of New Student registration. (No Action Needed)
Page 14 Would Scholarships fit better after Graduation Requirements on page 39 (No Action Needed)

2022-23 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.  The Board Committee met and presented the recommendations listed above.
8.  All recommendations were sent to Jim Luebbe for his recommendation in relation to the board policy manual.
9.  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: 

29	SCHS	Phase V: High School Facility
2022	Action Plan	8.  Develop a plan and funding for paint/banners/etc... in the west gymnasium.

 

45	SCS	School Safety Support Programs
2022	Action Plan	1. Research vape detection systems and funding for middle and high school buildings.
2022	Action Plan	2.  Work with local law enforcement to increase police presence in and around schools.
2022	Action Plan	3.  Research SRO, behavior mental health, and social worker programs.  (need, pros and cons, program structures, models, funding etc...)
2022	Action Plan	4.  Continue Navigate 360 Annual Threat Assessment and Training Workshops.

 

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

Rationale: 

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

Rationale: 
Pekny and Associates have been doing Schuyler Community Schools' annual audit of financial statements, reviewing your schedule of assets, receipts, expenditures, and fund balances.  See attached contract for details included in the annual audit. 

 

Rationale: 
1.  Megan Harris:  Para Educator - Richland
2.  Irma Torres:  Food Service - SCHS
3.  Jared Barrera:  Teacher - Richland
4.  Sheila Hoppe:  Teacher - SES

Rationale: 
1.  Cindy Vanicek:  SES Para Educator
2.  Farah Noor:  SCHS Custodial/Maintenance
3.  Katherine Moran:  Preschool Para Educator

Rationale: 
1.  Board Policies:  Attached  below is the June Legal Update from the Perry Law firm.  I sent these on to JIm Luebbe for his review.  These items are procedural and will not affect the handbook.  Jim will have his recommendations ready for the August School Board Meeting.  See attached information.

2.  Amending the 2021-22 Budgets in the general fund and building fund.  These amendments are due to federal programs:  CARES, ESSER II and ESSER III America Rescue Program (ARP) and increased costs/funding in the food service program.  We are still working on spending/reimbursements but should be able to get close on our recommendations for these two budget amendments.

3.  2022-23 Budget Preparation:  We need to set a date for the finance committee to meet to review the 2022-23 budget recommendations.  We will conduct the 2022-23 budget workshop in conjunction with our August board meeting.

4.  Staffing Update:  The building principals are still working on finalizing hiring.  All certified staff are now hired in all buildings except at SES and Rural Schools. They are short a dual language teacher and music teacher at the Rural Schools and a regular classroom teacher at SES.

5.  SRO/School Safety:  The high school administrators and I met with Chief Farber and Sheriff Messerlie to discuss school safety and programs.  The next step in this process is for each of the buildings to compile and share their data with the board committee.  We will then begin looking for the best solution to address areas of concern.  All parties agreed that putting in the right process and securing the necessary funding, training, etc... that meet our needs will take time.  We will begin this process in September.

Rationale: 
1.  Foundation Meeting:  Brian Vavricek
2.  NASB Monthly Meeting Notes:  See attached.