July 10, 2023 at 6:30 PM - Board of Education Regular Meeting
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I. Call Meeting to Order
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 |
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I.A. Pledge of Allegiance
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I.B. Declaration of Open Meeting
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
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II. Approval of Consent Agenda
Rationale:
Discuss, Consider and Take Action on the consent agenda
Recommended Motion(s):
Motion to approve the consent agenda Passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
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II.A. Agenda
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II.B. Minutes
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II.C. Acceptance of Claims
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II.C.1. Bills of $5,000 or more
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II.D. Financial
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III. Public Forum - We ask that all presentation be limited in their length.
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III.A. Recognition of visitors and guests
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III.B. Other topics (limited to 5 minutes - subject to guidelines of the Board Participation Policy)
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IV. Action Items
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IV.A. Board Policy, Handbooks, and Support 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.
Policy Update Subscribers,
LB705, The Christmas Tree Bill - Yes, it’s a very ugly Christmas Tree because this bill has a truly exceptional number of topics. I’ve attached an LB705 Table of Contents for your reference along with the 140-page copy of the bill since its revisions stretch a couple years into the future. Several of its provisions do not take affect for 2023-24 such as a new curriculum requirement for computer science and technology instruction, staff behavioral awareness training, graduation requirements for students to complete a FAFSA application form, moving responsibility for the textbook loan program to NDE, and a policy relating to classroom management and student removal. In a separate email I will be providing redlines for ease of comparison of these revisions against previous versions. Some of this year’s policy changes included in LB705: • Policy 502.02 Nonresident Student/Option Enrollment - Option applications relating to capacity limitations on special education services will now by determined by the Director of Special Education or designee. • Policy 506.02 Student Organizations - In addition to rules allowing access to district facilities as part of a limited open forum dating back to a famous case in 1990, we now must provide once-a-year access to non-profit youth organizations chartered in the 36 U.S.C. federal code. I have also provide a current listing of these organizations as an administrative regulation to 506.02. • Policy 508.19 Behavioral Points of Contact - This new policy is intended to assist the district with monitoring and improving student mental health and increasing family access to community health providers. • Policy 605.07 Part-Time Enrollment - This policy is revised by LB705 and has been retitled from its former Dual Enrollment title. • Policy 611.07 Graduation Requirements now includes a requirement for at least one five-credit high school course in personal finance or financial literacy. This was originally created by LB452 last year and modified in LB705 this year. The policy has been cleaned up by removing the one-year special provisions of 2020 written to deal with the Covid-19 conditions. Some of you have already asked for and received a copy of our Policy 508.18 Administration of Naloxone (Narcan) policy. No new statute or rule specifically requires this, but the needs of our students in a changing society imply that districts should have a supply of Naloxone on hand. Policy 504.11 Weapons - This policy has been slightly clarified to reinforce the fact that concealed weapons are still not allowed on district property. Foster Care Transportation Plan - A section of the 2015 ESSA Amendments are now being implemented through the state education departments. Other than the required mention of it on the website, it will mainly be case dependent on the individual student’s circumstances and your local social services agency. I’m attaching Administrative Regulation 801.01R1 Foster Care Transportation Plan. The plan addresses those situations where a foster care student living in your district will still be attending a different school of origin and will require transportation to it. The blank lines need to be filled with information for the individual district and I expect that most districts will delegate the Superintendent as the Point of Contact, although you can choose someone else. As an administrative regulation, most districts allow their administrators to adopt or change the procedure as needed, but it’s typical to advise the board of its existence. NDE has adopted revised Mathematics curriculum standards in September, 2022 and Language Arts standards the year before. This does not require a policy revision as current Policy 603.01 Curriculum Development states the district’s curriculum will "provide measurable quality academic content standards that are the same as, equal to, or more rigorous than the adopted state standards of the Nebraska Department of Education within one year." Last year the Legislature passed LB639 to create the Seizure Safe Schools Act. Our Policy 508.17 Seizure Safe Schools implemented this and was sent out last June. LB727 passed with a few changes in wording to the Joint Public Meetings that some districts must attend in September. This year at least one board member must attend, but need not be the presenter, if the district exceeds its allowable growth percentage. We are currently discussing these language changes and their interpretation with others, but will send out revised wording for Policy 702.03 Budget Adoption Process later this month. Three recently revised Federal notification posters are available. The EEOC poster was revised last October, the FLSA and FMLA posters were revised in April of this year. There are several other subjects we will be dealing with later this month including alternative education for expelled students, modifications to the details of the suspension and expulsion policy, reporting dyslexia information, changes to the Special Education policies and a new model policy for use of artificial intelligence that will go beyond just the issue of plagiarism. Thank you for your participation in NASB Policy Updates. We welcome your questions or comments. Jim |
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IV.A.1. Consider, discuss, and take action to approve the first reading of the 2023-2024 Policy updates.
Rationale:
Policy Update Subscribers,
LB705, The Christmas Tree Bill - Yes, it’s a very ugly Christmas Tree because this bill has a truly exceptional number of topics. I’ve attached an LB705 Table of Contents for your reference along with the 140-page copy of the bill since its revisions stretch a couple years into the future. Several of its provisions do not take affect for 2023-24 such as a new curriculum requirement for computer science and technology instruction, staff behavioral awareness training, graduation requirements for students to complete a FAFSA application form, moving responsibility for the textbook loan program to NDE, and a policy relating to classroom management and student removal. In a separate email I will be providing redlines for ease of comparison of these revisions against previous versions. Some of this year’s policy changes included in LB705: • Policy 502.02 Nonresident Student/Option Enrollment - Option applications relating to capacity limitations on special education services will now by determined by the Director of Special Education or designee. • Policy 506.02 Student Organizations - In addition to rules allowing access to district facilities as part of a limited open forum dating back to a famous case in 1990, we now must provide once-a-year access to non-profit youth organizations chartered in the 36 U.S.C. federal code. I have also provide a current listing of these organizations as an administrative regulation to 506.02. • Policy 508.19 Behavioral Points of Contact - This new policy is intended to assist the district with monitoring and improving student mental health and increasing family access to community health providers. • Policy 605.07 Part-Time Enrollment - This policy is revised by LB705 and has been retitled from its former Dual Enrollment title. • Policy 611.07 Graduation Requirements now includes a requirement for at least one five-credit high school course in personal finance or financial literacy. This was originally created by LB452 last year and modified in LB705 this year. The policy has been cleaned up by removing the one-year special provisions of 2020 written to deal with the Covid-19 conditions. Some of you have already asked for and received a copy of our Policy 508.18 Administration of Naloxone (Narcan) policy. No new statute or rule specifically requires this, but the needs of our students in a changing society imply that districts should have a supply of Naloxone on hand. Policy 504.11 Weapons - This policy has been slightly clarified to reinforce the fact that concealed weapons are still not allowed on district property. Foster Care Transportation Plan - A section of the 2015 ESSA Amendments are now being implemented through the state education departments. Other than the required mention of it on the website, it will mainly be case dependent on the individual student’s circumstances and your local social services agency. I’m attaching Administrative Regulation 801.01R1 Foster Care Transportation Plan. The plan addresses those situations where a foster care student living in your district will still be attending a different school of origin and will require transportation to it. The blank lines need to be filled with information for the individual district and I expect that most districts will delegate the Superintendent as the Point of Contact, although you can choose someone else. As an administrative regulation, most districts allow their administrators to adopt or change the procedure as needed, but it’s typical to advise the board of its existence. NDE has adopted revised Mathematics curriculum standards in September, 2022 and Language Arts standards the year before. This does not require a policy revision as current Policy 603.01 Curriculum Development states the district’s curriculum will "provide measurable quality academic content standards that are the same as, equal to, or more rigorous than the adopted state standards of the Nebraska Department of Education within one year." Last year the Legislature passed LB639 to create the Seizure Safe Schools Act. Our Policy 508.17 Seizure Safe Schools implemented this and was sent out last June. LB727 passed with a few changes in wording to the Joint Public Meetings that some districts must attend in September. This year at least one board member must attend, but need not be the presenter, if the district exceeds its allowable growth percentage. We are currently discussing these language changes and their interpretation with others, but will send out revised wording for Policy 702.03 Budget Adoption Process later this month. Three recently revised Federal notification posters are available. The EEOC poster was revised last October, the FLSA and FMLA posters were revised in April of this year. There are several other subjects we will be dealing with later this month including alternative education for expelled students, modifications to the details of the suspension and expulsion policy, reporting dyslexia information, changes to the Special Education policies and a new model policy for use of artificial intelligence that will go beyond just the issue of plagiarism. Thank you for your participation in NASB Policy Updates. We welcome your questions or comments. Jim
Recommended Motion(s):
Make a motion to approve the updated policies for 2023-2024 as presented. Passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
Attachments:
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IV.B. Governance: Public Relations, Technology, and Planning
Rationale:
This committee is responsible for recommending the annual district calendar, strategic planning process, technology, and promoting positive public relations and communications program.
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IV.B.1. Consider, discuss, and take action to approve the 2023-2024 membership with the Nebraska Rural Community Schools Association (NRCSA)
Rationale:
Why Remain a Member of NRCSA?
We are the only organization focused on rural community K-12 school districts and their role in Nebraska’s public education system. Depth of membership matters when talking to Senators and other officials. Senators view NRCSA as representing all "rural community districts". The more members we have, the larger the true number of districts and students represented, the stronger our voice. The common theme for membership is being a rural community school, an ESU with a number of rural districts, or a higher ed institution that works closely with rural districts. . NRCSA can act as a forum for advancing ideas and concerns, whether legislative, Department, or any entity having a role in public education. This has included representing members to groups such as Senators, rural education research groups, rural membership advocacy groups, rural interest groups, collaborative groups, Nebraska Department of Education, and NREA (national) committee participation. NRCSA offers two annual statewide events (Legislative Forum and Spring Conference) which offer members the chance to learn about issues affecting rural schools, the opportunity to develop professionally, network with personnel representing other districts and interact directly with policymakers and providers as well as NRCSA leaders. Both events are focused on our rural community schools’ issues and interests. The Spring Conference is also the event that highlights awards, speakers, scholarships, exhibitors, music groups, many learning and information opportunities, and of course NRCSA food. NRCSA offers recognition to those who demonstrate outstanding leadership and character in rural schools through exceptional scholarship and awards programs. In 2023, NRCSA awarded twenty-two $2,000 scholarships (up from 16 $2,000 in 2021) to graduating students from NRCSA-member school districts.. Twenty of the scholarships went to rural school students who intend to enter college to become an educator. Awards annually recognizes eight outstanding individuals for their efforts in our member districts and ESUs. NRCSA provides, exclusively sent to Superintendents/ESU Administrator and Board of Education members of member schools, written updates from the Executive Director on current association activities and involvement within the legislative process. In the past the updates have gone only to the Superintendents and Board Presidents. We have expanded our updates to include all Board of Ed members. We are requesting the district Superintendent provide board member email contact information, or at least for the Board President, so the NRCSA communications can be sent to a larger audience directly. We encourage our updates to be used as board meeting information, as well. NRCSA currently offers leadership roles, ten elected and 59 appointed positions, for superintendents/ESU administrators of member districts to be further involved. Elected opportunities include six NRCSA district (regional) representatives, three presidency cycle offices, and one secretary office as the ten-member Executive Committee. There are ten appointed members of the Scholarship & Recognition Committee, twenty-two appointed members of the Legislative Committee (including seven ex-officio past NRCSA presidents), twelve appointed members of the Rural Teacher Committee, and fifteen members of the NRCSA Closing the Gap Project Team. The Rural Teacher Committee also includes six representatives from the State Colleges. NRCSA offers the NRCSA-USbank OneCard program to all member entities statewide as a NRCSA program. The OneCard is a Visa purchase-only card that allows designated personnel to make purchases for the district, thus eliminating the need to carry cash, or for staff to use their personal credit/debit card and go through a reimbursement process. The Superintendent pre-loads the card and all transactions are clearly identified on the monthly statements. It is easy, clean, secure, and can be used for any purchase of any size. NRCSA receives a portion of the interchange income generated by use of the cards. Seventy-two districts and the NRCSA office use the OneCard. This income provides critical support for NRCSA scholarships and awards. NRCSA provides elective services such as OneCard Purchase Card, Superintendent Search, Principal Search, and Planning Support. Information regarding these services is provided on the NRCSA website and via emails to member districts and will be included as Facebook information. It is an exciting time for NRCSA and an exciting time to be a member! There are two ways to renew your membership. You may update and return the Superintendent and board member contact information included. Or you may submit an Online Membership Form. Simply go to www.nrcsa.net and click on ‘Membership’ then, select ‘Regular Member’. Click the ‘Complete Membership Form Online’ link and follow the directions. District dues for 2022-23 remain at $850.00, due September 15. Please note that we are asking for the mobile phone numbers of administrators and board presidents, so please share that information with us. Also we would like to know the day and time on which your regular board meeting occurs (ie. second Monday of the month: 7:00 PM). Again this year, NRCSA is offering a discounted membership in the National Rural Education Association (NREA). NRCSA is one of forty-three state affiliates of the NREA and as such, can offer NRCSA member schools a twenty-five percent discount on NREA memberships. There are two membership options: An individual membership (cost $75.00 per year) and a school district membership (cost $300.00 per year). The individual membership allows a single person to maintain membership in the NREA, while a district membership allows up to seven (7) people (such as board members or other staff) to be listed as members under the school district’s membership. If you would like to join the NREA, as well as NRCSA, simply complete the enclosed registration form and return it to NRCSA along with a check for the cost of membership dues. A separate check must be submitted for NREA dues, made out to NREA. The checks and information collected will be forwarded to the NREA. Joining the NREA is an optional addition to NRCSA membership dues, but we encourage you to join the NREA. Thank you in advance for your continued support of NRCSA and quality education for all students in rural Nebraska. Your membership and voice toward growing your rural and outstate specific education association is vital to our relationships and our efforts on behalf of your schools, students, and communities. -- Jack D. Moles
Executive Director, Nebraska Rural Community Schools Association
402-335-7732
Recommended Motion(s):
Make motion to approve the 2023-2024 membership with the Nebraska Rural Community Schools Association (NRCSA) Passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
Attachments:
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IV.C. Budget, finance, negotiations, and personnel
Rationale:
This committee is responsible for budget, finance, and contract negotiations with administration, certificated staff, and support staff.
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IV.C.1. Consider, discuss, and take action to approve the contract with Pekny and Associates, CPS's, PC for the 2022-2023 district audit.
Recommended Motion(s):
Make a motion to approve the contract with Pekny and Associates, CPA's, PC for the 2022-2023 district audit. Passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
Attachments:
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IV.C.2. Consider, discuss, and take action to approve the 2022-2023 General Fund Budget amendments as advertised.
Recommended Motion(s):
Make a motion to approve the 2022-2023 General Fund Budget amendments as advertised. Passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
Attachments:
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IV.D. Assign Dr. Bret Schroder as the Chief Financial Advisor for Schuyler Community Schools.
Recommended Motion(s):
Make a motion to appoint Dr. Bret Schroder as the Chief Financial Advisor for Schuyler Community Schools. Passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
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IV.E. Consider, discuss, and take action to approve the attached contract with Applied Connective Technologies, L.L.C. to purchase and install security cameras.
Recommended Motion(s):
Make a motion to accept the attached contract with Applied Connective Technologies, L.L.C. to purchase and install security cameras. Passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
Attachments:
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V. Discussion Items and Reports
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V.A. Superintendent's Report
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V.A.1. 1. Thank you to everyone for their time: I met with board members, administrators, outgoing staff, several community groups, the Chief of Police, District Attorney, local city officials, and several other community members. In meeting with all parties, I found nothing but open and honest communication and a willingness to partner and collaborate.
2. 2023-2024 Budget Preparation: We need to set a date for the Finance Committee to meet and review the 2023-2024 budget recommendations. We will conduct the 2023-2024 budget workshop in conjunction with our August board meeting. 3. Staffing Update: Electrician/HVAC Specialist Music Teacher at Country School High Needs Sped. @ Elem. 4th Grade @ Elem. 5th Grade @ Elem. Early Childhood @ Elem. School Nurse @ MS Science Teacher @ HS Math Teacher @ HS Support Staff Non-Certified Food Service Transportation |
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V.B. Board Member/Committee Reports
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V.B.1.
1. Foundation Meeting: Brian Vavricek and Amanda Jedlicka 2. Budget/Finance/Negotiations: Rich Brabec, Chuck Miseek, Brian Vavricek
Rationale:
Foundation Meeting: Brian Vavricek and Amanda Jedlicka
Budget/Finance/Negotiations: Rich Brabec, Chuck Miseek, Brian Vavricek |
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VI. Adjournment
Recommended Motion(s):
Motion to adjourn Passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
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