January 13, 2020 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: 
2019 Board Offices
President:  Rich Brabec                                   Vice President - Brian Vavricek
Secretary - Virginia Semerad                          Treasurer - Chuck Misek
NASB Delegate - Rich Brabec                        Recording Secretary -  Sally Jakub

2020 Board Offices
President -                                                      Vice President -
Secretary -                                                     Treasurer -
NASB Delegate -                                          Recording Secretary -
 

Rationale: 
Process for Office Nominations:
1.  Board member makes a nomination for the position  (no second needed)
2.  If more than one member is nominated for an office, written votes should be used and passed to the recording secretary for count.
3.  Recommended Motion:  If only one nomination is made, any member of the board may make a motion for nominations to cease and cast a unanimous ballot for the nominee.  Motion must have a second, followed by a voice roll call vote.
4.  Recommended Motion:  If more than one nomination, any board member may make a motion to call for the ballot vote.  Motion must have a second, followed by a voice roll call vote.

Rationale: 
Process for Office Nominations:
1.  Board member makes a nomination for the position  (no second needed)
2.  If more than one member is nominated for an office, written votes should be used and passed to the recording secretary for count.
3.  Recommended Motion:  If only one nomination is made, any member of the board may make a motion for nominations to cease and cast a unanimous ballot for the nominee.  Motion must have a second, followed by a voice roll call vote.
4.  Recommended Motion:  If more than one nomination, any board member may make a motion to call for the ballot vote.  Motion must have a second, followed by a voice roll call vote.
 

Rationale: 
Process for Office Nominations:
1.  Board member makes a nomination for the position  (no second needed)
2.  If more than one member is nominated for an office, written votes should be used and passed to the recording secretary for count.
3.  Recommended Motion:  If only one nomination is made, any member of the board may make a motion for nominations to cease and cast a unanimous ballot for the nominee.  Motion must have a second, followed by a voice roll call vote.
4.  Recommended Motion:  If more than one nomination, any board member may make a motion to call for the ballot vote.  Motion must have a second, followed by a voice roll call vote.
 

Rationale: 
Process for Office Nominations:
1.  Board member makes a nomination for the position  (no second needed)
2.  If more than one member is nominated for an office, written votes should be used and passed to the recording secretary for count.
3.  Recommended Motion:  If only one nomination is made, any member of the board may make a motion for nominations to cease and cast a unanimous ballot for the nominee.  Motion must have a second, followed by a voice roll call vote.
4.  Recommended Motion:  If more than one nomination, any board member may make a motion to call for the ballot vote.  Motion must have a second, followed by a voice roll call vote.

Rationale: 
Process for Office Nominations:
1.  Board member makes a nomination for the position  (no second needed)
2.  If more than one member is nominated for an office, written votes should be used and passed to the recording secretary for count.
3.  Recommended Motion:  If only one nomination is made, any member of the board may make a motion for nominations to cease and cast a unanimous ballot for the nominee.  Motion must have a second, followed by a voice roll call vote.
4.  Recommended Motion:  If more than one nomination, any board member may make a motion to call for the ballot vote.  Motion must have a second, followed by a voice roll call vote.

Rationale: 
This can be an appointed position by the newly elected board president.  In the past you have appointed Sally Jakub for this position.
 

Rationale: 
Committees will be appointed by the president of the board.  These committees are created for specific tasks of seeking information or investigation and will report back to the board for its consideration and action.  Committee action is considered to be advisory only.  The following committees are appointed at the annual board organizational meeting for one year.

Foundation Committee:  Responsible for working with the Schuyler Community Schools Foundation.  2 Members Required in Bylaws.  Foundation meets the first Monday of the month at 12:00 PM.  (2019 - Brian Vavricek and Virginia Semerad)

Americanism, Curriculum, Assessment and Instruction:  Responsible for reviewing curriculum recommendations, textbook selection, staff requisitions and inventory.  This is the only committee required by law (79-724)  3 members required.  (2019 - Virginia Semerad, Alejandrina Lanuza, Mynor Hernandez)
 
Board Policy/Handbooks/Support Programs:  Responsible for annual review of board policies, handbooks, and safety/crisis plan. 2-3 members recommended.  Following the Americanism Committee Meeting.  (2019 - Virginia Semerad, Alejandrina Lanuza, Rich Brabec)

Public Relations/Strategic Planning/Calendar:  Responsible for recommending the annual district calendar, strategic planning process, and promoting positive public relations and communication.  2-3 members recommended.   Following the Policy Committee Meeting.  (2019 - Mynor Hernandez, Alejandrina Lanuza, Chuck Misek)

Building/Grounds/Transportation:  Responsible for recommending approval of the building and grounds and transportation programs, vehicle replacement schedule, building maintenance and upgrade schedule)  3 members recommended.  (2019 - Chuck Misek, Brian Vavricek, Rich Brabec)

Budget/Finance/Negotiations:  Responsible for budget, finance, contract negotiations with administration, certificated staff negotiations and support staff contracts. 3 members recommended.  Following the Bldg/Grnds/Transportation meeting or following the board meeting.  (2019 - Chuck Misek, Rich Brabec, Brian Vavricek)

*  Special temporary committees of the Board, except as specified by statute, may be appointed by the president or chosen by a vote of the Board as needed.  The function of all such committees shall be fact-finding, deliberative and advisory, but never legislative or administrative.  When the specified purpose of all sub-committees appointed to conform to statute.  The superintendent shall be an ex-officio member of all such committees.
 

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

Rationale: 

• Student Council donated to the food pantry with the donations from the dodgeball tournament as well as donations from Student Council members
• Donated all of our remaining children's size spirit wear
• Boys Basketball won their Madison, Plattsmouth, and David City games
• Student Council ran an Ugly Christmas Sweater Contest
• Girls basketball are selling popcorn and warrior apparel as a fundraiser

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

Rationale: 
1.  Leigh Hesse:  SES Special Education Teacher
Due to the lack of qualified candidates for the special education teaching position in the fall, we hired substitute teachers to fill this position and now have a qualified candidate at mid-term.
2.  Dulce Adame:  SES High Needs Para Educator
3.  Wanda Juan:  Preschool Para Educator
4.  Diana Mondragon:  SES Para Educator
    
 

Rationale: 
The negotiations committee is recommending extending the superintendent's contract as presented below:

In compliance with the superintendent Pay Transparency Act, the board of education will consider a two-year contract extension for Dr. Daniel J. Hoesing at their regular January board meeting.  The contract extends the current two-year contract (2019-20, 2020-21) for an additional year (2020-21, 2021-22).  The proposed contract includes a salary increase from $179,000 to $184,000 (2.98%).  Benefit plan:  Health Insurance deductible of $1,200 and an option to accept a reduction in salary to contribute to an employer paid non-elective 403B Contribution.  All other contract provisions remain unchanged.  The current and proposed superintendent contracts are attached below and posted on the lower right hand corner of the main district website.  https://ne02214621.schoolwires.net/Page/597

Rationale: 
Attached is the first draft of the 2020-21 school calendar with 2019-20 corresponding dates.  The board committee will meet in February to consider input from staff.  Our goal is to have the calendar ready for board approval in March.
 

Rationale: 
Preschool/3-5 Principal’s Report:  Mr. Comley
Program/Staff Member Spotlight:  This month I would like to highlight Kris Svehla. Mrs. Svehla is a 4th grade teacher at SES. Mrs Svehla is an outstanding teacher that goes above and beyond in the school. She has done a great job with making curriculum changes that make SES a better school. Mrs. Svehla has also done an outstanding job of mentoring new teachers and has them well on their way to also being teacher leaders. I want to thank Mrs. Svehla for everything she has done and making SES and Schuyler a better place to be.

SES Kindergarten-2^nd Grade Principal’s Report:  Mr. Kovar
Program/staff Member Spotlight:  I would like to highlight a couple of people in a unique situation. Elyse Belina is a special education teacher in the high needs room here at Schuyler Elementary. Mrs. Belina does an outstanding job managing her paras, and building solid relationships with her students and their parents. This is so important in that room to have the trust of the families, when they leave their special students with us. Well from Thanksgiving to Christmas, Mrs. Belina was on maternity leave, but we were lucky enough to have Deb Farley come in as her long-term sub. Mrs. Farley did a great job filling in, and we were very lucky to have her. She made the most of a difficult situation during a difficult time here at the Elementary. Now that Mrs. Belina is back, and students are back, we can all get back into the routine that these special students so vitally need. We consider ourselves lucky to have had two great people in that room!

Rural Schools Principal’s Report:  Ms. Bebout
Program/Staff Member Spotlight:  Tasha Eldridge is the new music/band teacher at Fisher’s and Richland Schools.  This is her first year working for our district. Tasha has done an amazing job with the music and band program at the rural schools.  In November she held a Veterans Day program. The songs the students sang were very patriotic and meant a lot to the Veterans who attended the program.  In December she held a Christmas musical called ‘The Grumps of Ring-a-Ding Town. The music was outstanding. Students held speaking and singing parts! Both performances received great reviews from the audience!!  Band is also going well this year. The students are starting to prepare for competition in the spring. Tasha has been a wonderful addition to the rural school staff!
Tasha was born and raised in Denison, Iowa.  She has also lived in Sioux City, Red Oak, and Sidney, Iowa, and Douglas, Wyoming.  She currently resides just outside of David City. She has worked for the school district since the beginning of the year.  She has also worked in Sidney/Farragut, Iowa and Gillette, Wyoming. Tasha is married to Michael and has three children; Nathaniel-9, Jacob-7, and Olivia-4.  Tasha has a Bachelor of Music Degree (emphasis in Piano) and a Masters in Education. I am excited to see what she will bring to our district in the future!

Middle School Assistant Principal’s Report:  Mr. Zavadil
Program/Staff Member Spotlight:  I would like to highlight Mrs. Lopez in our office.  Mrs. Lopez is the friendly face of the Middle School office and has done an amazing job leading our office staff.  She is a thoughtful employee that keeps Mrs. Burton and myself on track and in Mrs. Burton’s absence did a great job of not letting me forget anything.  She is an extremely valuable member of our team!
Upcoming Events:  We are excited to start the second semester with many of our staff and students feeling refreshed from a great holiday break!  Schuyler Middle school is looking forward to strategic planning on January 20^th and is excited to get to shape the direction of the district.  We have had multiple discussions with our leadership team about it and feel it is a great opportunity every year to make us even better!

Middle School  Principal’s Report:  Mrs. Burton
Notable Events:  There are several great things happening at SMS this month!  First of all, I am indebted to my building staff, especially Mr. Zavadil, for his leadership during my maternity leave.  Having total confidence in my team is a blessing!  Mr. Zavadil and I are busy preparing for the 2020-2021 school year.  He and I have been meeting with individual staff members and coaches, as well as teams, in order to gain collective feedback for our recommendations to the Superintendent’s Office.  I am confident that we will work collectively with other administrators to gain the best and brightest to be a part of our team.
Program/Staff Member Spotlight:  There are several staff members that have gone above and beyond for their work with our students.  I have recommended Mr. Andy Hall for the national Presidential Award for Excellence in Math and Science Teaching.  Mr. Hall is a key leader at SMS, as he serves on the Tech Committee, the LAN manager, and School Improvement.  In addition, he coordinated youth football and can be regularly seen keeping book for the Legion baseball and Varsity basketball teams.  Most importantly, Mr. Hall is a strong student-centered and data-informed teacher.  His leadership in the department is noteworthy and commendable.
Program/Staff Member Spotlight:  Our custodial staff has also stepped up over break.  While Mr. Rick Eller and Mrs. Gloria Gonzalez worked at our new district central offices to clean and prepare the space, Mr. Miguel Millan stepped in to complete not only his punch list for the break, but also worked to ensure that our building was prepared for students to come back. 
Program/Staff Member Spotlight:  Dr. Gibbons has been busy preparing opportunities for our math, science, and social studies teams to deepen our partnership with Discovery Education in their curriculum development work. When looking at factors that have the highest effect on student achievement, collective teacher efficacy and comprehensive instructional programs for teachers have proven to do so.  Our work over the next month will only sharpen skills for teachers and have a positive, lasting effect on students.  I am appreciative of the work that has been done to prepare for this opportunity.

High School Assistant Principal/Activities Director:  Mr. Kasik
Program/Staff Member Spotlight:  For person spotlight I want to recognize Melissa Bulin.  Melissa is new to our staff, she is our Athletic Trainer.  In her short time at Schuyler Central High School she has done a great job working with our coaches, diagnosing injuries, rehabbing injuries and doing preventative care.  Our coaches really appreciate all that she does to keep our athletes healthy.  As you know her position is fully funded by Columbus Community Hospital.
Upcoming Events:  We continue to compete in our winter season with our large varsity and junior varsity wrestling invite on January 18^th.  We will have 15 teams competing in the varsity division and 17 teams competing in the junior varsity division as well as a girl only division. 

High School Principal’s Report:  Mr. Grammer
Program Spotlight:  For the past three years we have worked hard to develop a solid, strong, FCCLA program in the high school.  With change in teachers, a new teacher was hired with no experience in the program, Jared Severson.  He was well aware that this was a struggling program when he was hired and he started immediately to build the program and he gave purpose of these classes to provide a strong background in the FCCLA curriculum. After three years, the program and classes have expanded and students wanting to take these courses have doubled. Mr. Severson is an active sponsor and keeps his students engaged throughout the school year.  He has developed a curriculum that appeals to our students and we look forward to watching this area grow and develop.
Staff Member Recognition:  The staff members to be recognized for their diligent work in the high school these past months are our support and classified staffs.  These individuals work hard every day, a lot of the times behind the scene, to provide a clean and a well-run building for our students and staff.  Whether it be greeting community members by our secretaries, preparing breakfast and lunches for our students, or by keeping our building clean, they have taken on the responsibility of providing a school building we can all be proud of. Thank you for continual and diligent hard work every day.
Event Highlights:  The high school continues to work with the state’s priority plan, Discovery Ed Coaching, Discovery Ed Project Based Learning, APL, Capturing Kids Hearts, and Star 360. 
Construction on the building continues at a steady pace and is working hard to stay on time.
There will be no school on January 20^th for Martin Luther King Day.




 

Rationale: 
After School Program Director’s Report:  Ms. Bebout
Program/Staff Member Highlight:  Kimmi Viquez is our new elementary coordinator for the after-school program.  She has worked for the ASP since August. Kimmi has done a fantastic job taking over the program.  She is very friendly and easy to get along with. She is GREAT with students. Kimmi is also VERY organized and willing to put in the work to make our program successful.  The elementary is a BIG program and requires someone who is outgoing and a self-starter. She has filled the role in all capacities! We were lucky to have her come on board!  
Kimmi was born in Los Angeles, CA but moved to Schuyler when she was four years old.  Since then she has always lived in Schuyler other than one year in Norfolk. Kimmi is married to Francisco Viquez and has one son, Alberto Viquez, who will be two years old in March.  She is currently getting a degree in Graphic Design. Kimmi has worked for SCS for five years. She worked two years as a SPED para and two years as an ELL para before she became the ASP coordinator.   I would like to thank her for all of her hard work and dedication to the elementary students in our district!

Youth Sports Director:  Mr. Kovar
Program/Staff Member Spotlight:  I would like to highlight Josh Pacas. Josh is a 2014 graduate of Schuyler Central High School, and now is a parent in our district. Josh and his wife Evelin have two girls, and his oldest daughter Anilie is now a 1st grader at Schuyler Elementary. Josh is exactly the kind of parent we need more of in Schuyler. He is currently helping as a parent volunteer in our K-2 girls basketball group, but he also helped coach our kindergarten boys basketball group, even though he doesn't have any boys. Josh is always willing to help, no matter what the sport or group. He believes in his community, and is willing to help put in the time to help our youth be involved in sports. He is an important member of Schuyler, and I am happy to have his help!

Middle School Activities Director’s Report:  Mr. Zavadil
Program/Staff Member Spotlight:  Boys Basketball started the 1^st day back from Holiday break and is working hard to get ready for their 1^st game on Tuesday January 21^st.  We have a new head middle school coach at the helm in Mr. Kaiser.  He is a 6^th grade teacher at Schuyler Middle School.  This is his 1^st year with Schuyler Community Schools and we are excited about Mr. Kaiser’s work ethic.  He has been working closely with me and Mr. Baptiste and we are excited for the work he has already put into the youth program and the work he is putting into our JH boys program.  Mr. Kaiser is a fantastic addition to Schuyler Community Schools.
Notable Events:  Our Second quarter sports wrapped up and I am happy to report that our Girls Basketball team finished with most wins than they have had in the four years that I have been here.  Our 7^th grade A team was particularly competitive this year.  Our wrestling team also had a very good year finishing with a dual at Norfolk this year.

High School Activities Director’s Report:  Mr. Kasik
Program/Staff Member Spotlight:  I would like to spotlight our Wrestling Program.  It is led by Jeremy Hlavac who is in his 9^th year hear at SCHS.  Our wrestling program year in and year out is very competitive and currently has nearly 60 athletes competing.  They have crowned two individual state champions the last few years and brought home a 4^th place trophy in Class "B" last year from the State Tournament.  Not only are they competitive, but they also have a great reputation across the state for doing things the right way, being great sports and being  a class act!  Other coaches in this program are Nick Wilcox, Drey Keairnes, Tyrell Reichert, Mark Wemhoff, Guillermo Gutierrez, Jason Trautman and Casey Harper.  They are currently 12-5 in duals.

Student Services Director's Report:  Dr. Lefdal
Program/Staff Member Spotlight:  I would like to highlight Katie Bertrand in our counseling program.  Katie is always willing to help students with problems, work on schedules, ACT prep, and is a great team member with whom to brainstorm ideas and topics.  Katie is here for our students and will do anything to help them and make them better. We are lucky to have her on our side.
NotableTopics:  I am excited to see the new construction project moving ahead.  I have had a few graduates contact me asking if I could take pictures and send them along.  It is great to see the excitement as concrete is poured and walls are put in place. This project is such a great opportunity for our students, staff, and community.
Looking ahead:  I am excited for a number of things that are happening in our district.  Our priority plan has some great ideas and strategies that will make our school better.  The purchase of the nursing home is an amazing opportunity and is filled with great potential.  The new addition and construction will only make our school better, and our EL program, alternative ed, and our counseling programs are continuing to get better.  It is truly a great day to be a Warrior!

Special Education Director’s Report:  Mrs. Vrba
Program/Staff Member Spotlight: I would like to take this opportunity to recognize Patti Sparling.  During the first semester, she did an outstanding job of building a stronger foundation of reading and math skills for our 3rd grade students at SES.  Patti worked extremely hard to erase each student's deficiency so he/she may experience success in their classroom. At one time in Patti's
teaching career, she worked at Cen7ter in Columbus. We needed her skill set at the Kindergarten level and she was willing to take on the challenge.
Along with the move to Kindergarten, Patti will be serving our students at Fisher's #24 and Richland. She has such a natural ability to build relationships with her students and has the patience a struggling learner needs. The two traits that Patti posesses that I admire the most are: 1. Her dedication to the teaching profession. AND 2. Her openness to work collaboratively with other teachers...she is the epitome of being a team player! As she goes the "extra mile" for our kids, Patti's positivity and classroom energy just makes my heart smile.

Curriculum/Assessment/Instruction Director:  Dr. Gibbons
Program/Staff Member Spotlight - My spotlight goes to the members of the K-5 Science Curriculum Team.  We have met with vendors during school days and during the Friday afternoon collaboration time.  They have put a great deal of thought into what they need in Science curriculum materials and we continue to pursue the best sets of materials for our students.  Team members are: Kristi Andel, Sarah Gahan, Jolene Scheffler, Meghan Reinert, Becky Black, Lindsay Baumont, Lisa Terrell, Tonia Heard, Justine Quintero, Corinne Mueller, Aimee Sigler and Maria Bonilla.
Upcoming Events - Monday, January 20, will be our strategic planning meeting.  We will have a keynote speaker in the morning and then have an engagement coach from Thought Exchange here to guide us through. I will be attending an Assessment Thought Leaders Meeting in Lincoln on January 28.  Lisa Terrell, Aimee Sigler and I will be attending our second Instructional Materials Fellowship Meeting in Grand Island on February 6 and 7.
Testing Season -  State testing season starts soon.  

• ELPA 21 (ELL) - February 3 - March 13
• NSCAS ELA, Math and Science (grades 3 - 8) - March 16 - April 24 
• ACT (11th graders) - April 7

 

Rationale: 
1.  Program/Staff Member Spotlight:  Maintenance Staff lead by Ronnie Mundil and Paul have done an unbelievable job of getting the nursing home utilities back on line.  We will be opening the nursing home for visitors the afternoon of January 20th following our strategic planning session in the morning. 

2.  Strategic Planning Workshop:  Scheduled for Monday, Janauary 20th from 8:00 to 12:00.  We are inviting 50 community leaders to attend with our staff and offer input into our 2020 strategic plan.  See agenda below and attached information for the workshop.

Agenda           
7:45-8:15         Coffee/Rolls
8:15-8:30         Welcome:  Marcia Herring (NASB Director of Board Leadership)
8:30-9:30         Keynote Speaker:  John Cook (UNL Volleyball Coach)
9:30-9:45         Wellness Warriors Presentations and 2^nd Quarter Outstanding Staff Awards
10:00-11:00     First Round: Liz Anderson (Thoughtexchange Engagement Coach)
11:00-11:10     "Five Minutes of Fame"
11:10-11:55     Second Round:  Liz Anderson (Thoughtexchange Engagement Coach)
11:55               Closing Comments:  Marcia Herring
Schuyler Community Schools Staff:  Lunch on your own
Community Leaders:  Lunch at the Schuyler Nursing Home (Southwest entrance)
Nursing Home will be open for staff from 1:30 to 3:00.

3.  1st Semester Bus Route Report:  See attached bus report for the first semester routes and number of students riding.

4.  2019 School Safety/Security Report:  We are required to have an outside agency conduct an annual safety and security report.  The report highlights safety items reviewed and areas identified as needing attention or correction.  See attached report.