December 11, 2023 at 6:00 PM - Board Meeting

Summary:  This meeting will be conducted in accordance with the Nebraska Open Meetings Act.  The Board of Education makes available at least one current copy of the Open Meetings Act posted in the meeting at a location accessible to members of the public.

Summary:  Per board policy 2008, advance notice of all board meetings, other than emergency meetings, shall be publicized 48 hours or more in advance of the meeting in a newspaper of general circulation in the district.  Meeting notices may also be posted on the school district website and posted in three prominent places in the school district.

• Publication: Meeting notice was published in the Wahoo Newspaper on Friday, December 8, 2023.
• Postings: Meeting notice was posted at the entrance of Yutan High School, Yutan Post Office, First State Bank-Yutan, and on the Yutan Public Schools webpage on Wednesday, December 6, 2023.
• Agenda: The agenda is kept current and available for public inspection at the Superintendent’s office during normal business hours, and is posted on the school website in advance of the scheduled meeting. The agenda may not be altered later than 24 hours prior to the beginning of the meeting.  The order of the items on the agenda may be changed by the board at or during the meeting.

Summary:  Instructions for those who wish to speak during Citizen Comment: 
The Board of Education recognizes the importance of citizen participation in school district matters.  In order to assure citizens are heard and board meetings are conducted effectively and in an organized manner, a Citizen Comment period will be scheduled at some meetings.  The Public Comment sign-in sheet is located on the table near the entrance and your name and topic must be entered on the sheet prior to the start of the meeting.  If you are planning to speak about a personnel or a student matter involving an individual, please understand that the district has complaint procedures to address such complaints and concerns. The Board requests that you follow the policy and procedures before commenting on these matters to the Board. Board members will not respond to any questions you ask or comments about individual staff members or students, but may direct your concerns to the appropriate administrator for further review.  Each speaker shall be allowed a maximum of five minutes, and not more than twenty minutes will be allowed for a specific topic. Policy 2009-Procedure for Addressing the Board is made available in the meeting room.

Public Comments:

• Foundation Information:
• Booster Club Information:
• General Public Comments:

 

Summary:  Written reports have been submitted from the elementary principal, jr/sr high school principal, activities director, student services director, and superintendent.  Each administrator will make comments on their respective report:

• Elementary Principal
• Jr/Sr High School Principal
• Activities Director
• Student Services Director
• Superintendent

Summary:  The Consent Agenda is used to help the efficiency of the meeting by allowing the Board to approve items such as prior meeting minutes, general business of noncontroversial nature, or routine communication.  The Consent Agenda for this meeting includes:

1. Minutes from the November 13, 2023 Board Meeting
2. Treasurer’s Report and Claims

Summary:  Reports from the following committee(s):

• Facilities Committee
  • Did not meet
• Finance Committee
  • Report from 12-5-2023 meeting

Summary:  In past work sessions, the Board has discussed employing the Nebraska Association of School Boards (NASB) to lead and facilitate strategic planning for the district.  The strategic planning process ensures that common purpose and values are established for the school through a strategic vision for the next three to five years. The strategic plan is expressed through guiding principles, objectives, strategies, and performance indicators. These components can include, but are not limited to facilities, finance and budget, curriculum, programs, and services.  These critical components validate for stakeholders the district is operating strategically and planning for the future and success of students.  The board will consider, discuss, and take all necessary action to enter into an agreement with NASB to facilitate a strategic planning process.
 

Summary: 
School districts are required by state law to have a financial audit of all funds at the conclusion of each fiscal year - running from September 1 through August 31.  Bergan KDV completed the audit and submitted their report by the statutory deadline of November 6th.  The Board will consider, discuss, and take all necessary action to approve the audit.
 

Summary:  The administration requested bids for the replacement of the elementary flat roof and shingled dormers.  Bids were received from Boone Brothers Roofing, McKinnis Roofing, and Garland Roofing.  Upon comparing options and details, the Facilities Committee recommends approving the base bid from Boone Brothers Roofing of $388,150.  The Board will consider, discuss, and take all necessary action to accept the base bid from Boone Brothers Roofing for the replacement of the elementary flat roof and shingled dormers.
 

Summary:  The following policies are subject to approval and/or revision as part of the monthly policy review process. The policies presented have been reviewed by the Superintendent and are current by state statute, legal specifications, or NDE requirements; or have been revised or new policies presented to be in alignment with state statute, legal recommendation, or state and federal requirements. The board will consider, discuss, and take necessary action to affirm existing policies or approve revised or new policies as presented.

• 4032-Professional Growth
• 4034-Teacher Handbook
• 4037-Reduction in Forc
• 4038-Classified Staff Define
• 4039-Employment of Classified Staff

Summary:  Per state statute, the Board must evaluate the superintendent twice the first year of the contract, and once per year thereafter.  The electronic evaluation process was facilitated by NASB.  A self-evaluation was completed by Mr. Pfeil, and each board member then submitted their individual ratings and comments.  Summary results were provided to all board members and Mr. Pfeil.  With prior approval from Mr. Pfeil, the Board will review the evaluation results of Mr. Rex Pfeil for the first semester in open session.  No formal roll call vote is required to approve or accept the results.  The evaluation documents, board agenda, and meeting minutes will be placed in Mr. Pfeil's personnel file as a record of completion of the evaluation process.

Summary: 

Items for discussion, information, or consideration - no action to be taken:

• State Education Conference Review
• Policies for review at the January 2024 board meeting
  • 4029-Salary Schedule for Certificated Employees
  • 4041-Staff Dress and Appearance
  • 4042-Employee Social Security Numbers
  • 4043-Professional Boundaries Between Employees and Students
  • 4044-Political Activity by Staff Members
  • 4045-Milk Expression
  • 4046-Internet Searches Regarding Potential Employees
  • 4048-Assessment Administration and Security
  • 4050-Overtime and Compensatory Time

Summary:  The next regular meeting of the Board is scheduled for January 8, 2024 at 6:00pm in the high school media center.

Summary: 

The Board of Education is authorized by state statute to hold closed sessions.  Closed sessions may be held when clearly necessary for the protection of the public interest or for the prevention of needless injury to the reputation of an individual.  

The Board will enter into Closed Session for the protection of the public interest to discuss negotiations.

Summary:  The Board will take necessary action on the following item(s) from Closed Session:

• 2024-25 Negotiated Agreement between the Yutan Public Schools Board of Education and the Yutan Education Association.