November 12, 2018 at 7:30 PM - Regular Board of Education Meeting

Discussion:  First grade students were able to participate in virtual field trip with Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and UNL State Museum. 

Discussion:  Middle School Character Retreat was held on October 22nd. Keynote speaker, Scott Backovich, presented about being a person of good character. Winter sports have begun; 24 girls out for basketball and 20 wrestlers. NSCAS scores have been released to schools; public embargo will be lifted in December. 

Discussion:  35 students were recognized for perfect attendance for the first quarter. High school students will take part in the County Government Day on November 14th. All 9th and 10th graders will attend annual college visits at UNL, UNK and CCC in November. Annual Veteran's Day program was held on November 12th; Blake Trombley was keynote speaker. 

Discussion:  The greenhouse project is complete. $150,000 reimbursement from Albion Education Foundation has been requested. Other funds for the project were $23,320 (WindFarm Grant) and $7,207 (Building Fund). Flagpole lighting will be added to front of school; Kallhoff Electric will install. Sentinel building will be moved to northeast corner of Mason's lot. Materials will arrive mid-December. Chuck Rolf will erect the building; Kallhoff Electric will run electrical supply. ESSA/Title IIA Grant application submitted for $26,500 to sustaining 60 minute PLC time each week dedicated to professional and instructional needs of our teachers and leaders, student and teacher accountability, and improving academic achievement. 


ESSA Grant Funding - Grant funds must be spent on: 
- increasing student achievement consistent with the challenging State academic standards (See Guaranteed Viable Curriculum below)
- improving the quality and effectiveness of teachers, principals, and other school leaders
- increasing the number of teachers, principals and other school leaders who are effective in improving student academic achievement in schools

Grant funds total $26,500 and will be specifically spent on: 
- Sustaining 60 minute PLC time each week dedicated to professional and instructional needs of our teachers and leaders. Research indicates that effective professional development must be sustained and include ongoing support. 
- Establishing a Guaranteed Viable Curriculum anchored to the Nebraska State Standards. 
- Professional Development that will directly support instructional practices based on needs assessment.
- Developing assessments, grading practices, student accountability and teacher accountability. 
- Developing a school-wide (evidence model) data collection system - How will effectiveness and rigor be examined?  (Who, What, Where, When, and How of Data Collection) How will effective instruction be examined? 
- Teacher and Principal Accountability System - iObservation -  Supervising and supporting effective teaching in every classroom. 

Guaranteed & Viable Curriculum 
Our PLC focus: 
- is to bring clarity, coherence, and precision to our classrooms.
- is to provide a rigorous curriculum that is clear. 
- is to create a compact list of learning expectations for students at each grade and a list of examples that will identify when our students are proficient. 

Our PLC groups will identify desired results at each level or within each course. 
 ~ What should our students know, understand, and be able to do? 
~ What content is worthy of understanding? 
~ What enduring understandings are desired? 
~ What essential questions will he explored?

As district leaders it is our responsibility to: 
~ ensure our teachers know the intentions and success criteria of their lessons. 
~ ensure our teachers know how well they are attaining the criteria for all students. 
~ ensure our teachers know what to do next if there is a gap between students knowledge and understanding. 
*The PLC's are an opportunity for our teachers to talk about teaching in a safe and collaborative environment. 

Our intent is to be a high-reliability school by providing all students with a guaranteed and viable curriculum focused on enhancing student learning. 
~ Curriculum is focused enough that it can be adequately addressed in the time teachers have available. 
~ All students have the opportunity to learn the critical content of the curriculum. 
~ Individual teachers do not have the option to disregard or replace content that has been designated as essential. 

Discussion:  Revisions were made to policy 3101 School Meal Program, 3405 Use of Drug Detection Dogs, 4332 Use of Social Media, 5001 Admission Requirements, 5002 Immunizations, 5005 Part-time Enrollment, 5008 Student Transfer Nebraska Enrollment Option Program, and 5300 Student Discipline. 

Discussion:  Monday, December 10th @ 7:30 pm - Boone Central Middle School Library

Discussion:  The meeting was adjourned at 8:29 p.m.