July 14, 2021 at 7:00 PM - Board of Education Regular Meeting

Discussion:  President Lutkemeier called the meeting to order at 7 pm.  The meeting was advertised in the July 1st, 2021 publication of the Blue Hill Leader.  "The Open Meetings Act" poster was displayed in the meeting room.

Discussion:  N/A

Discussion:  Guests in attendance were Jennifer Karr, Amie Ehrman, Katelyn Karr, Amanda Ehrman, Trista Hanson, Georgi tenBensel, Brooklyn Meyer, Taylor Hanson, Jenn tenBensel, Joan Fisher, Eric Parr and Teresa Schmidt.  Volleyball team members shared their reasons to change the location of home volleyball games to the high school gym in Roseland.  Among them voiced were larger high school locker rooms, bleachers are on opposite sides at the high school (which aids in social distancing and separation of each team's fans), volleyball games and football games are no longer scheduled on the same night, more available parking at the high school, with practice happening mostly at the high school and competitions at the elementary, the team felt the home court lost its advantage.  Joan Fisher voiced a concern over the proposed health education standards currently in the Nebraska legislature.  President Lutkemeier took the opportunity to recognize Joan Fisher for her years of service to the Silver Lake School Board and presented her with a lifetime activity pass.

Discussion:  We receive yearly renewal notices for statewide associations.  Our Nebraska Rural Community Schools Association Membership Dues are $850.  NRCSA provides a great deal of services for our district.  Last year NRCSA had 213 member schools representing 85,000 students across 90 counties and 26 legislative districts throughout Nebraska.

Discussion:  The resignation of Michelle brought on an opening for the position of main office secretary.  

Discussion:  ESSER III requires that the school have an in depth and detailed return to school plan in place.  It also requires that we take into account stakeholder input for the return to school plan.  Mr. Bauer briefly reviewed and summarized the 2021-22 plan.  See attached.

Discussion:  The resignation of Alarissa Gomez left an opening as a one on one para-educator.  

Discussion:  Mr. Bauer reviewed the policy changes, most of which are required by legislature.

Discussion:  Mr. Bauer reported on the Student Fees Fund.  Current balance is set at $2,394.  Dues collected over the 2020-21 year were $594.

Discussion:  Mr. Bauer reported on the current status of the 2001 school bus and the need to declare it as salvage as it has been put out of use.

Discussion:  Legislative guidelines require that we reveiw our Student conduct policies with the county attorney of the county in which the principal office of the school district is located (Webster - Patrick Calkins) (Adams - Donna Fegler Daiss) and also have an annual review by the School Board of Education. 

Discussion:  We have been working with Brian Luther with Compass financial (ESSDACK) on becoming our providers for staff with regards to 403 (b) plans.  We have one employee who is currently involved with Edward Jones and she is okay with us making the move to Compass.  

Discussion:  Mr. Bauer reported on information regarding our “Activity Accounts” and how they are handled.  He also requested to bring in Carl Dietz or Matt Fisher to discuss finance options and set up a 1, 3, and 5-year district plan.  A board retreat is set for August 4th in Kearney at 5 pm, dinner to follow, with the location to be determined.  ESSER III opens on July 15th.  Ideas for the grant money include HVAC at both sites, curriculum for both schools and possibly lighting for the high school.  Mr. Bauer also reported that we did not meet MOE for the IDEA grant.

Discussion:  Jump Start is set for July 26th — August 6th from 8:30 to 11:30 am.  Bussing is provided.  Preschool summer school will run July 26th through August 6th from 9:00 to 11:00 am.  The Webster County Fair 4-H clothing judging, fashion show and music contest will be held at the elementary on Monday, July 19th.  The building is undergoing a general cleaning.  Gym mats have been replaced.  

Discussion:  Mr. Drake reported that football and volleyball conditioning start August 2nd.  Fall practices begin August 9th.  August 10th & 11th will have teacher inservices with school beginning on August 12th.  Completed projects include window installation and improved drainage.  Summer cleaning and building projects are still in progress.  Roofmasters came and fixed some leaks.  Gym mats with the updated mustang logo have come in and will be hung.  New Washington trip sponsors will be meeting on August 4th.  Coaches will be meeting prior to the August board meeting.

Discussion:  None at this time.

Discussion:  The next special meeting / board retreat of the board of education is set for 5 pm on Aug 4th in Kearney.

The next regular meeting of the board of education is set for 7 pm on Aug 10th at the high school in Roseland.

Discussion:  Due to no further business President Lutkemeier adjourned the meeting at 8:09 pm.