March 12, 2024 at 7:00 PM - Board of Education Regular Monthly Meeting

Discussion:  President Lutkemeier opened the meeting at 7:00 pm.  The meeting notice was advertised in the February 29th publication of the Blue Hill Leader.  "The Open Meetings Act" poster was displayed in the meeting room.

Discussion:  Guests in attendance were Dennis Timm and Jennifer Karr.  Mr. Timm signed in to address the board, but reserved comments for the Transportation section (8.1 agenda item) later in the meeting.

Discussion:  Mr. Bauer reminded board members he would be serving on the Deshler External Review, March 13th - 14th.  Mr. Sluka and Mr. Jones have begun working on extra-duty assignments.  If there are any comments or concerns, please reach out to one of them.  Board members will vote to approve those at the April Board Meeting.  Mr. Bauer has been in contact with Randy Kort in regard to services on a potential bus barn.  He is working on transitioning from Duval and Associates to his own company and that is requiring some attention from him currently.  Mr. Duval is retiring.  Randy has been working for him and comes highly recommended by many people who have worked with him in the past 5 years.  Preliminary tax request numbers have come out and we will have significantly less taxing authority next year.  The budget will look different.  Windmill money and state aid will be the primary differences in the structure and outlook.  Mr. Bauer reported on NASB's legislative updates.  Also, a reminder that the NRCSA Spring Conference is March 14th - 15th.  Mr. Jones has asked for thoughts on forming a Booster Club.  The club would support Silver Lake Athletics.  The Booster Club would not replace the POSSE group.  Mr. Bauer also received an $8,000 bid for a sound system.  The system would enhance activities at both buildings (concerts, plays, graduation, etc.).  The bid included floor speakers, iPads, audio snake and floor mics with a floor monitor being shared between the buildings.  This will be on the agenda at the April board meeting.  An Apple bid was also taken to upgrade student and staff laptops.  The bid came out at $220,279.00, which was only $2,000 higher than 4 years ago.  0% interest on financing for 3 or a 4 year note.  Mr. Bauer updated board members on the Oklahoma bus being considered for purchase.  He discovered it needed new tires and was not rated for Nebraska DOT inspection.

Discussion:  Mr. Drake reported that Parent-Teachers Conferences were held on February 21st.  Preschool Roundup was February 26th and Kindergarten Round Up was March 4th.  (Potential enrollment numbers were as expected.). Lions Club Vision and Hearing screenings were also held on the 4th.  Thanks to all who helped with Read Across America Week (March 4 - 7th). Author/Illustrator Bruce Arant Workshop with K-6 students (Picture Book and Illustrators Workshop) took place on March 6th.  The Green Eggs and Ham Breakfast (March 7th) was well attended.  Report Cards were sent home on March 11th.  Upcoming events:  No School - March 29th through April 1st; and Severe Weather Awareness Week - March 25 - 29th.  The Elementary Concert is set for May 9th and the Elementary Honors and Field Day will be May 15th.  Updates:  The Preschool Interview process is complete; Scheduling for 2024-25 has begun; and the school received a grant for another Grow Tower (this one has strawberries planted in it).

Discussion:  As Mr. Jones was absent from the board meeting, Mr. Bauer presented the principal's report.  Professional Development:  Mr. Jones attended Bully Prevention Training (March 13th) in Lincoln, and CTE Training (March 14th) at ESU 9.  JH/HS Academics:  Parent Teacher Conferences (February 21st); Regional Science Fair - Hastings College (March 5th) - Jordan Bonifas, Lee Gibson, Brooklyn Himmelberg, Kaylee Karr and Graham Karr qualified for the Nebraska Junior Academy of Sciences State Science Fair in Lincoln on April 18th; Actions Day CCC (March 20th); JH Science Fair - North Platte (March 20th); HS Science Fair (March 27th); Junior State ACT Date (April 9th); Driver's Education has started and Lions Club Screens and Health Checks are completed.  New students include: Lexi Ostrander (7th grade); Jazmyne Mattison (8th grade); and Chanze Mattison (9th grade).  New staff:  Michelle Sorensen - 7-12 para.  JH/HS Safety Drills:  Fire Drill (March 12th) and Tornado Drill (March 27th).  JH/HS Sports / Activities:  Girls Basketball - Record 15 - 8; Boys Basketball - Record 16 - 6; and State Dance - 3rd Place in Jazz and 6th Place in Pom.  Athletic Signings:  Morgan Dinkler, York (Track); Keaton Karr, Concordia (Football) and Jordan Faimon, Hastings College (Basketball).  National FFA Week (February 19th - 23rd); FFA @ CDEs (February 21st); TVC Speech (February 21st) - 4th Place - OID - Savanna, Milla, Sophie, Morgan & Sydney; 2nd Place - Duet - Katelyn & Emma; 3rd Place - Duet - Taylor & Maddie; 4th Place - Persuasive - Sydney; and 5th Place - Extemporaneous - Maddie.  February 26th - Start of Spring Sports:  HS Track (Girls - 12 out), (Boys - 15 out); HS Golf (8 students out); and JH Track (Girls - 16 out), (Boys - 11 out).  FFA Banquet (March 11th), District Speech (March 12th), TVC HS Quiz Bowl (March 13th), HS Track @ UNK Invite (March 14th), JH State Math Counts (March 16th); TVC Honor Band (March 18th), State Speech (March 22nd), HS Track @ WH Invite (March 22nd), Powerlifting @ Harvard (March 23rd), HS Track @ Kenesaw Invite (March 26th), HS Golf Scrimmage (March 26th), HS Track @ Franklin (April 2nd), State FFA (April 3rd - 5th), JH Track @ Kenesaw Tri (April 4th), HS Golf @ Red Cloud (April 4th), and Powerlifting @ Orchard (April 6th).
Weight room has been completed and the 24-25 Coaching Assignments will be ready for the April Board meeting.  Career and Technical Education:  Job Shadow Opportunity - Education (5 students) - February 14th and looking for another date for 4 students.  College tours are slated for March 28th and April 9th.

Discussion: 

NASB

All Lines Interlocal Cooperative Aggregate Pool ( ALICAP)

Member Resolution of Commitment

WHEREAS, LB398 passed by the 1987 Nebraska Legislature created the Intergovernmental Risk Management Act; and

WHEREAS, Silver Lake Public School District, believes it is in the best interest of its citizens to join with other Nebraska school districts in establishing a property, general liability, automobile, crime, dishonesty, school board liability and workers' compensation pool; and

WHEREAS, the NASB Pool is established by school districts for the benefit of school district citizens; and

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Silver Lake Public School

District hereby:

1. Approves the document entitled "Participation Agreement"; and

2. Enters into the Agreement for the formation of and participation in the NASB All Lines lnterlocal Cooperative Aggregate Pool; and,

3. Designates Terry Bauer to sign the Formation Agreement with the Pool on behalf of the school district

Passed and approved this 12th day of March, 2024

Silver Lake Public School Board of Education

Discussion:  Pro Rata Premium is $24,470.  NASB will invoice for the premium due for the coverage period 4/1/24 - 9/1/24 in the amount of $24,470.

Discussion:  Angela Crone has resigned from her position as 7-12 Math Teacher. 

Discussion:  Kaitlyn has informed us that she will be resigning from her secretary position at the end of the 23-24 school year, unless a situation arises where she must begin her new employment before that date.

Discussion:  Numbers indicated that we needed a second pre-school teacher if we wanted to be able to continue our full day offering.  Ms. Stoner is aware that if the numbers do not require a second classroom after year one this position may no longer exist.  

Discussion:  Mr. Jones ran an ad for a one on one para educator to work with a student.  After interviews, the position was offered to Michelle Sorensen and accepted.

Discussion:  Mr. Bauer would like to move the following into Certificates of Deposit:

Special Building Fund -$500,000  (10 Month) 4.91% IR  5% APY

General Fund - $200,000 (5 Month) 4.91% IR  5% APY 
 

Discussion:  The total bid was $15,950.  Silver Lake would need to pay to supply the power for the controller and booster pump which would be an additional cost. 

Discussion:  Attached is the pricing on 3 new blue bird buses.  Mr. Bauer requested both gasoline and diesel to just give board members an idea of some information regarding both.  We can move some money over to depreciation if we would like and get one of these ordered during the April board meeting if the board of education and transportation committees think it would be a good idea.    

Mr. Bauer would really like to have a Transportation Committee (Allen, Eric, Shaun, Todd) Meeting prior to the April Board meeting.  He will try to see if we can find a time that works for the majority of the committee, himself, Keith Pavelka and Dennis Timm (He services the vast majority of our vehicles and his input would be great).  

Board members discussed the pros and cons of each option and its specifications.

Mr. Timm strongly suggests making our next purchase a gas-fueled bus, due to the greater range of it and potentially fewer cold weather issues.  The propane bus has a shorter range and fewer propane fueling stations.  However, it might be worth considering for a shorter bus route.   

Discussion:  The next regular Board of Education meeting will be held at the High School in Roseland on Wednesday, April 10th, at 7 pm.