September 11, 2024 at 7:10 PM - Board of Education Regular Monthly Meeting

Discussion:  President Lutkemeier opened the meeting at 7:12 pm.  The meeting notice was advertised in the August 29th publication of the Blue Hill Leader.  "The Open Meetings Act" poster was displayed in the meeting room.

Discussion:  Guests in attendance were Jennifer Karr and Adam Klein.  No comments were offered.

Discussion:  Mr. Bauer reported:

1. I attended the ESU-9 Superintendent meeting on September 5th in Hastings.

2. Psychological first aid training is updated.

3. District 33 Candidate forum will be held at ESU-9 in Hastings for school

   administrators and board members on October 16th at 7 p.m. Let me know if you are

   interested.

4. Robotic football field striper - I am working on finding partners. If we can get three

   schools to share, we are looking at around $1,500 per school; this includes the cost of

   paint.

5. State Education Conference November 20th - 22nd @ CHI Center in Omaha.

6. Superintendent Evaluations will be out to you at the October monthly meeting so that

   we can discuss them at the November meeting.

7. Holiday Staff/Board meal? Two potential dates: Saturday, December 7th or Saturday,

   January 18th.  Three potential locations: Bladen Fairgrounds, Campbell Legion Hall, Roseland Community Center?  

Discussion: 

Mr. Drake reported:

Enrollment as of 9/09/2024 Total Enrollment: 135

PreK- 26 (17 all day, 9 half day) Kindergarten - 9
1st Grade - 18
2nd Grade - 14

3rd Grade - 17 4th Grade - 23 5th Grade - 16 6th Grade - 12

Completed Events:

Elementary Principal Report September 11, 2024

Picture Day: August 27th
Farm Safety Day: September 5th - Thanks to all the presenters and Silver Lake FFA Grandparents Day: September 6th - very well attended (123 guests)

Fall DIBELS testing is completed Upcoming Events:

MAP/NSCAS Fall testing is underway Sept 25th - Picture Retakes
October 7-11 - Fire Safety Week

Other Updates:
Gathering quotes for possible playground updates/renovation/surfacing.

Mr. Drake also recognized Caleb Hemberger as an AR recipient of 100 points.

Discussion:  Mr. Jones reported on professional development events, academic and extra curricular schedules, and student participation numbers which have increased this year.  He also reported on a Homecoming Prep meeting, a slight drop in enrollment and an increase in E-sports team members.  In addition, Mr. Jones reported on a Peer Education Project and gave an update on the Booster Club.

Discussion:  WHEREAS, the public was given notice at least five days in advance of a Special Public Hearing called for the purpose of discussing and approving or modifying the District's Tax Requests for the  2024-25, school fiscal year for the General Fund, Bond Fund, Special Building Fund, and the Qualified Capital Purpose Undertaking Fund of Silver Lake Public Schools, School District 01-0123-000: and 

WHEREAS, such Special Public Hearing was held before the Board of Education (hereinafter "the Board") of Silver Lake District 01-0123-000 (hereinafter "the District") at the time, date, and place announced in the notice published in a newspaper of general circulation, a copy of which notice and proof of publication of which is attached hereto as Exhibit A, all as required by law: and,
 
WHEREAS,  the Board provided an opportunity to receive comment, information, and evidence from persons in attendance at such Special Hearing: and,
    
Whereas, the Board, after having reviewed the District's Tax Requests for each said fund, and after public consideration of the matter, has determined that the Final Tax Requests as listed below are necessary in order to carry out the functions of the District, as determined by the Board for the 2024-25, school fiscal year.

General Fund Tax Requests -     $4,007,564.00

Bond Fund Tax Requests     -      $357,106.00

Special Building Tax Requests -  $68,503.00

Discussion:  Purchase 8 metal picnic tables with 8 umbrellas and bases for the amount of $9,969.33 from ULINE. 

Mental Health Grant Funds will be used for this.  

Discussion:  Mr. Bauer asked Mr. Jones and Mr. Sluka to find a company that services bleachers to come out and inspect ours and service them.  

Last time this was done was 2019.  

Heartland Seating is recommending the service in the amount of $6,650 which will cover us for the next three years.  

Discussion:  We purchased one of these in 05 and the other in 13.  It is time to look at updating.  

I have attached two bids for a grasshopper two different bagging units.  The preferred bagging option would extend the life of our trailer.
(Bid Price - $25,164.25) 

I think the best course of action would be to trade in the older of the two mowers towards a new grasshopper.  Move the new one up to the Roseland location, and try to get another year out or two out of the newer one in Roseland and purchase a new grasshopper for Bladen.

After further consideration, Mr. Bauer requested that the lawnmower proposal be tabled so he could check with the John Deere dealer and discuss trade options.

Discussion:  The Silver Lake Education Association is requesting that that Board take action to recognize them as the exclusive bargaining agent for the district's non-supervisory certificated staff for the 2026-27 contract year. 

Discussion:  The LOI is attached.  It ran twice in the Kearney Hub and the Hastings Tribune and once in the Blue Hill Leader.  

Attached you will see a copy of the LOI (Letters on interest Due September 20th). The current count is zero.

Attached you will find updated preliminary plans as well.  

Just wanted to keep all the board members in the loop. 

Discussion:  Nebraska Rural Community Schools Association, Executive Director Jack Moles will be on hand to present the benefits of being a NRCSA member. 

Discussion:  Next Meeting Agenda . . . ACT scores.  The next regular board meeting will be Tuesday, October 15th, 7 am, at the Elementary in Bladen.