Public Meeting Minutes: February 10, 2020 at 7:00 PM - Board of Education Regular Meeting

1. Milford Public Schools Board of Education Information

More Information: Mission Statement - Milford Public Schools will prepare all students to be successful citizens: Our Mission is fulfilled when all students read with comprehension, speak and write clearly, compute accurately, reason logically, understand and appreciate the fine arts, apply suitable strategies and habits of mind to solve problems, utilize technology to communicate and to understand information and behave morally.

This agenda contains a list of subjects known at the time of its distribution. A copy of the agenda reflecting any changes will be available for public inspection during normal business hours in the District Office. Except for items of an emergency nature, the agenda shall not be altered later than twenty-four hours before the meeting. The Board reserves the right to alter the order of items, as it deems necessary.

2. Opening Procedures

2.1. Call to Order, Roll Call

2.2. Excuse Absent Board Members (if needed)

2.3. Open Meeting Law

More Information:

Information concerning the Open Meeting Law, Chapter 84, Article 14 of Nebraska State Statutes, is posted on the bulletin board in the back of the meeting room.

2.4. Additions to Agenda

2.5. Welcome and Introduction of Visitors

Discussion: Emily Hemphill, Milford Times
Sophia Birch, Milford FCCLA Member
Sydney Schildt, Milford FCCLA Member

2.6. Community Input

More Information:

This is the public’s opportunity to speak to items on the agenda. This is also the public’s opportunity to speak to any topic concerning the school district – since it is not an agenda item the board cannot discuss or take action on the matter at this time. Future discussion can be requested as an agenda item. To be recognized, all participants must complete the Request to Address the Milford Board of Education Form. No complaints regarding specific staff members will be heard during a public meeting. The District has established separate procedures for complaints against individual employees. Thank you for your participation.

3. Consent Agenda

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Motion to approve the Consent Agenda as presented Passed with a motion by Jessica Dunlap and a second by Tony Roth.

Dunlap: Yea
Pauley: Yea
Roth: Yea
Shaw: Yea
Stahly: Yea
Welsch: Yea

No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.

3.1. Approve Minutes of Previous Meeting

3.2. Approve Payment of Claims

More Information:

General Fund for $98,897.64
Payroll for $597,520.22
Total $696,417.86

4. Reports

4.1. FCCLA 101 - Presentation by FCCLA Members Sydney Schildt and Sophia Birch

4.2. Administrative Reports

Discussion: Elementary Principal: Mrs. Hartman recognized individual student accomplishments. She discussed the K-Kids' "Souper" Bowl Challenge; 4th grade Heritage School; parent teacher conferences; and the second and third music program.

Secondary Principal: Mr. Mowinkel recognized individual student accomplishments. He discussed the Winter Striv Summit students attended; the SNC wrestling tournament; the statewide ACT test; and FFA state degree interviews. He shared upcoming junior/senior high activities and the dates for sub-district and district events.

Director of Learning: Dr. Kubicek shared that staff from Raymond Central visited the district to review the teacher evaluation process. He included the state assessment testing dates. He discussed the teacher in-service that took place February 10.

Superintendent: Mr. Wingard shared that February 9-15 is Nebraska School Board Member Week and thanked the Board. He included the NASB Monthly Update. He shared information regarding board elections. He pointed out NASB and NRCSA trainings and future meetings.

4.3. Review/Discuss Grade Level Student Enrollment Report

4.4. Review/Discuss Option Enrollment Numbers

Discussion: Mr. Wingard included a report on option enrollment numbers.

4.5. Review/Discuss Current Exempt (Home) School Numbers

More Information: Thirty (30) Schools are on Milford Public Schools Exempt (Home School) School Report with 71 students attending these schools.

Discussion: Mr. Winard included a report on the current exempt (home) school numbers.

4.6. Legislative Items

More Information:

The following is from NRCSA:

The 2020 session of the Unicameral is going hot and heavy. This is the shorter 60-day session, but much will be addressed that can affect education. A few of the main bills to keep your eyes on:

LB 974 (Linehan) is the Revenue Committee's school funding/property tax relief bill. The bill would provide foundation aid (aid per student) to all schools, with a guarantee that all districts will receive at least 15% of their basic needs through state funding. Of concern, though, are a series of caps and limitations placed on districts. After careful consideration, the NRCSA Legislative Committee decided to not support the bill without substantial changes. All of the education groups opposed the bill because of the new constraints.
LB 1073 (DeBour) would provide a similar path to state funding for districts but without the constraints. The bill has not yet received a hearing, but NRCSA would support the bill.
LB 147 (Groene) is a student discipline bill that has been a hot topic for the last couple of sessions. NRCSA signed on to an amendment that was developed as a united effort by NCSA, NASB, and NSEA. Coupled with that bill are two other bills, LB 920 (Groene) and LB 998 (Murman), that would also provide funding for training for staff in dealing with situations where a student may become disruptive.
LB 759 (Kolterman) is a bill that was developed largely as a result of the hard work of Heartland Superintendent Brad Best. The bill would require DHHS to confer with a district before making an educational placement of a child. Several NRCSA member Superintendents provided wonderful, emotional testimony for this bill that would benefit kids who have been displaced.

NRCSA continues to be involved with two major groups: the Education Coalition and Nebraskans United. The Education Coalition is made up of all of the major education groups. The group tries to meet once a week during the session. Nebraskans United is made up of all of the major education groups and most of the major agricultural groups. Both groups have been able to provide a combined voice on many issues, which is much more powerful than each group on its own.

Attachment - The attachment contains 3 newspaper articles to review.

Discussion: Mr. Wingard included an article from NRCSA, newspaper articles on legislative bills, LB874 notes from the NASB legislative conference, Milford's LB759 testimony, and President Welsch's legislative update.

President Welsch discussed legislative issues and meetings he has attended.

4.7. Construction Reports

More Information: Elementary

We are still finishing up some minor items.
The heaters all needed to be updated as the modulators were not the proper size.
There are some paint and finish items that need to be completed.
The graphics on the hallway by the district office need completed.

High School

The project is enclosed.
Drywall and casework will begin soon.
They are preparing a mockup of the exterior brick and so that should start soon.

4.8. Discuss State Funding for Public Education

More Information:

Open discussion as needed.

5. Board Commentary

Discussion: President Welsch congratulated the wrestling team on their second place finish at the conference tournament.

6. Unfinished Business

6.1. Review/Discuss District Planning

More Information: I have this on the agenda as a follow-up to our retreat. Any questions or comments will be discussed at this time.

Discussion: No discussion.

6.2. Discuss 2020-21 Master Calendar

More Information: We are waiting for NSAA to release the new football schedule. We are needing a comp day for PT conference in October and wanting to see the schedule before we set that day.

I would like to review the rest of the calendar with the Board at the meeting.

7. New Business

7.1. Accept Resignation from Emily Harsin - 4th Grade Teacher

More Information: Emily has taught in Milford for two years. Emily is getting married and will be living in Columbus. Emily has been hired by Columbus Public Schools.

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Motion to accept the resignation of Emily Harsin and thank her for her two years of teaching in Milford Public Schools. Passed with a motion by Craig Shaw and a second by Jim Stahly.

Dunlap: Yea
Pauley: Yea
Roth: Yea
Shaw: Yea
Stahly: Yea
Welsch: Yea

No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.

7.2. Accept Resignation from Megan Pallas - K-6 Special Education Teacher

More Information: Megan is a K-6 special education teacher for us and has been in the district 2 years. Megan has been hired by the Norfolk Public Schools.

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Motion to accept the resignation of Megan Pallas and thank her for her 2 years of teaching at Milford Public Schools. Passed with a motion by Ned Pauley and a second by Tony Roth.

Dunlap: Yea
Pauley: Yea
Roth: Yea
Shaw: Yea
Stahly: Yea
Welsch: Yea

No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.

7.3. Accept Resignation from Gloria Godtel - K-12 Media/Library Teacher

More Information: Gloria is our Library/Media specialist. Gloria has decided it is time to retire. Gloria has taught in Milford for 13 years.

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Motion to accept the resignation of Gloria Godtel and thank her for her 13 years of teaching in Milford Public Schools. Passed with a motion by Craig Shaw and a second by Jessica Dunlap.

Dunlap: Yea
Pauley: Yea
Roth: Yea
Shaw: Yea
Stahly: Yea
Welsch: Yea

No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.

7.4. Approve Teaching Contract for Mallory Gregory - 7-12 Family and Consumer Science

More Information: Mallory has 12 years of teaching experience and the most recent is in Waverly. Mallory has degrees in FACS, curriculum and instruction and special education. She is very active in FCCLA. We believe Mallory will continue and expand on the success of our programs associated with FACS.

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Motion to approve a teaching contract for Mallory Gregory effective for the 2020-21 school year. Passed with a motion by Jim Stahly and a second by Tony Roth.

Dunlap: Yea
Pauley: Yea
Roth: Yea
Shaw: Yea
Stahly: Yea
Welsch: Yea

No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.

7.5. Approve Date Change for the March Regular Board of Education Meeting

More Information: As was shared in my administrative report, there are conflicts for our March 9th meeting.

I am recommending that we move the meeting to Monday, March 16th if that works for everyone.
If that does not work, we could move it to Wednesday, March 11th but we would be missing Dr. Kubicek from the administrative team.

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Motion to move the March 9, 2020 Regular Board of Education Meeting to Monday, March 16th. Passed with a motion by Ned Pauley and a second by Jim Stahly.

Dunlap: Yea
Pauley: Yea
Roth: Yea
Shaw: Yea
Stahly: Yea
Welsch: Yea

No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.

7.6. Discuss/Approve 2020 Board Priority Statements

More Information: We have attached the 2014-15 Priority Statements and the edited version of the document. The administrative team feels our recommended changes better reflect our day-to-day operation as an administrative team.

These are our recommendations. Obviously this is open for discussion and additions by the Board.

Looking forward to these discussions.

Discussion: The board and administration discussed the changes in the school priority statements and goals.

8. Executive Session

More Information:

The Board of Education reserves the right to enter into Closed/Executive Session for 1) the protection of the public interest, or 2) the prevention of needless injury to the reputation of an individual, and/or the individual has not requested a public meeting. When making a motion to enter into Closed/Executive Session, the member making the motion should be as specific as possible as to the reason(s) for executive session.

The Board President will restate the reason for Closed/Executive Session after the motion has been acted on.

9. Adjourn

Discussion: President Welsch adjourned the meeting at 8:53 p.m.

February 10, 2020 at 7:00 PM - Board of Education Regular Meeting

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