January 8, 2018 at 7:00 PM - Board of Education Regular Meeting
| Minutes | |
|---|---|
|
1. OPENING PROCEDURES
Rationale:
COPY OF OPEN MEETINGS ACT: The Board of Education makes available at least one current copy of the Open Meetings Act posted in the meeting room at a location accessible to members of the public. The Act is posted on the south wall of the meeting room. ORDER OF AGENDA ITEMS: The Arlington Board of Education reserves the right to adjust the order of items on this agenda.
|
|
|
1.1. Call Meeting to Order
Discussion:
Chair Person Matt O'Daniel called the meeting to order at 7 p.m. |
|
|
1.2. Roll Call
Discussion:
Board Members Present: Matt O'Daniel, Teri O'Flaherty, Bruce Scheer, Jessica Scheer, Luanne Sundberg, Shanon Willmott. Also present was Superintendent Lynn Johnson, Elementary Principal Jacque Morgan, High School Principal Aaron Pfingsten, Athletic Director James Shada and Cheryl Keeler, recording secretary. |
|
|
1.3. Pledge of Allegiance
|
|
|
1.4. Approval of Regular Meeting Agenda
Rationale:
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
|
|
|
2. ANNUAL ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING
|
|
|
2.1. Reorganization of the Board - Election of President, Vice President
Rationale:
Open Nominations-The chair (Matt) will call for nominations which will be oral/written. Members vote by oral/written ballot. Results will be read aloud by the board secretary and recorded if written ballot is used. *The newly elected president shall immediately assume the chair position following the election for president for the remainder of the meeting. Vice President: The president will call for nominations which will be oral/written. Members vote by oral/written ballot. Results will be read aloud by the board secretary and recorded.
Discussion:
Chair Person Matt O'Daniel opened nominations. Nominations for President - Bruce Scheer nominated Matt O'Daniel Nomination seconded by Jessica Scheer - Closed nominations. Written ballots indicate four ballots for O'Daniel and two blank ballots. Nominations for Vice President -Luanne Sundberg nominated Shanon Willmott and Teri O'Flaherty nominated Jessica Scheer. Closed nominations. Written ballots indicated four votes for Willmott and two votes for Jessica Scheer. |
|
|
2.2. Reorganization of the Board - Appointment of secretary, treasurer, and recording secretary
Rationale:
Secretary: Board policy indicates that we can have an elected or appointed secretary. Past practice is for the superintendent to be appointed to serve in this role. The president will entertain discussion about continuing this practice. Treasurer: Past practice is for bookkeeper (now Business Manager) to be appointed to serve in this role. Entertain discussion. Recording Secretary: Past practice is for (now Business Manager) to be appointed to this role. Entertain discussion.
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
|
|
|
2.3. Appointment of Board Committees and Representatives
Discussion:
No changes to committees. Americanism/Education Eval.: Luanne Sundberg (Chair), Bruce Scheer, Shanon Willmott,Staff Members: Lynn Johnson, Aaron Pfingsten, Jacque Morgan. Bldgs. & Grounds: Bruce Scheer (Chair), Jessi Scheer, Luanne Sundberg, Staff Members: Lynn Johnson, Lawrence Reed. Finance: Teri O'Flaherty (Chair), Matt O'Daniel, Shanon Willmott, Staff Members: Lynn Johnson. Negotiations: Matt O'Daniel (Chair), Teri O'Flaherty, Jessi Scheer, Staff Member: Lynn Johnson. St. Paul's Lutheran Liaison: Bruce Scheer, Luanne Sundberg, Staff Member: Lynn Johnson.
|
|
|
2.4. Review Practices and Procedures - approval of depository, and review of school attorney and newspaper of record
Rationale:
Review the following: 1. Approval of Depository for School District - Two Rivers Bank 2. Identification of School Attorney - Perry, Guthery, Haase and Gessford; KSB 3. Identification of Newspaper of Record - Arlington Citizen
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
Discussion:
The board reviewed current practice of using Two Rivers Bank for depository, Perry, Guthery, Haase and Gessford and KSB as school law firms, and the Arlington Citizen as newspaper of record. |
|
|
2.5. Disseminate and review conflict of interest statutes
Rationale:
Board members are provided with these annually in keeping with policy and to ensure that they are understood and followed.
Discussion:
Superintendent Johnson shared statutes and answered questions. |
|
|
2.6. Review the current order of business for board meetings
Rationale:
Current Order of Business: Meeting call to order Approval/changes to Agenda Public Forum Curriculum/Department Reports Administration's Reports Board Committee Reports Unfinished Business Items New Business Items Consent Agenda (approval of minutes, approval board bills, treasurer's report) Adjournment
Discussion:
No changes |
|
|
3. WELCOME TO GUESTS AND PUBLIC FORUM
Rationale:
INSTRUCTIONS FOR THOSE WHO WISH TO SPEAK DURING PUBLIC FORUM: Getting Started: When it is your turn to speak during the public forum portion of the agenda, please come forward, sign your name and address on the sign-in sheet and state your name to the Board of Education. Personnel or Student Topic: If you are planning to speak about a personnel or student matter involving an individual, please understand that our policies require that such concerns initially be directed to the administration for consideration. Board members will generally not respond to any questions you ask or comments you make about individual staff members or students. You are cautioned that slanderous comments are not protected just because they are made at a board meeting. General Rules: Please remember that this is a meeting of the Board of Education held in public for conducting the business of the Board of Education. Disruptions, offensive language, personal attacks and hostile conduct will not be tolerated.
Discussion:
Merrit Gilmore presented information gathered on behalf of concerned wrestling parents and wrestling participants. She expressed four points of concern: Safe and appropriately equipped space, dedicated sufficient amount of space, maintenance of equipment, recognition and support of wrestling. One option presented was to look at better ways to utilize the building space we currently have. President O'Daniel assured patrons their concerns are taken seriously and will be addressed. Administrators and affected staff will be contacted for input to evaluate how current curriculum needs effect how the space is utilized. Results of those discussions will be shared at the next board meeting. Kathy Rhea addressed the board with her concerns regarding the wrestling room designation in past bond presentations. Cheryl Borhart spoke to bullying issues. She requested more communication with parents if situations and issues of concern arise. President O'Daniel reviewed the proper channels to go through if a parent does have a concern. Procedure would be to first speak with teacher, if it isn't resolved at that level then speak with building principal, if you still have a concern speak with Superintendent, if concern is still not resolved then you would come to the Board. Patron Shelly Statz, also requested parents be made aware of any bullying or sexual harassment situations going on in school so parents could talk to their children regarding those areas of concern. Lynn Johnson reassured patrons we have no current sexual harassment cases. |
|
|
3.1. Discuss and Consider patron presentation on wrestling facilities
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
|
|
|
4. PRINCIPALS’ REPORTS
Discussion:
No reports but principals were available to answer any questions board might have. |
|
|
5. CURRICULUM/INSTRUCTION REPORTS
|
|
|
5.1. Preschool Report
Discussion:
Gail Barth presented her written report and clarified services provided to children birth to three. |
|
|
5.2. Kindergarten Report
Discussion:
Janet Warner and Deb Walling presented their written report and were available to answer questions. |
|
|
5.3. Math Report
Discussion:
Ann Jamison presented the written report and was available to answer questions. |
|
|
6. SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT
|
|
|
6.1. Enrollment Figures
Discussion:
Superintendent Johnson presented enrollment figures. K-6 317; 7-12 320; Total PS-12 665 |
|
|
6.2. Student and Club Recognition
Rationale:
Discussion:
Rachel Kraemer has been selected to receive the Runza® Student of the Week honor. Through the efforts of many FBLA members who rang the bells for the Salvation Army Red Kettle, we were able to donate $927.63 |
|
|
6.3. Board Retreat
Rationale:
The Fremont Country Club is not available on Wednesday, January 31 as they are closed for a week of cleaning. The board needs to decide if they want to change their date or look for a different venue for that event.
Discussion:
Retreat will be January 31, 6:00 PM at Farmer Brown's. |
|
|
6.4. Increased fee for utilization of bus barn
Discussion:
A monthly fee to utilize Bell Creek as a bus barn will be charged for the next five months. |
|
|
6.5. Staffing Update
Rationale:
Nonclassified Staff Update: Hiring Kevin Capron as food service employee. Resignation of Roni Austin as elementary special education paraprofessional. Resignation of Cheryl Borhart as food service employee. Certificated Staff Update: Update on the special education position that was approved
Discussion:
Superintendent Johnson updated the Board on the search for a special education teacher. As of this date, no full-time teacher has been found. Part-time staff might be used through the end of this school year. An additional full-time special education teacher should be in place for the 2018-19 school year. Other staff additions/resignations are listed in consent agenda. |
|
|
6.6. Community Engagement survey follow-up
Discussion:
Superintendent Johnson presented focus questions to be shared with public through e-mails, website link, and Facebook as discussed previously. Post cards were found to be cost prohibitive. The board wanted more time to review the focus questions. |
|
|
7. COMMITTEE AND REPRESENTATIVE REPORTS
|
|
|
7.1. Americanism/Education Evaluation
Discussion:
No report |
|
|
7.2. Buildings and Grounds Committee
Discussion:
No report |
|
|
7.3. Finance Committee
Discussion:
No report |
|
|
7.4. Negotiations Committee
Discussion:
An agreement has been reached and is being presented for action this month. |
|
|
7.5. NASB Legislative Representative
Discussion:
Superintendent Johnson will forward legislative updates to board as she receives them. |
|
|
7.6. Temporary Bus Barn Committee
Discussion:
Committee conducted a walk through of the facility to get an idea of potential. |
|
|
7.7. Professional Development Sharing
Rationale:
NASB Legislative Issues Conference | January 21-22 | Lincoln NASB Budget & Finance Workshop | January 22 | Lincoln President’s Retreat - RSVP! February 18-19 | Lincoln Education Forum | February 21-22 | Kearney |
|
|
8. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
|
|
|
9. NEW BUSINESS
|
|
|
9.1. Discuss, Consider, and Take Necessary Action to approve the 2018-2019 Master Agreement with the Arlington Education Association
Rationale:
In an effort to retain and recruit quality employees, the board of education strives to compensate all categories of employees to be competitive in a comparable array. The proposed agreement should position the District at or slightly above the midpoint in a comparable array with a package increase of 3.83% including anticipated vertical movement.
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
|
|
|
9.2. Discuss, Consider and Take Necessary Action to approve superintendent contract
Rationale:
In an effort to retain and recruit quality employees, the board of education strives to compensate all categories of employees to be competitive in a comparable array. The proposed agreement increases the salary 3%, however due to decrease in insurance the overall package is a net savings to the district of $2,177 or 1.2% and should maintain position at or near the midpoint.
Discussion:
Due to an inaccurate date in section three (August rather than July) this contract will be cleaned up and presented for approval in February. |
|
|
9.3. Discuss,Consider and Take Necessary action to renew the contract of secondary principal
Rationale:
In an effort to retain and recruit quality employees, the board of education strives to compensate all categories of employees to be competitive in a comparable array. The proposed agreement should position the District slightly below the midpoint in a comparable array with a package increase of 2.54%.
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
|
|
|
9.4. Discuss, Consider, and Take Necessary Action to renew the contract of elementary principal
Rationale:
In an effort to retain and recruit quality employees, the board of education strives to compensate all categories of employees to be competitive in a comparable array. The proposed agreement should position the District slightly below the midpoint in a comparable array with a package increase of 2.49%.
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
|
|
|
9.5. Discuss, Consider, and Take Necessary Action to renew the contract of assistant principal/AD
Rationale:
In an effort to retain and recruit quality employees, the board of education strives to compensate all categories of employees to be competitive in a comparable array. The proposed agreement should position the District slightly above the midpoint in a comparable array with a package increase of 2.61%.
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
|
|
|
9.6. Discuss, Consider and Review Policies 1000-1120.
Discussion:
No changes to these policies as a result of this review. |
|
|
10. CONSENT AGENDA
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
|
|
|
10.1. Minutes of the Previous Board Meeting(s): December 11, 2017 Regular Board Meeting Minutes
|
|
|
10.2. Monthly Financial Reports
|
|
|
10.3. Claims (Check Register)
|
|
|
10.4. Special Fund Transfers
Rationale:
Employee Benefit Fund BC/BS Admin. Health Insurance $8,546.80 Depreciation Fund Advanced Engineering System HVAC Project $7,497.47 |
|
|
10.5. Hot Lunch Report
|
|
|
10.6. Activity Report
|
|
|
10.7. Accept resignation of Roni Austion as an elementary special education paraprofessional.
|
|
|
10.8. Accept resignation of Cheryl Borhart as cafeteria employee.
|
|
|
10.9. Hire Kevin Capron as cafeteria employee.
|
|
|
11. EXECUTIVE SESSION
Rationale:
The Arlington Board of Education reserves the right to go into Closed/Executive Session at any time in accordance with Section 84-1410. A copy of the Open Meetings Act is posted in the board room for review by the public. |
|
|
12. ACTION ON EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEMS
|
|
|
13. ADJOURNMENT
Discussion:
There being no further business meeting was adjourned at 9:30 p.m. |