May 14, 2018 at 7:00 PM - Board of Education Regular Meeting
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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.
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1.1. Call Meeting to Order
Discussion:
President Matt O'Daniel called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
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1.2. Roll Call
Discussion:
Board Members Present: Matt O'Daniel, Teri O'Flaherty, Jessica Scheer, Luanne Sundberg, Shanon Willmott. Board Member Bruce Scheer was absent to attend the FFA Banquet. He will arrive late. Also present was Superintendent Lynn Johnson, Elementary Principal Jacque Morgan, Athletic Director James Shada and Cheryl Keeler, recording secretary. |
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1.3. Pledge of Allegiance
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1.4. Approval of Regular Meeting Agenda
Rationale:
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
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2. 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:
Kathy Rhea addressed the Board with her concerns regarding property taxes and the resignation of several teachers with master's degrees. Teachers with a master's degree are able to offer classes for college credit to students. Classes taught by new teachers hired without a master's could not count towards college credit. Mrs Rhea would like to see cost saving measures applied to athletic programs rather than academic programs. Ms. Rhea was also concerned about the oversight that led to Arlington Public Schools and its high achieving students not being listed in the academic section published by the Omaha World Herald.
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3. CURRICULUM/INSTRUCTION REPORTS
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3.1. Physical Education Reports
Discussion:
Steve Johnson presented the elementary PE report and Tyler Spitser presented the high school PE report, both were available to answer questions. Both PE programs offer a wide variety of activities to students.
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4. REVIEW OF ANNUAL DISTRICT PLAN
Discussion:
Superintendent Johnson updated the board on gains made to strategies within district goals.
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5. PRINCIPALS’ REPORTS
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5.1. Mr. Pfingsten's Report
Discussion:
Mr. Pfingsten was absent Superintendent Johnson asked asked if there were any questions on Pfingsten's written report. Mrs. Johnson apologized to Grace Volk, who was at the meeting, and who should have been recognized in the Omaha World Herald for high academic achievement. Other students that met the criteria were Grant Bracht and Jordyn Werth. Steps have been taken to try to assure we will not be in this position again.
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5.2. Mrs. Morgan's Report
Discussion:
Mrs. Morgan reviewed her written report. She highlighted testing activities, daddy daughter dance, teacher appreciation week, concert, Bank in School program and summer school budget.
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5.3. Mr. Shada's Report
Discussion:
Mr. Shada presented his report. He detailed how the proposed STRIV broadcast program would work, costs involved and answered questions from the Board.
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6. SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT
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6.1. Legislative Report
Discussion:
Mrs. Johnson updated the Board on legislative attempts to take the burden away from property tax. With no new legislation to balance the revenue supporting education, we will rely heavily on property taxes again next year. Agricultural land valuation has gone down 10%. We will continue to watch to see how the federal level impacts the state level.
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6.2. Update on Staffing
Rationale:
Certificated Staff
Resignations: Elizabeth Fedde as a first grade teacher. Hires: Tamara Loberg as a first grade teacher. Noncertified Staff Resignations: Dixie Everitt as a high school paraeducator.
Discussion:
Mrs. Johnson reviewed the employee resignations and hires from the consent agenda. Luanne Sundberg raised questions regarding exit interviews and when that information could be shared with the Board. Matt O'Daniel stated that the exit interview information is legally confidential and the only information that could be shared with the Board is trending information. Mrs. Johnson stated that any information obtained in exit interviews, with a common theme and identifying a trend, can and would be shared with the Board.
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6.3. NASB Monthly Report
Discussion:
Mrs. Johnson shared the summary with the Board.
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7. COMMITTEE AND REPRESENTATIVE REPORTS
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7.1. Americanism/Education Evaluation
Discussion:
Information to be offered later in the meeting.
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7.2. Buildings and Grounds Committee
Discussion:
Written minutes had been submitted. Luanne Sundberg and Jessica Scheer reported on highlights of meetings, the facilitator meeting, and a summative needs list update.
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7.3. Finance Committee
Discussion:
No report
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7.4. Negotiations Committee
Discussion:
No report
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7.5. Bus Barn Temporary Committee
Discussion:
Matt O'Daniel indicated that this will be addressed in a later agenda item.
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7.6. Baseball Field Ad Hoc Committee
Discussion:
Will be presented in an agenda item later.
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7.7. Professional Development Sharing
Discussion:
No report
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8. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
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8.1. Discuss and Consider the Facility Planning Meeting.
Rationale:
Proposed Date:
Sunday, June 10 from 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. with optional 3:15 p.m. facility tour
Discussion:
Agenda for the June 10th meeting was presented. Mrs. Johnson requested that the Board review the participant list before they leave and asked them to please submit any other individuals that should be included.
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8.2. Discuss, Consider and Take Necessary Action to approve a contract for purchase of land from the Washington County Agricultural Society.
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
Discussion:
Luanne Sundberg questioned what constitutes changes that need to be approved by all parties. Mrs. Johnson explained that nothing is changing in regards to the interlocal agreement. No new ground is being added. The property being discussed will be assigned with a new lot number, which does not necessitate all parties need to approve. Mrs. Johnson has been in communications with the village regarding the change. There was discussion about the termination terms in the purchase agreement being in agreement with the termination dates in the interlocal agreement. The interlocal agreement renews every year unless someone takes action for it not to.
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8.3. Discuss, Consider and Review Policy 5422 Pregnant and Parenting Students on second reading.
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
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8.4. Discuss and Consider amendment to Policy 6270 and new Administrative Regulation 6270.
Discussion:
Johnson reviewed her recommendation and rationale of budgeting $650 per student to attend national conventions. Luanne Sundberg suggested the amount be $600 instead. No action taken.
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9. NEW BUSINESS
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9.1. Discuss and Consider the purchase of social studies curriculum materials.
Discussion:
Mrs. Johnson shared with the board how the social studies curriculum materials were selected and the committee was recommending the purchase to the board. Since the curriculum recommendation had been made, the state has changed the timeline for alignment to standards. It is suggested materials not be purchased until final guidelines are issued by the state. By the end of next school year, we'll have a good idea of what the changes will be. This means we will purchase selected materials next year. The committee will look at this again before purchasing the social studies curriculum. We will be purchasing two sets of curriculum next year and can budget accordingly using depreciation fund dollars.
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9.2. Discuss, Consider and Take Necessary Action to approve the cost of resurfacing playgrounds.
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
Discussion:
Mrs. Johnson shared information with the Board on costs for the playground. Elementary Principal Morgan has obtained a grant from Scheels Sporting Goods for $47,000 to use on the project. In addition, we have applied for DEQ grants and the elementary has fundraised for equipment. If grants are realized, the cost to the district for both initiatives will be $33,839.
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9.3. Discuss, Consider and Take Action to adopt the 2018-2019 basic instructional budget.
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
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9.4. Discuss, Consider and Take Necessary Action to approve candidates for graduation.
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
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9.5. Discuss and Consider appointment of board member to fill probable vacancy.
Discussion:
The Board discussed the best options to fill the position which will be opened on the Board when Teri O'Flaherty moves out of district the end of June. Seat must be filled within 45 days according to state statutes.
Bruce Sheer entered meeting at 8:30 PM. Mr. Scheer shared the honors he and Heinen Brothers received at the FFA banquet. Board directive was, in order to make the most efficient use of Board time, that past Board members who have served within the last 5-7 years be contacted to see if they would be interested in serving on the Board until the November election fills the vacant seat. A committee of three will review candidates. |
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9.6. Discuss and Consider implementation of a Student Assistance Program and an Employee Assistance Program with Arbor Family Counseling.
Discussion:
Mrs. Johnson shared the costs and rational for recommendations to invest in mental and emotional health care for students and staff. Elementary Principal Morgan and Athletic Director Shada voiced their support for adding this resource. Discussion was held on how the addition of this resource, through Arbor Family Counseling, could be utilized and evaluated for effectiveness.
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10. CONSENT AGENDA
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
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10.1. Minutes of the Previous Board Meeting(s): April 9, 2018 Regular Meeting Minutes
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10.2. Monthly Financial Reports
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10.3. Claims (Check Register)
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10.4. Special Fund Transfers
Rationale:
Employee Benefit Fund Blue Cross/Blue Shield Health Ins. Admin. $8,546.80
QCPUF Fund First National Bank Interest on QCPUF Bond $22,776.25 Depreciation Fund Russell Hilgenkamp Backstop Reimbursement $607.26 Depreciation Fund Schmader Electric Construction Ball Field Lights $1,373.60 |
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10.5. Hot Lunch Report
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10.6. Activity Report
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10.7. Accept resignation from Elizabeth Fedde as elementary teacher at the end of her 2017-2018 teaching contract.
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10.8. Accept Resignation from Dixie Everitt as paraeducator effective at the end of the 2017-18 school year.
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10.9. Hire Tamara Loberg as an elementary teacher.
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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.
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
Discussion:
Mr. O'Daniel restated the motion and reason for entering executive session and asked the minutes reflect that Jessica Scheer will be excused from executive session noting a conflict of interest. The board entered into executive session at 9:21 p.m
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11.1. Discuss and Consider the negotiations of potential purchase of property for a bus barn.
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
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12. ACTION ON EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEMS
Discussion:
Let the minutes reflect that the board has given the superintendent negotiations guidance for the purchase of real estate.
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13. ADJOURNMENT
Discussion:
President Matt O'Daniel adjourned the meeting at 10:14 p.m.
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