December 19, 2022 at 5:30 PM - Regular Board of Directors Meeting
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1. Call the Meeting to Order
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
LEADERSHIP • SERVICE • SUPPORT
Notice of this meeting was given in advance according to State Law 84-1411, by giving notice of the meeting to the public on ESU 7 website www.esu7.org and posted at location of meeting. Notice of this meeting was also given in advance to all members of the Board of Education of Educational Service Unit 7. Availability of the agenda and purpose of the hearing was communicated in the advance notice of the meeting and in the notice to the members of this hearing. All proceedings of the Board of Education of Educational Service Unit 7 were taken while the convened hearing was open to the attendance of the public.
Discussion:
Roll call was taken at 5:31pm.
Board President conducted the meeting. Staff present: Larianne Polk, Administrator Linda Shefcyk, Business Manager Mindy Reed, Secretary to the Board of Directors Marci Ostmeyer, Professional Development Director Tami Clay, Special Education Director Dan Ellsworth, Network Operations Director |
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1.1. Notification of Open Meetings Law
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
This meeting has been preceded by reasonable advance notice and is hereby declared to be in open session. A copy of the Open Meetings Act is posted in the meeting room.
Attachments:
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1.2. Roll Call
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
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1.3. Absent Board Members
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
Recommendation: Discuss, consider and take action to approve the Board member absences.
Recommended Motion(s):
Approval of Board Member absences as presented Passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
Discussion:
Board members Richard Luebbe and Marni Danhauer were absent. They both notified the Administrator prior to the meeting.
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1.4. Pledge of Allegiance
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Discussion:
All members present participated in the Pledge of Allegiance.
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2. Approval of Agenda
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
The sequence of agenda topics is subject to change at the discretion of the Board.
Recommended Motion(s):
Agenda as presented Passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
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3. Virtual Conferencing Option
Speaker(s):
Board President or designee
Rationale:
Nebraska Revised Statute § 84-1411 authorizes virtual meetings for educational service units if the requirements of subdivision (2)(b) are met. The board will determine if next month's board meeting should allow for a virtual conferencing option.
Recommendation: Discuss, consider and take any necessary action to approve the virtual conferencing option for the _______ board meeting.
Recommended Motion(s):
Discuss, consider and take any necessary action to approve the virtual conferencing option for the _______ board meeting Passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
Discussion:
Board President Doug Pauley recommended having a virtual conferencing option for the January and February board meetings. There will still be an in-person option for both meetings.
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4. Welcome Visitors
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Discussion:
No visitors present.
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5. Public Comment
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
The Board has the discretion to limit the amount of time set aside for public participation.
Citizens wishing to address the Board on a certain agenda item must complete the Request to be Heard Document prior to the start of the board meeting. Citizens wishing to present petitions to the Board may do so at this time. However, the Board will only receive the petitions and not act upon them or their contents.
Discussion:
No public comments provided.
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6. Retirement Resolutions - Nancy Smith, Production Personnel
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
BOARD RESOLUTION OF ESU 7 IN RECOGNITION AND PROFOUND APPRECIATION OF DISTINGUISHED SERVICE BY NANCY SMITH, PRODUCTION PERSONNEL IN RECOGNITION AND PROFOUND APPRECIATION OF DISTINGUISHED SERVICE BY NANCY SMITH WHEREAS, Nancy has always been mindful of the interests of Educational Service Unit and has worked tirelessly to advance ESU 7; and WHEREAS, Nancy has provided outstanding support and guidance to ESU 7; and WHEREAS, Nancy has faithfully and with honor, integrity and great distinction served as Production Personnel for ESU 7; RESOLVED, that the ESU 7 Board of Directors formally acknowledges and extends its profound appreciation to Nancy for nearly 44 years of service to ESU 7 and her cause of impact on education. As a token of appreciation, ESU 7 will provide Nancy with a gift recognizing her retirement; RESOLVED FURTHER, that the Board Members of ESU 7 are hereby authorized and directed to take such action as may be necessary, appropriate or advisable to implement this resolution; and We, the undersigned, hereby certify that the ESU 7 Board is comprised of 12 members, of whom __, constituting a quorum, were present at a meeting duly and regularly called, noticed, convened and held this 19 day of December, 2022, and that the foregoing Resolution was duly adopted at said meeting by the affirmative vote of __ members, and opposed by __ members, and said Resolution has been duly recorded in the Minutes and is in full force and effect. Recommendation: Discuss, consider and take any necessary action to approve the Retirement Resolutions as presented for Nancy Smith.
Recommended Motion(s):
Discuss, consider and take any necessary action to approve the Retirement Resolutions as presented for Nancy Smith Passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
Attachments:
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Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
Discussion:
Nancy Smith was present for this agenda item. She was presented with the signed retirement resolution and retirement gift. Nancy's entire working career has been at ESU 7 and all of her life milestones have occurred while working at ESU 7. Administrator Polk, Director Ostmeyer, and the entire ESU 7 family wishes Nancy the best.
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7. Board Spotlight - School Psychology
Speaker(s):
Board President or designee
Rationale:
School Psychologist Jackie Ternus will present the School Psychology Spotlight to the Board.
Attachments:
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Discussion:
This agenda item is tabled and will be moved to a future meeting.
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8. Consent Agenda
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
Unless removed from the consent agenda, items identified within the consent agenda will be acted on at one time. If any Board member wishes to discuss an item, it must be removed from the consent agenda at which time the remaining items will be acted upon. Consent Agenda Includes:
Recommendation: Discuss, consider and take any action necessary to approve the consent agenda as presented.
Recommended Motion(s):
Consent agenda as presented Passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
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8.1. Minutes
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
This is a consent item.
Attachments:
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8.2. Presentation of Bills #75272 through #75431 totaling $800,932.68
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
The summary of bills for the current month total:$800,932.68 - Bills #75272 through #75431 Inservice bills total: $225.00
Attachments:
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8.3. Reading of Article II, Section 12, A Minutes
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
This is a consent item.
Attachments:
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8.4. Reading of Article III, Section 1, A ESU Services
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
This is a consent item.
Attachments:
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8.5. Reading of Article III, Section 1, B Core Services to Member Districts
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
This is a consent item.
Attachments:
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8.6. Reading of Article III, Section 1, C Use of Core Service Funds and Property Tax Funds
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
This is a consent item.
Attachments:
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8.7. Reading of Article III, Section 1, E Use of Funds from Other Sources
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
This is a consent item.
Attachments:
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8.8. TRA - Excess Lodging and Meals
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
Excess Lodging and Meals:The Admin Dept and Board have travel excesses while attending the 2022 AESA Annual Conference in Atlanta, GA, November 29-December 1.
Excess for lodging and meals:
This is a consent item. |
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9. Treasurer's Report
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
Review the breakdown of the Treasurer's Report
Recommended Motion(s):
Discuss, consider and take any action necessary to approve the Treasurer's Report as presented. Passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
Attachments:
()
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
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10. Administrator's Report General
Speaker(s):
Administrator or Designee
Rationale:
1. January 2023 - December 2025 2. Cost not to exceed $12,000 per year 3. Addresses - goods, services, personnel, and facility needs
Recommended Motion(s):
Discuss, consider, and take all necessary action with regard to: NEBRASKA CYBERSECURITY NETWORK COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT
1. January 2023 - December 2025
2. Cost not to exceed $12,000 per year
3. Addresses - goods, services, personnel, and facility needs Passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
Attachments:
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Goals:
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
Discussion:
Administrator Polk sent the Board the Kiddie Cab Memo for review. The owner of Kiddie Cab contacted the Special Education Department about a contract signed through 2023. There is no record of a contract on the ESU 7 Board agenda or minutes or the paper files. If a contract is produced, ESU 7 would honor it. ESU 7 Special Education is transporting our own students and it is more cost-effective. Background checks are completed on all staff and a DMV record is pulled for every staff member who drives.
Professional Development Report - Director Ostmeyer provided an update on NDE designations and classifications. Classifications are required by state law, which is determined by how the schools perform in the state tests. The classifications are: Excellent, Great, Good, Needs Support to Improve. Each school building gets a classification and then the overall district gets the classification. The ESU 7 external visit is at the end of March. The Accreditation Team met with our external lead and the schedule is being created. There will be a time when the external team will ask to interview board members. Technology Report - Director Ellsworth provided an update on cybersecurity. Since the report in November, the cybersecurity vulnerabilities decreased from 200+ down to 20 and those will be addressed by January 2023. There are opportunities for additional funding. There are additional groups being formed to discuss and address cybersecurity vulnerabilities. ESU 7 needs to try to position ourselves appropriately to be in the conversation regarding resources. One way to do that is to participate in the Nebraska Cybersecurity Network (NCN). The attached interlocal agreement is to join the NCN. Administrator Polk reviewed the attached flyer. The tech positions in the ESUs are already heavily involved in addressing cybersecurity vulnerabilities and being a voice for schools. The NCN interlocal agreement is for 3 years. ESU 7 can reassess our involvement annually and can step out of it any time. There will be a lot of work from now through the end of the fiscal year. Director Ellsworth will provide an NCN update during the board meetings. |
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10.1. Goal Update
Speaker(s):
Administrator or Designee
Rationale:
Goals - Attached for your Review
Attachments:
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Goals:
Discussion:
Administrator Polk reviewed the goal updates. Due to a scheduling conflict, ESU 7 board and Directors will have to reschedule attending the Clarkson board meeting in January.
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10.2. Services Update
Speaker(s):
Administrator or Designee
Rationale:
Items inside this item include visit updates, quarterly report, director reports, etc.
Attachments:
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Discussion:
Board Member Dawn Lindsley attended the Superintendent/Principal meeting and was pleased with the service planning process. Administrator Polk will discuss the draft of the service plan with the Directors and bring it to the January 2023 Superintendent meeting. There are currently 17 of 19 Service Planning survey responses. The draft Service Plan will be provided for the Board to approve at the February 2023 board meeting.
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10.3. Facilities Update
Speaker(s):
Administrator or Designee
Rationale:
The Administrator will provide a facilities reorganization update during this item.
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
Discussion:
There was a motion to move into Executive Session to discuss strategy regarding property negotiations. Board President Pauley restated the motion prior to moving into Executive Session. The Board moved into Executive Session at 6:33pm. The time the board meeting reconvened was at 7:16pm.
The Board authorized Administrator Polk to negotiate with Columbus Public Schools to sever the interlocal cooperation agreement for the joint special education agreement. |
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10.4. Personnel
Speaker(s):
Administrator or designee
Rationale:
All Classified/Non Cert Hires and Resignations under this item. Not an action item.
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10.5. Legislative Update
Speaker(s):
Administrator or Designee
Rationale:
During this item, the Administrator will provide a Legislative Update to members of the Board.
Discussion:
The Legislative Session starts on January 4, 2023. The first ten days of the session, bills will be introduced.
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11. Committee Reports
Speaker(s):
Committee Chair
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11.1. Administrator Evaluation Committee Report
Speaker(s):
Administrator Evaluation Committee Chair
Rationale:
A report of activities from the Administrator Evaluation Committee will be given during this item. Administrator Evaluation Committee: Marni Danhauer, Dawn Lindsley, Donald Ellison, and Joyce Baumert.
Evaluation Timeline: - August: Evaluation Committee to meet in September to go through comments and create a summary. Larianne will meet with the Evaluation Committee chair. - September: Full Board is provided a copy of the Administrator Evaluation - October: Administrator sends digital evaluation and evaluation resources to the Evaluation Committee Chair in the first week of October. The chair then forwards on to full Board for completion by October Board Meeting. Administrator completes Evaluation Tool as self-assessment and sends to Evaluation Committee on or before October 31. - November: Committee Chair will send the completed Administrator self-assessment to full Board after November 1. Evaluation Committee compiles results of full Board completed evaluations prior to the November Board Meeting. - December: Evaluation Committee meets prior to December Board Meeting to review with Administrator the results of evaluation. Report to full Board in December Board Meeting following Closed Session requirements with Administrator present. - January: Confirm Evaluation Committee members. Administrator provides Evaluation Committee with goals and shares with Board at January Board Meeting.
Attachments:
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Discussion:
The Evaluation Committee Chair is not present, she will provide an update at the January 2023 Board Meeting.
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11.2. Administrator Intent to Extend
Speaker(s):
Board President or designee
Rationale:
Administrator Polk has submitted her formal Notice of Intent to Exend her contract to Board President Doug Pauley.
Attachments:
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Discussion:
Administrator Polk submitted her formal Notice of Intent to Extend her contract to Board President Doug Pauley.
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12. Conference Report
Speaker(s):
Conference Attendees
Rationale:
Conference Attendees will report on their learnings.
Attachments:
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Discussion:
Board Vice President Jack Young provided an update on his experience at the AESA Annual Conference. There was a nice variety of sessions to attend. Vice President Young enjoyed the old conference format better. There were a lot of sessions discussing stress and mental health, not only regarding students but school personnel as well. A lot of teachers do very well with handling students with mental health concerns, but they do not take care of their own mental health as effectively. Vice President Young also attended Crucial Conversations. The overarching theme was to be honest. He found it to be a good session. Vice President Young attended the session presented by ESU 7's Ronelle Jackson, the session was very informative. Administrator Polk presented two sessions.
Board Secretary Jen Miller reviewed the Dream Forward attached slides. Secretary Miller attended the Collective Equality session. It discussed a sense of belonging. On the second day, Secretary Miller attended Buff Nuggets shared details of the interactive session. Administrator Polk discussed the session on flexible work arrangements and a remote office in an ESA. ESU 7 may try some things related to a flexible work arrangement in the Fall. Board member Joyce Baumert attended a Ruby Payne session and enjoyed the content. |
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13. Adjournment
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Discussion:
Meeting adjourned at 7:36pm.
Minutes respectfully submitted by Mindy Reed, Recording Secretary to the ESU 7 Board. |
