September 18, 2023 Directly following the Tax Asking/Final Levy - Regular Board of Education 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 5:53pm.
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 |
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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:
Board member Donald Ellison will be absent; he notified the Administrator prior to the meeting.
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.
Discussion:
Board member Donald Ellison attended the board meeting. There were no absent board members.
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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 October board meeting.
Recommended Motion(s):
Discuss, consider and take any necessary action to approve the virtual conferencing option for the October board meeting Passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
Discussion:
There will not be a virtual conferencing option for the October 2023 board meeting.
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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. 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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6.1. Minutes
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
This is a consent item.
Attachments:
()
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6.2. Presentation of Bills #76686 through #76864 totaling $1,149,479.38
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
The summary of bills for the current month total:$1,149,479.38 - Bills #76686 through #76864 Inservice bills total: $0
Attachments:
()
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6.3. Reading of Article I, Section 5, E Negotiations
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
This is a consent item.
Attachments:
()
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6.4. Reading of Article III, Section 5, F Services
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
This is a consent item.
Attachments:
()
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6.5. Reading of Article III, Section 5, G Lease - Purchase
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
This is a consent item.
Attachments:
()
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6.6. Reading of Article III, Section 5, H Rebates to Employees or Board Members
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
This is a consent item.
Attachments:
()
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6.7. Reading of Article III, Section 5, I Credit Card Purchasing Program
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
This is a consent item.
Attachments:
()
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6.8. Reading of Article III, Section 5, J Payment of Bills Prior to Board Authorization
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
This is a consent item.
Attachments:
()
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6.9. Reading of Article III, Section 5, K Procurement Plan - School Food Authorities
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
This is a consent item.
Attachments:
()
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6.10. Reading of Article III, Section 6, A Use of Public Resources by Board Members and Employees
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
This is a consent item.
Attachments:
()
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7. Contracts for Amy Slama, Grant Coordinator and Transition Coach
Speaker(s):
Administrator or Designee
Rationale:
Amy Slama has two contracts, one for Transition Coach and one for Grant Coordinator.
Recommendation: Discuss, consider, and take any necessary action to approve the two contracts for Amy Slama as presented.
Recommended Motion(s):
Discuss, consider, and take any necessary action to approve the two contracts for Amy Slama 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:
The attached contracts will increase Amy Slama's FTE from .7 to 1.0 between the two positions.
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8. 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.
Discussion:
Administrator Polk reviewed the attached Treasurer's Report.
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9. 2023-2024 Resolution for Tax Asking and Final Levy
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
Now be it therefore resolved that the Board of ESU 7 has a tax request of $2,975,174.95 for the 2023-2024 fiscal year and the final levy of the Board of ESU 7 should be, and hereby is set at .015 for the 2023-2024 fiscal year.
Recommendation: Discuss, consider and take any necessary action to approve the 2023-2024 Tax Asking and Final Levy Resolution as presented.
Recommended Motion(s):
Discuss, consider and take any necessary action to approve the 2023-2024 Tax Asking and Final Levy Resolution 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.
Discussion:
The 2023-2024 Tax Asking and Final Levy Resolution was approved.
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10. Approval of the 2023-2024 Budget
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
Recommendation: Discuss, consider and take any action necessary to approve the 2023-2024 Budget as presented.
Recommended Motion(s):
Recommendation: Discuss, consider and take any action necessary to approve the 2023-2024 Budget 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.
Discussion:
The 2023-2024 budget was approved.
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11. Representation at the State Education Conference Delegate Assembly
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
Selection of one Board Member to represent ESU 7 at the Delegate Assembly on Friday, November 17, 2023 from 8:00am-9:30am.
Recommendation: Discuss, consider and take any action necessary to approve the Board Member to represent ESU 7 at the Delegate Assembly as presented.
Recommended Motion(s):
Discuss, consider and take any action necessary to approve the Board Member to represent ESU 7 at the Delegate Assembly 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 President Doug Pauley will represent ESU 7 at the Delegate Assembly.
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12. Administrator's Report General
Speaker(s):
Administrator or Designee
Rationale:
Attachments:
()
Goals:
Discussion:
Administrator Polk reviewed the attached ESUCC Update document. Board President Doug Pauley asked how much ESU 7 spent and saved using the coop. Administrator Polk will bring this information to the October 2023 board meeting.
Administrator Polk let the board know which ESU 7 public schools did not have representation at the June 2023 NASB/ESU 7 Boardsmanship event. The Nebraska Cybersecurity Network (NCN) group is hiring a project manager. Administrator Polk reviewed the list of upcoming events and who was/will be registered for each event. Board Secretary Jennifer Miller asked to be removed from the State Education Conference registration list since there would be a good number of other ESU 7 board members attending as she was only able to attend one of the two days. Director Ostmeyer provided the Professional Development and Print Shop report. The Professional Development team made it through the August flurry of activities and have settled into a nice support system for the schools. The Production Department is slowly converting to be called Print Shop. New teachers have been taught how to order from the Print Shop. Director Ostmeyer had the board involved in a production matching activity. Director Clay provided the Special Education report. The Special Education department is now past the beginning of the academic year. The department is supporting schools and answering questions that may arise. Director Clay has started final financials. Schools have continued to request a Low Functioning Autism service. Director Clay is having discussions with principals to see if schools are willing to pay for the new service. During the last Superintendent's Meeting, Director Clay left the Superintendents in charge to meet with their administration team to see if this is a service the schools really want. If so, there would need to be a commitment financially as this would be a new service. |
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12.1. Goal Update
Speaker(s):
Administrator or Designee
Rationale:
Goals - Attached for your Review
Attachments:
()
Goals:
Discussion:
Administrator Polk reviewed the goal updates with the Board. Director Ostmeyer and board member Marni Danhauer attended the Palmer board meeting and were impressed by the level of engagement the board gave the presentation. The next school board meeting will be Howells-Dodge in October. Board member Gary Wieseler will attend. Either Director Ostmeyer or Director Ellsworth will attend as well.
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12.2. Services Update
Speaker(s):
Administrator or Designee
Rationale:
 
Attachments:
()
Discussion:
Administrator Polk reviewed the attached screenshots as well as the attached Quarterly Update.
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12.3. Facilities Update
Speaker(s):
Administrator or Designee
Rationale:
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12.4. Personnel
Speaker(s):
Administrator or designee
Rationale:
New Hire:
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13. Committee Reports
Speaker(s):
Committee Chair
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13.1. Budget Committee Report
Speaker(s):
Budget Committee Chair
Rationale:
Reports of Budget Committee activities and discussion will take place during this item.
Discussion:
Budget Committee Chair Gary Wieseler provided the Budget Committee Report. The committee finished the budget work which has been reflected in the budget hearing. The Budget Committee and the board appreciate all of the time Administrator Polk, Director Clay, and Business Manager Linda Shefcyk put into working on the budget.
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13.2. Buildings and Grounds Committee Report
Speaker(s):
Administrator or designee
Rationale:
Discussion:
Board member Bob Arp provided the report for the Buildings and Grounds Committee. Two acronyms important to know for the report include AHU (air handling unit) and VRF (variable refrigerant flow). ESU 7 received two proposals from Alvine. One includes a new boiler, chiller, and controls while using the current system. The valves throughout the current system are corroding and will have to be replaced as well. The second includes a new VRF system. The second proposal is estimated to be more expensive up front. However, it provides more savings in the long run. Proposal one has an annual energy savings of approximately $8,270.00 whereas proposal two has an annual energy savings of approximately $11,550.00. After going through the information and discussing the details, the Buildings and Grounds Committee moved forward with the bidding for proposal number two. The next step will be to get bids out as soon as RVW has the spec documentation prepared.
There were two follow-up questions: what is the repair history, and what kind of inconvenience it will cause in the North Building. The repair history is extensive; an average of two pumps are replaced every month or two as well as service calls for other issues almost monthly. As for the inconvenience, the project will be phased in so staff can be spread out across the campus, and there should be little to no disruption to the staff. |
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13.3. Negotiations Committee Report
Speaker(s):
Negotiations Committee Chair
Rationale:
Joint Negotiations Meeting is scheduled for October 16, 2023 from 4:15pm-5:00pm. ESUEA will join the meeting at 4:45pm-5:00pm. Understanding Negotiations Work Session is scheduled for October 16, 2023 from 5:00pm-5:30pm. |
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13.3.1. Request to recognize ESUEA as exclusive bargaining agent for 2025-2026
Speaker(s):
Administrator or designee
Rationale:
The ESU 7 Education Association requests that the Board representing the Educational Service Unit 7 take action to recognize ESU 7 Education Association as the exclusive bargaining agent for the non-supervisory certificated staff for the 2025-2026 contract year.
Recommendation: Discuss, consider, and take any necessary action to recognize ESU 7 Education Association as exclusive bargaining agent for the non-supervisory certificated staff for the 2025-2026 contract year.
Recommended Motion(s):
Discuss, consider, and take any necessary action to recognize ESU 7 Education Association as exclusive bargaining agent for the non-supervisory certificated staff for the 2025-2026 contract year 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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13.4. 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.
Attachments:
()
Discussion:
Administrator Evaluation Committee Chair Marni Danhauer reviewed the UBPD document with the board. The Board was asked to provide words or descriptions of what Unsatisfactory, Basic, Proficient, and Distinguished mean to them in terms of evaluations.
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14. Adjournment
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Discussion:
Meeting adjourned at 7:26pm.
Minutes respectfully submitted by Mindy Reed, Recording Secretary to the ESU 7 Board. |
