June 17, 2024 at 3:30 PM - Regular Board of Education Meeting
Minutes | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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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 3:36pm.
Board Vice President started off the meeting. Staff present: Larianne Polk, Administrator Linda Shefcyk, Business Manager Mindy Reed, Secretary to the Board of Directors 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:
Administrator Recommendation: Discuss, consider and take action to approve the Board member absences.
Recommended Motion(s):
Discuss, consider and take action to approve the 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 President Doug Pauley was tardy for personal reasons.
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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):
Discuss, consider and take any necessary action to approve the 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. June Spotlight - Speech
Attachments:
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Discussion:
Christina Hancock, Speech Language Pathology (SLP) Coordinator, presented the SLP Department spotlight to the Board. The SLP Department is made up of four employees for a total of 47 years of experience, with 45 of those years being at ESU 7. In the 2023-2024 academic year, the SLP department served East Butler, Schuyler Public, Howells-Dodge, Humphrey, St. Edward, and High Plains school districts. There were 347 students served, 372 Individualized Educational Plan (IEP) meetings attended, 134 evaluations completed, and 55 student dismissals in the 2023-2024 academic year. For the upcoming 2024-2025 academic year, the SLP department will serve Columbus Public, Howells-Dodge, Humphrey, St. Edward, High Plains, Osceola, and the ESU 7 programs. There are six treatment areas the SLP team works with: speech sound disorders, language, stuttering, voice, social communication, and feeding/swallowing.
Questions from the board:
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4. 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.
Administrator Recommendation: Discuss, consider and take any necessary action to approve the virtual conferencing option for the August board meeting.
Recommended Motion(s):
Discuss, consider and take any necessary action to approve the virtual conferencing option for the August 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 August 2024 board meeting.
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5. Welcome Visitors
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Discussion:
One visitor present.
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6. 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 comment provided.
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7. Buildings and Grounds Committee Report
Speaker(s):
Buildings and Grounds Committee Chair
Rationale:
The Buildings and Grounds Committee Chairperson will provide an update.
Attachments:
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Discussion:
Buildings and Grounds Committee Chairperson, Bob Arp, provided the committee report to the board. The last Buildings and Grounds Committee meeting focused on discussing details of the Bridges project. Chairperson Bob Arp and Administrator Polk reviewed the attached screenshots. There will be two classrooms separated by a collapsible wall. The classrooms will have a common bathroom. There will be two recovery rooms, one in each area. There will be a sensory room, which will be shared with Cen7ter. The sensory room will be used as a calming room and will include compression type vests, swings, and lower lighting. Chairperson Bob Arp and Administrator Polk discussed where the fencing is proposed to go. RVW is confident the project will be complete by the 2025-2026 school year.
Questions from the Board:
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8. Board Vacancy - District 3
Speaker(s):
Board President or designee
Rationale:
Board Member,Jennifer Miller, submitted her resignation on May 20, 2024. NEB. REV. STAT. § Section 32-562 requires the vacancy to be accepted by the rest of the board. Further, Section 32-574 states, "Unless otherwise provided by law, all vacancies shall be filled within forty-five days after the vacancy occurs unless good cause is shown that the requirement imposes an undue burden."
District 3 includes the following school districts: Columbus Public, Fullteron, High Plains, Humphrey, Lakeview, Palmer, St. Edward, and Twin River. Administrator Recommendation: Discuss, consider and take any action necessary to approve the resignation as District 3 Board Member submitted by Jennifer Miller.
Recommended Motion(s):
Discuss, consider and take any action necessary to approve the resignation as District 3 Board Member submitted by Jennifer Miller 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.
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9. District 3 Board Application
Speaker(s):
Board President or designee
Rationale:
An application has been received for the board vacancy in District 3. NEB. REV. STAT. § Section 79-1217(2) states that the appointee will serve "for the balance of the unexpired term" of the board spot that has been vacated. Applications were submitted by:
Recommended Motion(s):
Discuss, consider, and vote to approve the resolution appointing Amy E. Blaser to the Educational Service Unit No. 7 Board position based on a vacancy for a term ending on December 31, 2026 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.
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10. Election of Secretary of Board of Education
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
Administrator Recommendation: Discuss, consider and take any necessary action to elect __________ as Secretary of Board of Education.
Recommended Motion(s):
Discuss, consider and take any necessary action to elect __________ as Secretary of Board of Education 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 member Richard Stephens nominated board member Dawn Lindsley to be the ESU 7 Secretary of the Board of Education.
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11. 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:
Administrator Recommendation: Discuss, consider and take any action necessary to approve the consent agenda as presented.
Recommended Motion(s):
Discuss, consider and take any action necessary to approve the 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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11.1. Minutes
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
This is a consent item.
Attachments:
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11.2. Presentation of Bills #78098 through #78241 totaling $1,274,539.62
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
The summary of bills for the current month total:$1,274,539.62 - Bills #78098 through #78241 General Activity Fund total: $0
Attachments:
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11.3. Resignations
Speaker(s):
Board President or designee
Rationale:
Attachments:
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11.4. 2024-2025 Contract for Amy Slama, Grant Coordinator
Speaker(s):
Board President or designee
Rationale:
This is a consent item.
Attachments:
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11.5. 2024-2025 Contract for Cara Neesen, Student Services Principal
Speaker(s):
Board President or designee
Rationale:
This is a consent item.
Attachments:
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11.6. 2024-2025 Contract for Kassandra Cornwell, Provisionally Licensed Mental Health Practitioner
Speaker(s):
Board President or designee
Rationale:
This is a consent item.
Attachments:
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11.7. 2024-2025 Contract for Lynne Webster, Licensed Mental Health Practitioner
Speaker(s):
Board President or designee
Rationale:
This is a consent item.
Attachments:
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11.8. 2024-2025 Contract for Megan Welch, Mental Health Practitioner
Speaker(s):
Board President or designee
Rationale:
This is a consent item.
Attachments:
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11.9. 2024-2025 Contract for Merridie Kaup, Mental Health Practitioner
Speaker(s):
Board President or designee
Rationale:
This is a consent item.
Attachments:
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11.10. 2024-2025 Contract for Tami Clay, Special Education Director
Speaker(s):
Board President or designee
Rationale:
This is a consent item.
Attachments:
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11.11. Authorization of Administrator to Sign for Federal/State Funds
Speaker(s):
Board President or designee
Rationale:
This is a consent item.
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12. Treasurer's Report
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
Review the breakdown of the Treasurer's Report.
Administrator Recommendation: Discuss, consider and take any action necessary to approve the Treasurer's Report as presented.
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:
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Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
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13. Reading of Article IV, Section 9, F Bereavement Leave
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
Recommended Motion(s):
Discuss, consider and take all necessary action to approve Article IV, Section 9, F Bereavement Leave as presented 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:
The bereavement leave in the negotiated agreement has been different from the bereavement leave policy in the policy manual. The changes suggested would update the bereavement leave policy in the policy manual to match the bereavement leave approved in the negotiated agreement. Having the policies match would have all staff utilizing the same bereavement leave specifications.
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14. Authorization of the Administrator to Pay July Bills in absence of July Board Meeting
Speaker(s):
Board President or designee
Rationale:
The ESU 7 Board of Education will not meet in July, 2024. This Board action gives authority to the Administrator to pay July bills. The ESU 7 Board will approve these expenses in the next possible Board Meeting. Administrator Recommendation: Discuss, consider and take any action to approve the Administrator's payment of bills in July 2024.
Recommended Motion(s):
Discuss, consider and take any action to approve the Administrator's payment of bills in July 2024 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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15. Budgeting for additional 1% Budget Authority
Speaker(s):
Board President or designee
Rationale:
Nebraska Statute allows an additional 1% in budgeted property tax asking requiring an affirmative vote of 75% of the governing body for approval. These additional budget authority dollars remain critical as we continue to operate with the one and a half cent levy, no state aid funding for 2024-2025, and spending restrictions for the upcoming years. In the event valuations change or additional funding becomes available, this action will allow ESU 7 additional budget authority to access those dollars. Administrator Recommendation: Discuss, consider and take any necessary action to approve the additional 1% in budgeted tax asking.
Recommended Motion(s):
Discuss, consider and take any necessary action to approve the additional 1% in budgeted tax asking 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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16. Monday, September 16 at 5:15 p.m. in the ESU 7 Oak Room - Budget Hearing and Budget Summary, followed by the Final Tax Request Hearing, and then followed by the Regular Board Meeting
Speaker(s):
Board President or designee
Rationale:
Monday, September 16 at 5:15pm in the ESU 7 Oak Room - Budget Hearing and Budget Summary, followed by the Final Tax Request Hearing, which will be followed by the Regular Board Meeting to start at 5:30pm or when the Final Tax Request Hearing is concluded, whichever is later.
Administrator Recommendation: Discuss, consider and take any necessary action to approve the Monday, September 16 schedule for the Budget Hearing and Budget Summary, Final Tax Request Hearing, and the Regular Board Meeting as presented.
Recommended Motion(s):
Discuss, consider and take any necessary action to approve the Monday, September 16 schedule for the Budget Hearing and Budget Summary, Final Tax Request Hearing, and the Regular Board Meeting 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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17. ESU 7 Employee Benefit Solutions - Omnify
Speaker(s):
Board President or designee
Rationale:
Omnify is amending and restating the ESU 7 flexible spending account (FSA) plan.
Resolved, that the form of amended and restated Welfare Benefit Plan, effective September 01, 2024, presented to this meeting (and a copy of which is attached hereto) is hereby approved and adopted, and that the proper agents of the Employer are hereby authorized and directed to execute and deliver to the Administrator of said Plan one or more counterparts of the Plan. Resolved, that the Administrator shall be instructed to take such actions that the Administrator deems necessary and proper in order to implement the Plan, and to set up adequate accounting and administrative procedures for the provision of benefits under the Plan. Resolved, that the proper agents of the Employer shall act as soon as possible to notify the employees of the Employer of the adoption of the Plan and to deliver to each employee a copy of the Summary Plan Description of the Plan, which Summary Plan Description is attached hereto and is hereby approved. Administrator Recommendation: Discuss, consider, and take any necessary action to adopt the resolutions as presented.
Recommended Motion(s):
Discuss, consider, and take any necessary action to adopt the resolutions as presented 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:
Business Manager Linda Shefcyk notified the board that ESU 7 currently utilizes Almquist (AMGL) and will be switching to Omnify for 2024-2025. ESU 7 currently uses Omnify for our Cobra for health and dental, so this switch will have our FSA and HSA with the same company. Omnify will make sure ESU 7 is compliant with offering Cobra for Health/Dental, Vision, HSA/FSA, Life and LTD, and it will also allow employees to invest their HSA dollars as an additional benefit, if they so choose.
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18. Resolution on Training Requirements
Speaker(s):
Board President or designee
Rationale:
After the passage of LB 1329, school districts are required to determine the length of time for every required annual training. ESU 7 will follow the same requirements for the same trainings we do for our pre-service days.
Administrator Recommendation: Discuss, consider and take any necessary action to approve the resolution as presented.
Recommended Motion(s):
Discuss, consider and take any necessary action to approve the resolution as presented 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:
Administrator Polk reviewed the requirements for school districts after the passage of LB 1329. ESU 7 has a three-year training rotation. The resolution will have to be reviewed and approved annually in June.
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19. Administrator's Report General
Speaker(s):
Administrator or Designee
Rationale:
Goals:
Discussion:
Special Education Report - Special Education Director Tami Clay provided the report for the board. The construction plans for the Bridges program are in process. The teacher and four of the five paraprofessionals have been hired. There are currently five students enrolled in the Bridges program for the 2024-2025 academic year. The curriculum, materials, and some furniture have all been ordered. Staff training has started taking place. Director Clay is currently writing Maintenance of Effort (MOE) eligibility for the schools, which is due on July 15, 2024. The IDEA grant application is open. Director Clay hopes to start working on those on Wednesday, June 19, 2024.
Technology Report - Network Operations Director Dan Ellsworth provided the report for the board. Cybersecurity Director Andy Boell, with the Nebraska Cybersecurity Network for Eduction (NCNE), sent out NCNE agreements to Superintendents. Director Ellsworth and the NCNE are encouraging the schools to sign the agreement. The NCNE is waiting for official word regarding funding for year two before any new projects are started. Director Ellsworth discussed the audiovisual (AV) work which needs to take place in the ESU 7 conference rooms. The technology budget has a large amount for AV proposed in the 24-25 budget year. The technology department is trying to enhance the AV system already in the Oak/Maple conference room, which is estimated to be close to $100,000. The estimate for the AV work in the Student Services A/B conference rooms is $200,000. The other conference rooms are estimated to be around $40,000 combined. In the smaller conference rooms, the tech department will install everything, whereas in the larger conference rooms, there will need to be additional assistance from a vendor. The projectors currently in the conference rooms were purchased back in 2018. The goal is to replace the projectors with 84"-85" television screens, with one or two in each room. In the Oak/Maple conference rooms, there will be a total of eight television screens. The AV work in the Student Services A/B conference rooms would be best to do in conjunction with the Bridges program construction, in order to minimize disruption in the conference room. Updated board member head shots will be taken in the January 2025 board meeting. Board member Bob Arp will now be on the Negotiations Committee. Board member Richard Stephens will now be the Negotiations Committee Chair. |
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19.1. Goal Update
Speaker(s):
Administrator or Designee
Rationale:
Attachments:
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Goals:
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19.2. Services Update
Speaker(s):
Administrator or Designee
Rationale:
Attachments:
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Discussion:
Administrator Polk provided an update on the Regional PD day. There are more individuals signing up to be presenters. The Directors communicated with the Columbus Chamber and the Drive for Five meeting about the event and asked for promotional items or items which could be handed out during the event. Administrator Polk received confirmation that the Agency Team can enter the venue after lunch on January 2, 2025, to set up for the event. The committee Director Clay is responsible for will be in contact with the board to request volunteering with the event.
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19.3. Personnel
Speaker(s):
Administrator or designee
Rationale:
All Classified/Non Certificated Hires and Resignations under this item. Not an action item.
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19.3.1. Additional Migrant Education Program Summer Work Agreements
Speaker(s):
Administrator or designee
Rationale:
Additional Migrant Education Program Summer Work Agreements:
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19.3.2. Personnel - 2024-2025 Contracts
Speaker(s):
Administrator or designee
Rationale:
2024-2025 Contracts offered and authorized by Chief Administrator Polk for the following staff:
- Alicia Hastreiter, Paraprofessional - Ashley Lerch, Paraprofessional - Barb Brockhaus, Paraprofessional - Breena Walkenhorst, Paraprofessional - Brenda Hake, Paraprofessional - Christine Barber, Paraprofessional - Harriet Nalumansi, Paraprofessional - Jeri Glenn, Paraprofessional - Joanna Terrazas, Paraprofessional - Kaedyn Stary, Paraprofessional - Kaylee Olmer, Paraprofessional - Kristen Cattau, Paraprofessional - Maelee Schleich, Paraprofessional - Melissa Schwichtenberg, Paraprofessional - Tammy Semrad, Paraprofessional - Tiffany Hackett, Paraprofessional - Kris Johnson, Brailist - Kaedyn Stary, Summer Production Personnel - Wendy Shotkoski, Summer Production Personnel - Emma Moore, Technology Trainee |
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19.4. Legislative Update
Speaker(s):
Administrator or Designee
Rationale:
Special Session:
Discussion:
Administrator Polk notified the board there would likely be a special session. At the time of the board meeting, there were no set dates for any special session(s). Most likely, the sessions will be held from mid-July to mid-August. Board member Dawn Lindsley, who is part of the NASB legislative committee, notified the board that the Governor is doing property tax town hall discussions. The town hall discussions are being published, and she is not sure how many more will be scheduled. If any of the board members are interested in attending one of the town hall discussions, speak with board member Dawn Lindsley to get more information.
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19.5. AESA Annual Conference
Speaker(s):
Administrator or Designee
Rationale:
The 2024 AESA Annual Conference Information Request form will be emailed to all board members. Please indicate if you intend on attending and fill out the necessary information and submit the form to Secretary to the Board, Mindy Reed by August 2, 2024.
Attachments:
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20. Committee Reports
Speaker(s):
Committee Chair
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20.1. Budget Committee Report
Speaker(s):
Budget Committee Chair
Rationale:
Reports of Budget Committee activities and discussion will take place during this item.
Committee Recommendation:
Discussion:
Budget Committee Chairperson Gary Wieseler provided the Budget Committee update to the board. The Budget Committee had their second meeting. Last month, the committee went over the general budget. Tonight, the Budget Committee talked about any changes to the general budget and spoke about the grants and special education budgets. The Budget Committee discussed AV improvements to conference rooms across the campus. The grants budget has to be built in, even though it can change significantly between now and when the budget will be proposed. At this point in the planning process, the budget was approximately $17.8 million. Chairperson Gary Wieseler suggested the Buildings and Grounds Committee meet with the Budget Committee to discuss facilities improvements and planning for fiscal decisions. The Budget Committee will meet again in August.
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21. Adjournment
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Discussion:
The meeting adjourned at 5:06pm.
Minutes respectfully submitted by Mindy Reed, Recording Secretary to the ESU 7 Board. |