December 16, 2024 at 5:30 PM - 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:
Board President Doug Pauley called the meeting to order at 5:43 p.m.
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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 Bob Arp will be absent. He notified the Administrator prior to the meeting.
Recommended Motion(s):
Discuss, consider and take all necessary action to approve 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.
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1.4. Pledge of Allegiance
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
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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 all 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.
Discussion:
No discussion.
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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.
Administrator Recommendation: Discuss, consider and take all necessary action to approve the virtual conferencing option for the January 2025 and February 2025 board meetings.
Recommended Motion(s):
Discuss, consider and take all necessary action to approve the virtual conferencing option for the January 2025 and February 2025 board meetings 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:
Dawn Lindsley asked how many of the 4 allowed zoom options we used. Administrator Elmshaeuser let her know the board has only used 1.
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4. Welcome Visitors
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Discussion:
No visitors.
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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:
None.
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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:
Administrator Recommendation: Discuss, consider and take all necessary action to approve the consent agenda as presented.
Recommended Motion(s):
Discuss, consider and take all necessary action 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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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 #78971 through #79114 totaling $1,075,537.21
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
The summary of bills for the current month total:$1,075,537.21 - Bills #78971 through #79114 General Activity Fund total: $733.69
Attachments:
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6.3. Reading of Article IV, Section 9, F Bereavement Leave
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
This is a consent item.
Attachments:
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6.4. Reading of Article IV, Section 9, G Personal Leave
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
This is a consent item.
Attachments:
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6.5. Reading of Article IV, Section 9, H Maternity Leave
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
This is a consent item.
Attachments:
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6.6. Reading of Article IV, Section 9, I Professional Leave
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
This is a consent item.
Attachments:
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6.7. Reading of Article IV, Section 9, J Vacation Leave
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
This is a consent item.
Attachments:
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6.8. Excess Lodging and Meals
Rationale:
Excess Lodging and Meals:
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7. Potential Further Discussion of Chief Administrator Candidates and Related Negotiations Discussion
Rationale:
If necessary, the board will continue further discussion of the Chief Administrator interviews and related negotiations discussion.
Recommended Motion(s):
If necessary, motion to enter closed session to prevent the needless injury to the reputation of individuals and for negotiations discussion as it relates to the Chief Administrator position Passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
Discussion:
We have negotiated with Candidate #2. The offer has been accepted. Waiting for Shari Becker to approve making a public announcement.
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8. Treasurer's Report
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
Review the breakdown of the Treasurer's Report.
Administrator Recommendation: Discuss, consider and take all necessary action to accept the Treasurer's Report as presented.
Recommended Motion(s):
Discuss, consider and take all necessary action to accept 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.
Discussion:
Board Member Dawn Lindsley asked about cash reserve percentage as a former board goal was to keep it at 10%. Business Manager Linda Shefcyk reported it is above the 10%.
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9. Administrator's Report General
Speaker(s):
Administrator or Designee
Rationale:
Attachments:
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Discussion:
Chief Administrator Kris Elmshaeuser presented the ESUCC slides. She expounded upon the information presented on the slides which included information reported at the ESUCC board meeting on November 20, 2024. Updates from the ESUCC CEO Dr. Larianne Polk included the new structure to the Professional Development Organization meetings, to reduce the amount of travel by ESU staff. Also presented was the update to the Literacy Coaches and the organizational chart for ESUCC.
Directors were not present tonight but written reports are attached. Reminder of the upcoming Regional Professional Development Day in January. Agency team is working hard to put it on. Administrator Elmshaeuser offered the NRCSA schedule for review and asked the board if they wanted to attend. Administrator Elmshaeuser reminded them to let Executive Secretary Morgan Morsett know if they wanted to attend. |
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9.1. Goal Update
Speaker(s):
Administrator or Designee
Rationale:
Attachments:
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Goals:
Discussion:
Goal 3: Board Member Richard Stephens will attend the Boone Central board meeting with Director Dan Ellsworth.
Goal 1 is near completion with the interview process, offer made and acceptance by the candidate. |
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9.2. Services Update
Speaker(s):
Administrator or Designee
Rationale:
Attachments:
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Discussion:
Administrator Kris Elmshaeuser referred to the SIMPL chart with the current numbers.
Boardsmanship event will be on January 29, 2025. This is offered to all board members in our service area. President Doug Pauley asked if it was the same event that we had to cancel back in June due to low registrations. Administrator Elmehaeuser confirmed that it was and stated we will see if we get better attendance for this meeting. Superintendents still expressed interest in the event. |
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9.3. Facilities Update
Speaker(s):
Administrator or Designee
Rationale:
The Administrator will provide a facilities update during this item.
Goals:
Discussion:
Administrator Elmshaeuser stated the North Building HVAC should be completed this month. They are still finishing some outside work and drywall for the heaters placed by the front enterance.
For the South Building, there was a request for a change order to add a beam needed to the movable wall. Additional cost is around $4,000. Progress is being made on the playground project. Once the specs are created, a Buildings and Ground Committee meeting will be scheduled. |
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9.4. Personnel
Speaker(s):
Administrator or designee
Rationale:
New Hires:
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9.5. Legislative Update
Speaker(s):
Administrator or Designee
Rationale:
During this item, the Administrator will provide a Legislative Update to members of the Board.
Attachments:
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Discussion:
Administrator Elmshaeuser referenced the attached document. The legislative session will begin January 8, 2025. This is a 90-day session. Information was shared on who is currently running for the Chair of the Education Committee, Revenue Committee, Appropriations Committee and Retirement Committee. Senator Hughes and Senator McKeon attended our Superintendent's meeting on December 10, 2024. New senators include Dave Wordekemper, District 15 and Jared Storm, District 23.
Administrator Elmshaeuser shared the concerns going into this legislative session. |
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10. Committee Reports
Speaker(s):
Committee Chair
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10.1. Negotiations Committee Report
Rationale:
The Negotiations Committee met on November 18, 2024. The Negotiations Committee recommends a 5% total package increase for the 2025-2026 Negotiated Agreement with the ESUEA negotiated staff. The increase includes $824 on the base, raising it from $38,768 to $39,592, and increasing the board's portion of health insurance paid from 60% employee/child, which is $11,919.74 to 75% of employee/child, which is $14,899.68.
Committee Recommendation: Discuss, consider, and approve a 5% total package increase. This includes $824 on the base, raising it from $38,592, and increasing the board's portion of health insurance paid from 60% employee/child, which is $11,919.74 to 75% of employee/child, which is $14,899.68.
Recommended Motion(s):
Discuss, consider, and approve a 5% total package increase for the 2025-2026 Negotiated Agreement with the ESUEA negotiated staff. This includes $824 on the base, raising it from $38,592, and increasing the board's portion of health insurance paid from 60% employee/child, which is $11,919.74 to 75% of employee/child, which is $14,899.68. 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:
Motion was made by board member Richard Stephens and second by board member Don Graff to approve the 5% total package increase for the Negotiated Agreement with the ESUEA.
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11. Conference Report
Speaker(s):
Conference Attendees
Rationale:
Conference Attendees will report on their learnings.
Discussion:
Board members Don Graff and Joyce Baumert shared information on the sessions they attended at the AESA Annual Conference in Orlando, Florida, December 3-6, 2024.
Board members Doug Pauley, Marni Danhauer, Jack Young, Joyce Baumert, Gary Wieseler and Dawn Lindsley all shared information regarding the sessions they attended at the State Education Conference in Omaha, November 21-22, 2024. |
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12. Adjournment
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Discussion:
Meeting was adjourned by Board President Doug Pauley at 6:22 p.m.
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