January 11, 2016 at 5:00 PM - Board of Education Regular Meeting

Rationale: 

The mission of Gothenburg Public Schools, in partnership with the entire community, is to prepare all students within a positive, innovative, learning environment to become lifelong learners in the 21st century. 

A copy of the open meetings law is posted on the wall of the Board Room and is available to the public.

Please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance.

Rationale:  Dr. Teahon will preside over the realignment of the Board of Education.

Rationale:  Policy #9120 states that at the January meeting of the Board of Education, a President, Vice-President, and Secretary shall be elected from the membership to a one-year term of office.  Officers in 2015 were Nate Wyatt, President, Amber Burge, Vice President, and Lisa Geiken, Secretary.  Dr. Teahon will accept nominations for offices and conduct the elections.  Kay Streeter has served as Secretary to the Board and will continue to do so if approved.   Randy Waskowiak has served as Board Treasurer and has agreed to continue to so if approved.

Rationale:  Nominations for the office of president will be accepted.  No second is required for nominations.  Paper ballots will be used if more than one board member is nominated.

Rationale:  Nominations for the office of vice president will be accepted.  No second is required for nominations.  Paper ballots will be used if more than one board member is nominated.

Rationale:  Nominations for the office of secretary will be accepted.  No second is required for nominations.  Paper ballots will be used if more than one board member is nominated.

Rationale: 

Kay Streeter, Dawson County School District #20 Business Manager, has served as Secretary to the Board and has agreed to continue in this role approved by the Board of Education.  Mrs. Streeter should be authorized to sign checks for the following funds:

Student Activity

Hot Lunch

Petty Cash

Student Fees

Employee Benefit

Depreciation

Rationale:  Mr. Randy Waskoviak, First State Bank, has served as Board Treasurer and has agreed to continue in the role if approved by the Board of Education.

Rationale:  The adoption of an order of business to guide the preparation of future agenda and conduct of meetings as defined in Policy 9300, Bylaws of the Board – Meetings.  The Table of Contents for Article 8, Internal Board Policy and Article 9, Bylaws of the Board are linked for reference purposes only.

Rationale: 

Board policy #8151, adopted in 2008, requires standing committees in the following areas:

            1.            Negotiations (Personnel)

            2.            Curriculum, Americanism and Staff Relations (Data)

            3.            Transportation and Facilities

            4.            Finance

            5.            Policy

It shall further be the policy of Gothenburg Public Schools that the Superintendent shall appoint the members of the above committees.  The Superintendent will work with the reorganized board and propose standing committees at the February meeting.

A list of the 2016 standing committees and an updated organizational structure are attached. 

Rationale:  Board Policy 8130, Annual Organizational Meeting, also directs the board to approve current Board policies and regulations at the organizational meeting.

Rationale:  The final task required by Annual Organizational Meeting Policy 8130 is the dissemination of conflict of interest policies and forms.  Copies will be distributed during the meeting and linked to the agenda.

Rationale:  The Board reserves the right to rearrange the order of items as needed.

Rationale: 

Mrs. Maggie Tiller  (Marzano Instructional Model)

F.F.A. Officers (may be later in the meeting due to athletic practices.)

Rationale: 

1. Approval of Previous Minutes

2. Approval of the Treasurer's Report

3. Approval of the Warrants / Bills

  a.  Petty Cash

  b.  Student Activity

  c.  Hot Lunch

  d.  Bank Statement

  e.  Summary of Accounts and Receipts

  f.  Monthly Expenditure Report

g. Check Journal

4. Excuse Absent Board Members

5. Consider Option Enrollment Requests- None

Rationale:  This item will show up as an agenda item through May.

Rationale: 

The NDE preschool grant is due in early February.  Districts may apply for a $25,000 startup grant and $50,000 per half-day (12 hours per week) section up to four sections  District #20 expects to apply for $125,000.

School officials have been working the the Gothenburg Early Childhood Learning Coalition to develop a strategy to address preschool and child care throughout the Gothenburg Community.  Various partners have been identified including the City of Gothenburg, Gothenburg Memorial Hospital, private preschool and child care providers, Rooted in Relationships, and Head Start.

 

Rationale: 

School officials have been working the the Gothenburg Early Childhood Learning Coalition to develop a strategy to address preschool and child care throughout the Gothenburg Community.  Various partners have been identified including the City of Gothenburg, Gothenburg Memorial Hospital, private preschool and child care providers, Rooted in Relationships, and Head Start.   

The purpose of the Nebraska Early Childhood Education Endowment Grant through Sixpence of Nebraska is to address needs of children ages birth through three.  LB 547 was passed by the Nebraska Legislature to provide a locally-driven and family-centered approach to eliminating the achievement gap in Nebraska's youngest learners by encouraging partnerships between local child care providers and school districts. aa

This program requires collaboration between school districts and local child care providers to improve the quality of early childhood programs and services.

 

 

Rationale: 

It is not longer required that conflict of interest forms be submitted to the Political Accountability and Disclosure Commission.  When preparing conflict of interest forms for distribution, it was discovered that the policy had not been revised since this change.  Therefore, Dr. Teahon contacted Mr. Perry of the Perry Law Firm to get a revised policy.  The Perry Law Firm provides an annual policy update service.

Due to the clerical nature of this revision, it is not necessary to have a first and second reading of the revised policy so it may be approved on first reading.

Rationale:  Need to set date for Winter Retreat

Rationale:  The first draft of the school calendar is attached.  Discussions were held with the administrative team and Executive Council.

Rationale: 

Rationale:  February 8, 2016:  Time to be determined.