March 13, 2017 at 5:00 PM - Board of Education Regular Meeting

Rationale: 

The mission of Gothenburg Public Schools is to prepare all students to become lifelong learners within a positive and innovative learning environment. 

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

Rationale: 

Dominic Long (Sr), Sinyase Baca (Jr), and Josiah Robertson (Jr)

These students created interactive maps for both buildings and were asked to demonstrate.

Rationale: 

1.    Approval of Minutes for February 13th Regular Board Meeting

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- 

Option in:  Bryleigh Hild-Kindergarten from Brady 2017-18 school year

Option Out:  Harley Bartels-6th Grade and Preslee Bartels-4th Grade to Brady 2016-17 school year

 

Rationale:  This item is placed on the agenda through May so that the board may receive resignations through the start of the meeting.

Rationale: 

Miss Amy Fleer has been offered a teaching position in Special Education for the 2017-18 school year.  Miss Fleer will graduate from Wayne State College in May and is currently student teaching in Norfolk.  She grew up in Pierce, Nebraska and comes very highly recommended.

Rationale:  The Facilities Committee met with Dr. Teahon and Mr. Holmes to review summer projects.  The projects proposed by the Committee are attached.

Rationale:  It was suggested at the board work session that we systematically review our board policy Mr. Wyatt is the only member who was serving during the complete revision of policy.  We will review a section of policy each month.  Policies will not be attached as they are available on the school website.

Rationale: 

Dawson County School District #20, Gothenburg Public Schools, participates in a policy update and revision process with the Perry Law Firm through Educational Service Unit #10.  Mr. Perry typically sends proposed revisions upon completion of the legislative session, however, we have received an early installment of new policies due to summer implementation requirements.  

According to the bylaws of the board, while policies may typically be introduced in one meeting and approved at a second meeting, policies may be approved in a single meeting if necessary.  This may become applicable if policies are proposed which impact handbooks and are not received until after the June meeting.

Internal Board Policies

Policy 8310 - Formulation of Policies

Policy 8320 - Adoption, amendment, or suspension of polices

Bylaws of the Board

  Policy 9200 - Formulation, Adoption, Amendment of Policies 

 

Introduce new policies and revisions to existing Board Policy.

Summary of Policy Updates from Perry Law Firm

1.  Policy 3240 - Safety Policy (by August 31, 2017)

The revised policy reflects NDE's new Safety and Security Standards.

 

2.  Policy 3571 - Meal Charge Policy (by July 1, 2017)

The proposed policy meets the minimum requirements as set forth by the USDA.  We may add to the policy as we see fit.

 

3.  Policy 5417 - School Wellness Policy  (by June 30, 2017)

The existing policy is a little over one page in length, while the revised policy is twelve pages in length.  Both are attached and the policy committee will be convened to develop a compromise policy.

Rationale: 

Random Drug Testing of Activities Participants:  Numerous Nebraska schools have adopted policies regarding this issue.  The Nebraska Attorney General and regional health organizations have indicted that teen use of marijuana has doubled since its use has been legalized in Colorado.  A random-drug testing policy would give students another reason to say "no" when being pressured into its use. Consideration of this type of policy is intended to be proactive instead of being reactive. 

The Policy Committee has reviewed the most recent draft of Board Policy 5306, Drug and Alcohol Testing. The initial policy was written by Mr. Greg Perry of the Perry Law Firm and has been revised by the administration to meet our district's needs and to align with the student handbook.  Consider first reading of Policy 5306.

Rationale: 

Facilities Committee - Mr. Hudson, Mr. Fornoff, Mrs. Jobman

Curriculum Committee - Mr. Brundage, Mr. Wyatt, Mr. Fornoff

Special Committee - Mr. Brundage, Mr. Hudson

Rationale: 

The first draft of the school calendar that was presented in January is attached.  

Gothenburg Public Schools hosted the AdvanEd External Visitation Team with members from Minnesota, Kansas and Nebraska.  The external visit involved a diagnostic process to stimulate and guide continuous improvement with a focus on:

Professional judgment by the External Review Team results in:

Powerful Practices:

• 2.1  The Gothenburg Public Schools governance and leadership teams collaborate to foster autonomy at all levels of the organization.

• 3.8  The Gothenburg Public Schools effectively engages parents and community members as active partners to leverage relationships and improve communications resulting in unity among stakeholders.

Improvement Priorities:

• 1.4  Design and implement a strategic plan that supports challenging, equitable educational programs resulting in the improvement of learning. 

• 3.2  Develop and implement a systematic process to collect, analyze and use data from various assessments to focus on the improvement of curriculum and instruction to increase student learning and achievement.

Opportunity for Improvement:

• 3.10  Create and implement a grading and reporting system based on clearly defined criteria that represent the attainment of content knowledge and skills.

• 3.6  Expand the systemic incorporation of the Marzano model to strengthen instructional strategies that enhance teacher effectiveness.

 

 

Discussions continue with the administrative team and Executive Council on the most effective way for professional development and to systematically address school improvement, data analysis, Marzano Instructional Model, etc.  A group of 14 educators travelled to Hastings to visit their buildings and to see their Professional Learning Communities in action.

Rationale: 

Rationale:  April 10, 2017