June 11, 2018 at 7:00 PM - Board of Education Regular Meeting

Rationale: 

The mission of Gothenburg Public Schools is to prepare all students 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.

Rationale: 

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

Rationale: 

Opportunity for Public Expression:

• This item serves as the time entitled for public forum during which patrons may address the Board on matters of general concern per Board Policy 8346, Opportunity for Public Expression.  (A copy of the policy is available.)

• Patrons will be allowed five (5) minutes to express their view.  Board of Education Members will refrain from expressing personal opinions during the Public Forum unless asked a direct question by a patron recognized by the Board President as having the floor.  The board imposed time limit may be extended by a majority vote of the Board.  The board may limit collective comments on a particular topic when necessary. The Board may not take action on matters discussed in the Public Forum unless the item appears on the prepared agenda.

• All concerns and complaints should go through the chain of command beginning with the teacher/sponsor and then to the building administrator/program supervisor and finally to the Superintendent.  If the initiating party is not satisfied with the response of the Superintendent, said party may address a written appeal to the Board of Education through the Secretary of the Board.

As a meeting of the Gothenburg Board of Education is a meeting held in public and not a public meeting, visitors should refrain from comments unless recognized by the chair.

Rationale: 

Nebraska School Districts are required to have annual hearings for each of the following areas:

Budget (September)

Tax Request (September)

Student Fees Policy (June)

Parental Involvement Policy (June)

 

Other Hearings may be scheduled as needed.

Rationale: 

The Board President will declare the Hearing open. 

1.  Review of Student Fees Policy

2.  Review of the amount of money collected from students pursuant to, and the use of waivers provided in, the student fees policies of District #20 for the 2017-18 year.

3.  Public comment, information, and input concerning Student Fees Policy.

The Board President will declare the Hearing closed. 

 

Rationale: 

The Board President will declare the hearing open. 

1. Review of Parent Involvement Policy (Policy 6400).

2. Public comment, information, and input concerning Parent Involvement Policy.

The Board President will declare the hearing closed.

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

Option In: 
Andrea Gurule - 8th Grade from Eustis-Farnam
Hannah Gurule - Kindergarten from Eustis-Farnam
 

 

Rationale:  Leadership within Gothenburg High School would like to add personal finance as a graduation requirement beginning with the Class of 2022 as this class will be entering high school next fall.  Exact structure is yet to be determined as it may be a stand-alone class and/or may be incorporated into other courses.  We may consider dropping the requirement for a high school technology class to keep the number of required classes the same.

Rationale: 

Dr. Teahon and Mrs. Jacobson recommend a slight increase in lunch prices for 2018-19.  While we were able to maintain costs during this past year, revenue from federal reimbursement dropped approximately $30,000 and we saw a decrease in the sale of meals of $20,000.

The district will need to transfer approximately $50,000 to the lunch fund at the end of this fiscal year.

Notes:

• Federal lunch program requires that districts eventually raise the price of their meals to a number equivalent to a reimbursable meal.  
• A spreadsheet with lunch prices for the schools within the SWC is attached.  None of the SWC schools offer more than two entrée choices for lunch.

Proposed lunch prices for 2018-19. Proposed prices are equivalent to current prices.

 

 

 

Rationale: 

Mr. Herman has submitted a list of extra-duty assignments for the 2018-19 school year.

Coaching changes 2018-19 (are noted in green on the attachment.)
Asst Girls Golf - Mr. Scott Carlin
Asst Track - Mr. Scott Carlin
JH Head Track - Mrs. Nicole Rubenthaler
JH Asst Coach - Mr. Nick Miller
Asst 7th GBB -  Mrs. Sara Bullock
Head BBB - Mr. Scott Carlin
9th BBB - Mr. Gabe Haberman
One-Act Tech Director - Mr. Jim Long (non-schedule position)
Asst Speech - Mr. Josh Clark

 

Rationale:  Mrs. Cathy Larson has submitted her resignation for the end of the 2018-19 school year.  The resignation meets the April 15 deadline for 2019 so it can be approved.

Mr. Travis Coe has submitted a letter of resignation for the end of the 2017-18 school year (now) as he has been offered a teaching position in his hometown.

Board Policy 4112 states that:
 "The action on a release from contract received after April 15th each year shall be discretionary with the Board. The earlier the request for release is submitted, the greater will be the likelihood of the release being granted. Requests for release received by the Superintendent after June 1^st will ordinarily not be granted.  Releases may be made subject to the conditions, including liquidated damages, payment of costs of securing a replacement, and the condition that a suitable replacement be secured. 

At the time of publishing, an offer has been made but has not been accepted.  The administration recommends that this agenda item is tabled unless a suitable replacement has been secured.

Rationale:  The Art Teacher position has been offered.  Acceptance is dependent upon release from a contract.  This will be a board meeting decision.

Rationale: 

1. Junior-Senior High Student Handbook (Attachments include Handbook and proposed changes)

2. Elementary Handbook (Attachments include Handbook and proposed changes)

3. Faculty Handbook (Attachments include Handbook and proposed changes)

A. Certificated Employee Evaluation Instrument (Reg 4150 A)

        B.  Counselor Evaluation Instrument

        C.  School Pyschologist Evaluation Instrument

4. Coach’s Handbook (Attachments include Handbook and proposed changes)

5. Non-Certificated Employee Handbook (Attachments include Handbook and proposed changes)

A. Employment Agreement - Form A - Non-Certificated

B. Employee Evaluation Instrument - Non-Certificated

        C. Para-Educator Evaluation Instrument - Non-Certificated

6. Administrator’s Evaluation Instruments

  A. Principal Evaluation Instrument

  B. Activities Director Evaluation Instrument

  C. Superintendent Evaluation Instrument

7. Volunteer Handbook

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.  

Policy 5422, Pregnant and Parenting Students, was the only policy included in the first installment of updates for 2018.  The policy was introduced at the May meeting has been reviewed by the Policy Committee (Jobman, Fornoff)

In 2017, the Nebraska Legislature passed a law that requires schools to adopt a written policy which provides for standards and guidelines to accommodate absences related to pregnancy and child care for pregnant and parenting students.  The proposed policy meets this requirement.

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 so policies may or may not be available for the June meeting.  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.

The policies will be reviewed prior to the July meeting by the Policy Committee (Jobman, Fornoff)

Annual Policy Update - Second and Final Installment 2018

Required Policy Updates

Policy 3570: The Nebraska Department of Education has informed us that it now requires schools to include IDEA in the Title I Policy. We have updated the Title I policy to reflect this change.

Policies 4003 & 5401: Within this past year, the federal Departments of Justice and Education issued new guidance on harassment, including complaints under Title IX. In light of this, we have revised Policy 4003 and 5401 to align with current law and practice.

Policy 5101: There are three updates to Policy 5101. The first relates to emergency exclusions. Neb. Rev. Stat. § 79-264 requires that a school board "adopt a procedure for a hearing to be held" on a student’s appeal of an emergency exclusion. Many districts have a procedure set forth in their student handbook but not board policy. To ensure that districts have emergency expulsion procedures in policy, we have included this language.

Next, as part of NDE’s "Cleanup Bill" (LB 1081) this year, the Nebraska Legislature amended the law that requires principals to report certain acts to law enforcement. Under the "old" law, a principal was required to notify law enforcement when the principal knew or suspected that a student committed an act specified in the long-term suspension/expulsion statute that constitutes a violation of Nebraska’s Criminal Code. Under the "new" law, each "school board" shall annually review in collaboration with the County Attorney "to define conduct which the principal or designee is required to report to law enforcement."

Finally, although not legally required, we have added language to the "prohibited uses" provision of the electronic device policy. Previously, the policy prohibited students from "recording" others at school without the permission of the person being recorded. Modern and common technologies transmit "live" images and sounds but do not "record" any images or sounds. These technologies may include AngelSense and other live-streaming apps. To protect student privacy against these devices and apps, we have updated this policy to prohibit the transmission of sounds and/or images.

Policy 5402: On February 14, 2018, the "Protecting Young Victims from Sexual Abuse and Safe Sport Authorization Act of 2017" was enacted into federal law. This new law applies to schools that participate in interstate competition (such as crossing state lines to compete, practice or for camps). Employees, including coaches, of a school that participates in interstate competition must report suspected child abuse, including sexual abuse, as soon as possible. "As soon as possible" is defined as "within a 24-hour period." The penalties for failing to comply with this law are very severe.

This new law also imposes training requirements that schools should pursue, if they engage in interstate competition.

Policy 5403: After the Legislature passed the law requiring that all districts have a policy on parenting and pregnant students, Policy 5403 can be updated to include non-discrimination language regarding married students.

Policy 5418: There is a minor change that needs to be made to this policy; namely, the Commissioner of the Nebraska Department of Education is now the contact person.

Policy 6212: Pursuant to Neb. Rev. Stat. § 79-760.02, each school district is required to adopt academic content standards in the subject areas of reading, writing, mathematics, science, and social studies in accordance with timelines established by the State Board of Education, but in no event later than one year following the adoption or modification of state standards. In September, 2017, the Nebraska State Board of Education adopted new science standards. We have amended Policy 6212 to update the new science standard.

Policy 6213: This is a new policy. As part of NDE’s "Cleanup Bill," each school district must "develop policies to facilitate reading instruction and intervention services to address student reading needs, including, but not limited to dyslexia." To meet this requirement, Policy 6213 largely mirrors the language of the law.

Policy 6410: Recently, NDE issued a "Model Policy" on Parental and Family Engagement that it may review during an audit. Among the changes that it set forth, the term "involvement" has been changed to "engagement." There are other aspects of the "Model Policy" that have been incorporated in Policy 6410.

Policy 8231: This past session, the Nebraska Unicameral amended Neb. Rev. Stat. § 13- 2203 (commonly referred to as the "Coffee Act") to increase the maximum cost per person at a recognition dinner each year from $25 to $50. Policy 8231 reflects this increased amount.

RECOMMENDED POLICY UPDATES

Policy 1102: We have noticed an increase in the use of "secret recordings." For example, a staff member secretly recording a conversation with their supervisor. Or a member of the community secretly recording a conversation with the Administration. To be clear, Nebraska is a "one-party" consent state—meaning, as long as one person to the conversation consents to be recorded (oftentimes, the recorder), there is no violation of criminal law. However, schools can impose a policy that prohibits the secret recording of others by requiring all parties to a conversation to consent. In actuality, Boards should dissuade the use of secret recordings for many reasons, including the possibility that confidential student information will be captured on a recording.

Policy 3580: We are hearing that districts are having problems with checks and/or credit card payments that either bounce or are rejected for insufficient funds. To address this problem, we have created Policy 3580, which provides a uniform approach to these issues for all school employees. This policy is optional and may be modified as your district feels appropriate.

Policy 5406: We have fielded a number of questions on the rules of drug testing, especially for extracurricular athletes. To provide the Administration with clear directives, we have updated Policy 5406 to establish the legal thresholds for the random drug testing of students.

Rationale: 

Committee Reports (Chair in bold)

1.  Personnel Committee (Mr. Sitorius, Mr. Brundage, Mr. Hudson)
2. Transportation and Facilities (Mr. Fornoff, Mrs. Jobman, Mr. Wyatt)
3. Finance (Mr. Hudson, Mrs. Jobman, Mr. Sitorius)
4. Curriculum & Americanism (Mr. Brundage, Mr. Wyatt, Mr. Fornoff)
5. Policy Review (Mr. Fornoff, Mrs. Jobman)

 

 

Rationale: 

Rationale:  Mr. Greg Perry of the Perry Law Firm has provided a series of job descriptions that we will consider this summer.  The topic of job description came up during the negotiations process and we haven't addressed this for a long time.

I would like the Personnel Committee to meet to discuss the format and content of the documents.    A list of positions is attached.

Rationale: 

The Board of Education may hold a closed session by the affirmative vote of a majority of its voting members if a closed session is clearly necessary for the protection of the public interest or for the prevention of needless injury to the reputation of an individual and if such individual has not requested a public meeting.  Closed sessions may be held for, but shall not be limited to, such reasons as (a) strategy sessions with respect to collective bargaining, real estate purchases, or litigation; (b) discussion regarding deployment of security personnel or devices; (c) investigative proceedings regarding allegations or misconduct; or (d) evaluation of the job performance of a person when necessary to prevent needless injury to the reputation of a person.

The vote to hold a closed session shall be taken in open session.  The subject matter and the reason necessitating the closed session shall be identified in the motion to close.  If the motion to close passes, then the presiding officer immediately prior to the closed session shall restate on the record the limitation of the subject matter of the closed session. The Board shall restrict its consideration of matters during the closed portions to only those purposes set forth in the motion to close as the reason for the closed session. The meeting shall be reconvened in open session before any formal action may be taken.

Rationale:  July 9^th – TBD

Note:  August 13^th is the 2^nd Monday of the month which would be the same night as the district-wide open house.  We will either need to schedule the meeting earlier in the day or on another night.