August 10, 2015 at 7:00 PM - Board of Education Regular Meeting
| Regular Board | |
| Attendance Taken on 8/10/2015 at 7:04 PM | |
| Devin Brundage | Present |
| Amber Burge | Present |
| Lisa Geiken | Present |
| Jon Hudson | Present |
| Jeremy Sitorius | Present |
| Nate Wyatt | Present |
| Present: 6, Absent: 0 | |
| Minutes | |
|---|---|
|
1. Call to Order & Pledge of Allegiance
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. |
|
|
2. Approve the Agenda
Rationale:
The Board reserves the right to rearrange the order of items as needed.
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
Attachments:
()
|
|
|
3. Recognition of Visitors
|
|
|
4. Business Items
|
|
|
4.1. Action Items
|
|
|
4.1.1. Consent Agenda
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
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
|
|
|
4.1.2. Discuss, consider and approve an extension of the interlocal agreement with the City of Gothenburg and Gothenburg Memorial Hospital for the Community Technology Outreach Director for the period of September 1, 2015 through August 31, 2016.
Rationale:
The Gothenburg Public Schools has joined with the City of Gothenburg and Gothenburg Memorial Hospital on funding a Technology Outreach Director position for the benefit of our community. The total cost of the position will involve $20,000 in salary and $10,000 for supplies, equipment, etc. A salary of $20,000 would be considered approximately .33 FTE (1/3 time), which would be split three ways. This split translates into approximately ½ day per week although the time would be provided in much smaller increments. Gothenburg Public Schools was able to gain great benefit from this relationship during the past year in the development of a new school website and enhancement of our presence on social networks.
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
Attachments:
()
|
|
|
4.1.3. Discuss, consider and approve transfers to Depreciation Fund, Activities Fund and Lunch Fund.
Rationale:
Money was budgeted in the Depreciation Fund and is reserved for eventual capital outlay such as the purchase of vehicles, a roof, or instructional equipment. The Superintendent recommends a transfer of $80,000 at this time. Money is budgeted for general operating expenses in the Activities Fund. The activities director and business manager determine short-term and long-term needs of the program and determine when and how the funds are to be utilized. The superintendent recommends a transfer of $25,000 at this time. Money was transferred into the lunch fund during the past three fiscal years due to increased costs and our move to a food court concept. Lunch prices were increased at the July meeting as we continue to attempt to make the program self-sufficient. The superintendent recommends that we transfer $25,000 to the lunch fund to attempt to build reserves. There are sufficient resources in the budget to allow for transfers at this time.
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
|
|
|
4.1.4. Designate superintendent as authorized district representative for federal and state programs for 2015-16 fiscal year.
Rationale:
This is done on an annual basis.
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
|
|
|
4.1.5. Discuss, consider and approve proposed Professional Development Manual and Data & Assessment Manual.
Rationale:
The building administrators and members of the instructional model team will discuss the proposed professional development manual including calendar and strategies. Mr. Groene and Mr. Widdifield will discuss the Assessment & Data Analysis Manual including calendar and analysis.
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
Attachments:
()
|
|
|
4.1.6. Discuss, consider and approve resignation from Greater Nebraska Schools Association (GNSA)
Rationale:
A recently adopted guideline within the organizational structure of the Greater Nebraska Schools Association focused upon the importance of transparency between members when an individual school will not be supporting a position adopted by the membership. Gothenburg Public Schools has become a non-equalized district a year earlier than planned due to the substantial increases in agricultural land valuations experienced within our district during the past three years. We do not see this changing any time in the near future as our valuation is projected to increase between 15% and 20% again this year. While our levy will jump dramatically, thus reducing the impact of a $1.4 million minimum levy adjustment, we do not believe that this will be enough to move us back into equalization. Therefore, it may become difficult for Gothenburg Public Schools to align itself with positions on equalization and non-equalizing factors.
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
Attachments:
()
|
|
|
4.2. Policy Review
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 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 |
|
|
4.2.1. Discuss, consider and approve proposed policies and revisions to existing policies.
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 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. Summary of Policy Updates from Perry Law Firm Revised Policies a. Policy 6212 - Assessments, Academic Content Standards b. Policy 3540 - Procedures - Bidding Construction Projects c. Policy 7050 - Facilities - Bids and Contracts d. Policy 3560 - Records Management and Disposition e. Policy 9340 - Minutes f. Policy 6600 - Special Education g. Policy 1200 - Anti-discrimination h. Policy 4002 - Equal Opportunity Employment i. Policy 4003 - Anti-discrimination, anti-harassment, and anti-retaliation (employees) 4003a - Notice of Nondiscrimination 4003b - Complaint Form j. Policy 5401 - Anti-discrimination, anti-harassment, and anti-retaliation (students) 5401z - Complaint Form k. Forms for Policy 5001, Student Admissions l. Forms for Policy 5418, Homeless m. Policy 6115, Fire Drills New Policies n. Policy 6286 - Return to Learn from Cancer
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
Attachments:
()
|
|
|
4.3. Reports
|
|
|
4.3.1. Board of Education Reports
|
|
|
4.3.2. Administrative Reports
Rationale:
1. Topic Specific Administrative Reports
a. SPED Leadership Team - Dr. Teahon, Mrs. Nguyen, Mrs. Jonas and Mr. Evans
2. General Administrative Reports
a. Facilities & Transportation (Mr. Holmes)
b. Primary (Mrs. Jonas) c. Elementary (Mr. Widdifield) d. Junior High and Curriculum (Mr. Groene) e. Activities (Mr. Ryker) f. High School (Mr. Evans) g. Superintendent (Dr. Teahon) |
|
|
4.4. Action Item
|
|
|
4.4.1. Executive session to discuss strategy for potential real estate purchases.
Rationale:
Excerpts from Board Policy 9370 Closed Sessions
(The presiding officer will declare the session closed after discussion is completed.)
Attachments:
()
|
|
|
5. Discussion Items
Rationale:
|
|
|
6. Upcoming Meetings
Rationale:
Budget work session - 4:00 p.m. on Sept. 1, 2015 (Jeffery Lodge) Budget Hearing - 7:00 p.m. on Sept. 14, 2015 Tax Request Hearing - 7:15 p.m. on Sept. 14, 2015 Regular Meeting - 7:30 p.m. on Sept. 14, 2015 |
|
|
7. Adjournment
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
|
