November 9, 2020 at 7:00 PM - Board of Education Regular Meeting

• The meeting was called to order by Board of Education President Maahs at 7:00 p.m. 

• An updated copy of the Open Meetings Act will be posted in the media center as a reference for future meetings. 
• The Executive Order attached below allows board members to participate in board meetings in a digital manner if they are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 or if they are under quarantine orders. The Executive Order ends on December 31st, 2020.

• Discussion centered around confirming that this temporary appointment for November and December 2020 is in addition to the four-year term that Mrs. Wilen was elected for in the recent election.
•  Mrs. Wilen will be reappointed (and sworn in again) in January 2021 for the new four-year term.

• Board member Lisa Wilen was sworn in by Superintendent Hart.
• The Oath of Office was read and recited in accordance with board operating guidelines.

• Discussion centered around clarification of a bill regarding bus maintenance costs. This item was resolved during the discussion. 
• No further discussion regarding the consent agenda occurred. 

Official Board of Education minutes are available on the district web site at www.districtor1.org

• Public comment centered around current board vacancies and board member responsibilities.
• Potential applicants for the vacant board seat were present at the meeting. 

Administrative reports are available in their entirety at: https://meeting.sparqdata.com/Public/Organization/174

Some of the topics covered in the reports include

• Discussion centered around COVID-19 updates, NDE reports, and district enrollment information.

• Discussion centered around Red Ribbon Week and the recent music concert. 

• Discussion centered around Red Ribbon Week, and the upcoming Veterans Day program.
• This year, the Veterans Day program will be done in a digital manner and a Striv link will be put up on our website. 

• Discussion centered around NSAA winter activity guidelines and the upcoming winter sports student participation numbers
• A question came up about capacity limits. The current capacity limit for indoor activities will be 25%.  Specific spectator guidelines at this point will include only household members.  

• Students from our district sent letters to the Board of Education thanking members for the opportunity to learn. 

• Discussion centered around the placement of a temporary fuel tank at the high school to help expedite fueling, the installation of a water hydrant south of the high school near the maintenance shed to facilitate daily vehicle washing of dirt and grime, and the readjustment of bus pick up procedures at Bennet Elementary. 
• Discussion also included pre-trip inspections, bus radios, and driver training.
• The Transportation Committee also needs to add another board member to replace a member who resigned and the committee will be looking at budget costs of purchasing new vehicles. 

• Discussion revolved around district adherence to NDE curriculum standards and recognition of patriotic days and procedures such as The Pledge of Allegiance. 
• Discussion also centered around the possibility of having more student opportunities to volunteer in the community. Ideas included being able to count volunteer hours if students are donating blood or participating in extracurricular events.
• An example was shared about students making projects that impact their school and how these projects can help build student confidence and creativity.  
• Concern was presented that some students are already involved in numerous activities and they may not have enough time to include volunteer hours into already busy schedules.
• Volunteer hours are good to help students build resumes and gain valuable experience. These volunteer service hours also can assist students in discovering different career options. 
• Discussion also included a suggestion that a volunteer community youth group could be shared to help elderly residents with yard work or snow removal, etc. 
• This topic may be discussed again at the February board meeting. 

• Discussion centered around strategic growth and planning, expanded capacity at Bennet Elementary, and options for flex space, grade reconfigurations, and addressing future facility needs.  

• Discussion centered around the summary of the recent Olson Complex progress report meeting, completion of final "punch list" items, budget summary of remaining project costs, and the scope and timelines of warranties in connection with the project. 
• Discussion also included staffing, winter maintenance at the facility, and spring activity scheduling. 

• Discussion centered around the board agreeing to allow a subcommittee (made up of two current board members) to conduct interviews on Sunday, November 15th. Superintendent Hart will call all board applicants to set up interviews. 
• The board also scheduled a Special Board meeting for Monday, November 16th at 7:00 p.m. here at the high school to appoint a new board member based upon the recommendation from the committee. 
• Notice of this Special Board meeting will be advertised and posted in alignment with our regular procedures.  
• Interviews will utilize standard questions and a rating rubric to identify candidates' strengths and experience.

• Discussion centered around the current invoices submitted for this month.
• Utilizing specialized local businesses to complete some of the recent projects has assisted in lowering overall costs. 

• A representative from our current bond holding company explained the process to the board. 

• Discussion centered around the two bond refinancing resolutions presented.  
• Proactively approving a specific resolution allows the district to have the paperwork ready for the sale of the bonds when it feels the market conditions and interest rates are most favorable. 

• Discussion centered around being able to provide different options for the board to consider.
• Superintendent Hart will bring some options for consideration back to the full board at next month's regular meeting. 

• A presentation from the work our teachers completed on Wednesday, October 14th was presented for discussion.
• Discussion centered around the work involved in creating engaging and purposeful digital content and the challenges of serving in-person and remote learners in a simultaneous manner. 
• Discussion also included topics about work/ life balance for staff and students and the shortage of subs in various staff positions (drivers, teachers, paras, food service, etc.) throughout the district.  

• Members of the school board were scheduled to attend the Nebraska Association of School Boards (NASB) State Conference in-person in Omaha on Thursday, November 19th, and Friday, November 20th.
• Due to an increase in COVID cases throughout the state, the conference will now be virtual and done remotely.
• The board will debrief about highlights from the conference at the next regular board meeting in December.  

• The evaluation document will be reviewed with the Superintendent and the board at the December 14th regular board meeting. 
• Superintendent Hart will provide an overview of artifacts and outcomes completed in alignment with the Superintendent evaluation document at the December board meeting. 

• The board discussed the self-evaluation process as a way to help build board teamwork and cohesiveness.
• The board will follow up with this topic at a future meeting.  

• Rule 10 Report: District Overview
• Annual Financial Report 
• State School Board's Conference Debrief
• Superintendent Evaluation Presentation
• Board Self-Evaluation 
• 2021-2022 School Calendar 

• The meeting was adjourned at  9:25 p.m.