Public Meeting Minutes: February 8, 2021 at 7:00 PM - Board of Education Regular Meeting

1. Call to Order and Pledge of Allegiance

Discussion:

Meeting called to order by Board of Education President Desh.

2. Announcement of the Open Meetings Act Posting

Discussion:

Because the meeting was changed and held in a place other than the Palmyra High School media center, a copy of the Open Meetings Act was brought to the new meeting location and displayed throughout the meeting.
President Desh announced the Open Meetings Act information and clearly identified the Open Meetings Act poster on the wall in the meeting space.

Attachments: (1)

EO 20-36 - COVID 19 - Public Meetings Requirement Limited Waiver 25Nov2020 (1)

3. Staff and Student Presentations

Discussion:

This month's presentation will be elementary technology. Mrs. Jen Hanger will be leading the session at tonight's board meeting.

Additional Details:

During her presentation, Mrs. Hanger shared information about what students are learning in her classroom. These topics included: Coding with JavaScript, Digital Citizenship, Digital Problem Solving, Cyberbullying, News and Media Literacy, creating and maintaining a positive Digital Footprint, and Information Privacy and Security.

4. Consent Agenda

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Motion to accept. Passed with a motion by Jaimi Calfee and a second by Clayton Maahs.

Church: Absent
Wilen: Absent
Calfee: Yea
Desh: Yea
Maahs: Yea
Penterman: Yea

No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.

Discussion:

No further discussion on the Consent Agenda.

4.1. Approval of minutes of previous meetings

Discussion:

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

Attachments: (1)

Board Meeting Minutes. January 11th 2021.Regular Meeting. District OR.1 (1)

4.2. Approval of Claims/Payment of Bills and Payroll

Attachments: (2)

4.3. Certificated/Classified Hire(s)/Reassignment(s)/Resignation(s)

Discussion:

We are in the process of hiring outstanding candidates for the high school science position and the two current elementary teacher openings.

4.4. Financial Report

Attachments: (1)

DistrictOR1.Financial Report.February8.2021

5. Public Comment

Discussion:

No public comment was brought forth at the meeting.

6. Administrative Reports

Discussion:

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

6.1. Superintendent's Report

Discussion: Topics included:

Board Member Recognition Week: January 31 to February 6, 2021.
- Special thanks to our school board members for their service to our district!
Updated COVID Numbers: as of 2.5.2021
Personnel Update: We are currently working through the application and interview process of finding a high-quality high school science teacher and two elementary teachers. Science interviews were conducted the week of February 8th and will continue the week of February 15th. Elementary teacher interviews will be conducted the week of February 15th.
Bennet Gym Floor Update
Food Service Update
February Board Meeting: change of location rationale.
Weather Update
Facility Assessment:

Attachments: (1)

Superintendent Report. Narrative February.8.2021

6.2. Administrative Report

Discussion: Topics included:

Activity Schedules and Upcoming Events
Parent / Teacher Conferences (Tuesday, February 9th): The conferences are "remote" again this semester.
Upcoming Assessments: ACT, NSCAS, MAPS
Elementary Field Trips
Elementary Caring Project
Kindness Week Activities

Attachments: (2)

7. Discussion Items- Committee Reports

7.1. ↵Curriculum, Committee on American Civics:

Discussion:

The meeting is scheduled for Thursday, February 18th at Palmyra High School.
Correction: The original date in the board agenda was listed as Wednesday, February 18th. The correct meeting date is Thursday, February 18th.
A summary from this meeting will be presented at the March 8th Regular Board meeting

7.2. Legislative Committee Update

Discussion:

Overview of the current Legislative Issues Virtual Conference
Brandon Desh and Josh Penterman discussed highlights from the conference.
- Although the internet connection from the State Capitol was spotty at times and senators were busy in committee meetings, NASB and selected senators discussed a wide variety of topics related to public schools.
  - Some highlights of the discussions included: Comparisons of State & School Spending and Growth, Cost Per Student Comparisons, Funding/Spending and the Impact on Local Control, and the Impact of Covid-19 on School Operations. The discussion also included possible upcoming mandates in the following areas: School and Student Safety, FAFSA Requirement for HS Graduation, Financial Literacy Courses, Special Education Costs, Early Childhood Funding, Property Tax Relief, and Tax Credits.

7.3. Strategic Planning Committee

Discussion:

The Strategic Planning Committee enjoyed two Strategic Planning proposals from NASB and Emilsson on Monday, January 18th.
Both proposals were very informative and each proposal contained elements that would be extremely beneficial to our school district.
The committee will summarize the "SPC" meeting and an action item on the selection of a strategic planning proposal will occur later in tonight's meeting.

7.4. Transportation Committee Report

Discussion:

A representative from a local bus company came to our committee meeting to provide information about various options, timelines, and models for vehicle replacement.
The discussion revolved around analyzing our district vehicle inventory and the most cost-effective ways to add or replace vehicles to the district fleet.

7.5. Policy Review Committee

Discussion:

Policies were reviewed by the committee and the committee recommended only minor changes related to the 8000 or 9000 policy series.
Policy 8342: Designated Method of Giving Board Meeting Notice had a substantial change and that change is noted in the updated policy.
No other changes were suggested by the committee.
The next policies to be reviewed will be the 1000 Series (Community Relations), 2000 Series (Administration), and 3000 Series (Business Operations) in April 2021.

Attachments: (1)

DISTRICT OR-1 POLICY REVIEW SCHEDULE_ 2021-2022 (2)

7.6. Negotiations Committee Report

Discussion:

The discussion revolved around classified and administrative staff wage % increases.

7.7. Olson Foundation Progress Report

Discussion:

Board President Desh and Superintendent Hart reviewed the highlights from the February 3rd, 2021 Olson Progress Meeting:
Highlights included:
- Punch List Update
- Current Budget and Remaining Contingency Update
- Facility Usage Agreement
- Projects still to be completed
  - Baseball Mound
  - Training for Staff (turf management, sprinkler utilization, etc.)
  - Reseeding of certain areas
  - Dugout canopies
  - Facility Maintenance
  - Equipment Purchases

8. Action Items

8.1. Presentation, discussion, and or official action to authorize the Superintendent to issue contract renewals to the certified staff.

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Motion to authorize the Superintendent to issue contract renewals to the certified staff Passed with a motion by Jaimi Calfee and a second by Josh Penterman.

Church: Absent
Wilen: Absent
Calfee: Yea
Desh: Yea
Maahs: Yea
Penterman: Yea

No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.

Discussion:

No further discussion
Contracts will be sent to certified staff near the end of February.

8.2. Presentation, discussion, and or official action to approve employment terms and compensation for classified staff members for the 2021-2022 school year.

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Motion to approve employment and wage terms for the classified staff. Passed with a motion by Jaimi Calfee and a second by Josh Penterman.

Church: Absent
Wilen: Absent
Calfee: Yea
Desh: Yea
Maahs: Yea
Penterman: Yea

No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.

Discussion:

The board recommended a 3% hourly rate increase for the next school year (2021-2022).
No further discussion.

8.3. Presentation, discussion, and or official action to approve Contract Terms and salary increases for the Administrative staff.

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Motion to approve Contract Terms and compensation increases for the Administrative staff. Passed with a motion by Clayton Maahs and a second by Josh Penterman.

Church: Absent
Wilen: Absent
Calfee: Yea
Desh: Yea
Maahs: Yea
Penterman: Yea

No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.

Discussion:

The board recommended a 3% salary increase for the administrative staff for the 2021-2022 school year.
No further discussion.

8.4. Policy Committee Update: 8000 Series

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Motion to approve Passed with a motion by Josh Penterman and a second by Clayton Maahs.

Church: Absent
Wilen: Absent
Calfee: Yea
Desh: Yea
Maahs: Yea
Penterman: Yea

No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.

Discussion:

Approved with minor changes in grammar and punctuation.
- Policy #8342 had slight changes regarding the notification requirements for open meetings.

Attachments: (4)

8.5. Policy Committee Update: 9000 Series

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Motion to approve the committee review and recommended changes for 9000 series policies. Passed with a motion by Josh Penterman and a second by Clayton Maahs.

Church: Absent
Wilen: Absent
Calfee: Yea
Desh: Yea
Maahs: Yea
Penterman: Yea

No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.

Discussion:

Approved with minor changes in grammar and punctuation.

Attachments: (2)

8.6. 2021-2022 District Calendar Revision

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Motion to approve the revised calendar for the 2021-2022 school year. Passed with a motion by Clayton Maahs and a second by Josh Penterman.

Church: Absent
Wilen: Absent
Calfee: Yea
Desh: Yea
Maahs: Yea
Penterman: Yea

No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.

Discussion:

No further discussion.

Attachments: (1)

Revised Calendar 2021.2022.MLK addition.2.8.2021

8.7. Superintendent Contract Amendment

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Motion to approve superintendent contract amendment. Passed with a motion by Jaimi Calfee and a second by Josh Penterman.

Church: Absent
Wilen: Absent
Calfee: Yea
Desh: Yea
Maahs: Yea
Penterman: Yea

No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.

Discussion:

The board affirmed the Superintendent contract amendment for a 2.9% salary increase for the 2021-2022 school year.
Board President Desh and Superintendent Hart signed the contract amendment.
The new contracted amount will be posted on the district website per Superintendency Transparency Act guidelines.

Attachments: (1)

Superintendent Contract Amendment - 2-8-2021.Hart

8.8. Strategic Planning

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Motion to select Strategic Planning Proposal. Passed with a motion by Josh Penterman and a second by Clayton Maahs.

Church: Absent
Wilen: Absent
Calfee: Yea
Desh: Yea
Maahs: Yea
Penterman: Yea

No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.

Discussion:

The board made the decision to select NASB to help guide the upcoming Strategic Planning Process.
More information about plans to move forward in this process will be discussed at the March 8th, 2021 Regular Board meeting.

Attachments: (2)

8.9. Presentation, discussion, and or official action with regard to the Olson Foundation Project for the construction of certain improvements on property of the School District and Village for athletic and recreational facilities to benefit the Palmyra, Nebraska Community (Project) to approve the Applications for Payment and billing statements related to the Project, including, but not limited to the cost of the legal services, architectural design and planning, and site preparation costs.

Discussion:

No action was taken due to no bills being presented.

9. Board of Education Development

9.1. Review District Vision, Mission, and Strategic Goals

Discussion:

We have been making good progress on these goals and we will continue moving forward with our current goals.
The current Board goals will continue to be highlighted as a reminder on the Board meeting minutes.
No further discussion on this topic.

9.2. NASB Board Development Opportunities

Discussion:

Board President Desh and Superintendent Hart will attend the "President's Retreat" Conference in-person in Kearney on March 14th and 15th.
Board members will continue to look for (and attend when possible) board leadership opportunities.
No further discussion on this topic.

9.3. Review Board Code of Ethics

Attachments: (1)

8272--Code of Ethics.reviewed.2.8.2021

10. Topics for Next Month’s Agenda

Discussion:

The date and time of the next board meeting were announced.
The date of the next Regular Board Meeting is Monday, March 8th at 7:00 p.m. at Palmyra High School in the media center.

11. Closed Session

Discussion:

No closed session this month.

12. Adjournment

Discussion:

The meeting was adjourned at: 9:06 p.m.

February 8, 2021 at 7:00 PM - Board of Education Regular Meeting

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