Public Meeting Minutes: August 8, 2022 at 7:00 PM - Board of Education Regular Meeting

1. Call to Order and Pledge of Allegiance

Discussion:

Board President Desh called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Board President Desh led the board and the patrons in attendance in the Pledge of Allegiance.

2. Announcement of the Open Meetings Act Posting

Discussion:

Board President Desh identified the location of the updated Open Meetings Act Poster on the wall in the meeting room and highlighted the recent changes to the document.

3. Staff and Student Presentations and "Excellence in Education" Award Information

Discussion:

No staff or student presentations were scheduled for the month of August.
These presentations will resume next month at our regular board meeting on Monday, September 12, 2022.
Please note that any patron, student, or staff member may nominate individuals for the "Excellence in Education" Award.
The link to nominate a District OR-1 staff member for this award is listed on our district website at www.districtor1.org

Additional discussion included reminding staff and patrons to nominate staff members for the "Excellence in Education" award.

Attachments: (2)

4. Consent Agenda

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Motion to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. This motion, made by Clayton Maahs and seconded by Jaimi Calfee, Passed.

Cheney : Absent
Busch: Yea
Calfee: Yea
Desh: Yea
Maahs: Yea
Penterman: Yea

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

Discussion:

No further discussion.

4.1. Approval of the Current Board Agenda

4.2. Approval of minutes of previous meetings

Attachments: (2)

4.3. Approval of Claims/Payment of Bills and Payroll

Attachments: (2)

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

4.4.1. Presentation, discussion, and or official action to approve the work agreement of Mrs. Madison Hanau, Science Teacher at Palmyra High School.

Discussion:

The board welcomes Mrs. Hanau to the district!

4.5. Financial Report

Attachments: (1)

Financial Report for August 2022. District OR.1

5. Board Vacancy Process Update

Discussion:

Board President Desh explained the process that was implemented for filling the current board vacancy.

6. Appointment of New Board Member

Action(s):

Motion 1 Passed:

Motion to accept the Board Vacancy Committee's recommendation to appoint Mr. Tim Cheney to the current board opening vacated by Lisa Wilen. This motion, made by Josh Penterman and seconded by Dean Busch, Passed.

Cheney : Absent
Busch: Yea
Calfee: Yea
Desh: Yea
Maahs: Yea
Penterman: Yea

Motion 2 Passed:

Motion to approve. This motion, made by Josh Penterman and seconded by Dean Busch, Passed.

Cheney : Absent
Busch: Yea
Calfee: Yea
Desh: Yea
Maahs: Yea
Penterman: Yea

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

Discussion:

Board members took action during the regular board meeting on Monday, July 11th, 2022, to accept the resignation of board member Lisa Wilen and begin the process to immediately fill the vacancy.
Upon recommendation of the Board Vacancy Committee members, Mr. Tim Cheney has been selected to fill the current vacancy of former board member Lisa Wilen.
The attached resolution will be read by Board President Desh.

Additional Discussion: Board President Desh read the attached resolution in its entirety.

Attachments: (1)

Board Member Appointment Resolution. August 8.2022

6.1. New Board Member Oath of Office

Discussion:

Superintendent Hart read the attached Office of Oath and New Board Member Tim Cheney recited the Oath of Office in its entirety.

Attachments: (1)

District OR-1 Board Member Oath of Office. Tim Cheney.8.8.2022

7. Public Comment

Discussion:

Susan Royal of Palmyra provided public comment.

8. Administrative Reports

8.1. Superintendent's Report

Discussion:

Superintendent Hart read (and summarized) items from the attached Superintendent's Report. Specific items highlighted are listed below:
Activities Committee Update: The Activities Committee will meet again on Monday, August 15th at 5:00 p.m. at the high school. The committee will continue to discuss the potential of adding activities in the future and the challenges and potential benefits associated with adding new activities. Special thanks to our Activities Committee members for their work and participation.
2022-2023 Preliminary Budget Discussion and Deadlines: A more specific listing of upcoming "budget-related" meetings is contained within the Superintendent's Report. There are also additional opportunities for public input on the budget and tax request coming up in the month of September.
Student and Staff Kudos / Community Spotlight: Special thanks to our support staff for their efforts in preparing our district for the new school year! The work they completed "behind the scenes" this summer was critical as we prepared for the new school year. We have excellent employees in our district and we are proud of their efforts to serve our students.
- Special thanks also to our local churches for coordinating and hosting the staff luncheon on Tuesday, August 9th at the high school.
Personnel Update: Superintendent Hart reviewed the list of "new to the district" teachers and other staff coming into the district. FYI: The specific list of names and positions is included in the Superintendent's Report.
"Beginning of School Events": More specific information is contained in the Superintendent's report.
Building Project Updates: Superintendent Hart discussed HVAC repairs at the high school and tree clearing at the elementary school.
Student Enrollment Update: The current enrollment for the district was at 718 students as of 8/8/2022. 314 at the high school (6-12) and 404 (PreK - 5) at the elementary school. Please note that these numbers will continue to fluctuate as we settle into the routine and schedule of the new school year. The final verified student count from the state will occur the first week of October.
CTE Programs Update: Reviewed highlights from the August 4th CTE meeting at the high school. The discussion also included a plan for creating a CTE Advisory Group and strategies for engaging our community and local businesses in planning for the possible space expansions and other enhancements to these programs.
Updated Health Department Guidance: School will start without masks or social distancing protocols /procedures in place. We will continue to monitor current guidance from our local health departments and we will adjust our procedures as needed according to changing community health conditions. More specific information on these protocols is listed in the attached document.
Special Bond Election Information Update: Special thanks to our district patrons for their involvement in the process.
LB #644 Joint Public Hearing Information: This Joint Public Hearing for organizations exceeding the 2% annual allowable growth percentage is scheduled for Monday, September 26th at 6:00 p.m. in Syracuse at the fairgrounds. More specific information about this process and subject is included in the Superintendent's Report.

Attachments: (3)

8.2. Administrative Team Report

Discussion:

Additional discussion centered around high school course offerings, student work experiences, and "dual credit" classes.

Attachments: (3)

8.2.1. District Activities Committee

9. Discussion Items- Committee Reports

Attachments: (1)

2022 Board Committee Assignments_ District OR.1. Updated January 10. 2022 (4)

9.1. Facilities and Special Bond Election Update

Discussion:

No further discussion.
Please see the attached documents for more information.

Attachments: (4)

9.2. Strategic Planning Update

Discussion:

The Strategic Overview Committee (SOC) will be engaged at the start of the school year to discuss suggestions for moving forward to strengthen the strategic planning process.

Attachments: (3)

9.3. Olson Complex Update

Discussion:

Highlights of the discussion centered around upcoming activities at the complex and a summary of the recent grooming done on the turf football field.
A document is attached that explains the recent work completed on the football field.

Attachments: (1)

Grooming Summary - Palmyra 2022 (1)

9.4. Transportation Committee Update

Discussion:

Superintendent Hart and Board members Maahs and Busch discussed highlights from the July 14th Transportation Committee held at the high school.
Discussion highlights included maintenance updates, vendor contracts, and driver training and staff development.

9.5. Americanism Committee Update

Discussion:

Superintendent Hart summarized the policies associated with the committee and the updated meeting schedule for the 2022 -2023 school year.
- Meetings scheduled for the upcoming school year:
  - Thursday, October 13th, 2022 at 12:00 p.m. at Palmyra High School:
  - Thursday, February 16th, 2023 at 12:00 p.m. at Palmyra High School
    - Please note that the February 2023 meeting will be a public meeting in accordance with state statutes. Notice of this meeting will be advertised in the local newspaper prior to the meeting.

Attachments: (2)

10. Policy Review

11. Action Items

11.1. Presentation, discussion, and or official action appointing the Superintendent as the official representative responsible for State and Federal forms and applications for the 2022-2023 school year.

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Motion to have the Superintendent be the official representative for Federal and State forms and applications. This motion, made by Jaimi Calfee and seconded by Josh Penterman, Passed.

Busch: Yea
Calfee: Yea
Cheney : Yea
Desh: Yea
Maahs: Yea
Penterman: Yea

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

Discussion:

No further discussion.

11.2. Presentation, discussion, and or official action to approve changes to Policy: #5306 (Student Drug Testing)

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Motion to approve highlighted changes to Policy #5306 Student Drug Testing. This motion, made by Jaimi Calfee and seconded by Josh Penterman, Passed.

Busch: Yea
Calfee: Yea
Cheney : Yea
Desh: Yea
Maahs: Yea
Penterman: Yea

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

Discussion:

Additional discussion focused on a wide variety of topics. These topics centered around the rationale for having a district drug testing policy, the philosophy behind the drug testing policy, and the history and consistency of consequences for students violating the district drug testing policy.
Questions centered around communication with coaches and players, coaches and administration, and the balance between accountability and compassion for the individual and rehabilitation efforts.

Attachments: (1)

Policy number 5306--Student Drug Testing.Reviewed for Approval for Changes.8.8.2022

11.3. Presentation, discussion, and or official action to approve changes to Policy #5103 (Extracurricular Activities)

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Motion to approve highlighted changes to Policy #5103 Extracurricular Activities. This motion, made by Dean Busch and seconded by Jaimi Calfee, Passed.

Busch: Yea
Calfee: Yea
Cheney : Yea
Desh: Yea
Maahs: Yea
Penterman: Yea

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

Discussion:

Additional discussion focused on the history and consistency of consequences for students violating the district drug policy.
Questions centered around communication with coaches and players, coaches and administration, and the balance between accountability and compassion for the individual and rehabilitation efforts.

Attachments: (1)

Policy number 5103--Extracurricular activity discipline.Reviewed and changes recommended for approval.8.8.2022

12. Board of Education Development

Discussion:

Board members discussed the upcoming "budget-related" meetings and were encouraged to sign up for the NASB Area Membership meeting on Tuesday, August 23rd in Nebraska City.
No further discussion.

Attachments: (2)

13. Closed Session

Discussion:

No closed session occurred for this meeting.

14. Topics for Next Month’s Agenda

Discussion:

There is a district budget public hearing scheduled for 6:45 p.m. on Monday, September 12th at Palmyra High School in the media center.
A tax resolution public hearing is also scheduled for 6:55 p.m. (or immediately following the budget hearing) on Monday, September 12th at Palmyra High School in the media center.
The next regular board meeting is scheduled for Monday, September 12th, beginning at 7:00 p.m. (or immediately following the tax request hearing) at Palmyra High School in the media center.

15. Adjournment

Discussion:

The meeting was adjourned at 8:50 p.m.

August 8, 2022 at 7:00 PM - Board of Education Regular Meeting

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