Public Meeting Minutes: February 13, 2023 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.

3. Staff and Student Presentations

Discussion:

Special thanks to Mr. Hoeft, Mrs. Irvine, and our FCCLA students for sharing their knowledge and special talents with the board.
A student-developed presentation on FCCLA is attached to this agenda item.
The nomination form for the Excellence in Education Award is also attached to this agenda item.

Additional Discussion:

Mr. Hoeft presented information on the Olson Complex, the number of students participating in our district programs throughout the school year, current (and future) NSAA conference alignments (ECNC, MUDECAS), and projections and specific sport /activity NSAA classifications for the next few years.
Mr. Hoeft also discussed the alignment of the school district calendar with the start of fall and spring activities, adjusting school start times at the high school for next year and the possible impact on buses and parent schedules. Mr. Hoeft also presented information from the District Activities Committee meetings and discussed conversations with other districts regarding possible cooperative agreements in future activities.
Mr. Hoeft also answered questions relating to the impact of the discus throw area on the baseball outfield grass.
Mr. Hoeft also discussed activity drivers and transportation to events and activities.

Attachments: (3)

4. Consent Agenda

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Motion to approve the consent agenda as presented. This motion, made by Josh Penterman and seconded by Dee Moore, Passed.

Busch: Yea
Calfee: Yea
Cheney : Yea
Desh: Yea
Moore: Yea
Penterman: Yea

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

Discussion:

No further discussion.

4.1. Approval of Board Agenda

4.2. Approval of minutes of previous meetings

Attachments: (6)

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. Dan Desmond Letter of Resignation / Notice of Retirement

Discussion:

The board greatly appreciates Mr. Desmond's service to our students, families, and our community.

Attachments: (1)

Desmond.Dan.Letter of Resignation.2.8.2023

4.4.2. Kim Jensen Letter of Resignation / Notice of Retirement

Discussion:

The board greatly appreciates Mr. Jensen's service to our students, families, and our community.

Attachments: (1)

Jensen.Kim.Letter of Resignation.2.13.2023

4.5. Financial Report

Attachments: (1)

Financial Report.District OR.1. February 13.2023

5. Public Comment

Discussion:

Jan Svoboda of Bennet provided Public Comment

6. Administrative Reports

6.1. Superintendent's Report

Discussion: Superintendent Hart presented information on the following topics:

CTE Month: February is Career Technical Education Appreciation Month
Legislative Update: Superintendent Hart provided overviews and NASB position summaries on a variety of possible legislative bills and amendments.
Enrollment Update: Superintendent Hart commented that district enrollment continues to hover around 715-725 students in grades PK-12.
Upcoming Community Meetings: An attached document details the upcoming community information meetings and upcoming board meetings.
2023-2024 Staffing Proposal: Superintendent Hart provided information and rationale for the addition of another elementary teacher at Bennet (5th grade) and the need for additional special education student services. Due to the needs of our birth -3-year-old early childhood and 18-21 year old transition program, Superintendent Hart recommended hiring a teacher to lead both of these programs.
Teacher Vacancy Information: Superintendent Hart also discussed the attached document on teacher vacancies. The top area of need continues to be social education.

Attachments: (3)

6.1.1. Legislative Update

Discussion:

Superintendent Hart reviewed a wide variety of the bills on the attached document.
School staff and community members are encouraged to stay informed about upcoming bills and discussions regarding education-related topics.
Some of the themes present in the legislature this year are:
- Teacher Support
- Teacher Recruitment
- Loan Forgiveness
- School Funding
- Local Control
- Curriculum
- School Safety
- Activity Spaces
- Special Education

Attachments: (2)

6.1.2. 2023-2024 Staffing Information

Discussion:

More discussion about the need for these positions was presented at the meeting.
- Superintendent Hart provided information and rationale for the addition of another elementary teacher at Bennet (5th grade) and the need for additional special education student services. Due to the specific current student needs of our birth -3-year-old student population and early childhood behavior intervention needs and students eligible for an 18-21 year old transition program, Superintendent Hart recommended hiring a teacher to lead both of these programs.

6.1.3. Student Enrollment Update

Discussion:

Superintendent Hart summarized information contained in the attached document.

Attachments: (1)

District OR-1 Student Enrollment Update_ 2022-2023 School Year. Updated February 13.2023

6.2. Administrative Team Report

Discussion: Mr. Johnson and Ms. Walter discussed the following topics:

Parent-Teacher Conferences
Teacher In-service work day on Wednesday, February 22nd.
Elementary student council. The group will be organizing a fundraiser for the February Caring Project to raise money for the Bennet Ambulance Fund.
2023-2024 District Calendar
Use of NARCAN by our school nurse.
Community business leaders providing guest instructional lessons on welding and masonry for our CTE classes.
Military personnel providing information about post-high school career opportunities for students.

Attachments: (3)

7. Discussion Items- Committee Reports

Attachments: (1)

2023 Board Committee Assignments_ District OR.1. Updated and Approved. January 16.2023

7.1. Negotiations Committee Update

Discussion:

Committee members summarized the Wednesday, February 7th Negotiations Committee meeting at Bennet Elementary School.
Discussion centered around compensation increases for classified support staff and the process for future certified staff negotiations.

7.2. Curriculum: Committee on American Civics Update

Discussion:

No further discussion.

7.3. Facility Expansion Projects Update

Discussion:

Superintendent Hart summarized the documents attached to this agenda item.

Attachments: (3)

7.4. Strategic Planning Update

Discussion:

Superintendent Hart summarized the Strategic Overview Committee meeting that occurred on Monday, January 23rd at Palmyra High School and reviewed the documents attached to this agenda item.

Attachments: (2)

7.5. Olson Complex Update

Discussion:

Superintendent Hart, Mr. Hoeft, and Board President Desh provided an update on the status of various maintenance items still left to be completed.
Additional questions were considered regarding stadium seating, shot put area grading, and utilization of allocated space on the lot west of the Olson Complex.

8. Policy Review

Attachments: (3)

8.1. Policy Committee Update: 8000 Series

Discussion:

Committee members discussed this series of policies.
No substantive changes to the 8000 Series.

Attachments: (2)

8.2. Policy Committee Update: 9000 Series

Discussion:

Committee members discussed this series of policies.
No substantive changes to the 9000 Series.

Attachments: (2)

8.3. Policy # 6025: Student Cell Phone and Other Electronic Devices

Discussion:

Discussion centered around looking at the management, accessibility, and purpose of allowing cell phone usage during the school day. "Yondr" Pouches (These are RFI protected security devices that students put cell phones in during the school day to eliminate or minimize cell phone disruptions) were discussed and more research will be completed on this topic.
Other questions asked on this topic were:
- How are other school districts managing social media and the use of cell phones?
- What are some ways to best balance the presence or elimination of electronic devices?
- Questions were also asked about students being able to have the same access to Digital APPS on their Chromebooks as they were on their phones.
More discussion about this topic will occur in the coming months.

Attachments: (2)

9. Action Items

9.1. Presentation, discussion, and or official action to approve the 2023-2024 School Calendar

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Motion to approve 2023-2024 school calendar. This motion, made by Josh Penterman and seconded by Dean Busch, Passed.

Busch: Yea
Calfee: Yea
Cheney : Yea
Desh: Yea
Moore: Yea
Penterman: Yea

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

Discussion:

No further discussion.

Attachments: (1)

2023-2024 District Calendar. Final for Board Approval. 2.13.2023.Updated. 1.31.2023

9.2. Presentation, discussion, and or official action to approve the 2021-2022 Rule 10 Report for District OR-1.

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Motion to approve the 2021-2022 Rule 10 report. This motion, made by Tim Cheney and seconded by Josh Penterman, Passed.

Busch: Yea
Calfee: Yea
Cheney : Yea
Desh: Yea
Moore: Yea
Penterman: Yea

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

Discussion:

No further discussion.
The most recent Rule 10 Report is attached to this agenda

Attachments: (1)

2021.2022 Rule 10 Report. District OR1.Three Fold. updated February 8.2023

9.3. 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. This motion, made by Jaimi Calfee and seconded by Tim Cheney, Passed.

Busch: Yea
Calfee: Yea
Cheney : Yea
Desh: Yea
Moore: Yea
Penterman: Yea

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

Discussion:

The "Letter of Intent" deadline for certified staff is March 15th 2023.
No further discussion.

9.4. Presentation, discussion, and or official action to approve the use of the attached "Letter of Intent" form for classified staff members.

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Motion to approve. This motion, made by Dean Busch and seconded by Tim Cheney, Passed.

Busch: Yea
Calfee: Yea
Cheney : Yea
Desh: Yea
Moore: Yea
Penterman: Yea

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

Discussion:

The attached document will be used immediately for notification of certified staff returning or choosing to leave the district for the 2023-2024 school year.
No further discussion.

Attachments: (1)

Employment Letter of Intent for Classified Employees. Updated. February 13.2023

9.5. Presentation, discussion, and or official action to approve compensation increases for classified staff members as recommended by the Negotiation Committee members.

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Motion to approve compensation increases for the classified staff. This motion, made by Jaimi Calfee and seconded by Dee Moore, Passed.

Busch: Yea
Calfee: Yea
Cheney : Yea
Desh: Yea
Moore: Yea
Penterman: Yea

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

Discussion:

No further discussion

9.6. Presentation, discussion, and or official action to add an additional teacher to Bennet Elementary.

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Motion to approve the hiring of an additional elementary teacher at Bennet. This motion, made by Jaimi Calfee and seconded by Tim Cheney, Passed.

Busch: Yea
Calfee: Yea
Cheney : Yea
Desh: Yea
Moore: Yea
Penterman: Yea

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

Discussion:

Further discussion was included as the need for these programs was addressed earlier in the meeting.

9.7. Presentation, discussion, and or official action to approve Special Education Instructional positions for the 2023 -2024 school year.

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Motion to approve the identified special education and early childhood instructional positions. This motion, made by Jaimi Calfee and seconded by Josh Penterman, Passed.

Busch: Yea
Calfee: Yea
Cheney : Yea
Desh: Yea
Moore: Yea
Penterman: Yea

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

Discussion:

No further discussion was included as the need for these programs was addressed earlier in the meeting.

9.8. Presentation, discussion, and or official action to approve the Superintendent Contract

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Motion to accept. This motion, made by Jaimi Calfee and seconded by Tim Cheney, Passed.

Busch: Yea
Calfee: Yea
Cheney : Yea
Desh: Yea
Moore: Yea
Penterman: Yea

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

Discussion:

No further discussion.
This contract meets all of the stipulations of the public notice and Superintendent Transparency Act.

Attachments: (2)

9.9. Request permission to discard inoperable and obsolete CTE equipment

10. Board of Education Development

Discussion:

No further discussion.

Attachments: (1)

NASB board-quicks---February-2023

11. Closed Session

Discussion:

No closed session occurred.

12. Topics for Next Month’s Agenda

Discussion:

No further discussion.

13. Adjournment

Discussion:

The meeting was adjourned at 9:24 p.m.

February 13, 2023 at 7:00 PM - Board of Education Regular Meeting

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