Public Meeting Minutes: March 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. McChristian, Mrs. Sullivan, Mrs. Peska, Mrs. Field, Mrs. Dowding, and Ms. Walter for sharing their knowledge and this information with the board.
Mr. McChristian presented an overview of some of the NDE science standards, science lessons, and assessments used at the 5th grade level. This overview contained student videos and lesson content regarding cells.
Mrs. Sullivan shared information relating to materials utilized for 4th grade social studies. This overview contained student videos and lesson content regarding Native Americans and Nebraska History.
Mrs. Peska, Mrs. Dowding, and Mrs. Field shared information regarding first grade science and social studies content. The overview contained information about how the teachers use the information to extend the curriculum, adapt the curriculum, and plan events related to the curriculum.

Excellence in Education Award Information

The nomination form for the Excellence in Education Award is also attached to this agenda item.

Attachments: (3)

4. Consent Agenda

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Motion to approve the consent agenda as presented. This motion, made by Dee Moore 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.

4.1. Approval of Board Agenda

4.2. Approval of minutes of previous meetings

Attachments: (5)

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. Michael Chaffee Letter of Resignation / Notice of Retirement

Attachments: (1)

Chaffee.Michael.Notice of Retirement.Letter of Resignation.3.8.2023

4.4.2. Karen Hatcher Letter of Resignation / Notice of Retirement

Attachments: (1)

Hatcher.Karen.Letter of Resignation and Notice of Retirement. 2.23.23

4.4.3. Jessica Hinrichsen Letter of Resignation

Attachments: (1)

Hinrichsen.Jessica.Letter of Resignation.March 9.2023

4.5. Financial Report

Attachments: (1)

Financial Report. District OR.1. March 13.2023

5. Public Comment

Discussion:

Public Comment was provided by Susan Royal of Palmyra.

6. Administrative Reports

6.1. Superintendent's Report

Discussion:
Superintendent Hart discussed information related to the following topics:

"Community Unity" Project Update: Superintendent Hart discussed progress on the "Community Unity" project involving Palmyra and Bennet patrons. This "Community Unity" project focuses on celebrating the history of the communities of Palmyra, Bennet, and Douglas.
- Information panels for each community will be developed in collaboration with our high school students and local community members familiar with the history of each community. Once completed, these community information panels will be displayed at the high school in the commons areas.
- FYI: The "Community Unity" information panel for Bennet has already been completed and work is currently in progress on the Palmya panel. The Douglas panel will be started once the Palmyra panel is completed.
- Special thanks to our high school students and Mrs. Gill-Rose for their involvement in the project, creativity, attention to detail, and collaboration in making such high-quality products.
- An example of the Bennet "Community Unity" panel is attached below.
Business Leader Meeting Summary: Wednesday, March 8, 2023 at Palmyra High School.
- The meeting presentation, agenda, and business leader letter are attached to this agenda item.
- Career Readiness Standards are also attached.
Legislative Update: See attached document.
Enrollment Update: See attached document.
Upcoming Community Meetings: The next Community Information meeting is Wednesday, March 15th, beginning at 6:00 p.m. at Bennet Elementary School.
2023-2024 Staffing Update: See attached document.
Bennet Gym Floor Update: We are in the process of looking at options to repair some center sections of the floor at the elementary school gym. Some of the boards near the middle of the court under the south basket have been shifting and have made the surface a bit more uneven than usual. More information about progress on this project will be discussed at the next board meeting.
Option Enrollment Update and Policy Review: Superintendent Hart discussed legislative bills related to option enrollment. These potential bills are explained in more detail in the Superintendent's report.
End of the School Year Activities:
- Graduation; Saturday, May 13th, 2023
- Summer Enrichment: June 2023 at Bennet Elementary School.

Attachments: (6)

6.1.1. Legislative Update

Discussion:

See attached documents for more information.

Attachments: (2)

6.2. Administrative Team Report

Discussion: Ms. Walter and Mr. Johnson shared the administrative report for March. The topics that were covered are listed below:

Report Cards
ASVAB and NSCAS Student Testing Information.
Staff Development Information: Monday, March 13th
Bennet Caring Project
School Activities (Music Events and Prom)
School Improvement

Attachments: (4)

6.2.1. Continuous Improvement and School Accreditation

Discussion:
School Improvement:

As part of the accreditation cycle for schools, every five years an external team review is conducted to assess each school district's status and programs.
The District OR-1 External Team Accreditation visit is scheduled for Wednesday, April 12th and Thursday, April 13th, 2023. There is also a Board of Education external team debrief and dinner scheduled for Wednesday, April 12th, 2023 from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. at Palmyra High School.
- The District Accreditation External Team Review "draft" schedule is attached to this agenda item.
- Special thanks to our Continuous Improvement Team members for their hard work in preparing for this external team visit.

Attachments: (1)

District OR 1_ Bennet_Palmyra Accreditation External Team Visit Draft Agenda. March 13.2023

7. Discussion Items- Committee Reports

Attachments: (1)

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

7.1. Curriculum: Committee on American Civics Update

Discussion:
Information regarding the March 2nd meeting held at Palmyra High school is listed below:
Agenda for the Meeting:

Nebraska Secretary of State (Dr. Robert Evnen) March 1st Visit Feedback and Highlights: Mark and Heath - See attached document
Recent or Upcoming Social Studies Related Activities: Linde, Heath, and Mark
Possible Digital Curriculum Opportunities: Heath (e-dynamic learning) link
Legislative Bills which could impact curriculum and instruction: Mike - See attached document
Adjourn
The next committee meeting will be Wednesday, October 11th, 2023 at 12:00 p.m. at the high school. This will be a public meeting and notice of the meeting will be advertised in the Voice News.

Attachments: (2)

7.2. Facility Expansion Projects Update

Discussion:

Superintendent Hart presented information related to the current progress on the building expansion projects at Bennet Elementary School and Palmyra High School.
More information is contained within the documents attached below.
Just a reminder that the next community Information meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, March 15th, 2023, beginning at 6:00 p.m. at Bennet Elementary School.

Attachments: (3)

8. Policy Review

Discussion:

Superintendent Hart, Mr. Johnson, Ms.Walter, and board members discussed social media and the use of technology for students in the school setting.
Additional discussion centered around the types (and number of) classroom and activity related "apps" teachers are using and how these are communicated to parents, parent feedback on student technology use at home and at school, and curriculum designated to teach appropriate social media skills and technology.
The development of a technology focus group made up of district staff, community members, parents, and students was discussed along with the creation and distribution of a parent survey to gather more information on student technology use at home and at school.
More information on this topic will be discussed at the April 10th regular board meeting.
The policy review for next month will be the 1000 (Community Relations), 2000 (Administration), and 3000 (Business Operations) Series policies.

9. Action Items

9.1. Presentation, discussion, and or official action to approve a teaching contract at Bennet Elementary School for Rachel Bohling..

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Motion to approve. This motion, made by Jaimi Calfee 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.

Attachments: (1)

Bohling. Rachel. District OR.1. Bennet Elementary School Teacher Contract .2023.2024 School Year.March 9.2023.signed.3.10.2023

9.2. Presentation, discussion, and or official action to approve the purchase of a 2017 Bluebird 71 passenger bus

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Motion to approve the purchase of the diesel school bus listed above. 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.

Attachments: (1)

Pictures of the 2017 71 Passenger Blue Bird Bus

9.3. Presentation, discussion, and or official action to approve the repair and replacement of the north and south auxiliary gym doors.

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Motion to approve seeking bids for this project. 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.

Attachments: (1)

Picture of the Auxiliary Gym Doors at Palmyra High School (March 2023)

10. Board of Education Development

Discussion:

Board members are encouraged to attend board development opportunities,and some of the upcoming events are highlighted below.
Monthly information from the Nebraska Association of School Boards is also attached to this agenda item. These documents provide relevant information about board related topics, legislative issues, NASB services, and current events related to education.

Attachments: (2)

11. Closed Session

12. Topics for Next Month’s Agenda

Discussion:
Some of the topics that will be covered next month are listed below:

Facility Expansion Project Update
Personnel Update
Policy Review:
Option Enrollment: Policy Review and enrollment.
Strategic Planning Update
2023-2024 budget update and projections
2022 Bond Update
Staff and Student Handbooks Preview
End of the School Year Activities
- Graduation

13. Adjournment

Discussion: The meeting was adjourned at: 9:00 p.m.

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

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