Public Meeting Minutes: November 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 7:01 p.m.
The Pledge of Allegiance was conducted earlier at the CMAR meeting.

2. Announcement of the Open Meetings Act Posting

Discussion:

Board President Desh identified the location of the Open Meetings Act Poster on the wall in the meeting room.
- Please note that no changes to the Open Meetings Act occurred during the last Legislative session and the current Open Meetings Act information will stay current until further notice.

3. Staff and Student Presentations

Discussion: The following presentations took place during this section of the meeting:

FCCLA Update:
- Mrs. Michelle Paxton (High School Family Consumer Science Teacher) and various FCCLA students provided an update on the following topics.
  - Random Acts of Kindness:
    - During the month of November, FCCLA is providing our district transportation drivers with curbside coffee and cocoa on designated days before school to thank them for their hard work and safe driving of students! Additionally, FCCLA students have also provided pizza to our building staff to thank them for all the hard work they do as well. We are very appreciative of the work and thoughtfulness of Mrs. Paxton and these students. Thank you!
  - Community Service Workday Information:
    - FFA and FCCLA presented information on a school-wide community service day for all of our middle school and high school students on Friday, April 26, 2024.
Digital Communications Class Presentation:
- Palmyra High School student (Miss Leslie Kavan) presented information on a student-created video highlighting our school district. Special thanks to Leslie and all the students involved in this project (and Ms. Gill) for their hard work in promoting the excellent things going on with our students, staff, and programs.
District Health Services Overview:
- Mrs. Christine Wilson (District School Nurse) presented information related to School Medical Training Requirements, District Healthcare Services, available student support, and the integral role of school health services personnel.
Activities Update:
- Mr. Aaron Hoeft (District Activities Director) discussed projected NSAA activity classifications for the 2024-2025 school year, current (and projected) student activity numbers, a summary of district activities, coaching, and the importance of extracurricular activities to benefit our students.

Special thanks to all of these individuals for the extra time and effort to provide this information to our board members and community!

4. Consent Agenda

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

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

Busch: Absent
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)

4.5. Financial Report

Attachments: (1)

Financial Report. District OR1.November 13.2023

5. Public Comment

Discussion:

No public comment was presented at the meeting.

6. Administrative Reports

6.1. Superintendent's Report

Discussion: Superintendent Hart presented information on the topics listed below.

World Kindness Day is November 13th, 2023:
- Be Kind t-shirts were provided for staff members in support of Be Kind Day. District activities supporting kindness were conducted at both buildings.
Annual Financial Report Update:
- Board member were provided with a hard copy of the finalized 2022-2023 district AFR.
Bond Update: A summary of the second bond issuance is listed below.
- Amount: $5,595,000
- Timeline Issued: Wednesday, November 1st, 2023
- Bank Information: Local Bank Secured
January 2024 Regular Board Meeting Date Adjustment:
- Monday, January 1, 2024, falls on the first Monday of January 2024. Normally, the regular board meeting is scheduled for the second Monday of each month.
- Due to the timing of the new year, the holiday break, which often causes delays in vendor billing, and our support staff needing additional time to process bank statements and reconcile accounts, I am proposing we move the January 2024 regular board meeting to a different time during the month. The finalized date and time will be announced at our December 11th 2023 regular board meeting.
Student, Staff, and Community Kudos:
Guest Speaker: November 8th at PHS:
- Casey Molifua, Senior Instructor of Physical Education Human Performance at Hastings College presented information to our students about setting goals, the value of understanding and practicing gratitude, and embracing the process of becoming better each day.
NDE Assessment Performance Results:
- Our district assessment rating will be made publicly available on the Nebraska department of Education's website near the end of November.
"Community Unity" Engagement Update:
Highway #2 Safety Update:
- NDOT Visit and Summary
- Senator Slama Contact Summary
Student Enrollment Update:
- Our district enrollment as of November 13th, 2023 stands at 740 students.
  - Bennet Elementary (Pre-K- 5): 407
  - Palmyra Junior / Senior High School (6-12): 333
Olson Complex Update:
- Shot Put Area Grading
- Team Room Drywall and Mold abatement on HVAC system
- Irrigation System Update
- Additional Information
  - Panther Club Summer Baseball
  - Old Settler's Picnic: Saturday, June 8th 2024.

Attachments: (3)

6.1.1. Superintendent Evaluation

Discussion:

Board President Desh summarized the specifics of the current superintendent evaluation process.
Superintendent Hart has completed the self-evaluation document and board members will complete individual comments and provide feedback prior to the December 11th regular board meeting in accordance with the schedule listed below:
Board members will complete their evaluations of the superintendent by Wednesday. November, 22nd.
- After receiving this feedback, NASB will create an executive summary document.
- The "executive summary" will be sent to Board President Desh by Monday. December. 4^th
Board members will go over the superintendent's evaluation during the regular board meeting on Monday, December 11th:
- In alignment with the results of the evaluation, Superintendent Hart will develop new goals and share them at the January 2024 regular board meeting.

Attachments: (1)

Superintendent Goals for the 2022-2023 School Year_ Updated Board Presentation. November 13, 2023 (1)

6.2. Administrative Team Report

Discussion:

Mr. Johnson and Ms. Walter provided information and a summary of the latest (state required annually) district safety and security audit.
- Discussion also included information regarding safety training, the reunification process, and safety supply updates.
Other topics included:
- Red Ribbon Week and making positive choices.
- The Purple Hand Pledge
- National Kindness Day and ways to be kind

Attachments: (3)

6.2.1. Safety Audit and Safety Plan and Training Update

Discussion:

On Tuesday, November 14th Mr. Johnson and Ms. Walter will be reviewing safety procedures and discussing the reunification process with staff during the staff development day.
The district safety team also attended a training session on October 23rd to assist with safety protocols.
Additional discussion was focused on the visibility and security of the new addition windows at Palmyra, exit door coverage and locks, interior and exterior video monitoring throughout both buildings, effective communication strategies for staff inside and outside the buildings throughout the school day (two-way radios, etc.), and visitor and staff identification protocols.

7. Discussion Items- Committee Reports

Attachments: (1)

2023 Board Committee Assignments_ District OR.1. Updated and Approved. January 16.2023 (2)

7.1. Curriculum: Committee on American Civics Update

Discussion:

The Americanism Committee met on Wednesday, October 11th, 2023 at 12:00 p.m. at Palmyra High School.
- The agenda and minutes for the meeting are attached to this agenda item.
- The committee needs to meet at least twice each school year to comply with Nebraska Department of Education requirements.
The next Americanism Committee meeting is scheduled for:
- Wednesday, February 7th, 2024 at 12:00 p.m. at Palmyra High School
  - Please note that the February 2024 meeting will be a public meeting in accordance with state statutes.

Attachments: (1)

Committee on American Civics Meeting Agenda.October 11.2023 (1)

7.2. Negotiations Committee

Discussion:

In accordance with the Commission of Industrial Relations Order dated February 6th, 2018, The District OR-1 Public Education Association is certified as (and remains) the exclusive collective bargaining agent for our school district.
District OR-1 is in the second year of a two-year Negotiated Agreement for certified staff.
The Negotiations Committee met on the following dates:
- Wednesday, October 4th 2023 at 5:00 p.m. at Bennet Elementary
- Monday, October 30th at 5:00 p.m. at Bennet Elementary
- Wednesday, November 1st at 4:30 p.m. at Bennet Elementary.
  - Please note: This was a collaborative meeting with members of the Association Negotiating Committee
Negotiations Committee members in attendance summarized highlights from the previous meetings.
Negotiations Committee members are listed in the document attached to this agenda item.

Attachments: (1)

2023 Board Committee Assignments_ District OR.1. Updated and Approved. January 16.2023 (4)

7.3. Transportation Committee

Discussion: The Transportation Committee met on the following dates and times:

Wednesday, November 8th at 9:00 a.m. at Palmyra High School.
Thursday, October 26th at 8:30 a.m. at Palmyra High School.

Highlights from the meetings were discussed at the meeting:

Vehicle Purchases and Equipment Updates:
Review District Vehicle Inventory Spreadsheet
Bus Drivers
Tree Removal
On-site Storage
Possible Bus / Vehicle Barn Project
Snow Removal Plan
- The committee's next meeting is scheduled for January 2024. Time and Date TBD.

8. Policy Review

Discussion:

Because the Policy Committee was unable to meet this month, the review of the 6000 and 7000 Series Policies will be moved to the December 11th Regular Board Meeting.
The next Policy Review Committee meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, December 5th at 4:00 p.m. at Bennet Elementary School.

9. Action Items

9.1. Discuss, consider and take all necessary action with regard to the Annual Financial Report (AFR).

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Motion to accept the Annual Financial Report. This motion, made by Tim Cheney and seconded by Josh Penterman, Passed.

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

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

Discussion:

All board members received a hard bound copy of the AFR earlier in the meeting.
No discrepancies were identified by the auditor in the AFR document.
No further discussion.

Attachments: (3)

9.2. Discuss, consider and take all necessary action to reschedule the January 2024 Regular Board Meeting

Action(s):

Motion Tabled:

Motion to table. This motion, made by Josh Penterman and seconded by Tim Cheney, Tabled.

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

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

Discussion:

This item was tabled until the December 11th regular board meeting.

10. Board of Education Development

Discussion:

Board President Desh and Superintendent Hart will present information on community engagement at the Wednesday, November 15th afternoon pre-session of the state conference.
More information regarding this presentation is listed in the attached document.
No further discussion.

Attachments: (4)

11. Closed Session

Discussion:

No closed session occurred at the meeting.

12. Topics for Next Month’s Agenda

Discussion: Topics listed for next month are listed below:

Policy Review: 6000 and 7000 Series
2024-2025 District OR-1 Calendar "Draft" Review
Rule 10 Annual Report
Superintendent Evaluation
Negotiations Update
Construction Update
Other items as requested

13. Adjournment

Discussion:

The meeting was adjourned at: 9:09 p.m.

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

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