December 11, 2023 at 7:00 PM - Board of Education Regular Meeting

• Board President Desh called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. 
• The Pledge of Allegiance was conducted earlier at the CMAR special board meeting.

• 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.

For tonight's staff presentation, Our "New to the District" certified teachers were asked the following questions regarding their experiences in our district so far this first semester. 

• What successes have you experienced with students, staff, parents, etc. so far this year?
• What is something that has been a challenge for you during the first semester?
• What is one professional goal you have for next semester?
• How can we best support you and your talents?

• "New to the District" staff responded either "in person" at the meeting or submitted their responses in written format.
• Special thanks to all of our "New to the District" certified staff for their feedback about their experiences!
• We are blessed to have such outstanding educators in our district! 

• No further discussion.

• More information was provided about the teachers who are currently entering (or new this school year) into the district.

• No public comment was provided at the meeting. 

• District Logos and Branding Guidelines: In collaboration with representatives from Clark and Enersen, we have developed a more specific document that accurately identifies approved school colors using Pantone identification codes, standardized fonts, and alternate versions of the district logo.    
  • Please see the attached document for more information. 
• Nebraska Department of Education School Profile and NSCAS Assessment Update:
  • Our district was rated as "Great" in alignment with our statewide standardized student scores in the areas of math, science, English, and the ACT testing instrument.
  • Please note that our overall student scores in these academic content areas were higher than the state average in all subjects. Great job to all of our students and staff for their hard work and achievements!
  • Please refer to the following link for more information about our school assessment data.  
    • Nebraska Education Profile: 
• District Student Enrollment Update:
• Community Update: The community update was distributed to community members on Friday, December 8th, 2023.
  • See attached document
• Bennet Elementary School Candy Cane Project:
  • Special thanks to our elementary school students for a great service learning project assisting needy families in the District OR-1 community. 
  • Our student goal was $100.00. Anything above this goal number will be enhanced by some additional matching funds. 
    • See the attached presentation for more information. 
• Connex Box at High School:
  • See the attached picture. Special note: This additional storage will be very useful as we temporarily store needed materials and order new equipment for the current building expansion projects.
• "Splash For Cash" and Center Court (stage) Promotion:
  • Special thanks to Riverstone Bank for helping our district provide fun and engaging promotional activities for our fans during our girls' and boys' home basketball games. Please refer to the attached flyer for more information regarding this promotion. We are thankful for this community partnership.
• Personnel Update:
  • Mr. Hart provided a brief update on personnel changes throughout the district.
• NSAA Football Classification for 2024-2025:
  • Palmyra High School will be classified as C-2 for our football program beginning with the 2024-2025 school year. The 8-player or 11-player football competition request document was submitted to NSAA for approval at the end of November and game schedules should be out around the first of February (2024).
• Construction Pics Update:
  • Several pictures are included in the Community Update document and additional pictures of progress at both buildings were shared at the meeting. 
• Activities Update:
  • Activities Committee Information
  • State Wrestling Mat Update
• January 2024 Regular Board Meeting Date Adjustment
  • Discussion included moving the January 2024 regular board meeting to Wednesday, January 10th, 2024.  This proposal was an action agenda item later in the meeting.
• Student, Staff, and Community Kudos:
  • Special thanks again to all of our District OR-1 staff for the great work they do every day for our students and our community.  

• Board President Desh went over the Superintendent's evaluation and Executive Summary during this portion of the meeting.

• Board President Desh went over the Superintendent's evaluation and Executive Summary during this portion of the meeting.
• Superintendent Hart was able to gather additional information clarifying comments listed within the evaluation.
• Superintendent Hart will provide some updated "draft" goals at the January 10th, 2024 regular board meeting.
• Discussion regarding the Superintendent's contract will be included in the January 10th, 2024 regular board meeting agenda. 
• The evaluation was signed after the meeting.

• Superintendent Hart presented an overview of the latest Calendar Committee proposal for the 2024-2025 school year.
• This calendar will be reviewed again by staff and the Calendar Committee during the January 3rd, 2024 staff development day and presented for approval at the January 10th, 2024 regular board meeting.

Highlights of the December Administrative Board Report:

• The Bennet Elementary Holiday Music Concert was on Monday, November 27th at Palmyra High School.  The KDG-2nd grade students performed and then our 3rd and 4th grade students performed. 
  • Special thanks to Mrs. McCreight for her time in putting together a wonderful program.
• The 5th -12th grade holiday concerts were held Monday, December 4th, and Thursday, December 7th. 
  • Special thanks to Mr. Furrow and Mrs. McCreight for all their hard work!  The kids sounded great!
• Both buildings are working with ESU #4 on updating our Teacher Evaluation Tool process and paperwork. 
• Bennet Elementary School students started NSCAS and MAPS testing for students in grades K-5. Assessment results will be collected and analyzed during the January professional development day.
• The first semester will end on Wednesday, December 20th. 
  • We will be dismissing school early on Wednesday, December 20th, at 1:00 pm for winter break.
  • Staff will return to school for a professional development day on Wednesday, January 3rd, 2024.
  • Students will be returning on Thursday, January 4th, 2024.

• Committee reports are designed to summarize committee meetings conducted since the last regular board meeting.

• The next Negotiations Committee meeting will be Wednesday, December 27th, 2023, at Bennet Elementary School. 

• The committee's next meeting is scheduled for January 10th, 2024 at 8:30 a.m. at PHS in the west conference room.
• The mini-bus is expected to be on campus before the end of the semester.
• No further discussion. 

• Highlights of the Policy Meeting:
  • Working on enhanced standardized formatting
  • Accurate and efficient posting of updated policy information 
  • Possible revisions of Policies: #6920, # 6920B, #6910.
  • No other substantive changes were recommended. 

• Committee members discussed this policy and provided recommendations for wording changes.
• The revised policy update will be on the January 10th, 2024 regular board meeting agenda. 

• These policies will also be reviewed by school health services personnel.
• No substantive changes were suggested.

• No further discussion. 

• Board President Desh and other board members summarized recent board leadership opportunities. 
• Board members are encouraged to attend upcoming professional development opportunities at their discretion. 

• The statewide primary election will be held on Tuesday, May 14th, 2024. 

• The incumbent filing period is from January 5th, 2024- to February 15th, 2024 at 5:00 p.m.
  • An incumbent is anyone who is currently a board member. 
• The non-incumbent filing period is from January 5th to March 1st, 2024 at 5:00 p.m. 

• Discuss and take possible action related to certified staff negotiations to protect the best interest of the district
• Discuss personnel and take possible action to protect the needless injury to the reputation of individuals.
• Discuss and take action on property matters to protect the public interest. 

• The closed session was convened at 8:49 p.m. 

• Board members discussed negotiations, personnel, and property.
• The regular board meeting was reconvened at 10:15 p.m.

• No action was taken as a result of the "closed" session. 

• No further discussion. 

• The meeting was adjourned at: 10:15 p.m.