Public Meeting Minutes: March 11, 2024 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.
The Pledge of Allegiance was conducted at the CMAR special board meeting earlier in the evening.

2. Announcement of the Open Meetings Act Posting

Discussion:

Board President Desh will identify 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

3.1. Nebraska Department of Transportation (NDOT) Highway # 2 Traffic Safety Proposal for Palmyra Area

Discussion:

In response to community concerns regarding the high number of accidents on the stretch of Hwy # 2 between HWY 43 to the west and the Douglas "spur" to the east of Palmyra, a representative from the Nebraska Department of Transportation (NDOT) shared a "draft" traffic safety plan that could significantly reduce vehicle accidents and other traffic issues historically present in this area.
A conceptual scope of work was discussed and additional information about the project is contained in the attached documents.
More information and opportunities for community engagement and feedback on the proposal will be communicated in the near future.

Attachments: (4)

4. Consent Agenda

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Motion to approve the consent agenda as presented. This motion, made by Dean Busch and seconded by Tim Cheney, Passed.

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

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: (4)

4.3. Approval of Claims/Payment of Bills and Payroll

Attachments: (4)

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

4.5. Financial Report

Attachments: (1)

District OR.1 Trial Balance. Financial Report. April 8.2024

5. Public Comment

Discussion:

Public Comment was provided by Craig Bolz of Palmyra.
Public Comment was provided by Chad Hartwick of Palmyra
Public Comment was provided by Ken Malone of Palmyra
Public Comment was provided by Susan Royal of Palmyra

6. Administrative Reports

6.1. Superintendent's Report

Discussion: Some of the topics of tonight's report include:

Legislative Update
- See the attached document. A summary of bill proposals impacting public education was highlighted.
NDE Safety and Security Grant:
- Our district is in the process of submitting the Safety and Security Grant through NDE. The deadline to submit this grant is Friday, March 15th.
- Notification of grant recipients will be communicated in the first week of April. More information regarding the NDE Safety and Security Grant will be discussed at the Monday, April 8th, 2024 regular board meeting.
High School Grading Discussion:
- A committee discussion regarding grading at the high school level will be scheduled before the Monday, April 8th, 2024 Regular Board meeting.
Personnel and Student Kudos:
- Personnel highlights included classroom plaques made by the art department and our CTE classes, a possible Palmyra School Store proposal, Mental Health First Responder Training, District Wellness Committee Policies and Meetings, MUDECAS and ECNC music contests, Peru State Business applications' competition and student awards, academic scholarship recipients, FFA, FFCLA, and examples of positive staff interactions with students (reading to students, etc.).
Personnel Update
- Highlights included an overview of the certified staff members scheduled to be approved later in the board meeting.
District Activities Update:
- Please see the attached documents in the admin report.
Pre-School Discussion
- Discussion included the potential for full-day preschool for the 2024-2025 school year.
- More discussion on this topic will occur throughout the month, and we will discuss this topic again at the Monday, April 8th, 2024, regular board meeting.
District Facility Manager Position
- I am recommending hiring a Maintenance and Grounds Director to assist with building expansion projects and other facility needs.
- A job description is attached to this agenda item. See the attached document for more information.
District Wellness Committee:
- Jami Calfee was selected to be the board member representative on this committee.
Elementary Principal Interview Process Update:
- A summary of the elementary principal survey responses is attached to this agenda item.
- Superintendent Hart summarized the principal interview process and provided information on the selected candidate.
- Special thanks to all the staff and community members involved with the elementary principal selection process who helped organize and provide feedback regarding potential candidates.
Student Videos:
- Construction progress at Bennet and Palmyra. These videos will be uploaded to our school website in the near future.
Option Enrollment:
- Just a reminder that the option enrollment deadline was Friday, March 15th, 2024.
- No current changes were made.
Student Enrollment Update:
- Superintendent Hart provided an update on student enrollment.
"End of School Year" Activities
- Superintendent Hart provided information about the various school activities scheduled for the end of the school year.

Attachments: (3)

6.2. Administrative Team Report

Discussion: Topics of Discussion:

The third quarter ended Thursday, March 8th. Report cards will be sent home on March 15th.
PHS Prom is Saturday, April, 13th at Prairie Creek Inn in Walton, NE. Post Prom will be at Camp Ashland.
Staff Inservice day was held on Monday, March 11th. The main topics for the day were Mental Health First Aid, MTSS, and behavior committee follow-up.
The Bennet Caring Project has concluded, and Bennet Students raised over $415.00 for the Brave Animal Rescue. Congratulations!
Music and Band will be busy this next month with all their music competitions. They begin next week with Malcolm Music.
NSCAS/MAPS testing will be April 22nd-May 3rd for K-10 students.
KDG Round Up will be Friday, April 12th from 9-11 AM. A parents' meeting is scheduled on Wednesday, April 10th, at 6:00 PM. at Bennet Elementary School.

Attachments: (3)

7. Discussion Items- Committee Reports

Discussion:

No further discussion.

Attachments: (1)

2024 Board Committee Assignments_ District OR.1. Updated and Approved. January 10.2024

8. Policy Review

8.1. Wellness Policy Update and District Wellness Committee Meeting Information

Discussion:

A District Wellness Committee meeting will be scheduled before the end of the 2023-2024 school year.

Attachments: (1)

School Wellness Letter. District OR.1.1.23.2024 (1)

9. Action Items

9.1. Presentation, discussion, and or official action to approve the resignation of Mrs. Cassidy Buescher.

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Motion to approve the resignation of Mrs. Cassidy Buescher. This motion, made by Dee Moore 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.

9.2. Presentation, discussion, and or official action to approve a teaching contract for Mr. Taylor Baumert

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Motion to approve a contract for Mr. Taylor Baumert. 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:

No further discussion.

9.3. Presentation, discussion, and or official action to approve a teaching contract for Mr. Andrew (Mark) James

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Motion to approve the teaching contract of Mr. Andrew (Mark) James. This motion, made by Dee Moore 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.

9.4. Presentation, discussion, and or official action to approve a teaching contract for Mr. Jacob Wieseler.

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Motion to approve a teaching contract for Mr. Jacob Wieseler. 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.

9.5. Presentation, discussion, and or official action to approve a teaching contract for Ms. Ann Woockman.

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Moton to approve a teaching contract for Ms. Ann Woockman. 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.

9.6. Presentation, discussion, and or official action to approve the selection of Mr. Jared Haag as the new elementary school principal at Bennet.

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Motion to approve a contract for Mr. Jared Haag. 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.

9.7. Presentation, discussion, and or official action to approve a resolution regarding a NDOT traffic safety project near the village of Palmyra on Highway 2.

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Motion to approve the resolution as discussed. 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.

Discussion:

Brandon Desh read the attached resolution out loud to the other board members and patrons in attendance at the meeting.
No further discussion as this was a presentation topic at the beginning of the meeting.

Attachments: (2)

10. Board of Education Development

Discussion:

No further discussion.

Attachments: (1)

NASB Board-Quicks---March-2024

11. Closed Session

Discussion:

No closed session occurred at the meeting.

12. Topics for Next Month’s Agenda

13. Adjournment

Discussion:

The meeting was adjourned at: 8:34 p.m.

March 11, 2024 at 7:00 PM - Board of Education Regular Meeting

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