July 13, 2015 at 6:00 PM - Board of Education Regular Meeting

Rationale: 

1. The Board of Education reserves the right to enter into closed/executive session for 1) the protection of the public interest or 2) the prevention of needless injury to the reputation of an individual, and the individual has not requested a public meeting. When making a motion to enter into closed/executive session, the member making such a request should be as specific as possible keeping the previously listed stipulation in consideration.
2. If the Board is in agreement, a motion may be to enter into closed/executive session to 1) discuss a personnel matter or 2) for the prevention of needless injury to the reputation of the individual, or 3) to discuss litigation and for the protection of the public interest.
3. Action concerning matters discussed in executive session will be taken in open session.

Rationale:  Consent agenda items are those routine and regulatory items which should require little or no discussion. Please look consent agenda items over closely prior to the meeting and call the superintendent with questions. Should you wish to have an item moved to the regular agenda, please do so with a request and motion at the meeting. The purpose of the consent agenda is to speed up the meeting and allow us to focus time and energy on those matters which require discussion, explanation and deliberation.

Rationale:  To verify that notice of the meeting was given by posting in three prominent locations in the district and by written notice to each member of the board, the designated method(s) of giving notice.

Rationale:  Approve the agenda of this meeting. The Board reserves the right to change the order of items within the agenda.

Rationale:  Approve minutes of previous meeting(s)

Rationale:  Annually the Nebraska Department of Education recognizes the schools in the state for meeting the accreditation rules set forth by the Department and Legislature. We have received that notice, it is an attachment to this packet. We annually acknowledge this recognition with a motion.

Rationale: 

The policies we approved on first reading last month are attached to the packet this month for your review. You may leave this item in the consent agenda or move it to the action agenda 

Rationale:  The activity shuttle vehicle is addressed annually per the respective merger agreements. The service is usually provided by staff, who use a school vehicle, whenever we can. If not a driver is hired at a rate of $15 per trip. A copy of the information relating to the shuttle service is attahed. We have not charged for the service recently, most of the time staff have driven the school vehicles. The get a free ride to work and take students home for us. We don't have to find or pay a driver. The students also get a free ride, because if we hire a driver the students split that cost.

Rationale:  We currenly pay $100 per day for substitutes. That is consistent with area schools.

Rationale:  We currently charge $4.00 for adults, $3.00 for students and $8.00 for a family to attend our events. This is consistent with RPAC schools and the RPAC conference events.

Rationale:  You will need to approve the contracting of Rich Wilson to teach drivers education this summer

Rationale:  Discuss, consider and take all necessary action regarding:

Rationale: 

Presentation of the financial status of the district, balances in the various funds, recent/impending activity therein, anticipated expenses and planning for future considerations.

Rationale:  We will present information regarding the districts multicultural education program.

Rationale:  Our assessment plan must be reviewed annually. Should the board wish to make a change we must submit a new plan to the state.

Rationale:  The board must review the bullying policy annually.

Rationale:  We must annually review the district's attendance policy.

Rationale:  We appointed new members to the required committee in January. That must be done annually. The statute is also attached for your review.

Rationale:  After the hearing the board must by statute either alter and adopt the revised policy or reaffirm it as written. 

Rationale:  At the hearing we reviewed the money collected and the waivers provided to students under this policy. No action is required but we may alter and adopt the revised policy or reaffirm it as written.

Rationale:  This was a topic again at the School Law Seminar in Kearney. Bobby Truhe did the presentation that day. We are doing our due diligence in tracking employee hours to see who will be eligible next year. We meet the 50 employee threshold but not the 100 employee . For us implementation is scheduled to take place on September 1, 2016.which may make a difference for us. We will have some employees who qualify. We will survey staff in February of 2016, form any new policy subgroups after that. Work with staff on plans in May and June of 2016. The EHA application will be July 1, 2016 and the tax penalties will begin on September 1, 2016.

Rationale:  District insurance covers all employees for theft of funds, however we are not covered for forgery and alteration. I am sure there is a distinction in there someplace. Premium to included Forgery & Alteration on the School’s Crime Policy would be $215 annually.  Pro-rated premium to provide coverage till the 9/5/15 renewal date is $42. 

Rationale:  After the meeting with W Design and BD Construction some additional ideas have surfaced. If the board is interested in including those in the process we would need to approve the attached contract with W Design.

Rationale:  We should have additional activity assignments ready to present.

Rationale: 

I brought some ideas to the board last month. Based on that and some conversation at the office level we have some recommendations.  I would recommend the following signatures:

Activity Account: Jim Kent on all checks and one of Adam Fette, Mike Rotherham, JoAnn Decker, Stacey Waters

General Fund Clearing: Jim Kent on all checks and one of  Adam Fette, Mike Rotherham, JoAnn Decker, Stacey Waters

School Lunch: Jim Kent on all checks and one of Adam Fette, Mike Rotherham, JoAnn Decker, Stacey Waters

Cafeteria Plan: Jim Kent on all checks and one of Adam Fette, Mike Rotherham, JoAnn Decker, Stacey Waters

Unemployment Account: Jim Kent on all checks and one of Adam Fette, Mike Rotherham, JoAnn Decker, Stacey Waters

Currently the principal or superintendent sign off on all authorizations to purchase. Then either JoAnn or Stacey write the check. Then the principal and superintendent sign the check. Three people see the check. If we add to the signature cards then we have the potential of adding a fourth person to the list of those who see checks before they go out.

Our protocol would be to have the person who did not write the check be the person who signs the check. If Stacey writes an activity check then JoAnn could sign it. Particularly in the summer and at times when the principals are gone getting things signed is an issue. The superintendent remains the final signature on all checks.

Purchasing,other than small miscellaneous items, as always is done only on my authorization.

Rationale:  Raises take effect with August hours and will be reflected on paychecks in September. It would be better if we approve these now.

Rationale:  We need to set lunch and breakfast prices for 2015-2016.

Rationale:  We need to discuss staffing for 2015-2016. We have struck out three times on adding part time music. We have one more semi legitmate possibility. Work on the high school schedule ins proceeding with the realistic thought in mind that Mr. Loghry will have to to the music in all buildings K-12. A copy of the tentative high school schedule is also attached.

Rationale: 

Lisa has supplied some information for you to look at prior to the meeting. You can find her stuff by going to the original calendar login page and looking at the Technology 1:1 link in the list at the top right. You may reach the calendar page by clicking on the NETS online button in the top right of you page and selecting "My Portal"

 

You can also see the information at this link: http://dcs1to1.weebly.com/

Just copy and paste it into  your browser.

Rationale: 

Insurance totaled out bus #9 and bus #11. The check will be somewhat less than a new bus. For now we just have to run them. They also gave us damage checks on #27 and a white van. Those we may fix.

Rationale: 

Several years ago the federal government outlawed the transportation of students in 15 passenger vehicles. So we all bought the 10 passenger vans. Then they decided that only those with “experience” could drive the 10 passenger vans. So that eliminated anyone who was not a regular driver prior to the rule change. Now they have changed again and are requiring yearly physical for anyone to drive the 10 passenger vans but are eliminating the ‘experience’ factor.

 

Small vans and suburban/expeditions are still not under these rules. We need to discuss the fate of our 10 passenger vans, when to send buses, whether to buy different vehicles, etc…

Rationale: 

Once upon a time our insurance carrier conducted checks for us on our drivers. Then it became our responsibility to check DMV records yearly. Now we must also check the criminal backgrounds of our drivers with the state patrol each year when their license expires. 

Rationale:  The document from NDE is attached

Rationale:  We have begun to seek applications for non-teaching openings. We will discuss and report at the meeting

Rationale: 

The fall meeting will be in Bartley on August 12 at 5:00 MT. All coaches and activity sponsors attend.

Rationale:  They should be starting work soon

Rationale:  They have begin demolition and the installation of some of the wiring. 

Rationale: 

We have received some payment for damages. We will be receiving more I believe. We will also work with the local Emergency Management folks and FEMA in hopes of recovering our deductibles.

Rationale: 

I had a meeting with Dr. Matt Blomstedt on July 8. It was a good meeting and we discussed many topics. He indicated that we need to find a senator to introduce a bill on Early Childhood so the discussion can be had. I told him we would do all we could to help with that. I will be in contact with Senators Hughes and Sullivan. I will also bring it up to NRCSA when the executive board meets.

Rationale:  The District #117 Foundation will meet at 5:00 on Monday July 13, 2015. We need to set scholarship amounts. 

Rationale:  I would like to meet with the budget committee yet in July. 

Rationale: 

The NASB will be hosting its annual area membership meetings again this fall. The meeting in Kearney will be held on August 27, and the meeting in North Platte is September 30. Plan to attend one of these meetings as we pursue another recognition award for the full board.