July 10, 2017 at 8:00 PM - Board of Education Regular Meeting

Executive Summary

     Elementary Playground.  

          Summary of information: 

               A meeting was set up with Gary Keubler about the installation of the current playground equipment.  Mr. Keubler and his drafting class we the group that put together the plans for the installation of the playground.  In addition to myself, Mr. Williams was also present at the meeting.  Mr. Keubler estimates that there is between 7 and 8 yards of cement below the surface supporting the structure.  He did believe that with the exception of one spot that the cement should, most likely come off relatively easily.  He indicated that the key for the structure is to follow the plans as designed.  It was confirmed that we had plans prior to the move of the offices but we have been unable to find them currently.  I am in contact with Gametime, the manufacture of the equipment to get plans for the structure sent to us.

               After visiting with a board member, and talking with a couple superintendent in the area, I contacted Karen Hasse, our legal counsel and asked about the liability of moving the equipment.  In general, she said there is always a risk with something like this.  If it is moved, and all plans are followed, no equipment was damaged, and there is no injuries, we are probably ok.  Karen explained that being sued and losing or being at fault are not the same, she said we can be sued for almost anything, that does not mean guilt or liability.  However, she also stated, that it would be in our best interest to have a professional installer do the work, then they are the first in the line of liability.  Minden recently experienced the issue of moving their own and equipment with later student injury.

               I talked with Dave Jeffery and Shane, and they both estimated the cost of moving the equipment to be between 25K and 40K.  

               I asked Mr. Keubler what is estimate was, as far as a time frame for moving the equipment, and he felt like it could be 4-5 days, with the removal of the equipment and foundations, and then properly setting the equipment.

               Some Items for Consideration and Discussion:

                    a)     Is the cost of hiring the moving of the playground worth the concerns of liability?

                    b)     If we determine we will self move the equipment

                              1)     When can we do this

                              2)     Equipment to be used

                              3)     Project manager

                    c)     Purchase new equipment for the new site

                    d)     Other

Mrs. Dixie Line stopped in my office in late June and reported to me that the Alumni Association would like to put $10,000.00 toward new bleachers for the football field.  I believe that Mrs. Line or other members of the Alumni committee have also spoke with board members about this donation.

With the $10,000.00 donation, and assuming that we would purchase beachers similar to the set that Amherst has (that Dixie was quoted) we would still be about $4,000 to $5,000 short, depending on the additional accessories, like a towing package to easily move them.

Executive Summary

     I have hard copies of the SEM teacher handbook and have them ready for distribution at the July board meeting.  The boards copy of the handbook has additional resources included, board policy to match and support the handbook.

     The teacher handbook needs to be approved by the August meeting.

Executive Summary:

     The Student Fee Policy is found in the student handbook.  Please reference Article 9, Section 9 "Student fees."  Nebraska statute 79-2134 student fees is attached in this agenda.

     Recommendation:

           I recommend that we continue with current fee's as they apply to students, including meal fees.

          Reference:

               SEM student handbook Article 9, Section 9. Student Fees

               Nebraska Statute 79-2,134

Executive Summary:

     As part of the Homeless Assistance Act, Subtitle VII-B as reauthorized by the Title IX, Part A of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), the following changes to the SEM board policy 503.09 need to be enacted into policy.

          Reference: Nebraska Department of Education 

Executive Summary

     With the building being complete, I believe it is in the best interest of the board to develop a usual plan that will insure consistency, and provide security and accountability for the building.  Currently the board has a policy 1006.01 in place.  There is a considerable amount of determination made by the superintendent/administration and I want to be sure that board guidelines and visions are adhered to.

I have attached a Sample form that I have adapted to SEM.

Executive Summary

     During the June 2017 BOE meeting the board directed me to conduct a needs assessment for a commercial grade vacuum.  Please see the attached Needs Assessment.

Executive Summary:

     Please see the needs assessment for Hard Floor Machine

Executive Summary:

     In my Administrative report from June, I reminded the board to please review the SEM Student/Parent handbook for approval during the July meeting.  Mr. Schmidt sent out email reminders that the handbook is online at the SEM website.

     Mr. Schmidt has pointed out two specific areas for your attention.

          1)  The 2017-2018 school calendar and especially the date for graduation.  Please note the date is on a Saturday which I believe is new for SEM.

          2)  Wording of graduation requirement.  The recommendation would not be to change the total number of graduation requirements, or change the specific areas for graduation, but instead would not be specific to non-NDE required classes.

               Example:  Instead of science requirements being: 1) General Science 2) Biology 3) Chemistry the requirement would now simply state 30 hours of science required to meet graduation needs.

               Benefits:  For students not on a college track it would allow for other areas of science, for transfer students who come in late in their career, from a district that does not require specific classes, it would aid them in their efforts to graduate.

NOTE:  Mr. Schmidt will be available for additional questions.

Executive Summary

     I have looked into sod companies, and at this time there is only one area company (that we found) that can do the job and have it complete prior to the start of school.  I attached the quote.

In June the Board Tabled the Watering system.  

Tilley's quote has been attached again for review.