September 13, 2017 at 7:00 PM - Board of Education Regular Meeting

     President Gould called the meeting to order at 7:01 PM.  Superintendent Joel reviewed the budget documents that will be submitted to the Nebraska Department of Education.  He also explained that the certified budget authority of $7,735,811 for the General Fund is established by the NDE.  The total budget includes $1,346,239 for special education, $314,098 for grants, and $127,731 retirement exclusion for a final budget of $9,523,879.  Motion by Black, second by Springer to close the Budget Hearing.  RCV 6-0.

     President Gould opened the System-Wide Tax Request Hearing at 7:03 PM.  Superintendent Joel reviewed the tax levy for each fund:  General Fund - 0.965844, HS Bond Fund - .124423, Special Building Fund - .039951, Qualified Capital Purpose Undertaking Fund - 0.005268 for a total levy of $1.135486 as compared to the previous levy of 1.150936 for a difference of -.015474.  Motion by Springer, second by Black to adjourn the System-Wide Tax Request Hearing at 7:08 PM.  RCV 6-0.

     President Gould called the meeting to order at 7:08 PM and the Pledge of Allegiance was said.

     Student Board Member, Cicely Pickel, recited the oath of office to become the Student Board Member Representative.

     All members were present.

     President Gould reminded the audience that the Open Meeting Laws are displayed in the back of the room for their review.

     Motion by Black, second by Urbom to approve the consent agenda as presented, regular meeting minutes of August 16, 2017, September Financial Statement and September monthly bills as presented.  RCV 6-0.

     There was no correspondence or recognition.

     There was no public forum.

Submitted by Kolin Haecker, High School Principal/Curriculum Director

     Thanks to all staff and faculty as we are off to a great start to the school year!  Our new students are settling into their new home at Raymond Central and 6th/7th graders are transitioning well.     

     Congratulations to the FFA students who participated in the State Fair.  Here are the results:   Kale Strizek-Grand Champion Purebred Market Gilt, Reserve Champion Crops; Nick Nelson-Reserve Champion Purebred Breeding Gilt, Reserve Champion Purebred Market Gilt; Duke Nelson-Reserve Champion Purebred Market Gilt; Jack Nelson-Reserve Champion Poland Breeding Gilt; Skylar Sterns-Reserve Champion Market Heifer.

     Ten FFA students are headed off to Husker Harvest Days on Wednesday, September 13. 

     Homecoming is scheduled for September 8.  Royalty will be at 6:30 with the dance following the game.  The 2017 Candidates are:  Ashley Heyen, Kylee Jones, Holly Komenda, Mine Nacke and Cicely Pickel; Nathaniel Boyd, Jett Burklund, Jackson Fowler, Emmett Hughes, Duke Nelson and Randall Tucker.  Mr Mustang candidates:  Nathan Boyd, Joe Coulter, Jackson Fowler, Riley Robbins, Duke Nelson & Tucker Randall.

     We have several test dates scheduled for our students.  The Juniors will be taking the PSAT test on October 11.  MAP testing for grades 6-9 will be the week of September 17, 2017.

     October 18 we will be taking seniors on a college visit.  They will go to UNL, SCC Lincoln as well as other schools they are interested in attending.  The juniors will attend the College fair at Beatrice in the morning and then go to Doane in the afternoon on October 4.  

     We have 49 students enrolled in 90 college classes.  Seniors are engaging in discussion regarding post-secondary plans.  College Prep - Mini College/Career Fair will be September 12 during 5^th hour.  Apply to College Day for our seniors is September 18.  Students will be given time and support in completing applications and registering for Scholarshipquest.  Financial Aid Meeting with Education Quest is September 20.

Submitted by Greg Wilmes, Activities Director/Assistant Principal

     Fall activities are now underway, so hold onto your hats!  Football opened up with losses at Aquinas and at home vs Boys Town.  They will host DC West for homecoming on September 8 before finishing non-district play at Syracuse on September 15.  JV football lost a close one at Wilber-Clatonia, and will host Ashland Greenwood on Monday, September 11.  Junior High football starts their season Thursday, September 7 @ LIncoln Lutheran and then travel to Lincoln Christian on September 12.  They have 13 seventh and 13 eighth graders out. 

     Volleyball started their season with a tough loss to York in the jamboree game, and losses to Lincoln Lutheran and Wahoo.  They traveled to Plattsmouth on Saturday, September 2 and lost to Platteview, Nebraska City and Plattsmouth.  They travel to DC West on September 5 before heading to North Bend Central for a small tourney on Saturday, September 9.  Junior High volleyball starts their season Thursday, September 7 hosting DC West.   

     Cross Country traveled to East Butler and Beatrice, with Wahoo on Thursday, September 7.  Times were greatly improved from East Butler to Beatrice, and hoping the same for Wahoo.  Austin Anderson won both of his JH races.   

     Softball continues to stay busy.  They most recently won the Fillmore Central Invite (3-0) and finished runner-up at the Auburn Invite (2-1).  They hosted Arlington and Platteview on September 5 and won both, and now host a tough triangular with Malcolm and Tekamah Herman on Saturday, September 9.  As of September 6, they are 15-4 on the season.   

     Our final pads for the gym were delivered on September 1.  They will go on the two pillars on each end of the stage to cover up the corners.  Mr. Harrington’s class is going to finalize things by attaching them to the wall.  Once more, a big thanks to him and his students for the time they have put into the gym.   

     The Homecoming football game is Friday, September 8, with the dance afterwards in the commons.   

     We have been selected to host district softball on Thursday and Friday, October 5 and 6, as well as a D1 volleyball sub-district on Monday and Tuesday, October 30 and 31. 

     Two new fences for the softball fields were purchased by VABA and the school, each paying for one.

     Believers and Achievers nominees for the school were Brandon Unverferth and Cicely Pickel.  We will see later from the NSAA if they were selected as state winners!

Submitted by  Shelly Dostal, Elementary Principal at Valparaiso and K-5 Curriculum Director

     Curriculum/Instruction - Teachers have developed daily routines and procedures for their classrooms as well as curriculum pacing schedules for the year.  DIBELS Next assessments are complete and progress monitoring and interventions are beginning. The new Wonders materials for ELA are being implemented for grades K-5. Grades 6-8 are implementing Study Sync. In addition, K-1 has started using the new EnVision 2.0 materials for math. Teachers are spending more time preparing and planning as they use the materials for the first time. 

     DARE, a drug and alcohol resistance program coordinated by the Saunders County Sheriff’s Department, has started.  Thank you to Deputy Thomas Janecek for leading the lessons for our 5^th grade classrooms. Homework Club and Band lessons are starting also.

     Assessment Update - I will be attending meetings in October for NDE updates about assessment.  Special thanks to Nikole Farr who will be the teacher representative for RC at the NDE workshop for item content and bias review in September. The latest news from NDE about assessment data is that it will be available in late September. Mr. Haecker and I will share district data with staff when it becomes available. We will plan to share district data with you at the board meeting in October. The plan will be for families to receive their individual student’s report for NeSA at Parent-Teacher Conferences at the High School or with their Parent-Teacher Conference note for elementary students as long as the reports are available.

     Advanced Ed/School Improvement - The committee met on August 28 to finalize the goals for the year and discuss professional learning time plans. The Committee will be meeting again on September 12 at 7 AM.

     Professional Learning - The faculty met on August 29 for professional learning time. Dr. Joel encouraged each teacher to have one word for the year which they can use as a motto for the year. Dr. Joel reviewed PRIDE evaluation and shared goals for the year. Dr. Gary Nunnally led a refresher about GANAG and the High Yield Strategies and introduced information about differentiation.

     Professional Learning - Mrs. Egr and I attended the NDE Workshop - Ensuring Quality MTSS/RTI Implementation Conference on August 31 and September 1. Sessions I attended focused on tier support, explicit instruction, and implementing MTSS with fidelity. I will be attending NACIA (Curriculum Director’s) meetings on October 5 and 6.

     Patriot Day Observance - On September 11, all students and staff will gather around the flag pole for a short ceremony in observance of Patriot Day.  Students are encouraged to wear red, white, and blue to show their patriotism.  The student body will recite the Pledge of Allegiance, and we will play the Star Spangled Banner.  Teachers will observe Patriot Day in their classrooms with a variety of lessons.

     RC PTO - Jennifer Schultz is the PTO chair. In conjunction with Believe Kids, the annual fundraiser kicked off on August 30 and ends on September 13. Families can continue to order online throughout the year to benefit our school. PTO will sponsor a family night at Raising Canes on Thursday, September 7. A percentage of the sales will go to the PTO.

     The Food Bank Backpack Program will start distribution of backpacks each Friday beginning on September 8.  We thank Immanuel Lutheran Church in Ceresco for their continued support of housing and organizing the packing each week.  The Committee is organizing the fundraising event for the year.  The Hustle, a fun run/walk of 1 mile or 5K or 10K run, is scheduled for October 28 along the Oak Creek Trail in Valparaiso.  A pancake feed is being planned to coincide with the run. We hope to see you there!   

     We have picture day on September 7.  Lifetouch will provide the photography services at the elementary schools.  

     Elementary Students are participating in Homecoming Week festivities.  We will have character day, color day, dress up for picture day, and Mustang Spirit day.

Submitted by Ann Egr, Elementary Principal at Ceresco and Director of Special Education

     The school year is off to a great start! 

     The PTO fundraiser is underway. The final date for sales is September 13. The kids are doing an excellent job.

     The week of September 5-8, students are encouraged to show their school spirit by participating in Homecoming week festivities. 

     The Food Bank Backpack Program started September 8. This program is a valuable service to Raymond Central families. Thank you to all of the volunteers who pack the bags each week, and to all who donate to the program each year.  Your contributions are appreciated. Please mark your calendars for the annual fundraiser, The Hustle, on October 28.

     Christine Genrich will be running the Homework Club again this year. It is scheduled to begin on September 11 from 3:15-4:00. This useful program is part of our student support system.

     Raymond Central is a generous community and wants to help after the devastating disaster Hurricane Harvey. The elementary will be conducting a coin drive September 5-8. Each classroom will have a change jar for collection. The change collected will be sent to the American Red Cross as a donation from Raymond Central Elementary.

     Mrs. Dostal and myself attended the MTSS/RTI training sponsored by NDE on August 31 and September 1. RTI is practices used to determine eligibility for Special Education. MTSS is a service delivery system based on concept that some students require early and powerful general education interventions of increasing intensity. 

     Superintendent Joel highlighted professional development sessions lead by Dr. Gary Nunnally dealing with GANAG and High Yield Strategies, as well as information about differentiation at all levels.

     Superintendent Joel reviewed the progress of mutual goals.

     Superintendent Joel met with Davis Design on Wednesday, September 13 for a facility tour at the Ceresco Elementary building to create a plan to increase the air quality. 

     Cicely Pickel reported that students have been busy with their classes, fall sports and other activities and gave highlights.  Homecoming royalty was announced before the football game on Friday, September 8:  Nate Boyd and Madison Stover as Dutch and Dutchess, Tucker Randall and Ashley Heyen as Prince and Princess, and Duke Nelson and Cicely Pickel as King and Queen.  The game ended with a win against DC West 26-21, however, due to the problems with the lights, the Homecoming Dance was postponed to Friday, September 22.

     Superintendent Joel and Mr. Marsh met met with two companies through a webinar to understand how we can use PowerSchool to communicate more effectively with parents. 

     The wireless system has been installed. A signal strength survey indicated a couple weak spots at the Jr/Sr high and one at Valparaiso so three additional access points will be installed in the near future.

     Chromebooks are being utilized by reading teachers and teachers for other classes as well. Students really like the Chromebooks as a resource for their learning.

     Motion by Blanchard, second by Black to approve the 2017-2019 Cooperative Baseball Sponsorship between Malcolm and Raymond Central.  RCV 6-0.

     Motion by Springer, second by Black to upgrade our camera system and server, and also add one camera to secure the new preschool playground and two cameras at each elementary site spending no more than $26,000.00.  RCV 6-0.

     Motion by Black, second by Springer to adopt the 2017-2018 budget in the amount of: General Fund $9,523,879, Depreciation Fund $1,330,452, Employee Benefit Fund $53,620, Activities Fund $625,000, School Lunch Fund $700,000, Bond Fund $1,742,759, Special Building Fund $1,139,165, Qualified Capital Purpose Undertaking Fund $112,490, and Student Fees Fund $100,000 for a total requirement of $15,327,365.  RCV 6-0.

     Motion by Urbom, second by Black to approve the Resolution to set system-wide 2017-2018 property tax request for: General Fund $7,081,758, High School Bond Fund $912,295, Special Building Fund $292,929, Qualified Capital Purpose Undertaking Fund $38,627, for a total property tax request of $9,523,879.00.  RCV 6-0.

     Motion by Black, second by Urbom to approve the Raymond Central Education Association request to be recognized as the exclusive bargaining agent for the district's non-supervisory certified staff for the 2019-2020 school year.  RCV 6-0.

     Motion by Urbom, second by Springer to approve the bid from Craig Rech for $175.00 per snow removal at the Ceresco Elementary Building.  RCV 6-0.

     Motion by Black, second by Springer to approve teaching substitutes Darrell Walla, Kyle Asche and Catrece Hurd and support staff substitute Tracy Thomas.  RCV 6-0.

     Motion by Springer, second by Urbom to approve the next regular Board of Education Meeting on Wednesday, October 11 at 7:00 PM.  RCV 6-0.

     Motion by Breitkreutz, second by Blanchard to adjourn the meeting at 8:17 PM.  RCV 6-0.