Public Meeting Minutes: August 16, 2023 at 6:00 PM - Board of Education Regular Meeting

1. Call to Order and Pledge of Allegiance

Discussion: President Breitkreutz called the meeting to order at 6:00 PM and the Pledge of Allegiance was said.

2. Motion to Excuse Board Member's Absence

Discussion: All members were present.

3. Open Meeting Law

Discussion: The audience was reminded that Open Meeting Laws would be followed.

4. District Mission Statement
The Raymond Central community is committed to providing a positive, challenging learning environment which prepares each individual to be a responsible citizen in an ever-changing society.

5. Consent Agenda

Discussion: Motion by Lange, second by Matulka to approve the consent agenda as presented including the regular meeting minutes of July 12, 2023; July financial statement; and monthly bills. RCV 6-0. Motion carried.

5.1. Regular Minutes of July 12, 2023

Attachments: (1)

7-12-23 Minutes

8/11/2023 at 2:48 PM

5.2. Financial Statement/Report

Attachments: (1)

Financial Statements July 2023

8/11/2023 at 10:24 AM

5.3. Monthly Bills

Attachments: (1)

Bills Paid July 2023

8/11/2023 at 10:25 AM

6. Correspondence/Recognition

Discussion: Thank you to the administrative team, teachers and support staff members for all of their hard work and preparation for the 2023-2024 school year. The grounds and facilities look awesome and the programs and plans are in place for another successful year for our learners.

7. Public Forum

Discussion: Dave Burklund addressed the Board regarding space at the Ceresco Elementary School.

8. Reports

8.1. Administrative Reports

Attachments: (4)

August Elementary Board Report (1)

8/11/2023 at 1:52 PM
August AD Report

8/11/2023 at 1:52 PM
RC JR_SR HIGH PRINCIPAL REPORT – 08

8/11/2023 at 1:52 PM
August - SpEd

8/14/2023 at 5:23 PM

Discussion: Submitted by Mark Smith, Jr-Sr High School Principal
STAFFING:
     Teaching and classroom support roles are all filled for the start of the year. We have the people in place to do the important work of serving our students.
HAPPENINGS:
     We held our Back to School nights on August 8 and 9 from 4pm to 8pm. Students and families were able to pick up chromebooks, check schedules, turn in paperwork and forms, pick up yearbooks, and connect with the Booster Club.
     We held a short informational presentation for 6-8th grade families on August 8. There were many more families in the gym than anticipated, but families were cooperative and the presentation was able to go on.
     We collected feedback from families and staff to inform how to streamline these back to school nights for next fall.
TEACHER/STAFF PREP:
     New teachers reported on August 8. As part of their orientation to the district they were assigned an experienced mentor teacher. They will continue to receive support from their mentor teacher and administration throughout the school year.
     All teachers reported August 10. Presentation specific to the 6-12 staff included:

A short introduction of myself, my educational philosophy, and my values
An overview of our objectives/goals for this year
A brief introduction to our school-wide behavioral expectations
A reminder/introduction of what our model to address academic and behavioral domains (MTSS and our new Advisory plan)
A review of general staff expectations

CURRICULUM:

6-8th grade ELA teachers worked with staff from ESU2 to plan use of new ELA curriculum on August 9.
6-12 Math teachers met with staff from ESU2 to work on aligning new math standards to the math curriculum on August 9.

Submitted by Tony Kobza, Asst Jr-Sr High School Principal/Athletic Director
     AD Newsletter - We began a weekly newsletter laying out the upcoming events as well as the successes from the previous week.
     Activities - FBLA students attended the National Convention in Atlanta, GA over the Summer. FFA Parliamentary Procedure is practicing for Nationals in October. Speech attended the National Competition in Arizona.
     Athletics - The weight room was well attended and based on end of year testing, we saw great strides and results from those that were part of the Summer program. Fall Sports season started on August 7 with competitions beginning on August 17 already!
     Facilities - The indoor concession stand renovation is nearly complete. We are waiting on a couple supplies in order to finish it out but it looks great and the upgrades will be evident.
     A TV was added on the wall outside the Mustang Room that will have games streaming for those in the line at concessions to be able to watch. An additional touch screen will be installed to replace the Senior Picture brackets that will be user friendly and easy to access.
     Record boards for athletics should be completed by August 31. Those will be hung on the wall on each side of the trophy case outside the Mustang Room.
     The tree piles have been burned and dirt work will begin on the softball/baseball practice area on the East side of the property.
     Closets and storage have been organized in the gym and locker room areas. Needed cleaning and disposal occurred to provide a more organized and spacious storage area.
     Coaches are currently completing three NFHS required trainings that must be completed once every three years. We will also be holding CPR training on August 16 which must be completed every two years.

Submitted by Steve Rose, Elementary Principal and Deb Kruse, Assistant Elementary Principal

Beginning of School
- Many new teachers and new assignments that are being worked out
  - Cer K, 1st (Shae Wattjes), 3rd (Abby from 5th Grade), 5th (Makenna Jones) / Val 1st (Hannah Kring) / PE (Michael Lucas) / Music (Zac Ochsner) / Band (Melissa Graue)
School Year Focus
- Wit & Wisdom / Orton Gillingham Implementation
  - Teachers completed intensive training throughout the summer
    - 30 Hours of Orton Gillingham training (Foundational Skills)
    - 2 Days of Wit & Wisdom Implementation / Launch Training
    - PD will continue with structured PD days throughout the year to allow our teachers to collaborate with their grade-level teams and focus on the successful implementation of the curriculum and the use of data from the program assessments and evaluations.
- School-wide Expectations
  - The teacher leadership team worked to complete lesson plans and presentations for staff and students to begin our year with "The Mustang Way" This will be our expectations on how to be "Safe, Responsible, and Respectful" throughout the school.
  - Teachers are expected to teach these expectations to students and all teachers / staff will use the common expectations and language to promote what it looks like to do things "The Mustang Way."
- Classroom Culture
  - Mike Feit from ESU 2 will be guiding us through the Classroom Culture curriculum (District). There are online modules for teachers to complete and then teachers will meet with Mike to deepen understanding of the Five Principles of Classroom Culture promoted in the course (Consistent, Calm Behavior / Sustainable Routines / First Attention to Best Conduct / Scripted Interventions / Restorative Approaches)
- Teacher Framework and Instructional Model
  - Teachers worked through a carousel activity to promote understanding and ask questions about our Evaluation Framework. This activity gave administrators data to use as we prepare to deliver professional development throughout the year around those criteria and begin work on a district instructional model over the next several years.

Submitted by Amanda Coufal, Director of Special Education
New Special Education Staff:

Johanna Jackson has switched roles and will be joining our staff as one of the Middle School Special Education teachers. Johanna is going to be a great addition, has great ideas, and is already organized for the school year.
Shawn Semler will be joining the special education staff as one of our High School Special Education teachers. He is energetic and excited to be back in the school setting.
Para-educators:
- Maggie Suchy joins our staff and will be working primarily in the Life Skills room and the lead teacher for our transition program. She is going to help build a transition program by creating job skills in the work environment and carrying out life skills lessons. We are excited for what she will bring to RC.

- Allison Prorok and Nikki Haas have joined our preschool program. They are excited to work with our little ones and come to us with experience. They will do great things in our PK3 and PK4 programs.

Beginning of the Year Happenings:

CPI recertification (nonviolent crisis intervention) training took place on August 8th. Ten staff members participated in the training. We now have 26 staff members that are certified for Raymond Central.
Staff Training during Inservice Days:
- I presented to the district about the important role that our paraeducators play in creating a partnership with teachers to help all students succeed while in the classroom.
- All special education teachers met to discuss the upcoming school year.
- Para Meeting - I had the chance to meet with all the paraeducators in the district, which doesn’t always happen, so this time was valuable to us. Nurse Amanda also presented safety precautions such as asthma, use of the epipen, medications, etc.
- New This Year: ParaEducator Handbook
- Caitlin Roussan (school psychologist), Tasha Osten (MS/HS Counselor), and myself presented to the district an overview of the Student Assistance Team Process. Additional training will be conducted as the year progresses.

8.2. Superintendent's Report

Discussion:      Follow-up on board retreat and work with NASB to revise board goals and superintendent goals. I met with Kari Stephens, NASB, on Wednesday morning for an initial discussion on changes.   A draft is attached for board review to consider the changed format and changes to indicators.
     Curriculum and American Civics - We typically hold the first of our two scheduled meetings to receive public input during October. The policy committee will be meeting prior to the board meeting so we can either stay after the board meeting for a committee meeting or find another date/time.
     Staffing Update - We will have a variety of long-term substitute positions to fill. We are currently looking for a long-term paraeducator at Valparaiso. The rate of pay for a substitute is $15/hour.
     Facility Update - The water heater at the Jr/Sr building has been repaired and fired up today. The burner, blower fan, flu pipe were replaced and the unit cleaned out. The new water heater for Valparaiso has been ordered but not received yet. Another heat pump at Valparaiso had the fan motor quit which is a $1700 replacement cost.
     Garage Sale - We receipted $741 from the garage sale. Some of the items will be disposed of and we will use Facebook Marketplace to try to sell the kiln.
     Transfer of monies to depreciation and employee benefit fund needs to be done before year end. Any transfers will be on the agenda for approval at the special board meeting on August 30th to allow for further development of the budget based on current valuations.
     Current elementary enrollment:
                             Valparaiso    Ceresco
               Kdg               24              19
               1^st                 30              23
               2^nd                 23              20
               3^rd                 28              22
               4^th                 22              28
               5^th                 22              26
                                   149            143

8.2.1. NASB Monthly Update

Attachments: (1)

0823 NASB Monthly Board Agenda Item (1)

8/7/2023 at 3:32 PM

8.2.2. NRCSA Update

Attachments: (1)

Member Update 8-10-23 ver 3

8/10/2023 at 1:20 PM

8.2.3. Update on Superintendent Goals
Goal 1: Develop a visible presence within the schools, the school community, and the state.
Goal 2: Foster a learning environment in which every student has the maximum opportunity to achieve academic excellence.
Goal 3: Continue the development of a 10 year facilities strategic plan for implementation that addresses maintenance and improvements for existing building assets and new construction.
Goal 4: Continue the development of safety and security practices for Raymond Central Public Schools.

8.2.4. Safety Report

Discussion: Progress on safety items:

Protective film installation started at the Jr/Sr high school on Thursday of last week. They will move to elementary buildings once completed here.
The logo screen on doors and windows to prevent lines of sight from outside to inside has been installed at the Jr/Sr High School.
Door access control at the Jr/Sr High school is in progress. The cabling is complete and the connection to the actual doors is slated to be completed in a few weeks.
Check-in and check-out procedures are part of our daily expectations for staff and students.
Student manifest lists are being used on bus routes and activity trips.
Additional mental health support has been introduced across the district to include four (4) additional days of Licensed Mental Health Provider (LMPH) support.
Navigator support program through ESU#2 which provides liaison support for homeless children and any children or family who need assistance with meeting basic needs such as shelter, food, utilities, clothing, etc.

8.2.5. Important Upcoming Dates:

Discussion: August 18 - FB/VB Scrimmage
August 28 - School Pictures for K-12 and PK4 M/W group
August 30 - Patron Budget Workshop and Special Board Meeting
September 5 - School Pictures for PK3 and PK4 T/Th groups
September 20 - NASB Area Meeting in Fremont
October 4-5 - Labor Relations Workshop in Lincoln

8.3. Technology Report

Attachments: (1)

August Technolgy Report

8/11/2023 at 2:55 PM

Discussion: Submitted by Jaxn Kobza, Technology Director
Technology Projects

Access Control for doors at HS campus is going to be under way and is hopefully going to be finished up early September.
The Ceresco intercom will be replaced in the next few weeks.
Electrical work is done in Val and Ceresco data closets

Miscellaneous

Cleaned out closets and recycled old computer/network equipment.

8.4. Board Committee Reports

8.4.1. Curriculum & American Civics Committee (Burklund-chair, Lange, Matulka)

8.4.2. Facilities & Transportation Committee (Blanchard-chair, Burklund, Matulka)

8.4.3. Finance Committee (Blanchard-chair, Breitkreutz, Burklund)

8.4.4. Negotiations Committee (Blanchard-chair, Benes, Lange)

8.4.5. Policy Committee (Breitkreutz-chair, Benes, Lange)

9. Old Business

9.1. Discuss and Consider future facility needs and options that are available for consideration

Discussion: We had all six board members attend one of the two sub committee meetings that were held on August 9 and August 10. We discussed facility options to include:

Reconfigure existing elementaries to put grade alike together to create balanced classes, instructional and service equity at grade levels, and enhance instructional planning and delivery. Potentially K-2 and 3-6 configuration.
Reconfigure elementaries so that all 5-6 are at Valparaiso and leave primary grades at each respective building.
Eliminate one elementary to reduce our footprint for efficiency reasons and for enhanced instructional planning and delivery that ensures equitable opportunities.
Make necessary updates to elementary schools as necessary but focus on improvements to the 6-12 facilities.
Move additional grades out to the 6-12 facility so that it includes the intermediate grades of 4-6.
Move the 6th grade back to Valparaiso to get additional space that is needed at this Jr/Sr campus.

There are considerable upgrades needed at the elementaries and some of those items such as heat pumps, carpet, playgrounds, elevator, are costly. At the Jr-Sr High campus there are some necessary enhancements needed but a primary need is additional learning space. The Board will continue to discuss future facility needs and options that are best for all of our students.

10. New Business

10.1. Discuss, Consider and Take Necessary to Approve Staff Resignation(s)

Discussion: Motion by Matulka, second by Burklund to approve the resignation of Riley Haug, MS Science. RCV 6-0. Motion carried.

10.2. Discuss, Consider and Take Necessary Action to approve the purchase and installation of two Daiken water pumps for Ceresco

Attachments: (1)

Ceresco School (3)

8/7/2023 at 9:47 AM

Discussion: Motion by Matulka, second by Burklund to approve the purchase and installation of two Daiken water pumps for the Ceresco school at a cost of $23,989.00. RCV 6-0. Motion carried.

10.3. Discuss, Consider and Take Necessary Action to approve a resolution commitment to enter into an interlocal agreement with other public entities to participate in the NASB All Lines Interlocal Cooperative Aggregate Pool (otherwise referred to as ALICAP) as authorized by the Intergovernmental Risk Management Act for an initial period of three years

Attachments: (3)

Participation Agreement (1)

8/7/2023 at 12:26 PM
About ALICAP (1)

8/7/2023 at 12:39 PM
Raymond Central (4)

8/7/2023 at 12:40 PM

Discussion:      This resolution indicates that we agree to participate in this interlocal agreement and that our insurance will be handled by ALICAP for the next three years at least. The Finance Committee was given the comparative information and recommended the move to ALICAP.
1. The renewal premiums with EMC for the 2023-2024 school year are $171,700 (up from $166,696) as compared to the quote from ALICAP of  $146,017. Savings of $25,683.
2. ALICAP property insurance deductible is lower at $500 (compared to $2,500 and $25,000 for wind/hail).
3. Other lines have better coverage limits.
4. There is a possibility of getting annual dividend returns with ALICAP.
     Motion by Benes, second by Lange to approve a resolution to enter into an interlocal agreement with other public entities to participate in the NASB All Lines Interlocal Cooperative Aggregate Pool (otherwise known as ALICAP) as authorized by the Intergovernmental Risk Management Act for an initial period of three years. RCV 6-0. Motion carried.

10.4. Discuss, Consider the approval of the additional property tax authority of 6% ($673,645) which is afforded as a consideration through the new legislation

Discussion: The additional 6% tax authority does not necessarily mean that the District will use the additional authority. It is important to note that we are approving this for future use if/when we lose state aid and for the continued ability to address facilities and large purchase needs. There are multiple reasons why voting to access it makes sense.

Uncertainty of the legislature and funding in the next 2 years.
If we don’t ask for the additional authority, we could lose authority over time.
Protects the Base Growth in the formula because it gets added to your base growth for future years.

Action will be taken on this topic at the August 30, 2023 Special Budget Meeting.

10.5. Discuss, Consider and Take Necessary Action to approve changes to the Teacher Performance and Evaluation Model

Attachments: (1)

Teacher Performance and Evaluation Framework Revised 08.16.23 (1)

8/11/2023 at 2:25 PM

Discussion: Motion by Burklund, second by Matulka to approve changes to the Teacher Performance and Evaluation Model as presented. RCV 4-2 (No-Blanchard, Lange). Motion carried.

10.6. Discuss, Consider and Take Necessary Action to consider giving a stipend to student teachers

Discussion: Consideration of giving a stipend to student teachers was tabled at this time.

11. Next Regular Board Meeting

Discussion: The next regular Board of Education meeting will be Wednesday, September 13, 2023. Special Board Meeting and Patron Budget Workshop will be Wednesday, August 30.

12. Adjournment

Discussion: Motion by Lange, second by Benes to adjourn the meeting at 7:12 PM. RCV 6-0. Motion carried.

August 16, 2023 at 6:00 PM - Board of Education Regular Meeting

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