April 14, 2020 at 6:30 PM - REGULAR MEETING

Discussion:  The regular business meeting of ESU 15 was called to order at 6:32 P.M. on April 14, 2020, at ESU 15 Trenton Office and Zoom.

Discussion:  Pledge of Allegiance was cited.

Discussion:  President Repass advised every one of the open meetings act being posted and available.

Discussion:  President Repass verified that the ESU 15 Board meeting was advertised according to policy.

Discussion:  Present were: Cheri Burke, Dennis Chipman, Marty Conroy, Dave Jibben, Jason Loop, Don Remington, Kate Repass and Allison Sandman.

Discussion:  Absent Board Members: Jesse Stevens

Discussion:  Mary Riddenhouse and Aaron Thompson was in attendance via zoom.

Discussion:  April Payables of $116,371.49 and Payroll of $74,364.12.

Discussion:  Mr. Calvert updated the board on the Legislative recess. There are seventeen days left in the session. Mr. Calvert joined an ESUCC meeting via zoom.

Discussion:  Mr. Calvert updated on board on the COVID-19 pandemic.  Schools were to close for two weeks and now till the end of the year. No proms or graduations at this time and a lot of uncertainty.  Schools have been good about some type of e-learning for their students and learning how to do online education.  Mr. Calvert has attended many zoom meetings per day along with meeting with Superintendents every Monday. Internet providers have increased services to meet the needs of kids e-learning. Mr. Calvert also gets ESUCC updates two times a week. He also has regular contact with Myra Stoney with the Southwest NE Health Dept. It is projected that the pandemic will peek in our area may be the early to middle part of May.  The office in Trenton are open every day and the McCook office is on a signup sheet. ESU 15 has a pandemic plan. Mr. Calvert informed the board that two/thirds of the ESU's are closed at this time. Schools are to follow their current schedules. The Commissioner talked about how we could start our new year the same as we ended it.  Reopening talk is starting with the State and Federal Government at this time.

Discussion:  Mr. Calvert updated the board on the upcoming Staff Day on May 20, 2020. This year it will be via a zoom meeting.

Discussion:  Mr. Calvert updated the board on the School Improvement External meeting. We may do it virtually, or if delaying it to the fall would be another option.  Mr. Calvert and Kelly Erickson will decide by the end of the week. 

Discussion:  Mr. Calvert updated the board on two interviews that were conducted for the speech pathologist openings this last month.

Discussion:  Board member Sandman expressed gratitude to every one who is servicing the students at Wauneta /Palisade having done an amazing job. Repass shared the same gratitude for the work with Hayes Center School.

Discussion:  Adjourned at 7:10 pm. Next Board meeting Tuesday, May 12, 2020 at Noon via virtual connection.