June 15, 2021 at 12:00 PM - REGULAR MEETING

Discussion:  President Repass called the meeting to order at 12:00 pm.

Discussion:  Pledge of Allegiance was cited.

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

Discussion:  Present were: Cheri Burke, Marty Conroy, Larry Gossen, Don Remington, Kate Repass, Allison Sandman and Jesse Stevens.

Discussion:  Absent board members: 

Discussion:  Aaron Thompson was in attendance and thanked the board for letting him attend.

Discussion:  John Hanson, SPED Director, updated the board on the new PT services. Schools are happy with the services provided by Amy Strand. She is currently doing PT services in Hayes Center, Hitchcock and Wauneta/ Palisade schools. 

ESU 15 gets a PeAK Grant for SPED staff development purposes. Covid has changed things as far as spending the money. One of the ways that money is spent is by hosting MTSS trainings. This year the trainings will be virtual again.

ESU 16 is in need of help with the School Psych time, so Tonya and Jessica will be using a portion of their time helping service ESU 16 schools for the 2021-22 school year.

NDE has modified their formula to account for the pandemic in figuring SPED funding. 

Discussion:  June Payables of $151,335.19 and Payroll of $74,751.21.

Discussion:  Mr. Calvert updated the board on the financial status of the ESU 15 at this point in the year. 

Discussion:  Mr. Calvert updated the board on the final legislative session:
-The Open Meetings Act received some changes.
-The Notice of Changes to parents to relocate a child by DHHS now includes notifying the schools as well.
-Tracking school discipline, Military spouses can get teaching degree assistance.
-The age minimum for SPED Transition Services changed from 16 to 14.

Discussion:  Mr. Calvert updated the board on carpet in the McCook office starting July 6th.  Also, new concrete was poured at the McCook office to comply with the Alicap inspection by Matt Fischer. 

New Safety plans have to be submitted to NDE, so there will be a two-day safety training with NDE to help get plans set up. 

Mr. Calvert informed the board on the following items:
-He has been working on the budget for the 2021-22 School year.
-Administrators Days are back in person this year. 
-ESU 15 has all SPED positions filled and will not need Teletherapy Services.

Chase Co School billings were updated last months to include student initials. The billings still remain unpaid. Chase Co Schools are now requesting full student names.  Chase Co Schools has also suggested a committee of their board members and a committee of our board members meet with attorneys to try to resolve this ongoing billing issue with ESU 15. They were unwilling to meet without attorneys present.

Discussion:  Meeting Adjourned at 12:28pm. Next board meeting is August 10th, 2021- at 12:00 pm in McCook office.