December 12, 2023 at 5:00 PM - Regular Board of Education Meeting

Discussion:  Ryan Bruns with Dana Cole company reviewed the financial audit for the school year 2022-2023. The district had 13.7 million in disbursements and 13 million in receipts. Overspent funds include the activities fund of $40,000 and the Nutrition fund of $24,000. The district had a net position increase of 4 million from last year, totaling 14 million due to the increase in building funds from monies borrowed under the lease purchase agreement. 

Discussion:  Mrs. Bergmeyer reviewed AQUEST data. Conestoga received a classification of Great ranking. As a district in proficiency, we are 66% proficient, elementary is 68%, 6th-8th is 68% and high school is 54%. Surrounding schools information is presented in comparison. Interventions are in place for kids based on ELA to stay proficient in cohorts over time. ACT data in ELA, Math and Science averages are presented. Areas of improvement would be chronic absences; kids cannot miss more than 10% of the school year, or they are tabled as chronically absent. Involving the teacher advocacy group and some student leadership teams to collaborate information to get kids to school to improve absenteeism. Proficiency data scored 4/6 of area schools used in comparison in one or more subjects. 

Discussion:  Americanism Report, Allison and Candace met with Social Studies teachers on 12/6 and had a great conversation about junior high taking a sample of the US Citizenship text and seniors take the naturalization test each Spring. Our Veterans Day program is a highlight at our school. Conestoga also sends seniors to UNL school law to compete at the We The People hearing. We are 1 of 7 schools in Nebraska that attend. Americanism is supported well at Conestoga.

Discussion:  Elementary principal, Eric Dennis. Benchmark testing taking place. Thank you to Mrs. Glazebrook, Mrs. Bergmeyer and Mrs. Keene for setting up the testing schedule. K-3 music concert today with 2 show times. Formal evaluations are still ongoing. Dare graduation tomorrow at 2:00 p.m. 101 Dalmatian auditions were held, and we had 50 students try out, with a musical held in the Spring. Mrs. Glazebrook held a book study on Growth Mindset with 12 teachers attending. PTO has their Giving Tree set up in the lobby as well as Toys for Tots. Daycare, in need of more staff. Childcare licensing inspection was completed. 
Jr./Sr. High principal, Rob Geise. Thank you to Mrs. Bergmeyer for putting data together. The end of semester is next week. Staff and students are working hard to end the semester successfully. Thank you to Mr. Hilliard and Mrs. Larson for getting vape detectors up and running, they do work. Thank you to all who donated to Toys for Tots. Formal evaluations and informal walk throughs are still ongoing. Listed upcoming dates. 
MTSS, info provided by Mrs. Bergmeyer. Reviewed upcoming dates 
Director of Curriculum Assessment and Instruction, Mrs. Bergmeyer. Curriculum, received samples on 2 Social Studies programs for K-3 and 5th. 4th grade utilizes a separate NE curriculum and is currently fine. Teachers will meet in January to determine what meets our needs best. Also, I plan to meet with CTE teachers in January to layout Perkins funding and revamp technology courses.
Director of Student Services, Mr. Krause. System of Care grant, working with LMHP Jason Mather. He has been a great asset to the district this year. Will meet with him at the end of the month to discuss the current caseload and upcoming important dates. Observation, completing observations/evaluations of special education staff. The intent is for this to be completed by the end of December/early January. Listed submitted reports. 
AP/AD, Mr. Wills. As submitted. Candace Kelley highlighted, Winter sports began. Dani Ahrens received most outstanding female performer. Junior high quiz bowl won their competition.
Greg Page of Cyber Patriot gave a report. Had state competition yesterday but don't have results back yet. Competing against 17 teams, we are in the lead currently but will find out later this week. 

Discussion:  Superintendent, Mr. Apple. The building project committee resumed meetings on November 30th and will meet again on December 14th at 1:45 via zoom. The failed bond was discussed as were next steps to address facility deficiencies. The committee recommended hiring a firm to conduct a phone survey of district patrons to enhance our understanding of project shortcomings. The firm will be selected after the first of the year. In the meantime, ALL board members are asked to submit up to 5 questions they would like to see addressed in the survey. Board members may text or email those questions to Allison. It is anticipated that a new bond will be proposed at the March board meeting for the May primary election. Allison, Candace, Tracy and Greg attended the State School Board Convention. Seth also attended the presentation that highlighted Alison being recognized as the NASB Ann Mactier Education Leadership and School Board member of the year. John McConnell also participated in the student voices program. NASB offering legislative events on 1/21 &1/22. Let me know if you would like to attend. John McConnell will be attending. Elementary is still working on the windows with casings and painting happening over the holiday break. Senior high will have a crew come in over break but will have everything put back together before students are back from break. A contract was signed to resurface the all-weather track for $92,000 which will be covered by the Depreciation fund. Will also contract with a gentleman to complete some asphalt repair at the elementary and senior high parking lots. First State bank will have a Conestoga debit card people can sign up for and will donate a portion back to our activities department.  

Discussion:  January 9, 2024  Board of Education meeting.