August 8, 2011 at 6:30 PM - Board of Education Regular Meeting

Rationale:  A motion will be necessary if a member of the elected Board is absent.

Rationale:  The Bellevue Board of Education abides by the Nebraska Open Meetings Law.  A copy of the law is posted on the wall of our Board room.

Rationale:  The Minutes of the July 11, 2011, Board of Education meeting and the Minutes of the July 23, 2011, Board Retreat were sent to all members of the Board of Education for review.

Rationale:  Acknowledge receipt of the Treasurer's Report for July, 2011.

Rationale:  Approve the payment of claims totaling $1,802,757.48.

Rationale:  Release (1) Wendy Grojean and (2) Brandy Ragas from their contracts effective May 25, 2011.

Rationale:  Elect (1) Jenny Powell to the certified staff for the 2011-12 school year effective July 26, 2011, and (2) Shelby Bartlett, (3) Danielle Berg, (4) Shannon Collin, (5) Elizabeth Dyrstad, (6) Shaylin Huffman, and (7) Megan Steil to the certified staff for the 2011-12 school year effective August 10, 2011, subject to their release from any contractual agreements with other school districts.

Rationale:  Notice of the hearing and a summary of the proposed budget were published in accordance with Nebraska statutes.  The budget was filed with the Secretary of the Board on July 11, 2011, for public review.  Attached is a copy of the "2011-2012 Proposed Annual Estimate of Receipts and Expenditures," the "Addendum," and the "Nebraska School District Budget Form." 

The proposed budget was developed to meet the needs of 10,195 students, an increase of 158 students.  Staffing represents approximately 80% of the current expenditure budget.  The remainder of the budget is allocated for the implementation of curriculum, textbooks, supplemental materials and technology, and to address the rising fixed costs.  The proposed budget recommends no change in the current levy of $1.05.

Rationale:  Authorize the transfer from the General Fund and the Building and Site Fund an amount equal to the General Fund and Building and Site Fund encumbrances as of August 31, 2011.

Annually the District transfers to the Accounts Payable Clearing Fund an amount equal to the value of the purchase orders and work orders outstanding on August 31.  Further information will be provided at the time goods and services have been received and payment is recommended.  The transfer of funds does not authorize payment.  This process simply allows obligations to be charged to the proper fiscal year budget.

Rationale:  Approve the attached "GOALS Interlocal Agreement" and authorize the President and Secretary of the Board to sign the appropriate paperwork.



Metro area superintendents, county officials, and community agencies have been working together to develop a plan to combat excessive absenteeism in Sarpy and Douglas counties.  Nebraska compulsory attendance law, 79-209, requires all public schools to notify parents following 5, 10, and 15 days of absence, regardless if the absences are excused or unexcused.  On the 20th absence, school districts are required to notify the county attorney.































































































































































































































































On Tuesday, August 2, Governor Heineman, area superintendents, officials and agencies came together to propose a GOALS (Greater Omaha Attendance and Learning Services) Interlocal Agreement to address early intervention with at-risk students.  The proposed agreement is being presented to the school boards in the Learning Community for their review and approval.































































































































































































































































Currently when students are absent in Bellevue, the early intervention plan includes contacting parents, providing counseling, involving social workers, etc.  Through the proposed Interlocal Agreement, once the school-level resources have been exhausted, referrals will be made for District/community intervention and ultimately, if needed, a referral will be made to the GOALS team.  Each school district will include at least one representative on the GOALS team.  They will meet on a regular basis to review individual cases and discuss the obstacles preventing the child from attending school.  Each student will have an informal family services plan that taps into the many resources available throughout the metro area.

Rationale:  Approve the attached "Resolution for Participation in the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan" and authorize John Hansen, President of the Bellevue Board of Education, to sign the Resolution.



A community is required to have a plan in place in order to receive public assistance grants from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).  The City of Bellevue has been working with the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District on a multihazard mitigation plan.  The plan includes possible backup generators at all Bellevue Public Schools' buildings, weather radios, and shelters.

Rationale:  Bellevue East and West students attended the national Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) conference.  Students from around the country were in attendance for the conference to sharpen their core business skills, expand their networks, and participate in more than 55 business and business-related competitive events.

Bellevue West students Adam Briton and Josiah Hood won third place in their respective events.  Adam competed in Job Interview and Josiah in State Chapter Annual Business Report.  Patrick Cook, a student at Bellevue East, represented Nebraska as its newly elected State Vice President.

Rationale:  Mr. Harwood will provide a basic review of how districts are funded and the budget process.

Rationale:  Bellevue Public Schools offers a variety of summer programs for students grades pre-K through grade 12.  The elementary summer school program is designed to provide enrichment and remediation opportunities for students.  Approximately 70% of the elementary/preschool students attended summer school.  The math, science, and technology camps were expanded this year and served 165 students in grades 4-6.  Approximately 835 students attended Day Camp this year.



Jump Start is a cooperative effort between the Bellevue Public Schools and the Learning Community.  The program provides instruction in reading, writing, and math to students who are not yet proficient in those areas or who may be at a socio-economic disadvantage.  Students entering grades 1-3 at six elementary schools and English Language Learners at those schools are eligible based upon teacher recommendation and qualification.



At the secondary level courses were offered in English, Science, Social Studies, and Math.  In addition at the middle school level, students could participate in Art, Reading, Creative Writing, Forensics, Robotics, Band, Chorus, Musical Theater, and Physical Education.  At the high school level, students could participate in Health, PE, Marketing, Spanish Transition, Justice and Law, Band/Choir, Weightlifting, and AP Physics and AP Calculus camps.



The high school transition course also continued for incoming ninth grade students.  The course is designed to provide an experience that will better prepare students for the transition to high school.  Students are exposed to study skills, learning styles inventories, and high school learning.  Students needing remediation on essential objectives from 8th grade also receive the support of transition teachers.

Rationale:  Several hundred Bellevue Public Schools' certified staff members requested to be and were involved in various types of professional learning in the late spring and summer months.



Curriculum:  K-12 PE adjustments to curriculum new in 2010-11; 9-12 Family Consumer Science adjustments to curriculum new in 2010-11; K-7 and 9 Health adjustments to curriculum new in 2010-11; 7-12 Skilled and Technical Sciences finished new curriculum for implementation in 2011-12; K-6 General Music finished new curriculum for implementation in 2011-12; 7-12 World Languages finished new curriculum for implementation in 2011-12; and K-12 Math finished new curriculum for implementation in 2011-12.



Academic Programs and Schoolwide Improvement:  K-12 Math Professional Development; 2nd Annual HAL Eval; AP Institutes (new, current, and prospective AP teachers); Science Educators Summer Workshops; Data Analysis (all schools); School Profile Updating (all schools); Positive Behavior Supports; Response to Intervention (RtI)--Framework, Best Instructional Practices, and Progress Monitoring; English Language Learner Teacher Resources; Online Instructional Technology Courses; and Power School University.



Learning Teams, Workshops, Conferences, and Meetings:  Daily Five and Cafe (Guided Reading); Literacy Facilitators' Planning & New Teacher Workshop; A to Z Reading Conference; Co-Teaching Workshops; Autism Workshops; Services Coordination Workshops; Boys Town Social Skills Workshop for New Teachers; Mandt Training; New Teacher Induction Program (Mentors and Building Coordinators) Annual Planning; Multi-Cultural Studies Teacher Internships; Nebraska Kindergarten Conference; Pre-School Teaching Strategies Gold; Nebraska Association for the Gifted Conference; Nebraska Educators of Technology Association Conference; Asperger's Syndrome; JRROTC Leadership Camp; and District Substitutes Program.

Rationale:  Attached is a copy of the calendar listing Board of Education meetings and key events in the school district.

Rationale:  An oral report will be provided on the recent meetings of the Learning Community.

Rationale:  Fred Nemitz -  Bullying and the "N" word
John Stewart - Teachers

Rationale:  August 11, All Staff General Session-East High
August 15, First Day of School
September 8, Freedom Walk-Lied Center, 4 p.m.
September 12, Board of Education Meeting, Welcome Center, 6:30 p.m.

Rationale:  Mr. Harwood will provide a basic review of the laws pertaining to executive session.

Rationale:  Adjourn to executive session to consider matters relating to strategy sessions with respect to negotiations with outside agencies which are necessary to be considered in closed session for the protection of the public interest.