August 6, 2012 at 6:30 PM - Board of Education Meeting Agenda

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:  Approve by consent items in section B of the Agenda identified with an asterisk and receive the information and proposals in sections D and E identified with an asterisk.

Rationale:  The Minutes of the July 9, 2012, Board of Education meeting and the July 28, 2012, Board Work Session were sent to all members of the Board of Education for review.

Rationale:  Acknowledge receipt of the Treasurer's Report for July, 2012.

Rationale:  Approve the payment of claims totaling $1,459,149.03.

Rationale:  Release (1) Cindy Johnson from her contract effective May 23, 2012.

Rationale:  Elect (1) Demetria Ballard, (2) Kathleen Dorsey, (3) Jennifer Fauble, (4) Gary Graner, (5) Adrianna Markowsky, (6) Caitlin McDevitt, and (7) Stacy Reimer to the certified staff for the 2012-13 school year effective August 9, 2012, subject to their release from any contractual agreements with other school districts.

Rationale:  At the end of each fiscal year, funds must be transferred to various accounts in order to pay encumbered expenses and ensure that all funds have adequate allowances at the beginning of the next fiscal year.  Due to the fiscal year ending at the end of August, the Board is being asked to grant the Board Treasurer the needed authority to make these necessary transfers.

Rationale:  The mission of the Greater Nebraska Schools Association is to promote general advancement and equitable funding of education and provide a voice of direct influence for those specific concerns of state aid equalized member schools.

The recommended action is to request membership in the Greater Nebraska Schools Association.

Attached is the 'Application for Membership' in the Association.

Rationale:  The Board reviewed new Board Policy 403.01, Release of Employee Information; proposed changes to Board Policies 503.01, Compulsory Attendance, 503.04, Excessive Absenteeism, 504.19, Student Fees; and Board Policies recommended for deletion 502.03, Age of Entrance, and 503.03, Student Absences-Excused, at the July 9, 2012, Board meeting. The attached proposed Board policies are presented tonight for final approval and deletion.

Rationale:  Forty-two Nebraska Future Business Leaders of America students recently competed at the FBLA National Conference in San Antonio, Texas, June 29-July 2.

Top 10 Award Winner
Seventh Place-Kyra Valentine, Bellevue West, Job Interview

National Recognition Events Award Winner
Pat Hinkle, Bellevue West, Nebraska Outstanding Local Advisor

Gold Seal Chapter Award of Merit
Bellevue West High School

Nebraska Future Business Leaders of America is supported by the Nebraska Center for Student Leadership at the Nebraska Department of Education.

Rationale:  The Bellevue Public Schools offers a variety of summer programs for our students, each program serving its own purpose.  As the District reviews the purpose of each program, it is also necessary to evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of the summer programs.

The elementary summer school program is designed to provide enrichment and remediation opportunities for students in a relaxed environment where content is delivered in a variety of interesting and creative ways.  Elementary summer school was held June 4 through June 22 at each elementary school.

The math, science, and technology camps have expanded this year.  The camps were held following summer school, June 25 - July 30, and served students in grades four through six, with a limited enrollment.  Students participating in the camps were taught by BPS educators with the intent of expanding student opportunities and critical thinking.

Summer Jump Start is a cooperative effort between the Bellevue Public Schools and the Learning Community.  The purpose of the program is to provide instruction in reading, writing, and math so students will have a "jump start" to the school year.  English Language Learners are also served during Jump Start.  Students entering first, second, and third grades next year at six elementary schools are eligible based upon teacher recommendation and qualification.

Day Camp is a six week program offered in five-day sessions with a home base at the Lied Activity Center.

Summer School is offered for students in grades seven through twelve at each of the secondary schools.  Students in grades seven and eight participate in classes which offer enrichment and remediation.  Students at the high school level are enrolled in summer classes which offer credit or credit recovery.

Rationale:  Tonight, an overview of the summer work that took place for Bellevue Public Schools will be presented to the Board.

Rationale:  At the beginning of each school year, the Board establishes for publication the regular meetings of the Board.  The Board typically meets on the first Monday of the month; we are proposing to continue this practice with a couple of exceptions.

The first Monday in September is Labor Day so the Board meeting is proposed for the second Monday.

In consultation with the accounting and payroll departments, it was determined that closing the books and preparing the necessary documents for the Board's approval is very difficult if the Board meeting is scheduled on the first or second day of the new month.  For this reason, we are proposing that the Board meeting be held on the first Monday of the month unless that day is the first, second, or a holiday.

The proposed Board Calendar for 2012-2013 is attached.

Rationale:  Each summer, all of our buildings and hundreds of our staff members engage in various types of professional development with the purpose of advancing teaching, learning, and work efficiency. 

Tonight, a brief report will highlight the scope and depth of that professional development.

Attached is a report on the summer professional development.

Rationale:  New Administrative Regulation 503.04, Excessive Absenteeism, and revised Administrative Regulation 504.19, Student Fees, are submitted tonight for review.

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

Rationale:  None

Rationale:  August 10, All-Staff General Session, East High School, 8:30 am
August 14, First Day of School for Students
September 10, Board of Education Meeting, Welcome Center, 6:30 pm

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