Public Meeting Minutes: August 8, 2016 at 5:30 PM - Board of Education Regular Meeting

1. Call to Order

Rationale: The Norfolk Public School District's board of education meeting is called to order.

1.1. Roll Call

Rationale: If any board member is absent, there will need to be a motion to excuse the absence.

1.2. Declaration of a Legal Meeting

2. Study Session

Rationale: Construction Update

3. Pledge of Allegiance

Rationale: Please stand and join us in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.

4. Presentations, Special Recognition, Focus on Students

Rationale: none

5. Public Comments & Communication

Rationale: This is the time during the board meeting when the public may request to address the board regarding an agenda item. If you wish to comment, we ask that you identify yourself and indicate the agenda item to which you will be speaking.

6. Information and Discussion Items

6.1. Finance & Facilities Report

Rationale:

Total amount of claims to be approved in the consent agenda for the month of August, 2016 by specific fund are as follows:
General Fund = $889,996.05

Nutrition Services Fund = $358.66

Cooperative Fund = $121,545.56

Special Building Fund = $35,406.82

QCPUF = $1,392,650.36

Student Fee Fund= $12,792.93

The total amount of claims for the month of July, 2016 in the Activities fund are as follows:
Activity Fund = $121,631.52

We are finishing the 2015-2016 fiscal year as planned. The fiscal position of our district continues to be strong and I anticipate that position to continue into the 2016-2017 fiscal year. Our next board meeting will be centered around details pertaining to the 2016-2017 budget for the entire board to review.

6.2. Teaching & Learning Report

Rationale:

Curriculum & Assessment

Embargoed NeSA data was released in mid July. I performed an audit on the data. Official final results will be available August 24. Hard copies of student results will arrive in buildings on Sept. 16. Families can expect those to be coming home shortly after that date.
New teachers to the district will be receiving a lot of training the first few days, much of which will be completed by our board meeting.
PLC and Assessment schedules have been posted and communicated to principals and teachers.
The summer work completed by a team of teachers regarding the report card was presented to elementary principals. We are going to continue to move forward with our work throughout the school year.
The Teaching and Learning Team has been organizing training for K-2 teachers with their implementation of the Wonders program.

Technology

The technology department has been very busy with updating computers to Windows 10, moving devices due to construction and general maintenance on new and old devices. We will be ready for the beginning of the school year.

6.3. Student Services Report

Rationale:

The number of students that attended summer school in 2016:

Little Panthers Preschool: 25, Elementary: 346, MS/JH: 216, SH: 375 Total: 962

Wednesday, August 10, will be the first full day of school for certified staff. In the first two days, I will be meeting separately with Special Education and ELL (English Language Learners) staff to discuss program plans for this school year.

Each school has an open house scheduled. You may find each school’s open house night and times on the school website.

Additional basic school supplies, as guided by the district school supply lists have been purchased by the school district and will be made available to those qualifying students who request them. These are basic school materials like paper, pencils, glue, folders, binders, etc.

6.4. Human Resources & Accreditation Report

Rationale:

Certified Staff Hires:

No new contracts to approve this month.

Current Certified Staff Openings: As of August 4th,2016

Open Certified Positions:

Speech Language Pathologist: 2 openings

Coaching Vacancies:

Senior High School:
- Assistant Speech and Debate - 1 opening
- Drama - 1 opening

“New to the District” Teacher Training:

This past Thursday (August 4th) our “New to the District” certified staff members were welcomed to our district at the Tech Center. Staff were introduced to building and district administrators and Central Office support staff. They were briefed on building and district procedures, given an overview of the basic expectations for staff and provided technology training. Additional training continues this week with sessions on instructional models, PLC’s and curriculum. The training has gone very well and teachers are ready to meet their students this next week. We have an outstanding group of new staff and we are excited to have them join our district.

Certified Teacher Training:

All certified staff return to the district on Wednesday, August 10th. All certified staff will meet at 7:45 a.m. in the Johnny Carson Theatre. Dr. Thompson will be the keynote speaker for the event.

Substitute Teacher Training:

Our substitute teacher training workshop is scheduled for Tuesday, August 9th from 9:00 - 10:30 a.m. at Norfolk Junior High School in the media center.
We will have a second session on Tuesday, August 23rd from 9:00 - 10:30 a.m. for those unable to make the first meeting.
We hope to have an increase in substitute teacher numbers for this school year.
Plans are in place to find additional solutions to our subbing shortage.

6.5. Superintendent's Report

Rationale:

1. NebraskalovesPublicSchools Visit to Norfolk

NebraskalovesPublicSchools met with several teachers, administrators, board members, and community members last Friday. We shared information with them regarding the many outstanding programs that we have in place within Norfolk Public Schools, and they shared information with us regarding their upcoming projects. The mission of NebraskaLovesPublicSchools is to support public schools through documentary films. They have recently expanded that role to include the world of social media, where they feature a variety of positive activities occurring within Nebraska's Public Schools. Executive Director, Sally Nellson Barrett, said that she was impressed by what she heard in Norfolk, especially regarding our upcoming Career Academies and the way that we are addressing a gap in resources within our community.

2. Lincoln School: Montessori Program and Little Panthers Preschool Update

Because our Construction project at Lincoln Elementary is behind schedule, we will need to delay the start of school for Lincoln Montessori students by three days. Montessori students' first day will be Thursday, August 18th, rather than Monday, August 15th, when all other schools in the district start. Although this short delay is unfortunate, we are very pleased with the capital improvements that are ocurring at Lincoln Elementary, including multiple upgrades to safety, air quality, and energy efficiency throughout the building.

3. I would like to schedule a Board Retreat in late October or early November to discuss:

* School Profiles and Building Goals

* Strategic Plan Update

* Comprehensive Facilities Plan Update

Would it be possible to get our Board and Admin Team together for a half or full day retreat?

7. Committee Reports

7.1. Board Building Visit Reports

7.2. Facilities & Finance Committee Report

Rationale:

The committee reviewed all claims for the month of August as well as the July Activity claims. The committee received a facility update and then discussed the following items:

New rules and upcoming regulations from the IRS on cash-in-lieu payments with benefit plans and also regulations concerning overtime
Discussion on the new Cash Now chamber program

Our next scheduled meeting is September 12, 2016 at the Central Office. We will also have a special meeting prior to the second board meeting in August, that time has not been determined yet.

7.3. Policy & Government Relations Report

Rationale:

The Policy and Government Relations Committee reviewed Board Policies 6000-6120 electronically.

6000: General Policy Statement re: Instruciton

6010: Scope of Instructional Program

6020: The Program of Instruction

6110: School Instructional Hours

6112: School Day for Students

6113: Limitations on Class Size

6114: Emergencies

6115: Fire Drills and Crisis Plans

6116: Emergency Dismissal or Cancellation

6117: Ceremonies, Observances, and the Pledge of Allegiance

6118: Attendance Area Boundary Line Review

6119: Attendance Districts

6120: Safe Schools Policy

The Committee decided to remove 6020: The Program of Instruction so that changes could be made. We will bring a revised 6020 and a new 6021 to the Board for First Reading next month.

7.4. Activities Committee Report

Rationale: The Activities Committee does not meet during the summer. Our first meeting for 2016-2017 will be scheduled in September.

7.5. Minutes of Committee Meetings

8. Approve Consent Agenda

8.1. Minutes of Previous Meetings

8.2. Personnel

8.2.1. Contract Approval

Rationale: None at this time.

8.2.2. Resignations

Rationale: None at this time.

8.3. Claims

Rationale: Attached are the claims for the month of August 2016

9. Action Items

9.1. Discuss, Consider and Take Action to Approve Members of the Americanism Committee

Rationale:

According to state statute, 79-724:

(1) Every school board shall, at the beginning of each school year, appoint from its members a committee of three, to be known as the committee on Americanism. The committee on Americanism shall:
(a) Carefully examine, inspect, and approve all textbooks used in the teaching of American history and civil government in the school. Such textbooks shall adequately stress the services of the men and women who achieved our national independence, established our constitutional government, and preserved our union and shall be so written to include contributions by ethnic groups as to develop a pride and respect for our institutions and not be a mere recital of events and dates;
(b) Assure themselves as to the character of all teachers employed and their knowledge and acceptance of the American form of government; and
(c) Take all such other steps as will assure the carrying out of the provisions of this section.
(2) All American history courses approved for grade levels as provided by this section shall include and adequately stress contributions of all ethnic groups (a) to the development and growth of America into a great nation, (b) to art, music, education, medicine, literature, science, politics, and government, and (c) to the war services in all wars of this nation.
(3) All grades of all public, private, denominational, and parochial schools, below the sixth grade, shall devote at least one hour per week to exercises or teaching periods for the following purpose:
(a) The recital of stories having to do with American history or the deeds and exploits of American heroes;
(b) The singing of patriotic songs and the insistence that every pupil memorize the Star-Spangled Banner and America; and
(c) The development of reverence for the flag and instruction as to proper conduct in its presentation.
(4) In at least two of the three grades from the fifth grade to the eighth grade in all public, private, denominational, and parochial schools, at least three periods per week shall be set aside to be devoted to the teaching of American history from approved textbooks, taught in such a way as to make the course interesting and attractive and to develop a love of country.
(5) In at least two grades of every high school, at least three periods per week shall be devoted to the teaching of civics, during which courses specific attention shall be given to the following matters:
(a) The United States Constitution and the Constitution of Nebraska;
(b) The benefits and advantages of our form of government and the dangers and fallacies of Nazism, Communism, and similar ideologies; and
(c) The duties of citizenship, including active participation in the improvement of a citizen's community, state, country, and world and the value and practice of civil discourse between opposing interests.
(6) Appropriate patriotic exercises suitable to the occasion shall be held under the direction of the superintendent in every public, private, denominational, and parochial school on Lincoln's birthday, Washington's birthday, Flag Day, Memorial Day, and Veterans Day, or on the day preceding or following such holiday, if the school is in session.
(7) Every school board, the State Board of Education, and the superintendent of each school district in the state shall be held directly responsible in the order named for carrying out this section, and neglect thereof by any employee.

Our current Americanism Committee members are Bruce Mitchell, Patti Gubbels, and Arnie Robinson.

9.2. Discuss, consider, and take action to approve the spending of up to $500,000 of additional claims out of the General Fund in August for completion of 2015-2016 budgets, grants, and transfer to depreciation.

Rationale:

Motion to approve to spend up to $500,000 of additional claims out of the General Fund in August for completion of 2015-2016 budgets, grants, and transfer to depreciation. These items would be on a separate posting at the September board meeting.

9.3. Approval to spend up to $100,000 of additional claims out of the Special Building Fund in August for construction bills that require payment before the end of the fiscal year.

Rationale: Motion to approve to spend up to $100,000 of additional claims out of the Special Building Fund in August for any construction bills that come in that would need to paid before the next board meeting. These items would be on a separate posting at the September board meeting.

9.4. Approval to spend up to $410,000 of additional claims out of the QCPUF Fund in August for any bills that come in that will need to paid before the end of our fiscal year.

Rationale: Motion to approve to spend up to $410,000 of additional claims out of the QCPUF Fund in August for any construction bills that come in that would need to paid before the next board meeting. These items would be on a separate posting at the September board meeting.

9.5. Discuss, consider, and take action to approve the following Board Policies: 3090 (Sale and Disposal of School Property), 3130 (Purchasing Policies), 3570 (ESSA), 4026 (Prohibition on Aiding and Abetting Sexual Abuse), 4027 (Workplace Privacy), 4028 (Appropriate Dress), 5006 (Option Enrollment), 5203 (Academic Progress), 5418 (Homeless Students, 5419 (Student Privacy Protection), 6212 (Assessments-Academic Content Standards), 6284 (Initiations, hazing, Secret Clubs, and Outside Organizations), 6286 (Return to Learn from Cancer), 6410 (Parental Involvement in Title I Programs), 6800 (Internet Safety), 6920 (Self Management of Asthma-Anaphylaxis-Diabetes), 8270 (Conflict of Interest),and 9341 (Voting)

Rationale:

The Policy and Government Relations Committee reviewed the policy revisions suggested by Perry Law Firm as part of their Annual Policy Update. Proposed revisions were due to recent changes in Nebraska State Statute and ESSA. The Committee is recommending that these policies be considered for Second and Final Reading:

3090 (Sale and Disposal of School Property), 3130 (Purchasing Policies), 3570 (ESSA), 4026 (Prohibition on Aiding and Abetting Sexual Abuse), 4027 (Workplace Privacy), 4028 (Appropriate Dress), 5006 (Option Enrollment), 5203 (Academic Progress), 5418 (Homeless Students), 5419 (Student Privacy Protection), 6212 (Assessments-Academic Content Standards), 6284 (Initiations, hazing, Secret Clubs, and Outside Organizations), 6286 (Return to Learn from Cancer), 6410 (Parental Involvement in Title I Programs), 6800 (Internet Safety), 6920 (Self Management of Asthma-Anaphylaxis-Diabetes), 8270 (Conflict of Interest), and 9341 (Voting).

The Committee decided to remove Policy 6020 (The Program of Instruction) so that it can be revised. A revised 6020 and a new 6021 will be recommended for First Reading next month.

9.6. Discuss, consider and take action to approve the First Reading of Board Policies 6000: General Policy Statement re: Instruction, 6010: Scope of Instructional Program, 6110: School Instructional Hours, 6112: School Day for Students, 6113: Limitations on Class Size, 6114: Emergencies, 6115: Fire Drills and Crisis Plans, 6116: Emergency Dismissal or Cancellation, 6117: Ceremonies, Observances, and the Pledge of Allegiance, 6118: Attendance Area Boundary Line Review, 6119: Attendance Districts, and 6120: Safe Schools Policy

Rationale:

The Policy and Government Relations Committee is recommending the approval of the First Reading of the Following Policies:

6000: General Policy Statement re: Instruction

6010: Scope of Instructional Program

6110: School Instructional Hours

6112: School Day for Students

6113: Limitations on Class Size

6114: Emergencies

6115: Fire Drills and Crisis Plans

6116: Emergency Dismissal or Cancellation

6117: Ceremonies, Observances, and the Pledge of Allegiance

6118: Attendance Area Boundary Line Review

6119: Attendance Districts

6120: Safe Schools Policy

Please note: The Committee decided to remove Policy 6020 (The Program of Instruction) so that it can be revised. A revised 6020 and a new 6021 will be recommended for First Reading next month.

10. Future Meetings

Rationale: The next meeting of the NPS Board of Education is scheduled for noon on Thursday, August 25th in the Conference Room at the Junior High School. Please note that this is a change in venue due to construction at Central Office.

11. Adjournment

August 8, 2016 at 5:30 PM - Board of Education Regular Meeting

Web Viewer