December 12, 2011 at 7:30 PM - Board of Education Regular Meeting

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

Rationale:   

It is the vision of the Norfolk Public Schools to actively engage all students in learning
through a relevant and comprehensive standards-based curriculum that integrates
 21^st century skills, tools, context, and assessments. 
 
The Mission of the Norfollk Public Schools is to prepare students with
the skills and knowlege to meet the challenges of a complex, global society.
 

 

Goal #1:  All students will succeed at each grade level and graduate from high school well-prepared for a variety of post-secondary pursuits.

 Goal #2:  All students will feel connected with the school and the learning process.

Goal #3:  District resources, programs, and departments will be aligned to attain high levels of student achievement and instructional excellence.

Goal #4:  The community will be engaged to support high levels of student achievement. 

 

Rationale:  November 14 - 4:30 Study Session

November 14 - 7:30 Regular Session

Rationale: 

Approval of second semester only teaching contract for the 2011-2012 school year for:

1.  Meagan Fehringer, Special Education, Westside Elementary

Rationale: 

Rationale:  This agenda item will continue next month.

Rationale:  Instructors Kathy Friedrich and Melissa Werner and their fourth grade students from Washington School will present "iREAD." 

Rationale:  1. High School Principal Hiring Process
2. Kindergarten Enrollment Policy

Rationale:  December Bills:    General Fund = $283,112.49
                            Cooperative Fund = $7,234.24
                            Lunch Fund = $95,507.10
                            Special Building Fund = $93,536.12
                            Bond Fund = $462,495.00

No other business to report this month.

Rationale: 

Curriculum Coordinating Council

 

The Curriculum Coordinating Council is in the initial phases of developing a three-year plan centered around the topic of effective grading and assessments practices.  Once completed, the comprehensive plan will be implemented in a three-phase process that will allow time for education of staff, parents, and community members.  Committee members include representatives from the teaching ranks as well as administrators are all levels of our district are well-represented on the committee.  More information to come in the next month or two.

 

NeSA-Writing Testing

 

We are nearing the beginning of testing season again.  NeSA-Writing will be administered during late January and early February.  Students in grades 8 and 11 will take the entire test online while grade 4 students will continue to utilize a paper-pencil method for testing.

Rationale: 

• On November 30, NPS fourth graders attended a play “Charlotte’s Web,” presented by Theater Works USA and sponsored by the Norfolk Arts Center.  Students enjoyed the performance that brought the characters “to life” for them.  In March 2012 – NPS first graders will attend another Arts Center program entitled “Junie B Jones.”  I will give you another update as the date approaches.

 

• Also this month the Northeast Community College theater department, under the direction of Adam Peterson, will be visiting all of our elementary buildings.  They will be performing shortened versions of “Rumpelstiltskin” or “Cinderella” and then allow some time for a few “theater” games with the audience of students.

 

• The balance of December holds many school activities and performances in sports, fine arts, speech and debate as well as individual school Holiday Programs.  As a reminder, the Norfolk High School holiday program is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 18 at J.C. Theatre.

 

• Norfolk Public Schools will be observing our sports practice and competition moratorium from Friday, December 23 through Tuesday, December 27.  After those dates, teams will be back in competitions through various invitational tournaments and events.

 

• NCLB grants are yet to be awarded.  On December 8^th, we were notified of our final allocations.  We will submit all applications before the January 13, 2012 deadline.

 

Rationale:  The Finance Committee members met at noon today in the Central Office Board Room.  All members were present. 

The following agenda items were reviewed:

(1)  Middle School Glycol Replacement.  Mr. Witte, Mr. Copeland from Rasmussen's and Ron Lylia were present to update the committee members on the proposed maintenance and repairs to the heating and cooling system at the Middle School.  Board members will vote on this proposal tonight.

(2)  Reviewed the December Bill list.

(3)  Reviewed the District audit.  Board members will be asked to approve the audit later in the agenda.

(4)  Discussed possible changes/updates to the District's 403(b) program. 

Rationale:  The Activities Committee did not meet this month. The next meeting is scheduled for January.

Rationale:  The finance committee and board of education have reviewed the district audit, both through the finance committee and study sessions of the board.

Rationale:  This is a proposal from Rasmussen Mechanical Services to replace the heat pump loop propylene glycol in the Middle School heat pump system.

This involves: draining the system, installation of the cleaner and fill, draining the system again and replacement of the propylene glycol. 

Project Cost Breakdown:

1. Material $33,040
2. Rasmussen Labor $3,160
3. Shipping $1,200