August 8, 2011 at 5:00 PM - Work Session and Regular Meeting of the Board of Education

Discussion:  Final valuations will come in on August 20, and this will be the final piece of the budget. The Budget Hearing will be held at 5 p.m. Sept 1 at the Administration Building. The September board meeting will be in the new ESU7/CPS Student Center. After the September meeting, Dr. Loeffelholz will be asking for the board’s input on the new location.

Discussion:  Executive Director Jessica Kuehler said the CPS Foundation has noticed an increase in scholarships. Some of the projects the foundation has donated to this year included: books and shelving for the Lost Creek and Centennial libraries, Susan Lovci donation for the band department, CHS tree sculpture and sponsored Education and Industry day at the Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce. The first round of teacher grants will be distributed tomorrow at the convocation. Kuehler said there will be three more in fall. She said also at the convocation, she will introduce the first annual “Your School, Their Foundation Campaign,” which will invite staff to contribute to the foundation.

Discussion:  Al Eveland from Ameritas said this bond issue is a little different then the ones from the past. He said he has based his figures off a $28.5 million bond issue. Eveland said this is not designed to cover everything in the project. The projected cost of the project is $34 million, but this has a lot of other factors such as inflation and contingencies. He said voters will be most concerned about the tax impact and price tag. He anticipates issuing bonds over a three-year period and based on a 20-year amortization period. Eveland said he is estimating high on the tax rate and anticipates it will be lower. If approved, the budget will need to be amended to account for the $3.5 million yearly payment for said bonds. As of today, the bond rate would increase to 24.5 cents with the middle school addition, which would be an increase of 9.5 cents over the current rate.

Discussion:  The board went into executive session at 5:30 and reconvened at 6:00.

Discussion:  Heidi Loop a representative from Advocates for CMS talked to the board about supporting the bond issue. She said the committee has been working on getting the bond issue off the ground. The group’s slogan is “Invest in Our Kids, Vote for CMS.” Loop said there are several committees such as voter registration, speakers’ bureau and fundraising. Anne Hughes step up tonight to head the volunteerism committee, and Mickie Thrope chairs the public information committee. Loop said the committee’s big goal is to trying to educate everyone. The committee members attending the meeting included: Melodee Brunken, Sara Keeler, Karin Rieger, Angie Kruse, Cristal Menke, Kristel Hall, George McConnon, Kim Liebig, Toby Goc, Jenny Pick and Pam Discoe. Loop estimated that 50 people have stepped forward to help with the bond effort. The board thanked the committee for all of their time and effort they have put in so far.

Discussion:  Dr. Loeffelholz said the last certified person was hired today. He said in the consent agenda, the board is approving making him the secretary. Goos asked why the board was approving the appointment of the CEA as the bargaining agent for teachers this early. Dr. Loeffelholz said with the changes in the law, districts must start negotiations by Nov. 1 and be completed by Feb. 15. If negotiations are not settled by Feb. 15, the process goes to an arbitrator.

Discussion:  Dr. Loeffelholz said the district is ending the year in good shape. He said there is money earmarked to go back in the depreciation fund to be used for bus purchases, textbook and computer purchases. Dr. Loffelholz said a bus is replaced every three years. Rathbone asked if the land sale was reflected in the financial report. Dr. Loeffelholz said the land sale is set to close on August 15 but that day has not been finalized with buyer. He said the sale will generate $577,000. The money from the sale of the land to East Central District Health Department will go into the building fund with the money from the sale of the other property.

Discussion:  Dr. Loeffelholz said the district is ending the year in good shape. He said there is money earmarked to go back in depreciation fund to be used for bus purchases, textbook and computer purchases. Dr. Loffelholz said a bus is replaced every three years. Rathbone asked if the land sale was reflected in the financial report. Dr. Loeffelholz said the land sale is set to close on August 15 but that day has not been finalized with buyer. He said the sale will generate $577,000. The money from the sale of the land to East Central District Health Department will go into the building fund with the money from the sale of the other property.

Discussion:  CHS Activities Coordinator John Krogstrand said the marching band is asking for approval early, so the group can start raising funds for the trip to Florida for the Gator Bowl. He said the exact dates will be announced next year. Other trips that were approved included: Jazz Band and Vocal to Greeley CO for the UNC Jazz Festival; Cheerleading to Okoboji, IA for the NCA Cheer Camp; and Diamond Dancers to Storm Lake, IA for the Just for Kix Camp.

Discussion:  CMS Dean of Students Amy Haynes said there were three new teachers hired and four administrators (Amy Romshek, Jason Harris, Haynes and Angela Leifeld) will oversee the program. Juniors and seniors will no longer be given preference. Haynes said all students will be looked at the same. Each of the students who were interested in the program had to go through an interview process, and they looked for someone who was the best fit. Breakfast and lunch will be delivered to Pathways and the campus is closed. Classes this year will start at 8 a.m. Students will be parking on the east end of the Administration Building’s parking lot.

Discussion:  Curry said it is very exciting to see the support from Advocates for CMS Committee.

Discussion:  Krogstrand said the change is coming about because of concerns about high school athletes and concussions. There will be a Nebraska Sports Concussions Network, so every doctor in state can see what was done for a patient. If a student gets a concussion, the individual must say he or she is OK to play, student’s parents must sign something saying it is OK to play, student’s doctor must sign something saying it is OK to play, student’s activities sponsor/coach must give approval and a CPS Administrator must give approval. Krogstrand said the changes do not have to be done until the 2012-13 school year, but CHS wanted it in place earlier.

Discussion:  The bid from Conditioned Air Mechanical of Grand Island for the CMS boiler feed tank and pump replacement is for $18,985. Dostal questioned why both bids were from out of town. Executive Director of Technology Leonard Kwapnioski said the piece is very specialized. He said by replacing this item, it should help with the other issues.

Discussion:  The $11,770 bid is from Beard-Warren Heating and Air Conditioning for the CMS cafeteria handler replacement. Kwapnioski said only four coils are operational and if another element is lost, the cafeteria will not be heated sufficiently. He said this is a good time to do this because it will be easy to get a crane on the roof now instead of in winter.

Discussion:  Dr. Loeffelholz reminded the board about the all staff convocation tomorrow at 10 a.m. in the CHS auditorium. He asked the board to help serve at the Burger Bash at 11:30 a.m. in the CHS cafeteria. Dr. Loeffelholz said he is impressed with the group of people who have stepped up to help get the bond issue passed. He said some don’t even have children who will benefit from the project. He told the board he has eight tickets available for the coronation of Dr. Fred Bellum as King Ferdinand. Last week there were 20 new teachers attending various events in the district.

Discussion:  Dostal expressed his thanks to bond committee. Curry thanked the board and administration for the flowers and cards he received on his mother’s passing. He said CPS has a tremendous staff and they make for a quality team.