May 14, 2012 at 5:00 PM - Work Session and Regular Meeting of the Board of Education

Discussion:  This summer the custodial and maintenance staff will be working four 10-hour days from 6 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday. CHS and CMS will have at least two custodians working five days a week. The Emerson custodial staff will work an eight-hour shift five days a week due to summer school. Custodial work in all buildings will be completed by July 31. Loop said these guys are all thinking outside of the box to save the district money. Wunderlich said by doing more in-house, things can get done quicker because the district doesn’t have to wait for the contracted labor to be available.

Discussion:  The board went into Executive Session to discuss negotiations, real estate, and the Superintendents salary.

Discussion:  Ken Curry read the Mission Statement

Discussion:  The team of Beth Balerud and Reid Fullner took first place and will represent Nebraska at the Ford/AAA Auto Skills National Competition. Balerud is the first female to represent Nebraska at nationals and the fourth to compete at state.

Discussion:  The following students were recognized as scholastic art award winners: Brielyn Borer: ceramics—honorable mention; Ryan Ernst: mixed media—silver key; Rebecca Feagin: painting—honorable mention and ceramics—silver key; Alma Franco: mixed media—gold key; Morgan Hitz: mixed media—honorable mention; Bonnie Krepel: mixed media—gold key; Jessica Martens- digital art—silver key; Jordan Olson- mixed media—gold key; Shaylee Robinson-mixed media—square plus shoe; and Estrella Urenda- printmaking—honorable mention.

Discussion:  Cole Beiermann, Tim Hazlett, and Luke Bogus were recognized for earning this state recognition.

Discussion:  Thomas McDonald and Dylan Ganskow placed first in Mechatronics. Kiley Dodson placed first in welding sculpture. These three students will be representing Nebraska at the 48th annual National Leadership and Skills Conference in Kansas City. The following students placed but will not be going to Nationals. Bradley Enderson, Kiley Dodson, Dylan Ganskow, Dylan Lambrecht and Thomas McDonald placed first in Quiz Bowl, Leo Portillo placed third in Computer Maintenance Technology, Dylan Lambrecht and Bradley Enderson placed third in Robotics and Kevin Rubeck placed first in Cabinetmaking state only. The sponsors are Tracy Dodson and Adam Whitmore.

Discussion:  The following Spanish students received a first place trophy in the overall competition at the Foreign Language Competition held in Lincoln on April 12. The 36th Foreign Language Competition was held at UNL. German students were recognized for their achievements at the 36th Foreign Language Competition.

Discussion:  Communications Coordinator Michelle Cruise said the committee was formed to come up with a policy regarding the use of social media the CPS district. 1. Having one District Facebook page with separate building pages. 2. Create a login to Facebook with the discoverers.org email address. 3. The principal/administrator will be required to be one of the administrators of the Facebook account/activity. 4. Teachers will be educated on the district’s Social Media Guidelines during new teacher training.

Discussion:  High School Principal, Steve Woodside said CHS students have scored higher than the national average on both the EXPLORE and PLAN tests. Woodside also explained to the board that this was the first time that all juniors took the ACT. Woodside said he initially had some concerns about testing all juniors. He said when comparing the last two years scores, the juniors were in the range.

Discussion:  Next year the lunch prices will be increase to $2.25 for elementary and $2.50 for middle and high schools. Breakfast will remain the same at $1.50. Dr. Loeffelholz said the adult prices will also need to increase to $3.10 next year.

Discussion:  Dr. Loeffelholz said the district will close out this year ahead of schedule. He said everyone from the district has done a good job of cutting back spending, and the remaining money will be used to pay some bills for next year.

Discussion:  Dr. Loeffelholz said the custodial rate was clarified to be per man per hour for the custodial wage. All groups will be required to pay 25 percent of the fee at the time of rental. The groups will be invoiced for the rental fees after using the facility. The rates were broken up into different tiers because not everyone may use all the options available. Dr. Loeffelholz said the district is going to charge a flat fee instead of a percentage of sales.

Discussion:  Dr. Loeffelholz said this policy talks about how employees should use school vehicles when traveling out of district as long as the vehicles are available. The policy also states the amounts reimbursable for meals. Dr. Loeffelholz said credit cards can be checked out at the business department for trips.

Discussion:  Leonard Kwapnioski said there are two layers of shingles on the roof, and it needs to be redone. He said the district went with a brown CRC Biltmore Architectural shingle. He said all three bidders were local. Dr. Loeffelholz said the money for this project will come out of the building fund.

Discussion:  Dr. Loeffelholz said the funds will come out of the depreciation fund.

Discussion:  Assistant Principal Jon Frey said there weren’t many significant changes. He said the administration is also looking at tweaking open lunch by placing greater emphasis on student achievement.

Discussion:  CMS Principal Doug Kluth said the handbook includes adding the policy on Google Docs as well as social media. He said the middle school is not going to change the cell phone policy at this time.

Discussion:  Centennial Principal Jackie Herink said there were only two changes: one the adding of the Google Docs policy and changing the breakfast start time from 7:30 a.m. to 7:24 a.m.

Discussion:  The board voted to approve the removal of wrestling from the cooperative program renewal with Scotus Central Catholic. Dr. Loeffelholz said this only affects wrestling and all other sports will remain. He said Scotus approached CPS with this issue and wants to start their own program.

Discussion:  Leonard Kwapnioski said this includes the extended stage as well as the edge lighting. He said the project also has a completion date of July 20. Funds for this project will come from the High School Bond Fund and Building Fund.

Discussion:  The board voted to table the base salary increase for certified staff for 2012-13 year until the Master Agreement could be finished.

Discussion:  The board voted to approve a 2.75 percent salary package for administrators.

Discussion:  CFAC did invite the community to come and discuss six different options for the middle school. Dr. Loeffelholz said there were about 20 people not on the CFAC who attended. He said people broke out into groups to look at the options and discuss advantages and disadvantages.

Discussion:  Alan Dostal said the graduation was great and he was proud of the student body for their accomplishments. Francis Kuehler said he spent time at North Park doing reading assessments. He encouraged all board members to get out in the buildings if possible.

Discussion:  No Executive Session

Discussion:  Meeting adjourned at 9:10 p.m.