June 11, 2012 at 5:30 PM - Work Session and Regular Meeting of the Board of Education

Discussion:  Building and Grounds Supervisor Tom Wunderlich said Nieuwenhuis was honored because of his work ethic, unselfishness, enthusiasm and initiative. Nieuwenhuis has worked for CMS for 18 years. He said Nieuwenhuis sets an example for the rest of the staff. There will also be a $500 scholarship in the name of the custodian of the year awarded to a student from Columbus Middle School to be used for college.

Discussion:  Al Inzerello from Energy Education said Columbus Public Schools is receiving the Environmental Excellence award to recognize the district’s impact the energy program is having on natural resources. The district has saved $385,442 in roughly a 29-month period, which amounts to a 23 percent savings.

Discussion:  Dr. Loeffelholz informed the board that a high school counselor, 7th grade language arts teacher, and a .5 ELL teacher have been hired. There were nine classified resignations and one hired for a custodian at CMS. The extra duties and activities renewals have been finalized and posted.

Discussion:  Dr. Loeffelholz said the budget is 73 percent spent, and the district is ahead of last year. He said the reason for this is the budgets were frozen, and the cash can carry over to next year to help pay bills in the fall.

Discussion:  Dr. Loeffelholz said this policy tightens up things on travel. The new policy sets the per diem at $45 per day but makes the amounts a little higher for certain places. The policy also states when an employee can get a hotel room. Dr. Loeffelholz said the policy mainly cleaned up the language.

Discussion:  The district rate will remain the same. Executive Director of Business Services Jason Harris said the Department of Education come up with an amount for special education. For next year the cost per day is $192.56 for the severe/profound and $143.50 for mild/moderate.

Discussion:  Dr. Loeffelholz said there was a good compromise between the administration and Columbus Education Association. He said they spent some time cleaning up language and clarifying things in the agreement.

Discussion:  The board approved a 2.85 percent base salary increase for certified staff. Dr. Loeffelholz said this will amount to a $450 increase on the base.

Discussion:  The contract has changed. Instead of being a 12-month employee with two weeks of vacation, she will be on a 220-day employee contract, which will give a little more flexibility to the position.

Discussion:  The board approved the superintendent’s contract with a 2.85 percent increase.

Discussion:  Executive Director of Technology/Operations Leonard Kwapnioski said the Internet policy has been rewritten. He said it identifies appropriate material and explains many other issues. Dr. Loeffelholz said the social networking piece has also been added. He said the biggest part of the policy is the educational component for not only students but staff as well. Dr. Loeffelholz said the district must show Internet safety is being addressed. He said the policy clarifies what is acceptable use and not acceptable use and what it means.

Discussion:  Kwpanioski said in the past, the district has contracted with Trane for $80,000. Kwapnioski said next month a lesser contract with Trane will be recommended for approval.

Discussion:  Krogstrand said all the amounts will remain the same. He said one thing people will notice when traveling to away games is that prices have increased to around $6 to $7 in football, basketball and volleyball. Krogstrand said he has suggested that the new activities coordinator Mark Brown look at how much other districts are charging and adjust rates. He said CPS is at the low end.

Discussion:  The portables have been delivered, and maintenance is currently working on the one at Centennial and will move to the two at CMS next. Loup Power has installed a pole for electrical service. The timeline is to be done by the middle of July. The kindergarten start date has changed and students must now be 5 on or before July 31. If a parent wants to send their children and they turn five between August 1 through October 15, they can have them tested. Dr. Loeffelholz said there is a loop hole in the policy. Nebraska does not mandate students to attend kindergarten, so if a student does not go this year, he or she can start in first grade next year. Sen. Paul Schumacher has said he will look into the issue and see if it can be fixed with an amendment. The July board meeting has been moved from July 11 to July 16. The NSAB state conference needs to be booked on Sept. 11, 2012. Dr. Loeffelholz said remodeling continues at the Administration Building.

Discussion:  Meeting adjourned at 8:17 p.m.