June 15, 2020 at 5:30 PM - Regular Meeting

We are planning for next fall as if at any given time, we need to go back to online learning. Alternative calendar #2 is the recommendation of the two presented. It is set for starting August 25th. New calendars take away flexibility for snow days.  The calendar gives us time for professional development on the platforms CPS is using for online learning.  Dr. Loeffelholz says there is 99% chance we will be in school.  This calendar shows that kindergarten will need to start earlier and seniors will need to go to the last day. It also shows many of the same breaks with a professional development day at the end of each quarter.  Students would still get out before Memorial Day. Alternative #2 shows starting the same time with a scheduled spring break, and getting out a week later. There is a #3 is yet to come, Dr. Loeffelholz will share it as soon as it's ready.  

Dave Melick, Executive Director of Business and Human Relations spoke about how the process went for Dr. Loeffeholz’s contract. Mr. Melick checked with our array of districts to compare where Dr. Loeffelholz stood with those districts, 3 districts are making decisions this month. The average increase in the array is 3.36%,  the committee looked at this information to make a decision on what they wanted to offer for compensation. They settled on 2.46%.  The Transparency Act was followed, Mr. Melick published the information, as required. Included in the information for comparison was that Kearney was compensating their superintendent 8%.  The question was asked if his compensation should be in line with CPS’s other administrators at 2.46%.  Proposed compensation would put him at third behind Fremont and Kearney. Dr. Loeffelholz made a counter offer of 2.1%. He spoke to the board and shared his appreciation for all they have done for him, he feels very blessed and he has never needed to negotiate his salary until now.  He also shared he wants to set a precedent for staff.  The board appreciated the offer, Theresa Seipel said that will certainly help next year’s negotiations, she also feels it says a lot to the community and staff regarding his commitment to our school district. Board Member Ken Curry says he thinks so much of Dr. Loeffelholz, and admires him and his leadership and reminds the others not to let him fall behind his peers for all of his efforts with CPS.  An amendment was made to the motion to change the percentage of the offer.

Mr. Melick highlighted some of the items in the financial reports. Receipts were quite a bit higher, based on a good month of property tax receipts. The Nutrition Fund is extremely low, this is because numbers between meals served and meals charged need to match. March and April counts did not align, it has now been reconciled, and submitted.  The account just about went negative, so funds were transferred. Special Building Fund is showing billing on the Kramer project and some communication expenses associated with students accessing wifi in our building parking lots. 

Revenue is showing property tax payment was more than usual, State Aid is received 10 months of the year.  There is a reimbursement for ELL grants.  

Some expenditures are for the Lunch Fund and the Omaha World Herald for job postings.  We have not been using the World Herald much because it isn’t our greatest resource, we have saved a lot in using other resources.  Three jobs were advertised in the World Herald for $1000.00. Also, a payment to Paper 101-for white and colored paper for next school year.  The carpet for Lost Creek project was paid out. 

Mr. Melick shared a few of the expenditures on Financial Report M5. Commonwealth was paid for licenses and Quadient Finance was paid for postage; several large mailings went out regarding COVID-19. Remind101 Inc. was paid their annual subscription fees, and TC Ceilings received payment for the Lost Creek project. Imagine Learning for student licenses for K-12 math resources and Home Depot Pro was paid for cleaning supplies and masks. Edgenuity is who we pay for Oddysey Ware. The City of Columbus Finance Dept. was paid for our portion of 1 quarter of school resource officers. 

Mr. Melick updated the group on the changes that were made to the 20-21 handbook which included adding the board approved internal complaint process, the old reference was removed, text from the policy has been included. Bereavement leave was modified. Salary Schedule will be included. To ensure everyone in each building has access to the handbook copies will be left in each building's work room. It is always available online. 

Mr. Melick went over a very short list of changes to the Teacher’s Handbook. The old Grievances and Complaints reference was replaced with the new and the modifications of Bereavement Leave was added. 

Mr. Melick updated the board on the Return To School Committee and LB1186. He also noted that this will be his last board meeting.

Leonard Kwapnioski, Executive Director of Building/Sites and Technology talked about the 20-21 ServiceMaster Contract. There will be a 1% increase from last year. We received a $4000.00 credit because of the pandemic and the change in work being done. They are interviewing for 2 open custodial positions, starting next week.  He has included a pricing analysis, it shares some information in the event of losing someone for a long term absence. 

Mr. Kwapnioski updated the group on the finalization of the Lost Creek Project and said he would like to show off the work that was done there, if anyone would like to visit the building.

Dr. Amy Romshek, Executive Director of Curriculum explained the purchase of new Biology resources for CHS.  This is a required course for all 9th graders. This purchase includes online/ digital access and 3 sets of hard copy texts.  Two products were piloted to make the decision on this product. Funds are budgeted from curriculum accounts. 

Dr. Romshek said that Solidworks II is an additional course being offered in the design technology.  This is a computer aided drafting program.  CPS purchased the program a few years ago with Perkins Funds. 

Dr. Romshek shared that the Curriculum Dept. is very busy working with the Return To School Committees.

Jason Harris, Executive Director of Students Services and SPED gave a brief description of the BIST Service Agreement. This training is on how to respond to tier 2 and tier 3 behaviors. It includes 5 days of consultation with certified trainers that work with staff, they also consult on specific students.  This is divided between the 7 buildings.  

Mr. Harris spoke about the Music Therapy and the differences from other music teachers is this is tailored to the specific accommodations for higher needs students. 

Mr. Harris shared the need for the request for extra duty pay for Crisis Team Leaders. He said these people are very valuable to him during a crisis, they help lead the team.  They should receive a stipend as they go above and beyond for their help and leadership in these situations. They also assist in working on the handbook. Mr. Melick added information about other positions that are paid on the extra duty salary schedule. This is very similar to some other positions. 

Mr. Harris said he is very busy with the Return To School Committee. They will have recommendations soon. 

Jeanne Schieffer and Sandy Fisher from the Columbus Chamber of Commerce joined the meeting to ask for a special request from the Board. The Red, White, and Kaboom can not be held at Ag Park this year because it is closed.  They would like to use the northern most field at CHS. It is a nice location with many parking lots in the area. They are looking at having the event as a drive in and park aerial show only. They will solicit funds for the show.  It costs about $20,000.00-$30,000.00 for the 19 minute show. They would like to have the pyrotech come and assess the area. The committee would let businesses know how this would work. Concerns about the clean up and people parking in places they don’t want them to be parked. A lot of communication would need to go out regarding no alcohol on school property.  The city has been contacted for police support. Tim Hofbauer said he would help with blocking off areas that they do not want people to park.  This is something we can do for our community to get back to some normalcy. Dr. Loeffelholz said this would be a good community partner for CPS. He knows some folks will make bad choices. Board member Ken Curry feels we could get people to help with cleaning and directing traffic, etc. All agree to move forward to see if it would work out.  A meeting with the City, Dr. Loeffelholz, and Mr. Kwapnioski to talk about logistics and planning is being scheduled.  

The COVID-19 DHMs change from day to day, we are at phase III, many DHMs have been lifted. There are a lot of activities happening now, Dr. Loeffelholz  is optimistic about being in school, pessimistic about numbers going up and having to call off school for a second time.  Trying to prepare for the worst and hope for the best. Many area doctors are certain COVID-19 was here in December. He has also heard that vaccinations will be a 2 dose procedure. Graduation looks like a go with limited number of guests per student.  July 16th for the Board Meeting will be live. Dr. Loeffelholz will be on vacation the beginning of July. 

The board thanked Mr. Melick for his years of service and shared their appreciation for his work. Thumbs up for all the work that is being done by the Return To School Committees.  Doug Willoughby said credit goes to Dr. Loeffelholz for putting a great team together. Ken Curry said it is a great honor to sit on the stage at graduation and requested that Dr. Loeffelholz invite Mike Goos, past Board Member to be there for all of his time on the board. They thanked Dr. Loeffelholz for negotiating a lower raise for himself and said it speaks volumes about his dedication to CPS. Candy Becher, Board President said she can’t say enough about the people volunteering for the Return to School Committees.