January 21, 2013 at 5:00 PM - Work Session and Regular Meeting of the Board of Education

Discussion:  Emerson students who are members of Sing Around Columbus started off the meeting with a song. Sing Around Columbus is January 31, 2013 at 7 p.m. in the Nantkes Performing Arts Center. Emerson Principal, Sara Colford provided the Board with information pertaining to community involvement from Emerson staff and students. Mrs. Colford also reviewed academic test scores from last year and some of the activities and interventions used to assist students. The Board then took a tour of Emerson Elementary.

Discussion:  Dr. Loeffelholz provided information regarding enrollment projections for next year in CPS. It doesn't look like CPS will need to purchase another portable unless an early childhood program is adopted or there is an increase in some enrollment figures.

Discussion:  Strategic Planning will be discussed during the regular board meeting. Vision statements from the January 14th meeting are: 1. Students, parents, staff and community will be engaged in students' emotional, social and academic development. 2. Students will learn strong core academics (reading, writing, mathematics and science) and life skills (i.e. 21st century skills) in order to support college and career readiness. 3. Student enrollment, academic and career programs will drive the facility needs for the district.

Discussion:  No Executive Session held.

Discussion:  New Board member Candace Beacher took Oath of Office along with returning board members Alan Dostal and Mike Goos.

Discussion:  Mike Goos nominated Alan Dostal for president. Dostal welcomed Candy Becher to the Board. He also said Francis Kuehler did a wonder job as president.

Discussion:  Theresa Seipel nominated Mike Goos for Vice-President. Goos thanked the Board for electing him Vice President.

Discussion:  Community member Ray Pilakowski addressed the Board regarding costs relating to site preparation, constructing a new middle school building and providing for necessary furniture and apparatus for said school building. Pilakowski said since the people said no, the Board should not be doing anything with the land. He asked why $1 million is being spent on site preparation.

Discussion:  Barb Lehr was recognized for her eight years of service on the Board. She was presented with a clock from the administration. Lehr said she enjoyed working with staff and fellow board members, and it has been a wonderful experience. She thanked the board members, the staff and administrators. Lehr said it has been a joy and extreme honor to serve on the Board. Curry said Barb has always been the heart of this Board and truly brings the passion to it. Goos agreed.

Discussion:  Dr. Loeffelholz said there were two classified resignations, a bus driver and custodian. A new bus driver has been hired, but the custodian position has not been filled yet. There are 10 teachers taking early retirement, CMS health and fitness teacher Ed Travers is also retiring, and CHS English teacher Tarin Jennings is resigning.

Discussion:  1. Appointment of Secretary - Dave Melick 2. Appointment of Treasurer - Sandy Krings 3. Appointment of School Law Firms a.Grant and Grant b.Perry, Guthrey, Haase, and Gessford 4. Appointment of Signatory of the District for the purpose of Federal Funds - Dave Melick 5. Appointment of Signatory for the School Lunch Account - Dave Melick

Discussion:  Executive Director of Business Operations/Human Relations Dave Melick said the district is borrowing $1 million from cash reserves because the tax money has not been paid yet.

Discussion:  a. Appointment of a board member to serve on the Selection Committee for the Annual School Bell Award (Candace Becher) b. Appointment of negotiating team for the 2013-2014 teachers’ contract (Ken Curry and Theresa Seipel) c. Appointment of a board representative to the Nebraska Association of School Boards’ Delegate Assembly (Francis Kuehler) Appointments are submitted for information only.

Discussion:  The newly elected President should appoint Board Members to serve on subcommittees, other district committees, and the School Foundation Board consistent with the change in leadership and/or any other considerations the newly elected President deems appropriate. a. Appointment of Board Members to the four standing Board sub-committees: (Building & Site [Ken Curry and Francis Kuehler], Curriculum [Candace Becher and Mike Goos], Finance & Personnel [Francis Kuehler and Theresa Seipel], and Policy [Candace Becher and Theresa Seipel]). b. Appointment of a Board Member to serve on the Niewohner- Kersenbrock Library Committee [Mike Goos]. c. Appointment of three Board Members to Committee on Americanism [Ken Curry, Mike Goos, and Theresa Seipel]. d. Appointment of two Board Members to an annual term on the School District of Columbus Foundation Board [Mike Goos and Francis Kuehler]. e. Appointment of a Board Member to serve as a representative to the NASB Legislative Relations Network [Francis Kuehler].

Discussion:  Motion was approved to defer action on the cash farm lease agreement with Robert Goedeken. Dr. Loeffelholz said the district is researching the cost to rent irrigated land. He said irrigated land typically costs $50 more per acre than non-irrigated land.

Discussion:  Dr. Loeffelholz said as of now, these positions will be replaced. Those taking early retirement include: Leslee Ahrens, speech/language pathologist; Ila Arrants, vocational special needs at CHS; LeAnn Emerson kindergarten at Centennial; Brad Hansen eigth grade social studies at CMS; Marci Kennedy seventh grade social studies at CMS; Doug Kluth principal at CMS; Kim Korth, vocational coordinator; Linda Masek, vocal music at Centennial; Craig Post, industrial technology woods at CHS; and Ramona Schoenrock business at CHS. Curry said he would like to express his thanks to the teachers for their service.

Discussion:  Dr. Loeffelholz said the retirement incentive policy has not changed except for the benefit. All the money is deposited with a company, and the employee has the option to roll it over or leave it sit with that company. Mr. Curry also verified that we have informed staff that this will sunset in one year. The board wanted a one year notice of suspension of the Early Retirement Incentive Program (ERIP) as good faith notification.

Discussion:  Dr. Loeffelholz said the list represents a lot of parental work to help supplement CPS schools.

Discussion:  Dr. Loeffelholz said these are fundraisers to benefit outside organizations. He said next fall the board will approve a list for the entire 2013-14 school year at the beginning of the year. Dr. Loeffelholz said there should not be any fundraisers brought before the board for the rest of the year.

Discussion:  The Board received the Cost Avoidance Program Summary. Executive Director of Technology/Business Operations Leonard Kwapnioski said Dick Luebbe has done a good job of getting people to be energy conscious. The district has saved $19,514.44. He said CPS staff have done a wonderful job of turning lights off and conserving energy. Kwapnioski said the company is amazed at how much the district has saved. The contract with the company is now up and energy savings will continue in the future, but it is unsure how it will look.

Discussion:  The purpose of this approval is so the district will qualify for grants in the future.

Discussion:  Kwapnioski said the current roof is at its 15-year time limit. The new roof will have a longer life span of 20 to 30 years. This will be a 32,000 square foot project and will cost around $280,000. Kwapnioski said this will allow RVW to write specs and send the project out for bids. Once this is done, he said a bid will be brought to the board for the project. The cost for project management services for RVW is $7,500.

Discussion:  Dr. Loffelholz thanked the school board for hiring him. He told the Board he appreciates all they do for the students of CPS and representing CPS in the community. Dr. Loeffelholz said this Board is all about the kids, and he is proud to work for this group.

Discussion:  Nebraska Teacher Appreciation Day is on March 5, and Dr. Loeffelholz told the Board to put it on their calendar

Discussion:  The following are the vision statements the Board finalized to send back to the teaching staff. 1. Students, parents, staff and community will be engaged in students' emotional, social and academic development. 2. Students will learn strong core academics (reading, writing, mathematics and science) and life skills (i.e. 21st century skills) in order to support college and career readiness. 3. Student enrollment, academic and career programs will drive the facility needs for the district. Dr. Loeffelholz wanted to clarify some earlier comments. He said site work in preparation for a new middle school at the Discoverer site cannot be done. Under state statue, school districts can purchase property, lease land and help make improvements to the property.

Discussion:  Francis Kuehler said he went to the legislative session and Governor Dave Heineman has an interesting outlook. He said he will be watching some of the bills. Dr. Loeffelholz said the governor wants a 5 percent budget increase in state aid for schools and another 5 percent for special education. He said the Education Committee is looking at a 7 or 8 percent increase. Curry thanked Kuehler for his service as president. Becher said she is happy to be on the Board. Dr. Loeffelholz said he will keep the Board updated on the legislative bills.