August 19, 2013 at 5:00 PM - Work Session and Regular Meeting of the Board of Education

Discussion:  Mr. Curry arrived at approximately 5:10 p.m.

Discussion:  The budget hearing must be held before September 20th. The budget hearing will take place during the regular CPS board meeting on September 16, 2013.

Discussion:  The Administration and Rex Schultz met today with architect firms. There were seven or eight that attended, and they all specialize in school design projects. Schultze said there are three basic elements to consider: cost (budget), time (schedule), and quality (supervision of work). There are three methods of construction: design-bid, design-bid-build, and construction management at risk. In the prebond phases, the construction manager can formulate bid packages. Some of the things to do for the project include: retaining a professional service, design plan, and get a construction service provider possibly a construction manager at risk or something else. Shultze suggested hiring a design professional or construction manager pre-bond to get an idea of the cost and pay them on an hourly basis not to exceed a certain amount. Request for Proposal (RFP) should be within 30 days. Once received, they should be reviewed and evaluated and decision made as to whom to interview. The construction manager can bid, but there needs to be at least three bids for all the work.

Discussion:  Columbus Community Hospital representative Amy Blaser said the hospital is very appreciative of the opportunity to collaborate with CHS. The hospital has been doing drug testing since the early 90's and work with over 800 businesses and industries. Parents will receive a testing consent letter. The school district sets the percentage of students who will be chosen. The computer will generate a random student based on the student identification number. Licensed nurses will come to the school to administer the urine test. If positive, parents and students will have 48 hours to self-report to the district and will go through the standard process as with other violations. The testing will not be done on the same date and time each month. The process takes about 5 minutes. Approximately 17 to 18 students a month will be tested. Once tested, the student goes back into the random pool.

Discussion:  The Board did not go into Executive Session.

Discussion:  Candy Becher read the Mission Statement.

Discussion:  No one spoke at the open form.

Discussion:  There were no recognitions.

Discussion:  Dave Melick said the district is at the end of the budget year, and the budget is in good shape. The district has received 98.90 percent of the planned revenue.

Discussion:  Dr. Loeffelholz said that alcohol has been removed from the policy. The district has a system in place to help the parents and students by pointing them in the right direction.

Discussion:  Executive Director of Technology and Business Operations Leonard Kwapnioski said as a result of CMI, the district has reduced the service contract with Trane to $20,000. Columbus Public Schools tried CMI for one year (last year) and now will enter a second year with the company. The contract is for 220 hours. Kwapnioski said the district has reduced the service contract in half.

Discussion:  $11,972.84 of gifts and donations were accepted from the Foundation, Pacs, PTO's and other organizations.

Discussion:  Executive Director of Curriculum ad Instruction Amy Romshek said the State Board of Education approved a new set of standards for social studies students with a stronger emphasis on economics and geography. As a result of adding geography and economics to high school, eighth graders will have a full year of US history; sixth graders will study the western hemisphere; fifth grade will have US history and geography; and fourth grade will have a full year of Nebraska.

Discussion:  No board members were interested in running for the Nebraska Joint Utilities Management Program (inter-local pool to guy natural gas at cheaper prices).

Discussion:  Executive Director of Business Operations/Human Relations said there are not a lot of changes. One big change was made in make-up days. Teachers now have to report for duty at a time determined by the superintendent on snow days. Dr. Loeffelholz said the handbook is different than the negotiated agreement.

Discussion:  Executive Director of Business Operations/Human Relations said the changes were cleaning up problems from last year an clarifying issues. The classified salary was adjusted based on the 3.38 percentage increase the board approved with exception of para educators who receive a 3.72 percent increase because they are farther behind what other districts pay. Subs will get paid at entry-level position.

Discussion:  Dr. Loeffelholz thanked CHS Activities Director Mark Brown and Abby Hellbusch for their work on the all-school pep rally. They did an excellent job of bringing the community together. Dr. Loeffelholz reported that he is still getting Polk and Platte counties valuations. Thursday and Friday Anita Archer will be in the gym, and Dr. Loeffelholz invited the board to stop over at the high school. Dr. Loeffelholz also thanked the board for their help with the convocation/burger bash. Tomorrow the Board will leaving for Papillion-LaVista Administrative offices. Dr. Loeffelholz reported that Enrollment numbers are up a little with elementary up almost 100 students. The largest classroom numbers are the fourth grade at Lost Creek Dr. Loeffelholz informed the board that their new email address would be last name first initial @discoverers.org. and their other email accounts will be tied to the Google account. Dr. Loeffelholz will be meeting with Schools Taking Action for Students Education (STANCE). This group is taking a stand on the state aid formula and will be developing an agenda for legislature.

Discussion:  Candy Becher said she is glad the district will be offering geography. Ken Curry said it is nice to get the kids back into a routine. He also thanked Mark Brown for the work on the the all-school pep rally. Mike Goos said he is impressed with what a good school system CPS has and the quality leaderships. Alan Dostal said he is glad economics will be offered. He also thought Dr. Loeffelholz' kick-off for all staff went well. Theresa Seipel is also glad economics is going to be taught and appreciates all the time and effort Dr. Romshek put into the social studies curriculum. Francis Kuehler hopes everyone has a good year.

Discussion:  The board did not go into Executive Session.

Discussion:  The board adjourned at 8:09 p.m.