April 8, 2019 at 5:30 PM - Committee As A Whole
| Minutes |
|---|
|
I. Committee As A Whole
|
|
I.A. Call to Order
|
|
I.B. Roll Call of Board
|
|
I.C. Pledge of Allegiance
|
|
I.D. Notice of Open Meeting Posted
|
|
I.D.1. President insures all can hear proceedings
|
|
I.E. Presentations
|
|
I.E.1. Bank of the Valley Presentation
Discussion:
Bank of the Valley presented CPS with a check for $2,317.83. Dee Hansen with Bank of the Valley said the money comes from the School Pride Credit Card Program. She said the program was started in 2015, and CPS is one of 8 schools the bank has a partnership with. Hansen said the school branded credit card is the bank’s way of saying thank you to the local schools. She said the money can be used however the district wants. There were 83 CPS credit cards that were issued. The total amount so far given to the district was $3,483.72.
|
|
I.E.2. Early Childhood Education Presentation
|
|
I.E.3. CHS Math Presentation
Discussion:
CHS math teacher Wendy Shotkoski said math teachers and Executive Director of Curriculum and Instruction Amy Romshek went to LPS to observe how they use the Algebra 1 CPM books. She said the new math is problem-based learning. Shotkoski said the math teachers felt this was the best direction for the department to go. She said this will be a big change from what is currently being used. The books will be phased in over a three-year period. Shotkoski said the kids will get a deeper understanding of the content and why it is important. She said there are also a lot of activities that go with the chapters, and right now they must find everything on their own. Basic, regular and honors algebra and geometry will all use the same textbook. Shotkoski said the book also does a lot of review, so the kids won’t forget what they learned and it also incorporates group and partner work. She said in the class they observed, it was high level thinking for an algebra 1 class. Shotkoski said the parent guide provides some examples of how to do the work in case students are not understanding the concepts. The freshmen coming in next year will have four years with the new math curriculum. This company also will do eight days of training in the summer and come in three times during the school year. Shotkoski said the training is very beneficial. Amy Romshek said CPS hopes to partner with LPS over the next few years to share ideas. Shotkoski said the math department would be interested in having more honors math courses. She said LPS felt their students were further along in using the concepts of algebra 1 in the new book then in the past. Shotkoski said with the new algebra I, the rigor will be bumped up. In addition to the high school, algebra materials will be ordered for the eighth graders. Some board members expressed concerns about this being a big jump for students. Romshek said this could be, but Shotkoski said that elementary is using a similar curriculum, so the questions mark is the middle school. Romshek said the teachers believe this will be a better way to teach math.
The exact number of students needing materials is not known at this time. Romshek said the overall cost is reasonable when compared to other materials that have been used. The estimated cost of the new books is $70,881. The E-Books that come with the new math series are updated yearly. Romshek said she also wanted the board to be aware that technical math and probability and stats were going to be new dual credit courses next year. She estimated the total costs for those books at about $36,000, and CPS will need to cover part of the cost. |
|
I.E.4. Centennial Presentation
Discussion:
At Centennial, there are currently 43 preschool students and a K-4 enrollment of 328 for a total of 371 students. Centennial is 57 percent white/Caucasian, 36 percent Hispanic and 7 percent other. There are 64 percent who are on free/reduced lunch, and the mobility rate is 15 percent with 28 students transferring in and 20 students who left since the beginning of the year. Centennial Principal Jackie Herink said there are a lot of new teachers, and there are several that have between 11-20 years of experience. She said staff have been focusing on BIST for professional development. Herink said staff found there needed to be more consistency across the building. She said there are five things they wanted to make sure teachers were doing every day. At the end of each quarter, teachers rate themselves on how consistent they have done on the five things.
Another new thing started this year was reviewing and practicing skills each week. She said at assembles, homerooms are recognized and awarded, and students are recognized for achievement. Herink said they also started doing UBUNTU this year, which is a philosophy that translate into the success or needs of the group are more important than those of an individual. Some of the concepts include: sharing, friendships, understanding Teamwork, and human kindness. Herink said this help to build a sense of community in the school. Every month two homerooms are paired up, and they do an activity with the older students mentoring and guiding the younger students. She said for many years, Centennial has done one book every spring. The PAC buys a copy of book for every student. This year the book is The Mouse and the Motorcycle. Herink said there are activities to go with the chapters in the book. She said they also hold a trivia contest based on questions about the book. Centennial also makes a school movie every year, and they show the movie at the start of every assembly. The students select the song to go with the video. |
|
I.F. Board Special Functions
|
|
I.F.1. Policy 507.02 Student Directory Information
Discussion:
Student directory information is a policy that allows what information can be given out about students. Superintendent Dr. Troy Loeffelholz said groups can come in ask for a list of names and addresses of students. He told the board they can make this as simple or complex as possible. Dr. Loeffelholz said it is always a question of what information the district can or can't share. Board members asked if certain groups could be denied information. They said there may be groups that are nonprofit who the district doesn’t want to share the information with. Dr. Loeffelholz said there is certain information that the district must share. The board wants the following things removed from the policy: email, other similar information and major field of study. When people request things, Dr. Loeffelholz said the district can’t have any gray areas. Dr. Loeffelholz said the district needs to be specific and simple. He suggested adding parents to the directory information. Dr. Loeffelholz said if this is done, the district could require it be sent to the parents and not just the student. Dr. Loeffeholz said he will make the changes and bring it back to the board next Monday.
Attachments:
()
|
|
I.F.2. 2019 Nominations for Educator of the Year and Operations Employee of the Year
Discussion:
Those nominated for Educator of the Year include: Diane Cattau, Tracy Dodson, Sarah Svatora, Stacy Smith, Barb Leu, Tyler Richters, Jane Dodson and Laurie Jansen. The following were nominated for Operations Employee of the Year: Jim Feldhaus, Mike Olson, Suzanne Stevenson, Carl Edwards and Katie Oceguera. The winner will be announced at the Employee Recognition Banquet on April 26.
Attachments:
()
|
|
I.G. Consent Agenda
|
|
I.G.1. Approval of Minutes
Attachments:
()
|
|
I.G.2. Financial Reports M2, M3, M4a
Discussion:
There was a $144,238.50 payment to B-D Construction and $10,202 payment to RVW for demolition and planning for the Kramer Ed Center. Commonwealth Communications was paid $4,665 for fiber installation at CMS. Lane Gewecke Consulting was paid $1,000 for consulting with the district about their new climate surveys. Rasmussen Mechanical Service was paid $4,720.86 for inspection and repair of water heaters at the Kramer Education Center and Emerson. Columbus Tire and Service Center was paid $2,449.74 for six bus tires. Beard-Warren Heating and Air received $48,865 as the second half of the payment for the Emerson cooling tower. One board member questions why Father Flanagan's Boys Home was paid $44,547.90, which was a little higher than in the past. Executive Director of Student Services Jason Harris said there was another student added and Duncan forgot to bill the school for one student added last month.
Attachments:
()
|
|
I.G.3. Financial Report M4b
Discussion:
Seipel’s Repair will be paid $810.65 for work done on some vans, sped bus and regular vehicles.
Attachments:
()
|
|
I.G.4. Financial Report M4c
Discussion:
Seipel’s Repair will be paid $1,482.16 for fixing brakes on the bus and repairs on the pickups.
Attachments:
()
|
|
I.G.5. Financial Report M4d
Attachments:
()
|
|
I.G.6. Certified Personnel
|
|
I.G.7. Classified Personnel
Discussion:
Executive Director of Business Operations and Human Relations Dave Melick said food service has many positions because several were not filled for a while.
Attachments:
()
|
|
I.G.8. Tentative 2019 Graduate List
Attachments:
()
|
|
I.G.9. Professional Travel
Attachments:
()
|
|
I.H. Acceptance of Gifts/Donations
Discussion:
The CPS Foundation and umbrella organization gave $23,328.90 for the month of March. The Sports Boosters spent a little over $7,000 on game day ready supplies, winter sports support, state medal funding and program printing.
Attachments:
()
|
|
I.I. Business Operations and Human Relations
|
|
I.I.1. Policies
|
|
I.I.2. Administrative Functions
|
|
I.I.2.1. Fundraising Application
Discussion:
CPS and ESU 7 collected items to help school districts impacted by the flood. Support went to Niobrara, Bellevue, Peru, Schuyler and Valley. Brandenburg Lakes also received cleaning materials. There were two large truck loads of donations that came from Lincoln. Since the project went to an outside agency, a fundraising form had to be submitted to the board, Melick said.
Attachments:
()
|
|
I.I.3. Updates
|
|
I.J. Buildings & Sites/Technology
|
|
I.J.1. Policies
|
|
I.J.2. Administrative Functions
|
|
I.J.2.1. Inter-State Studios Contract for 2019-20
Discussion:
There were five companies who expressed an interest in bidding on the contract, but only three submitted bids. The recommended bid will be from Inter-State Studios and would be for a three-year period. As part of the agreement, the company will also cover the printer for the badges as well as all the supplies needed for the three-year time period. There will be online storage for all pictures, and it will be web based. CPS will receive $2 per student photographed per school. Executive Director of Technology and Operations Leonard Kwapnioski said if Inter-State Studio fails to meet any of the requirements, they can be dropped right away. He said another thing he required was the company give releases, so parents and students can get prints made some place else.
Attachments:
()
|
|
I.J.3. Updates
Discussion:
Kwapnioski said Dr. Loeffelholz and he will be picking out the color of the south wall soon. He said the chimney will also need to be lowered.
|
|
I.K. Curriculum and Instruction
|
|
I.K.1. Policies
|
|
I.K.2. Administrative Functions
|
|
I.K.3. Updates
Discussion:
Executive Director of Curriculum and Instruction Amy Romshek updated the board on the school improvement plan. She said part of the process is defining a goal and measuring the progress. Romshek said the goal is for a 100 percent of eligible students to attend preschool at CPS and for students to show growth. She said they will measure the goal by looking at how many kindergarteners attend preschool. Executive Director of Student Service Jason Harris said they have collected three years of data, and as the kindergarten numbers increase, those attending preschool dropped. In 2016-17, there were 69 percent who attended preschool; in 2017-18 52 percent; and 2018-19 50 percent. Preschool students are assessed in October and in May. Harris said this assessment is difficult because the teachers must rank the students based on expectations. The test shows there was an increase in meets or exceeds goals in social and emotional, physical, and math. Language and cognitive are lower because of EL and special education students. Next year there are 134 enrolled in preschool and 30 on a wait list. Harris said the district tries to take the at-risk kids first, which factors in several things. He said the main thing that is hoped for is there is growth between the October and May assessment. Harris said even with the new center, there will probably still be a waiting list. This year was the first time at kindergarten registration that it was asked what preschool did your child attend, and data will be collected. Romshek said students are scoring an 80 percent or above on meeting or exceeding test expectations.
|
|
I.L. Student Services
|
|
I.L.1. Policies
|
|
I.L.2. Administrative Functions
|
|
I.L.2.1. Special Education Service Agreement with ESU7 for 2019-2020
Discussion:
Harris said CPS contracts with ESU 7 for vision, orientation and mobility and resource coaching. Harris said this is an estimate for next year based on what he feels the district will need. CPS has some students who have vision problems and there are not a lot of vision teachers. The estimated cost is $141,414.16
Attachments:
()
|
|
I.L.3. Updates
Discussion:
Harris said district administration met with Community for Kids from Norfolk. The number of children not in public or private preschool or daycare was 480, but it did not drop significantly when the hospital opened a daycare and preschool. He said he is hoping that stakeholders will buy into using Community 4 Kids. He said this group helps communities coordinate planning and access to high quality education and childcare; helps engage stakeholders for strengths and needs; helps to create and use self-assessment for a business plan; helps connect with other communities to explore needs. The next meeting will be on April 16, and the community partners must be on board. Next the Community for Kids application must be completed as well as an early childhood system of care self-assessment; and visiting other communities and developing a plan. Board member Mike Jeffryes agreed that all kids need to go to preschool, but he is not sure if they all need to go to CPS. He said he understands that other schools don’t use the same methods as CPS, but he doesn’t want to drive people out of business. Harris said the students on the waiting list cannot afford a private preschool. He said 90 percent of the families on the wait list won't search out a private preschool. Board member Candy Becher wanted to know how the other preschools feel about what CPS is planning. Harris feels there will be more issues from the community about the daycare piece then preschool. Dr. Loeffelholz said there are companies in town that are willing to pay for some of the daycare costs if they can get employees on different work shifts. Board member Mike Goos said families don't know where to send kids for daycare. Dr. Loeffelholz said if this is done correctly, all of the preschool and daycare providers will find their nitch. He said CPS target audience is the group no one else has.
|
|
I.M. Superintendent's Report
Discussion:
Dr. Loeffelholz said on Friday, Nicole Anderson, Jeri Otten and he will go to Omaha for a public relations conference and meet with Clark Creative Group on branding. He said the district is trying to make sure the logo stays with CPS and no one else can replicate it. He said another piece is getting one uniformed logo district wide, and it must be approved by Ms. Anderson before being used on shirts and other items. He thanked the board for going to the national convention. He said he plans to share some things on marketing and public relations that he learned. The Chamber dinner is next Tuesday and if the board is interesting in going, they need to notify Cherie VanDyke. The honors breakfast is Wednesday starting at 6:45 a.m. at the American Legion. The employee banquet is April 26. Quality of Life has expressed an interest in the Anchor Activities Complex and Kramer Education Center and would like CPS to give a presentation to the Chamber. State aid certification will be on or before June 1. The middle school musical was wonderful. Jeffryes said the DI kids also did very well with several teams qualifying for nationals.
|
|
I.N. Board Sharing
|
|
I.O. Adjourn
Discussion:
The board adjourned at 7:25 p.m.
|
