January 11, 2021 at 5:30 PM - Committee As A Whole

Discussion:  Mark Brown, Candy Becher and Doug Willoughby took the oath of office. 

Discussion: 

JP Holys, Lost Creek Elementary Principal gave a summary of the school year including enrollment, SPED Program numbers, goals and activities. Mr. Holys talked about the revamping of the MTSS process. This involves choosing 6 students that are discussed and really dig deep into each one and talk about the whole child. All of this information is added to a google.doc for reference.  With this information we help students with areas that they need to strengthen or improve. He also talked about the activities and clubs, such as Circle of Friends, the new Ukulele Club and Student Council.  He offered information about the new TWIG Science curriculum the students are really enjoying the lessons and hands-on activities. Mr. Holys was very grateful for the Crisis Team in the fall when they needed help with a traumatic event in their school community. He also shared how COVID has changed some of their routines, but said the students are doing great in following protocols. 

Discussion: 

Dr. Troy Loeffelholz, Superintendent, asked for nominations for President of the Board of Education for the next 2 years. Dr. Loeffelholz thanked Candy Becher, outgoing president, for doing a great job during a flood crisis and pandemic. Doug Molczyk was nominated and voted in as President. 

Discussion: 

Mr. Molczyk, asked for nominations for the Board of Education Vice President for the next two years. Doug Willoughby was nominated and voted in as the Vice President. 

Discussion: 

New President, Doug Molczyk, shared committee assignments with the group. He asked everyone to let him know if any changes need to be made before next week’s meeting.  

Discussion: 

Mr. Kay said two institutions were added, BOK and Capital One, he said CPS bonds are paid through these institutions.

Discussion: 

Dr. Loeffelholz said Grant & Grant and Fehringer, Mielak & Fehringer are local attorneys used for real estate and local business. Perry, Guthrie, Hasse & Gessford and KSB School Law are attorneys used for school law and personnel consultation.

Discussion: 

Dr. Loeffelholz reported that we use all listed, some are used to get school closing information out to the community. The addition of streaming and social media platforms was discussed. Some research will be done before the next meeting on what needs to be included. 

Discussion:  Dr. Loeffelholz will be appointed as the Affirmative Action Coordinator at next week's meeting. 

Discussion:  Dr. Loeffelholz said some training is required for this appointment. He will be participating in this training along with Chip Kay, Director of Finance and Jason Harris, Director of Student Services and SPED. Administrators will be required to do an abbreviated training on Title IX as well.

Discussion:  Dr. Loeffelholz talked about the calendar being presented for next school year.  He noted that the start date is important to keep first semester ending before Christmas Break. This helps with better consistency for staff and students, and it is better to start second semester when everyone comes back from that break. He also explained some of the days that are marked as professional development and no school days. Dr. Loeffelholz said he will be presenting a rough draft of the 2022-2023 calendar. 

Discussion: 

Dr. Loeffelholz talked about the maximum enrollment for option enrollment, and said we are required to review this policy annually. The exhibit shows the maximums per grade level in regular and SPED programs. Each year we roll numbers forward to have some reference of the numbers in each grade level. Discussion regarding students being accepted as option students and becoming CPS students for as long as they are in school and acceptance of the siblings. For next year, several grade levels would be open unless the board chooses to change our maximum numbers. Mr. Harris said SPED Programs are typically closed to option enrollment. If we get an application for SPED, Mr. Harris will review it and do some research, it is on a case by case basis. Ms. Becher mentioned all the new apartments and building in our school district, maybe that should be looked at. Dr. Loeffelholz said he would do some research and run some numbers for discussion at the next meeting. 

 

Discussion: 

There was discussion on the of list of items that can be seized. Dr. Loeffelholz said we need to be black and white, no questions. Also, a question regarding when and if parents are called if police take a student into custody. Dr. Loeffelholz said usually a phone call is made to parents depending on the threat of the situation.  If the investigation is internal, there would not be a call made until it is necessary to do so. 

Discussion:  Dr. Loeffelholz gave a brief summary on the proposal, he said it is a two-year training and the district needs to move forward with the next 2 domains.  This training is for administrators. Teachers will be trained on what to expect when being evaluated. The district has been using Marzano for the last 3 years. Dr. Loeffelholz said evaluations need to be more of a two-way conversation, more coaching than evaluating.

Discussion: 

Chip Kay summarized the financial reports, he said cash balances are ahead of the prior year as expected, an extra payment was made from the Bond Fund, there will be funds for the next payment. Mr. Kay shared a graph showing state aid for the last few years. COVID funding will show revenue and expenses in 20-21. Revenue is on pace at 33%. He also shared some payments made from the expenditure detail. 

Discussion:  Dr. Loeffelholz said we are seeing some resignations already.

Discussion:  We often see more resignations around Christmas, it was a bit better this year. 

Discussion:  Nothing to report.

Discussion:  Nicole Anderson, Director of Communications and CPS Foundation Director said the report shows the usual information.  She noted the STEM equipment that was paid for through the Foundation, the purchase will be covered by grant funds, and the Community and Family Partnership will be moved after January. There were some invoices that came through later than expected.

Discussion:  Mr. Kay noted one item in the revisions, ala carte purchases have been terminated. 

Discussion: 

Mr. Kay updated the board on the CPS Financial Booklet he provided to all Board members, he said this is a good refresher on the different funds. The new sub finder and online leave program were supposed to roll out, there was a hold up to get the leave balances set up first.  He said the program may be piloted after spring break and then rolled out in the fall. Mr Kay talked about the TERIP applications, approval from the board will be in February. He has heard that CARES Act money may be available in June. 

Mr. Kay also shared information regarding the RFP with LunchTime Solutions, because of COVID we may consider offering a one-year extension. He will meet with them soon.  

Discussion:  Leonard Kwapnioski gave an update on the demo work at the Kramer Building.  CPS staff have removed over half the stage area, he added there is a lot of clean up. The goal is to be ready to get bid package 2 out so he can get it back to the board for approval. Mr. Kwapnioski talked about the North Park Elementary parking lot project, it will be sent out for bids in the next week. He also explained the technical side of how the HUDL cameras are working for live broadcasts.

Discussion: 

Dr. Amy Romshek, Director of Curriculum presented the DBQ Project, she shared that one of our high school teachers, Anne Robertson had learned about these materials, a presenter was brought in to preview how it works, its uses Document Based Questions with an online resource that provides questions from historical events.  This could be used for social studies and English classes. Dr. Romshek showed a video of Patrick Clark from CHS using the program in his class, students were very engaged. She hopes to keep expanding the use of the DBQ Project.  

Discussion:  Mr. Harris gave a report on the Concussion Awareness Policy, he said we have a protocol in place.  The CPS Protocol shares how school nurses and staff are to respond to concussions and tips for teachers. Mr. Harris also added that parents must notify the school regarding a student with a concussion or suspected concussion.

Discussion: 

Mr. Harris said that we have 13 students back from remote learning for 2nd semester. We have 41 students still participating in remote learning, some have been added. He also said kindergarten registration will be March 22-26.

Discussion: 

Dr. Loeffelholz explained the ECDHD health dial and the new way of measuring. Platte County is in yellow at this time. Blue was added by the Governor.

Education staff was moved down the list for vaccines which will push us back a couple of weeks. We are looking at late February or early March to administer vaccinations to the 460 staff who have opted to take it. Substitute teachers received an email about receiving the vaccination and 95% responded very quickly saying they will receive the vaccine. The priority is for those that work most closely with students to those that have little or no contact.  Dr. Loeffelholz talked about going to Bubble and Blocks in Lincoln to look at their facilities and business plan as research for our early childhood program.  Also looking at the option of bringing on a third party to run the daycare facility or if the CPS Foundation would run the program. 

Dr. Loeffelholz discussed the new legislation Nebraska Senators are looking at during this session. He welcomed Mark Brown to the CPS Board of Education.

Discussion:  Board Sharing was saved for next week.