March 8, 2021 at 5:30 PM - Regular Meeting

Discussion:  Doug Molczyk, Board President, read the mission statement. 

Discussion: 

Carl Munford, 865 19th Avenue, spoke to the board about new warnings from the World Health Organization regarding new vaccines. He said they are working on getting top universities to do research on the variance of these vaccines.  Mr. Munford said he wants to be sure we continue protecting the children. He applauds all of the efforts. He shared information from Fremont Public Schools plan during the pandemic with in-person and virtual learning. 

Discussion:  Dr. Loeffelholz said the second reading of this policy is the same, no changes were made.

Discussion: 

Dr. Loeffelholz, Superintendent, said this pre-approval is required 1 year in advance, it is important so that the students can begin fundraising to help with the cost. Mr. Hiebner, CHS Principal talked about each of the trips and highlighted some of the great learning opportunities these field trips offer CHS students. 

Discussion: 

Mr. Hiebner outlined the STEP Program and said there is an opportunity to earn 12 credit hours. He said he has shared some information with the Educators Rising Group and there is a high level of interest, it may take a year or so.  Mr. Hiebner mentioned the field experience included in the program, observing different classes. Also, a lot of interest in the health pathway. 

Discussion:  There were no items removed from the Consent Agenda.

Discussion:  Mr. Kay reported that in the financial report M2, the district is in good fiscal position heading into March.

Financial report M3, he said that CPS has collected 50% of our revenue, this percentage is a little behind, due to us not seeing reimbursements at 100% yet. He shared that state aid is divided into 10 equal payments. Some grants are at lower percentages, the money is coming it is just not here yet. Mr. Kay said the Food Program Fund is at about 97% at this time.

Also shared that the M4 financial report is showing bills are below average.  There was a payment that went out to pay for a transmission on a bus that needed repair, an invoice was paid to Valentino's, for a first year teachers luncheon to open some dialog with them regarding concerns or great moments encountered this year. 

Discussion: 

Because of the meeting schedule, there are only 5 days in March showing on the M5 financial report. Mileage checks are not showing yet because of the timing of the meeting. Payment for Big Apple Bagels for staff appreciation coming up after spring break. 

Discussion: 

Dr. Loeffelholz talked about the certified personnel report, he said he asks the elementary principals to hire two more teachers than needed to cover late resignations. The Career Coordinator is leaving for a job at Twin River Public Schools and Heather Walla is retiring. 

Discussion: 

Shane McFarland, Payroll Specialist, recently hired, is leaving as his wife was hired for a job in Minnesota.

Discussion: 

Dr. Loeffelholz shared briefly information on the Travel Report, mostly virtual conferences, Tim Kwapnioski attended state bowling, state wrestling and state basketball. Also showing a conference for math and school social work. 

Discussion: 

Mr. Kay is recommending $11,700.0 in tuition costs, this is reflective of school year costs. There are very limited reasons that CPS would receive tuition from a family. It is required by law that we have tuition set. 

Discussion: 

After collaboration with the Superintendent and the directors, Mr. Kay said a request has been made to add 3 FTE positions, an elementary special education/resource teacher, a speech language pathologist and a licensed mental health practitioner. Jason Harris, Director of Student Services and Special Education talked about the requirements for the licensed mental health practitioner position and how that may look in hiring for the position.  Discussion about the caseloads for special education/resource teachers was included and the logistics of making that work in all the buildings was touched on. 

Discussion: 

Mr. Kay shared the changes to the 12 month classification vacation table. He said again looking at ways to retain classified staff.  This is an incentive to stay with the district, when you apply it to current staff, it added up to 2.2 days. 

Discussion: 

Mr. Kay briefly shared his research in looking at the percentage of districts in our array, the average is 3.4%, CPS would be slightly above at 3.5% and in line with the district’s 5 year average. 

Discussion: 

Mr. Kay proposed the purchase of the UpBeat Software as a research based tool and process to increase teacher engagement and retention. He said we need more data to improve the climate in our buildings. This would be paid for out of human resources funds, there would need to be some reallocation. Mr. Kay says he is very supportive of a third party telling us where there may be problems.

Discussion: 

Mr. Kay shared some updates on State Aid, virtual college fairs, CARES Funding and LB408.

Discussion: 

Leonard Kwapnioski, Director of Building/Sites and Technology, talked about the project, he said they will be doing some extra storm sewer work. New LED lighting will be put in, it’s a lot of work but well worth it.  

Discussion: 

Mr. Kwapnioski updated the board on the work at Kramer.  He said Walker Foundations mobilized today, they are marking things out, digging and planning on pouring by end of week. He reminded  the group about the March 17 Bid Opening Meeting for bid package 2 for the Kramer Center, also a special board of education meeting at noon March 24 via ZOOM.  Dr. Loeffelholz said the Governor approved virtual meetings through April. Mr. Kwapnioski talked about the water damage at the Kramer building’s gym floor, a gasket broke and the floor was deemed condemned by the insurance company. The floor will be replaced after the new construction is complete. 

Discussion: 

Amy Romshek, Director of Curriculum, updated the board on summer school, the Proficiency Reporting Committee and their work to roll out a handbook by the end of the year and the visit Jan Hoegh has planned for the April Board of Education Meeting.

Discussion:  Mr. Harris shared his recommendations for special education tuition rates for 2021-22, it is just under 60,000.00 and it does include all services.  These rates are for non-resident students. Also shown are the non-public and Project Search rates. This is a 3% increase from last year.

Discussion: 

Mr. Harris said this year we are serving 673 in-district students and 74 non-public students. The projection seems high, but he has had 66 brand new evaluation requests 60 for public and 6 for non-public.  Mr. Harris said the pandemic has contributed some because students are behind.  The week after conferences brought on many requests for evaluations.  CPS is at the state average. 

Discussion: 

Mr. Harris asked the board to consider and approve the agreement with ESU7 for vision impaired, transitioning into adulthood, resource coaching and Learning Academy. 

Discussion: 

Mr. Harris updated the board on the ESSA application, and that he has started interviews for next year’s staff. 

Discussion: 

Dr. Loeffelholz reported that 75% staff who wanted to get the vaccine got it yesterday. He said kudos to Allen Rerucha, CMS Custodial Supervisor and Jordon Anderson, CMS Assistant Principal, for getting the facility set up for this event. He said people were worked through very quickly. He received a call from ECHD, they said it was the best clinic they have run, and asked if they could use our facility again. Dr. Loeffelholz mentioned we did have some staff out with side effects and some who were toughing it out. 

He also talked about the committees working on attendance and expulsions. Making a plan on how to work with families to get students to school on time. Dr. Loeffelholz thanked Mr. Munford for speaking to the board. Discussion regarding staff appreciation, and the CMS Musical coming up this weekend. 

Discussion: 

The board said kudos to all staff that got the shot. Wished all involved with the CMS musical good luck. Sent wishes to all staff to enjoy spring break next week. Appreciation for all of Mr. Kwapnioski’s hard work on the district projects. Mark Brown, board member, talked about the CWO Wrestling Tournament and all the time, planning and people to make this event a success. Many CHS graduates come back to help out, many people take a lot of pride in this program.

Discussion:  The board did not go into Executive Session.

Discussion:  Meeting adjourned at 7:02pm.