September 9, 2019 at 5:30 PM - Committee As A Whole

Discussion: 

Sara Colford reported on the Early Childhood Quality and Capacity Survey. The purpose of the survey is to bring awareness and information to the community regarding the need of high quality childcare and preschool and find solutions. The survey had 524 responses. The team reached out to many CPS and community groups, ESU 7, daycare centers, preschools, family childcare providers, and United Way to gather this information. 

Next steps for C4K is to attend a conference in Kearney to learn more, a preschool survey for current kindergarten and first grade students and the difference between students who attended preschool and those who did not. Community Round Tables to gather more information from the community.  Invitation lists are being put together for the Round Tables. We have approximately 300 people on list. The lists are from the past bond campaign and the city list from their library project. The plan is to have discussions regarding community based early childhood and receiving feedback to navigate conversations. Site visits to Omaha, Fremont and Gothenburg are to see designs, and gather ideas.

Dr. Loeffelholz said there is still a lot of work to be done.  We need to develop a vision and purpose.  Discuss 10 standards with people. What they would like to see.  Survey does indicate that there is a need for childcare and more spots for preschool students. Business leaders have shown support.
 

 

 

Discussion: 

Dr. Loeffelholz said this policy was created by looking at policies from other districts, school boards, and the NSAA. It is really two fold, to send good messages out to our community and to keep students safe from being at risk. This policy allows media to be more flexible to create and tell more of their story. Guidelines for professional use agreement, what can be posted and the way to post. When you should and should not post first and last names.

Discussion: 

Dr. Loeffelholz discussed the changes that were requested such as the concern for travel out of the country, sponsorship and the engagement of that travel.  Travel that is awarded or won is different than summer travel that is not district sponsored. Rules in student handbook need to be followed. Timelines are visited with some flexibility with board approval. Example is club teams coached by high school coach but not a school sponsored activity.

Discussion: 

Dr. Loeffelholz said this policy is from the NSAA policy book. 
In January the news outlets are appointed and approved by the Board. This requires media representatives to request a pass to attend events. This offers safety for them and helps CPS control these situations.  Three photographers signed contracts with CPS to take photos, we own the photos for our use.  Nicole Anderson, Executive Director of Marketing and Communication, has started this process to protect kids identity.  The student photo rules are different when it is a community event versus a classroom or school event.
Ms. Becher, Board of Education President, ask the question regarding how the 3 were chosen, Dr. Loeffelholz said Nicole Anderson and/or Tim Kwapnioski spoke to the 5 or 6 people that have been taking photos, three were interested in signing a contract with CPS. 

 

Discussion: 

Each year the Board of Education needs to approve the CPS Foundation Board.  The CPS board oversees the Foundation Board. 

Discussion: 

There have been some suggestions to the group to drive the cost down by encouraging more fundraising by the students according to Dr. Loeffelholz.  Mr. Hiebner also commented that some students have a hardship affording the cost.  Mike Jeffryes, Board Member, said that the Foundation Board also talked about a decrease in their scholarships for this group. At this time the CPS Foundation offers $250.00 per student with the total for all participants maxing out at $2000.00.  Hiebner spoke on the amount of students going really makes a difference in the scholarship money. 

Discussion: 

Dave Melick, Executive Director of Business Operations and Human Resources reported on financials for August. Not a lot of receipts as we are ending 2018-19 budget and beginning 2019-20 budget. He shared the end of year split that is deposited in depreciation accounts for each building. This is unused building budget money that is saved for later use. This money comes in handy for high dollar expenses such as furniture, etc.  The old protocol for unused funds was to spend it or lose it, that has been changed to allocating depreciation funds and allows a type of saving account. Sometimes a building will overspend, they can use past depreciation. There was a payment made to Lee Jenkins, NCSA registration for Administrator Days, and Eakes for some classroom desks and chairs for CMS students.

Discussion:  There are no Certified Hires or Resignations to report.

Discussion: 

Total contributions for 2018-2019 (September-August) $574,881.89.

Candy Becher's said her class raised $3600.00 for a bench.

The work at the anchor is coming along, Dr. Loeffelholz commented on the stainless steel signs for the benches and bricks being put up. 

Discussion: 

Discussion: 

Mr. Melick talked about the School Fundraising Application; CHS FBLA - Toy drive, canned food drive, cupcake sales. The board will be asked to approve the applications in which proceeds go to an outside organization.

Discussion: 

Mr. Melick reported that the authorization for Shirley Nelson and Linda Staroscik is needed to access the special building fund at Bank of the Valley due to an employee change.

Discussion: 

Leonard Kwapnioski said the district is looking at buying a 7 passenger van for travel.   He is hoping to sell or trade the 4 suburbans to utilize those funds for this purchase. Activities use vans often and should only be used if their are 3-4 or more passengers. CPS is maximizing use of all vehicles. 

Discussion: 

Dr. Amy Romshek, Director of Curriculum and Instruction updated the board on spending the day with some of the CHS and CMS math teachers with CPM Student Accounts training for algebra and geometry.  After 3.5 weeks, teachers reported that students conceptually understand algebra better, students are involved in challenging problems, and it's teaching students to work within groups. They are seeing some issues because its new. Geometry is not moving as quickly, but still see good student engagement. Candy Becher, Board President, said she subbed in one of the Math classes using the new training and the students knew their jobs and knew what to do.

State assessment results will be released on October 9th including ACT and NSCAS. 

Discussion: 

Jason Harris, Executive Director of Student Services and SPED gave an update on the Strategic Plan.  The goals is to address the social and emotional needs of our students that are affecting their academic development. 100% of students receive services within 48 hours, 100% of students are to meet the attendance standard of 9 or less absence per year, 100% of students are to have 0 or 1 office referrals per year.  In 2018-19 the data is showing 100% of students being served within 48 hours. Seventy one percent with less than 9 absences, down from 74% and Referrals are showing 76% with less than 1 referral up from 74% in 15-16. 

Mr. Harris also said they are working on grants right now, a couple early childhood grants have been approved. There will be more information next month.

Discussion: 

Dr. Loeffelholz reminded the board that it is Homecoming Week, a lot of theme days at CHS and CMS. Pep rally was last week.

Meet every Tuesday Rule 47, Pathways and academies. FFA conversation, and leadership 

He also talked about the student needs assessment at the HS and a teacher assessment will follow up follow. We need to review how the student's and teacher's assessment match up.  Information to look at is staffing, career exploration course, freshman seminar, career wheel, soft skills, and public speaking.
Dr. Loeffelholz would like to see a year long senior capstone course in all pathways.  Mr. Hiebner, CHS Principal spoke with Dr. Loeffelholz regarding staffing, lost staffing based on needs.  Mr. Hiebner would like to implement earlier course selection so decisions can be made on staffing by middle of February.  He also feels we need to focus on students and their needs. It's extremely important for them to get electives they need, complete a course of study before they get to college. Dr. Loeffelholz encouraged the board to look at the FFA website and the breakdown of the program to utilize ideas that would work work with our programs. STEM is not just manufacturing, also healthcare and other programs.  We need to look at other programs that would benefit our community.  There is a struggle with high school student scheduling to work with needed classes and with what is offered during certain periods of the day.  He also mentioned this happens at college as well.  Mr. Hiebner added if you are in vocal music and/or band you are pigeonholed and not able to take a lot of other elective that may be desired. Dr. Loeffelholz touched on the idea of zero hour classes, teachers get extra pay as an option.
 

Discussion:  Doug Willoughby said he would not be in attendance at the regular meeting on September 16, 2019.