September 13, 2021 at 6:00 PM - Committee As A Whole

Discussion: 

Andy Luebbe, Centennial Elementary Principal, presented information regarding Centennial and its staff.  He said there are many new faces this year at Centennial, half of the certified staff is within the first 3 years of their career. Each year the students pick a theme, this year it is,  "Centennial-We are Rock Stars!."  Mr. Luebbe shared information about the levels of High Reliability Schools. He said levels 1,2, & 3 are foundational, level 1-safe, supportive and collaborative culture; level 2-effective teaching in every classroom; and level 3-guaranteed and viable curriculum. Mr. Luebbe elaborated on each level and shared the lessons and events Centennial students participate in to continue best practices for the High Reliability Schools framework. The staff and students have Expectation Stations at the beginning of each semester to review classroom expectations, they also review a skill each week. Tuesday Tickets is a program that students earn tickets by demonstrating that they are safe, respectful and responsible. Gold Coin Weeks are short weeks, before breaks or holidays that students can be recognized for being safe, respectful and responsible as well. Students who work to earn the tickets or gold coins get to participate in special lunches or activities. Centennial students are also recognized at quarterly assemblies. They have a program called UBUNTU, which means Family.  They combine different grade levels for reading or special activities. Mr. Luebbe shared information and photos of other activities students are participating in at Centennial, One School, One Book, the talent show, field day, and Move Up Day. Student Council and the Centennial PAC are busy coordinating events and fundraising for students and staff. Mr. Luebbe said the 20-Year Celebration had a great turn out. He gave information on PLC’s and all the work that is being done to make them better and use of the Data Into Action book to gain knowledge from the data collected. Each group reviews the data, determines the instructional gap and learning gap, set goals and implement strategies to improve student learning. Mr. Luebbe also showed the progress being made with the proficiency scales and students tracking their progress with some great ways that are being demonstrated and displayed in the classrooms.  Mr. Luebbe talked about the new music equipment that was purchased across the district, so all music teachers can be teaching the same curriculum and working on the same proficiency scales during the same time frame.

Discussion: 

The Special hearing for the annual review of Policy 1005.02 Parent Relations Goals was held, Dr. Loeffelholz highlighted ways the district encourages and facilitates the Parent Relations Goals. 

Discussion: 

The hearing for the annual review of Policy 1005.03 Parent and Family Involvement in the Schools was held, Dr. Loeffelholz briefly shared information regarding this policy. Jason Harris, Director of Student Services shared information about Title 1 rules and what is required in the policy to receive Title 1 funding. He also touched on Title 1 Reading instruction as part of the grant funds that are received. 

Discussion:  See Attached Budget.

Discussion:  See Tax Asking Resolution.

Discussion: 

Dr. Loeffelholz said we approve the Foundation Board of Directors each year. Board Members Mike Jeffryes and Candy Becher are representatives from the CPS Board of Education.  

Discussion: 

Chip Kay, Director of Finance and Human Relations explained the amendment. The regular contracts that have gone out with extended duty included are not acceptable. The summer months for retirees are not being paid by NPERS. From now forward all contracts will be separate for extra duty time. To rectify this issue for this year, NPERS has asked school districts to get this amendment approved by their Board of Education.

Discussion: 

Dr. Loeffelholz said this policy is adding a step-by-step process including anonymous reporting. Board member, Mark Brown expressed concern regarding this being seen as negative or abrasive. Board President, Doug Molczyk, said he wants situations handled at the lowest level. Discussion about these processes has been in policy, needs to be implemented with staff. Concerns regarding what information is shared with appropriate leadership, this policy spells it out and is very systematic. The anonymity piece is tough because it is difficult to research with no foundation of where or when information was shared. There was a new motion created, Board Member, Mark Brown, asked that the first reading of Policy 402.11 Communication With Employees be suspended to allow time to create a dissemination strategy for staff.

Discussion: 

Mr. Kay gave a brief summary of the financial reports. He said CPS has collected 99.89% of the revenues. There is a payment to KS State Bank for the new buses. We will receive a couple of the busses in the next couple of weeks and the others as they are built throughout the remainder of the year. Wraps for the busses are also being worked on at this time.

Discussion:  Mr. Kay shared that we still have 8 positions open.

Discussion: 

Dr. Loeffelholz gave totals for August 2021, $77901.14; $695,144.21 Year to date. He also offered information regarding the Foundation making a change to their calendar year, it has been changed to January through December. This change is being made for better reporting for the foundation financials.  They are switching to QuickBooks, for better reporting, there are more checks and balances with the new program. Financial reports will still need to be shared with CPS. Also noted, some grant funds that needed to be used by mid-summer was spent on cribs for the Kramer Early Childhood Program. 

Discussion: 

Groups that use CPS facilities frequently have been notified of changes to the policy. The response was positive with those groups, they are glad the money will be going back into facilities for improvements. Tim Kwapnioski, Activities Director, has spoken with coaches regarding the changes to the facility rental policy. 

Discussion: 

Mr. Kay explained how the ESSER III funding is dispersed based on goals within specific areas and impacts direct learning. He also said this does not need to be approved, he wants the Board to understand the process. 

 

Discussion: 

Mr. Kay said these applications include selling something and restaurant nights.  He said a couple of the applications are for sponsorships in their groups to sell ads in the program. 

Discussion: 

Building principals try to reach out to other districts for use if items are still usable, Mr. Kay said staff does a good job of distributing items when it is possible. 

Discussion: 

Leonard Kwapnioski gave an update on a couple of projects. He said the sign location at North Park Elementary looks good. The city is coming out to find a new place to run the sewer line at the Kramer building. There is no final confirmation on the delivery date for steel.  

Flooding at CMS summary, Mr. Kwapnioski explained there is a water sewer line that runs under a portion of the building that was in the courtyard many years ago, however, that area is now a classroom. The water from the storm came in so fast, there was nowhere for it to go, so it seeped up through the floor. Maintenance staff did a great job of getting the water cleaned up, ultimately those carpets will have to be replaced.  Some drywall may have to be cut out. The insurance company has already been out to look everything over, damage will be covered. Air quality tests have been done.

Discussion: 

Amy Romshek, Director of Curriculum, gave an update on the Data into Action Project regarding PLC’s. Meeting with principals and their commitment to providing better leadership.

Discussion:  Mr. Harris shared the redline changes to Policy 505.06 Restraint and Seclusion. Language clean up, most changes are updates. He said CPS trains staff with MANDT Training. The focus is relationship building and communication, less likely to have to restrain a student. 

Discussion: 

Mr. Harris updated the board on state reporting, completion of final financials for Special Education and work with auditors. 

Discussion:  No Board Sharing at this meeting.