October 18, 2021 at 5:30 PM - Committee As A Whole

Troy Loeffelholz, Superintendent, said nothing has changed from the last reading. The edits are shown on the attachment. He shared that this policy gives proper order for reporting concerns and lists the procedures.  The Board had asked for a solution to report anonymously. Dr. Loeffelholz showed the online reporting system. Discussion regarding the importance of opening up lines of communication for all staff. The system allows a place to include their name if the person wishes to get feedback. The Board wants to empower people to come and discuss matters with the appropriate people to assist with the concern. 

Angie Luebbe, Principal, presented on Emerson Elementary.  She shared the new faces at Emerson, she said the new staff is amazing and each are a really great fit for the position they were hired to do. Mrs. Luebbe discussed High Reliability Schools and the foundational levels. Level 1 is Safe, Supportive, and Collaborative Culture. She shared that they use Expectation Stations that are modeled and practiced by students each day. As a reminder, they have taken photos and made posters to place around the building. The supportive part of this level is met with weekly meetings to support families with needs.  Attendance calls are made to get information on what can be done to help, not only for attendance but for other things as well. Mrs. Luebbe said they would like to address these needs sooner rather than later. She talked about the popular Crusader Cash students can receive by demonstrating being safe, respectful and responsible.  Students can then spend their cash once a week at the Crusader Cart that visits the classrooms. Other activities and events at Emerson are field day, monthly assemblies, CHS highlighted activities, STEM Day and Saturday Activity Club with Mr. Sliva, 3rd grade teacher. The Emerson PTO actively supports teachers with things like the WOOT WOOT Cart with treats and sodas. Foundational Level 2, Effective Teaching in Every Classroom is utilizing the Data Into Action book.  They gather data, look at the standards, choose a strategy for implementing, and use the data to make learning better for students. This happens every Wednesday in the library at PLC’s. The get feedback, reflect and learn from each other. Mrs. Luebbe talked about the proficiency scales and the successes teachers are having with students learning and tracking how to meet the criteria. Emerson's teachers have introduced an Instagram application to connect with their families.  

Leonard Kwapnioski, Director of Building/Site and Technology, and Jason Schapmann, CHS Assistant Principal, shared information about the Anatomage Table to purchase for use in the health pathway classes. Mr. Schapmann said this would be such a great tool to set our program apart from all others. The table comes with four digital human cadavers. The table is 7 feet tall, it can be used vertically or horizontally. It is plugged in to a wall outlet.  The table would be purchased with the reVision Grant. Mr. Kwapnioski said there is funding included for the training needed to use the table.  It comes with lifetime upgrades, the life of the table is estimated to be about 10 years. 

Chip Kay, Directory of Finance and Human Resources explained the need for permission for Dr. Loeffelholz to pursue the necessary services, design and bid scope of the new CASSETTE House project approved by NDE as part of the ESSERIII/ARP plan. He will have the authority to pay for services for design and scope being paid by ESSER III. The Board will still need to approve bids.

Chip Kay, Directory of Finance and Human Resources explained the need for permission for Dr. Loeffelholz to pursue the necessary services, design and bid scope for the district HVAC improvement project approved by NDE as part of the ESSER III/ARP plan. He will have the authority to pay for services for design and scope being paid by ESSER III. The Board will still need to approve bids.

Mr. Kay commented on the financial reports. He noted that totals include the last tax draw, property tax came in as expected. He said the Depreciation Fund is considerably higher. 

The Activity Fund is higher since activities are allowed to have spectators. The Bond Fund is in position to make payments.  Mr. Kay also mentioned that vendors for Phase I and II of the Kramer Project are starting to be paid. 

Mr. Kay said there are more people traveling with fewer restrictions.

Jason Harris, Director of Student Services and Special Education, and Leonard Kwapnioski gave an explanation for the need for a second person in the department. Need someone to help with the day-to-day duties and facilitate some training on Synergy. Mr. Harris said that the state for state reporting is pulling information differently than in the past, which is making more work.  Right now they are using someone from Synergy to do tasks that could be done by our staff if there was time.  Synergy charges more than it would cost us for the creation of modules, etc. The sooner the better to get the right person hired and trained. 

Mr. Kay said he spent last week in DC with UpBeat.  Great to speak about our schools. Very thankful to live and be from Columbus NE. 

Mr. Kwapnioski shared information on Kramer, including a worker being injured, progress being made, and the next jobs to be done.  ICF will be building walls, some steel is arriving, and floors to be graded out. Site utilities will start the 2nd week of November. Mr. Kwapsionsi said the new lighting is up in the gym. 

Amy Romshek, Director of Curriculum updated on work that is being done in her department. State Board of Education has approved new K-12 ELA standards.  She said the people on the Curriculum Committee will receive an email with the standards, the document is 157 pages long. Dr. Romshek suggested starting on page 116 for the pertinent information. She would like to get the new standards approved at the November meeting. Dr. Romshek said that K-4 teachers have chosen new social studies curriculum, the Americanism Committee will need to approve before it is presented to the board.  She will share that information before the December meeting. 

Mr. Harris shared information regarding state reporting.  He said reports were due last Friday. These reports wrap up last school year.