November 8, 2021 at 5:30 PM - Committee As A Whole

Discussion:  Chris Norquest of Schumacher, Smejkal, Herley & Elm P.C. (Columbus) presented the annual financial audit report for the 2020-2021 fiscal year.  A digital copy of the audit is available on the Nebraska Auditor of Public Accounts website and hard copies are available by request at the District Administration Office.

Discussion: 

Amy Haynes, Principal gave a presentation on all that is happening at Columbus Middle School. CMS has 13 new teachers and one new administrator this year. There are 1143 students at CMS with a very large 6th grade class. Mrs. Haynes said Erika Heimstra is the new assistant principal, and she is very pleased to have her. 

Mrs. Haynes talked about High Reliability Schools and shared the indicators of increasing reliability to measure school progress and success. One of the indicators discussed is Safe, Supportive, and Collaborative Culture, CMS is working toward these benchmarks by improving the number of PLCs operating at a 3 or 4 on routines, standards based planning, data and SMART Goals. The middle school uses Common Area Expectation Videos to help students learn the expectations to be safe. The students can earn Discoverer Bucks by being safe, being respectful, being responsible and always being kind. They can then spend those bucks on rewards at different times. CMS has a monthly pep rally for each grade level, where there is recognition for students and staff. 

They use the BIST Continuum to work with students on behaviors. This program is very supportive in helping students see what skills need to be mastered to show compliance and independence. Data Into Action is used to help teachers be effective in every classroom. They have recently started a book study on "A Teacher’s Guide to Standards-Based Learning" as a focus on standards based planning. Mrs. Haynes shared a program called Formative that is being used for students to track their progress. The program is very popular is and helps the teachers see the work being done in real time and can offer support quickly to each student. She also shared information regarding how the goals and scales are used to help students see where they are and where they need to go to move forward. 

Mrs. Haynes said there are many positives at CMS, she mentioned the hardworking students and teachers, teachers willingness to try new things, positive connections with parents, and they are very happy to be in school with no masks. 

Discussion: 

Chip Kay, Director of Finance and Human Relations said the report is showing receipt of the remainder of the property taxes.  A bond payment will be made in December. 
Financial Report M3 shows receipt of the first two State Aid checks. Mr. Kay shared some expenditures on the M4a Financial Report;  Formative the app being used at CMS, payment was made for the subscription. A payment to Associated Staffing for hires coming through the company. Learning Sciences was paid for the new teacher evaluation model training along with Initiative One training for directors and administrators. Some training will be eligible to be paid from ESSERS funds. Pinkelman Truck & Trailer was paid for bus repairs.

Discussion: 

Dr. Troy Loeffelholz, Superintendent, commented on the report. He said we have hired some paras, food service staff, after school program staff and a new transportation supervisor.  We have a few resignations including a retirement.

Discussion: 

Dr. Loeffelholz talked briefly about the events listed on the Travel Report. Included are trainings, NDE meetings and workshops, state athletic events and the Region III Meeting.

Discussion: 

The Foundation Report is showing contributions for October at $53,752.99; Dr. Loeffelholz said all PACS, PTOS, sports organizations run funds through the CPS Foundation.

Discussion: 

Mr. Kay shared information on the first reading of Policy 718.00 Fiscal Management Internal Controls. He said it is a new and lengthy policy, it is a necessary policy because it is required under law for the district to accept federal funding.  The policy includes information regarding equipment funds and inventory and how it is procured. The policy also states there is a separate audit for federal funds. 

Discussion: 

Mr. Kay said nothing in the application has changed, it needs to be approved in November or December.  CPS is tied to this program currently, because there is a one-year notice to end the program. There was discussion on who qualifies based on the Rule of 85. The Board said they are interested in the number of teachers that will be eligible. 

Discussion: 

There was one surplus item listed, Dr. Romshek’s chair. The discussion was that she had gotten very good use out of it, and it was time to get a new one. 

Discussion: 

Discussion on school fundraising applications being timely. Some get turned in late, sometimes these events happen on short notice.

Discussion: 

Mr. Kay said with the information gained from the Engagement Survey, they will decide on three target areas to work on with staff. The target areas will be chosen at the next Administrative Team Meeting.  He said he would like the key areas that are chosen to make a big impact. A draft will be prepared and shared with the board.  

He also updated on the LSI Teacher Evaluation training.  CPS administrators did side by side coaching. The group consisted of four administrators and one teacher in classrooms doing a mock evaluation. They did a 20-minute evaluation and then met to discuss the information. Mr. Kay said he wants this tool to help teachers get evaluated the same based on instructional practices. He said the committee will work on the evaluation tool and then present it to the board for approval. 

Discussion: 

Leonard Kwapnioski, Director of Buildings and Sites/Technology, updated on the ICE House Project.  He shared that there are plans for the storage area by the football field for track equipment, concession stand, restrooms and a ticket booth. He said it will be a concrete structure, they are using long term materials.  The Booster Club has committed some funding for this project. 

Mr. Kwapnioski talked about the work that is being done at Kramer, they have been pouring walls, the kitchen is framed and ready for the floors to be poured.  They are cutting windows and doors on the north side of the building.  Two shipments of steel are expected in the next two weeks. It is exciting to see activity around the building, things are moving along nicely. Mr. Kwapnioski invited the board to come and tour the building and see the progress. 

The second freight liner bus has been delivered. 

Discussion: 

Amy Romshek, Director of Curriculum and Instruction, shared a new course for the Food Science Pathway related to the food industry. The Consumer Science teacher is already offering the introductory course and the capstone course.  The new course will be the intermediate class for this pathway. Dr. Romshek said once approved she will begin a curriculum plan with teachers. CHS will offer two sections during the first semester of 2022, there is a lot of interest, filling these courses will be easy. 

Dr. Romshek is asking for approval of the courses for the Health Sciences Pathway. Health Sciences 1, 2, and 3 to be offered second semester of the 21-22 school year. Health Sciences 1 will be offering several certifications, Health Sciences 2 will offer a CNA certification. Jason Schapmann, Assistant CHS Principal said funds are already accounted for through the Perkins reVision Grant.  Columbus Community Hospital has committed to this program and will be hiring someone to help with the instruction of these courses.

Discussion: 

Dr. Romshek shared information on the updated ELA Standards that were approved by NDE in September 2021. She shared information on the six strands with topics and grade levels. Once this is approved by the Board, work will begin with teachers to upgrade standards. She said there is nothing controversial in these updated standards. 

Discussion: 

Jason Harris, Director of Student Services and Special Education, gave an update on 5 grants requests that have been completed and submitted. He also shared information from state reporting that was completed. Numbers included in our report are showing enrollment of 4094. This includes 749 special education students, CPS is serving 28 non-public students along with 561 EL students. Final financials have been completed; the district spent 7.5 million for birth to 21 special education services. Some funding has been approved already.

Discussion: 

Doug Molczyk, Board President, conducted a discussion on board goals for the next 6-9 months. Completion of the Kramer Education Center is a priority. He also said the land was purchased for the growth in our school district. With that being said, discussions with the community need to get started on how that will affect the district. Mr. Molczyk also mentioned the vacant field near CHS and what plans the district may have for that area. Candy Becher, Board Member, suggested addressing the property taxes in the Columbus community and the valuations increasing so much, there are concerns. Doug Willoughby, Board Vice President, agreed that Kramer is the priority along with the CASSETTE House Project. Mike Jeffryes said Kramer and the next steps in making plans for an expansion. Theresa Seipel, Board Member, shared her concerns for staffing with all the growth and classrooms for teachers to teach. 

Questions on the CASSETTE House Project regarding the status, Mr. Kwapnioski said CPS is waiting to hear from Behlen.  There has been a meeting with Mr. Harris and Jackie Eickhoff regarding the needs of the space. Dr. Loeffelholz has been in contact with Behlen with the information. Regarding using the field near CHS for ball fields, with Columbus Community Hospital’s fieldhouse project just starting, it may be good to wait and see how that would affect a project in that area. 

Discussion:  Meeting adjourned at 7:35pm.