April 17, 2023 at 5:30 PM - Regular Meeting

Discussion: 

Amy Haynes, CMS Principal presented information on Columbus Middle School. She said staff at CMS created a vision and purpose statement that is tied to the three building-wide goals: Becoming more proficient at understanding and responding to our data, supporting our students’ behavioral needs using agreed upon best practices and collaborating around teachers and students’ needs. They then broke it down and created a leading indicator and action plan. Mrs. Haynes said they have seen growth in PLC ratings. She said they have done a lot of work on increasing consistency of schoolwide expectations. Mrs. Haynes talked about the principal summit she has each school year. The HRS goal leading indicator is that teachers will have formal ways to provide input regarding initiatives and functioning of school. This is based on the HRS survey. The UpBeat Survey showed improvement in 22 of the 23 categories, there was a lot of positive data. Staff also uses trust accelerators and non-negotiables that were chosen by the staff.  Well Managed Classroom Expectation Reviews are conducted each quarter during WIN time at CMS. 

Discussion: 

The out-of-state field trip approval is for the National Music Museum in Vermillion, SD. Mrs. Haynes said they do not need to fundraise, the museum is free.  A group went this year, and it was a phenomenal trip. 

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

Discussion: 

Chip Kay, Director of Finance and Human Resources gave a brief explanation of the financial reports.  He said balances are behind, which is expected. ESSERS Funds will be deposited tomorrow and next week. The funds are tied up in curriculum, the Cassette House Project and Kramer. 

The General Fund account at First National Bank is in the process of being closed. The Nutrition Fund is showing unpaid balances, working on a grant to help with this deficit. The bond fund is in good shape along with the special building fund. Discussion regarding the deficit in the nutrition fund is being handled by calls from Wordware.  The student still receives food.  There have been some conversations with kitchen managers for suggestions on how to handle it. Dr. Kay said we have received less than half of the property taxes, the motor vehicle tax should be received in August.  SPED and ESSER reimbursements are helping to get through at this time. Spending has been frozen, so there are not many expenditures.

Discussion: 

Dr. Kay said the M5 report is showing expenditures for reimbursement of mileage, and music therapy for special education. 

Discussion: 

Dr. Kay talked about certified staff hires and resignations. The April 15, 2023 deadline for resignations has past, any that are submitted now will be on a case by case basis.  He also said the principals are working hard to get hires done. Dr. Kay shared numbers from previous years of teachers who had resigned: after 2018-2019, 34 resigned, 19-20, 30 resigned, 20-21, 43 resigned. Last year there were 58 resignations. Dr. Kay said that is below the national average. Dr. Kay also indicated that we have had 44 resignations this year, 18 left because they wanted to teach somewhere else.  Others were leaving the teaching field, or were moving closer to home. Also noted that every district in the state has unfilled positions.

Discussion: 

Troy Loeffelholz, Superintendent, shared a brief explanation of the travel report. 

Discussion: 

The Foundation has contributed $38,964.36 for the month of March and $118,668.29 for the year to date.

Discussion:  Nothing has been changed since the first reading on the policy.

Discussion: 

Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment Director Teresa Hausmann updated that the K-4 ELA pilot is underway. They will begin to pilot the second resource during the first quarter of next school year. Spring Testing is in progress.

Mrs. Hausmann said it was nice to have the Cognia visit done.
 

Mrs. Hausmann along with Ben Loeffelholz, CHS Stem Teacher, spoke about the new STEM Pathway Manufacturing Welding. Mr. Loeffelholz said this resource is above a high school level but easy to understand. It comes with a workbook. He said it covers more modern processes, and coding is included. This is a 6-year license. The other new pathways are Culinary Arts and Event Planning. There are three books that will be used in all three courses. This will increase the rigor. The Early Childhood Education Pathway is new, and they are looking at two texts.  The licensure is for 6 years. 
The new ELA resources for 6th, 7th and 8th grade provide a seven-year contract, it comes with a consumable workbook, and also includes digital. Waggle is included in this product, it gives immediate feedback to the students. She will be meeting with 8th grade teachers to choose the novels. We have some, but will likely need to purchase some as well. All proficiency scales are completed with these resources. 

Mrs. Hausmann said that the reading curriculum is the most expensive product to purchase.

Discussion: 

Dr. Kay updated on the scoreboard from the Booster Club is up at CHS. He said him and Leonard have secured matching funds for lights, they met with the company, they do not want to lose the grant matching funds. He is requesting permission to move forward. Funds have been put away for the project. This project will give CPS our own home stadium. The quote did not arrive in time for the meeting.  The hope is it will be ready and usable by Fall 2023.

Dr. Kay said most of the bond information he is hearing is positive. He does ask community members if they are exercising their right to have 25% of their property tax refunded.

Discussion: 

Leonard Kwapnioski shared the ServiceMaster contract and commented on the comparison from this year to last year. Mr. Kwapnioski said it is tough to get people to interview for CHS. They need people there at night. Most don’t want to work from 3:30 to midnight.  Kurt Shevlin at ServiceMaster has the people to do the work. 

There was discussion about a new plan for summer maintenance and solutions for ground upkeep.

Discussion: 

Mr. Kwapnioski said that CASSETTE House bids are due next Tuesday. 

Discussion:  Mr. Harris talked about the review of all special education policies and procedures. KSB School Attorneys are recommending one policy, and moving all other policies to procedures. Mr. Harris is asking the Board to consider adopting the changes. 

Discussion: 

Dr. Loeffelholz commented on the Cognia visit. He said there were many positive comments on the focus on students and the positive culture at CPS. He said there are areas in need of improvement. The final report will be delivered this summer. He also commented on the bond campaign and the tremendous job the committee is doing. Dr. Loeffelholz said only registered voters will receive ballots in the mail, results will come in after 5:00 on May 9. 

Discussion:  Board Sharing included comments about the school year winding down and the amazing year CPS has had. We are all looking forward to graduation. Lots of thank yous to administration and staff. Many comments on the excitement about the bond issue.