July 10, 2023 at 6:30 PM - Regular Meeting

Troy Loeffelholz, Superintendent said we have this hearing to receive input on the Student Fees annually. 

Dave Hiebner, CHS Principal presented information on adjusting the schedule to run four lunch periods. They decided on an adjustment to their homeroom time to allow time for the 4th lunch period.  Mr. Hiebner said the teachers are on board with this plan.

Mr. Hiebner shared the CHS Student Handbook for 2023-2024, he said there are not a lot of changes. Some wording was added or changed in several sections. Graduation expectations were added along with the use of artificial intelligence in preparing papers and what is acceptable. The Unpaid Meal Policy was added as requested. 

Changes were presented by Mr. Hiebner in Tim Kwapnioski, Activities Director’s absence. There was a change made by NDE for homeschool students; the minimum enrollment hours to participate in activities was changed to five credit hours. There was some information added regarding the activity co-op with Lakeview students who want to join the CHS swim team.

Jordon Anderson, CMS Assistant Principal presented the changes to the CMS Student Handbook. Mr. Anderson said they eliminated the number of office referrals a student may receive before a suspension may be issued. The discussion was about the pros and cons of this change. Some changes were added regarding when computers are to be used and the content to be used. The unpaid meal policy was added as requested.

Dr. Loeffelholz shared that the changes to this policy are to reflect the ability to approve the activity and bring it to the board of education in a shorter amount of time when necessary because of the information not coming out to fit the policy time frame.  He also removed information on foreign travel. Questions about the difference between in-state and out of-state travel, the legality of taking students across state lines. Concerns with the shorter time frame regarding students being able to afford the travel if they don’t have enough time for fundraising. Mr. Hiebner said our coaches and sponsors are always willing to work with students on this issue. All agreed that any time students are staying away overnight, the board should be aware. Dr. Loeffelholz said he would make the changes for the second reading and share it with the policy Committee for review and feedback. 

Chip Kay, Director of Finance and Human Resources said the statute says that the meeting to approve the superintendent’s proposed contract has to be published several days before the meeting date. Also, the contract must be posted on our website for transparency. It will also be submitted to the Nebraska Department of Education. 

Dr. Kay said there are not a lot of changes. The addition of Title IX appendix. He said he added some clarified for leave processes, including unpaid leave 

Updates from Dr. Kay included information on the 2022 budget. In the 2023-2024 budget, he is working through scenarios with anticipated property tax.  He is calculating how much revenue we have and how much we will need.  We will lose state aid again, and there is an increase in special education funding.  Dr. Kay said we are losing ESSERS funding that he was counting on for the school year.

The 2021-22 auditor’s report was shared. Dr. Kay said it was a clean report, we have our checks and balances, our federal money is going in and out where it is supposed to be. 

There were no corrections to be discussed. 

Leonard Kwapnioski, Director of Building/Sites and Technology shared some updates on the CASSETTE House building project. Hoping to break ground, and he is looking at possible ways to decrease cost. 

He also talked about progress at the Kramer Education Center. Mr. Kwapnioski said he is working with the city for occupancy of the building. The floor will be polished soon. They are waiting for the arrival of two of the flagpoles. All new devices have been deployed by the Tech Department. He mentioned that the VMS camera system would be changing. 

Jason Harris, Director of Student Services and Special Education is requesting approval of the contract from Presence Learning. This is our online speech therapy. This will be used in the non-public buildings, and for the requested services from principals. Mr. Harris said that the contract for 2023-2024 has decreased a small amount from last year. A speech pathologist was just hired part-time to cover some of the needed services. 

Mr. Harris said this is the third year of using this company. This service is for our high-needs students. There are 36 students participating in music therapy.  The hourly rate was increased by $1.00. This cost is a few dollars above NDE, but there is not a local company. Music therapy focuses on IEP goals for our students. They visit twice a week. Some students have 1 session a week, others have 2 sessions. 

Dr. Loeffelholz said the Community Bond Survey will come out in the next two weeks. The board retreat will focus around the structure of the strategic plan. It has to involve facilities. 

Board members touched on summer coming to an end, the regional meetings to look forward to in September, and the excitement about meeting the new teachers. Also mentioned the excitement of the Kramer Education Center opening for daycare and preschool.