November 25, 2019 at 7:30 PM - Special Meeting of the Board of Education

Discussion:  President Rebbe called the Special Meeting to order at 7:31 p.m.  Upon roll call vote, all members of the Logan View Board of Education were present.  President Rebbe explained that the purpose of the joint meeting was for the Boards of Education of Logan View and Scribner Snyder to discuss possible aspects of reorganization.  President Rebbe informed the public of the location of the Open Meetings Act posting in the meeting room.  

Discussion:  Discussion was held regarding the method of possible reorganization and whether it would be a board-to-board merger petition or an election.  Both schools were in general consensus  that a board-to-board merger petition would be the best option, although formal action was not taken on the issue.  

Discussion:  Discussion was held regarding the type of reorganized district and whether it would be a new district or enlarged district.  Scribner Snyder has concerns about losing their identity in the process.  Logan View wants an enlarged district, and would like to keep the name as Logan View Public Schools.  No formal action was taken on this issue.  

Discussion:  Discussion was held regarding the timeline of the reorganization process and effective date of a possible merger.  Scribner Snyder would be agreeable to a merger that would take effect in either the 2020-2021 or 2021-2022 school year.  Logan View feels logistically it would be hard to have all details in place for a merger in the 2020-2021 school year and that a merger for the 2021-2022 school year is the best option.  The boards also discussed the option of filing the formal merger petition in 2020 to take effect in the 2021-2022 school year.  No formal action was taken on this issue.  

Discussion:  Discussion was held regarding attendance centers, viability, and other property and budgetary considerations were discussed.  Logan View would like to maintain an elementary facility in Scribner as long as it is viable.  Scribner Snyder would like to see the grades merged between both schools immediately, and would like to see their buildings used in some fashion.  Logan View's existing elementary facility cannot absorb all Scribner Snyder students, so an elementary facility in Scribner would likely need to be maintained.  Logan View had some questions regarding the disposition of the old high school building.  Scribner Snyder agreed that the old high school needs to be torn down in the near future.  They discussed the need to find a new location for the weight room, which is currently housed in the old high school building.  Scribner Snyder has considered utilizing the existing high school as a career academy and/or life skills area.  The boards discussed setting up small group tours for each board to tour the other's facilities.  No formal action was taken on this issue. 

Discussion:  Discussion was held regarding the organization and composition of the potential reorganized board, including size and makeup of such board.  Scribner Snyder suggested that the enlarged district might elect members using wards to ensure representation from the communities from Scribner and Snyder on the enlarged board.  Logan View suggested a nine member board, which would allow for adequate representation from both communities. Initially, Logan View recommended a board makeup of six members from Logan View's board and three members from Scribner Snyder's board.  Logan View would like to see an at large election for board representation.  No formal action was taken on this issue.  

Discussion:  Discussion was held regarding staffing considerations.  Scribner Snyder expressed their desire that all teachers have the option to keep their position if the districts decided to merge.  Logan View feels more details need to be worked out before staffing is determined, but would like to be accommodating as possible in the process.  No formal action was taken on this issue.  

Discussion:  Discussion was held regarding curriculum and technology integration.  Scribner Snyder has one-to-one technology integration in grades 4 through 12, in addition to technology carts in elementary levels.  Scribner Snyder offers coding classes as well.  In addition, they have an eSports team.  There are touch screen televisions in the preschool and art rooms.  Logan View also has one-to-one technology integration in grades 7 through 12, and there are iPad carts, interactive whiteboards and other standard technology in the elementary classrooms.  Both schools use Canvas for their Learning Management System.  Logan View would like all attendance centers to have the same opportunities with a merged district.  No formal action was taken on this issue.

Discussion:  Discussion was held regarding future work of both boards, including use of committees, use of administration, and possible schedule for future joint meetings.  Both boards agreed to form committees to discuss various details of a proposed merger, with the boards holding a joint meeting every other month to discuss progress.