November 12, 2024 at 7:00 PM - Regular Meeting

Discussion:  Called to order at 7:00 PM.
There were 7 guests present.

Discussion:  4 County Heating & Air, 180.00; Amazon Capital Services, 373.64; Amazon Capital Services, 416.13; Amazon Capital Services, 433.37; AT&T, 128.89; Bluum USA, 890.00; A Bonn, 1200.00; Callaway District Hospital, 160.00; Callaway Market, 266.51; Callaway True Value, 478.09; Cash-Wa Distributing, 321.36; Country Partners Coop, 2972.58; Egan Supply, 518.55; Engineered Controls, 280.00; ESU 10, 8561.78; ESU 10, 1455.66; Ewell Educational Services, 390.00; H Furrow, 495.00; Great Plains Comm, 741.89; Grocery Kart, 124.52; JW Pepper, 295.23; B Jesseph, 206.82; A Johnson, 6500.00; Matheson Tri-Gas, 35.92; Mid-American Research Chemical, 413.58; NCS Pearson, 372.91; NE State Fire Marshal, 288.00; NE Central Equipment, 594.23; Nebraska Safety Center, 600.00; Neidhart CPA, 10,000.00; Norder Supply, 234.88; One Source Background, 38.00; Perry, Guthery, Haase, & Gessford, 160.00; Personnel Concepts, 27.90; Quill, 852.06; D Sughayar, 149.00; Syndicate Publishing, 110.93; Team Physical Therapy, 2598.31; US Bank, 4.25; US Bank, 284.81; US Bank, 1194.02; US Bank, 411.63; Verizon Wireless, 76.02; Village of Callaway, 3596.18; Wenquist, 770.44; Yanda's, 286.50; Bills Total: 50,489.59. Fixed Payroll: 102,993.69; Total Payroll: 220,310.71.

Discussion:  Duane Kimball addressed the board during public comment. Duane inquired about the board action item in the new business section of opening a line of credit with Nebraska State Bank. Mr. Furrow shared the board's rationale and investment strategy that led to the need for the line of credit.
There were no other public comments.

Discussion:  Mr. Birkel and Mrs. Jesseph shared many of the activities and celebrations from the past month.  Highlights were the Veterans Day Program, the public One-Act performance, and the implementation of a new communication platform for the elementary school.

Discussion: 

• The board had requested Mr. Furrow investigate a school random drug testing program. Mr. Furrow shared that after discussions with our school attorney Justin Knight, only students who are involved in activities can be randomly tested. Mr. Furrow told the board if they wished him to further investigate implementing the program, but he thought that the intention of the board was to test the entire student body.
• Mr. Furrow and Mr. Birkel shared with the board the plans for placing advertising panels in the gym and at the football field. Mr. Birkel is going to try to have the sponsors posted by basketball season, but the advertising commitment will not start until August of 2025. The panels will raise $9000 over 3 years at the football field and $30000 over 5 years in the gym. These funds will be dedicated to upgrading our athletic facilities.
• Mr. Furrow updated the board on the school beef program. The school has received interest to donate both meat and funds for processing.
• Mr. Furrow gave the board and update on the Learning Center renovation. Yanda's submitted a quote, but the building and grounds committee is going to further evaluate the needs of the facility to make sure we get what we need and not more than what we need.
• Mr. Furrow shared a quote for the abatement of floor tiles in the bathroom between the Kindergarten and Preschool that have asbestos and will need to be taken out as part of a small renovation.
• Mr. Furrow shared a quote from Bobcat for a snow removal attachment to our skid steer loader. The board continued to discuss affordable and effective options for snow removal.
• Mr. Furrow shared the new BCBS EHA premiums for the 2025-26 school year. There will be a 5.49% increase in health insurance expenditures for the upcoming school year.
• The board discussed the purchase and placement of a metal storage container. No decisions were made at this time, but plans will continue to increase our storage capacity for our facility.
• Mr. Furrow shared a letter of non-compliance of Rule 10 standard 003.01 - certificated staff. With our new teachers who worked toward an alternate certificate, there was a short time at the beginning of the school year in which they were in the classroom but not fully certified. Mr. Furrow shared that he was in constant communication with the staff at NDE to expedite the process of certification and that the school is now in complete compliance with the Rule 10 standard.
• Mr. Furrow reminded the board that his evaluation would be emailed to them in the upcoming week and would need to be completed before the December board meeting.
• The board discussed initiative 436 and its potential impact on our staff's sick leave.
• Mr. Furrow informed the board that he made an appointment for Culligan Water Softening to inspect the school and recommend a treatment plan to solve our hard water issues.
• Mr. Furrow updated the board on two outstanding ALICAP claims - the busted HVAC line over the business room office and ensuing clean-up, and the bent lift in the coach bus.
• Mr. Furrow also presented an official letter to request the extension of his contract through the 2026-27 school year to board president Mr. Mike Reiff.  

Discussion:  The December BOE meeting is set for December 9, 2024 at 7:00 PM.

Discussion:  Meeting adjourned at 8:35 PM.