April 14, 2025 at 8:00 PM - Regular Meeting

Discussion:  The meeting was called to order at 8:00 PM. There were 8 guests of the public present.
Liana Hrupek was not in attendance for tonight's meeting.

Discussion:  4 County Heating & Air, 91.00; Amazon Capital Services, 1669.08; Amazon Capital Services, 290.36; AT&T, 122.25; Callaway District Hospital, 130.00; Callaway Market, 290.79; Callaway True Value, 533.68; Conditioned Air Mechanical Systems, 2710.08; Country Partners Cooperative, 3149.87; Eakes Office, 1425.57; Egan Supply, 2029.73; Engineered Controls, 9700.00; ESU 10, 5994.20; ESU 10; 798.81; Farritor Auto Parts, 30.00; Gateway Motors, 1156.98; Great Plains Comm, 477.42; Grocery Kart, 336.75; Hinton's Lock & Alarm, 2172.00; Integrated Security Solutions, 400.00; IXL Learning, 778.13; JW Pepper, 54.74; KleenMark, 33.60; Lincoln Marriott Cornhusker, 179.00; Matheson Tri-Gas, 321.60; Mechanic McDaniel, 508.35; Midwest Grads, 256.40; Miller & Associates Consulting Engineers, 780.80; NASB, 375.36; NCS Pearson, 25.65; NCSA, 435.00; Nebraska Adaptive Sports, 100.00; NE Central Equipment, 88.16; Nebraska Safety Center, 125.00; Nebraska Scientific, 1143.23; Norder Supply, 13,256.96; One Source the Background Check Company, 29.00; Perry, Guthery, Haase, & Gessford, 229.00; Quill, 2541.26; School Specialty, 27.74; Student Activity Fund, 20.75; Syndicate Publishing, 150.19; J Trumbull, 58.80; University of Missouri, 885.00; US Bank, 359.60; Verizon Wireless, 77.91; Village of Callaway, 2990.84; Wenquist, 598.90; Yandas, 133.00; Bill Total: 62,6420.54. Fixed Payroll: 104,929.29;Total Payroll: 217,639.07.

Discussion:  Mr. Furrow, Mr. Birkel, and Mrs. Jesseph shared recent accomplishments by our students at the State FFA Convention, the State FCCLA Convention, ESU 10 Quiz Bowl, and State Speech.  Callaway has been represented very well in all these competitions.  The board expressed appreciation for the sponsors of these teams and for the efforts of the students.

Discussion:  There were no members of the public present to address the board.

Discussion:  Ms. Brianna Mowrey, our tech coordinator, put together a proposal for the replacement of outdated teacher computers.  Mrs. Tiana Lisby presented the proposal to the board. The board discussed options and encouraged Mrs. Mowrey to see if she could find and education discount to potentially save the district and decided not to purchase a protection plan for the devices.

Discussion:  Mr. Birkel and Mrs. Jesseph shared the happenings of the month with the board.  March and April has been a busy time for our kids and they have accomplished a great deal.  Mrs. Jesseph shared staff PD and attendance data with the board as well.  

Discussion:  The May board meeting was set for Tuesday, May 13th at 8:00 p.m.

Discussion:  Mr. Mike Reiff shared the results of Mr. Furrows 2nd evaluation.  It was noted that the Mr. Furrow's self-evaluation and the board's composite were in agreeance about Mr. Furrow's strengths and areas that need improvement. The main focus for improvement was to continue to build community connection and relationships.  

Discussion:  Mr. Furrow asked the board if they had previously approved certified staff contracts in action items and shared that it was unnecessary to take formal action on the contracts.  Mr. Reiff added that the board had not approved certificated staff contracts in the past.

Discussion:  Mr. Furrow presented the proposed classified staff changes that were determined by the personnel committee.

Discussion:  Mr. Furrow explained that the student handbook for the 2025-26 school year would be an action item on the next board agenda.  The administrative team is working to revamp the attendance section to align more with current practices and state statute.

Discussion:  Mr. Furrow discussed the 2001 Ford Excursion that is action items to purchase.

Discussion:  Mr. Furrow shared with the board the plan for summer fertilization, aerating, sprinkler maintenance for the summer.

Discussion:  Mr. Furrow took comments from the board about the idea of having jr. high sports as an after school extra curricular program.  Mr. Furrow also shared some of the pros and cons he compiled from the coaches of all teams.  The board then discussed the academic implications of making the switch and determined that this discussion should be moved to the co-op committee meeting at the end of the spring sports season.

Discussion:  Mr. TR Anderson brought forward the idea of potentially changing our grade band classification for middle school to include the 6th grade.  The board discussed the potential impact on our schools AQUESTT rating if three grade comprised our testing results instead of two.  Mr. Furrow shared information obtained from his visit with Dr. Sandra Suiter of the NDE and Mrs. Jesseph also shared some of our current testing scores.  Mrs. Jesseph recommended that we compile data over a few years and then revisit this conversation.

Discussion:  The next policy committee meeting is set for April 30th and the next buildings/grounds/transportation committee meeting is set for May 21th. The July BOE Workshop is set for July 22, 2025 at 7:30 PM.

Discussion:  Mr. Furrow shared the results of the NDE Rule 10 external review visit.  He listed some of the items that needed to be addressed.  Mrs. Jesseph also commented on the results of the visit.

Discussion:  Mr. Furrow led a tour of our new walk-in freezer.  The board was very pleased with the additional floor space created in the kitchen.
 

Discussion:  Mr. Furrow informed the board that the teaching staff had not had an updated teacher handbook for a few years.  He hoped to have an old handbook updated and ready to approve at the May meeting.

Discussion:  Mr. Furrow shared the plans for summer school.  We will do a 3 week summer school this year.  Partially because of financial concerns and partially due to attendance patterns. 

Discussion:  Mr. Furrow discussed concerns with student vaping in school and the board directed Mr. Furrow and Mr. Birkel to explore vape detection options and pricing.  The administration will create a plan for the beginning of the 2025-26 school year.

Discussion:  This policy was intentionally left out of tonight's first read policies.  Mr. Furrow suggested to the board that he may not have given the best advice about the policy originally.  The board discussed scenarios where the policy would potentially be used and decided it should be put on the May board meeting first read policies.

Discussion:  The following policies were considered by the policy committee and brought forward for approval in tonight's meeting.  The committee continues to work and update our policy manual.

Discussion:  The following policies will be officially approved and added to the board policy manual pending tonight's action items.

Discussion:  There was discussion about potential changes to the school calendar. It was determined to approve this calendar for the upcoming school year, but to look at some of the potential changes early next school year.

Discussion:  Meeting adjourned at 11:00 PM.