March 16, 2020 at 6:00 PM - Regular Board of Education Meeting
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1. Signature of Notification
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2. Call to Order, Pledge of Allegiance, Roll Call, Welcome Visitors
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2.1. Acknowledge Open Meetings Law
More Information:
The Board of Education reserves the right to enter into Executive Session for the protection of the public interest; or the prevention of needless injury to the reputation of an individual, and if the individual has not requested a public meeting.
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2.2. Notice of this meeting was published in the Gering Courier on Thursday, March 12, 2020.
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3. Excuse Absent Board Members
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4. Consent Agenda
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4.1. Minutes From Previous Board Meeting
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4.2. Approval of Claims/Bills
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4.3. First Reading of Board Policies
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4.3.i. 709 CASH IN SCHOOL BUILDINGS
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4.3.ii. 710 DISPOSITION OF SCHOOL PROPERTY
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4.3.iii. 801.1 STUDENT TRANSPORTATION
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4.3.iv. 801.2 SPECIAL EDUCATION TRANSPORTATION
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4.3.v. 801.3 BUS SCHEDULING AND ROUTING
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4.3.vi. 801.4 VEHICLE SAFETY PROGRAM
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4.3.vii. 801.5 BUS DRIVER SUPERVISION
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4.4. Second Reading of Board Policies
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4.4.i. 706.3 BIDDING PROCEDURES
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4.4.ii. 706.4 VENDOR RELATIONS
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4.4.iii. 706.5 PURCHASING ON BEHALF OF EMPLOYEES
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4.4.iv. 706.6 PAYMENT FOR GOODS AND SERVICES
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4.4.v. 707.1 PAYROLL PROCEDURES
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4.4.vi. 707.2 SALARY DEDUCTIONS
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4.4.vii. 707.3 EXPENSE AUTHORIZATION AND REIMBURSEMENT
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4.4.viii. 708.1 INSURANCE PROGRAM
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4.5. Personnel Items
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4.5.i. Contract Approvals
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4.5.i.1. Jocilyn Blanco - Third Grade Teacher, Lincoln Elementary
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4.5.i.2. Mario Chavez - Assistant Principal and Career Pathway Coordinator at Gering High School
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4.5.i.3. Kory Knight - Director of Curriculum, Assessment, and Instruction.
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4.5.i.4. Megan Gifford - English Teacher, Gering Junior High School
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4.5.i.5. Carrie Johns - Agriculture Teacher, Gering High School
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4.5.i.6. Amanda Schultz - Early Childhood Teacher, Lincoln Elementary
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4.5.i.7. Kelsey Wahlgren - Early Childhood Special Education Teacher, Lincoln Elementary
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4.5.ii. Resignations
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4.5.ii.1. Laura Barrett - Director of Student Services, District-Wide
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4.5.ii.2. Lisa Blanco - Mathematics Teacher, Gering Junior High School
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4.5.ii.3. Michelle Kincaid - DAWGS Teacher, Lincoln Elementary
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4.5.ii.4. Breanna Korell - English Teacher, Gering High School
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4.5.ii.5. Brittany Macias - Spanish Teacher, Gering High School
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4.5.ii.6. Alisa Wilmoth - FCS Teacher, Gering Junior High School
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5. Patron Comments
Discussion:
Local media representative Lauren Brant advised the board this would be her last meeting as she plans to relocate closer to family at the end of March. Mary Winn commended Lauren for her coverage of all things GPS adding "You have written some really nice articles! You're a great writer."
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6. Reports and Discussions
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6.1. Recognition of Bulldog Staff Member Of The Month
Discussion:
Due to the cancellation of student assemblies on Friday, recognition was postponed.
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6.2. Bryan Flansburg - First Student, Transportation Manager
Discussion:
First Student transportation director Bryan Flansburg offered additional insight on services currently provided, additional features coming soon. With the proposed acceptance of their bid, he thanked the board for the continued opportunity to serve Gering Public Schools.
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6.3. Curriculum Committee Report
Discussion:
Mary Winn reviewed committee discussions related to the Language Arts curriculum up for review next year. Next, she stated that Sidney Public Schools will be joining the VALTS program. Brian Copsey highlighted continued growth within the program as a positive. Additionally, Peters noted the VALTS program offered a credit recovery summer school program to all Gering students last year which was well attended by students.
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6.4. Facilities Committee Report
Discussion:
B.J. Peters and Brady Shaul noted a recent tour of Gering Junior High, the district's oldest facility. The committee assessed needs and established long term goals.
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6.5. Business Committee Report
Discussion:
Josh Lacy noted an upcoming surplus / obsolete equipment sale. Additional information, including a preview list, will follow at a later board meeting. Three food service providers had taken facility tours as part of the district's RFP process.
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6.5.i. Trial Balance Summary
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6.5.ii. Fund Balances
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6.5.iii. Schedule of Investments
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6.5.iv. Financial Statements
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6.6. Superintendent's Report
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6.6.i. Discussion of the District's Preparation and Action Related to COVID-19
Discussion:
B.J. Peters confirmed with Hastings that all State assessments have been suspended. Brent Holliday expressed that the board's silence wasn't the lack of questions, but rather the depth of communication continually received from administrator's over the weekend coupled with ever-changing circumstances.
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7. Action Items
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7.1. Discuss, consider and take all necessary action with regard to the emergency circumstances presented by the COVID-19 virus to:
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7.1.i. Authorize the Superintendent of Schools, or designed, to grant a paid leave of absence for a specified number of duty days with full current wages and benefits to exempt and non-exempt employees who are experiencing certain conditions regard to the COVID-19 virus.
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7.1.ii. Authorize the Superintendent of Schools, or designee, to take all necessary action to work with state and local health department officials for advice on functions that may involve large gatherings of people.
Discussion:
Superintendent Hastings explained that the action item was primarily related to prom, musical, graduation, and other upcoming large events.
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7.1.iii. Authorize the Superintendent of Schools, or designee, to take all necessary action to prepare for the Board of Education to declare the COVID 19 virus situation as a "emergency" under the Nebraska Emergency Management Act, Neb. Rev. Stat. §§81-829.36 through 81-829.75.
Discussion:
"This action helps us to prepare our community for what MAY be coming," Hastings stated. President B.J. Peters noted how quickly previous guidance had altered gatherings from 250 people, down to 50, and then the current recommendation of no more than 10 people.
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7.1.iv. Authorize the Superintendent of Schools to monitor the COVID-19 virus conditions in the State of Nebraska and the Educational Service Unit No. 13 area, and based upon the directives of the Commissioner of Education and community spread of the disease in the Gering, Nebraska area to determine and decide all issue related to the close of attendance centers, adjust the school year calendar, take measures to continue educational services assign certificated and non-certificated staff as needed, and extra-curricular activities.
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7.1.v. Discuss, consider, and take action regarding a Resolution of the Board of Education declaring a state of emergency related to the COVID-19 pandemic
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7.2. Discuss, consider, and take action regarding authorizing the District Administration to enter into a contract with First Student for Pupil Transportation Services with Gering Public Schools and the Panhandle Interlocal Transportation Association commencing July 1, 2020, with the option to extend an additional six years.
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7.3. Discuss, consider, and take action on approval of a contract with Gary Cooper to serve as Interim Superintendent for the 2020-2021 school year
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8. Tentative Committee Meeting Dates
Discussion:
Future Board MeetingsSecond Board Meeting - Tues, March 24 @ 12:00 p.m. (Central Office) Regular Board Meeting - Mon, April 20 @ 6:00 p.m. (City Council Chambers) Second Board Meeting - Tues, April 28 @ 12:00 p.m. (Central Office) Tentative Committee Meeting Dates:Policy Review Committee -- Mon, March 23 @ 4:30 p.m. (Central Office)Personnel Committee -- Thurs, March 26 @ 4:30 p.m. (Central Office) Facilities Committee -- Thurs, April 2 @ 4:30 p.m. Curriculum Committee -- Tues, April 14 @ 4:30 p.m. (Central Office) Business Committee -- Mon, April 13 @ 4:30 p.m. (Central Office) |
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9. Board Comments
Discussion:
After the executive session, no closing comments were given.
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10. Adjourn
Discussion:
President B.J. Peters adjourned the meeting at 7:27 p.m.
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