December 19, 2011 at 7:00 PM - Regular Board of Education Meeting

Discussion:  Meisner explained that the Busines Committe had reviewed the Treasurer's Report and recommends that the board approve it.

Discussion:  Meisner explained that Dana F. Cole & Company presented their 2010-2011 School Year Audit to the Business Committee.

Discussion:  Meisner recommended that the board approve payment #7 to Anderson & Shaw in the amount of $562,267.88.

Discussion:  Hague detailed the updates to this policy, which pertains to the entrance age for kindergarten. District staff will provide assessment testing when requested. This change is expected to affect approximately 20 children.

Discussion:  Miles stated that both the Facilities and Personnel Committees had recently discussed student drug testing. High School Principal Eldon Hubbard and Activities Director David Pauli were in attendance to answer questions and concerns. Miles explained that Gering would be one of only five districts who provide this service. Those who currently test students include Scottsbluff, Mitchell, Chadron and Gordon/Rushville. An attendeng patron stated that Bridgeport provides these tests as well. The board believes that student drug use is a concern of everyone, especially parents, and should be seriously examined, however the district realized that significant time and work will need to take place in order to implement the new policy. The board would like to see a program in place that would follow the student through the process until the end. The board also realizes that implementation of a policy may create changes and/or additions to staff in order to handle the follow up recovery process should a student teset positive. Students who participate in extra curriculur activities will be included in the pool of students to be tested. Students who participate in the Sea Cat program are already included in the testing pool since this is a cooperative activity with Scottsbluff district. Brunner requested that Hubbard and Pauli gather information and provide guidelines and policies that will take effect next school year. This proposal is to include recommendations for staffing and lab work cost estiamtes. Any non-credited activity in considered extra curricular. Peters stated that there was nobody in attendance the last time the district considered this policy and the board wants to hear from patrons and citizens prior to making decisions. The board also wants to confirm that this is not a program to punish, but to place students on the right path. Winn expressed her appreciation for input and correspondence received from parents. Hubbard stated that over 80% of high school students participate in extra curricular activities. Twelve patrons provided comments that included reasons why the district needs this policy, support in identifying who needs help and encouraging prevention, discouraging experimentation and suggestions for the process of testing and potential consequences. State Patrol personnel was in attendance and informed the board that most districts have modeled their policies after Scottsbluff Public School District's. Parents will also have the chance to option their children into the program even if they do not participate in qualifying activities. Additional topics discussed included the pros and cons of testing and parental knowledge and involvement. Hubbard suggested offering an incentive program to encourage non qualifying students to volunarily participate in the pool. He will also seek community support to provide resources for the program. Law enforcement also warned the board about perscription medication abuse among students. Brunner suggestsed utilizing grant funding to help offset costs associated with the new policy. Brunner thanked everyone who attended and provided input on this topic and explained that the program would be ran with utmost confidentiality and hopes that the district and parents can work together to develop Gering's Student Drug Testing Policy.

Discussion:  Peters recapped the Building Committee meeting of December 6th. An update on the Lincoln Elementary construction was provided.

Discussion:  Brunner stated that the Facility Committee met on December 8th and toured Geil Elementary, where carpet replacement is a priority. Addiitonal topics of discussion for the committee included student drug testing, water fountains at the high school, window replacement, cabling needs at Lincoln and cafeteria tables at Northfield. The committee will meet at the Jr. High in January.

Discussion:  Doll explained that the Curriculum Committee met and reviewed state report card data. The committee also discussed travel and conference requests, reviewed the budget and discussed student drug testing.

Discussion:  Brunner stated that the Business Committee received a presentation from Dennis of Dana F. Cole and Company on the 2010-2011 School Year audit. Additional items discussed included applications for payment from Anderson & Shaw and Hewgley & Associates. The committee was told that the heating system needs to be replaced at the high school's vocational building. The committee authorized the replacement of the heating system, not to exceed $27,000. This project will be completed over the district's holiday break.

Discussion:  Miles stated that the Personnel Committee met and received a brief presentation from High School Principal Eldon Hubbard and Activities Director David Pauli on student drug testing. Additional topics of discussion included evaluation process goals and timelines, job descriptions and coordinating next year's pay increases with employee evaluations.

Discussion:  Hague informed the board that the LEED Commisioning Agent will be in town on Thursday for a tour of the Lincoln construction site at 10:00am and a conference call at 1:00pm. The M.E. Group out of Omaha will also visit for a tour of the facility. Hague stated that construction is on target for the LEED targets but will go through a punchlist to see where they're at. Hague is working with Principal Schlothauer on furniture purchases for the new Lincoln building. The district's Central Office will be closed on December 26th and January 2th for their holiday break. A rough draft of the 2011-2012 school calendar will be distributed to district administration on January 4th. The calendar will also be included on January committee agendas. Hague would like to finalize the calendar in February or March so the transportation plan can be re-worked. The bussing RFP is expected to be received in March and will be based on our current routes. Scottsbluff and Gering will cooperate in participation on this RFP.

Discussion:  Miles said that he was happy to see the great turnout of supporters of student drug testing from parents and tax payers. Hague said that he could do a ConnectEd survey to each parent to determine the level of support. He will be working with Hubbard and Paulie after the first of the year to get the survey out. Doll also thought there was a great turnout, and provided a "Hats Off" to the high school musicians and Mr. Raines for their Holiday Pops concert. Doll also mentioned that their sound system is now in good working order. Peters also stated that the vocal concert was very good. Winn stated she also enjoyed the concert and reminded everyone that she will be following up on the installation of water coolers at the high school. Copsey expressed his appreciation for the turnout and stated that the Jr. High vocal concert very good. He also informed the board that the Jr. High band students meet everyday and it shows.

Discussion:  The Facilities Committee meeting date was pushed back a week in January to avoid being on the same day as the Curriculum Committee meeting. Hauge also mentioned that the Building Committee plus one board member may need to meet at noon or 4:30pm to take action to approve the cabling bid. A work session will be held in January with the purpose of continuing the review of state testing data.

Discussion:  The Board entered into executive session with the sole purpose of discussing the Superintendent's evaluation at

Discussion:  The meeting adjourned at 9:05pm.