October 15, 2012 at 7:00 PM - Regular Board of Education Meeting

Discussion:  Board Member Miles notified the Board President of his absence prior to the meeting.

Discussion:  Hague explained that the Hewgley Architecht Firm had submitted a bill for additional work steming from change orders. Brian Sweeney, the Owner's Rep, and Hague reviewed their request in detail and discussed the charges with the Building Committee. Hague and Sweeney negotiated their fee on the change orders from $28,000+ to $18,000+, however the district will retain $5,000 until the buildig project has been completed. Sweeney is available to discuss his findings with the full board if needed.

Discussion:  Brunner congratulated the Freshman Academy for their accomplishment. Freshman Academy Assistant Principal Kraig Weyrich stated that they will be able to purchase 10 to 12 kindles. The grant was written by Weyrich and Media Specialist Annie Boggs.

Discussion:  Many students had prior extra curricular committments so they were unable to attend the first meeting.

Discussion:  The board congratulated the girl's golf team on their State Competition.

Discussion:  The State Tournament was hel last Thursday. The team placed very well during their first year.

Discussion:  Northfield Elementary Principal Pam Barker explained the All Pro Dads Program was developed by Matt Janacek. It is a national program and has been implemented at Northfield. The program is held on the 2nd Tuesday of each month and attendance includes students, parents and grandparents. Public and motivational speakers are also utilized in this program.

Discussion:  Brunner stated that he participated in the International Walk or Wheel to School Day on the first Tuesday of October. Northfield Elementary Physical Education teacher Jennifer Schwartz has promoted the event in our community and has encouraged Gering Public School students to walk or wheel to their school building. Approximately 90% of Northfield students participated this year, comp[ared to 85% last year. Northfield is promoting this practice every Wednesday as weather permits. The newsly installed sidewalk in the Preserve area has helped with this endeavor. Geil Elementary began participation in the program this year and Cedar Canyon students are dropped off at their entrance gate and walk to school from that point.

Discussion:  The Board recognized that the girl's cross country team performed very well at Districts.

Discussion:  The boy's cross country team did a great job at Districts and will participate in State, which is scheduled for this Friday.

Discussion:  Lincoln Elementary Principal George Schlothuer informed the board that a former Lincoln Elementary student and 1976 Gering High School graduate went on to become a teacher in Houston, TX. She has written several children's books and actually returned to Lincoln Elementary to read to current students.

Discussion:  Cedar Canyon Principal Betty Smith explained that she has received parental input indicating that Cedar Canyon's morning assembly provides a calmness and unity to the student's day.

Discussion:  Smith explained how parents who shop online at specified sites can donate a percentage of their bill to Cedar Canyon. During it's first week of inception, Cedar Canyon received a check for $160.00.

Discussion:  This is a newly implemented policy brought forth by NASB.

Discussion:  This policy is for staff procedures for pre-employment and eligibility for random testing.

Discussion:  Copsey pointed out that language in this policy needs further discussion so it will go back to the Policy Review Committee for another review.

Discussion:  Winn explained that the committee felt the work session change to November would better allow for information from the state report card. She explained that they received an update on work being done with social studies curriculum, which will align it to the common core. Brunner stated that the Business Committee would like to see that the Curriculum Committee pre-approved purchases of books, etc. Curriculum & Assessment Director Terri Martin said that she provides a budget recap every month.

Discussion:  Doll explained that the committee met at Geil and toured the facility, specifically looking at summer work. The facility overall is in pretty good condition, however like other buildings concrete work is needed. Doll suggested creating a district wide concrete master plan and locking in an economical price. One concerns that was pointed out included modular door exposure to moisture. The committee then traveled to central office where they met with High School Principal Eldon Hubbard and Activities Director Glen Koski. Topics of discussion included improvements to Memorial Stadium. The biggest issue is drainage, which is expected to cost $25,000 to repair.

Discussion:  Peters provided a recap of the meeting. Discussions focused on classified staff negotiations and comparisons to Scottsbluff District. Both the Classified Handbook and policies will be reviewed. Peters explained that the district lost a speech therapist but has a new one starting after the 16th. Miles wants to see more input from the student body by evaluating classroom instructors. Peters would like to see a formal climate survey of staff, students and the community on an annual basis. He believes that AdvancED may offer some tools to assist in the development of this instrument.

Discussion:  Copsey stated that the committee reviewed district bills and financials. Topics of discussion included the Hewgley invoice, a committee goal of being more active in the budget review process, budget concerns for the coming year and the cliff effect, which means the district will need to tighten it's budgets.

Discussion:  Doll explained that the committee met at Lincoln Elementary to reveiw the function of the air handling unit #1 (AHU1) which has not been operating correctly. The unit has not yet been accepted by the district or the commissioning agent. Once accepted, the district will have a one year warranty. Hague suggested that summer school be held at Lincoln Elementary next year to test the system out.

Discussion:  Hague provided an update on Business Manager Tim Meisner's work schedule.

Discussion:  Doll stated that he can hardly believe the first quarter is almost over alreay. Copsey reminded the board that one comment can get a community fired up so the board is relying on district administrators to handle issues as they arise. Winn stated that she hasn't seem much activity for local elections and wondered if there would be any candidate forums. Winn also said that she was pleased to receive an email invitation from Northfield Elementary teacher Brenda Psanka inviting board members to attend their Veterans Day Celebration at Northfield.

Discussion:  It was pointed out that the Personnel Committee Meeting date is during the NASB State Conference. Frahm will check with the committee to see if they want to reschedule or hold the meeting while out of town. A reservation has been made to allow any new board member(s) to attend. The Facilities Committee Meeting was scheduled for November 8th at the Jr. High.