August 19, 2013 at 6:00 PM - Board of Education Regular Meeting

Discussion:  Jr. High School Principal Dora Olivares provded praise for the Jr. High custodians and their hard work at the building over the summer. Olivares stated that the building is the cleanest that she has ever seen and returning staff noticed the difference. This seems to have boosted staff morale.

Discussion:  Peters informed the Board that the Curriculum Committee discussed test scores. The committee's intent this year is to focus on the Language Arts Program. Superintendent Hastings also shared his philosophy and plans for new district technology with the committee. The committee will be reviewing specific test scores in depth at their next meeting and will provide a follow up to the full Board.

Discussion:  Upp stated that the Facilities Committee met at the Jr. High and Freshman Academy in August. A tour of the facility was provided and summer work was reviewed, including the window project and the boys locker room ventilation. Doll feels that funding for outsourcing specific summer projects provided time and staff for other projects that were completed by in-house maintenance staff in a more timely manner.

Discussion:  Copsey provided a recap of the Business Committee meeting, where they reviewed the district's bill listing, financial statements, discussed a custodial contract, and discussed budget goals and long range planning. The Board wishes to involve Administrators during this planning so they can hear first hand how the budgget affects their needs and desires.

Discussion:  Meisner provided a verbal recap of district revenues and expenditures. He stated that he would review one fund each month to provide additional detail. This month the cafeteria fund was reviewed in detail. Free and Reduced lunch reimbursements will increase during the 2013-2014 school year. The quantity of free lunches provided to various staff has been reduced.

Discussion:  Winn provided a summary of the Personnel Committee Meeting to the Board. Time was spent reviewing the negotiated agreement. Superintendent Hastings provided a new perspective and suggested removing actual policies from the agreement. Winn requested suggestions from non-committee members. Meisner provided information on a classified staff pay raise of 2.5%. A draft copy of the classified staff handbook was distributed for review.

Discussion:  Student Services Director Candy Hubbard distributed an update to the Board prior to the meeting. Specific items covered included information about a secretarial meeting about student registrations. Hubbard also provided class size estimates.

Discussion:  Northfield Elementary Principal Betty Smith shared a Summer School Program summary, including the overall cost of summer school ($26,235.66) and attendance figures. Smith explained the identification process which is done in March of each year by reading coaches, teachers and/or prinicpals. An invitation is then extended and parents determine if their student will participate or not. Staffing needs are then determined by the number of participants. Summer School was held for 3 weeks in June and for 3 weeks in July at Lincoln Elementary this year instead of holding it at multiple sites and it worked well according to Smith. Subjects taught at Summer School include reading and math. A test is provided at the end of the program to determine growth. Smith explained that less than half who are invited actually attend the Summer School Program.

Discussion:  Superintendent Hastings hosted a Welcome Back Meeting for all staff on August 15th. He mentioned that he was excited to meet and speak with them. Hastings shared his vision for education in Gering and his plans to integrate more technology. His intentions are to utilize and adopt Google Apps to replace the district's current email system. This move would also provide the district with access to collaboration and free tools that can be used to better develop a 21st Century education. Hastings plans to meet with the Board of Education, community members, staff and students to determine specific district needs. Hastings stated that the Gering District will continue it's support of the TeamMates Mentoring Program. This is a program where adults meet with their mentee at least once a week to help develop their student's strengths and career plans. The Gering District will provide $6,000 in funding this year. Gering is approaching 50 matches between adults and students. Hastings reminded board members that the State Education Conference will be held in LaVista on November 20th through the 22nd and asked that they contact Lisa Frahm before Labor Day if they wish to attend. Discussions about budgets and goal planning have began. Hastings asked that the Board meet at 5:30pm on Monday, September 9th after the Business Committee Meeting to begin goal setting for a 12 month, and a 3 to 5 year plan. Hastings reminded the Board that NASB's Marcia Herring will be in Gering in October or November to contine work with the Board and Superintendent Hastings to better define roles and to assist in goal setting. This meeting will likely take place during evening hours or on a Saturday morning. It is expected to last approximately 4 hours.

Discussion:  Hastings explained statatory requirements require the district to have a public hearing to discuss fee waivers on an annual basis. Meisner provided information on fee waivers and distributions, which includes the fee fund for various activities. Included in his materials was a listing of waivers for students at the High School and Jr. High. There were no fee waivers at the elementary level.

Discussion:  1) peters 2) uPP

Discussion:  Each Board Committee reviewed this proposal for elementary evening custodial services. Bluffs Facility Solutions will also provide custodial services for district activities.

Discussion:  Brunner provided suggestions that he would like to see incorporated into the Classified Staff Handbook. Specific recommendations included language in the "Hiring" section, language pertaining to long term disability insurance and the removal of language in the "Leaves" section. A discussion about the buy back rate for sick leave from classified staff was held. Meisner stated that he would present information at the next Personnel Committee Meeting regarding this change from a 100% to 60% buy back rate. Winn provided her suggested changes/updates prior to the Board Meeting. The number of paid Holidays was also reduced by two, which makes the handbook more in-line with the Scottsbluff District. Language about severance pay was removed and the Board discussed use of cell phones by both staff and students.

Discussion:  Winn informed the Board of a VALTS Board Meeting scheduled at 6pm on September 12th at the Harms Center. Dr. Jerry Upp has been added to this Board since Gering is the largest participant now. It was determined that the Facilities Committee will meet at Cedar Canyon in September. Doll reminded all Board Members to find a sub if they are unable to attend a committee meeting.

Discussion:  Upp welcomed Superintendent Hastings and stated that from what he has heard and seen he is impressed and apprpeciates his efforts. Brunner mentioned that he sees a new level of enthusiasm from staff since the Welcome Back Meeting. He feels good, as a Board Member, for hiring someone who can make this district as great as it can be and looks forward to seeing morale and school spirit get back to where it once was. Winn explained that she had the opportunity to attend the Welcome Back Meeting and enjoyed Superintendent Hasting's message. She appreciates his sence of humor, his spontinaity and how he brings up issues and acknowledges them. Winn also commended Brad Staman of the Gering Courier for their positive coverage of the district and for assembling another annual calendar that is distributed free of charge. Doll expressed his gratitude for Superingendent Hastings and informed the Board that he and the Superindent are having lunch together once a week. He feels that Hastings has outstanding visions for short term, medium term and long term plans.