Public Meeting Minutes: December 11, 2023 at 6:00 PM - Board of Education Regular Meeting

1. Call to Order

1.1. Roll Call

Discussion:

Attendance Taken on 12/11/2023 at 6:00 PM
Agenda Item: Roll Call

Regular Board
Scott Barger
Tom Bredvick
Brad Hays
Mike Langan
Charlie McPherson
Teresa Thomas

1.2. Recognition of Open Meeting Law

1.3. Pledge of Allegiance

2. Reports, Communications & Public Participation

2.1. Board accepts public comments

Discussion: There were no public comments.

2.2. Student board member report

Discussion: Jonathan Frank reported that Stuco is working on gingerbread houses with the elementary students, and they are working on plans for color day for 2nd semester.
He also reported that the FFA completed LDE and had a very successful fund-raiser labor auction.

3. Approve the consent agenda which includes the minutes and financials

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Motion to approve consent agenda Passed with a motion by Tom Bredvick and a second by Mike Langan.

Scott Barger: Yea
Mike Langan: Yea
Charlie McPherson: Yea
Teresa Thomas: Yea
Tom Bredvick: Yea
Brad Hays: Yea

No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.

Attachments: (2)

McCook Public Schools - Board of Education Regular Meeting (2)

11/14/2023 at 7:07 AM
Financial reports Oct 23 for Dec 23 Board Meeting

12/6/2023 at 1:19 PM

3.1. Approval of Expenditures/Payroll for November 2023

Attachments: (3)

Accounts Payable Nov 2023

12/6/2023 at 1:23 PM
Activity Account Revenue - Nov 2023

12/6/2023 at 1:24 PM
Activity Account Expenditures - Nov 2023

12/6/2023 at 1:24 PM

4. Reports from Staff Members and Committees

4.1. Negotiations committee

Discussion: Teresa Thomas reported that they had met and would be discussing further in closed session.

4.2. Finance committee

Discussion: Tom Bredvick reported that the Finance committee met and discussed the audit. They also discussed fund balances and financial reports.

5. Administrator's written reports: Please review prior to the board meeting

Attachments: (4)

SPED Report - J. Hanson

12/6/2023 at 1:20 PM
Elementary - G. Borland

12/11/2023 at 5:56 AM
Jr. High Report - C. Lyons

12/6/2023 at 1:20 PM
Sr. High Report - C. Dickes

12/7/2023 at 11:28 AM

6. Superintendent's comments

Bus Driver Survey

We provided a survey to our bus drivers concerning the type of route bus they would prefer to drive. The results of that survey were clear; Thomas buses were selected as the favorite manufacturer of buses. This input from our bus drivers is very important due to the insignificant difference between the two bus company bids.

State Assessment Results

I wanted to share some information about the state assessment results. Based on the assessment outcomes and other quantifiable factors, McCook Public Schools is classified as a 'Great' school district, a designation we have consistently held for several years. Although we are still analyzing some of the data, the preliminary findings are highly positive. McCook's students continue to surpass both the state of Nebraska and our peer schools (those similar to us). In fact, McCook outperformed the state on every single assessment at every grade level. While we have come close in the past, this marks the first instance of such an achievement since the state began assessing students.
I will have a much more thorough report on student achievement, which will include detailed state assessments results, early in the spring semester.
Information concerning the state assessments and classifications can be accessed on the Nebraska Department of Education Website.

Meeting with Senator Murman

The administrative team had an opportunity to sit down with Senator Murman recently to discuss legislation that has the power to impact school systems, students, teachers, and communities. The conversation was very positive, both Senator Murman and the school administrators had a chance to share their positions on potential school legislation. While the administrators and Senator Murman did not perfectly align on all the issues, they did find common ground on many of them. It is our hope that once the legislative session opens and bills begin being discussed, we will be able to access the Senator so that we can continue to share our thoughts and ideas.

New Webhosting Service

The District's website will be receiving an upgrade in the late spring and summer. We will be moving to a new webhosting service called Apptegy. Currently, the district contracts with SOCS for most of its webhosting needs. The new webhosting service provider is designed to be more user-friendly and will allow us to improve communications between the classroom and the home. It will also allow us to easily add new and updated media content, which currently is a little cumbersome.
Training with special education teachers will begin in January, with those teachers gaining access to the communication portions of the service before the end of the year. Everyone else will receive training on the new hosting service in April and May.
It is our intent to have the new service up and running by August 2024.

Teacher Application Process

In an effort to make it even easier to apply for a teaching position with McCook Public Schools, we are changing our online application service provider from Frontline to TalentEd. While we will continue to use Frontline for many of their other services, the administrative team decided to move to TalentEd for applications purposes, because it is easier, more common, and better suited for our needs.

7. Business Manager comments

Discussion:

Monthly Business Manager Board of Education Report

November 2023 for December 2023 Board Meeting
September Lunch #’s = 16,855 Meals served.
Financial #’s = After 25%% of fiscal year = General Fund YTD Revenue is 23.19% YTD Expense is 26.12%
All Funds YTD Revenue is 24%, YTD Expenses is 27%
We have been awarded $31,00.00 in federal supply chain assistance for food services.
Projects - Updates
Track/Restrooms Work is ongoing. Interior work in process.
Crack sealing is taking place over holiday break on all asphalt parking lots.
Work has begun to remodel two high school restrooms.
Ongoing work with Allicap concerning damage caused at the high school from a broken water pipe in the tunnel system. Awaiting bids for total Gym floor replacement. SH office has been marked and is being evaluated for damage. Core sampling is scheduled for December 18th.

Upcoming Projects
2023-2024 RFP’s
SPED Bus approval
RFP for Switches for technology has been released. We will be using e-rate
Bond Project
Approve Contract with Sampsons to be the CM@R

Federal/state Reports filed in December:

SPED proportionate share

24-25 state aid components

Attachments: (1)

December 2023 Monthly Business Manager Board of Education Report

12/6/2023 at 1:20 PM

8. Board member comments

Discussion: Tom Bredick thanked the school and patrons for the ability to attend the state school board conference.
Teresa Thomas reminded the negotiation committee of their next meeting on Wednesday, December 13th @ 7:00am.
Mike Langan reported that he forwarded grant applications from Farm Credit services to Administration.
Brad Hays reminded the programs committee of their next meeting on Tuesday, December 12th @ 7:00am.

9. New Business

9.1. Approve the Financial Report (Audited) from KSO CPAs + Advisors

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

I move to Approve the Financial Report (Audited) from KSO CPAs + Advisors Passed with a motion by Tom Bredvick and a second by Scott Barger.

Mike Langan: Yea
Charlie McPherson: Yea
Teresa Thomas: Yea
Tom Bredvick: Yea
Brad Hays: Yea
Scott Barger: Yea

No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.

Attachments: (1)

2023 Audit report

12/11/2023 at 2:12 PM

9.2. Discuss, consider and take all necessary action with regard to approving the construction manager at risk agreement with Sampson Construction for the proposed new Junior High School addition and Senior High renovation project

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

I move to approve that the Board of Education of McCook School District should and does hereby approve the construction manager at risk agreement between the School District and Sampson Construction Co., Inc., for the proposed new Junior High School addition and Senior High School renovation project, such agreement in the form on file with official School District records and as presented at this meeting or with such changes as are deemed necessary and in the best interest of the School District and approved by the Board President or Superintendent of Schools, and further hereby delegates authority to and authorizes and directs the Board President, or designee, to sign, execute and deliver the agreement, any agreement amendments, change orders or other documents call for in such agreement, to pay the contract sum, and to take all other action necessary to carry such agreement into effect. Passed with a motion by Tom Bredvick and a second by Charlie McPherson.

Charlie McPherson: Yea
Teresa Thomas: Yea
Tom Bredvick: Yea
Brad Hays: Yea
Scott Barger: Yea
Mike Langan: Yea

No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.

Discussion: The contract has been worked through with our school attorney, and I recommend its approval.

Attachments: (1)

Motion

12/11/2023 at 2:00 PM

9.3. Approve the purchase of a new bus

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

I move to Accept the bid for a new 2025 Thomas school bus equipped with a lift, with a purchase price of $131,350, estimated delivery is 18 months. Passed with a motion by Teresa Thomas and a second by Scott Barger.

Teresa Thomas: Yea
Tom Bredvick: Yea
Brad Hays: Yea
Scott Barger: Yea
Mike Langan: Yea
Charlie McPherson: Yea

No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.

Discussion: Thomas buses are preferred by our staff, and since the difference between the two bus bids is so close, I recommend Thomas.

Thomas was also the low bid.

Attachments: (2)

SPEd bus bid Thomas

12/6/2023 at 1:21 PM
Sped bus Bid International

12/6/2023 at 1:21 PM

9.4. Accept resignation from Norabel Chessmore, Sr. High Journalism

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

I move to accept the resignation of Norabel Chessmore, High School Journalism teacher with gratitude for her two years of service. Passed with a motion by Scott Barger and a second by Charlie McPherson.

Tom Bredvick: Yea
Brad Hays: Yea
Scott Barger: Yea
Mike Langan: Yea
Charlie McPherson: Yea
Teresa Thomas: Yea

No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.

Attachments: (1)

chessmore.resignation

11/29/2023 at 2:15 PM

10. Positive Comments

Discussion: Jonathan Frank commented that the students at the high school have really shown increasing respect for everyone, and it makes for such a better culture.
Teresa Thomas reported how great the FFA auction was and how supportive the community is.
Tom Bredvick thanked the support structure in place for students applying for scholarships.
Charlie McPherson thanked the district for allowing him to attend the NASB state conference.
Scott Barger appreciates the board members for all their support as his first year on the board wraps up.
Mike Langan enjoyed the school board state conference, and we need the state of Nebraska to help with teacher interest and retention.
Jeff Gross thanked Darin Nichols for all the work he puts in with athletics and activities.
Brad Hays thanks all the teachers for a great first semester of the school year.
Grant Norgaard made positive comments on the unified bowling squad and Ms Kinne for sponsoring them.

11. Enter into executive session to discuss negotiations with the McCook Education Association. The reason for the executive session is to protect the public interest during the negotiation process.

NE State Statute: 84-1410

Any public body may hold a closed session by the affirmative vote of a majority of its voting members if a closed session is clearly necessary for the protection of the public interest or for the prevention of needless injury to the reputation of an individual and if such individual has not requested a public meeting.

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

I move to enter enter into executive session to discuss negotiations with the McCook Education Association. The reason for the executive session is to protect the public interest during the negotiation process. Passed with a motion by Tom Bredvick and a second by Scott Barger.

Brad Hays: Yea
Scott Barger: Yea
Mike Langan: Yea
Charlie McPherson: Yea
Teresa Thomas: Yea
Tom Bredvick: Yea

No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.

Discussion: The meeting adjourned at 7:10 pm. With a motion from Tom Bredvick and @nd from Scott Barger. The motion to adjourn passed.

12. Executive session for the purpose of discussing the Superintendent's evaluation

NE State Statute: 84-1410

Any public body may hold a closed session by the affirmative vote of a majority of its voting members if a closed session is clearly necessary for the protection of the public interest or for the prevention of needless injury to the reputation of an individual and if such individual has not requested a public meeting.

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

I move to enter into Executive session for the purpose of discussing the Superintendent's evaluation Passed with a motion by Tom Bredvick and a second by Scott Barger.

Scott Barger: Yea
Mike Langan: Yea
Charlie McPherson: Yea
Teresa Thomas: Yea
Tom Bredvick: Yea
Brad Hays: Yea

No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.

Discussion: The meeting adjourned at 7:49 pm. With a motion from Tom Bredvick and @nd from Scott Barger. The motion to adjourn passed.

13. Adjournment

Discussion: The meeting adjourned at 7:49 pm. With a motion from Tom Bredvick and @nd from Scott Barger. The motion to adjourn passed.

14. Items for Review

December 11, 2023 at 6:00 PM - Board of Education Regular Meeting

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