Public Meeting Minutes: January 8, 2024 at 6:00 PM - Board of Education Regular Meeting

1. Call to Order

1.1. Roll Call

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Motion to excuse Scott Barger Passed with a motion by Brad Hays and a second by Tom Bredvick.

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

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

Discussion:

Attendance Taken on 1/15/2024 at 6:00 PM
Agenda Item: Roll Call

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

Regular Board
Scott Barger

1.2. Recognition of Open Meeting Law

1.3. Pledge of Allegiance

2. Organization of Board of Education

2.1. Election of Officers

2.2. By Board policy the Superintendent will chair the election of the President and then the newly elected president will preside over the other elections

2.3. Nominations for Office of President - Vote

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

I move to nominate Brad Hays for President of the McCook Public Schools Board of Education. Passed with a motion by Charlie McPherson and a second by Mike Langan.

Scott Barger: Absent
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.

2.4. Newly elected president chairs meeting

2.5. Nominations for Office of Vice President - Vote

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

I move to nominate Teresa Thomas for Vice President of the McCook Public Schools Board of Education Passed with a motion by Brad Hays and a second by Tom Bredvick.

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

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

2.6. Nominations for Office of Secretary - Vote

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

I move to nominate Mike Langan for Secretary of the McCook Public Schools Board of Education Passed with a motion by Teresa Thomas and a second by Tom Bredvick.

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

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

2.7. Reappointment of Treasurer

By job description, the Business Manager is the Treasurer and recording secretary of the minutes of all meetings for the Board of Education. We recommend that the Treasurer should be reappointed each year when the board recognizes and elects officers. The Board would move to appoint the Business Manager as the treasurer and recording secretary for the Board of Education

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

I move to reappoint Business Manager Jeff Gross, as Treasurer and Recording Secretary for the McCook Public Schools. Passed with a motion by Brad Hays and a second by Tom Bredvick.

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

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

2.8. Committee appointments

Discussion: All committees will remain the same for 2024.

3. Reports, Communications & Public Participation

3.1. Board accepts public comments

Discussion: There were no public comments.

3.2. Studend board member report

Discussion: There was no student board report

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

Attachments: (2)

McCook Public Schools - Board of Education Regular Meeting (1)

12/12/2023 at 6:47 AM
Financial reports Dec 23 for Jan 24 Board Meeting

1/4/2024 at 12:39 PM

4.1. Approval of Expenditures/Payroll for December 2023

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

I move to approve the consent agenda which includes the minutes, and financials. Passed with a motion by Tom Bredvick and a second by Charlie McPherson.

Scott Barger: Absent
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: (3)

Accounts Payable - Dec. 2023

1/4/2024 at 12:59 PM
Activity Account Revenue - Dec. 2023

1/4/2024 at 12:59 PM
Activity Account Expenditures - Dec. 2023

1/4/2024 at 12:59 PM

5. Reports from Staff Members and Committees

5.1. Negotiations committee

Discussion: Teresa Thomas reported that we have a preliminary agreement made with the MEA. To be discussed in the new business.

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

Attachments: (5)

SPED - J. Hanson

1/4/2024 at 12:59 PM
ME - G. Borland

1/4/2024 at 12:59 PM
CE - J. Bednar

1/4/2024 at 12:59 PM
Junior High Board Report December 2023

1/4/2024 at 12:59 PM
Sr. High - C. Dickes

1/4/2024 at 12:59 PM

7. Superintendent's comments

Materials Adoption Update

The district will hold a couple of meetings in the upcoming weeks, which will provide teachers with information about upcoming materials purchases. Or process requires teachers to review and provide input on potential purchases to ensure that the content of the materials is closely aligned to our locally developed curriculum and to ensure that they will be student-friendly.
January, 15 at 1:00 teachers will meet to discuss English language arts materials.
January, 16 at 2:30 teachers will review science materials.

Jr High & Sr. High Building Project

We will be busy during the month of January working with architects, contractors and support organizations.
We also have meetings established with the YMCA to discuss progress on their project.

Legislative Session

The 2024 legislative session started on Wednesday, January 3rd. This is scheduled to be a 60 day session.
Due to Senator Briese's movement to the position of State Treasure, a new legislator will be placed on the education committee. This position will likely be filled by Senator Fred Meyer.
For approximately the next week, bills will be introduced. Approximately 500-600 new measures will be introduced.
The Governor will be proposing a legislative plan to reduce property tax. Some have speculated that this plan may include significant changes, such as state sales tax rate increases, taxes on advertising, and automatic levy rollbacks when valuations increase.

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Although AI hasn't been around for a long time, it is rapidly influencing the world, including the field of education.
The administrative team is eager to delve into AI, aiming to better comprehend its potential positive and negative impacts on education.
This understanding will guide the creation of rules and regulations governing its use in schools.
Additionally, we will seek information to provide teachers, empowering them to navigate AI in a positive manner.

Special Education Policy

Attached to the board packet is an update on our special education policy. This policy will be placed on the February agenda for approval.

Discussion: Mr. Norgaard presented the Proposed Special Education Policy 604.3 to the Board of education. The policy is available for review, and will be placed on the February 2024 Agenda for approval.

Attachments: (1)

Proposed Special Education Policy to be adopted by McCook School Board

1/12/2024 at 2:40 PM

8. Business Manager comments

Discussion:

Monthly Business Manager Board of Education Report

December 2023 for January 2024 Board Meeting
December Lunch #’s = 12,253 Meals served. Plus 1000’s of 12 days of Christmas cookies.
Financial #’s = After 33%% of fiscal year = General Fund YTD Revenue is 29% YTD Expense is 34%
All Funds YTD Revenue is 29%, YTD Expenses is 35%
Projects - Updates
Track/Restroom Work is Done. We will be open for business in the spring
Crack sealing was done over the holiday break on all the 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.
Upcoming Projects
2023-2024 RFP’s
RFP for Switches for technology has been released. We will be using e-rate
Bond Project
Meeting with Sampsons, W Design, and First National Capital markets is scheduled for Jan 11th.
Federal/state Reports filed in December:
none

Attachments: (1)

January 2024 Monthly Business Manager Board of Education Report

1/5/2024 at 2:56 PM

9. Board member comments

Discussion: Mr. Hays will be gone for the Feb 2024 meeting.

10. New Business

10.1. Approve the negotiated agreement with the McCook Education Association for the 2024-2025 school year.

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

I move to Approve the negotiated agreement with the McCook Education Association for the 2024-2025 school year. Passed with a motion by Tom Bredvick and a second by Mike Langan.

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

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

Discussion: Changes 24-25

An increase on base of $800, making the base $40,100 for a total package increase of 3.43%
Increasing the pay for unused sick days when a teacher retires to $20 a day.
Adding Math Counts to the extra duty list at 2.5% as a club.
A teacher who is supervising a student teacher will receive a stipend of $1000 paid, similar to a mentor teacher.
Changing the wording for teacher-sponsor driving compensation to - Teachers-sponsors who are required to drive a school vehicle to transport students to school activities shall receive $20 per trip. This removes the outside of school hours wording.
Removing the maximum number of vertical steps a teacher can move when moving horizontally on the pay scale, who has room to move vertically.
Each teacher will receive 5 personal days and 10 sick days of leave. There will be no carry over of personal days. However, the district in July pays each teacher the certificated sub rate for each remaining full day of personal leave that they have left.

Signing Bonus See Attached Addendum

Attachments: (1)

Addendum to Negotiated Agreement (11.20.2023) - Signing Bonus.docx

1/4/2024 at 6:35 AM

10.2. Accept resignation from Kathy White, Structured Resource teacher at McCook Elementary

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

I move to accept the resignation of Kathy White from McCook Elementary school with Gratitude for her nine years of service.. Passed with a motion by Tom Bredvick and a second by Charlie McPherson.

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

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

Attachments: (1)

K. White

1/10/2024 at 2:37 PM

11. Positive Comments

Discussion: Tom Bredvick thanked the MEA team and the negotiations' committee for the outstanding work in negotiations. And he thanked maintenance crew for all their work.
Brad Hays thanked the board negotiations committee for a great job in negotiations.
Charlie McPherson, the communication from the district is awesome, and you are to be commended for keeping everyone informed, especially during the winter weather.
Teresa Thomas thanked Robin Henrichs and the MEA for the great job representing the teachers and the district. Your valuable service to everyone at MPS is appreciated.
Mike Langan thanked the Maintenance staff for keeping the buildings running and keeping it clearto of snow and ice.
Jeff Gross thanked Paul Paz and all the guys that have helped to keep HVAC going.
Grant Norgaard thanked the teachers for being flexible with the changes of schedules due to storms and HVAC issues.

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:

Enter in to Executive session for the purpose of discussing the Superintendent's evaluation NE State Statute: 84-1410 Passed with a motion by Tom Bredvick and a second by Mike Langan.

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

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

Discussion: Thee meeting adjourned at 7:31 pm.

13. 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.

14. Adjournment

15. Items for Review

January 8, 2024 at 6:00 PM - Board of Education Regular Meeting

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