May 13, 2024 at 6:00 PM - Board of Education Regular Meeting

Discussion: 

Attendance Taken at at 6:00 PM Agenda Item: Roll Call

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

Regular Board Tom Bredvick

Discussion:  There were no public comments.

Discussion:  Greg Borland gave an update on the McCook Elementary playground expansion.  He thanked the McCook Education foundation for their gift of $125,000 for the project.  He also thanked the McCook elementary PTO for their gift of $15,000.  Joann Barenberg and Sarah Rippen were representing the McCook Education Foundation and Kelsey Hardin and Tasha Blomstedt were representing the McCook Elementary School PTO.

Discussion:  Mr. Norgaard and the Board of Education recognized Jonathan Frank for his service to the board.

Discussion: 

Committee on American Civics Hearing

5-13-2024 @ 5:30 p.m.

McCook Jr. High Boardroom

 

Agenda 

1. Call to Order

   1. Roll Call of Committee Members

      1. Board members in Attendance: Scott Barger, Mike Langan, Charlie McPherson

      2. Administration & Staff:  Grant Norgaard, Jeff Gross, Joel Bednar, Greg Borland, Craig Dickes.

2. Opening Formalities

   1. Recognition of the  Open Meetings Act

   2. Confirmation of Meeting Documentation: Notes of this meeting will be taken

3. Statement of Committee Purpose

   1. Discuss the integration of foundational subjects including civics, history,  economics, financial literacy, and geography into the curriculum.

   2. Development and use of assessments (formative, interim, and summative) to gauge mastery of social studies standards.

   3. Inclusion of historically significant figures and groups from diverse cultural and racial backgrounds.

   4. Administration of the naturalization civics assessment to students.

   5. Adherence to statute 79-724.

4. Public Comments

   1. Invitation for community input on curriculum, citizenship and patriotism education.

   2. Procedures for sharing testimonials regarding American civics instruction at McCook Public Schools.

      1. Note: Participants should state their full name clearly before speaking.

   3. No members of the community were in attendance nor spoke during the hearing

 

5. V. Report on Special Days of Recognition

   1. Overview of the 2024-2025 school year recognitions:

      1. Constitution Day: September 17

      2. Veterans Day: November 11

      3. Thanksgiving: November 28

      4. Native American Heritage Day: November 29

      5. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Birthday: January 20

      6. Presidents' Day and George Washington's Birthday: February 17

      7. Abraham Lincoln's Birthday: February 12

   2. Special Non-Instructional Days:

      1. Memorial Day: May 26

      2. Independence Day: July 4

6. Committee Comments

   1. Opportunity for committee members to discuss issues, share insights, or propose actions related to the meeting’s discussions.

7. Adjournment

   1. Time of adjournment to be noted: 5:52 p.m.

 

Discussion: 

Facilities and Finance Committees Report

 

Both committees discussed continued cost saving reductions to the plan. Based on the current size of the design, both committees believed it was necessary to reduce the overall size of the plan by 10,000 square feet. Doing this will help to reduce the overall cost on the project. W Design indicated that they could reduce the square footage from multiple locations throughout the building plan without impacting the overall goals of the project. 

 

Members discussed additional significant changes to the design plan. Each proposed change had the potential to notably affect the project's scope and future operations. Although each change offered considerable cost savings, the committees had to balance these savings against the functional and educational value of each building component.

 

The Jr. High gymnasium was the first item the groups discussed. The change to the project would have left the gym untouched, with no changes at all being made to the facility. The group weighed the cost savings against the operational function of the gymnasium and how it currently fails to meet the needs of our students. Further, they considered the fact that a change to the Jr. High gym was of significant importance to the steering committee and to staff. After thoughtful discussion, and taking all things into account, both committees agreed that this change was not in the schools best interests. 

 

• Operational inadequacies of the current facility 

• Importance to the steering committee and staff

 

The second change discussed was leaving the performing arts classrooms and the old auditorium untouched. The change to the plan created some specific issues that would have been difficult to rectify, and would have been accompanied with their own additional costs. One of the most glaring issues with this change is the loss of a school library. While modifications could have been made to other areas of the building to add some library space, this would have impacted classroom organization and layout. This change would have also eliminated the single library concept, which is a cost saving measure that could be implemented in the future. 

 

Additionally, leaving the old auditorium would be an issue because it would now be unused and unneeded, with no plan or resources to repurpose the large space. Ultimately, both committees felt that this change would be too significant and was not in the best interest of the school district. 

 

• Loss of the school library 

• Disruption to school layout and operations

• Elimination of possible unified library space in the future

• Large redundant auditorium space 

 

The final change discussed was related to the second change, in that this change would not update any of the performing arts spaces, with one significant addition. This change would remove the new auditorium from the plans. While the change to the overall cost of the project would be significant, each committee had to contend with the responses from the community survey, and based on this information, and the fact that the auditorium was one of the District’ initial goals for this project, this change was also rejected. 

 

• Loss of the school library 

• Disruption to school layout and operations

• Elimination of possible unified library space in the future

• Large redundant auditorium space 

• Community surveys indicated strong support for this feature

• District's original objectives for the project

Discussion:  see Facility report

Discussion: 

Monthly Business Manager Board of Education Report

April Lunch #’s = 18,378 Meals served. 
Financial #’s = After 66%% of the fiscal year = General Fund YTD Revenue is 66% YTD Expense is 66%
All Funds YTD Revenue is 65%, YTD Expenses are 65%
Facilities - Updates
We are working on finishing the restroom by the Agriculture department.  
H2I, Inc. is on site working on finishing the gym floor replacement.  Cleaning is to be done in Late May.
Tennis court surfacing is scheduled for July 2024.
Upcoming Projects
Classroom Carpets
Elementary school Vanities/sinks  in the  Kindergarten  Wing.
Painting crew
All grounds are set to be over-seeded and aerated
Bond Project
Sampson’s and W Design are working on final design and cost estimating the project.
Federal/state Reports filed in December:
Summer food services are set to be grab and go, and we will have a pick-up location to feed anyone between the ages of 1-18 in the community.
The School Financial audit dates have been set for September 10-13.

Discussion:  There were no Reports

Discussion:  Jonathan Frank commends the phone policy and thinks it will be a huge benefit for everyone.  He encouraged the Administration to look at the dual credit classes for needed cell phones for 2-step authentication for logging into class.
Scott Barger commented on a great graduation program.   He also commented on Mr. Vertovsky on the boys' golf program.  
Theresa Thomas' positive comment was on the 4th grade field trip to Lincoln.
Charlie McPherson appreciated graduation and the graduation walk with the elementary students.
Mike Lagnan heard great comments on the track facility and the Class D district track meet that McCook hosted last week.
Jeff Gross thanked the McCook Community Foundation and YCR for their help with the 6th grade heritage walking tours.
Brad Hays gave a shout-out to the McCook community foundation Youth Change Reaction for all their work with cars under the stars, drive-in movie project.
Grant Norgaard thanked everyone that is involved and helps with the Elementary track days. 
 

Discussion:  The meeting adjourned at 7:09 pm.