November 14, 2016 at 7:30 PM - Board of Education Regular Meeting

Discussion:  Meeting called to order at 7:35PM

Discussion: 

Sarah Walker and Lauren Armstrong, 4th grade teachers presented the technology that is being used in the classroom.  Sarah showed a web site "symbaloo.com" describing how they use the research sites to teach students to do research, noting that here was a surprising amount of creativity in the students' reports.  They shared some of the students, projects.  There is the possibility that the students' work could be embedded on our website. Lauren demonstrated "Kahoot.it" which is an interactive game website to use on devices and is used for review.

Kamie Rhodes, Business Teacher showed "Quizlet live" and explaining that it is similar to "Kahoot.it" used to review, designed to be collaborative and the kids love the competitive games.  She also explained SPENT a personal finance program which sh is using in her personal finance class, teaching students how to budget.  Kamie also described "wizerme" explaining how she is using it in her curriculum as it is easily integrated with Google Classroom.

Discussion:  Tony Schuler, Village Mayor  informed the Board that the Village is interviewing for a new Chief of Police, the Christmas stroll will be December 5th from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM downtown and that the Village had completed Fall Clean up last week.  He updated the board on the Pool Project and informed them Mr. Terwilliger had approached the Village regarding the alley adjacent to the District Property stating that the Village has no jurisdiction to change anything. Superintendent  Sherwood informed Schuler that there is a "gentleman's agreement" between The District and Mr. Terwilliger on use of the accessway and that there will not be any written agreements made on behalf of the District.

Discussion:  Student Council President, Shalyn Lackey reported on the Veterans Day Program Speaker L.D. Elderson, reporting that his speech was "very good".  She told  the Board that she had read a poem and that the Student Council had passed out flags to Veterans.  STUCCO is still talking about going to Kearney for the STUCCO conference next week which Morrill hasn't attended before.  Haven't had a meeting since the Veterans Day Program as things have been very busy.

Discussion:  Cary Laucomer reviewed her report see attached

Discussion: 

Josh Guerue updated the board:  WTC winners with awards to be given by the Booster club at a banquet next week.  Jessica Harvey signed with Chadron State College and was recognized school wide.  Winter sports have started and coaches are doing a great job.  We are hosting the PAC "One Acts" on Friday.  Attached are the Coaches' evaluation forms and Emergency Action Plan.  Amanda Farina, Options in Psychology will talk to coaches on what techniques and strategies can be used to help reach all students.  Thanked Erica DePenna for all her work with students.  Discussed possible regulations changing 8 man football rules to 47 boys from the 83 students that is the current cut off for 8 man to 11 man which may go into effect in two years.  Updated the Board that the NSAA has suggested that since colleges will play on some Friday nights is recommending that High School Football move to avoid competition.  Generally speaking AD's are not interested in rearranging their schedules.

NHS students Haley VanNatter and Taylor Whetham presented a project to update the hallway by possibly removing the glass cases in the hall and scan pictures to create a digital yearbook.  Using an interactive digital device to upload all the stats maybe update the trophy case  using half the trophy case to display merchandise with prices.  Make an art wall where the hanging folders currently are and use the display case that currently houses stuffed animals to display plaques.

Discussion:  Tom Peacock reviewed his report -see attached  Tom and Julia Newman from WNCC have discussed busing students to take their ACT test as opposed to trying to test here and  suggested that Erica DePenna and Traci Patterson train as proctors.  He recognized Ryan Burnison, Katie Fody and STUCCO for the excellent Veteran's Day Program.  Tom Mentioned that Josie Ryan and Craig Hall are working with Jr. High students to put up "bathroom reader signs"and is pleased with their participation.  Tom will take two seniors each week to Rotary.  He discussed his Crisis Meeting and showed the Board a "flip Chart" designed to hang up in each classroom that would be readily available for everybody in the event of a crisis.  Tom also demonstrated Odysseyware and showed how it coordinates with the MAPS testing which in turn can show the student weaknesses and strengths and assigns individual lessons accordingly.    

Discussion:  Keri Homan reviewed her report- see attached  She elaborated on the Election that was held on Election Day noting that the students also elected Mr. Trump and that as she had promised the kids that she would dress up as the winner, Keri did dress up and come as Mr. Trump.  The students enjoyed the process.  Keri also detailed the "Buddy Bench" project where students who don't have someone to play with can sit on the bench and other students will then come and ask that student to play with them. 

Discussion: 

Joe Sherwood reviewed his report-see attached.    Marsha Tate will be here Jan. 19th & 20th   for professional development.  For the Board's information, he included a copy of the Coaches' hours logs and included the ALICAP inspection report also included is a summary of the Z-Space computer lab usage by teacher.  Early Childhood building  flat work will be completed on Thursday taking longer than planned.  Framing may be postponed till next week due to weather.  Athletic complex is lacking insulation and sheeting which should be done by tomorrow.  Rick's woodworking class has started the construction on the cubbies for the Early Childhood Building after being delayed with the Athletic Complex building.  New lights were ordered and installed for the stage at a cost of about $1,000.00.  Going forward the lights after the One Act Plays the lights will be removed during sporting events to prevent damage.  Insurance claim for the two refrigeration units at a cost of $2,000.00 has been filed.  Joe read the goals that the leadership team listed at their meeting last week and read staff accolaids for Cary Laucomer, Tom Peacock, Keri Homan, Josh Guerue, John Seibert, Rick Sides, Becky Tower, Marvel Cole, Kristin Stauffer, Deb Baker, Stacy Rodriguez and told the Board that they are amazing, " A joy to work with" and praised them for their vision and passion.

 

Discussion:  The Board signed the financing documents for the Early Childhood Facility.

Discussion:  Auditor Robert Rauner  reviewed the Annual Audit for the Board.  He described the audit standards pointing out that the Government has raised the standards and defined GASB.   

Discussion:  The Board reviewed the proposed updated Reporting Child Abuse or Neglect Policy (0403.02R1)

Discussion:  Mr. Sherwood presented a proposed new policy for Employee Reporting.

Discussion:  Mr. Sherwood reported to the Board  that during a Rotary meeting after visiting with a fire fighter he became aware that there is a shortage of EMTs in Morrill.  He feels it would be beneficial to both the community and the district if two or three employees were to be trained to be EMTs.  While his first choice was Darby Hoffman, school nurse, she had several concerns including conflict with her job as the only medical person on staff and the fact that she lives in Torrington and has small children.  Joe suggesedt that we move ahead and see if could find two or three employees to train.

Discussion:  Joe informed the Board that Tom amd Cary have done some preliminary work on the job description-see attached.  We will need to present to the Board a new evaluation tool after completing more work and will try to have it ready for the December Board Meeting.

Discussion:  Joe advised the Board that the attached photos are plans that Kelly Stray (B&C Steel) and Krystal Wilke, Ag Teacher had worked on.   He reviewed the price proposals.  Joe believes that it is possible to build the building with very little or no cost to the district by including interest parties in the process.  Proposed taking a block of time for construction student and restructuring their time.  Asked that the building committee meet with Krystal Wilke and others.   Jim Hessler asked that Krystal Wilke come to the next meeting with the Board as there are new board members and she is a new teacher so that the board could "see her vision".  Bill Zwiebel indicated a desire to move forward on this project and not let it get put on hold again. 

Discussion:  The Board entered into executive session at 10:35 PM to discuss collective bargaining topics for the 2017-2018 school year.  The Board adjourned from Executive Session at 11:20 PM with no action taken.

Discussion:  Meeting Adjourned at 11:23 PM