March 12, 2018 at 6:30 PM - Board of Education Regular Meeting

Discussion:  Jim Hessler-Meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m. 

Discussion:  All board members were present.  

Discussion:  All board members were present. 

Discussion:  Melinda Mata -Lyman, NE  Would like to thank Mr. Sherwood and Jim Hessler for providing the para for transportation on the Lyman Route.  The bus situation has improved.  
                                           Concerns regarding the lunch menu and what is being served in the cafeteria.  
Jim Hessler responded -Will look into the situation.  

Bill Watson- Concerns regarding the powerpoint presentations on charts presented on state standards from ESU.

Patty Pittman- Concerns regarding Breakfast and lunch menu is not in the "Voice" but Mitchell's is.  If the Facebook page could be changed to highlight students accomplishments.  
                        Why aren't positions being advertised for Morrill Public Schools?  
Cynthia responded- Any specific position?
Patty Pittman- Other districts are listing district bookkeeper, assistants, etc. 
Patty Pittman- Footnote on the bottom of the agendas, "Footnote for Executive Session"  
Why did the board enter into executive session for "Daycare Fees"? 
Jim Hessler- responded to protect customers' reputations because some were having difficulty paying.   

Patty Pittman- Student Fee Policy- Dates need to be changed from 2014-15.  

 
 

Discussion:  We sold a lot of cookies for Valentine's Day.  Students have been asking about the lunches and for Jacob to report to the board.  If we can make the portion sizes bigger?  

Sabrina Sosa commented about the lunches as well.  

Discussion:  Cynthia- Houghton Mifflin will be sending some textbooks for review and the committee will start reviewing curriculum.    

Discussion:  On March 7, 2018 safety committee was convened to plan for the possibility of an active shooter situation.  Suggestion was made that large windows and glass doors should be covered.   
Heating units are on the way, there need to be 2 units ordered. Erica's room needs one as well.   
Disciplinary room. 
Art Steiner-Would like to thank Keri, Tom, and Joe for information about the buildings.  Fire Department will be meeting about the information provided.  
Jim Hessler- HVAC system at the high school has ongoing issues.  LG and Jerry's sheet metal worked on unit last and told us they would be getting us a report and proposal.  Joe will follow up with them.    

 

Discussion:  Student data is transferred correctly from Sycamore to Infinite Campus.  PTO March 22nd.  Tom will setup computers to fill out survey.  20% to meet the criteria.  Hopefully parents can do that for us.  ACT test- Erica will send a letter.  Alternate date is the 16th or 17th.  State test following Monday.  Erica and I have done self training for scheduling on Infinite Campus.  Little videos to watch.  Training for Infinite Campus there is a lot of information.  Will be doing it online in April.  Will formulate to get the most requests fulfilled.  Keri and I are going to the principal's meeting at ESU.  15th RCI meeting.   K-9 unit sent out one call message to parents.  Rough for dog to be outside due to wind.  Let students know we are checking.  Supply a dog car Torrington's Sheriff's department.

Possibility of adding a statement for drug testing on suspicion.   WPCI has a statement that is legal.  By law if there is probable cause we can test legally.  Adding clause to drug section for next school year.  

Changing the current 5 panel $32.50.  Can go to the 10 panel for $4.00 more per panel.  Scottsbluff and other schools can test kids if there is a probable cause.  
The board consensus was to increase from the 5 panel to the 10 panel immediately.   
 

Discussion:  Book fair will be in the library this year.
The 6th grade graduation will be May 22, 2018.  
 

Discussion:  Couple weeks ago Head Start Nutrition visit.  Keri and I visited with them.  40 checks on the review.  They marked us satisfactory in all but 6 or 8 categories.  Step up in family style, last year we ate in the cafeteria.  Hinted at a family style.  Eating in classrooms and not on trays.  Sitting at individual tables.  Need 2 or 3 components at each table.  Started adhering to the recommendations last Thursday.  Students are pouring their own milk.  First day was clumsy.  Friday no spills or today.  Review with Head start is the 20th-21st.  Genuine family style was the primary recommendation.  They also marked us down for not seeing tooth brushing in the morning.  

Cafeteria side of things casserole was not a casserole it was soupy.  Agrees the cafeteria will be better than that.  Paying attention to accounts payable and the food being made.  

Cafeteria accounts payable has reduced from $52,000 in January to $35,000 in March.  We have reduced labor costs.  Creditors are vey patient and understanding.   
Jim- Portion sizes to meet federal requirements.  Board and administration engaged in a lengthy discussion about portion sizes, seconds, kinds of food being prepared, trayed food as opposed to available on salad bar.    

Discussion:  Joe- provide necessary things.  Cheerleading buys their own uniforms.  No changes in student fee policy.  

Change date from 14-15 

Discussion:  Allows for parents to be involved and assist in classrooms.  No changes in policy.  
State Statue requires for the public hearing every year for the public to express concerns. 

Discussion:  Pay attention to monitoring and safety on internet.   

Discussion:  Joe- HVAC units were shipped out today.

Discussion:  Insurance company has suggested not to allow organization to use our buses to transport children who are not our students.  

Discussion:  Jim-adding goals to the preschool program. 
Joe- Enrollment and revenue goals.  There are a number of district free students.  Discussion on why we built this building.  Philosophy was to keep our kids and have larger classes if we provide early childhood for birth to four at this meeting last year.  Projected birth to 4 year enrollment was 16 compared to present which is 49.  We have a very nurturing set of staff that are helping children develop and get ready for kindergarten.  Melody Hobson reviewed the data that has been collected through Teaching Strategies Gold.  NDE early childhood was impressed with the amount of and the quality of data collected.  Staff is paying attention to all of the developmental bench marks and indicators.  Healthy for kindergarten and a better grasp on skills and positive behavior. We will be able to show progress for the whole year and all of the benchmarks.   

 

Discussion:  Adding a paternity/maternity leave and added a new relationship not a former relationship.  

Discussion:  186 staff contract days instead of 188 two weeks at Christmas.  Whole day off the Wednesday before Thanksgiving.  Starting school the 15th of August.  May 17th would be the last day of school.  Tom and Keri will hear staff input and potentially modify.  175 contact days with students.  Few days off in the Spring.  

Discussion:   Mr. Sherwood read the capacity resolution to the board and public.  
Our current number of students represents a full capacity with our current certified staff.  We have no available capacity for special needs option students for the 18-19 school year.   

Discussion:  We have many benefits with NASB including Medicaid in Public Schools.  Board training is also a wonderful benefit.    
 

Discussion:  A $1500.00 grant was awarded to Morrill Public Schools.  The club has spent all but $488.00.  They would like to donate a bench with a plaque identifying the Rotary Club of Morrill.     
 

Discussion:  An employee requested TERIP after February board meeting.    

Discussion:  Meeting was adjourned at 11:10 p.m.