March 19, 2018 at 7:30 PM - Board of Education - Special Meeting

Discussion:  Jim Hessler called the meeting to order at 7:45 p.m. 

Discussion:  Five board members were present, except for Dick Burford.  

Discussion:  No one recorded the meeting.  

Discussion:  Joe shared various reports and communicated the factors that resulted in a State Aid increase for the next school year.  Our basic funding went up by 300,000 primarily due to an increase in student enrollment.  Our poverty allowance increase by 190,000 because of increased poverty percentage, increased enrollment, and maximizing what we could claim in our elementary class size reduction strategy.  Then this year only, we are receiving 117,000 in a new school adjustment.  Joe also shared forms with the board that our budget authority also increased in an amount just under $600,000. 
 

Discussion:  Mr. Sherwood recommended a transfer to cover this months expenditures due to a lack of cash flow.   

Discussion:  First meal is a regulation meal meets the federal meal rules and regulations.  
Jim- If we could have a community group donate money for the second's fund so students can have seconds without having to bring money to school.    
Mr. Sherwood suggested charging 75 cents for seconds.  Send a note out to parents and kids to be aware of the changes to seconds.  Could give a card with a barcode to each student and than scan it? Solve the lunch count problem. Length of lunch time.  40 minutes for Elementary lunch and recess.  

 

Discussion:  Bus stop modifications- Westmoor pool and Gering Civic Center (first stops agreed upon at the beginning of the school year) 
There are two additional stops happening on the way to Westmoor pool and another stop on the way to Terrytown. (additional by the hospital) 
1st option-   Should we cater to the needs to the option families just like the local families?  
2nd option-  Should we communicate that families need to go to the suggested sites. 
3rd option-  Central pickup and willing to pay a daily fee for the extra door stop than we can do a door stop. 
Mitchell, Scottsbluff & Gering bus stop adjustment procedures:

The School Board and Administration has determined some procedures related to the bus routes in Mitchell, Scottsbluff and Gering:

Mitchell Stop:           Car Wash on Hwy 26 right across from Kwik Stop

Scottsbluff Stops:     Elite Health Center, 820 W 42nd St
                                 
                                  Westmoor Pool, 1936 Ave I

Gering Stop:              Gering Civic Center, 1050 M St

These are the bus stops the board has authorized. 
In the morning, at each location, the bus will wait no longer than 5 minutes before proceeding on to the next location. 
In the afternoon, likewise, the bus driver will wait no longer than 5 minutes before proceeding on to the next location.  However, if a child’s pick-up person is NOT at the normal stop, the bus driver will attempt to contact the pick-up person and the student will remain on the bus and proceed to the next bus stop.  After the final stop, the bus driver will return to the stop for the child remaining on the bus and will again attempt to call the child’s pick up person.  A fee will be assigned for late pick-up.

Expectation for a fee next year applied if parents are late.

   
  

Discussion:  Some ideas for window tinting.  Needs to be on the glass doors.  Entry ways at elementary?  How many windows need to be done?  Draw up a proposal.  Durability?  How often to replace?  Thompson Glass, Kaufman glass in Torrington could be potential vendors to receive pricing from.  

Discussion:  Keri talked to Laura Barrett regarding the seclusion room. Elementary could adopt a point system like the high school. Different schools have different break downs. The way you respond to behaviors differ between grade levels.
Jim- another tool to use for discipline if normal procedures don't work, than there is a place for students to go to earn their way back.
Joe- third sixth grade room will be free next year. It could be used as a free space.   There was quite a discussion on this topic including location, strategies, and staffing.  Keri Homan said she would visit again with Laura Barrett.  We will discuss this again. 

 Art- adding consequences could help less disruptions.
Keri- room is fine, someone who is assigned to other duties already? (When Keri is gone.)
Jim- can a para monitor the room?
Joe- Morrill used to have two guidance counselors. Is it time to have two counselors? Cynthia- Para assigned to the counselor to free up more of her time.
Students that are interested in becoming counselors. Keri will visit with Laura Barrett.
Keri-buddy room- alternative setting to help the student calm down. Jim- for now take them out of the building and into another building.
Jim- for now take them out of the building and into another building.  

Discussion:  Regular Meeting Date April 9, 2018 at 7:30 pm

Discussion:  Meeting was adjourned at 9:43 p.m.