February 15, 2017 at 7:00 PM - Board of Education Regular Meeting

FFA Students:  Brodie thanked for additional space in shop and updated equipment.  Michaela spoke in regards to leadership events, career development events, and state FFA events.  Look up to officers and leaders.  Armando spoke in regards to agriculture and learning more by participating and competing in events.  Range and land judging to use skills and learn additional information.  Thank you to the board for supporting FFA and Ag students.

Sharon, SCEDD:  district covers 13 counties, 85 communities; Blight Study - blight and substandard study and redevelopment plan - information sheet; main reason to do blight study - be able to use TIF financing - be able to fund development (housing/businesses) in communities - incentive; blight does nothing to valuations in area; enables community/developer to fund elimination of slum/substandard properties/buildings.  

Mrs. Gregoski - Library:  Library lessons PK-6 - building on those; library report on books and costs; change/updates in library and number of books; future goal - new computers.

Mrs. Gregoski - PEA:  Reading 8 - took first practice NeSA, lots of changes are coming to NeSA, attended 5 TDA workshops w/Mrs. Green; English 7 - starting a novel (Lincoln's Grave Robbers); Freshmen - reading The Pig Man (copyright 1968) - good conversation from readings; Jrs - working on Edgar Allen Poe - watch The Raven.

Mr. Happ - PEA:  professional development - Kagan Strategies - cooperative learning - how to implement - second session in June.

Mrs. Loeffelbein:  PT conferences - great attendance, parent survey for SpEd services; mid-year assessments for Reading Street - positive results; Hearing/Vision Screeners done - looking for addt'l machines to use; Spelling Bee - champion/5th Gr; Kindergarten/PK round ups - evening sessions this year to accommodate schedules - Apr 27; Testing season upcoming.

Mr. Morris:  Curriculum - mapping for HS is done, elem is beginning next week; social studies textbook meeting - Feb 21; National Honor Society Program - thanks to the Endowment Fund for sponsoring speaker - so much enthusiasm - kids responded well - integrity and character - audience involvement; Winter to Spring Sports - five state WR qualifiers - kids have represented Palmer well; Map/NeSA Testing - Mar 13 starts; House Shake Day - Feb 23rd; Meeting w/9-12 Class Officers - positive thoughts and suggestions - kids leading tours for visiting students - beneficial to hear from students; Family/student visits went well and enjoy.

Daniel - Education Forum (Kearney) - John Cook speaker on dealing with kids of today; open meetings act session; board meeting snow day; executive session never agenda item - motion to agenda item; senior spotlight - first four weeks, community improvement project; Teammates Mentoring session; instructional coaching session - Palmer does through ESU7 - started this year.

Bohlken - Legislative Day: budget cuts.

Bohlken - PT Conf attendance - 83%; old van repairs; Beef in Schools Summit - local beef into school - 3 goals, foster comm involvement, healthier better tasting meals, educate kids about where food comes from - each school does it a little different - lockers have to be USDA certified (St Paul is) - donations can't go right through school - some schools sell prime meat for profit to cover processing costs - freezer space would possibly be an issue; Facilities Comm - attended village mtg last week to inform about possibility of new building - list of done and to do's; Ms. Scheil taking track duties; new Promethean boards installed in three rooms; budget update; upcoming events.