September 20, 2010 at 6:30 PM - Board of Education Regular Meeting

Discussion:  The meeting was called to order by President Wennekamp at 6:32 PM. Members present were Mejstrik, Misek, Brabec, Wennekamp, Semerad, and Parr; student representative Gonzalez was absent. Others present were Superintendent Stevens, Principals Baumert, Grammer, Comley, and Vrba, assistant principals Cunningham and Cline, activities administrator Egr, director of facilities Mundil and curriculum, instruction, and assessment administrator, Dave Gibbons. Community members were also present.

Discussion:  All present participated in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Discussion:  President Wennekamp stated the meeting was preceded by advance public notice and declared to be an open session.

Discussion:  A motion was made by Parr and seconded by Semerad to approve the agenda, minutes, acceptance of claims, financial, and other listed reports; motion passed.

Discussion:  An example of a public hearing notice was presented by superintendent Stevens regarding the QSCB funds that SCS plans to use for proposed construction, expansion, rehabilitation, or renovation of public school facilities. The notice will be published for three weeks in advance of the hearing set for Monday, October 11 at 7:00 PM. A public meeting will immediately follow the public hearing. Joseph Hewgley and Ryan Stearns, representing Joseph Hewgley and Associates, spoke to those present regarding an outline the Schuyler Area Administrators created about how to best use QSCB funds. The board members suggested looking at the pros and cons of the outline more in-depth and studying how decisions will affect SCS students educationally. Two meetings will be scheduled in the next two weeks in order to give the architects more direction and areas to focus on.

Discussion:  Students and parents were present to witness awards presented to students receiving Presidential Excellence Awards and All-A All-Term awards for 2009-2010. Students receiving awards were Jordan Brabec, Will Martin, MacKenzie DeMarque, Caleb Krejci, Morgan Semerad, Kylie Goodrich, Mitchell Heavican, Kyle Novacek, Jason Houdek, and Brent Koliha.

Discussion:  Mr. Droge will be present at the November meeting to present a plan for a wireless upgrade for the SCS district.

Discussion:  The Apple Corp. has invited eight staff and/or administration members to Chicago in October for the purpose of looking at the “One to One” Initiative options. Transportation to Chicago would be at the district’s expense. The question was asked "Why are we pursuing a trip to Chicago for staff members when we have more urgent needs?"

Discussion:  The following policies will be updated: Contracting for Services; Driver Certification for Use of a School Vehicle; Records Management; Wage and Deduction Information; Admissions Requirements; Student Residence, Admission and Contracting for Educational Services; Student Attendance Policy and Excessive Absenteeism; Health Inspections; Assessments—Academic Content Standards; and Minutes of Board Meetings.

Discussion:  An amendment to the Student Transfer Within the District Policy would allow parents who miss the March 15th deadline to use an exception that would allow building principals – both sending and receiving – the opportunity to make the decision to either approve or deny the request. This aligns with the current option enrollment process that is administered by the state.

Discussion:  The policy of Safety of Students of the Schuyler Community Schools Against Sex Offenders will be brought into alignment with state statutes.

Discussion:  Minor changes were made to the Student Residency Policy including changing the title of the policy to the “Proof of Living in the District Policy”, an added statement that says "every effort will be made to maintain confidentiality of the supplied information." Added to the list of examples of documents that can be provided were the words "This is not intended to be an all inclusive list." SCS legal counsel has recommended that the phrase " Anyone who enrolls a non-resident student may be subject to criminal prosecution" be removed from the policy.

Discussion:  The SAA (Schuyler Area Administrators) have made a recommendation to create the position of a Parent Center Liaison. Principal Grammer met with area residents, a member of the Cargill Learning Center and the Schuyler Chamber of Commerce to discuss the concepts of this new position. The position would be located at the Schuyler Middle School. Services would not be limited to parents of students at SCS. $40,000 of Title I funds have been earmarked for this project as well as migrant education dollars.

Discussion:  • Motion, Mejstrik, second, Parr– Motion to approve all bills that are $5000 or more with the exceptions of regular monthly bills. Superintendent Stevens pointed out that six items listed under depreciation were not on the list of bills being voted on. Motion carried.

Discussion:  Superintendent Stevens pointed out to the board members that this action does not include the Sex Offender Policy or the Proof of Living in the School District Policy.

Discussion:  This action governs our district internally only.

Discussion:  Principal Vrba provided graphs to the board members to show how progress is measured on students involved in the NIFDI program. She stated that teachers will receive training all year during 2010-2011 and during 2011-2012 NIFDI will provide training on a consulting basis only.

Discussion:  Principal Baumert reported that curriculum meetings have begun. On October 4 the principal from Seward High School will present to SCHS staff members what Seward High School has done to revise and improve their block schedule. Eighty-nine students are eligible for an incentive field trip on September 29; these students qualified in 09-10 by having no unexcused absences, no failing grades and no discipline issues.

Discussion:  Assistant principal Cunningham reported that voting for homecoming royalty was done all on-line for the first time at SCHS with 60% of the student body taking part.

Discussion:  CIA Gibbons gave results of our ACT composite score average and the Nebraska Statewide Reading Test district scores.

Discussion:  Activities Administrator Egr explained that the west gym would be displaying new banners for senior students involved in activities; the banners will depict the student and list his/her activities. Clarkson High School will no long co-op with SCHS in the wrestling program.

Discussion:  Facilities director Mundil reported that SCS will need two purchase to 11-passenger vans by June of 2011 to comply with state mandates.

Discussion:  Principals’ Vrba and Comley gave a detailed explanation of how the NIFDI reading program is taught and how progress is determined. The current enrollment at the SCS preschool is at sixty-three students.

Discussion:  Principal Grammer reported that twenty-four SMS student attended the Latino Summit held at Papilion/LaVista on September 24. Principal Cline was proud to report that six tubs of food collected at scrimmages were donated to the Schuyler Food Pantry.

Discussion:  Superintendent Stevens reported that five students optioned out of the SCS district. A region 16 director will be voted on. He encouraged board members to attend the NASB conference in Fremont or Norfolk. A date will be set for the November School Board Retreat. The next regularly scheduled board meeting will be October 18, 2010. All board members are encouraged to donate $5 to the felicitations fund at SCHS.

Discussion:  Correspondence was received from Jennifer Hamernik thanking SCS for recognizing her years of service.

Discussion:  A motion was made at 9:50 PM by Parr and seconded by Mejstrik to adjourn. Motion carried.