March 9, 2020 at 6:30 PM - Board of Education Regular Meeting

Rationale: 

STRIVE  -  COMMIT  -  SUCCEED  -  District Mission Statement

Schuyler Community Schools in partnership with parents, students, and the community is committed to educate students to become skilled, knowledgeable and responsible citizens in a global society - District Vision Statement

Notice of this meeting was given in advance according to State Law 84-1411, by giving notice of the meeting to the public.  Notice of this meeting was also given in advance to all members of the Board of Education

Rationale: 

This meeting has been preceded by advance notice and is hereby declared to be in open session.  A copy of the Open Meetings Act is posted in the front of the meeting room.

Nebraska Open Meetings Act:  http://nitc.nebraska.gov/documents/statutes/NebraskaOpenMeetingsAct_current.pdf

Rationale:  Discuss, Consider and Take Action on the consent agenda

Rationale:  This committee is responsible for reviewing curriculum recommendations, textbook selection, requisitions/inventory, and instructional programs.

Rationale: 
Attached is the 2020-21 Master Contract for special education services from ESU 7.  We only pay for the services we use.  The services outlined on the estimates are based on our use for the 2019-20 school year and anticipated services for the 2020-21 school year. 

Rationale:  This committee is responsible for recommending the annual district calendar, strategic planning process, technology, and promoting positive public relations and communications program.

Rationale: 
Attached is the 2020-21 school calendar recommendation.  The SEA and administration have met and discussed calendar options and are recommending the attached calendar.

Calendar Highlights
Flex .5 Day for Teachers:  Week of August 3-7
Staff Start Date:  Monday, August 10th
Open House:  Tuesday, August 11th, (1:00 to 8:00 PM)
Student Start Date:  Wednesday, August 12th
Tech Fair:  October 13th, .5 Day for students, .5 Day for staff
P-T Conferences: October13th Evening, October 14th: 8-4
Thanksgiving Break:  November 25-27
Christmas Break:  2 Full Weeks
MLK and Strategic Planning Day:  January 18th
Winter Break:  February 19th (State Wrestling Tournament)
PT Conferences:  March 9th  (8:00AM to 8:00PM)
Spring Break:  March 10-12
Easter Break:  April 2 and April 5
Graduation:  May 16, 2021
Final Day for Students:  Wednesday, May 19th
Final Day for Staff:  Wednesday, May 21st

*As discussed at the last board meeting, we are recommending a half day prior to the start of school for teachers to work in their rooms.  We used to have 3 days for teacher workshops at the beginning of the school year, but for the last several years, we have settle on two days.  We believe the half day in August is a better option than bringing them back on Monday, May 24th for a half day.  The flex time allows teachers who have something planned for the week prior to the start of school to work around their family schedules.

Rationale:  This committee is responsible for budget, finance, and contract negotiations with administration, certificated staff, and support staff.

Rationale: 
Early Retirement Requests. (Maximum 4)
1. Tracy Kracl:  SES Teacher
2. Barbara McGowan:  SES Teacher
3. Jennifer Hammernik:  Fishers Teacher

Retirements
1.  Mary Didier:  SCHS School Nurse

Resignations
1.  Mandy Yosten: SCHS Language Arts Teacher
2.  Ben Coatney:  SCHS/SMS Instrumental Music Teacher
3.  Patricia Sparling:  SES Special Education Teacher
4.  Jean Rocheford:  SES 4th Grade Teacher
5.  Troy Ehmke:  SMS/SCHS instrumental Music Teacher
6.  Joel Carillo:  SCHS Math Teacher
 

Rationale: 
Administration
1.  Cara Neesen:  SES K-2 Principal
2.  Andy Banahan:  SMS Assistant Principal/AD

Teachers
1.  Caitlin Becker:  SES/Rural Special Education Teacher
2.  Kassandra Broman:  SMS Family/Consumer Science
3.  Paul Niedbalski:  SCHS/SMS Instrumental Teacher
4.  Ryan Baldwin:  SMS/SCHS Instrumental Teacher
5.  Jennifer Novak:  SES Special Education
6.  Kari Liermann:  SES Classroom Teacher
 

Rationale:  Board Committee Meetings:  Set dates for board committees to meet prior to the April School Board Meeting.

1. American Civics, Assessment, and Instructional Programs
    a.  American Civics Board Committee Requirements
    b.  2020 Instructional Programs Recommendations
    c.  Textbook Cycle and Curriculum Portal

2.  Governance, Public Relations, Technology, and Planning
     a.  2020 Strategic Planning Document
     b.  2020 Technology Plan

3.  Buildings, Grounds, and Transportation
     a.  2020 Transportation Update and Vehicle Replacement Plan
     b.  2020 Equipment Replacement Plan
     c.  2020 Summer Buildings/Grounds Plan
     d.  District Office Building Update
     e.  High School Building Project
     f.   District 4-R Building
          (Bi-Weekly construction meeting rescheduled for Tuesday, March 10th at 1:30 PM.). Picking out colors and materials.

3.  Budget, finance, negotiations, and personnel
     a.  2020-21 Program Director Contracts
     b.  2020-21 Certified Staff Contracts
     c.  2020-21 Support Staff Salary Schedule
     d.  2020-21 Budget and Finance Update

Rationale:  Preschool and SES 3-5 Principal’s Report:  Mr. Comley
This month I would like to highlight Ms. Taylor. Ms. Taylor has always and continues to give her all to music at the elementary level and sometimes beyond. A specific example of Ms. Taylor going above and beyond was a couple weeks ago she took the time on a Friday evening to play with the pep band at a SCHS  basketball game. It was great to see her enthusiasm working alongside students! Thank you for all you do Ms. Taylor!

SES K-2 Principal’s Report:  Mr. Kovar
Program/Staff Member Spotlight:  I would like to highlight Abby Krueger, 2nd grade teacher at Schuyler Elementary School. Ms. Krueger is in her 3rd year of teaching, and also coaches high school girls basketball. Ms. Krueger demonstrates a positive attitude, and shows evidence of key Marzano strategies in her classroom, as well as evidence of Capturing Kids Hearts, and APL. Ms. Krueger is willing to be flexible in difficult situations, and always keeps a smile on her face. She put in many long days during basketball season, but was always prepared for the next day. She is a pleasure to work with, and has grown so much as a teacher during her first 3 years. We are lucky to have her.  

Fisher’s & Richland Principal’s Report". Ms. Bebout
Program Highlight:  Dual Language Program:  I would like to thank the school board for sending the dual language teachers to the NABE Conference!  There are not many conferences that my teachers can attend that are specific to dual language. It was a great opportunity for them to be affirmed about what they are already doing that is amazing, but also the opportunity to learn new skills and find resources they could bring back to the classroom.  Each teacher has typed up a small summary of their visit.
Rhonda Sellentin - I want to truly thank you for this awesome learning and collaboration experience.  Some of the major takeaways from the conference is that our Dual Language instruction should be in the model of Holistic Bilingualism not Monolingualism.  We need to use comparisons to build on our primary language to our second language. We need to have bridges in the form of posters and word/main idea walls, authentic multicultural books, teach cognates that students can use in order to learn the new language.  I also found out about a website that the students could use, in school as well at home, to practice in English and Spanish their vocabulary, comprehension, phonological awareness, and phonics called, "Little Sponges". I liked the ideas on centers, using music, intervention structures and plans as well as partner collaboration to review skills.  Ms. Ramirez and I are excited to use these techniques to better our teaching in our Kindergarten Dual Language classes this year and into our future classes. Again, thank you!
Guadalupe Ramirez - During the NABE conference I learned a variety of reading strategies and literacy center ideas that I would like to implement in my classroom. I would like to divide my reading instruction time by incorporating three different components such as whole-group, small group, and literacy centers to maximize the learning of my students. The speakers reiterated that Spanish should not be taught like the English Language. Spanish is a much more transparent language and English is not. Our main focus should be building students' vocabulary in both languages by the use of translanguaging (bridging) in the classrooms. It was a fantastic conference that brought so many states, countries, and languages together to embrace and celebrate culture.  Thank you sooo much for the great opportunity to attend NABE 2020. 
Denise Stevenson - NABE was unbelievable!  13 countries, 45 states, and 3,000 people all learning how to successfully teach bilingual children.  I learned about biliteracy, translanguage (bridging) the two languages, the importance of teaching cognates (30-40% of all words in English), and equity in instructional materials.  I was able to look at bilingual books and resources. I learned how to integrate English Language Arts and music with EL students. Math journals, math games, concept maps, wait time, partner discussions (using sentence stems), group discussions, class discussions, explaining your brain, gestures, sketches, scaffolding, and extensive reading, writing, and oracy are critical in dual language and EL.  Language is not just during reading, it is taught all day. 
Trivia= The current 3rd graders could be the first humans to go to Mars. -Buzz Aldrin's son (guest speaker at NABE 2020)
Maria Bonilla - NABE was a blessing for me. I had an opportunity to hear great presenters who had so many strategies that I was able to bring back into my classroom. I learned the importance of "bridging" content to help our students make the connection between English and Spanish. Helping them figure out that they will not just be translating information but they will be able to understand and process information in both languages. There is a huge difference in the Graphophonemic System. Therefore both languages require a different amount of focus on each component and what to teach first. I wasn’t sure about how to do interventions with my students in Spanish but found out that vocabulary is KEY. I am so thankful for this experience.

SMS Assistant Principal’s Report:  Mr. Zavadil
Program/Staff Member Spotlight:  At this time of year all of our teachers are working hard and doing great things for kids, but one teacher I would like to recognize is Mr. Wiseman.  He has been our Boy’s middle school PE teacher the past two years and has served as a coach in both football and basketball.  Mr. Wiseman does a great job of teaching skills to our students during PE class.  We are also very excited for our new hires.  In both FCS and Band.  I feel that we got two great candidates and I am excited to work with them.  We are also excited for parent teacher conferences next week.  This is a great time of year and very important way to connect with our parents.

SMS Principal’s Report:  Mrs. Burton
Program Highlights:  Mrs. Wemhoff and Mrs. Recinos and their ELL Team just finished up the annual ELPA testing.  This is quite a process, as each ELL student has to take a combination of four tests in order to demonstrate growth and eventual proficiency in the English language.  Both teachers give quite a bit of their time and energy during this process, and it is very appreciated!
Upcoming Events:
Parent-Teacher Conferences are tomorrow, Tuesday, March 10^th.  SMS Teachers are available from 8:00-11:40 a.m., 12:40-4:00 p.m., and 5:00-8:00 p.m.  We will be working with parents to schedule their students for next year. 
NSCAS Testing will take place on April 1, 8^th, and 15^th.  It is requested that all SMS staff members be in attendance to help testing go smoothly.  We also ask that all students are present during the morning hours to ensure that testing goes well. 
The SMS STUCO Dance will take place Saturday, March 28^th from 5:00-8:00 p.m. All academically and behaviorally eligible 6-8 students from SMS, Richland, and Fischer’s are able to attend.

Program/Staff Member Spotlight:  I want to recognize Dan Wolken. Mr. Wolken is one of our HS Social Studies teachers.  He is also our only staff member who coached three sports last year.  (VB, GBB and TR).  Mr. Wolken is a great example for all of us, he is extremely positive and is always coaching his teams.  Not only do we notice this but I received unsolicited texts and emails from others outside of our community praising his work with our girls.  "If I had a daughter I would want her to play for him", and that is maybe the best compliment you can ever give a coach.

SCHS Principal’s Report:  Mr. Grammer
Program Spotlight:  Not new to SCHS, are the breakfast and lunch programs, which are vital programs at the high school.  The lunch and breakfast programs allow students who at times struggle to have meals at home, get an opportunity to get two meals a day.  Our food staff work hard every day to provide healthy meals for our staff and student’s. About five years ago we added the Grab-and-Go breakfast program, which was implemented to provide another breakfast option for students. We have a solid lunch program and are always looking to improve the program.  With the construction of a new cafeteria and lunchroom, we are looking to improve and expand our lunch and breakfast programs. We are also looking to develop a Culinary Arts Curriculum, which will work in conjunction with the food programs. I would like to recognize the food staff for providing a quality program and continually strive to provide a successful program throughout the school year.
Staff Member Recognition:  The staff members I would like to recognize for their work at the high school this month are the high school food staff and the supervisor of the district wide lunch and breakfast programs, Mrs. Jamie Ramirez. As presented in the Program Spotlight in this report, Mrs. Ramirez is the supervisor of our lunch and breakfast programs. Mrs. Ramirez has worked hard to develop successful lunch and breakfast programs and provide opportunities for our students to have healthy meals twice a day. She ensures that students get a good meal each and every day.  She has taken on the responsibility of developing and implementing solid lunch and breakfast program, with great enthusiasm.  Mrs. Ramirez has a dedicated food staff at the high school and this staff strives every day to make sure our students don’t go without a meal.
Monthly Highlights
• Congratulations to Schuyler’s FFA Students that competed at Districts.
• Continue our work with Discovery Ed and Priority Team
• Construction continues at a good pace
• Starting our formal observations and walkthroughs

Rationale: 
Youth Sports Director:  Mr. Kovar
Program/Staff Member Spotlight:  I would like to highlight Sarah Leimser, youth softball coach. In an effort to help build skills at the youth level, in the area of softball, we added this program this year. Pitching and catching are two very important positions on the softball field, so this will be the primary focus of youth softball this year. I am happy to report that we have 15 girls signed up, and they meet on Mondays and Wednesdays. I feel that this experience will be extremely valuable to the softball program, to help identify those players who have an interest in playing pitcher and catcher. Pitching and catching are such specialty positions, and it takes tens of thousands of repetitions to build these skills. With this new program, we can start to identify who those players are, and help them to build those fundamental skills, that are necessary to be effective in those positions.

Warrior Academy - After-School Program Director’s Report:  Ms. Bebout
Staff Member Highlight:  Warrior Academy employee of the month.  The students are able to nominate who they would like to see win this!  Congratulations Jose Guzmanl!!!
Jose Guzman - February ASP Employee of the Month:  This is Jose’s first year working in Warrior Academy. He came in very shy and quiet. After being here for a few weeks the students helped him come out of his shell. He has been a great worker and very kind to the students. He is very responsible and always on time or even early.
Mia Leon (1st): He plays tag with me, the twin in 3rd grade and Cristal. He’s nice to me. Last time we played freeze tag and he played with us.
Edrick Ramos (2nd): I like him very much because he’s very nice and he talks a lot to everyone and me.
Noel Guzman (3rd): He’s a nice and fun person to be around with. He’s also a good helper. He’s also one of the greatest people I’ve ever met.
Evelyn Martinez (5th): He’s very nice, kind and helpful also makes us laugh.

SMS Activities Director’s Report:  Mr. Zavadil
Program Spotlights: 
Boys basketball season wrapped up with a win against Madison. 
Track coaches are ready for their sign-up meeting next week.  We are anticipating large numbers again this year.  Our first meet is April 6^th. 
Field-House remains very busy and we are eagerly awaiting Mrs. Trotter’s return from maternity leave. 
Strategic Plan athletic section has also been updated to help give our athletic programs goals and actions for improvement for next year.

SCHS Activities Director’s Report:  Mr. Kasik
Program/Staff Member Spotlight:  I would like to spotlight our upcoming Volleyball team.  First of all I want to thank Mrs. Saalfeld for the last three years of work with this group.  With her resignation we are excited to name Ms. Ali Scheil as our new Head VB coach.  Ms. Scheil is a HS PE teacher that recently graduated from UNK where she was played on tremendous VB teams over the past four years.  She is excited to start working with her team and prepare for next year’s season.
Upcoming Events:  We will soon be wrapping up our winter seasons with District Speech at WSC on 3/14, as well  as starting  our spring seasons.  Cheer and Dance tryouts will be beginning soon as well.  Keep this great weather coming!!

SCHS Student Services Director’s Report:  Dr. lefdal
Program Spotlight:  I would like to spotlight Mr. Thumann.  Aaron has been working diligently with our students in the alternative education program.  Every meeting I have with him, he is trying to find ways to help our students, make our program/school better, and has an excellent attitude while doing it.  I feel blessed to be working with him and am proud to be on his team.
Notale Topics:  The administrative team has been working on 30-second feedback with value add components during observations.  This allows for great communication and ideas to flow in a coaching type of system. This has been a great tool for me as an educational leader and is one more tool for my tool belt.
Looking ahead:  I am excited to see the spring sports season get under way.  My children are excited about the opportunities they have in track and golf.  I know a number of our students are excited about the upcoming soccer season as well.  Nice weather and great competition are only a short time away!

Special Education Director’s Report:  Mrs. Vrba
Program/Staff Member Spotlight:  Special Education Spotlight is...shining brightly on Elyse Belina. Elyse is one of the most dedicated teachers on the SES team. She is always diligently at work navigating the "organized chaos" in her classroom.  Along with Elyse providing constant hands-on activities, she is providing guidance to all of her para-educators that are working with our students in and out of the general education classrooms. I know that you have heard me say this a million times, but the work Elyse has done with the Intensive Verbal Program is just unbelievable. When I watch her and/or her paras working with those who were once nonverbal students who have  built their vocabulary up to 100 or more words, I get the opportunity to hear those little voices...it is truly amazing and a true goose bump moment.  (Honestly, I can't image how their parents are feeling!) Elyse is energetic, creative and has shown that she is very flexible and can roll with the punches with her great sense of humor. There has never been a time that I didn't walk out of Elyse's room thinking to myself she is truly a gift from God to our school district and to the children of Schuyler Elementary!

Curriculum, Assessment, Professional Development Director:  Dr. Gibbons
Program/Staff Member Spotlight - Guadalupe Ramirez, Rhonda Sellentin, Maria Bonilla, Denise Stevenson, Heather Bebout, Evelyn Recinos, Brandi Zavadil, Elizabeth Lickei, Joey Lefdal, Becky Lefdal and I attended the National Association of Bilingual Education Conference recently.  We must provide professional development as part of our Title III grant so this met the criteria for that grant. We went with three goals in mind:

1. Examine strategies to improve our Dual Language Program.
2. Look for materials or programs to help service Kindergarten and 1st grade Newcomer students.
3. Develop a plan to improve EL programing at SCHS. 

Over the next couple weeks we will create action plans as a part of our overall strategic plan.
Science Curriculum Adoption - Members of the K-5 Science Curriculum Team will be piloting the use of the 2019 NGSS Edition of the Discovery Education Science Techbook.  We will have a training on March 17.
Curriculum Development Requests - 

• With new standards this year, it is important for our Social Studies curriculum team to get together this summer to identify priority standards and develop curriculum materials.  
• The Science team will also do curriculum work with the adoption of new materials.
• Jared Severson has requested time to work on the Culinary Arts curriculum and, 
• The dual language team has requested time to improve their curriculum.

Testing Season -  State testing season starts soon.  

• ELPA 21 (ELL) - February 3 - March 13
• NSCAS ELA, Math and Science (grades 3 - 8) - March 16 - April 24 
• ACT - April 7

Rationale: 
1.  March Priority School Report:  I just received the report and had to add it to my report, rather than create an additional agenda item within the 24 hours of the meeting.  See attached report. 

2.  COVID-19 Response:  I met with our nurses and crisis team leaders about the best way to make sure our students, staff, parents and community are aware that we are paying attention to the recent COVID-19 health crisis while not creating unnecessary fear.  Attached are the English/Spanish versions of information flyers and posters we will make available to parents during P-T Conferences on Tuesday.  We will also use our website to display these posters as well as a website for more information is:  https://scdhec.gov/health/infectious-diseases/viruses/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19/educational-outreach-materials-2019-ncov

3.  Sale of the Special Education Building:  The special education building was sold to NuTrend.  This is the same company that bought the high school and preschool portable classroom.  The high bid was $25,000 and the building will be moved over spring break (March 11-13)

4.  District 4-R:  Attached below is correspondence with Chris Langemeier and Landmark Realty on his thoughts about the District 4-R Building.  See attachment.

5.  2020-21 Hiring Process:  The principals are doing an excellent job of getting out early and hiring replacement teacher positions.  Due to recent resignations and early retirements, we currently have the following positions listed and will be working at filling these positions as soon as possible.
1.  SCHS Language Arts Teacher
2.  SCHS Math Teacher
3.  SES Physical Education Teacher
4.  SES Regular Classroom Teacher
5. Fishers Regular Classroom Teachers

Program/Staff Member Spotlight:  Penny Janousek does an excellent job as our business manager.  She goes above and beyond to manage the day-to-day payroll and accounting practices, to asking questions about best practice and responding to staff payroll and benefit questions.  She is approachable and willing serve our staff and public with a great attitude.  This month she moved to the new district office and kept routines moving forward without missing a beat. 

Custodial Staff:  I also want to recognize the maintenance staff, especially  Ronnie, Paul, Juan, Maria, Ramona, Terry, Marv, and Rick for their work on the new district building and moving offices over the last month.  This was a huge undertaking, and they did so with a great attitude.

Principal Interview Teams:  Big thank you to the interview teams that worked extra hours and accepted the responsibility of interviewing and vetting elementary principal and middle school assistant principal candidates.
SES Teachers:  Rachel Wood, Elyse Belina, Meridith Riha, and Sheila Hoppe
SES Admin Team:  Bill Comley, Jesse Zavadil, Darli Vrba, and Dave Gibbons
SMS Teachers:  Andy Hall, Chad Wiseman, Michael Baptiste, Paula Kment, and Samantha Ladwig,
SMS Admin Team:  Jesse Zavadil, Jim Kasik, Darli Vrba, and Dave Gibbons
These teams took input from staff through the Thoughtexchange process, selected questions from a pool of high reliability questions, interviewed and represented our district in securing our first choices for these two positions.

Rationale: 
Foundation Reports on Foundation Website.