February 11, 2013 at 3:00 PM - Board of Education Regular Meeting

Discussion:  Meeting called to order at 3:00 PM by President Jedlicka. A study session on the search for a new superintendent was led by Marsha Herring, representative from the National Association of School Boards. A supper break was taken at 5:10 PM. The meeting resumed at 5:38 PM. Others present at the meeting included Superintendent Stevens, Principals Grammer, Comley, and Pavlik, Assistant Principal Kovar, and Curriculum Director Gibbons.

Discussion:  All present participated in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Discussion:  President Jedlicka declared the meeting was preceded by advance notice and declared to be an open session. He also read the SCS Vision Statement.

Discussion:  All claims were approved except one claim to Alegent Health and one claim for miscellaneous expenses.

Discussion:  FCCLA sponsor, Mary Breedlove, and FCCLA officers attended the meeting to promote FCCLA Week and special activities being observed February 11 to February 14.

Discussion:  The sidewalk to be constructed by the City of Schuyler in the vicinity of SES will cost $72,000 with $7200 being committed to the project by SCS. It is the expectation of the district that the city will clear the snow from the sidewalk.

Discussion:  Regarding the roof repair at the North Ward Preschool, JP Construction has indicated they are not interested in repairing the entry way only. Magnum Builders has agreed to repair the entry way, fascia, and multi-purpose room for their original bid of $22,500. They also assure SCS they will construct things in such a way as to prevent any problems should the entry way be demolished at a future date.

Discussion:  A meeting to resolve the a question regarding the installation of a heat pump at SES was held on January 24th. Those in attendance included: Bill Comley, Ronnie Mundil, Paul Dirkschneider, John Bierman, Ryan Stearns (via phone), Loup Power representatives (via phone), M.E. Group representative (HVAC contractors), Aaon factory representatives (builders of the HVAC unit) and Mr. Stevens. A brief explanation stated there is no need for a heat pump because each classroom has heat strip modules therefore the heat is regulated at the individual classrooms not at the HVAC unit. In addition, the manufacturer will provide an $8,000 cash settlement, provide one additional year on the warranty and continue to experiment with ways to reduce noise caused by the rooftop HVAC unit.

Discussion:  A replacement van has been ordered from Reinecke Motors and will arrive in a week at a cost of $20,500 prior to any seat modifications.

Discussion:  SCS had an audit of the food service program by the NDE. The audit went very well which is a credit to Jeff Andel and Shelley Friesz. One of the recommendations made was to make additional changes in the food service policy.

Discussion:  Brian Vavricek reported that the SCS Foundation would like to resume and sponsor the Labor Day Alumni basketball tournament if chairperson can be found to organize it.

Discussion:  The wording on the motion was amended to read as "Allowing the SCS Foundation to accept Hewgley and Associates as the architect to provide an artist's visual rendering of the Performing Arts Facility." The rendering will cost no more than $3500.

Discussion:  The rural schools continue to revise and update their safety procedures. Six 8th graders at Richland School and three 8th graders at Fisher’s #24 will be invited to participate in the iPad distribution and parent meetings the week of February 11 at SMS.

Discussion:  We have received official word that the Schuyler Community School District has been identified as being a Title 1 district in need of improvement, year two, for the 2012-13 school year. The Nebraska Department of Education has notified us that the district is required to develop or revise an improvement plan to address the deficiencies that prevent students from achieving proficiency.

Discussion:  Impact testing for spring athletes will take place on February 18th. In the area of transportation, another bus is needed. A suggestion of the best efficiency for our district is a 15-20 passenger diesel bus. The school board is asked for their input on this decision. In addition, a board member requested that the lighting in the west gym be checked to improve luminosity.

Discussion:  Americom will begin pulling the wiring at SCHS for the new public address and security camera system on February 11.

Discussion:  On February 14th, various interested parties will meet with a representative from the Buffet Foundation to ask for assistance in creating an early childhood facility which would serve birth to five years of age.

Discussion:  A new logo was created for Schuyler Middle School by teacher, Shane Haley. The Colfax County Spelling Bee was held on Monday, February 4th with 32 participants. Congratulations go out to Rachel Shonka, first place and Thomas Marxsen second place. On the evening of Tuesday, February 12th and all day Wednesday, February 13th, iPads will be distributed to all of the 8th grade students in the district.

Discussion:  There is a proposal to change credits required for graduation at SCHS. These changes would become the graduation requirements for the class of 2017. The number of credits required to graduate would remain 255 but Personal Finance and Oral Communications/Speech would become required classes. The NeSA writing assessment was given to the junior class on Tuesday February 5th. Sunday, January 20th the SCHS National Honor Society inducted eight new members to the chapter.

Discussion:  We have been notified by ESU7 that Shari Balak, speech pathologist for SCS, will be retiring at the end of 2013 as well. Dale Ruehling is filling in at SCHS as a long-term sub in the math department. Also discussed was the staffing and plan for 504R for the 13-14 school year. The planning committee will work on a plan to present at the March meeting.

Discussion:  It was suggested that any student who now attends District 504R who would like to transfer for the 13-14 school year to another SCS school be encouraged to begin the transfer paperwork as soon as possible. This would help the teacher(s)in the new school to prepare for the upcoming school year.