Public Meeting Minutes: August 12, 2013 at 6:30 PM - Board of Education Regular Meeting

I. Call Meeting to Order

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

Discussion: Meeting called to order and the Vision and the Mission Statement was read by President Jedlicka. Others present at the meeting were Principals Pavlik, Vrba, Grammer, Reinsch, and Comley; Assistant Principal Kovar; Curriculum Director Gibbons, Activity Administrator Egr; and Superintendent, Dr. Hoesing.

I.A. Pledge of Allegiance

Discussion: All present participated in the Pledge of Allegiance.

I.B. Declaration of Open Meeting

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 hallway outside the Media Center.

Discussion: President Jedlicka declared that this meeting has been posted in advance in three public places and that the meeting was open to the public.

II. Approval of Consent Agenda

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

Recommended Motion(s): Motion to approve the consent agenda Passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Motion to approve the consent agenda Passed with a motion by Richard Brabec and a second by Brian Vavricek.

No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.

II.A. Agenda

II.B. Minutes

II.C. Acceptance of Claims

II.C.1. Bills of $5,000 or more

II.D. Financial

II.E. Other Listed Reports

III. Public Forum - We ask that all presentation be limited in their length.

III.A. Recognition of visitors and guests

III.B. Other topics (limited to 5 minutes - subject to guidelines of the Board Participation Policy)

III.C. Student Representative's Report

Discussion: Student Council members aided with the iPad distribution and also at Freshmen/New Student Orientation. The Back-to-School Dance will be held August 16. SCHS received a grant from the State Forestry Service to build an amphitheater in the green space just west of the main school building. The local FFA Chapter will be featured on RFD TV from August 18-21.

IV. Board Requests/Reports

IV.A. Americanism

IV.B. Budget

IV.C. Building and Grounds

IV.D. Curriculum

IV.E. Negotiations

IV.F. Planning

IV.G. Policy

IV.G.1. Discuss, consider and take action to approve 2nd reading of 2013-14 policy updates.

Rationale: Attached are the new board policies as presented for first reading in July.

502.03.01: New Kindergarten entrance requirements. Please review and let me know if you have any concerns about the new language.

503.10: Option enrollment policy. There are 3 options for accepting and releasing students. The administration recommends the board adopt Option 1 for accepting students and option 2 for releasing students. These two options are most like your present policy.

610.02: Assessment and Standards update. Same as old policy except with reference to the updated standards.

612.18: Initiations and Hazing. This policy is not in response to a new law, rather, in response to various incidents that have happened in Nebraska school districts in the past.

704.07: GASB Audit Requirements: Puts into writing accounting practices we are already held to and provides the required policy language for our audit.

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Motion to take action to approve the second reading of the 2013-2014 policy updates. Passed with a motion by Richard Brabec and a second by Lumir Jedlicka.

No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.

Discussion: Dr Hoesing presented and made recommendations for new board policies on the following: Kindergarten Entrance Requirements; Option Enrollment Policy; Assessment and Standards Update; Initiations and Hazing; and GASB Audit Requirements.

IV.G.1.1. Motion to waive the first reading on the new policy on compulsory attendance.

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Motion to waive the first reading on the new policy on compulsory attendance. Passed with a motion by Richard Brabec and a second by Lumir Jedlicka.

No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.

IV.G.2. Discuss, consider and take action to fund the Early Retirement Incentive Program for the 2013-14 school year.

Rationale: Last year the board of education spent considerable time updating the early retirement incentive policy. It was also decided at that time to fund the policy on a year-by-year basis. Below are the notes from August 2012 and attached is the early retirement policy adopted at that time.

V.G.5, a and b
Again, the policy committee visited at length about the Early Retirement Incentive Policy – ERIP. Included in the conversation was whether or not to continue the policy. The answer is the policy committee would like to continue the policy for another year and keep looking at it on a year by year basis. The policy committee also looked at the possibility of having retirees donate the unused sick days to the district. The district in turn would donate $100/day in the name of the person who donated the unused sick days to the SCS Foundation. While this is a creative, unique thought; it is also inappropriate (illegal) to use public funds in this manner (again, based on legal counsel of Rex Schultze). Finally, the policy is requesting that Section B; Paragraph 1; Clause b and c – be removed from the ERIP policy. This action will remove all administrators and certified coordinators from the benefit.

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Motion to take action to fund the Early Retirement Incentive Program for the 2013-2014 school year. Passed with a motion by Lumir Jedlicka and a second by Virginia Semerad.

No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.

Discussion: The Nebraska State Legislature took no action that would change the policy on Early Retirement. The ERIP policy adopted by the SCS Board of Education will remain unchanged.

IV.H. Public Relations

IV.I. Foundation

Discussion: The SCS Foundation met on August 5. Ideas were presented to develop a "Distinguished Alumni Award." Plans are being made to have a float in the Labor Day parade.

IV.J. Personnel

IV.J.1. Discuss, consider and take action to approve staff resignations.

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Motion to approve the staff resignation of Christina Abney. Passed with a motion by Richard Brabec and a second by Brian Vavricek.

No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.

IV.J.2. Discuss administrative recommendations on new hires.

Rationale: See attached information.

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Motion approve the administrative recommendations to hire the following: Jayme Puntney - Kindergarten, Jennifer Bennett - Para-Educator, Richland, Ashley Berggren - Para-Educator,SES Janett Marino-Garcia, Para-Educator, SES Passed with a motion by Lumir Jedlicka and a second by Virginia Semerad.

No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.

V. Administrative and Other Reports

V.A. Rural/Satellite Schools Report

Discussion: Classes at the rural schools begin with a half day on Wednesday, August 14th. Enrollment at Richland School is 41 students and at Fishers #24 is 71 students.

V.B. Curriculum/Instruction/Assessment

Discussion: On August 13, 2013 NeSA Reading, Math and Science results will be released to public (district and school level data only )in addition to the Preliminary AYP results on the 2013 SOSR Preview. SCS received an Accreditation letter from AdvancED. It shows that we have the Accreditation Status of Accredited Warned. They reminded SCS of three required actions with submission of evidence or required actions within two years.

V.C. Activities Administrator Report

Discussion: Sport practices begin on August 12th for football, softball, and girls golf. Volleyball and cross country begin on August 19th. Sports physicals will take place at Schuyler Central High School on August 13th from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm. Schedules are available on the school web site. On August 15th, EMS and our football coaches will review football stand-by EMS services. The goal is to have a good partnership with all teams, trainers and coaches to create a win-win for everyone.

V.D. Director of Facilities/Transportation Report

Discussion: Americom completed the phone and intercom system at Fishers #24, and Richland School. Rebates were received from Cornhusker Public Power District for installation of energy saving lights and T-12 ballast replacements. Nelson Construction has completed replacement of the vinyl siding on modular classrooms damaged by hail. The balance of insurance monies has been received for wind and hail damage.

V.E. Schuyler Elementary School Report

Discussion: As of 8/13/12013, enrollment at SES is 799 students. New staff at SES include Clete Vrbka: physical education; Megan Hanner: 3rd grade; Kasey Hansen: 4th grade; Bri Birkel: 4th grade; Ashley Hann: 5th grade; and Danielle Wieberdink: 5th grade.

V.F. Schuyler Middle School Report

Discussion: New staff at SMS are: Mrs. Jill Hoesing, 8th grade language arts teacher; Ms. Miranda Mally, 7th and 8th grade science teacher; Mr. Guillermo Gutierrez, technology lab instructor; Mrs. Sue Steffensmeier, 6th grade reading teacher; and Mrs. Barbara Kudera, Family and Consumer Science teacher.

V.G. Schuyler Central High School Report

Discussion: Additions to the SCHS staff this year are Nicole Sempek (Math), Will Dawes (Industrial Technology), Sean Wickham (Social Studies), Nancy Kneen (Counselor), and Aaron Thumann (Weights/PE ). This summer was the first time that the SCHS office was staffed throughout. The office was open from 8-10am Monday through Thursday.

V.H. Superintendent's Report

V.H.1. Discuss board member attendance at NASB fall meetings.

Rationale: See attached information on the upcoming NASB meetings.

1. Labor Relations in Lincoln on September 5-6. See attachment.

2. NASB Area Membership Meeting in Norfolk on September 25. See attachment.
NASB Area Membership Meeting in Fremont on October 2. See attachment.

Discussion: The NASB is offering continuing education in September and October for School Board members. One topic included will be Labor Relations.

V.H.2. Review 2013-14 Certificated Staff Report.

Rationale: Attached is a copy of our certified staff report for the 2013-14 school year. This report includes a comparison of staff from the 2012-13 school year, individual certificated staff assignments, and activity coaches and sponsors for the 2013-14 school year. This is the information the board will use for their upcoming negotiations on the 2014-15 master contract. See enclosure for detailed information.

2012-13 Staff	SMS	SCHS	SES	4R-Alt Ed	24	Richland	Preschool	District	Total
Administrators	1.5	3	2	0.16	0.17	0.17		2	9
Coordinators								8	8
Certificated Staff	27	38.75	57	1	4	3	4	1.5	136.25
Suppot Staff	18	19	40	2	4	4	4	4	95
Coaches		9							9
TOTAL STAFF	46.5	69.75	99	3.16	8.17	7.17	8	15.5	257.25

2013-14 Staff	SMS	SCHS	SES	4R-Alt Ed	24	Richland	Preschool	District	Total
Administrators	1.14	3	2	0.12	0.12	0.12		2	8.5
Coordinators								8	8
Certificated Staff	27.72	39.62	58.7	1	4.16	3.16	4	1	139.36
Suppot Staff	16	17	42	2	7	4	5	6	99
Coaches		9							9
TOTAL STAFF	44.86	68.62	102.7	3.12	11.28	7.28	9	17	263.86

Discussion: A report of total staff serving SCS schools was given to the school board members. It compared 12-13 with 13-14 with the current year showing a slight increase.

VI. Correspondence Items

VI.A. Update on student option enrollment and transfer requests.

Rationale: See attachment.

Discussion: Option enrollment and transfers of students in the district included 9 intra-district transfers and two options out of the district.

VII. Executive Session

VIII. Adjournment

Recommended Motion(s): Motion to adjourn Passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Motion to adjourn Passed with a motion by Brian Vavricek and a second by Virginia Semerad.

No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.

Discussion: Motion to adjourn at 7:20 PM. All members voted aye.

IX. 2013-14 Budget Workshop

Rationale: Marlene and I met on Thursday, August 8th with the board finance committee (Lumir, Rich, and Chuck) to review the 2012-13 budget and discuss our budget goals for the 2013-14 school year. As a group, we agreed to the following budget/finance goals.
1. Continue with the same levies in the bond payment funds:
     5 cents for the Qualified Capital Purpose Undertaking Fund
     5 cents for the Bond Fund
2. Continue with the same combined levies in the special building fund and general fund not to exceed
      the 2012-13 levies of 1.00.
3. Construct a budget to accommodate the changes and/or increases in salaries, benefits, programs,
     etc... for the 2013-14 school year.
4. Improve cash flow of the general fund with less reliance on inter-fund borrowing to meet monthly
     expenditures.
5. Take advantage of all budget exclusions to protect the district's budget authority.

I will present all budget workshop materials from our finance committee meeting at the budget workshop on Monday following our regular meeting.

Discussion: After the adjournment of the formal school board meeting a budget workshop was held in the SCHS Library Annex. Discussion centered on reviewing the 2012-13 budget and discussing budget goals for the 2013-14 school year The workshop concluded at 9:00 PM.

August 12, 2013 at 6:30 PM - Board of Education Regular Meeting

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