November 11, 2013 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 hallway outside the Media Center.

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

Rationale:  We will have all invoices available for your review at the meeting.  If you have any questions on any of the claims listed on this report, please come to the meeting early so that you can have time to review it prior to approving payment.  Thanks.

Rationale:  After researching the list of bills above $5,000 I found out that reoccurring bills from month to month were not included on the list. Beginning this month (November) we will list all bills over $5,000 for your review.  In October there was a question on the utilities bill for October.  After review, we found the bill of $41,477.96 was a thousand dollars less than October of 2012! October is typically one of the higher utility bills of the year.

Rationale:  Included in the financial information are 3 reports.  The first report is the activity fund report.  Mrs. Egr worked to balance each fund this month so that you would be better able to see the budget and projected income needed for each activity area.  Thanks Mrs. Egr and Sally Jakub for your work on this fund.

The second report is a more detailed treasurer's report.  This report will reflect a more detailed accounting of funds budgeted, receipted, and expended during the month and year-to-date.  It also shows you cash balances in each fund.

The summary receipt and expenditure reports provide you with a comparison from the two previous school years.  This allows you to see, in a snapshot, how the 2013-14 budget projections are managed.  We also included cash flow reports from 2012-13 and 2013-14 which reflect the cash flow in each fund and a comparison to the last school year.  These reports should enable you to have a pretty clear picture of the current year's financial status.

Rationale:  We have one student from the Alternative Education Center to receive his diploma from the board of education this evening.  The student's name is Leo Torres.  Congratulations to Leo and his family on his accomplishment.

In addition, Luis Pedraza has also completed.  He will receive his diploma at another time.

Rationale:  The budget committee met with Pekny and Associates to discuss the 2012-13 AFR and Audit Report.  In the past, Pekny's attended the meeting and went through the documents at that time.  This year members of the finance committee met at Pekny and Associates to review both documents.  If other members of the board would like to have a more formal review, we will arrange a time to meet and review this information.  The two reports were reviewed and submitted by November 1st and 5th as required by law.  The board should go on record as accepting the reports as filed.  See attached reports.

Rationale:  This transfer request is from the 2012-13 school year.  We did not make the transfer at the end of the year as our cash flow was too tight in August.  The board approved the check in October, but there was no formal board action taken at that time.  In order to keep the audit clean, I recommend the board approve the $20,000 transfer at the November board meeting.

Rationale:  The Elementary PTO has raised $35,000 toward the purchase of new playground equipment for the elementary building.  They would like to get this equipment installed as soon as possible so that the students will be able to use it during the 2013-14 school year. 

Rationale:  Attached is the equipment quote along with actual pictures of the playground equipment.  The total cost of the equipment is $40,216.  We can either fund the difference from the depreciation fund or raise the remainder.  The site already has sidewalk borders, but we would have to take care of installation and mulch. We can also choose to install it ourselves or have them install it at their quoted cost.   I contacted DEQ and we will be submitting our application for a reimbursement for 50% of the cost of the mulch.  Applications are due in February and awards will be made in April so we would be able to complete this process within our fiscal year.

Rationale:  I visited with Marcia Herring and she is willing to conduct the board strategic planning session for the district.  The staff will meet on the morning of December 6th to provide input for board consideration.   Marcia will assist us with compiling this information and assist us in organizing the board/community retreat on the evening of Thursday, December 12th.  I have a meeting scheduled with Marcia for the morning of November 11th to discuss our process and check on any other possible dates.  We will need to compile a list of community patrons, business community, etc... to participate in this process.

Update:  Marcia Herring is also available on December 19th.  She will know after her meeting tonight if she is also available on December 16th and 17th. 

Rationale:  Lucas Juarez, representing Young Adults for Christ requested board consideration of renting school facilities for a weekend retreat.  The retreat is a 3-day event including 2 overnights with approximately 150 participants.  The Young Adults for Christ are affiliated with Divine Mercy Parish.  While there may be come concern about future requests, the board needs to respond according to the policies you have in place at this time.  If you want to review the policy in the future to address any concerns, you can certainly do just that.  Attached is the board policy outlining procedures for renting school facilities. 

Rationale:  We are recommending moving Juan from the high school house keeping position to the maintenance position.  We are also recommending a new hire to fill the high school housekeeping position beginning as soon as possible.

Rationale:  Congratulation to Jake Kasik and Mr. Mark Wemhoff on qualifying for the American Junior Academy Science Fair in Chicago from February 12-16.  This is Schuyler Central High School's first qualifier.  According to our negotiated agreement, the board will make funds available from curriculum improvement and program development for program proposals throughout the school year.  The unreimbursed costs are $1,818.  See attached request.

Rationale:  1.  Paul Strawhecker from Paul Strawhecker, Inc. will be here to share information from the October Foundation meeting.  His company is a regional, comprehensive fundraising and development consulting firm  for nonprofit organizations.  His company assisted Schuyler with their successful fundraising efforts on the Alegent Health Memorial Hospital project.  He will have a 10 minute presentation and then open the floor for questions.  See attached Overview from our Foundation Meeting.

2.  The November Agenda and Minutes are on the District Meeting Site.  Brian, Lumir, and Virginia will share information from our meeting on Monday, November 4th.  See minutes on the public meeting site.

Rationale:  Richland
1.  P/T Conferences - 100% Attendance

2.  Box Tops Contest Raised $157.20 (Activity Fund)

3.  Parent Prepared Thanksgiving Dinner set for Monday, November 18

4.  Winter Music Program Date - Monday, Dec. 16


Fisher's District 24
1.  P/T Conferences - 96% Attendance

2.  Red Ribbon Week donations raised $87 for Wayne Tornado Recovery

3.  Winter Music Program Date - Thursday, Dec. 12

Both Schools
1.  Sheriff Dept. officials have visited both schools to introduce themselves and familiarize themselves with the buildings.

2.  Fire Dept. officials visited both schools during Fire Safety Week for a presentation and announce poster contest winners.

Gerry Reinsch
Principal/Music Teacher

Rationale:  Report Highlights: 

1.  Point of clarification - Fisher's is doing very well on their NeSA Assessments.  They are "needs improvement" because they do not have any group of 30 students so they must use the district designation. 

2.  New NeSA Testing Software has been rolled out.  We're working on training and getting it installed on computers.

3.  Becoming a Reflective Teacher workshop with Dr. Phil Warrick went well.  Teachers are implementing these strategies in their classrooms.  Next workshop is February 14.

4.  We have started work on the Social Studies Curriculum.

Rationale:  1  Attached is the booster club business membership list.  Support the businesses that support the athletic booster club.

2  The first Tuesday of each month, coaches have the opportunity to meet.  Breakfast is at 7 am with meetings to follow at 7:15 am.  This month budgets/finances were discussed.  See Attached.

3. Kellan Heavican was selected as NSAA Believers and Achievers for October 2013.  See Attached. 

4. November 6th is the District II NSAA meeting at Boys Town.  Proposals that were submitted, discussed and voted on are attached.  All proposals that pass are moved forward to the January meeting. 

5.  November 9th, 10th and 11th, I will be attending the NSIAAA conference in Kearney.  See
attached.

6.  November 20th is sportsmanship summit at Midland.  Schuyler High students will be attending.  Agenda is attached.  

7.  Coaches put together character lessons for their athletes, expectations of asst coaches and parent letters in their off season.  Attached is an example of Matt Turners character lessons, Jim Kasiks expectations of coaches and Gary Schaeffer's parent letter.

8.  Holiday Basketball Tourney meetings have started.  We meet at 7 am in Columbus at Hyvee.  Attached are the minutes from the last meeting.

Additional Information:
Fall coach evaluations continue.  Coaches are working on inventory.   Conversations with winter sport coaches have occurred.  Mrs. Shonka has completed the winter pocket schedules.  These are at the ESU being printed and will be out soon.  Transportation is ready for winter.

1.  Athletic Booster club meeting will be November 7th. at 5:30 pm at SGC.

2.  November 13th is a conference meeting.

3.  November 18th is winter sports parent meeting.  One of the topics will be mistake rituals.  Coaches have been reading about mistake rituals and working to implement these into their programs.

4.  Activity sponsors/coaches will all meet on November 22nd.  The topics of conversation will be  Retention, Being Competitive and Improving Parental Involvement.  These are three large areas.  This will give a good look at how each sponsor/coach sees how to improve in each area along with what is already being done well.   Goal setting in these three areas will be done in February. 

5.  Hope all families enjoy their Thanksgiving!

Rationale: 

TO:  Schuyler Community Board

Richland

Update:  Attached is the letter from Larry Wennekamp verifying the that we are back in compliance with the microbiological standards for drinking water.  See attached letter.

High School

Replaced motor and seal on boiler pump; repaired outside lights at West gym and press box; installed new motion light on the South side of greenhouse and two motion lights on West side of modular

Middle School

Installed a new electrical circuit to computer room, installed speaker wires to band room for projector,  and a new 4 1/2 ton compressor in kitchen;  repaired roof top unit #2, #6 and #9;   removed concrete for a new sprinkler line; cleaned sewer lines

Elementary School

Installed speaker wires to two computer rooms, three classrooms and band room for a projector; repaired steam oven,  two convection ovens and  dishwasher; installed internet wiring for four classrooms

Preschool

Installed motion lights on entrance doors; serviced all furnaces in modulars

Richland

General maintenance

District 4R  

General maintenance; installed speaker wires for projector

District 24

General maintenance

Ronnie R. Mundil

 

Rationale:  Short notes for the November meeting:

1.  Safety drills were held at SES Oct. 11th and the drills went really well.

2.  Red Ribbon Week was Oct. 28th-Nov. 1st. Mr. Zegers did a great job with the whole week.

3.  Enrollment is currently:   SES 777         Preschool 109

4.  Thank you to the FFA for having the "Barnyard" at SES.

Rationale:  Middle School Highlights:
1.  Students of the Month:  Jacqueline Grado, Jedler Valasco, and Lesly Camey.
2.  Fall Concert:  Held on Monday October 28th.
3.  Latino Summit in Kearney held on Monday, October 28th.  20 students and 6 sponsors attended.
4.  Middle School Incentive Day:  75% recognized for earning 77 or above and no office referrals.
5.  Sports:  fall seasons ended in October.  45 girls participating in basketball and 45 wrestlers.
6.  Truancy Officer:  The county has hired Dawn Schultz through a grant to serve as a truancy officer.
7.  Red Ribbon Week:  SMS Band performed at the elementary building.
8.  Terra Nova Testing:  Conducted October 22-24.
* See attached information.

Rationale:  SCHS Report Highlights:

1.  Explore and Plan Tests for grades 9 & 10, ASVAB for grades 11 & 12 conducted on October 22nd. 

2.  UNL/NDE is conducting a study of academic progress of Latino students in 10 Nebraska High Schools.

3.  Red Cross Blood Drive was hosted by the Culture Club on November 6th.

4.  2013 Veterans Day program scheduled for Monday, November 11th at 8:30 AM. 

5.  High School Graduation is scheduled for May 18, 2014.

Alternative School Report
I would like to think that things are going very well at the Alt Ed School. We have now graduated 3 students. Are current numbers are 8 high school, and 3 middle school students. We have seen numerous success stories already, with grades and behaviors. I feel that are staff is doing a great job, and that we have really found our stride. There are always new challenges that arise, but we are now equipped to handle those things quickly and efficiently. I would again like to thank the board for supporting us on this endeavor.  Mr. Kovar

Rationale:  1.  Option/Transfer Student Report:  We have three (3) option requests for the 2014-15 school year.  See attached information.

2.  2013 Clean Diesel School Bus Rebate Program:  We submitted our proposal to participate in the 2013 Clean Diesel School Bus Rebate Program. 

Nebraska’s Clean Diesel School Bus Rebate program is offered by the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality (NDEQ) to assist qualifying applicants to replace eligible older school buses with new buses powered by an EPA or CARB certified 2012 or newer model year engine. Over 45,000 Nebraska school children ride in school buses annually and at least one-half of those buses are older than 10 years. Many of these children are exposed to a disproportionate amount of diesel exhaust which can place them at greater risk for the harmful effects of diesel exhaust.  In order to ensure emissions reductions are achieved through this program, the bus being replaced must be permanently disabled after the new bus is purchased and received.  The amount available is $73,890 and is made possible by the Environmental Protection Agency’s State Clean Diesel Grant program. The NDEQ anticipates awarding three rebates of $24,630. 

The application deadline is November 15, 2013. On November 22, 2013, the Air Program will randomly select the awardees from all eligible entrees. Only one application for one bus per applicant will be accepted.  All applications that are determined to be eligible will have an equal chance of being selected. 

3.  Crisis Training:  The district crisis team (Dr. Hoesing, Mrs. Sweeney, Mrs. Kment, and Mr. Zegers) attended a two-day crisis intervention program at Educational Service Unit 3. Attached is a copy of the information from the level II training.  Mrs. Sweeney has updated the crisis intervention contact information and protocol.  We will be working on other strategies to improve communication and educate the community and first responders as to the role of the crisis team in the district.  See attached workshop information.

Rationale:  1.  Negotiations Committee:  The negotiations committee met with members of the SEA negotiations team to begin contract negotiations for the 2014-15 school year.  The committees reviewed a list of suggested ground rules used for the 2013-14 contract negotiations.  The teachers presented a list entitled "points of interest" for discussion, but were not able to submit a formal request for schools to use in the comparability study.  Contract information under bargaining rules is considered confidential until an agreement is made.  Attached is information for board consideration and listed under "privileged" information.  Once an agreement is made, all information will be made public.  Board members see attached request and summary information.  The board committee will review the requested items and prepare a response for the next negotiations meeting scheduled meeting on November 18th.

2.  Finance Committee:  Thank you to Lumir and Chuck, members of the finance committee, for attending the audit review.  I believe this gives you a better opportunity to review finance information and ask questions without the pressure of needing to move a public meeting along.  If any other board members wish to review the audit in greater detail, please let us know and we will arrange a time to make that happen.