September 16, 2019 at 6:30 PM - Board of Education Regular Meeting

Rationale: 
I.     Call Hearing to Order

II.   The purpose of the Hearing is to review, discuss, consider, and receive input, and or support, opposition, criticism, suggestions or observations of taxpayers relating to the 2019-20 proposed budget.

III.  Adjourn Budget Hearing
 

Rationale: 
.     Call Hearing to Order

II.    The purpose of the Hearing is to review, discuss, consider, receive input, and hear support,opposition, criticism, suggestions or observations of taxpayers relating to the 2019-20 proposed property tax levy.

III.   Adjourn Levy Setting Hearing
 

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: 
School Board Report
FFA: 

• community garden and having plant sales

Project S

• Team Building Day

Speech

• Pizza Sales at God Father's

Band

• Fremont Band Competition 

Stu Co

• New member interviews 
• Eileens Cookie Dough sales

Cheer

• Parents Night Out
• Little Girls Cheer Camp
• Cheerleaders lead the Heart Walk
• Homecoming theme Candy Land

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

Rationale:  We held our budget workshop on August 26th and advertised the budget for all funds as directed at our final meeting.  Attached is the advertised budget notice for adoption.
 

Rationale: 
2019/2020 TAX REQUEST RESOLUTION FOR SCHUYLER COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT 19-0123

            WHEREAS, public notice was given at least five days in advance of a Special Public Hearing called for the purpose of discussing and approving or modifying the District’s Tax Requests for the 2019/ 2020 school fiscal year for the General Fund, Bond Fund, Special Building Fund, and Qualified Capital Purpose Undertaking Fund of Schuyler Community School District 19-0123; and,

            WHEREAS, such Special Public Hearing was held before the Board of Education (hereinafter "the Board") of Schuyler Community School District 19-0123 (hereinafter "the District") at the time, date, and place announced in the notice published in a newspaper of general circulation, a copy of which notice and proof of publication of which is attached hereto as Exhibit A, all as required by law; and,

            WHEREAS, the Board provided an opportunity to receive comment, information and evidence from persons in attendance at such Special Hearing; and,

WHEREAS, the total assessed value of the property differs from last year’s total assessed value by -.0010%; the tax rate which would levy the same amount of property taxes as last year, when multiplied by the new total assessed value of property would be $1.123751 per $100 of assessed value; the Schuyler Community Schools proposes to adopt a property tax requests that will cause its tax rate to be $1.123750 per $100 of assessed value.

WHEREAS, based on the proposed property tax request and changes in other revenue, the total operating budget of Schuyler Community Schools will exceed last year’s by 0% percent.

            WHEREAS, the Board, after having reviewed the District’s Tax Requests for each said fund, and after public consideration of the matter, has determined that the Final Tax Requests as listed below are necessary in order to carry out the functions of the District, as determined by the Board for the 2019/2020 school fiscal year. 

            NOW BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED that (1) the Tax Request for the General Fund should be, and hereby is set at $14,099,327; (2) the Tax Request for the Bond Fund should be, and hereby is set at $1,010,101; (3) the Tax Request for the Special Building Fund should be, and hereby is set at $0; and (4) the Tax Request for the Qualified Capital Purpose Undertaking Fund should be, and hereby is set at 505,051. 

            It is so moved by (__________________________) and seconded by (­­­­­­­_____________________________) this 16^th day of September, 2019. 

Roll Call vote as follows: 

Rich Brabec                             YES                 NO
Mynor Hernandez                    YES                 NO
Alejandrina Lanuza                  YES                 NO
Chuck Misek                            YES                 NO
Virginia Semerad                     YES                 NO
Brian Vavricek                         YES                 NO
           
            The undersigned herewith certifies, as Secretary of the Board of Education of Schuyler Community School District 19-01213, that the above Resolution was duly adopted by a majority of said Board at a duly constituted public meeting of said Board.                                     

                                                         ____________________, Secretary
                                                             Virginia Semerad
 

Rationale:  The Schuyler Education Association (SEA) submitted a letter requesting recognition as the exclusive bargaining agent for the district's non-supervisory certificated staff for the 2021-2022 contract year.  This is a formality that the NSEA recommends our local association get approval now for next year's negotiations process.  See attached letter. 
 

Rationale: 
The State of Nebraska requires that the board of education must annually approve the use of "local substitutes" to teach in absence of the regular teacher.  Local substitutes are limited to 45 days per year in the school district on an intermittent basis.  We have been using local substitutes in the past, but the Department of Education requires board minutes validating local substitute certificates.

Wayne State College has continued our agreement for placement of substitute teachers from the Northeast Nebraska Teacher's Academy (NENTA) for the 2019-10 school year.  These students have completed the necessary gateway requirements and hold a valid Nebraska Teacher's Certificate. 
 

Rationale: 
1.  Jennifer Svoboda:  SCHS Science Teacher

Jennifer is resigning to accept a position at Stanford University as a track and field coach.  While we hate to lose her as an employee, this opportunity for career advancement is an exception.  Thanks for your consideration.

Rationale: 
1.  Carol Shockley:  SCHS Food Service

Rationale:  1.  Kristian Rocha:  Para-Educator at SMS.

Rationale:  This committee is responsible for recommending approval of building/grounds and transportation programs, vehicle replacement schedule, building and maintenance and upgrade schedule.

Rationale:  MOTION REGARDING GUARANTEED MAXIMUM PRICE AMENDMENT FROM CONSTRUCTION MANAGER AT RISK FOR THE NEW GYMNASIUM ADDITION AND THEATER CONVERSION TO SCHUYLER HIGH SCHOOL PROJECT

Schuyler Community Schools Board of Education Meeting, September 16, 2019

            MOTION made by ____________________ that the Board of Education of Schuyler Community Schools should and does hereby approve the amendment to the construction manager at risk agreement dated February 11, 2019, between this School District and Hausmann Construction, Inc., for the new gymnasium addition and the theater conversion to the existing Schuyler Central High School building on the School District’s campus in Schuyler, Nebraska, setting forth on Exhibit A the Guaranteed Maximum Price Amendment (GMP Amendment) in the sum of ELEVEN MILLION, SEVEN HUNDRED NINETEEN THOUSAND, THREE HUNDRED SIXTY-NINE AND 87/100THS DOLLARS ($11,719,369.87), all in the form attached to this Motion and on file with official School District records and as presented at this meeting or with such changes as are deemed necessary and in the best interest of the School District and approved by the board president or the superintendent of schools, and further hereby delegates authority to and authorizes and directs the board president, or his designee, to sign, execute and deliver the GMP Amendment, and to take all other action necessary to carry such GMP Amendment into effect.

            Board member ______________________ seconded the Motion.  After discussion and on roll call vote the following members voted in favor of passage and adoption of the above Motion:
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________.

The following members voted against the same: ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________.

The following members were absent or not voting:  _____________________________.

            The above Motion, having been consented to and approved by more than a majority of the members of the Board of Education of this School District, was declared as passed and adopted by the President at a duly held and lawfully convened meeting in full compliance with the Nebraska Open Meetings Law.

            DATED this 16th day of September, 2019.

COLFAX COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT 19-0123, A/K/A SCHUYLER COMMUNITY SCHOOLS


BY:     ____________________________________           
           President

ATTEST:  ____________________________________
                 Secretary

Rationale:  See attached report.

Rationale: 
Preschool and 3-5 Principal's Report:  Mr. Comley
Spotlight Program:  This month I want to highlight the Sixpence program. The program serves prenatal to 3 year olds for Schuyler. Paola Acosta, Vanesa Munoz, Annette Sanchez, and Mairen Montanez do an outstanding job working with parents on how to interact and educate their own children. With the help of these 4 employees, parents are better connected with the school system and are more able to prepare their children for school.  For these reasons are more, I want to say thank you to these employees for making Schuyler Community Schools a better place.

SES K-2 Principal's Report:  Mr. Kovar
Staff Member Spotlight:  I would like to highlight the work of Barb McGowan, 2nd grade teacher at Schuyler Elementary School. Mrs. McGowan is a huge asset to our school, she is a great leader and role model, and has put in countless hours to help the students and staff at SES. Mrs. Gowan has taught me many things about education, and has given some great perspectives that I have not always thought about. I can always count on her to give her best!

Rural Schools Principal's Report:  Ms.  Bebout
Staff Member Highlight:  Cathy Luce is a teacher at Fisher’s School.  Cathy has a Bachelors in Elem. Education, a Masters in Curriculum Instruction with a Tech Endorsement, and extra hours in Computer Science (all through Wayne).  She is currently doing a program at UNL called AIR. Adapt, Implement, Research This is a grant based project teaching Computer Science to all students across NE, specifically in rural areas.  Cathy goes above and beyond bringing tech experiences to her students. With this grant, she was able to purchase technology and bring the STEM experience to Fisher’s!! She has been a welcome addition to my staff!
          Cathy was born in Omaha, but grew up in Broken Bow.  She currently resides in Columbus. She is married to Andrew.  They have three children Magdeline ‘Maggie’ in 6th grade, Charles ‘Charlie’ in 3rd grade, and Amelia ‘Aimee’ in 1st grade.  This is Cathy’s 2nd year in our district! She taught eight years in Norfolk and five in Columbus in the Lutheran Education Ministry.  Teaching is in her blood.  Her great-grandma, grandma, dad, and Aunt were all teachers!!!!  Thank you Cathy for all of your hard work and dedication to the students in our district! 

Schuyler Middle School Assistant Principal’s Report:  Mr. Zavadil
The school year is off to a great start with all of our teachers hitting the ground running!  New teachers are adjusting and I feel the culture of our building is strong and we are working to use the CKH model to keep it that way.
Spotlight Staff Member:  Carol Reha has started the year off running!!!   She has done a fantastic job of organizing our student health paperwork and organizing the beginning of the year vision and hearing screenings.  Thanks to her work we have 100% compliance with all vaccinations and have a strong and healthy foundation to work upon.
Spotlight Program:  I would like to recognize our new guidance center as a great addition to our school building.  Over the summer some minor renovations were made to create an excellent meeting space for our counselor  to meet with students and families and it has already been put to good use helping students and families.  Mrs. Kment has done a great job setting up and utilizing the space.
Upcoming Events:  Our focus is on making sure that we keep the smooth start to the year going that way, supporting our new staff, conducting our NWEA MAP assessments and getting into teacher classrooms for observations.

SMS Principal's Report:  Mrs. Burton
Staff Member Spotlight:  It is so difficult to choose just one of our programs or teachers to spotlight.  Our SMS teachers are dedicated and focused to serving and enriching the lives of our students.  We have four new teachers and two new paraprofessionals to our district that have started their year off with us.  Furthermore, we have four staff members that have joined us from other buildings.  Each one of our team members have stepped up to welcome, encourage, and support the new staff members.
Program Spotlight:  On September 11, 2019, the SMS Teachers spent intentional time in each of their R-Times reflecting on Patriot’s Day and how fortunate we are to live in the United States.  Students have worked on a variety of activities this past week to honor our first responders and those that have and continue to serve our country. 
          As a principal, I can think of nothing that makes me prouder than a staff that truly embodies the mindset of a servant leader.  I encourage you to come see us in action.  Visit with our students at lunch, sit in on a class, support our coaches, sponsors, and kids at an extracurricular activity, or simply stop one of our 400 students to ask why it such a great day to be a Schuyler Warrior! 

SCHS Assistant Principal/Activities Director's Report:  Mr. Kasik
Program/Staff Member Spotlight:  Our High School Ag program is led by Mr. Casey Harper and Mr. Charles Hosier.  Mr. Harper is a Blair HS graduate who played FB and BB.  Mr. Hosier is a Holdrege graduate who played FB, BB and Soccer.  They are both first year teachers leading and they are working really hard to build a strong AG ED program with a strong FFA component.  They both mentioned "that they appreciate how welcoming the community and the school district has been in their first year."

High School Principal's Report:  Mr. Grammer
Program Spotlight:  Our high school has for the past three years been fortunate to have an art teacher that is passionate about his program and is developing a strong art program. Mr. Trotter has been our art teacher for these past three years and has worked hard to develop a quality art program.  He has students from his art classes that compete for art scholarships throughout the school year.  He has 5 students who have earned full ride scholarships, on the average he has 10 students win awards and receive honors, and last year he had two students win national awards (first time in school history). This is the third year that we are having full and loaded art classes at the high school and it has been successful these past three years. 

Staff Member Spotlight:  The program spotlight and staff member are the same person.  That’s why it is an honor to recognize and honor our Art Teacher, Mr. Trotter, for his excellence in the classroom and in the field of art education. 
"The Nebraska Art Teacher’s Association (NATA) is a professional organization whose mission is to advocate for and advance quality art education in Nebraska. Each year NATA recognizes outstanding contributions to student learning, leadership in curriculum development in local school districts and communities, and participation in professional endeavors on state and national levels.  On behalf of NATA we are excited to inform you that you have been selected to receive a NATA Regional Educational Service Unit (ESU) Award for 2018-19. In its seventh year, the ESU award honor recognizes individuals who support art education in Nebraska both inside and outside the classroom.  Congratulations Mr. Trotter for being honored and recognized by your peers in the art field.
 Event Highlight:  The high school counselor, Mrs. Bertrand and School Improvement Chair, Mrs. Yosten, Dr. Gibbons, and myself attended an ACT training in Norfolk on August 28^th.  Good information on how to interpret ACT data and information on how to improve our scores.
          We are continuing our work with the state priority team, UNL EL team, DE cohort groups, with the SIG grant, and PBL through DE.  It is cumbersome at times to schedule and plan for all the groups.  But, it is worthwhile as we see growth and development of our students.   

 

Rationale: 

Warrior Academy - After-School Program Director's Report:  Ms. Bebout
Staff Member Highlight: Nicole Taylor is a club leader in our elementary after-school program.  Nicole has worked with our program for the last five years. She has taught band, color guard with flags, and All About Music.  Nicole created her own flags that the students use out of her own money and time with her family building them and putting them together.  She taught students how to play music with buckets and cups!!! This is AMAZING to hear. Her students are able to dance to music with their flags and are all insync and working together.  I am so impressed with her giving heart and her love of students!! Teachers like Nicole make our program successful!
          Nicole was born and raised in Schuyler.  She is engaged to Dennis Liermann. Nicole started college at UNK and moved closer to home to help family and finished her degree at Wayne State.  She has a bachelors in K-12 Instrumental and Vocal Music.  Nicole taught one year in Exeter-Milligan Public Schools and has worked in Schuyler for the last twelve years.  We are blessed to have Nicole in our district!

K-6 Youth Sports Director's Report:  Mr. Kovar
Spotlight Staff Member:  I would like to highlight the work of Elyse Belina our youth volleyball coach. Mrs. Belina has been doing an outstanding job as we have started our practices for this year. She is organized, enthusiastic, and very excited for the job! We have over 70 girls signed up this year in 3rd-6th grade. The 5th and 6th graders are practicing 2 times a week this year, in an effort to help build those fundamental skills to be ready for JH volleyball. I am so lucky to have Mrs. Belina in this role, and look forward to her building this program.

SMS Activities Director's Report:  Mr. Zavadil
Spotlight Programs:  The fall sports season for SMS is off and running and we have great numbers in all of our programs.  We have 54 students currently playing football.  28 students running cross country, and 50 students out for Volleyball.   We have had a great start to the year in all events.  8^th grade boys football beat Crete 16-0 and both girls and boys cross country teams won our home invite.   Our marching band also sounded very good in the Labor Day parade and I have heard a couple of complements from parade observers.
Staff Member Spotlight:  Mr. Baptiste is once again off to a great start with Boys cross-country.  He is very organized, diligent, and his manner with students is something to be admired!  He is working very hard alongside our 1^st year CC coach Mr. Robinson and that program is as strong as I have seen in the 4 years I have been at SMS.
Upcoming Events:  This week Schuyler Middle School will play @ Columbus Lakeview on Thursday in both 7^th and 8^th grade games.   Our Cross country team is running tonight in Wayne and on Thursday in Central City, and our Volleyball team will play tomorrow @ David City and Thursday @ Madison.   The SCS Field-House will also play host to the district Knights of Columbus Soccer goal kick challenge on Sunday the 22^nd.

SCHS Activities Director's Report:  Mr. Kasik
Staff Member Spotlight:  Cortland Cassidy grew up in Hooper, NE and graduated from Logan View High School in 2013.  He ran track and cross country at Midland.  Mr. Cassidy is in his first year teaching  4^th grade at our Elementary school and he  is also our Head Girls CC coach.  Mr. Cassidy says that the best part of Schuyler is, "The people in the community and his Girls CC team.  These girls are fantastic runners who love competing and are willing to do what it takes to succeed and they are even better people."
Upcoming Events:  We have two home SB triangulars in the next few days.  These will be our first SB home events with Crete and Aurora coming to town on the 12^th as well as Wayne and West Point on the 16^th.  The SB team started the year doing a great job of hitting the ball and competing.  At this time they have two wins but have been only a few runs out of winning a handful of other games.  This program is led by Jordan Haas a first year head coach and Assistants Clarissa Eloge and Ashley Faltin.

Student Services Director:  Dr. Lefdal
Staff Member Spotlight:  I would like to spotlight Aaron Thumann in our alternative education program.  Aaron has been working diligently put plans in place for our students and keep them engaged in the process.  We have seen some great successes with students and I believe we are on the right track with helping students create their stories of success.  Aaron a kind, yet structured individual that will truly make a difference with these students. He has done an excellent job of helping our students and making a difference in our school!!
Spotlight Program:  We have seen a significant increase in support systems and options being offered to our students.  Our intervention time as well as our WAC (Warrior Achievement Center) have helped reduce our numbers of failing students.  We hope to see even fewer students on this list after we implement our plans for students who are on this list for two weeks in a row. 
Looking ahead:  I am excited to spend the day with the state department and their data experts later this month.  I believe that having a better understanding of the data the state is collecting and how we can improve our data input will only help our district.
 

Special Education Director's Report:  Mrs. Vrba
Spotlight Special Education Team:  This is definitely the best start of my four years as Special Education Director. Although we have many new members, I have seen an overwhelming amount of collaboration and willingness to be open to new adventures.
Early Childhood Coordinator: Karyee LeSuer
The Elementary Team: Elyse Belina, Doreen Gibbons, Cailin Wiedel, Pati Sparling,
Blake Neumann and Eileen Gahan
The Middle School Team: Brenda Klein, Tyrell Reichert and Bernice Maxwell
The High School Team: Don Maxwell, Lynne Rambour and Ashlie Stone
The Contracted Service Providers: Lori Simanek, Sandy Cerny, Laura Mettler,
Cassie Krings, Jessica Brugman, Reagan Hain, Tina Watts, Carly Faltys, Judy Zadina and Cassie Ruth
Our school psychologist is April Becker
Administrative assistant is Pattie Rea.
We are extremely excited to have everyone on our team and to make 2019-2020 the best year, yet!!

Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment:  Dr. Gibbons

Staff Member Spotlight:  I would like to spotlight the work that Mr. Grammer, Mr. Kasik and Dr. Lefdal for the work they’ve done to organize all of the programs, plans, data and processes that are needed at the high school.  There is a lot going on and their communication is key!

Upcoming Events:  Fall MAP testing is currently underway.  I will be attending an Assessment and Accountability Advisory Committee meeting with NDE on September 16.  October 3 and 4, we will be sending a team to the Continuous Improvement Institute put on by Cognia (formerly AdvancED).

 

Rationale: 
Staff/Program Spotlight: City of Schuyler and Department of Utilities for working with us to resolve the storm sewer issues.  This resolution provides a better solution for the City as well as the school district and allows us to proceed with the building project.  Please let the City officials and Department of Utilities know how much we appreciate their partnership. 

1.  Parent's notice on SCHS Incident: See attached letter
2.  3-Year Family Literacy Grant:  $75,000, 60,000, $35,000
3.  NASB Area Membership Meeting in Norfolk:  September 25, register by September 18th.
4.  NASB State Convention:  November 20-22, 2019
     Contact Sally if you are interested in attending.