November 8, 2021 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:  See attached Pictures and Information.

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

Rationale: 
     State law requires that each school district adopt measurable quality academic content standards in the subject areas of reading, writing, mathematics, science, and social studies. The standards may be the same as, or may be equal to or exceed in rigor, the measurable academic content standards adopted by the state board and shall cover at least the same grade levels.  The State Board of Education adopted new Language Arts standards this year, so we must also adopt new standards. 
     The Americanism: Curriculum, Assessment, and Instructional Programs committee met on October 26, 2021 to discuss and review the new standards.  The standards are more rigorous than current standards and they are different enough that we will need to build a new curriculum to meet these standards. 
     The committee's recommendation is to have you adopt them at your earliest convenience so we may begin that process.  The content area standards can be found at https://www.education.ne.gov/contentareastandards/

 

Rationale:  This committee is responsible for annual review of board policies, handbooks, and crisis/safety plans.  This committee is also responsible for the support and development of support programs(nursing, food service) in the district.

Rationale:  At the October School Board Meeting, the board voted to approve the updated Board Policy Manual excluding policy 402.15, pending legal counsel advice.  See attached information from our legal counsel. 

 

Rationale:  This agenda item was originally on the October agenda for consideration.  Board members requested that the item be put back on the agenda for board consideration in November.  See attached.
 

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

Rationale: 
     Schuyler Central High School has accepted the request from NSAA to host the Class B District One-Act Play Contest in our new auditorium.  The date for the contest is Monday, November 29th.
     Administrators are asking the board to amend the calendar and cancel classes for the high school as many of the rooms and staff will be needed to host this event.  When not working the contest, staff will be involved in group meetings as scheduled.
 

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

Rationale: 
Members of the finance committee (Rich and Chuck) met with Pekny and Associates to discuss the 2020-21 AFR and Audit Report.   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 to the State Auditor of Public Accounts and Nebraska Department of Education by November 1st and 5th as required by law. 
          The board should go on record ACCEPTING the reports as filed.  See the attached electronic copy of the 2020-21 Audit and Financial Reports as filed with the Department of Education.
 

Rationale:       The board negotiations committee met on October 18^th and November 1^st to negotiate the 2022-23 Certificated Staff Master Contract.  The SEA and board of education negotiation's teams reached a tentative agreement. The 2022-23 Master agreement was approved by the SEA.  The 2022-23 Certificated Staff Master Agreement and meeting minutes are attached below.
 

Rationale: 
1.  Brianna Clapper:  Para-Educator - SES
2.  Reina Valle:  Food Service - SCHS
 

Rationale: 
1.  Victoria Butterfield:  Para-Educator - Headstart
2.  Jovimar Obando:  Para-Educator - SES
3.  Ailen Alarcon:  Para-Educator - Preschool
 

Rationale: 

First Quarter Priority Plan Update:  Over the past few months, we have had the opportunity to meet as a Leadership Team with KLK on the following dates:

• August 13, 2021: Dr. Kennedy

• August 26-27, 2021: Dr. Kennedy & Dr. Head

• September 30 - October 1, 2021: Dr. Kennedy

• October 12-13, 2021:  Dr. Tanya Head

• October 28-29, 2021:  Dr. Kathy Kennedy

       As an addition this year, we felt it would be impactful for our teachers to have the opportunity to receive professional development with Dr. Kennedy on Fridays. The professional development topics presented by Dr. Kennedy has included completion of the DISC Assessment, Building Teacher and Collective Efficacy, and Clear Learning Targets. Additionally, the opportunity to meet with Dr. Kennedy as a department team was offered to our teachers to ask questions and to seek feedback on instructional practices. Our ELA and EL Department took advantage of this opportunity to work directly with Dr. Kennedy and some of the members of the Leadership Team.

        The highlights of our work with KLK as a Leadership Team in the first quarter include instructional coaching strategies, using data to guide instruction, development of MTSS, building culture, the Schuyler Instructional Model, and the SCHS "Look Fors". Additionally, we have focused on celebration of data to include approximately 40 of our EL students progressing medium and high, thereby reaching close to passing the ELPA 21 Assessment. On Friday, November 5th, our Leadership Team will be celebrating the data with our teachers during our professional development time.
       Our instructional coach, Mrs. Samantha Ladwig, has been an exceptional addition to the SCHS community, Ms. Ladwig has been working closely with a number of our teachers, specifically new teachers to the building. Ms. Ladwig is working with our teachers to implement instructional strategies to help learners in their classrooms and to adhere to the district initiatives. Ms. Ladwig has also been working with the new teachers to develop a New Teacher Program at the high school, with a focus on instructional strategies, coaching, and mentorship.
       Lastly, our Leadership Team chose three priority areas to focus our efforts during this school year and in our work with KLK.  The three priority areas include the following:

• Priority #1: Classroom Look-Fors

• Priority #2: Culture: Celebrating success with a focus on learning as a priority

• Priority #3: EL & ACT

Rationale: 
Preschool and SES 3-5 Principal's Report:  Mr. Comley
Program/Staff Member Spotlight:  This month I would like to highlight our amazing kitchen staff. RaNae Blum, Linda Cech, Carmen Jasso de Puente, Sherri Sobota, Maria Arciva, Diane Sandaval. Every day, they bring their "A" game and do an outstanding job having a great lunch meal provided for over 700 children. I am so thankful for all these ladies do day-in and day-out. We are truly blessed to have them!

SES K - 2 Principal's Report:  Mrs. Neesen
Spotlight Events: SES Parent-Teacher Conferences had a 93% attendance rate of parents meeting with their child’s teacher. There were also multiple booths throughout the building for parents to sign their student’s up for After School Program or Youth Sports and informational booths that United Way and Family Literacy hosted.

DO Dual Language, Fisher’s, & Richland Principal's Report:  Ms. Bebout
Staff Spotlight:  I would like to spotlight Cara Neesen this month.  Cara was born in Lincoln. She moved to Nebraska City when she was 12 years old. She has a Bachelor in Science from Nebraska Wesleyan, an Education Specialist Degree from UNK, and a K-12 Admin and Sped Admin Degree from UNO.  Cara worked at ESU 2 as a school psychologist and in Yutan as a school psychologist, elementary counselor, and Student Services Administrator.  This is her second year at Schuyler as the K-2 Elementary Principal/Youth Sports Director at SES.  Cara has been married to Jesse for six years and they have two children; Camden (4) and Willa (2).
          I wanted to highlight the work Cara has done with our Youth Sports program!!  She has taken on this role and built the program successfully in her short time here.  She, with the help of her team, has created positive sports experiences for the children in our district.  They have implemented incentives for students to participate regularly. The students love these!  Positive social media posts are being pushed out constantly to show the good things students are working on. Communication about activities is being shared out in multiple ways.  I have enjoyed watching this program grow over the last year and a half!  Kudos to Ms. Neesen and her team!!!

Middle School Assistant Principal's Report:  Mr. Banahan
Staff Member Spotlight: The staff member I would like to highlight this month is Mr. Dan Prososki. Mr. Prososki was a late addition to our teaching staff this year, but he has done an excellent job of getting himself involved here at Schuyler Middle School. Mr. Prososki teaches a mixture of 7th grade Social Studies and Science to help alleviate the high class numbers with our large 7th grade class.
           One of his many positive attributes, is his willingness to help out with anything at our school whether it is in activities or athletics, to driving the bus for various different groups. He is willing to help, and he is always looking for ways to improve himself as an educator as well. We are excited to have Mr. Prososki on staff here at SMS and look forward to seeing how he will continue to positively impact our students not only here at Schuyler Middle School, but in our district as well.
Upcoming Events: Upcoming events we have in the Middle School will be piloting the new NSCAS coming up in December, and we are anxious to see how our students perform on the new testing layout! Our teachers and students have been working extremely hard on making considerable growth as we progress through the school year, and it will be exciting to see where students are at when we receive the data from this new growth format test. 

Middle  School Principal's Report:  Mr. Zavadil
Program Spotlight:  The Parent-Teacher conferences went very well, Schuyler Middle School had 80% parent attendance at the event.  Also a big thank you to Dr. Gibbons and the tech team for putting together some extremely valuable professional development for our staff.  This was a large and complicated event that took a lot of leg work to make sure that we are getting the PD that we need.  We are working on plans to make sure that it is even better in the Spring.  This month I would recognize the work of our school improvement team.  This team is responsible for carrying out the work of our district’s continuous improvement process.  This team spends time working to make sure that our school improvement goals have actions behind them at the building level.  These team members discuss our testing procedures, our academic actions that are related to the strategic plan and making sure that our building staff is aware of any and all district initiatives related to the School Improvement process.  This is important work that doesn’t always get the recognition that it deserves.
Our school Improvement leaders are:
Leader-- Bill Policky,       8th grade-- Bobbie Rocheford,    7th grade-- Mike Baptiste
6th grade-- Andy Hall,     Specials team-- Cindy Beebe,     Special Services-- Paula Kment
Staff Member Spotlight:  This month I would like to recognize the work of Mrs. Bernice Maxwell.  Mrs. Maxwell is one of our Special Education teachers at Schuyler Middle School.  She works with our special education students that have goals related to English Language Arts.  She uses data to inform her instruction, manages a great classroom, and completes all of the state and federal required documentation, which is quite a lot!  Last summer Mrs. Kment and I were looking at student data when considering our scheduling we noticed that students in Mrs. Maxwell’s classes grew by leaps and bounds!  She works tirelessly to help our students and her students are buying in, working hard, and growing extremely rapidly.
Upcoming Events:  The Middle School is looking forward to the beginning of Girls Basketball and Wrestling season!  Students are working very hard at practice and we started competing on Saturday at the Wayne wrestling invite.  Schuyler Middle School along with the rest of the district will be hosting a Capturing Kids’ Hearts traction visit this month.  The experts from our CKH program will visit and watch our implementation of the program.  We are very excited to show off all of the work that we have already done to improve the culture of our building while looking forward to any suggestions and feedback to keep things improving.

High School Assistant Princpal's Report:  Mr. Steinhoff
Program/Staff Member Spotlight:  I would like to spotlight Ms. Blase’s work in her EL classrooms.  Ms. Blase's enthusiasm for her content is obvious and contagious.   She differentiates her students' work to be both cognitively appropriate and personally relevant to her students.  As a result, her students are engaged and invested in their learning.  Student learning is not only evident by what we see in their classroom work, but also through their increased ability and comfort in using English amongst their peers outside of the classroom.  

High School  Principal's Report:  Dr. Sams
           This month I would like to highlight our Student Services Department, to include Ms. Amy Johnson, Ms. Katie Bertrand, Ms. Brandi Zavadil, Ms. Kelsey Yosten, and Dr. Joey Lefdal. This team of five spends countless hours going above and beyond to support our students to be successful at school and in life. Each member of this team is willing to jump in at any moment to support our staff, assist with supervision duties, counsel students, provide our students with college and career readiness opportunities, and to provide intervention support  to ensure our students are successful at school.
          In addition to being there for our students and staff, this team truly demonstrates and models relationship building, collaboration, leadership, empathy, compassion, and what it means being a person of exceptional character to our students. Not only does the Student Services Department provide support to our students and staff, and model exceptional character for our students, all five of these staff members also demonstrate these qualities towards each other and what it takes to be a true team player.
          The Student Services Department always demonstrates true joy, positivity, and passion for the work they do, and they have each made a tremendous contribution to Schuyler Central High School. I am extremely grateful and appreciative to have the opportunity to work with these five amazing individuals, as well as to watch the positive impact they have in the lives of our students, our staff, and each other every single day.

Rationale: 

K - 6 Youth Sports Director's Report: Mrs. Neesen
Spotlight Program: The Boys Basketball season has started with a great turn out of 92 athletes signed up! There are 52 students in the K-2 program, with 40 in the 3-6th grade programs. Practices have been held in multiple locations to accommodate the skill level and size of the younger athletes. Thank you to all of the efforts of Dana Schultz and Jason Wehner in getting practices organized and recruiting parent volunteers.

Warrior Academy - After-School Program Director's Report:  Ms. Bebout
Spotlight Partnership:  I would like to spotlight Audra Jedlicka this month.  Audra was born in Greenfield, Iowa.  She grew up in Schuyler and lived on an acreage north of Rogers.  She has never lived anywhere else but travels as often as she can.  Audra has an Associates Degree.  She has worked as the Schuyler Area Chamber of Commerce Director for the last year.  Before becoming the Chamber Director she owned her own business, Imagine That Scrapbooking & Gifts and Artzy Haven. She also coached volleyball in Schuyler for a few years.  Audra was married to Dale for 34 years.  He passed away a year and a half ago.  She has two children, Clint and Ashley.  Audra also has three grandchildren; Haley (9), Eli (6), and Kasey (3).
          Warrior Academy has been blessed to partner with Schuyler Chamber aka Audra since she began working there.  This year was our second year to co-facilitate the Trunk or Treat offered in Schuyler.  It is amazing to see the relationships she has built with all of the business owners/workers in town!  Audra is not detoured by anything or anyone.  She is determined to make a difference in Schuyler and to help develop a positive image for all businesses, no matter how big or small.  This year we went from 21 businesses participating to 36!!  We also had twice as many children participate, almost 600!  I believe Audra’s passion for Schuyler’s success is spreading throughout the community!  I cannot wait to see what happens next with our partnership!

Middle School Activities Director's Report:  Mr. Banahan
Staff Member Spotlight: My staff spotlight for this month is Mr. Adam Robinson, who coaches three sports for us with Girls Cross Country, Girls Basketball and Girls Track. Along with coaching these sports, Mr. Robinson also went and got his CDL to drive the bus to the events as well. Mr. Robinson has been a huge addition to our coaching staff, and he is always looking for ways to improve our students and help them to achieve their maximum potential not only in sports, but also about making them a better person through the life lessons that are taught on the playing field. Thank you for all of your hard work and dedication to Schuyler Middle School activities Coach Robinson.
Program Spotlight: Currently we have two sports in session for the first part of our winter sports season with Wrestling, and Girls Basketball. We currently have 40 wrestlers out this season, which is up from last year! We are excited to see how our athletes will compete this season with many of the larger tournaments being held again this year, from last year's limited availability due to Covid. We have 10 girls wrestling again this year which is a positive since we recently added Girls Wrestling as a High School sport! This year for basketball we have 36 girls out, and we are looking to see some improvements from our 8th graders and we are excited to see what our 7th grade girls bring to the court in terms of skill levels.
Upcoming Events: This weekend 11/6 our Middle School Wrestling team opened up the Winter Sports season at the Wayne Invitational tournament. Our girls basketball team opens up competition with Aquinas on Monday 11/8, and Madison on 11/11 and will have our first home game versus Lakeview on Monday 11/15.

High School Activities Director's Report:  Mr. Steinhoff
Program/Staff Member Spotlight:  I would like to spotlight the SCHS music department.  Mrs. Semerad and Mr. Neidbalski recently took the SCHS choir to the UNK choir choral symposium.  At the symposium, they worked with a UNK choir professor, a composer, and three other Nebraska high school choirs.  Our choir sang and rehearsed for approximately eight hours that day and performed in a concert that night.   

Student Services Director's Report:  Dr. Lefdal
Program Spotlight:  I would like to highlight our newcomers program that was started this year.  Kara Blase, Clarissa Eloge, Jazmyn Flores and Brandi Zavadil have created an amazing program for our students.   Our team is supported by Mickaela Vazquez, she has helped the team be more successful and supports our students.  The year is off to a great start!  The program was developed to increase English language learning at a faster rate so our Newcomers can be more competitive in the regular classroom.  It has been exciting to see all of the work that the team is accomplishing in 2021!
Notable Topics:  The two days of professional development that were offered this past month were nothing short of amazing.  I appreciated all of the work that everyone put into making this week come to fruition.  Dr. Gibbons and the tech team did an exceptional job!   
Looking ahead:  I am excited for the upcoming winter sports and activities seasons.  Our students, coaches, and sponsors are excited to begin their seasons!  I look forward to cheering them on for some wins!!!

Special Education Director's Report: Mrs. Vrba
Program/Staff Member Spotlight: Eileen Gahan came into the 2021-2022 school year knowing she was going to change the lives of the eleven students on her caseload. In the past with Eileen setting high expectations, her students have always been able to achieve substantial growth on their MAPs and STAR 360 assessments. Eileen has, also, taught her students and fellow teachers powerful lessons of what it is to have hope, courage, strength and determination.
          During August, September and October, Eileen has been undergoing chemotherapy and radiation treatments along with teaching daily and completing all of her IEPs. We wish her only the best results from her surgery on November 11th. This quote by Mary Anne Radmacher depicts Eileen's spirit: "Courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes courage is the little voice at the end of the day that says I'll try again tomorrow."

Curriculum, Assessment, Instruction Director's Report:  Dr. Gibbons
Spotlight Program/People: I would like to recognize and thank the following individuals for presenting at the October Tech Fair/Professional Development Conference. Jared Severson, Staci Shonka, Jenna Banahan, Tori Oehlrich, Drey Keairnes, Don Seehusen, Jeff Duranski, Kim Powell, Shanda Hall, Dan Hoesing, Becky Lefdal, Travis Steinhoff, Cara Neesen, Andy Banahan, Bobbie Rocheford, Adilene Perez, John Sayer, Samantha Ladwig, Clarissa Eloge, Aimee Sigler, Kady Arps, Dan Rinkol, Vanessa Stanek, Kim Powell, Mindy Perrin
     We had 85 sessions that staff could choose from, while A.P.L. Associates Jean Anastasio and David Perry came from Syracuse, NY, to present the A.P.L Instructional Model to our new certified staff.  Dr. Barbara Wright, Erica Rials and Heather Miller from Renaissance (https://www.renaissance.com/) came up to support our teachers in the use of all Renaissance products - Star 360 Assessments and Reporting, Accelerated Reader, MyON and MyON News, Freckle Math and Freckle ELA, and Schoolzilla.  Professional Development Staff from the ESU also came in to present about various technology apps that are available, differentiation of learning, teacher mental health and working with students who have experienced trauma. 
     We are working on a formal evaluation of the week, but informal feedback has been positive.
Spotlight Upcoming Events: Our Winter NSCAS Language Arts and Math Pilot for grades 3-8 window opens December 1st.  All districts are required to do at least one of the two pilots.  We are planning on doing both in order to get the same data back from the assessments and to not have to double up on MAP assessments for our students.

Rationale:  Program/Staff Member Spotlight:  Mr. Droge, Dr. Gibbons and their staff did an outstanding job of planning and scheduling the  Fall Tech. Fair and  Professional Development Workshops  during the week  of October 18th.  The Tech Fair hosted 30 local businesses and area colleges as well as National and local Speakers and presenters.  The 3-day staff professional development offered a variety of options to both support staff, teachers, and administrators.  Thank you for your continued efforts to support our staff through these professional development opportunities.

1.  Strategic Plan Progress:  See attached information for the 2021 Strategic Plan.
2.  Return-to-Learn Plan:  Board input for 2nd Semester:  See current plan on the district website.
3.  Sally Jakub:  Sally Jakub's husband, Dan, passed away on Thursday, November 4th at 10:30 PM.  Sally serves as recording secretary for the board in addition to her other job responsibilities.  Shelley and Penny will pitch in and take her place during the board meeting and in preparation of materials for this meeting.  Please remember Sally and her family in your thoughts and prayers this week.
4.  North Drive and Drop-off Zone: We will be submitting the application along with the $500 to the Nebraska Department of Roads for approval this week.  The civil engineer should have the final construction documents with pavement and grading ready by the end of this week as well.  See attachment.
5.  Building Renovation Update:  They continue to make progress on the building renovation construction documents.  Due to the type of construction used in the center of the building, engineers are working on options for placement of the HVAC portion of the project.  With this in mind, it looks like the bid date could be sometime in the middle of January.  In consultation with Derek from Perry Law, they recommend the entire project as one bid package to meet the requirement for the ESSER funds to be used in this project.  See attachment.
 

Rationale: 
1.  November Foundation Meeting:  Brian Vavricek (See Foundation Website)
2.  State Education Conference Link:  http://members.nasbonline.org/index.php/state-education-conference