June 16, 2014 at 6:30 PM - Board of Education Regular Meeting

Rationale:  Student Fees Policy Annual Requirement:

1.  Review the amount of money collected from student pursuant to, and the use of waivers provided in, the student fee policies of the District for the 2014-2015 school year.

2.  Hold a Public Hearing to discuss, consider and receive input on a proposed Student Fee Policy.  The public will be given an opportunity to present information and opinions on the proposed Student Fee Policy.

3.  Discuss, consider, and take action to adopt the Student Fee Policy.

Rationale:  Parent Involvement Policy Annual  Requirements:

1.  Hold a Public Hearing to discuss, consider, and receive input on the Parental Involvement Policy.  The public will be given an opportunity to present information and opinions on a proposed Parental Involvement Policy.

Attached is our parent involvement policy.  I think we have taken steps in expanding our parent involvement through our strategic planning process.  We are focused on implementing programs to further our programs to improve parent participation at all levels.  Through our open houses, parent-teacher conferences, and parent volunteer and parent education programs at the pre-school and elementary buildings.  See attached parent involvement policy.

Rationale:  Student Fees Policy Annual Requirement:

1.  Review the amount of money collected from student pursuant to, and the use of waivers provided in, the student fee policies of the District for the 2013-14 school year.

2.  Hold a Public Hearing to discuss, consider and receive input on a proposed Student Fee Policy.  The public will be given an opportunity to present information and opinions on the proposed Student Fee Policy.

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:  Based on our review of area schools and calculation of estimated increased costs of $20,000 in the food service program ($15,000 salaries and benefits, $5,000 food costs) we are recommending the following breakfast and lunch prices:

Breakfast                     2013-14                                2014-15
K-5                                 $1.60                                    $1.60
6-8                                 $1.60                                    $1.60
9-12                               $1.60                                    $1.60
Adults                             $1.60                                    $1.60

Lunch                          2013-14                                2014-15  
K-5                                 $2.35                                    $2.35
6-8                                 $2.35                                    $2.40
9-12                               $2.35                                    $2.45
Adults                             $3.35                                    $3.45

*Depending on participation, free/reduced qualification, etc... we estimate the increase would generate about $10,000. 

Rationale:  We have had several parties express an interest in purchasing the modular classroom buildings at the preschool building site.  With the remodeling of the preschool building and the cooperation of the State Fire Marshall, we could begin phase II of the building remodeling project by installing a fire escape from the second floor.  The third phase could involve remodeling classrooms on the second floor in the future, but the only requirement for use of the second floor is the installation of the fire escape.

The first step in this process would be to establish a plan for the sale of the property.  This could be done with an appraisal, a bid process, or both.  Enclosed is the information from our school attorney on guidance for the sale or disposal of school property.

Rationale:  Student Fees Policy Annual Requirement:

1.  Review the amount of money collected from student pursuant to, and the use of waivers provided in, the student fee policies of the District for the 2013-14 school year.

2.  Hold a Public Hearing to discuss, consider and receive input on a proposed Student Fee Policy.  The public will be given an opportunity to present information and opinions on the proposed Student Fee Policy.

3.  Discuss, consider, and take action to adopt the Student Fee Policy.

Rationale:  Parent Involvement Policy Annual  Requirements:

1.  Hold a Public Hearing to discuss, consider, and receive input on the Parental Involvement Policy.  The public will be given an opportunity to present information and opinions on a proposed Parental Involvement Policy.

2.  Discuss, consider, and take action to either alter the Parental Involvement Policy and then adopt the policy as altered, or to reaffirm the Parental Involvement Policy.

Rationale:  Bullying Policy Annual Requirement:

1.  Review the bullying policy.

2. Discuss, consider, and take action to amend or reaffirm the Bullying Policy as deemed appropriate.

Rationale:  Attendance Policy Annual Requirement.

1.  Review the Attendance Policy

2.  Discuss, consider, and take action to amend or reaffirm the Attendance Policy if determined appropriate.


LB 464 changed the requirements of State Statute 79-209 to include a provision that the policy be developed and annually reviewed in collaboration with the county attorney of the county in which the principal office of the school district is located.  Denise Kracl has been given the recommended policy for review and will make any recommended changes prior to our second reading in July.

Rationale: 

Perry Law Firm 2014 Annual Policy Update Service

From: Gregory H. Perry and Rex R. Schultze

Date: May 7, 2014

1. Policies 503.03 and 1006.02—E-Cigarettes

In response to the prevalence of e-cigarettes, we have amended Policy 503.03 and 1006.02 (student discipline) to prohibit this product from being used on school grounds and to prohibit its use by students.

We note that LB 863 amended 28-1418 so as to make it criminal for a minor to “smoke cigarettes or cigars, use vapor products or alternative nicotine products, or use tobacco in any form.” The offense is a Class V misdemeanor. A minor who is charged with a violation of this statute may avoid prosecution by giving the prosecutor evidence to convict the person who sold or provided him or her with the product.

2. Policy 706.03—Construction

Neb. Rev. Stat. §81-3445 was amended in 2011 to increase the dollar amount for construction projects which require supervision by an architect or engineer. Policy 706.03 has been amended to reflect that change.

3. Policy 503.04—Attendance (acted on as a separate item on the agenda)

LB 464 amended the attendance (truancy) statute (79-209). We have provided a revised Policy 503.04 in response to the law change. A redlined version showing changes from the previous policy is also provided.

The law requires that the policy be “developed and annually reviewed in collaboration with the county attorney of the county in which the principal office of the school district is located.” We have prepared a sample county attorney letter to be used to document a district’s efforts to engage in the required collaboration.

As noted, the policy is to be reviewed annually. We have included a sample notice, agenda, and minutes for a board meeting at which the four policies which require annual hearings or reviews would occur. The law requires that, when a student has excessive absences (defined in the policy as 5 unexcused absences in a quarter), communication be made with the persons who have legal or actual charge or control of the child, and that a meeting or meetings be held. A “collaborative plan” to improve regular attendance is to be developed as a result of the meeting or meetings. We have included a sample collaborative plan. It is provided as a writeable pdf. We have also provided a Word version, so districts may modify the plan if they so choose.

4. Policy—605.06—High School Credits

NDE Rule 10, section 3.05B, provides: “School systems may adopt a policy allowing high school credit to be awarded to students enrolled in a middle grades course if the course content and requirements are equivalent to a course offered in the high school.”

While the foregoing provision has been in Rule 10 for some time, many schools do not have a policy on the subject. As such, we have prepared Policy 605.06.

5.  School Wellness (No Policy Update; Adoption of Regulation Pending)

The Nutrition School Lunch Act was amended in 2010 to authorize the Secretary to establish regulations related to local wellness policies. 42 USC section 1758b.

The Secretary has issued proposed regulations as required by the 2010 amendment.     However, the regulation has not yet been adopted. The public comment period recently ended. When the regulation is adopted, we will revise our wellness policy template to be in compliance.

6. Policy 808.01—Safe Pupil Transportation Plan

NDE Rule 91 was amended effective November 2012 to add the following to the required contents of a safe pupil transportation plan: “006.02A8 Driver procedures in the event that the drop-off location is uncertain or appears unsafe to leave students.”

The revised Policy 808.01 adds provisions to meet this requirement.

7.   Academic Standards (No Policy Update; Adoption of Standards is Pending)

The statute related to adoption of state standards, 79-760.02, provides that districts are required to adopt academic content standards in the subject areas of reading, writing, mathematics, science, and social studies in accordance with timelines established by the State Board of Education, but in no event later than one year following the adoption or modification of state standards.

The NDE has released proposed revised language arts standards. However, the revised standards have not yet been adopted. We will provide an amended Policy 6212 to incorporate the revised language arts standards once those standards are adopted by the State Board.

We note that NDE adopted Fine Arts standards on February 4, 2014. Districts may, but are not required to, adopt those standards as part of Policy 6212. Since the action is not mandatory, we have not provided a revised Policy 6212 with this update.

8. Policy 508.15—Concussions

LB 923 amended the concussion statutes (71-9103 to 71-9106) to add the requirement that schools: “Establish a return to learn protocol for students that have sustained a concussion. The return to learn protocol shall recognize that students who have sustained a concussion and returned to school may need informal or formal accommodations, modifications of curriculum, and monitoring by medical or academic staff until the student is fully recovered.”

The revised Policy 508.15 adds provisions to meet this requirement. In addition, we have included a return to learn protocol. The protocol incorporates the NDE’s concussion protocol materials which consist of a guidance entitled “Bridging the Gap from Concussion to the Classroom,” and an accompanying Appendix. Those NDE materials are provided with this update, as well.

We note that LB 923 also provides for suicide prevention training, as follows:

Beginning in school year 2015-16, all public school nurses, teachers, counselors, school psychologists, administrators, school social workers, and any other appropriate personnel shall receive at least one hour of suicide awareness and prevention training each year. This training shall be provided within the framework of existing inservice training programs offered by the State Department of Education or as part of required professional development activities.

Under LB 923, the Department of Education is to develop a list of approved training materials for schools to use.

9. Policy 506.02—Middle School Sports

Nebraska School Activities Association Middle Level Activities Bylaws, Article 9, provides: “Each school shall adopt and enforce a scholastic eligibility rule for seventh and eighth grades. That local scholastic policy shall govern students for seventh and eighth grade interscholastic competition.”

Policy 506.02 has been amended to include the scholastic eligibility rule. The standards in the policy are the same as those that each particular district has established for its high school students, and for those schools without standards, the same as the NSAA standards. Districts are free to enact different standards if they wish. 

10. Policy 302.02  Notices—Superintendent Pay Transparency

LB 470, the Superintendent Pay Transparency Act, included an emergency clause, making it effective February 14, 2014. However, the Act also includes a provision that the operative date of the law be July 1, 2014. As a result, the notice requirements of the Act are not applicable to contracts and contract amendments that were approved by school boards and ESUs prior to July 1, 2014.

The Act applies to contracts of Superintendents and ESU Administrators. The Act requires:

1.     at least three (3) days prior to the school board meeting at which the proposed contract or amendment will be considered, publication of the contract or amendment along with publication of “a reasonable estimate and description of all current and future costs to the school district if the proposed contract were to be approved”;

2.     within two (2) days after the school board meeting at which the contract was approved, publication of the contract along with publication of “a reasonable estimate and description of all current and future costs to the school district that will be incurred as a result of such contract”; and

3.     filing the contract with NDE prior to August 1st.

The publications may be made on the district’s or ESU’s webpage.   We have prepared Notices which include the estimated costs of a Superintendent contract. We have attempted to identify all of the items that are regularly included in Superintendent contracts. Districts and ESUs should modify the Notices as needed to adjust for any costs not included in the form Notices.

We anticipate that NDE and the State Auditor will give guidance in the future on the type of costs that are actually required to be published and to be identified in budget statements. The Notices may need to be conformed once such guidance is issued.

11. Policies 406.02 and 412.02  Criminal History—Job Applications

LB 907 prohibits public employers from asking an applicant for employment to disclose information concerning the applicant’s criminal record or history, until the employer has determined the applicant meets the minimum employment qualifications. An exception exists for school districts and ESUs to ask an applicant’s criminal record or history relating to “sexual or physical abuse.”

New Policy

1. Policy 509.03:Drug Testing Policy

   This policy is a result of parent and community concern for keeping our student athletes drug free.  The policy is a voluntary participation program for those involved in NSAA competitive activities.  This is the policy area schools are using and have graciously agreed to allow us to use. 

   Updated Policies

2. Updated Policies from NASB:
   1. Policy 508.05:Emergency Plans and Drills
   2. Policy 504.11:Weapons
   3. Policy 504.23:Suicide Awareness

 

Rationale:  Preschool Handbook Changes:

• Mission Statement was added
• Eligibility was updated to meet was the State of NE has set as guidelines
• Support Services- Describes the children with disabilities receives services from many different services not just from SCS
• Curriculum- Creative Curriculum was added and the main areas it addresses as a curriculum
• Assessments- Let parents know state requires us to have a state assessment which is Teaching Strategies Gold
• Carol Reha had asked us to add health guidelines from the state. Areas include, Shots and paperwork, Illnesses, reporting communicable diseases, medications, hand washing, first aid, medical emergencies

SES Handbook Changes:

• Change dates, staff changes, etc...
• Change dismissal time on Friday to match SMS and SCHS dismissal times (1:30 dismissal)
• Reorganize information to make it more user friendly
• Remove student fees, as fees will be established throughout the school year with our new student fees policy
• Remove the "sample" of a discipline note.
• Add a final page emphasizing the importance of a strong school - parent partnership

SMS Handbook Changes

• Page 1;  Change in administration                                   
• Page 38;  School Wellness Policy
• Page 5 & 36;  HS Credit for a MS course; Weapons Policy, Concussions.
• Page 32;  SMS Guidance Center
• Page 11 & 12;  Arrival and dismissal times
• Page 25; NSAA Policy
• Page 14;  SMS Saturday School program
• Page 37;  Tobacco policy, Suicide Awareness Training Policy Emergency Plans and drills policy.
• Page 39;  Changes in lunch and adult meal prices

SMS Activities Handbook

• Pages 6 – 7;  Random Drug Testing

SCHS Handbook Changes:

• Page 7 - Take out letter "f" receipt of traffic citation during open lunch
• Page 9 - Updated "attendance suspension" language to reflect language in Nebraska Rule 2
• Page 10 - Revised tardy to school policy to include alternatives other than ISS and OSS
• Page 11 - Removed non-credit status due to excessive absenteeism
• Page 11 - Updated language for academic support time for students on Friday 1:30 dismissals
• Page 13 - Clarify part-time student status; "senior status or 18 years of age"

 
SCHS Activities Handbook Changes:

Track and Field

Accumulate at least 10 points throughout the track season by doing any of the following.

• Score at any VARSITY track meet.The number of points that an athlete scores at a meet will be the number of points earned towards a letter.
• Qualify for State.Any athlete that qualifies for the State Track Meet will earn 10 points.
• An athlete that is selected as a team captain will earn 3 points.
• An athlete will score one point every time s(he) makes an improvement throughout the year at a JV or Varsity meet.
• Perfect Attendance. Athletes will earn 3 5 points if they have no absences from practice (excused or unexcused). An exception will be made for other school-sponsored events.

Football

• An athlete must participate in 1/4 total varsity quarters played.  1 QUARTER = EIGHT PLAYS (OFFENSIVE, DEFENSIVE OR SPECIAL TEAM)
• If varsity players win their District, or are State qualifiers, all members of the varsity team qualify for a letter.
• 1 quarter is awarded for each of our football camps that is attended
• 1 quarter is awarded for helping at our football Youth Camp
• 3 quarters for 90% of summer weight attendance
• 2 quarters for 80% of summer weight attendance

If approved, drug-testing information will be added.   The pool of students in the random drug test will include those in NSAA sports (football, softball, cross country, volleyball, girls/boys golf, girls/boys basketball, wrestling, girls/boys soccer and girls/boys track) and those in NSAA activities (speech, play production, vocal, band, and journalism).    Note:  Journalism entries can come from newspaper and yearbook.

*  Additional revisions will be made as required by the 2014 annual school board policy updates. 

*  Once calendar is complete, decisions will be made about cost of local and student passes. 

Rationale:  We have the following resignations for you to accept and release these individuals from their contracts:

1.  Crystal Halverson:  2nd Grade teacher has been offered a position in Columbus Public Schools.

2.  Dallas Sweet:  SCHS special education teacher has been offered a position with Oakland-Craig Public Schools.

3.  Angel Gaspers:  Kindergarten teacher has been offered a position with Newman Grove Public Schools.

4.  Danielle Peckenpaugh:  Kindergarten Para-Educator, she will be completing her teaching degree in the fall.

5.  Janet Marino:  Para-Educator at the elementary building.

Rationale:  Recommended new hires:

1.  Meridith Jones:  SES Teacher

2. Morgan Sunneburg:  SES Teacher

3. Lindsay Beaumont:  SES Teacher

4.  Constance Palu:  SCHS Special Education Teacher

5.  Michelle Burton:  Middle School Principal

Rationale:  The administrative reports are presented this month as handbook changes.  They are currently completing schedules, filing year-end reports, reviewing teacher requisitions for supplies and materials, and preparing for and conducting summer school programs. 

Rationale: 

Curriculum requests have been approved for the following staff members:

Name	Curricular Area	Project	Project Budget
Amanda Hutton	Spanish	Develop TPRS units (Teaching Proficiency through Reading and Story-telling)	$950.00
Amber Beltrand	Spanish	Align Spanish Courses to College and Career Readiness	$720.00
Andra Pracheil and Kasey Hansen	4th Grade Writing	Develop 4th Grade Writing Scope and Sequence to improve writing scores	$1440.00
Jeff Droge	Technology	Train a group of teachers to use and develop policy for eBackpack and to prepare to train other staff.	$1440.00
Lanette Bathan	Reading	Pay new staff off contract hours for training in Reading Mastery.	$1200.00
		Total budget	$5750.00

Rationale:  1.  Crisis Management Plan:  Enclosed is the updated Crisis Management Plan for the 2014-15 school year.  Mr. Zegers, Mrs. Kment, Mrs. Sweeney, and Dr. Hoesing attended two workshops during the 2013-14 school year and received information to be updated in or present plan.  This will be on the agenda for approval in July.  We are also investigating an electronic crisis response plan that will connect us with our first responders in the community, thus the delay for adopting our crisis management plan at this time. There is a recommended change in the memorial policy.  See enclosure.

2.  Check-In System:  We are investigating a check-in system to help us manage visitors in the buildings and students leaving the building throughout the school day.  This system will also allow us to print name badges for parents who volunteer, attend meetings, and/or attend parent teacher conferences, etc... It will also help us increase our community's perception of security within our school buildings.

3.  Preschool Building Update:  Ron will give me an update on the progress in the preschool building on Monday.  See attached Information.

4.  Elementary street project:  Ron will give me an update on Monday.

5.  Strategic plan:  I am working with some new software to manage our strategic plan.  I hope to have it updated on Monday!  ???

Rationale: 

SCHUYLER COMMUNITY SCHOOLS FOUNDATION

MEETING 06/2/2014 @ 12 NOON – 1:00 P.M.

@ SCHUYLER CHAMBER OFFICE    

Membership:  Lumir Jedlicka-Treasurer, Brian Vavricek- President, Virginia Semerad, Joyce Baumert, Sandy Seckman- Vice President, Victor Lopez, and Dan Hoesing

Guests             - Lora Johnson – Chamber Executive Director            

                        -Kem Cavanah – Economic Development Coordinator

-Shelley Friesz – sfriesz@esu7.org – 402-352-3527 Ext 216 – Foundation Assistant

-Sheri Balak – sheribalak@gmail.com – Alumni Honors consultant  

Vision:  To support the enrichment of educational programs and student life experiences

Goals:  -To promote education in Schuyler Community Schools

            -Additional giving of $100,000 by August 31^st, 2014

             -Conduct feasibility study on possible new construction at high school building

Secretary Report/Minutes – Review and Approve (refer minutes e-mailed by Shelley Friesz – May 5, 2014)

Treasurer’s Report – unofficial total balance $115,037

     ·     Deposit of $220.50 from the DA dinner

     ·     Pd invoice to Awards Unlimited for $706 for the DA plaques

     ·     Pd The Goldmine $300 for the DA dinner, then received a refund for $29.00

     ·     Pd The Schuyler Chamber office $500 for the chamber bucks for Educator and Para Educator of the year

     ·     Pd $150 to the Schuyler Baseball Corporation

Committee Reports:

• Labor Day:Brian* & Victor
• Scholarship:Sandy*, Lumir
• Education:Lumir*, Lora, Brian
• Alumni Website- Dan
• Alumni Honors Committee:Sheri & Joyce

 ·   Performing Arts Center- Sandy, Joyce and Virginia                     

Next Meeting –July 7, 2014 @ 12:00 Noon @ the Schuyler Chamber Office

?

June minutes from the Foundation meeting at Schuyler Chamber of Commerce

 

Members Present:  Brian, Lumir, Victor & Sandy

Others Present:  Sheri, Lora & Shelley

Members Absent:  Virginia, Dan & Joyce

Brian called the meeting to order

Read the vision & goals

Secretary Reports/Minutes from May were approved

Treasurer’s report read

·     Sandy wanted Shelley to make sure that the rental fee to the Schuyler Golf Course had been paid for the After Hours party
·     Received a check from ICF Business Operations Center for $250 unknown why so Shelley will look into this

Committee Reports

Labor Day- Brian & Victor

·Brian & Victor have spoken to couple bands and think maybe will have 3 different bands play

  °     Will have check with each band to see if this would work with their equipment etc. and their price to play

  °     Possibly have “The Battle of the Bands”

  °     Need to talk to Sandy from the Oak ballroom to see how and if this is possible

  °     Need to increase advertisement utilizing the alumni website, facebook, Schuyler Sun and radio & make up flyers to hang around town

  °     Continue with using the wristbands to be able to determine the minors

  °     Use the existing banners to promote the foundation involvement

  °     Update the video to be played in the bar area at the dance and also display the DA plaques

  °     All members of the foundation would be expected to volunteer at the dance

·     BB tourney- Brian still talking to Andy Cada

·     Ideas to increase attendance to the school tours- talk to the classes that are having reunions to increase interest   

·     Dan to get the school website updated with the information ASAP

Scholarships- Sandy & Lumir

·     6-$1,000 scholarships were awarded this year

Education- Lora, Lumir & Brian

·     Awarded the yearly educator and para educator at the SCS staff breakfast

Alumni Website- Dan

     ·     Need to get this updated

Alumni Honors Committee- Sheri & Joyce

     ·     Sheri handed out report for SCS DA Celebration included expenses and income

Performing Arts Center- nothing new to report

Brian adjourned the meeting

Next Meeting July 7, 2014 @ noon @Schuyler Chamber Office