September 8, 2014 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 2014-15 proposed budget.

III.  Adjourn Budget Hearing

Rationale:  I.     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 2014-15 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 hallway outside the Media Center.

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

Rationale:  We held two budget workshops in August and advertised the budget for all funds as directed at our final meeting.  Attached is the full budget, the advertised budget notice, and the valuations certified for the 2014-15 school year.

Rationale: 

2014-15

PROPERTY TAX REQUEST RESOLUTION

FOR

COLFAX COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT #123 

            WHEREAS, public notice was given at least five days in advance of a special hearing called for the purpose of discussing and approving or modifying the District's Tax Request for the 2014-15 school fiscal year for the General Fund, Bond Fund, Special Building Fund, and Qualified Capital Purpose Undertaking Fund of Colfax County School District # 123; and,

            WHEREAS, such Special Public Hearing was held before the Board of Education (hereinafter "the Board") of Colfax County School District #123 (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 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 2014-15 school fiscal year.

            NOW BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED that (1) the Tax Request for the General Fund should be, and hereby is set at $11,231,819.47 ; (2) the Tax Request for the Bond Fund should be, and hereby set at $506,918.18 ; (3) the Tax Request for the Special Building Fund should be, and hereby is set at $505,869.69 ; and (4) the Tax Request for the Qualified Capital Purpose Undertaking Fund should be, and hereby is set at $506,128.28.

            It is so moved by                                                              and seconded

by                                                               this 8^th day of September, 2014.

Roll Call vote as follows:

Rich Brabec                YES                 NO

Eric Cerny                  YES                 NO

Lumir Jedlicka            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 Colfax County School District #123, that the above Resolution was duly adopted by a majority of said Board at a duly constituted public meeting of said Board.

                                                                              
Virginia Semerad, Secretary

Colfax County School District #123

A/K/A Schuyler Community Schools

ATTEST:

                                                                  .            

Lumir Jedlicka, President

Colfax County School District #123

A/K/A Schuyler Community Schools

            CERTIFICATION

            The undersigned hereby certifies that the above motion is authentic and truly and accurately reflects the formal official action taken therein, on the date as reflected, and that such findings, motion and resolution adopt the Schuyler Community Schools property tax request or levy, according to law, and that the County Board of Equalization shall set the levy for Schuyler Community School system according to the modification and tax request set forth therein and in the attached Exhibit "A" in accordance with the law.

                                                                                        Authorized Office of Schuyler Community Schools

Rationale:  Last October the Schuyler Education Association was directed by the NSEA to send a letter asking to be recognized for the 2015-16 Certificated Staff Master Agreement.  The board took action to approve their request last year for this year's bargaining process.

The Association has resent a letter asking for recognition as the sole bargaining unit for the 2015-16 Contract year.  Since you have already approved this request, I recommend reaffirming your approval as requested.  See attached letter.

Rationale:  1.  Labor Relations Conference in Lincoln:  September 10 and 11:  Dr. Hoesing is registered to attend.

2.  NASB Area Membership Meeting in Norfolk:  September 17 - Norfolk @ Lifelong Learning Center, 801 East Benjamin Avenue Registration Deadline: September 10

3.  NASB State Education Conference in Omaha:  November 19-21 at LaVista Convention Center  Registration opens September 9th.

State Education Conference at a Glance

Wednesday, November 19
11:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.	Exhibit Hall Set Up
1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.	Preconference Sessions
3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.	Registration Center Open
4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.	Exhibitor Reception
After 7:00 p.m.	Hospitality Suites Open
Thursday, November 20
7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.	Conference Registration
7:30 a.m. to 8:00 a.m.	State Conference Mentor Program
7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.	Exhibit Hall Open
8:15 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.	General Session
10:00 a.m. to 10:15 a.m.	Break/Visit Exhibits
10:15 a.m. to 11:15 a.m.	A Sessions
11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.	Thursday Luncheon
1:00 p.m. to 1:15 p.m.	Break/Visit Exhibits
1:15 p.m. to 2:15 p.m.	B Sessions
2:15 p.m. to 2:45 p.m.	Pep Rally
2:45 p.m. to 3:45 p.m.	C Sessions
3:45 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.	Break/Visit Exhibits
4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.	D Sessions
After 7:00 p.m.	Hospitality Suites Open
Friday, November 21
7:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.	Conference Registration
7:00 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.	Breakfast Buffet
8:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.	NASB Delegate Assembly
8:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.	NASA Membership Meeting
9:15 a.m. to 10:15 a.m.	E Sessions
10:15 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.	Break
10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.	F Sessions
11:45 p.m.to 1:15 p.m.	Friday Luncheon
1:15 p.m.	Adjournment

Rationale:  I am requesting a change of dates for the October Board Meeting.  I have a conflict on October 13th and would like to move the meeting to Monday, October 20th if possible. 

Rationale:  Pre-K-5 Enrollment 918                        6-12 Enrollment  837                PK-12 Enrollment 1,860 
Pre-K 85                                                 6th:  119 
Kdg. 164                                                 7th:  128     
1st: 141                                                  8th:  112    
2nd: 122                                                 9th:  118
3rd: 130                                                10th:  132
4th: 149                                                11th:  102
5th: 127                                                12th:  126
Richland: 38                                    Fisher's:    67

1.  Darli Jo Vrba and Bill Comley:  Preschool/Elementary School Report

Traffic is moving smoothly. Busing has helped a lot with traffic.
Picture Day was held Aug 21st
Counselor has/is holding bus evacuations
Preschool had Open House Sept. 4th. 
Preschool picture day is Sept 11th

2.  Gerry Reinsch:  Rural Schools Report

Fisher’s 24

The artwork of 13 Nebraska students will be featured on the 2015 Nebraska Don’t Waste It Calendar sponsored by the Dept. of Environmental Quality.  Of the over 1,000 students who submitted entries, two Fisher’s 24 students were selected.  Congratulations to Abigail Lewis -1^st grade and Bela Jedlicka – 2^nd grade.  Both girls and their families were invited to a ceremony at the State Capitol on August 7.

The Back-to-School Pot Luck/Open House on August 12 was well attended with great food, fun and games.  Thanks to the teachers and all parents who attended and organized the student activities.

Richland

A Kids on the Block puppet assembly will be/was held Sept. 8^th.  Skits on a variety of social behaviors will be presented for all students.

A Book Fair will be held in the Richland Library this week Sept. 8-12.  Thanks to Mrs. Shonka for her work in organizing and preparing for the Book Fair.

3.  Michelle Burton:  Middle School Report

SMS will be beginning training this week in STRIV, which allows students to gain hands-on multimedia training by recording and streaming school events.

We have taken the first DiscoveryEd benchmark test and will be trained this Friday to read and analyze the data for student curriculum delivery.

We have begun our student athletic season with a successful football scrimmage and a victorious cross country meet with the boys winning the championship and the girls placing 3rd.

4.  Darin Kovar:  High School Report

Everything is in full swing now at the high school. Classes are set, fall sports are under way, and students are already busy as always. A successful homecoming week will already be complete by the time of the board meeting.

Upcoming events include multiple sporting events, One Act Play, and preparation for MAP testing. Teachers and Administrators are working hard to improve, and do what’s best for all students at SCHS. Thank You.

Rationale:  1.  Dave Gibbons:  Director of Curriculum, Assessment, Special Education, Title, and Alt. Ed. Programs

I have attached some data for your information regarding our NeSA scores for 2013 - 2014 that were publicly released last week.  Generally speaking, we have made improvements throughout the district.  We will closely examine those areas where improvements were not made and make plans to improve.  Please do not hesitate to ask if you have any questions regarding our data.

2.  Stephen Grammer:  Director of Grant Programs and Middle School Activities:
     I.  SIG Grant
           •  We have as a middle school worked with our two vendors under the SIG grant since the beginning
              of summer.  The two vendors are Discovery Education and Community Training and Assistance
              Center or CTAC.The Middle School Leadership Team had three meetings with CTAC during the
              summer and are meeting with CTAC once a month throughout the school year.  CTAC is working
              with our staff to identify ways and root causes to improve our school success.
 
           •  We, as a middle school faculty, have had three meetings with Discovery Education since the
              beginning of the summer.  Discovery Ed. has at least two meetings scheduled each month, one for
              the leadership of the building and one or two meetings with the full faculty.  Discovery Education
              is providing the curriculum that goes with the use of eTech Books through Discovery Ed.  We plan
              on receiving iPads for 6th through 8th sometime this fall and then implement the use of the eTech
              Books at that time.

   II.  21st Century Grant

            •  This grant is to implement our K - 8th After School Program in the district.  We have hired
               Guadalupe Marino as our Project Director for the program and have hired two coordinators for
               the program.  The SES Coordinator is Lidia Marino and the Coordinator at the middle school
               will be Guadalupe Encarnacion.  We are in the planning stages at this time for the After School
               program.  Our hopes and plan are to begin the program sometime early fall.  We have sent a
               survey home with K - 8 students to find out the interest in the program and once we have this
               information, start to develop the structure of the program.

3.  Michelle Egr:  Director of High School Activities:
Activities are off and running.  We have had seven home and four away athletic events.  Play production has had auditions, speech has begun meetings, intramural activities are ready, after school weights has begun, pep band and marching band are doing well along with many other clubs that have had meetings. 

Activity photo day went well.  Drueppel Photography is our new photographer.  Ms. McKenney is doing a great job! 

Friday night, we had a student that needed medical services during the game.  The student is home now and will return to school soon. 

Thank you to everyone that becomes a Business or Individual Athletic Booster Club member each year.   We appreciate all the donations we receive and here is how the donations are being used in 2014-2015! 

$1,799.00:   HUDL
   $154.00:   Baden Skill Coach Training Basketballs
   $400.00:   Stationary Bike for weight room
$2,000.00:   Toward an ice machine
$1,250.00:   Purchase of five Clicgear Push-Carts
$6,000.00:   Set aside for Carbon Max Net/Standard System w/Pads and Padded Official stand by Bison
$2,000.00:   Toward replacement or re-stuffing of high jump pit
Booster Club is prepared to spend $13,603 this year. 

The booster board members would also like to thank the alumni volleyball tourney participants.  They donate their dollars to the athletic booster club.  Alumni using an athletic event to give back to the athletic program!  Thank you!

We are ready for the first round of random drug testing.  There will be testing in September at the middle school and the high school.

Conference meeting was held September 3rd at 2:30 pm in York.  I am the East vice-president.  We discussed this years conference events, updating the web site and discussion on how to best recognize our conference coaches of the year. 

Rationale:  1.  Elementary Bus Program:  We initiated the before and after school bus program last week.  There are over 190 students signed up for the program.  We are currently running two buses before and after school.  We have one bus picking up students at the middle school and one bus picking up students at the high school and preschool buildings.  In the afternoon, we have one bus delivering students at the preschool and high school buildings and the other bus currently runs two routes to the middle school.

While things have run fairly well, we have made several adjustments to accommodate the changing numbers of students riding the bus before and after school.  We are working with the parents to understand we are not a child sitting service at the pickup and drop off sites.  Their children need to be there on time in the morning and they need to be there when the bus arrives in the afternoon unless their children walk home on their own.

2. Option Report:  See attached report.

3. Preschool Opening:  Today was opening day for preschool.  The preschool held their open house for students and parents on Thursday.  Congratulations to Ronnie, Paul, and the contractors who transformed the building.  Also, a big thank you to the custodial and teaching staff who worked over the summer and assisted in the move from the portable classrooms.

4.  Superintendent's Evaluation:  Thanks for completing the evaluation forms for the 2nd semester.  Lumir will have the summary ready for review at the meeting. 

Rationale:  1.  Brian, Lumir, and Virginia:  Education Foundation Report

Labor Day Activities Report: 

Minutes from the August 11, 2014 Foundation meeting

Members present:  Brian, Lumir, Sandy, Victor, Dan & Virginia

Others Present:  Kem, Valerie & Shelley

Members absent:  Joyce

Brian called the meeting to order at 12:08 pm

Brian read the vision and goals

Introduced Valerie Olsen new contact from the Schuyler Chamber office 

Secretary Report/Minutes from the July 7, 2014 were approved

Treasurer’s Report was read and also approved

Committee Reports:

Labor Day:  Brian & Victor

     ·     Have two bands booked for the alumni dance cost for both approx. 2,000

     ·     Need to make posters to promote the dance with info about the bands and Sandy would work with Kady and Kim, put an image of both bands and little bio send info to Valerie at Chamber office to put on the newsletter

     ·     Sandy would send Bill Stanton at Schuyler Sun an article about the dance.  Shelley will forward his e-mail to her

     ·     Brian spoke with Rich DeBower about security at the dance he would donate his time and hire a couple more people to help around $100 a piece

     ·     Brian talked with Quentin Nelson about making up t-shirts to be sold at Labor Day events to promote the alumni website.

     ·     Schuyleralumni.net still to be used as website

     ·     Dan to talk to Micheal Doernaman regarding changing the hosting of the alumni website

     ·     Andy Cada and Paul Knutson are in charge of the alumni basketball tournament

     ·     Will use our current banners to promote the foundation

     ·     Float for the parade will be headed up by Virginia, Shelley to get her names and contacts numbers for the 6 scholarship winners and teachers and para educators of the quarter

Will schedule meeting for the tech dept to meet with members of the foundation to get info to update the website will meet right after the regular foundation meeting on Sept. 8, 2014 at the SCHS media annex.

Item to be put on the agenda for next meeting from Sandy is to discuss having a golf tournament next June for a fundraiser

Brian adjourned the meeting at 1:10 pm

Next meeting is Sept. 8, 2014 @ noon at the Schuyler High School Annex