February 9, 2015 at 6:30 PM - Board of Education Regular Meeting

Rationale: 

STRIVE  •  COMMIT  •  SUCCEED  -  District Mission Statement

Schuyler Community Schools in partnership with parents, students, and the community is committed to educate students to become skilled, knowledgeable and responsible citizens in a global society - District Vision Statement

Notice of this meeting was given in advance according to State Law 84-1411, by giving notice of the meeting to the public.  Notice of this meeting was also given in advance to all members of the Board of Education

Rationale:  This meeting has been preceded by advance notice and is hereby declared to be in open session.  A copy of the Open Meetings Act is posted in the hallway outside the Media Center.

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

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

Rationale:  Attached is the information and contract with ESU 7 for the 2015-16 school year.

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

Rationale:  The building committee reviewed bids on Thursday, February 5th.  The bids came in too high, so the board committee is recommending the board reject all bids.  The architects will rework the plans including a possible change in exit location and materials specified in the project.  We should have another recommendation for board consideration in March.

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

Rationale:  Attached is the NASB membership renewal information.  There is a 2% savings if paid by April 1, 2015.

Rationale:  Listed below are the 12 major prioritized goals confirmed by our staff, parents, and community leaders.  Attached is a complete list of items carried forward as well as those prioritized by the various groups.  Please review the items listed below as well as the

1. Develop a plan to complete the remodeling of the preschool building.The next phase includes construction of a 2^nd floor emergency exit and remodeling of the 2^nd floor classrooms/restrooms.
2. Develop a plan to improve safety for students crossing highway 15 at the intersections of 9^th and 10^th street (middle school).With the volume of traffic on highway 15 and the complexity of the four lanes at 9^th street, safety for middle school children crossing the highway continues to be a concern expressed by both our employees and parents.The City of Schuyler currently provides a crossing guard before and after school, but with the addition of elementary and pre-school children participating in the busing program, the numbers and ages of students have expanded.
3. Develop a plan and timeline to expand technology programs at the rural and elementary buildings.This plan includes upgrading the wireless network systems, purchasing and/or reassigning of computers and iPads, and developing curricula to infuse technology in the classroom.
4. Develop a plan/timeline to revisit Language Arts and Writing programs in grades K-5.We are currently using the language program through reading mastery program.While the reading performance is strong, the programs for language arts and writing are of concern.
5. Develop a plan to build a community event center at the Middle School location.The first phase of this project would include an event center featuring an indoor soccer/football field, walking track, and additional basketball goals.The second phase would include the addition of locker rooms (community “safe” rooms).
6. Develop a plan to develop and implement a consistent, effective behavior management plan to promote consistency and improved student performance.Each building currently has a program/plan to address inappropriate student behavior.The middle and high schools are currently working with a behavior management program that requires students, teachers, and parents to communicate prior to the principal’s involvement.
7. Provide full-time nurses at SES, SMS, and SCHS buildings.We currently have 3 nurses working 32 hours per week.Their 4-day work schedule requires the other two nurses to cover for the nurse not on duty.These hours were cut several years ago as a budget reduction recommendation.
8. Provide additional programs to challenge K-12 students of higher ability.High ability programs were traditionally setup to have a special time during the day for students of higher ability to leave the regular classroom for an hour to work on a “special project”.These programs have been replaced by extended day and extended year programs, magnet schools, honor classes, and differentiated curricula offered within the regular classroom.
9. Develop a long-range plan to address facility needs at SCHS.Three years ago the board of education began planning for the construction of a new performing arts center.The plan has shifted to consider a number of facility challenges including:additional classrooms, upgraded science facilities, performing arts center, food service expansion, upgraded athletic facility needs, etc…
10. Bilingual Education for staff and students:Many of our students come to us speaking two languages.It was originally thought the two languages were confusing to children, research now supports an advantage in brain development in students who are dual language speakers.While many people speak two languages, people who can speak, read, and write multiple languages are considered bilingual.In addition, children whose parents are engaged with their education and communicate regularly with their child/children’s teachers do better in school.
11. Develop a plan and timeline to address facility/program needs at Fisher’s K-8 building.Fisher’s is the only school building in the district without a gymnasium.This facility would provide support for increased enrollment at the elementary level.
12. Increase Teacher Residency/Involvement:  We currently have 50% of our teachers, 75% of staff living in our district.  Increasing employee residency and school/community involvement would strengthen both our school and community.

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

Rationale:  1.  Greg Pavlik:  High School Principal has submitted his resignation and has accepted a job with Ogallala Public Schools.  See attached resignation.

2.  Emily Kmiecik:  Middle School Physical Education Teacher has resigned and accepted a job with Millard Public Schools.

Rationale:  The board negotiations team met and reviewed the principal, director, and coordinator contracts for the 2015-16 school year.  The negotiations committee will need to meet again to finalize their recommendation that includes possible changes in assignments, salaries, benefits, contract days, and program supervision requirements.

Rationale:  1.  Americanism, Curriculum, and Assessment: 

2.  Policy, Handbooks, and Support Programs:

3. Buildings, Grounds, and Transportation: 

4.  Public Relations, Planning, and Calendar:

5.  Budget, Finance, Negotiations, and Personnel:

Rationale:  Middle School Report:  Michelle Burton
6th: 122
7th: 125
8th: 116
Total: 363

The 8th graders took their State Writing Test on January 28th.  A special thank you goes to Mrs. Wemhoff and Mrs. Kment for their work to prepare our students and staff for the testing!

Schuyler Middle School welcomed eleven faculty members from SCHS on Tuesday, February 3rd for classroom visits.  Each staff member was able to visit 4-5 classrooms.

SMS is also in the news!  Thank you to The Schuyler Sun for their continued coverage of our building!  Please read the article at: http://columbustelegram.com/schuyler/news/students-discover-new-way-to-learn/article_22b096a1-9f2b-507d-a20b-3b41274aeba8.html

Mr. Reinsch and Mrs. Burton also continue to brainstorm ways to continue to strengthen the SCS ties between SMS, Fischer's, and Richland.  Efforts to acquaint all Schuyler Warrior students to middle school level activities and opportunities will continue increase.  

SMS students, parents, and staff were also blessed to hear and work with Mr. Kevin Honeycutt on January 28th and 29th.  Mr. Honeycutt's message was focused on using technology to improve our quality of time spent, both personally and professionally.  He can be followed on social media sites, such as Twitter, and his website can be found at: http://kevinhoneycutt.org/.

Summer school planning has also begun.  There will be several enrichment options for all SMS students.  Mrs. Burton met with Mrs. Encarnacion to discuss curriculum opportunities, and work will be done to set a calendar for all of the opportunities for student learning.

High School Report:  Mr. Pavlik

Enrollment as of 2/9/15 is 483 students.  This is up 14 from a year ago.

9^th grade – 124

10^th grade – 131

11^th grade – 100

12^th grade – 128

On Sunday, January 18^th the SCHS National Honor Society inducted 31 new members to the chapter.  

Congratulations to:

Alejandra Blanco, Erik DeArcos, Monica Gutierrez, Deyalis Hernandez, Brittney Korth, Mylissa Krupka, Priscila Olea, Baily Petersen, Rosbin Ravanales, Kristian Rocha, Giselle Adame, Esmeralda Avalos, Jessica Carrillo, Myiesha Hartman, Josh Pflasterer, Christian Sobota, David Svoboda, Allen Zrust, Cody Zrust, Jasmin Corona, Natasha Guico, Roxana Gurrola, Eduardo Guzman, Cameron Harding, Jesica Hernandez, Brooke Horejsi, Kellie Kroeger, Angela Medina, Sidney Svehla, Erik Tena, and Jessica Valora

Our junior class took the NeSA writing assessment on Wednesday January 21^st.  We had a 10 a.m. start for grades 9, 10, and 12 while 11^th grade students came at the regular time.  We had 4 students absent but all completed the test on January 30^th.  Special thanks to the entire staff for the time and effort they put in to make the assessment days to run smooth.

The English Language Development Assessment (ELDA) window opens on the 9^th and Mrs. Kracl and Ms. Eloge will begin assessing students on February 10^th.

Future 10 a.m. starts for grades 9,10, & 12 due to NeSA assessment

• March 31^st and April 1^st- NeSA Reading
• April 8^th and 9^th – NeSA Math
• April 15^th – NeSA Science

Dates set for future events-

May 11^th – Activities Awards Night – 7 pm in the West gym

May 12^th -  Academic Awards Night – 7 pm in the West gym

Rationale: 

Curriculum and Assessment Director:  Dave Gibbons
Curriculum – We have held Curriculum Team Meetings for K-8 Technology, K-8 Physical Education, 9-12 Language Arts, K-12 English as a Second Language, 6-8 Language Arts and K-5 Social Studies.  I will be able to provide summaries of these meetings to the curriculum committee at your convenience.  We will not be ready to make a complete recommendation for purchasing curriculum materials in all these areas by the end of February, but those recommendations will be coming this spring.  Of particular importance will be the materials purchase for Social Studies because the committee on Americanism must “carefully examine, inspect, and approve all textbooks used in the teaching of American history and civil government.”

School Improvement – Teams have been working on data for the student diagnostic report for AdvancED Accreditation. 

Assessment and Accountability

– By Monday, we will have finished our State Writing Assessment and we will have begun our English Language Development Assessment (ELDA).  The ELDA is given to all students who are considered English Language Learners, regardless of whether or not they receive services. 

Dir. of Grants Report:   Stephen Grammer

21^st Century Grant

After School Program

• It has been a great start for the After School Program for the second semester.
• At the start of January we had a total of 205 students in the After School Program, K – 8.   At the end of January we have 185 students at SES and 45 students at SMS for a total of 230.
• Still short some workers on Wednesdays & Thursdays at SES Which means we still have a waiting list of 15 students at SES.

School Improvement Grant  (SIG)                                     

Discovery Education

• On Tuesday and Wednesday, January 13^th & 14^th , the staff at the middle school had a training on maximizing student engagement.  The training was for the whole staff. It was a good training for staff and well received.
• On Tuesday, January 20^th, the Administrative team at the middle school will have a Leadership training from Discovery Education for half of the day and informal teacher walkthroughs.
• On February 4^th through the 6^th will be the third set of DE Benchmark assessments.  These are given to the entire student body at SMS.

Community Training and Assistance Center

• CTAC representatives met with the Leadership Team for an hour on Friday, January 23^rd and then met with the whole staff for the remainder of the day.  Worked on engaging strategies in the classroom.

Middle School Athletics

• The Boys Basketball season has begun on a good note.  The “A” team is 3 -3 so far this season.  The other teams have had some victories and some hard fought games.  The basketball teams are showing a lot of growth and a good work ethic.  Thank you to the coaches for their hard work and dedication.

• Aerobics is also having a great start to the season and the girls are working hard each day for an hour after school.  Thank Mrs. Wilsuhsen and Mrs. Novacek for working with our girls and showing growth in this program.  Keep up the good work.

SCHS Activities Director Report:  Michelle Egr

Spring schedules are all on the web site and up dated.  We are working on getting the pocket schedules completed so the community will have those in their hands. 

Impact testing continues to run well.  We will be testing spring athletes soon.  

I have met with all activity sponsors/coaches and the summer calendar has been outlined and sent out to sponsor/coaches  We are working to have all camp forms in the hands of students before April 1st. 

I continue to work on next years schedules along with hiring officials.  

Each year, we participate in the Holiday Basketball Tourney in Columbus.  At our last meeting on January 21st, the financials were set.  Schuyler will be receiving another nice check for the athletic department on February 20th.  The actual dollar amount will be announced on the presentation night. 

Rationale:  1.  Early Retirement Program:  We currently have 4 applications submitted for review by the negotiations committee.  Staff has until March 1st to submit their requests. 

2.  Nebr. Rural Community Schools Association (NRCSA) Meetings:  See Attachments
     NRCSA Legislative Forum:  Wednesday, February 18th at the Cornhusker Hotel,  Lincoln, NE.
     NRCSA Spring Conference:  March 19-20 at the Holiday Inn and Convention Center, Kearney, NE

3.  2014 Water Report for Rural Schools:  Attached is the 2014 Water Report for the Rural Schools.  This report is completed annually.  We are happy to report all samples taken at each site came back within or below the limits set for safe drinking water.  See attached report.

Rationale:  Due to inclement weather, the foundation meeting was postponed to Monday, February 9th.