July 13, 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 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:  Listed below are the board policy additions and revisions recommended by the NASB Legal Council.  We subscribe to their policy program and will have these policies updated on your website upon approval of first reading.  Board policies require 2 readings, so we will finalize this process in August prior to the start of the 2015-16 school year.  See the outline listed below and the attached policies for greater detail.
 
The recent legislative session and other changes have led to the following policy additions or revisions:
 
Policy 204.11 - LB 365 allows schools to keep records in electronic format rather than needing a printed version as the official copy.
 
Policy 402.01 - LB 627 prohibits discrimination in employment based on the applicant’s status regarding pregnancy or childbirth or related medical condition.
 
New Policy 404.11 - LB 627 requires schools to designate an appropriate area for employees for breast-feeding or expression of milk.
 
New Policy 508.16 - LB 511 requires schools to establish a return to learn protocol for students returning to school after treatment for pediatric cancer.
 
Policy 603.01 – Rule 10 has now incorporated a revised set of English Language Arts Standards that schools must adopt or exceed.
 
Policies 706.03 and 902.04 - LB 431 has revised upward the minimum dollar limits at which a school must take formal bids for construction and remodeling projects, and provided periodic adjustments of that limit.
 
Policy 902.02 – LB 431 also provides periodic adjustments for the $100,000 limit at which a board must retain an architect or engineer for construction projects.
 
Later this month we will also provide a revised and more detailed Policy 905.07 Safety Drills.
 
Thank you for your interest.
 
Jim Luebbe
NASB

Rationale: 

During the 2014-15 school year, the Colfax County Attorney was awarded a grant to improve student attendance.  This program is designed to be of a friendly and problem-solving nature supported by positive incentives and appropriate consequences.  The Truancy Program builds upon the basis that every child is entitled to, capable of and responsible for his/her education, with the ultimate responsibility for the child's attendance at school being with the parent or guardian.

Last year, the program was operated out of the County Attorney's office.  We believe this program will be much more effective if the employee was housed at the school building.  Her role will include direct consultation with staff, guidance counselors and principals as well as with students and their parents.  We have an office at the high school building, just off the east gym, and in the main hallway of the building.  This will make her more accessible to students and staff.

See attached information for more details about the program.

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

Rationale: 

Chuck Misek, Rich Brabec, and Virginia Semerad met with the architect Ryan Stearns on the proposed building plans for the community rec center project.  After review, the committee agreed to release the plans for the bidding process.  We recommended the bids accepted as one project bid, or with independent contractors bidding portions of the project.   The benefit of allowing bid options allows local contractors to bid portions of the project as well as the cost benefit of a general contractor managing the whole project.

The bids will be due in 3 weeks, which gives the committee time to value engineer if necessary to improve the cost or change of materials recommended in this project.

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

Rationale: 

The south side of the old Homestead Bank has been remodeled and rental space (8 Offices) are available for community programs.  The Chamber, Schuyler Community Development, CCC, are relocating to the building.  We are recommending moving two programs to the Homestead Center for the 2015-16 school year.

1.   Community Resource Center:  We were housing this program in what is now the Special Education Office.  Our School Psychologist and his office used to be in one of the portable classrooms at the preschool.  During the 2014-15 school year, we moved to what was the Community Resource Center.  During the school year, we had few parents/patrons take advantage of this program.  We believe with better coordination and location, we may be better able to provide access to the education center, translation services, etc...  $150 per month.

2.  Extension Educator:   We received a grant to fund a full-time extension coordinator for the school district.  This is a 12-month, non-tenured position.  The major responsibility of this position is to provide regional leadership for University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension’s Youth Development Action Team through a partnership with the Nebraska Children & Families Foundation.   The outcome of this focused extension educational program for communities includes:  specifically targeting the communities of Schuyler, Norfolk and Columbus with the development and growth of partnership aimed at raising the level of expanded learning opportunities for youth in these communities. $200 per month.

This is a one-year lease that will automatically renew unless notice is given 6 months prior to the end of the term.  We will include this rent in our grant programs.  See the attached contract for space in the Homestead Center.

Rationale:  See attached information

Rationale: 

Federal Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 was signed in to law on October 30, 2000, placing new emphasis on state and local mitigation planning for natural hazards and requiring communities to adopt a hazard mitigation action plan to be eligible for pre-disaster and post-disaster federal funding for mitigation purposes.

A multi-jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan was prepared by Lower Platte North Natural Resources District, with assistance from JEO Consulting Group, Inc. of Lincoln, NE, which includes the Schuyler Community Schools.

This plan with cities, counties, and school districts is designed to lessen the effects of disasters by increasing the disaster resistance of the Natural Resources District.   The participating jurisdictions located within the planning boundary by identifying the hazards that affect the Schuyler Community Schools and prioritize mitigation strategies to reduce potential loss of life and property damage from those hazards. 

This act requires public entities to formally approve the resolution to adopt the hazard mitigation plan.

Rationale:  Attached is the annual membership renewal with the Nebraska Rural Community Schools Association (NRCSA).  See attached information for details on services provided by the Association for the 2015-16 school year. Dues for the 15-16 school year remain the same as 2014-15 at $700. See attached information.

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

Rationale: 

We are recommending moving Guadalupe Marino to the special education administrative assistant position and moving Heather Bebout to the SES technology teacher/afterschool director position.  We are reducing the afterschool director position to a part-time certified teacher position in order for us to develop the program to better serve our K-8 high ability learner and STEM program interests.  Heather was teaching 2nd grade, so we are recommending hiring Amanda Larsen for that position. 

We are also recommending hiring Sidnee Pavel through the County Attorney's office for 35 hours per week for 9 months.   The salary for this position will be reimbursed monthly through the County Attorney's grant.  They are increasing the hours from 25 to 35 hours per week throughout the school year. 

We received an additional early childhood specialist through an expanded Sixpence Grant.  This grant pays for an additional home services provider for our birth to 5 program.  We are recommending Vanesa Munoz for this expanded position.

Rationale:  Pekny and Associates have been doing Schuyler Community Schools' annual audit of financial statements, reviewing your schedule of assets, receipts, expenditures, and fund balances.  See attached contract for for details included in the annual audit.  

Rationale: 

We received notice that the Nebraska Supreme Court made their final decision on personal property taxes paid in 2010.  The refund of tax or penalty shall be satisfied as soon as practical and in no event later than five (5) years from the date of the order.  We received the order on May 14, 2015. 

The board of education will need to take action identifying the repayment schedule of $211,362.56.  See options below.

           Option 1                                       Option 2                           Option 3                      Option 4

1/1/2016  $42,272.51            1/1/2019    $105,681.28           1/1/2020   211,362.56              ?????  

1/1/2017  $42,272.51            1/1/2020    $105,681.28

1/1/2018  $42,272.51

1/1/2019  $42,272.51

1/1.2020  $42,272.52

 

See attached documents

Rationale: 

Summer School Report – We have been running various summer school opportunities all summer.  I haven’t received all my reports yet, so this is what I’m aware of regarding the number of students we’ve had.  These numbers do not include special education students who receive extended year services on an Individual Education Plan.

• In June we had a Warrior Academy Camp.This camp was run similarly to the afterschool program at SES and SMS.Students were able to participate in various clubs that included reading, fitness, nutrition and exercise, yarn work, pottery, Spanish. Entrepreneurship from CCC, woodworking, painting, recorder choir, drawing, sports cubs (volleyball, basketball, wrestling), garden crafts, and poetry.We had 183 students come to the June session.
• SCHS Summer School:  We had 40 high school students attend summer school and complete course work in June.  This number does not include our ELL students.
• In July, students are involved in a Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Camp.Students do projects that integrate these concepts.At the middle school level, student are creating movies, creating their own mobile apps, working on robotics and other engineering and participating in an PE activities using our SPARK Curriculum.We have had 32 students attend.At the elementary level, science, math and engineering concepts are mixed with literacy for their summer camp. We have had 164 students attend at least one day.
  
  • 4^th grade students are studying weather and doing science experiments related to weather while reading the novel, “Night of the Twisters.” by Ivy Ruckman.
  • 2^nd and 3^rd grade students are doing physical science experiments and writing about them, learning about the solar system, weather and magnets.
  • 1^st grade is learning about zoology.
  • Kindergarteners are working on magnetics, building bridges, force and motion, Oceanography, weather and food.

Rationale: 

1.  NASB Area Membership Meeting:  Norfolk - September 23rd    Register by Sept. 16th.  See attached information.

2.  Preschool Update:  Three of the last four portable classroom buildings at the preschool have been moved.  Weather permitting the last one will be moved out within the week.  Work on the second floor is ahead of schedule.  There were a few unexpected setbacks with plumbing and problem with the design of the second floor hallway, but things seem to be back on track.  The contractors and our employees have done a great job of working together throughout the summer.  We are still on target be completed August 1st.

3. School Vehicles:  The old school van was sold for $800.  The new bus will be here next week. 

4.  Misc Items:  The old foundation located to the south of SCHS has been torn down and removed.  The last portable classroom at the preschool location is scheduled to be removed by Friday.

5.  District Census:  We are required to complete a district census for students between 5 and 18.  Attached are the census reports for 2014 and 2015.  The is census report is an annual requirement.

6.  School Opening:  Administrators will be going to Kearney for Administrator Days Meetings at the end of the month.  New teachers will meet on Tuesday, August 11th.  Crisis Team Administrative and First Responder training will be on Tuesday, 12:30-4:00.  Elementary staff will train on Wednesday, Middle school and High school staff on Thursday.  Support staff on Friday afternoon.  All staff meeting will be on Friday morning.  We will begin with coffee and rolls at 8:00 AM.  Last year, the board hosted lunch for staff.  We need to know if this is a possibility again this year.