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Board of Education: January Minutes

January 8, 2007 Minutes

Pending Approval

January 23, 2007

 

The regular meeting of the Conestoga Board of Education was held Monday, January 8, 2007, at the Conestoga Elementary School, 104 East High Street, Murray, NE. Dennis Martin, President, called the meeting to order at 7:34 p.m. Present were Board Members Dennis Martin, Judy Simpson, Jeff Stanley, Dean Nickels, Pat Neu, Gary Todd.; Administrators Mark Sievering; Angela Leifeld, Eric Dennis and Robin Frost; two visitors.

Notice of the meeting was given in advance by publication and/or posting in accordance with the Board approved method for giving notice of meetings. Notice of this meeting and the subjects to be discussed at this meeting were given in advance to all members of the Board of Education. A current copy of the agenda was maintained as stated in the publicized notice.

At the beginning of this meeting, Dennis Martin, President, announced and informed the public that a current copy of the Open Meetings Act is posted on the West wall of the meeting room.

Jeff Stanley, Pat Neu and Gary Todd completed the Oath of Office as newly elected members of the Board of Education.

President Dennis Martin opened the floor for nominations for the office of President. Dean Nickels nominated Dennis Martin, second by Gary Todd. Motion by Gary Todd to cease nomination and cast a unanimous ballot for Dennis Martin, President of Conestoga Board of Education. Motion seconded by Dean Nickels. Motion carried 5-0 by roll call vote. Dennis Martin, abstain.

Judy Simpson nominated Gary Todd, for the office of Vice President, second by Dean Nickels.

Motion by Dean Nickels, second by Pat Neu to cease nominations and cast a unanimous ballot for Gary Todd, Vice President of Conestoga Board of Education. Motion carried 5-0 by roll call vote. Gary Todd, abstain.

Gary Todd nominated Pat Neu, for the office of Secretary, second by Judy Simpson.

Motion by Judy Simpson, second by Gary Todd to cease nominations and cast a unanimous ballot for Pat Neu, Secretary of Conestoga Board of Education. Motion carried 5-0 by roll call vote. Pat Neu, abstain.

Motion by Gary Todd, second by Pat Neu to nominate Dean Nickels for the office of Treasurer of Conestoga Board of Education. Motion carried 5-0 by roll call vote. Dean Nickels, abstain.

Committee Assignments

1. Budget and Finance
                      Dean Nickels, Dennis Martin, Gary Todd

2. Negotiations
                       Pat Neu,Judy Simpson,Gary Todd

3. Americanism/Instruction/Policy
                      Pat Neu, Judy Simpson, Jeff Stanley

4. Transportation    
                        Judy Simpson, Dennis Martin, Jeff Stanley

5. Building and Grounds
                       Gary Todd, Pat Neu, Dean Nickels

6. Legislative Liaison   
                        Jeff Stanley, Alternate Judy Simpson

Motion by Gary Todd, second by Dean Nickels to approve the minutes of the December 9, special meeting and the December 11, 2006, regular meeting. Motion carried 6-0 by roll call vote.

Motion by Pat Neu second by Dean Nickels to approve the claims as submitted. Motion carried 6-0 by roll call vote.

The agenda was set as amended. Sean Huckleberry added to Scheduled Audience.

SCHEDULED AUDIENCE:

Sean Huckleberry, regarding enrollment option.

REPORTS:

Eric Dennis:

  1. Security cameras installed at building

Angela Leifeld:

  1. Aaron Davis, motivational speaker, will present to grades 5-12 on January 24
  2. My Space Assembly will be held Feb 7 for grades 5-12
  3. Friday Focus accentuating the positive that staff have done during the week has been implemented.

Robin Frost:

  1. Wrestling team placed 2nd in the Cass Quad and won the Tecumseh Tourney.
  2. Attended the Principal�s Conference in Kearney.

Mark Sievering:

  1. Received good publicity in the Plattsmouth Journal for various activities during the last month.
  2. NRCSA Legislative Forum will be held January 16 in Lincoln. Dennis, Gary and Mark will be attending.
  3. Committee meeting schedule submitted to board members. Will be held at 6:30 before the board meetings.
  4. Student Fees: annually generate approximately $10,000. Transportation fees charged generated approximately $6,000. Proposal presented to the board requests the elimination of all participation and transportation fees for the 07-08 school year. Rationale: difficult to maintain payments; hours designated by staff for collection, etc.; possibly would be more students participating in activities if no fee is assessed.
  5. Proposed legislation regarding all schools beginning date after Labor Day. Has not left committee yet. Will monitor progress. Repeal of Class 1 Schools Dissolution also being discussed by legislature this session.
  6. February board meeting will be held Feb. 12, beginning at 12:00. A walk through of buildings for maintenance purposes will be held before the formal meeting.
  7. The Jr-Sr High building maintenance concerns include: 1) replacement of stage curtains; 2) locker replacement; 3) gym floor refinishing; 4) window replacement in library area; 4) security system update.
  8. A half-time activities director/half-time teacher position might be considered for 07-08 depending on the open positions in the teaching staff.
  9. A Special Education Director position might be investigated for the 07-08 school year.

NRCSA/NASB:

Spring conference for NRCSA will be held March 20 & 21. Board members are encouraged to register.

COMMITTEE:

Buildings and Grounds: No report
Budget and Finance: No report
Negotiations: No report
Americanism/Instruction: No report 
Transportation:

  • Met with Jerry and Norma Kenney, transportation directors. Contract with Nebraska Bus is due for renewal March 1. Conditions of contract discussed, evaluation of transportation system for first semester reviewed. Five year contract would have three years left. Contract would specify that district would have a director on site, there would be no sharing of the position with other area schools.

Legislation: No report

DISCUSSION ITEMS:

Committee meeting schedule will begin with Building/Grounds in February. Other committee meetings will be scheduled before the regular monthly board meetings.

ACTION ITEMS:

Motion by Pat Neu, second by Judy Simpson to hold a Board Retreat/Goal Setting session on February 24, 2007. Motion carried 6-0 by roll call vote.

Session will be held at the elementary building, beginning at 9:00 a.m. Kathy Bartek, Falls City school board member, will facilitate the meeting.

Motion by Gary Todd, second by Dean Nickels to accept the resignation of Lori Ludwig, secondary Social Studies teacher, at the end of the 2006-07 school year. Motion carried 6-0 by roll call vote.

Motion by Dean Nickels, second by Judy Simpson to enter executive session at 8:59 p.m. for the discussion of parent request. Motion carried 6-0 by roll call vote.

Motion by Dean Nickels, second by Gary Todd to reconvene from executive session at 9:32 p.m. Motion carried 6-0 by roll call vote.

FUTURE DATES:

January 16 NRCSA Legislative Forum

February 12 Board of Education meeting 12:00 p.m.

February 24 Board Retreat/Goal Setting Session 9:00 a.m.

Motion by Gary Todd, second by Dean Nickels to adjourn as there was no further business to be brought before the Board of Education. Motion carried 6-0 by roll call vote. President Dennis Martin adjourned the meeting at 9:32 p.m.

 

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