Conestoga Board of Education
pending approval
March 23, 2007
The regular
meeting of the Conestoga Board of Education was held Monday, March
12, 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, Gary Todd.;
Administrators Mark Sievering; Angela Leifeld, Eric Dennis and
Robin Frost; seven visitors. Board Member Pat Neu,
absent.
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.
Motion by Gary
Todd, second by Dean Nickels to approve the minutes of the February
12, 2007, regular meeting and the February 24, 2007 Work
Session. Motion carried 5-0 by roll call vote.
Motion by Gary
Todd second by Judy Simpson to approve the claims as
submitted. Motion carried 5-0 by roll call vote.
The agenda was
set as presented.
SCHEDULED AUDIENCE:
Peggy Moore – President of the Parent-Teacher Organization
Presented review of expenditures and revenue.
Purchased a cold laminator and LCD projectors this year.
Currently have curriculum grants for grade levels available for application.
Have provided assemblies, after school programs, summer camps, book fairs, field trips, pre-school playground pavilion totally $14,550 in expenses.
Working with the Department of Health on a grant for playground
equipment and a health program for students.
Susan Rice – High Ability Learner and Title 1 Teacher
Title 1 program assists students needing extra help in reading and math.
Pre-K – 3rd grade has 35 students; 4-6th
grade has 21 students.
HAL program enrollment: 4-6th 36; 7-8th
21; 9-12th 36. The 9-12 students are not currently
active in the program. Test scores, teacher recommendation,
classroom performance are some of the program requirements for
participation. The majority of the program expenses are paid
with a grant. The main goal of the program is to expose
students to extra experiences they would not normally have the
opportunity for. Experiences include quiz bowls, stock
market, destination imagination, etc.
Vicki Keeler – Boys Golf Program
Parent request for the district to re-instate golf to the extra
curricular program for the 2007-08 school year. A survey has
found a possible eleven students interested; a current teacher
willing to coach; greens fees to be waived by Lake Ridge Golf
Course. The parent/student group are interested in
fundraising to offset the cost of the program. A multiple
year commitment by the parent group would be required for the
financial commitment by the board.
Robin Frost was directed to investigate co-oping the activity with
another school and the availability of a schedule.
REPORTS:
Eric Dennis:
1. 311 students in K-6th grade
2. 90% attendance at Parent-Teacher Conferences.
3. Kindergarten Roundup is scheduled for March 28. Possible 40 Kindergarten and 10 Jr. Kindergarten students.
4. Nebraska History play will be performed by the fourth grade and Fax Gilbert on March 13.
Angela Leifeld:
1. Working on Special Education file review process.
2. Parent-Teacher Conference attendance was less than Fall attendance.
3. Meeting with students regarding 3rd quarter grades and the graduation progress.
4. Student assembly presented by R5 Productions was well received.
5. 7-12 Pop Concert directed by Mrs. Kreykes was a wonderful performance.
6. Summer maintenance projects submitted to the board.
7. ASCD Conference – will attend with curriculum committee.
Robin Frost:
1. Completed State Wide Writing assessment for grades 4,8, and 11.
2. Grade 3rd – 8th Reading Fluency assessment is currently being worked on.
3. Spring sports season begins March 15 with soccer and March 20 for track.
4. Spring Play performance is scheduled for March 23 and 24.
Mark Sievering:
1. State Peer Review for Curriculum was conducted on written curriculum assessments. A June 30 deadline has been established for Conestoga to upgrade the unacceptable rating received.
2. By rescheduling classes to other teachers a certified staff person can be assigned as activities director which would free Robin Frost to complete additional curriculum guidelines beginning with the 2007-08 school year.
3. Completed Special Education paperwork for re-imbursement from Nebraska Department of Education.
4.
Watching legislative action concerning schools. It is
possible a reorganization of Educational Service Units will occur
and Conestoga will no longer be served by ESU3 in Omaha. Cass
and Washington County schools will be hiring a lobbyist to oversee
program changes.
NRCSA/NASB:
NRCSA Conference
will be held March 20 and 21. Mr. Sievering will participate
in a panel discussion regarding four day school weeks and
contracted transportation. Judy Simpson and Dennis Martin
will attend the conference.
COMMITTEE:
Buildings and Grounds: No report
Budget and Finance:
Year in comparison was reviewed. At this date, no short term borrowing will need to be done to offset expenses until the tax draw in May. Currently the expenses are under the 06-07 comparison.
Negotiations: No report
Americanism/Instruction: No report
Transportation: No report
Legislation: No report
DISCUSSION
ITEMS: None
ACTION ITEMS:
Motion by Gary Todd, second by Jeff Stanley to approve approximately $50,000 ($45,000 for Jr-Sr High School and $5,000 for elementary) for summer maintenance projects. Motion carried 4-1 by roll call vote. Judy Simpson, nay.
Locker Replacement: $19,360
Locks: $1,200
Hallway Carpet: $7,418
Media Center
Carpet: $11,750
Motion by Gary
Todd, second by Judy Simpson to send a letter of support to the
Village of Murray in the securing of a grant for Safe Routes to
School Program. Motion carried 5-0 by roll call vote.
Grant is for
expansion/new sidewalks in the village of Murray.
FUTURE DATES:
A. March 20-21, 2007 NRCSA Conference Kearney
B.
April 9,
2007
Board of Education
7:30 p.m.
Motion by Dean Nickels, second by Jeff Stanley to adjourn as there was no further business to be brought before the Board of Education. Motion carried 5-0 by roll call vote. President Dennis Martin adjourned the meeting at 8:49 p.m.
