Conestoga Board of Education
Pending Approval
April 26, 2007
The regular meeting of the Conestoga Board of Education was held Monday, April 9, 2007, at the Conestoga Elementary School, 104 East High Street, Murray, NE. Dennis Martin, President, called the meeting to order at 7:32 at 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; three visitors.
Motion by Dean Nickels second by Pat Neu to approve the minutes of the March 12, 2007, regular meeting. Motion carried 6-0 by roll call vote.
Motion by Gary Todd second by Judy Simpson to approve the claims as submitted. Motion carried 6-0 by roll call vote.
The agenda was set as presented.
SCHEDULED AUDIENCE: None
REPORTS:
Eric Dennis:
Kindergarten 45 registered; 12 Jr. Kindergarten for 2007-08. Possibility of an additional teacher or paraprofessional depending on any additional registrations.
Judy Simpson attended the Fourth grade good tour at Capitol and was told the behavior of the Conestoga students was exceptional.
Angela Leifeld:
ASCD conference focused on empowering student leadership.
Working with teachers on classroom management improvement and
organizational skills.
Working on class schedules for 2007-08.
Current enrollment 284; 5 students down; had some students leave to
obtain a GED.
Robin Frost:
Working with ESU on the Reading Curriculum for submission to NDE in regards to peer review.
Mark Sievering:
Eleven passenger van rule change would eliminate usage of vans converted from 15 to 11 passengers. Possibility will be a three year phase out. To be cost effective could purchase a mini van for small groups plus 15 passenger vans or a small bus to replace the needed vehicles.
Attended an education committee meeting regarding ESU 3 and the possibility of the learning community for Omaha Public Schools. Washington and Cass counties could be required to join the Lincoln or Auburn Educational Service Units; join the learning community or purchase services from ESU3 to meet the needs of the district. Cass and Washington counties have a lobbyist monitoring the progress in the legislature.
Meeting was held with school superintendents using Nebraska School Bus and representatives of Nebraska School Bus. Concerns including the length of the contract, site managers and camera use on buses were discussed.
NRCSA/NASB:
Mr. Sievering attended NRCSA Conference. Participated on a panel for the four day school week and contracted busing.
Judy Simpson attended sessions on law suits over sport issues and diversity in small schools.
COMMITTEE:
Buildings and Grounds: No report
Budget and Finance: No report
Negotiations: Preliminary meeting for upcoming certified
negotiations.
Americanism/Instruction: No report
Transportation: No report Meeting scheduled for Thursday, April 26;
4:00, at high school Legislation: No report
DISCUSSION ITEMS:
Speech team: Ms Corbin currently assists the Speech Team which is a cooperative program with Plattsmouth. Request to have a Conestoga Speech Team for the 2007-08 school year. A review of the Conestoga students performance the past few years; solutions for the cost of the program and the benefits to the students involved in the program was submitted.
Upcoming interest one freshmen, two sophomores; remainder would be Juniors and seniors next year. A full team consists of twelve members for competition. The current co-op with Plattsmouth expires in Sept. The coaching duties would be volunteer until the school district is in a financial position to re-instate the activity pay.
The board will further investigate and possible action would occur at the May board of education meeting.
ACTION ITEMS:
Motion by Pat Neu, second to Dean Nickels to designate Bill Taylor as the Asbestos Manager for the school district. Motion carried 6-0 by roll call vote.
Motion by Pat Neu, second by Gary Todd to recognize the Conestoga Education Association as the collective bargaining unit for the Conestoga Public Schools. Motion carried 6-0 by roll call vote.
Motion by Gary Todd, second by Judy Simpson to approve the position of one-half Physical Education/Activities Director at the beginning of the 2007-08 school year. Motion carried 6-0 by roll call vote.
Review of the current class schedule revealed that a social studies teacher was teaching physical education classes so all students would be covered under the Wellness Policy. Request is to hire a full time social studies teacher (due to a resignation) and tie the activities director with a half time physical education teacher (additional position). This would bring the school district to a full social studies and physical education program for the students.
Motion by Dean Nickels, second by Pat Neu to approve the position of Special Education Teacher/Coordinator at the beginning of the 2007-08 school year. Motion carried 6-0 by roll call vote.
Due to caseload for 2007-08 a minimum of a one-half Special Education teacher at the Jr.-Sr. High building will be required. The other duties could include those of a Special Education Coordinator which would alleviate some of the work load from the administrative staff. This position would be on a teacher salary. A coordinator would not be endorsed as an administrator and therefore would not supervise the special education staff or perform any evaluations. Duties could involve working with grant application, state mandated special education reports, IEP meetings and working with students.
Possible paraprofessional in kindergarten will be required. A teacher will be requested if the student count reaches beyond twenty-five students per class. The study hall paraprofessional at the high school position would not be utilized during the 07-08 school year, so an additional position would not be formed � personnel would be reorganized to fit the needs of the district.
Motion by Pat Neu, second by Judy Simpson to enter Executive Session for the purpose of prevention of needless injury to an individual at 8:52 p.m. Motion carried 6-0 by roll call vote.
President Dennis Martin reminded the board members that the purpose of the executive session is for the prevention of needless injury to an individual.
Motion by Gary Todd, second by Judy Simpson to reconvene from executive session at 9:31 p.m. Motion carried 6-0 by roll call vote.
FUTURE DATES:
April 13, 2007 Elementary Spring Carnival @5/30
April 14, 2007 Prom Dinner @ 6:30; Dance @ 8:00
April 25, 2007 NHS Banquet @ 7:00
April 26, 2007 FFA Banquet @ 6:00
April 30, 2007 FCCLA Banquet @ 7:00
May 8, 2007 Academic Awards Night @ 6:30
May 12, 2007 Graduation @ 3:00
May 14, 2007 Board Meeting @ 7:30
May 15, 2007 Arts Alive Talent Show/Banquet @ 6:30
May 17, 2007 Athletic Banquet @ 6:30
May 21, 2007 7th Grade Awards @ 3:00
May 21, 2007 8th Grade Graduation @ 6:30
May 24, 2007 Last Day of School � Early Dismissal
Motion by Gary Todd, second by Judy Simpson 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 9:34 p.m.
