Board of Education
Pending Approval
June 21, 2007
The regular meeting of the Conestoga Board of Education was held Monday, May 14, 2007, at the Conestoga Elementary School, 104 East High Street, Murray, NE. Dennis Martin, President, called the meeting to order 7:31 at p.m. Present were Board Members Dennis Martin, Jeff Stanley, Pat Neu, Gary Todd.; Administrators Mark Sievering; Angela Leifeld, and Robin Frost; nineteen visitors. Absent Board Member Dean Nickels, Judy Simpson; Administrator Eric Dennis.
Motion by Gary Todd second by Jeff Stanley to approve the minutes of the April 9, 2007, regular meeting. Motion carried 4-0 by roll call vote.
Motion by Gary Todd second by Pat Neu to approve the claims as submitted. Motion carried 4-0 by roll call vote.
The Agenda was set as presented.
Judy Simpson entered the meeting at 7:44 p.m.
Eric Dennis entered the meeting at 7:47 p.m.
SCHEDULED AUDIENCE: None
REPORTS:
Eric Dennis:
- Elementary grade 4-6 music program in progress - Mr. Dennis report as submitted.
- Enrollment for 07-08 are high in Kindergarten and 2nd grade. 23 each class of 2nd grade and 22 each class of kindergarten. Have been receiving information on families moving in or option in students.
Angela Leifeld:
- Student Handbook submitted for review. Changes include guidelines for Senior late start/early dismissal; senior participation.
- A sophomore student is investigating the possibility of early graduation at the end of her Junior year.
- Received a bid to enclose the pit area in the library for $3,800.
- Three senior students will be recognized by Omaha World Herald for academic excellence in a separate edition of the paper.
Robin Frost:
- Activity calendar is almost complete for 07-08. Will have sports cards and posters printed by a company for patron use next year.
- Jr. High sports have been using volunteer coaches to help the staff coach. Request for assistant coaches to be re-instated if the student numbers designate the need. Salary currently is 3% of base for an assistant coach.
- Assessment standards have been rewritten and the Department of Education review deadline will be met.
Mark Sievering:
- Elementary Internet currently wireless. Fiber optic cost is excessive, will continue to investigate an update solution.
- Speech pathologist - one on staff and one contracted currently. Current contracted individual would be interested to be hired as a staff person and placed on the payroll.
NRCSA/NASB: No report
COMMITTEE:
Buildings and Grounds: No report
Budget and Finance: No report
Negotiations: No report
Americanism/Instruction: No report
Transportation:
Bus parking/unloading: possible solutions discussed including lengthen the bus parking area to accommodate buses, change entrance for bus loading only and car entrance only. Could install a stop sign at the end of the parking lot to allow right of way for the buses. Need to designate a parent pickup area other than the front of the building.
Recommendation from board members to obtain bids to lengthen the bus loading zone to accommodate 10 buses and a second bid to lengthen the drive down to the entrance of the county road.
Legislation: Budget lid for 07-08 will remain at $1.05 at this time. Currently the legislation for the OPS education bill has removed the changing of ESU designation. Until a bill is passed by the Legislature any of the current wordage could change.
DISCUSSION ITEMS:
Summer (and year-round) grounds care: tractor and completion of the mowing job would cost approximately $2,500 - $3,000 in salary for summer work to hire an individual. An upgrade of equipment is necessary (currently only one industrial mower).
Student Fees Hearing will be held in June. Recommendation to return to the cost of student activity fees to $50.00 (High School) and $30.00 (Jr. High). The transportation fee is recommended to be eliminated.
ACTION ITEMS:
Motion by Gary Todd, second by Judy Simpson to approve the sponsorship, up to $2,000, of a Conestoga Speech Team beginning with the 2007-08 school year. Motion carried 5-0 roll call vote.
Motion by Gary Todd, second by Jeff Stanley to cast a vote for David Grimes for the Nebraska Association of School Boards Legislation Committee. Motion carried 5-0 by roll call vote.
Spring Sports for 2007-08 died for lack of motion.
Survey of students for possible participation of spring sports conducted by Robin Frost. At this time there is no discussion on the elimination of any spring sport. Parental request has been received for the formation of a boys golf team, the board has declined to take any action on this matter.
Motion by Jeff Stanley, second by Gary Todd to approve the Interlocal Agreement for Alternative School Services with the Plattsmouth Community Schools for the 2007-08 school year, reserving five slots at a cost of $100 per student and the remaining cost of $4,000 per student per semester only if students qualify for the program. Motion carried 5-0 by roll call vote.
Motion by Gary Todd, second by Jeff Stanley to approve the Interlocal Agreement for Distance Learning services with Southeast Nebraska Distance Learning (SNDLC). Motion carried 5-0 by roll call vote.
Motion by Jeff Stanley, second by Judy Simpson to approve the 2007-08 Secondary Student Handbook as presented. Motion carried 5-0 by roll call vote.
Motion by Jeff Stanley, second by Gary Todd to place the position of High School Counselor and School District Nurse on extended contract (10 month � two weeks before school and two weeks after school). Motion carried 4-0 by roll call vote. Dennis Martin, abstain.
Motion by Gary Todd, second by Pat Neu to approve the contract with Brett Webster, High School Social Studies, for the 2007-08 school year. Motion carried 5-0 by roll call vote.
Motion by Gary Todd, second by Pat Neu to approve the contract with Jeffrey Harkness, Special Education teacher, for the 2007-08 school year. Motion carried 5-0 by roll call vote.
Motion by Gary Todd, second by Pat Neu to approve the contract with Sarah Harvey, Elementary Physical Education teacher, for the 2007-08 school year. Motion carried 5-0 by roll call vote.
Motion by Jeff Stanley, second by Pat Neu to accept the resignation of Megan Weber, Pre-School teacher, at the end of the 2006-07 school year. Motion carried 5-0 by roll call vote.
Motion by Gary Todd, second by Jeff Stanley to approve the resolution to retain Chad Meisgeier, attorney of law, to assist the board in administering the personnel hearing requested by Bernard Hammerschmidt. Motion carried 5-0 by roll call vote.
Personnel Hearing has been scheduled for Thursday, May 31, 2007 beginning at 12:30 p.m. in the cafeteria of the elementary building.
Motion by Gary Todd, second by Judy Simpson to enter Executive Session at 9:18 p.m. for the purpose of discussion for pending litigation. Motion carried 5-0 by roll call vote.
Motion by Pat Neu, second by Judy Simpson to reconvene from Executive Session at 10:27 p.m.
FUTURE DATES:
May 15 Arts Alive Talent Show/Banquet 6:30 p.m.
May 24 Last Day of School Early Dismissal
Motion by Gary Todd, second by Pat Neu 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 10:32 p.m.
