Conestoga Board of Education Minutes
Pending Approval
June 16, 2008
The regular meeting of the Conestoga Board of Education was held Monday, June 9, 2008, at the Conestoga Elementary School, 104 East High Street, Murray, NE. Dennis Martin, President, called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m. Present were Board Members Dennis Martin, Jeff Stanley, Dean Nickels, Pat Neu, Judy Simpson; Administrators Mark Sievering; Angela Leifeld and Robin Frost; four visitors. Eric Dennis and Gary Todd, 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 South wall of the meeting room.
Motion by Pat Neu, second by Dean Nickels to approve as corrected the minutes of the May 13, 2008, regular meeting. Motion carried 5-0 by roll call vote. Gary Todd, absent.
Correction: Budget and Finance Committee meeting scheduled for June 5, 2008, not Building and Grounds as recorded.
Motion by Pat Neu second by Judy Simpson to approve the claims as submitted. Motion carried 5-0 by roll call vote. Gary Todd, absent.
The agenda was amended to include the following items:
- Action Item E: Consideration of 2008-09 Calendar amendment.
- Action Item F: Consideration of Jr-Sr High Student Handbook revisions.
SCHEDULED AUDIENCE: None
REPORTS:
Eric Dennis: Report as submitted.
Angela Leifeld:
- Summer Projects include: Commons Pit area and carpeting, locker room lockers, bleachers revised to become ADA accessible.
- Christine Fritz is teaching summer school for eight students.
Robin Frost:
- Proof-reading assessment data for corrections before submission.
- Alternative Program, making initial move of equipment, etc.
Mark Sievering:
Will be out of district for vacation period.
NRCSA/NASB:
July 15, last day for Commissioner of Education. Marge Harouff has been named Interim Deputy Commissioner and Brian Halstad as Interim Assistant Deputy Commissioner.
COMMITTEE:
Buildings and Grounds: No report
Budget and Finance: No report - meeting scheduled for Monday, July
8, 2008. 6:00 p.m. before the regular meeting.
Negotiations: No report
Policy/Americanism/Instruction: No report
Transportation:
Due to new legislation, the fifteen passenger vans in the current fleet will become illegal to transport students. The recommendation is to purchase one used eleven passenger van, one mini-van and a 4-wheel drive sports utility vehicle. Total cost of the replacements should be approximately $50,000. Mr. Sievering will contact local dealerships for vehicle availability.
Two more years on current transportation contract. Will investigate cost of fuel at renewal time.
Legislation: No report
DISCUSSION ITEMS: None
ACTION ITEMS:
Rationale is due to moving expense, loan repayment, etc., this would help teachers upon entering the work force. Classified staff are paid hourly and at this time, the benefit can not be offered. Further investigation will be done to extend this offer.
Motion by Dean Nickels, second by Jeff Stanley to approve new teachers the option to receive their salary over a thirteen month payment for the first year of hire. Motion carried 4-1 by roll call vote. Gary Todd, absent; Pat Neu, nay.
Motion by Pat Neu, second by Judy Simpson to approve the Driver Education contract with ESU#3 for the 2009 summer school. The $305.00 cost will be borne by the participants. Motion carried 5-0 by roll call vote. Gary Todd, absent.
Gatekeeper Administration & Consulting representative Steve Moore, explained the new regulations for 403(b) plans. This is a third party administrator and not in the business of selling options to employees. A $1,800 one time plan set up fee and $3.00 per month per participant fee will enable the current participants to continue with their company as long as the company agrees to the district plan.
Security Benefit is the Nebraska State Education Association endorsed company to monitor 403(b) plans adopted by school districts. Mary Oestmann, representative of Security Benefit stated that her company would also work with a third party administrator to monitor the employee�s accounts. If a consortium with another school and an exclusive Security Benefit plan would cancel the $500 set up fee and $500 annual fee plus $12 per year per participant, but the plan is limited to five vendors. Currently Conestoga employees participate with nine vendors.
Motion by Jeff Stanley, second by Dean Nickels to enter an agreement with Gatekeeper Administration & Consulting to monitor the district 403(b) plan with the district paying the initial fees and monthly fees. Motion carried 5-0 by roll call vote. Gary Todd, absent.
A break was called at 9:00 p.m. and reconvened at 9:10 p.m.
Recommendation to adopt the Apex Learning Curriculum for the Alternative Program. This web based program offers extended studies for all students, with 70-90 hours of instruction for semester classes.
Program cost for all 9-12 students is $35 per student. Program cost would be $120 if only purchased for alternative students. The internet system at the Nehawka site would need to be updated. The Nova Net program which is the current program used would be discontinued. Training for teachers would be necessary.
Motion by Pat Neu, second by Judy Simpson to adopt the Apex Learning Curriculum Solution program as the curriculum for the alternative program with availability for use by all 9-12 students under instructor supervision. Motion carried 5-0 by roll call vote. Gary Todd, absent.
Motion by Dean Nickels, second by Jeff Stanley to adopt the 2008-09 Calendar changes. October 20- 23 (Monday - Thursday), no school on Friday, October 24; October 27 (Staff Inservice, no students); March 30 - April 2 (Monday - Thursday), no school on Friday, April 3. Motion carried 5-0 by roll call vote. Gary Todd, absent.
Motion by Pat Neu, second by Judy Simpson to adopt the Jr-Sr High Student Handbook changes as presented. Motion carried 5-0 by roll call vote. Gary Todd, absent.
Motion by Jeff Stanley, second by Pat Neu to accept the teacher resignations: Brett Webster, H.S. Social Studies; LeighAnne Kreykes, Jr-Sr High Music; Sherri Wilson, 1st Grade. Motion carried 5-0 by roll call vote. Gary Todd, absent.
Motion by Dean Nickels, second by Jeff Stanley to approve teaching contracts for the 2008-09 school year to: John Saum, H.S. Special Education; Cody Collins, Jr-Sr High Music; Keith Williams, Elementary. Motion carried 5-0 by roll call vote. Gary Todd, absent.
Motion by Jeff Stanley, second by Pat Neu to approve an increase of 50 cents or 5%, whichever is greater, for classified staff wages for the 2008-09 school year. Motion carried 5-0 by roll call vote. Gary Todd, absent.
FUTURE DATES:
July 8, 2008
Board of Education
Meeting 7:00 p.m.
Budget
& Finance Meeting 6:00 p.m.
Motion by Dean Nickels, 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 10:17 p.m.
