Conestoga Board of Education
Retreat/Work Session Minutes
The Retreat/Work Session of the
Conestoga Board of Education was held Saturday, February 28, 2009,
at the Conestoga Elementary School, 104 East High Street, Murray,
NE. Gary Todd, President, called the meeting to order at 9:13 a.m.
Present were Board Members Jeff Stanley, Dean Nickels, Pat Neu,
Gary Todd, Scott Moore; Administrators Mark Sievering; Robin Frost
and Eric Dennis. Angela Leifeld, excused.
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, Gary Todd, 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.
The agenda was set as presented.
DISCUSSION ITEMS:
Legislation: Mr. Sievering reported on bills before the
legislature.
LB 64: Lindsay Ann Burke Act advanced, provide duties for school
districts with respect to dating violence.
LB 255: Require lap-shoulder belts in school buses. Concerns
viewed: approximate cost would be $10,000 per bus, three belts per
seat, structure of existing buses would be difficult to add
belts.
No Child Left Behind (NCLB)/Assessments
Not much difference in program other than the change from STARS
to Statewide testing.
• Mrs. Frost reported that grades 7, 8, and 11 are tested on
Reading this year. 2009-10 testing will be in Math and Science in
2010-11.
• The direction of the school district administration should be to
continually seek ways to improve student achievement in planning,
curriculum and testing.
• Providing additional assistance with assessments would be \ small
class size and additional Special Education teachers to help with
the increase in special education population.
Replacement of Board Member
Board appointed committee suggested a slate of six individuals
interested in the recently vacated board seat. The board members
reduced the selection to three possibilities.
Facilities
Current:
• building locations in the next ten years
• student population projection
• sidewalk to the multipurpose building
Long Range:
• upgrade of technology in each building through laptops and
digital integration in
classes/curriculum
• track repair, possibly 2010-11 school year
Public Relations
• one spokes person should be appointed for board related
issues (board President)
• student organizations should work with different communities
within in the district
• utilize Cassgram and other publications
• include articles in the Omaha World Herald Community Connection
section
Finance
• annual budget should be met
• four day school week will continue
• touched on activities/sports participation
• possibly add assistant coaches
• allow “little league” participants free admission to games
• allow cheerleaders to attend away games – school
transportation
Board Self Evaluation/Goals
The board of education discussed focusing on one goal per year
and holding monthly discussion on the topic. The board goal would
emphasize board direction only. The District goal has been
established for Reading.
After the appointment of the new board member, another retreat/work
session will be scheduled to discuss the goal of the board.
FUTURE DATES:
March 10, 2009 Board of Education Meeting
Motion by Pat Neu, second by Gary Todd 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 Gary Todd adjourned
the meeting at 2:46 p.m.
