March 10, 2009 Board of Education Minutes
Pending Approval
The regular meeting of the Conestoga Board of Education was held
Tuesday, March 10, 2009, at the Conestoga Elementary School, 104
East High Street, Murray, NE. Gary Todd, President, called the
meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Present were Board Members Jeff
Stanley, Dean Nickels, Pat Neu, Gary Todd; Administrators Mark
Sievering, Robin Frost, Angela Leifeld and Eric Dennis; six
visitors. Board member Scott Moore, 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.
Motion by Pat Neu, second by Jeff Stanley to appoint Linda Rice as
a member of the Conestoga Board of Education. Motion carried 4-0 by
roll call vote.
Linda Rice was administered the Oath of Office by Pat Neu,
Secretary.
Committee Assignments
Linda Rice will fulfill the assignment on the Budget/Finance and
Transportation Committees.
Motion by Pat Neu, second by Dean Nickels to approve the minutes of
the Tuesday, February 10, 2009, regular meeting and Saturday,
February 28, 2009 Retreat/Work Session minutes. Motion carried 5-0
by roll call vote.
Motion by Dean Nickels second by Pat Neu to approve the claims as
submitted. Motion carried 5-0 by roll call vote.
The agenda was set as presented.
SCHEDULED AUDIENCE:
Jonathan Anderson: currently college credit classes are offered in
horticulture. A greenhouse is needed to complete the class
correctly. Mr. Anderson is requesting a committee of board members
to investigate the purchase of a greenhouse for these classes.
Funds could be used from the Eastridge Trust Fund since this is an
agriculture class. Gary Todd, Dean Nickels and Linda Rice will
accompany Mr. Sievering and Mr. Anderson to a school with an
existing greenhouse.
REPORTS:
Eric Dennis:
1. 96% of parents attended Parent-Teacher Conference.
2. Destination ImagiNation parents night is March 10; Regional
Tournament is March 14 in Plattsmouth.
3. Continuing to explore the cause of the odor in the lower
hallway. Looking into better ventilation, possible moisture being
trapped in the ceiling area.
Angela Leifeld:
1. Formal evaluations completed.
2. Class schedule for 2009-10 should be completed by the end of
March.
3. 47% of parents attended Parent-Teacher Conference.
Robin Frost:
1. Will be a test pilot for the Reading Assessment for grades 7, 8,
and 11.
2. Inputting child demographics of 3rd and 4th graders for upcoming
fluency assessment.
3. Alternative program currently has 18 students for fourth
quarter.
4. 81% of parents attended Parent-Teacher Conference.
Mark Sievering:
1. High Ability Learner survey submitted for review and discussion
at the April board of education meeting.
2. Special Meeting for board members scheduled for Thursday, April
2, 2009 at 6:00 p.m. Purpose of the meeting will be for discussion
of board member roles and board goals for 2009.
NRCSA/NASB:
Legislative Forum including discussions with Senators and the
Governor concerning Nebraska Retirement System and State Aid.
NRCSA Conference is scheduled for March 26-27 in Kearney.
COMMITTEE:
Buildings and Grounds: No report
Budget and Finance: No report
Negotiations: No report
Policy/Americanism/Instruction: Policies reviewed and
submitted.
Transportation: No report
Legislation: No report
DISCUSSION ITEMS:
Accessing Qualified Capital Purpose Undertaking Funds Bonds: Jay
Spearman
This is an opportunity for the board members to approve the
issuance of Limited Tax Building improvement Bonds for
building/renovating areas that have an environmental hazard,
accessibility barrier, life safety code violations, or mold
abatement and prevention.
Board committee members are investigating projects that could
possibly funded through Limit Bonds.
Committee Meeting Schedule
Building/Grounds committee will meet Thursday, March 19 at 6:30
p.m. at the high school building.
ACTION ITEMS:
Board Policies A, B, C, D
New board policies have been reviewed by the
Policy/Americanism/Instruction committee and submitted for approval
by the board.
Motion by Jeff Stanley, second by Pat Neu to retire the existing
Board Policies A, B, C & D as categorized in the policy
manuals. Motion carried 5-0 by roll call vote.
Motion by Jeff Stanley, second by Pat Neu to adopt Board Policies
3014,2009, 3026, 3028, 3029, 5001, 5002, 5003, 5004, 5006, 5007,
5008, 5009, 5010, 5011, 5012 as submitted. Motion carried 5-0 by
roll call vote.
Daycare (Happy Hearts) Renewal
Rent will remain the same. Renew the contract through August 2009,
then adopt a contract to run concurrent with the school term in the
future.
Motion by Dean Nickels, second by Pat Neu to approve the renewal of
the Happy Hearts lease through August 2009. Motion carried 5-0 by
roll call vote.
Usage of Cougar Den by staff and community
March 22 will be the dedication of the building. Board needs to
determine the staffing of the facility for use by non student
groups, key usage, cleaning, liability. Want public to be able to
use the building, but want all guidelines, etc in place first.
Item tabled for further investigation.
Enrollment Option capacity
NSAA regulations state that students in grades 9-12 must apply
before March 15 for eligibility in sports and activity
programs.
Special Education and Alternative programs are currently at
capacity, as well as some grade level enrollment.
Motion by Jeff Stanley, second by Pat Neu, effective with the
2009-10 school year, to set grade level enrollment capacity based
on the maximum numbers per class. K-1st grade, 15; 2nd -3rd grade,
17; 4th, grade, 18; 5th-6th grade, 20; 7th-12th grade 60; Special
Education and Alternative Program, full. Motion carried 5-0 by roll
call vote.
Motion by Pat Neu, second by Linda Rice to recognize the Conestoga
Education Association as the bargaining unit. Motion carried 5-0 by
roll call vote.
Summer maintenance projects
Item tabled pending additional investigation.
Annual Report
Report for 2007-08 submitted for review.
Motion by Pat Neu, second by Dean Nickels to approve the 2007-08
Annual Report of Conestoga Public Schools as presented. Motion
carried 5-0 by roll call vote.
Motion by Pat Neu, second by Dean Nickels to accept the
resignation/retirement of Susan Yeoman at the end of the 2008-09
school year and approve the request for Long Term Service Benefit.
Motion carried 5-0 by roll call vote.
Retiring Teacher Insurance
One time offer for teachers meeting specified criteria.
Would be available to teachers in-lieu of the long term service
agreement.
Motion by Pat Neu, second by Jeff Stanley to approve a one time
insurance payout, in lieu of the long term service agreement, for
teachers meeting specified criteria. This will remain available
only until April 10, 2009. Motion carried 5-0 by roll call
vote.
Motion by Jeff Stanley, second by Pat Neu to enter executive
session at 9:02 p.m. for contract negotiations and a strategy
session for unused paid leave. Motion carried 5-0 by roll call
vote.
President, Gary Todd reminded the members that only those items
which can be discussed in the executive session are those listed in
the motion.
Motion by Dean Nickels, second by Jeff Stanley to reconvene from
executive session at 10:45 p.m. Motion carried 5-0 by roll call
vote.
Motion by Dean Nickels, second by Pat Neu to approve the contracts
with Eric Dennis, Elementary Principal, and Robin Frost,
Alternative Program Principal, for the 2009-10 school year as
presented. Motion carried 5-0 by roll call vote.
Motion by Jeff Stanley, second by Pat Neu to approve the offer to
Angela Leifeld of $100.00 for each day of unused paid time off upon
completion of contracted duties.
Motion withdrawn by Jeff Stanley.
Motion by Jeff Stanley, second by Pat Neu to approve the offer to
Angela Leifeld of $100.00 for each day of unused paid time off upon
completion of contracted duties, on acceptance by Friday, March 13,
2009, at 12:00 p.m. Motion carried 5-0 by roll call vote.
FUTURE DATES:
March 25-26 NRCSA Spring Conference
April 14, 2009 Board of Education Meeting
Motion by Linda Rice, second by Dean Nickels 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 10:51 p.m.
