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Board of Education: February Minutes

Board of Education

February 15, 2010

Pending Approval

The regular meeting of the Conestoga Board of Education was held Monday, February 15, 2010, at the Conestoga Elementary School, 104 East High Street, Murray, NE.  Gary Todd, President, called the meeting to order at 9:10 a.m.  Present were Board Members Pat Neu, Scott Moore, Dean Nickels, Gary Todd; Administrators Mark Sievering, Robin Frost, David Friedli. Absent board members Jeff Stanley, Linda Rice and Administrator Sandy Peterson.

 

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 East wall of the meeting room.

 

Gary Todd called a recess of the board at 9:12 a.m. to conduct tours of the facilities beginning at the Nehawka site, High School and Elementary.

 

Gary Todd called the board out of recess at 1:08 p.m..  Linda Rice entered the meeting.  Gary Todd announced and informed the public that a current copy of the Open Meetings Act is posted on the East wall of the meeting room.

 

Motion by Pat Neu, second by Dean Nickels to approve the minutes of the Monday, January 11, 2010, regular meeting.  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 amended.  Scheduled Audience:  Crisis Team postponed.

 

SCHEDULED AUDIENCE:  None

 

REPORTS:

Eric Dennis: 

  1. Current class sizes submitted.
  2. Reading series piloted by first grade this year.  Will recommend the Storytown series from Harcourt be purchased for K-6 reading curriculum.

 

David Friedli:

  1. Staff development summarized.
  2. Three wrestlers qualified for State Tournament.
  3. Reviewing class schedules for 2010-11. 
  4. Hessy Bateman is completing an internship at the high school this semester.
  5. Positive Behavior Support (PBS) training completed by teachers.  Trails and Traits for the program submitted for review.
  6. Bids for maintenance projects submitted for review.

 

Robin Frost:

  1. Attended PBS training.
  2. Alternative Program point system reviewed.  Track each student on attendance, positive time spent on studies, behavior issues.  Must meet 70% each month for the reward system being used.
  3. Received training on CEENBot.  Reviewing curriculum to determine the appropriate use of robots through a UNO grant.
  4. Math testing will be completed on-line at the Jr-Sr High school and paper submission for the elementary this year. 

 

Sandra Peterson: Report as submitted.

 

Mark Sievering:

  1. Incumbent filing deadline is Tuesday, February 16.  Jeff Stanley and Linda Rice have filed.  Four positions on the board of education will be on the election ballot.
  2. Mr. Dennis and Mr. Sievering attended an informational meeting on Chinese language and culture through distance learning for the elementary grades.  Further discussion will be held on other distance learning opportunities.
  3. The school van used by Mr. Sievering is in need of additional repair.  Will continue to service until costs exceed the vehicle value.  Board recommendation is to finalize a vehicle rotation schedule.

 

NRCSA/NASB:

Legislative Forum for NRCSA will meet in March 1, in Lincoln.

Jon Habben, current superintendent at Falls City, has been elected the new Executive Director of  NRCSA.

 

COMMITTEE:

Buildings and Grounds:  No report

Budget and Finance:  No report

Negotiations:  No report

Policy/Americanism/Instruction:  No report

Transportation:  No report

Legislation:  No report

 

DISCUSSION ITEMS:

  1. Planning Retreat:  Scheduled for Saturday, March 6, 2010, beginning at 9:00 a.m. in the elementary conference room.
  2. Computer/Business curriculum:  Currently all freshman are required to complete Basic Computer Skills as a graduation requirement.  The curriculum needs to be updated but graduation requirements must be amended first.  Other curriculum needs, policy revisions, additional elective classes, advance placement classes and distance learning will be reviewed at the planning retreat on March 6.
  3. Learn to Dream Scholarship:  This is a partnership between local foundations and Southeast Community College to provide an opportunity for students in poverty to attend college.  Local foundations would commit to providing ½ tuition and the College would match the amount. 

Board discussion determined this was a good program, but at the present time the foundation is not solvent to support the program.

  1. Special Education Director for 210-2011:  Request to hire a full time director and begin the application process.  Information on the position requirements will be discussed at the planning retreat.
  2. Website Policy:  Currently student last names are not to be published on the website.  Parents/Guardians can sign a waiver that their child is not to be listed on the web site.  The student handbook states that the honor roll is to be published.  Policies will be submitted to the board policy committee for review and updates.

 

ACTION ITEMS:

 

Family and Consumer Science Program:  Discussion to eliminate the program beginning with the 2010-11 year.  The current teacher would obtain the endorsement and fill the needed junior high teaching position.  The current Family and Consumer Science Program has a total enrollment of 40 students over a seven period day.

 

Motion by Scott Moore, second by Pat Neu to eliminate the Family and Consumer Science Program beginning with the 2010-11 school year and reassign the teacher as a junior high teacher.  Motion carried 5-0 by roll call vote.

LB1021 Resolution:  Possible legislation that would place high school sports and activities under the governance of the Nebraska Legislature.  Currently the Nebraska School Activities Association (NSAA) governs school sports and activities. 

 

Action Item tabled for future information.

 

Insurance Funds:  Received check from insurance company for elementary roof repair for approximately $60,000.  Work can not be completed until the end of the school year.  Funds can be deposited into the Special Building Fund for additional repairs now or General Fund for cash flow.  The roof project could then be placed on the list of projects for the Qualified Capital Purpose Undertaking Fund Bonds to be completed this summer.

 

Discussion tabled until later in Action Items.

 

Gary Todd called for a recess at 3:12 p.m.  Reconvened from recess at 3:35 p.m.

 

Cougar Den Policy:  Received from attorney a waiver of understanding before staff members are allowed to utilize the Cougar Den facility. 

 

Discussion tabled until March meeting for future information and recommended revision to the waiver.

 

Nebraska Association of School Boards Membership for 2010-2011:  Membership cost of $4,012 if paid before April 1.  The district entered a consortium to receive additional Medicaid in Public Schools Funds through NASB.  Have received information that a quarterly payment of approximately $22,000 could be received. 

 

Motion by Dean Nickels, second by Scott Moore to enter membership in the Nebraska Association of School Boards for the 2010-2011 year.  Motion carried 5-0 by roll call vote.

 

Qualified Capital purpose Undertaking Fund Bonds:  Discussion held on bids for building projects.  Mr. Sievering will compile all information on the heating/air conditioning for the high school, lighting project for the high school, boy lockers, girls lockers, boys and girls shower updates before the March 6 planning meeting.

 

Motion by Pat Neu, second by Dean Nickels to approve the building projects under the Qualified Capital Purpose Undertaking Fund Bonds to include the Cougar Den flooring, Boys and Girls lockers and showers, and the elementary roof repairs.  Motion carried 5-0 by roll call vote.

 

Motion by Scott Moore, second by Pat Neu to approve the deposit of insurance funds in the Special Building Fund.  Motion carried 5-0 by roll call vote.

 

FUTURE DATES:

March 1                  State Aid information release

March 6                  Board Planning Retreat 9:00 a.m. at elementary building

March 9                  Board of Education Meeting 7:00 p.m. at elementary building

 

Motion by Dean Nickels, second by Linda Rice 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  4:49 p.m.

 

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