Board of Education
June 8, 2010 Minutes
Pending Approval
The Public Hearing for Limited Tax Build America Bonds was held June 8, 2010, at the Conestoga Elementary School, 104 East High Street, Murray, NE. President Gary Todd, opened the meeting at 7:00 p.m.
The purpose of the hearing was for testimony on 1) the district’s itemized estimate of amount necessary to be expended for the construction, expansion, rehabilitation, modernization, renovation, repairing and/or equipping of public school facilities for use by the district and/or for the acquisition of land on which such public school facilities are to be located; 2) the district’s issuance of its Limited Tax Obligation Build American Bonds in the estimated aggregate principal amount of $1,325,000 to pay the costs of the Project; and 3) the District’s levying of a limited tax not to exceed 5.2 cents for a period not to exceed 30 years to pay the principal of and the interest on the bonds.
The Hearing for Limited Tax Build America Bonds was closed at 7:01 p.m.
The regular meeting of the Conestoga Board of Education was held Tuesday, June 8, 2010, at the Conestoga Elementary School, 104 East High Street, Murray, NE. Gary Todd, President, called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m. Present were Board Members Scott Moore, Gary Todd, Linda Rice, Jeff Stanley, Pat Neu and Dean Nickels; Administrators Mark Sievering, Dave Friedli, Eric Dennis. Absent Administrator Robin Frost, Sandy Peterson. Eight visitors in attendance.
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.
Motion by Pat Neu, second by Dean Nickels to approve the minutes of the Tuesday, May 11, 2010, regular meeting. Motion carried 6-0 by roll call vote.
Motion by Dean Nickels, second by Pat Neu to approve the claims as submitted. Motion carried 6-0 by roll call vote.
The agenda was set as presented.
SCHEDULED AUDIENCE:
Tracy Morton, Secondary Media Specialist: during the 2009-10 year
• Combined Jr High and Sr High system so any book can be checked out through one system.
• Held book talks to promote book reading and research.
• Ordered fiction books.
• Held Scholastic Book Fair.
• Investigated the use of the Distance Learning cart for informational field trips for classes.
• Ongoing consulting with teachers for class research, etc.
REPORTS:
Eric Dennis:
1. Working on class list for 2010-11 school year.
2. Completing State and Federal reports.
David Friedli:
1. Plans in progress to reconstruct the social studies program with updated curriculum and staff assignments.
Robin Frost:
1. Report as submitted.
Mark Sievering:
1. Received over 110 applications for the social studies position.
2. Ayars and Ayars have announced a projected completion date of August 12 for the elementary gym entrance and the high school classroom addition.
3. Summer projects are on hold until the finalization of the Build America Bonds. Receipt of the money is expected to be toward the end of June.
4. Change of August Board of Education meeting due to the absence of the superintendent. Consensus was to continue with the scheduled August 10 meeting.
NRCSA/NASB:
Interim Director of NSAA is Steve Shanahan.
COMMITTEE:
Buildings and Grounds: Meetings will be held throughout the project completions this summer.
Budget and Finance: Will meet in July for budget preparation.
Negotiations: No report
Policy/Americanism/Instruction: Flash drives of all policies to board members
Transportation: No report
Legislation: No report
DISCUSSION ITEMS:
1. Discussion of long range technology strategy: Andy Myrtue, Randy Schultz and Tracy Morton represented the technology committee. Submitted a three year plan for updating the technology of the district. An estimated $50,000 per year (with the first year totaling approximately $65,000) for the projects.
Next goal of the Technology Committee is to complete a curriculum/standards guide complete with professional development opportunities.
ACTION ITEMS:
403 (b) Program: Third party administrator for the 403(b) Consultants for the 403(b) plan has submitted clarifications of the IRS regulations.
Motion by Dean Nickels, second by Jeff Stanley to approve the 403(B) Plan Document clarifications as presented. Motion carried 6-0 by roll call vote.
Build America Bonds: Jay Spearman, Ameritas representative, summarized the process for purchase of the bonds to cover the cost of the Qualified Capital Purpose Undertaking Fund Bonds projects. A list of the approved projects was submitted for review. The bonds, purchased for a ten year period at an interest rate of 2.97%, will generate a 3cent levy for the patrons of the district.
Motion by Jeff Stanley, second by Pat Neu to approve the resolution authorizing the issuance of Taxable Limited Tax Obligation Build America Bonds, Series 2010, in the aggregate principal amount of one million three hundred twenty-five thousand dollars ($1,325,000) and impose a limited tax to pay the principal of and interest on such bonds. Motion carried 6-0 by roll call vote.
Gary Todd, President, called for a recess at 8:03 p.m. for the completion of paperwork for the issuance of the bond. The board reconvened from recess at 8:16 p.m.
Motion by Scott Moore, second by Dean Nickels to accept the resignation of Kate Rasby, 6th grade teacher. Motion carried 6-0 by roll call vote.
Motion by Dean Nickels, second by Pat Neu to approve the 2010-2011 contracts with Hannah Liming, 6th grade teacher, and Aric Butterfield, H.S. Social Studies teacher. Motion carried 6-0 by roll call vote.
Classified Staff Wages for 2010-11: Recommendation of a two step move on the Classified Wage Guide. Discussion held concerning evaluation of staff, individualized wage increases versus total staff movement, reward promotions. Board members stated the administrative staff can promote individual staff members at any time. Currently there is no evaluation process for the classified staff.
Motion by Jeff Stanley, second by Pat Neu to allow the administration to adjust the classified staff wages up to two steps on the Classified Wage Guide for the 2010-11 school year. Motion carried 6-0 by roll call vote.
Pro Track and Tennis, Inc. cost proposal changes submitted. Mr. Sievering will sign agreement except for Option #4B: Chute wall system.
FUTURE DATES:
July 13, 2010 Board of Education Meeting
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 6-0 by roll call vote. President Gary Todd adjourned the meeting at 8:45 p.m.
