Board of Education
November 12, 2007
November 20, 2007
The regular meeting of the Conestoga Board of Education was held Monday, November 12, 2007, at the Conestoga Elementary School, 104 East High Street, Murray, NE. Dennis Martin, President, called the meeting to order at 7:35 p.m. Present were Board Members Dennis Martin, Judy Simpson, Jeff Stanley, Dean Nickels, Pat Neu, Gary Todd.; Administrators Mark Sievering, Eric Dennis and Robin Frost; seven visitors. Administrator Angela Leifeld, 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 West wall of the meeting room.
Motion by Pat Neu, second by Judy Simpson to approve the minutes of the October 8, 2007, Hearing to Set the Final Tax Request and October 8, 2007, regular meeting. Motion carried 6-0 by roll call vote.
Motion by Gary Todd second by Pat Neu to approve the claims as submitted. Motion carried 6-0 by roll call vote.
The agenda was revised to add Troy Ruffner, wrestling coach, as Scheduled Audience.
SCHEDULED AUDIENCE:
Kent Nutzman, FFA representative, reviewed activities of the organization which included, Impact Leadership Conference, National Convention, Soil Judging, and special interest trips. Upcoming service to the community include highway litter patrol, fruit basket delivery and food donations to charity.
Jonathan Anderson, FFA sponsor, reported the Advisory Council for the Eastridge Trust has met and is in the process of goal setting. An Investment Policy will be submitted to the Board of Education and the Foundation for approval. January has been set for the next meeting of the Council.
Troy Ruffner, high school wrestling coach, submitted a request to hold voluntary student practice on Sunday evenings from 6:00 � 8:00 p.m. in addition to practices on Tuesday through Friday mornings at 5:00 a.m. Due to the change, there will be no early morning practices on Monday�s.
Board of Education members approved the request for the voluntary practice for high school wrestlers on Sunday evenings.
REPORTS:
Eric Dennis: Report as submitted.
Angela Leifeld: Absent, report as submitted.
Robin Frost:
Reading Peer Review received an exemplary in the quality criteria in assessments. The Math review will be held in January. This will require a rewrite, STARS assessment and tests administered before a rating will be received.
Remainder of report as submitted.
Mark Sievering:
A small section of the gym floor at the high school has received damage from the gym doors not properly sealing. The doors were replaced last summer. Bids are currently being collected for re-sanding and sealing the floor to stop further damage to the floor.
Auditor reported that increased revenue and decreased expenses show the district is financially on track for loan repayment.
NRCSA/NASB: No report
COMMITTEE:
Buildings and Grounds:
Gary Todd reported that Ken Sorensen, Design Associates engineer, visited with the committee concerning the proposed weight-room/wrestling building project. Currently a 60� X 120� building, to be an extension of the current concession stand, by the football field is being investigated.
Budget and Finance: No report
Negotiations: No report
Policy/Americanism/Instruction: November 26, 2007 meeting 6:00 p.m.
Transportation: No report
Legislation: No report
DISCUSSION ITEMS:
Promotion of District:
Administrators working with staff to submit articles to the Cassgram for monthly publication. Cost to the district will be $75 per month.
Informational meeting/brochure for real estate agents.
Suggestion by high school principal, Angela Leifeld, for additional signage at that site. A reminder that the existing marquee is a memorial donated by a district family.
Jeff Stanley reviewed the school logo, school colors, a unified calendar, use of web site and newspaper articles as a way of promoting the district.
Update regarding proposed weight room/wrestling room project: report submitted in committee report.
ACTION ITEMS:
Motion by Pat Neu, second by Judy Simpson to approve the contract renewal for Internet and Distance Learning Services with Galaxy Cable/Dark Fiber Solutions. Motion carried 6-0 by roll call vote.
Southeast Nebraska Distance Learning Consortium (ESU#5) negotiates the service in a ten-year contract. An update of equipment, which will be a mobile unit, will be received. Beginning with the fourth year of the contract, a cost reduction will begin.
Currently the distance learning portion can not be utilized due
to the four day school week, but the service is needed for the
internet services.
Motion by Dean Nickels, second by Judy Simpson to accept the revision of Policy JBB: Kindergarten Entrance as presented. Motion carried 6-0 by roll call vote.
State statue regulates that kindergarten students must be five years of age before October 15 of the enrollment year. Children becoming the age of five between October 16 and February 1 may be enrolled upon successful completion of qualifying tests.
The policy revision delegates the Elementary Principal to review
the testing procedure and grant entrance to qualifying
children.
Motion by Gary Todd, second by Dean Nickels to approve the Football classification to eight-man beginning with the 2008-09 season. Motion carried 4-2 by roll call vote. Pat Neu, nay; Judy Simpson, nay.
Low participation numbers have made it difficult to compete on an 11-man team. Can not co-op with another school because the participation numbers would enable the formation of an 8-man team.
Classification requires a two-year commitment.
C-1 or C-2 classification for the 2008-09 season has not been set by the Nebraska Schools Activities Association.
Judy Simpson left the meeting at 8:53 p.m.
FUTURE DATES:
November 14-16 NASB/NASA State Education Conference
January 22 NRCSA Legislative Forum
Motion by Gary Todd, 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, Judy Simpson, absent. President Dennis Martin adjourned the meeting at 8:54 p.m.
