Conestoga Board of Education
November 10, 2009 Minutes
Pending Approval
The regular meeting of the Conestoga Board of Education was held Tuesday, November 10, 2009, 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 Pat Neu, Scott Moore, Linda Rice, Gary Todd, Jeff Stanley; Administrators Mark Sievering, Robin Frost, David Friedli, Eric Dennis, Sandra Peterson. 21 visitors. Absent board member Dean Nickels.
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 Scott Moore to approve the minutes of the Monday, October 12, 2009, Tax Request Hearing, the Monday, October 12, 2009, regular meeting, and the Monday October 12, 2009, Foundation meeting. Motion carried 5-0 by roll call vote.
Dean Nickels entered the meeting at 7:05.
Motion by Pat Neu, second by Dean Nickels to approve the claims as submitted. Motion carried 6-0 by roll call vote.
The agenda was set as amended. Amendment: Action Item a, moved immediately after scheduled audience.
SCHEDULED AUDIENCE:
Abby Wehrbein, FFA Representative, updated the board members of the recent accomplishments of the Chapter. District Land Judging, Impact Leadership, petting zoo at Bloom Where You Are Planted, National Conference, trash clean-up along Highway 1 and the school were performed by various members of the organization. A “can” drive, Jr. High dance and the high school play are the next on the agenda. The high tunnel is being installed for future horticulture classes.
Action Item a: Consider and act upon early graduation requests.
Danielle Pierce, 12th grade, request to graduate at semester to pursue education towards registered nurse status though a college in South Carolina. Classes begin in January.
Justine Safarik, 11th grade, requests graduation at the end of the 2009-10 school year. Current plans are to enroll at UNO towards a nursing degree.
Derek Wampler, 12th grade, requests to graduate at semester before entering the Navy in June.
Motion by Dean Nickels, second by Pat Neu to approve the early
graduation request of Danielle Pierce, Justine Safarik, and Derek
Wampler upon successful completion of all graduation requirements
and parental approval. Motion carried 6-0 by roll call
vote.
REPORTS:
Eric Dennis:
1. Simplex completed work on the clock system. ESI repaired voicemail after the hard drive crashed.
2. SPED Director, Sandy Peterson, has a temporary office in a section of the elementary office.
3. Investigating an assessment program to replace the Terra Nova testing presently used. The MAPS program is computer based and immediate feedback on students is available.
4. Teachers received training on the Sitton Spelling series.
David Friedli:
1. Staff attended various trainings and workshops involving student management.
2. Web site training was held and information being implemented into the conestogacougars.org web site.
3. Two promethean smart boards have been installed.
4. A Participation Fair was held for students. Information was given about all Conestoga sponsored organizations and activities.
5. Installed two flat screen TV’s in the commons area. News and weather networks can be shown in addition to the extension of presentations via closed circuit.
6. A patron donated $1,000 towards the purchase of a new piano. Additional funds were donated by the Arts Alive organization.
7. Veteran’s Day Program included in report.
Robin Frost: Report as submitted.
Sandra Peterson:
1. SESIS/NSSRS reports submitted and accepted by the Department of Education.
2. Part C File Review attended by Mr. Dennis, Ms Johnson and Mrs. Peterson. The state document and the Improving Learning for Children with Disabilities web site will be used for children birth through age 2.
3. 126 students with verified disabilities and receiving special education services.
4. Monthly special education staff meetings are being held. Beneficial in continuity throughout the district.
5. IDEA Part B ARRA fund application is being finalized. Funds can be utilized to purchase equipment and building modifications for special education programs.
Mark Sievering:
1. E-Verify is now required by State Law 403. The district is now required to have all contracts (verbal or written) verified that employees are legal to work in the United States. This involves district employees and any contractor that completes any work for the district.
2. Special session of the Unicameral has begun. Information at this point, State Aid will not be affected until the 2010-2011 school year.
3. Wiles Crossing development South of Plattsmouth is partially in the Conestoga District. Will monitor the progress.
4. Superintendent evaluation date needs to be set. Could combine with a work session concerning the Qualified Capital Purpose Undertaking Fund Bonds.
NRCSA/NASB:
NASB conference scheduled for November 18-20. Pat Neu, Linda Rice, Jeff Stanley and Mark Sievering scheduled to attend.
COMMITTEE:
Buildings and
Grounds: Need to set a meeting date and time.
Budget and Finance: No report
Negotiations: No report
Policy/Americanism/Instruction: Policies reviewed and
submitted for action.
Transportation: Met briefly concerning the bus parking
lot. The area is not large enough with the vehicles for
Mid-States Busing and those owned by the district.
Legislation: No report
DISCUSSION ITEMS:
1. Discussion of instructional hours and staff hours:
Jeff Stanley proposed the question if it is worthwhile for a board committee to investigate staff hours before additional staff is hired. A brief comparison of staff hours on a five day week versus a four day week determined that all staff development days are scheduled on non-school days for students; currently staff work nine-hour days compared to eight-hour days; student instructional time is set by the State Board of Education and the district is in session more than the minimum number of hours. The board members concurred that no further discussion is needed at this time.
2. H1N1 Clinic:
A tentative clinic has been scheduled at the school for Monday, November 30, through the Sarpy/Cass Department of Health. This immunization would be free of charge and open to the public according to the guidelines determined by the Department of Health.
3. Staffing Needs for 2010-2011:
The current and upcoming 7th grade classes are large compared to the current 8th grade and current 12th grade. With approximately 24 additional students in junior high next year, the possibility of additional teachers is evident.
4. State of the Schools Report:
Robin Frost reviewed the current information through the Department of Education concerning the school district testing results. Characteristics of the Reading, Math, Writing and Science standards were outlined. At the present time the Level AYP (Adequate Yearly Progress) Status shows not met, improvement shown.
Currently the district curriculum is aligned through all grades.
According to Rule 10, the district has two teachers not endorsed in the area they are teaching.
5. Supervision of elementary students at athletic contests:
Elementary students are not being supervised by parents during activities. The administrative staff has been monitoring these students and it is increasingly difficult to keep these students safe. The board recommended a notice to be placed in school bulletins, newsletters, and activity programs that elementary students need to be under the supervision of parents at all times during any school activity.
ACTION ITEMS:
Consider and act upon adoption of new reading standards:
Robin Frost gave an overview of the Language Arts Standards as adopted by the State Board of Education in April 2009. The Conestoga District needs to adopt these standards or develop their own.
Motion by Jeff Stanley, second by Linda Rice to adopt the Reading Standards as presented. Motion carried 6-0 by roll call vote.
Consider and act upon approval of building projects for Qualified Capital Purpose Undertaking Fund Bonds or other Qualified Construction Bonds:
ESU #3 is updating the wireless internet services and this would be an opportune time to update the school’s wireless access. The placement of radios would offer constant internet access throughout most of the three buildings. The district would be able to control access to the system by non-school visitors.
Motion by Scott Moore, second by Pat Neu to approve the bid from Prime RFP for wireless access through the Qualified Capital Purpose Undertaking Fund Bonds or other Qualified Construction Bonds, with cabling completed through a local contract. Motion carried 6-0 by roll call vote.
Discussion held on utilizing part of the IDEA grant funds to renovate the current high school library windows and make the area into a classroom. Due to the due date of the application, there is not enough time to thoroughly investigate the opportunity. Sandra Peterson was instructed to apply for the grant for the purpose of special education materials.
Gary Todd called for a short recess at 9:35 p.m. The board of education reconvened at 9:46 p.m.
Consideration of the High School Track Project:
Bids have been received to remove the existing track and install drainage tile, storage area, and complete an eight lane track with field event areas. Approximate cost through the Qualified Capital Purpose Undertaking Fund Bonds would be $335,000.
Tadd Holliman was directed to investigate the cost decrease if the existing track was removed by local contract.
Motion by Pat Neu, second by Scott Moore to approve the installation of an eight lane track with field event areas. Motion carried 4-2 by roll call vote. Jeff Stanley, nay; Dean Nickels, nay.
Approval of annual audit report:
Dana F. Cole & Company, LLP of Lincoln completed the annual audit for the 2008-09 fiscal year. The report was submitted for review.
Motion by Jeff Stanley, second by Scott Moore to approve the 2008-09 audit completed by the Dana F. Cole Company as presented. Motion carried 6-0 by roll call vote.
Consider and act upon approval of policy updates:
Policies reviewed at October meeting.
Motion by Scott Moore, second by Dean Nickels to approval Policies 2005, 3025, 5004, 3011, 3026, 3027, 5017, 6007, 6014, 6023, 6024, 6025, 6033 as presented. Motion carried 6-0 by roll call vote.
Motion by Jeff Stanley, second by Pat Neu to enter executive session at 10:07 to discuss a personnel matter to avoid needless injury to the employee. Motion carried 6-0 by roll call vote.
Gary Todd reminded the board that the purpose of the executive session was for discussion of a personnel matter to avoid needless injury to the employee.
Motion by Jeff Stanley, second by Scott Moore to reconvene from executive session at 10:26 p.m. Motion carried 6-0 by roll call vote.
Motion by Scott Moore, second by Dean Nickels to accept the medical leave for Susan Sherwin in accordance with the agreement presented. Motion carried 6-0 by roll call vote.
Motion by Dean Nickels, second by Scott Moore to accept the resignation of Susan Sherwin at the end of the 2009-2010 school year. Motion carried 6-0 by roll call vote.
FUTURE DATES:
December
5 Special
Meeting 8:00 a.m. at Conestoga Jr.-Sr. High School
December 8
Board of Education Meeting 7:00 p.m.
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 10:43 p.m.
