This Web site was designed using Web standards.
Learn more about the benefits of standardized design.

Quick Links

E-mail Article Print Article

Board of Education: September Minutes

Board of Education

Pending Approval

September 8, 2009

The 2009-10 Budget Hearing was held Tuesday, September 8, 2009, at the Conestoga Elementary School, 104 East High Street, Murray, NE. Gary Todd, President, opened the hearing at 7:08 p.m. Present were Board Members Jeff Stanley, Dean Nickels, Pat Neu, Gary Todd, Linda Rice; Administrators Mark Sievering, Robin Frost, Sandra Peterson; 5 visitors. Excused David Friedli, Eric Dennis, and Scott Moore.
Notice of the meeting was given in advance by publication 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.
Testimony was presented by Superintendent Mark Sievering. The Qualified Capital Purpose Undertaking Fund bonds or other Qualified Construction Bonds can be levied over a period of years. A 5.2 cents per year is allowed with a maximum amount of $3,500,000 .
Long Term Service Agreement retirement payments are excluded from the $1.05 lid.
Budget was adjusted for salary increases and general increase in expenses.
There being no further testimony, Gary Todd, President, closed the 2009-10 Budget Hearing at 7:18 p.m.
The regular meeting of the Conestoga Board of Education was held Tuesday, September 8, 2009, at the Conestoga Elementary School, 104 East High Street, Murray, NE. Gary Todd, President, called the meeting to order at 7:18 p.m. Present were Board Members Jeff Stanley, Dean Nickels, Pat Neu, Gary Todd, Linda Rice; Administrators Mark Sievering and Robin Frost; 5 visitors. Excused David Friedli, Eric Dennis and Scott Moore.
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 Jeff Stanley to approve the minutes of the August 11, 2009, regular meeting and work session; August 21, special 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 presented.
SCHEDULED AUDIENCE: None
REPORTS:
Eric Dennis: No Report
David Friedli: Report as submitted
Robin Frost:
1. Nebraska State Assessment information submitted for review. Writing, Reading, and Math testing will be completed the 2009-10 school year.
2. Alternative Program schedule finalized utilizing the Apex and IT online programs. Todaysclass program consists of an autos online course (funded by the NDE Perkins program).
Sandra Peterson:
1. Currently working on Special Education financial reports.
2. NSSRS report data is being inputted.
3. Will be in the district two days per week.
4. Will record the work process during the year for the next director to use as a guideline.
Mark Sievering:
1. Report as submitted.
2. Reported the death of Senator Ron Raikes, former chairman of the State Education Committee.
NRCSA/NASB:
NASB membership meetings schedule has been received.
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:
Discussion of instructional hours and staff hours: item tabled for further investigation by board committee.
ACTION ITEMS:
Nebraska Association of School Boards Board of Directors: Ballot received from NASB. Pat Neu and Alan Moore of ESU3 nominated for the Region 9 position.
Motion by Jeff Stanley, second by Linda Rice to cast a ballot for Pat Neu for the Region 9 Board of Directors position. Motion carried 4-0 by roll call vote. Pat Neu, abstain.
Monday enrichment class: Bonnie Ahrens, secondary Art teacher, requests to teach a class on fused glass art on September 28. Class would be open for 4th grade through 12th grade students.
Motion by Dean Nickels, second by Pat Neu to approve the Fused Glass Art class taught by Bonnie Ahrens on Monday, September 28, 2009. Motion carried 5-0 by roll call vote.
Building Use Request: A request from Traci Nelson to utilize the elementary building to teach a dance class. The class would run October through May on Saturday mornings. Because it is a for profit use, the board of education must approve and set a fee for the building use. The board also has the option of waiving the fee if the class consists of Conestoga students.
Motion by Linda Rice, second by Pat Neu to approve the use of the elementary cafeteria area for a dance class taught by Traci Nelson. A fee of $100.00 will be charged. Motion carried 5-0 by roll call vote.
Cougar Den Guidelines: Mr. Steckler reported the guidelines were tentative until further regulations could be formatted. During the school day the facility is used exclusively for classes and school activities. Priority then would be for in-season athletic teams, out-of-season athletic teams under the supervision of coaches. Staff may use the facility when the building is open and unlocked outside of school hours.
Security, supervision and liability issues are currently under study and review. Based on those findings, guidelines regarding additional use by patrons of the district may be revised.
Motion by Dean Nickels, second by Pat Neu to approve the Cougar Den Usage Guidelines as presented. Motion carried 5-0 by roll call vote.
Gary Todd, President, called for a recess from 8:14 to 8:21 p.m.
McREL (Mid Continent Regional Education Laboratory) training was attended by Administrative staff during the summer. Request to bring the training to teaching staff during this school year. The program could be partially funded through the REAP grant and Title 1. The training consists of classroom strategies, evaluation tools, use of technology and other topics.
Motion by Linda Rice, second by Jeff Stanley to approve the training provided by McREL for the teaching staff. Motion carried 5-0 by roll call vote.
Card key system for exterior doors: Matt Larson, representative from Siemens Building Technologies, explained the technology needed to install a camera, monitor system as well as swipe card entrance capabilities. Areas included in the plan are exterior and interior at the Nehawka site, daycare entrance, football stadium, cougar den, additional cameras at the high school building, elementary building entrances. An annual fee for software support would cost approximately $3,000. The funds for the project would come from the Depreciation Fund and the Qualified Capital Purpose Undertaking Fund Bonds. The project would cost approximately $93,479.
Motion by Pat Neu, second by Linda Rice to approve the bid with Siemens for the card key system for exterior doors at all three sites with payment from the Qualified Capital Purpose Undertaking Fund Bonds and the Depreciation Fund. Motion carried, 5-0 by roll call vote.
Safety railing for Cougar Den sidewalk: Received bids to attach a railing to the sidewalk leading to the cougar den for approximately $7,200. At this time the railing at the bottom of the steps at the stadium does not need to be replaced. Will wait for guidelines if the state Legislature passes a bill pertaining to safety railing.
Motion by Jeff Stanley, second by Dean Nickels to approve the construction of a railing by the sidewalk leading to the Cougar Den, not to exceed $7,200, with funds from the Special Building Fund. Motion carried 5-0 by roll call vote.
Qualified Capital Purpose Undertaking Fund Bonds: Bonds can be levied, not to exceed .052 cents per year. A bond of 1.2 million for six years at 4% interest would levy approximately 4 cents. The longer the payback, the less is levied annually.
Motion by Jeff Stanley, second by Pat Neu to approve the maintenance projects through the Qualified Capital Purpose Undertaking Fund Bonds for the amount of $1.2 million for a ten year period. Motion carried 5-0 by roll call vote.
Athletic storage shed: item tabled until definite plans concerning the track area are finalized.
2009-10 Budget: information supplied during the Hearing.
Motion by Dean Nickels, second by Pat Neu to approve the 2009-10 Budget as presented. Motion carried 5-0 by roll call vote.
Policies: Technology Committee, Electronic Publishing, Technology Addendum.
Motion by Jeff Stanley, second by Pat Neu to refer all policies to the Board Policy Committee. Motion carried 5-0 by roll call vote.
Conestoga Education Association Negotiations: Changes in the activity sponsor schedule include the addition of a Speech Coach, moving Dance Team sponsor onto the same schedule as the cheer sponsor, increasing the percentage for members of the SAP and SCIP teams. Terminology change included adding grandchildren to the list of family qualifications for approved bereavement leave.
A board offer of a $1,000 base salary increase, changes to the activity schedule, a two year contract with the re-opener clause if insurance cost increases above 12% has been submitted to the CEA for consideration.
Motion by Dean Nickels, second by Pat Neu to approve a two year contract (2009-10 and 2010-11) with the Conestoga Education Association as submitted. Motion carried 5-0 by roll call vote.
FUTURE DATES:
Monday, October 12, 2009, is the next scheduled Board of Education meeting beginning at 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 5-0 by roll call vote. President Gary Todd adjourned the meeting at 9:50 p.m.

Back To Top