April 9, 2013 at 5:00 PM - Board of Education Regular Meeting

Discussion:  Present: Julie Ferguson Carolyn Lee Janet Schaeffer Sandy Silvester Connie Thompson Lisa Krutsinger Jacci Paisley Terri Meyer Annie Pursley Kim Wilson Tom Hansen Agnes Strand (arrived @ 5:05) Jason Speck (arrived @ 5:10) Angie Dickey, Becky Odens, Sheryl Clevenger (arrived @ 5:17) Linda Lakey, Nathan Vitosh (arrived @ 5:18)

Discussion:  Busy time of year. Prom this week in Wellington. Locks for Wellington will need to be reassessed. HS Golf @ Enders - 7 teams attending. Several postponed golf meets this week due to weather. Home Track meet next week utilizing new meet management software. 6 Teams will be coming. District music April 19th. Mr. Hayes & Ms Strand have been busy preparing. Jr. High meet 4/25 Spring play - 22 students participating FFA, FBLA, FCCLA - Simultaneous trips have maxed out admin vehicles & vans. Recommendation to consider alternative use of buses to increase safety and minimize risk on these trips in the future. Discussion was held regarding limited use of the new bus.

Discussion:  Stromberger inquired regarding reading program. Mr. Lane noted committee of six individuals have just began to assess alternative and/or additions to the current curriculum. Anticipate some change by fall but no specifics have been decided. Assessment will continue with review of test scores to be received in Sept, in addition to Aims which is currently under analysis. Note Aims web assesses reading fluency. Ms. Dickey was addressed regarding her thoughts as to Reading Mastery(RM)strengths and weaknesses. Ms. Dickey noted RM is weak in terminology in regards to Nebraska tested standards. She noted since NIFTEs departure, that teachers have had the flexibility and have taken the initiative to bridge the terminology gap, with the addition of a 20-30 minute focus on this gap time. She believes RM is low in language and in comprehension. Ms. Dickey was in favor of supplementing RM in weak areas. Ms. Strand addressed working with reading challenged students focused on decoding and emphasized strongly that it has worked in increasing fluency. She agreed comprehension is weak in the program but for challenged students, she sees it continue to work effectively. In summary, Olsen noted we have to move our scores from approximately 50% to at a minimum of 80%. Therefore, we have to reassess the current program. The direction is not to abandon the program, it is to recreate the curriculum with the goal of improving our test scores.

Discussion:  Spencer Hartman was not present.

Discussion:  See the attached report.

Discussion:  In summary, same services as prior year. Slight decrease in Psychologist and the 1.0 Speech Pathology that has been serviced by three individuals will transition into one individual certified for the 2013-2014 school year. The ESU proposal was reviewed and discussed by line item. Please note Stromberger voted No due to the fact she had some follow up questions.

Discussion:  No motion to elect certified staff because they are on continuing contract

Discussion:  Payment will be made from General $150k and Building Fund, remaining, respectively. Contractor ready to start immediately and completed before gym floor renovation.

Discussion:  Technology committee met April 8th. Members included, Olsen, Haarberg, Schoeppey, Sorensen and a couple of teachers. Quotes were obtained for maintaining computers for students and are being reviewed. Committee discussed student buy out as a senior. Further discussion surrounding the rotation method considered purchasing computers for Freshman/Sophomore, putting the best of existing in the hands of Junior/Senior, replacment of teacher machines needs, quantiy to purchase and/or lease, and service plan options. Request will be made to extend acceptance of a quote until the May board meeting.

Discussion:  Meeting was adjourned at 7:40 pm.