August 12, 2014 at 6:00 PM - Board of Education Regular Meeting

Discussion:  No public was present when meeting was called to order. Jason Speck arrived at 6:23 p.m. and Jerel Fortkamp arrived at 6:30 p.m.

Discussion:  None noted.

Discussion:  Hauxwell noted 6 coached attended the Nebraska School Activities Association in Lincoln July 22-24th. He updated the board noting repainting of Gym Floor longhorn by Armando looks good and will be ready to go for volleyball practice on Monday August 18th. On Monday August 11th, he scheduled a Fall Parent Athletic Meeting for all High School fall sports. Meeting was successful attempt to collect missing paperwork, discuss the chain of command, and a time for the parents to meet with the coaches and ask questions. Lastly he noted fall sports and underway. We have 30 out for football and 22 out for Softball. Volleyball has been conditioning this week and will have around 22. Cross Country looks to be around 20. He noted related impact testing is also underway. Today he noted removal of the Goal Post uprights for repainting and straightening. He thanked both Matt Vlasin and Larry Munger for summer field and grounds maintenance that looks great. Lastly, he noted the closure of a busy summer with camps and summer leagues, strong attendance of summer weight and running programs, highlighting the Cross Country Team logged 3,456 miles of total running.

Discussion:  Principal Stewart began noting MAP Testing has been scheduled for students again September. She noted the Summer Math Learning Camp for students grades 4-6, held July 28-August 4 served 11 of 32 students invited. Camp was taught by Nancy Sorensen and Paul Ekberg. Principal Stewart has distributed First Day of School Procedures to teachers and will have a Cafeteria Orientation and Bus Orientation for students the first day of school to help with back to school transition. She said five new SMART Boards are up, making all elementary classrooms equipped. In addition, there is new SMART Notebook 2014, including 3D, math and Response software program installed. Principal Stewart noted all teachers will be attending PLC workshops at ESU 15 August 25-Dec. 9, working towards goals of identifying essential learnings,creating common assessments for essential learnings and collaborating on how to teach these essential learnings! Principal Stewart reiterated National Geographic Science was purchased for grades k-5, enabling all grades to have online access to the books and digital program resources. In addition, she noted Reading Wonders will continue be used as our core reading program for a second year. Lastly, in regards to curriculum, EnVsions math will be the core math program this year, noting the program after two years has resulted in improved Math NeSA scores. Stewart attended Administrative Days in Kearney, noting she was thoroughly inspired and impacted by many of the guest speakers. In related professional development, she made How to Grade for Learning, a required read for all elementary teachers, and highlighted many of the teachers met over the summer to discuss the material covered in the book. Another book, Sticks and Stones Exposed: The Power of Words, by Dave Weber, will also be the focus for a book study for teachers and classified staff this year. Both focus on strong, positive, and mutually beneficial relationships. Principal Sorensen began noting his attendance at the TeamMates Mentoring Program conference July 28-29 with Sheila Stromberger, Trent Herbert, Shannon Waggoner and Mike Sorensen. Both Sorensen & Stromberger noted the two day TeamMates workshop was inspiring. Sorensen summarizeed the intent is for the Chase County Chapter to focus on 5th grade students this initial year evolving to 3rd-12th progressively. He briefly discussed how the Mentor/Mentee relationship will work and estimated implementation for January 2015, noting there is still an administrative list of items to be completed prior to initiation. Lastly, he noted his plans for New Teacher Orientation Friday August 15th, Freshman & New Student orientation on August 18th and last but by no means least, first day of classes August 20th.

Discussion:  Supt Schoeppey noted completion of teacher and aide hirings. There is still an opening for a bus driver. Administrative days keynote speakers and workshops were extremely good and he is exploring the option of having keynote speaker Weber here for a presentation and conjunctively with other area schools in order to share cost. Other items he has been working on include a pro forma budget for review tonight, meetings and follow up with Board committees and the ongoing daily customer service of teacher, staff, parents and students, noting a projected overall small increase in total school enrollment numbers . He noted NESA scores are still embargoed, math & writing continues to increase overall, especially writing at upper grade levels, initial reading & science were mixed with some improvement. Teaching to the standards and curriculum will continue to be an on-going process.

Discussion:  Supt. Schoeppey summarized the transportations committee assessment of current bids, review of potential options at MPCC, and trade in valuations of the current coach bus. Schoeppey noted the Coach bus paint repair looks great and the bus is currently up and running. Haarberg inquired as to a thorough review by Mr. Felker, Dir of Transportation, of the coach bus and Supt Schoeppey noted it has been completed and Felkers primary concerns pertain to obtaining parts for ongoing regular maintenance. Board Member Meeske, Haarberg and O'Neil continued to express concerns regarding the reliability of despatching the current Coach bus. Supt. Scheoppey noted we still have alternatives & adequate bus options until further action is taken, if necessary. Board member Smith briefly summarized the specs the Transportation committee has defined at a new cost built to specs of approximately $230,000 and an ETA of January of 2015. The Board discussed the options and remained undecided for further action, therefore, Transportation Committee will continue to access.

Discussion:  Supt. Schoeppey summarized the facilities committee proposed LT plan of the ultimate desire of consolidation to one campus with proposed priority as follows: wresting room/auxilliary gym, new bus barn/bleachers, additional locker room, additional classrooms, softball field, paving of student parking lot. The proposal estimates approximately $300k per year in LT planning expenditures. In addition, on going replacement of carpet and lighting and finishing last phase of roof replacement will continue. Supt. Schoeppey noted no bids have been obtained at this point. Member Olsen noted revisiting in 6 months, if not sooner, for further detail planning.

Discussion:  Member Karl Meeske, who was absent at the last meeting, as was AD Hauxwell, however, both expressed their thoughts, when asked, noting they believe their is concern. Member Stromberger proposed and the Board agreed since current 14/15 handbooks are out, that the Board further consider at the winter retreat.

Discussion:  Supt Schoeppey noted the Technology committee upon assessment did not recommend, based upon current use of computers, and the cost and need benefit analysis the purchase of new Macs for incoming freshman was warranted. Per Allo Technology consultant, Jerel Fortkamp, he noted that we are only approximately 10 short with current inventory, whereas current inventory have been assessed, therefore the issue pool, upon inquiry would include 5th year systems that per Jerel are adequate. Board discussion included assessing the need for additional Ipad carts, as Jerel noted, the current two carts were heavily used during 13/14 year. Board discussed current inventory, use, cost, need and goals, with on site Jerel Fortkamp.

Discussion:  Board members reviewed and questions were addressed and Supt. Schoeppey will address items noted in the final budget for next month.

Discussion:  Meeting adjourned at 10:08 p.m.