September 14, 2020 at 6:00 PM - Board of Education Regular Meeting

Rationale: 

As President Johnson calls the Board of Education Meeting to order, she will inform everyone in attendance of the Ralston Public Schools Board of Education Meeting COVID-19 Guidelines.  Copies of these guidelines are available to all visitors and have been posted on the door of the Media Center.

Rationale: 
Please stand and join us in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Cognia Standard 1.4:  The governing authority establishes and ensures adherence to policies that are designed to support system effectiveness.
Policy 2008, Board of Education Meetings.

Rationale: 

Cognia Standard 1.4:  The governing authority establishes and ensures adherence to policies that are designed to support system effectiveness.
Policy 2008, Board of Education Meetings.

Rationale: 

A complete copy of the Open Meetings Act is posted on the back wall of the Board of Education meeting room.

Public Comment Sign In Procedure - Anyone wishing to address the Board of Education must submit a written request form, found on the public’s table, prior to Public Comments.

The Board reserves the right to move into closed session to protect the public interest or needless injury to the reputation of an individual for any action item listed on the agenda. The Board may, at its discretion, change the order of the agenda to accommodate unforeseen issues related to an agenda item.

Cognia Standard 1.1:  The system commits to a purpose statement that defines beliefs about teaching and learning, including the expectations for learners.   Policy 2009, Public Participation at Board Meetings.

Rationale: 

The Ralston Board of Education appreciates the public's right to provide public comment.  It is the practice of the Ralston Board to listen to the public comment, without discussion between the public and the Board.  Should you have a question or ask for follow-up from the Board, the Board President will direct the Superintendent to address the requests and provide additional information to you as appropriate.  We ask that you refrain from personal comments about individuals and the use of vulgar or inappropriate language in addressing the Board. 

The board will generally allow a total of 30 minutes for the presentation of all public comments.  Individuals may only speak one time per topic and must limit comments to around three (3) minutes. In the event more than 10 individuals wish to address the board, the 30 minutes will be divided equally between the number of speakers. At the discretion of the Board President or Chair, speakers may be allotted additional time.

At this time the Ralston Public Schools Board of Education will entertain public comment.

Cognia Standard 1.1:  The system commits to a purpose statement that defines beliefs about teaching and learning, including the expectations for learners.   Policy 2009, Public Participation at Board Meetings.

Rationale: 

Consent agenda items include minutes from the August 24 meeting; August Financial Reports, August bills in the amount of $358,019.08 for the General Fund, and $397,402.78 for the Special Building Fund. Prior to the meeting Heather Johnson and Linda Richards reviewed the bills. 

Local substitute certificate for Emily Flannery.

Cognia Standard 1.4:  The governing authority establishes and ensures adherence to policies that are designed to support system effectiveness. Board Policy 2008, Board of Education Meetings.

Cognia Standard 1.7:  Leaders implement operational processes and procedures to ensure organizational effectiveness in support of teaching and learning. Board Policy 3007, Review of Bills.         

Rationale: 

Cognia Standard 1.4 - The governing authority establishes and ensures adherence to policies that are designed to support system effectiveness. Board Policy 2008, Board of Education Meetings.

Rationale: 

Board of Education members will discuss items they have recently observed or attended or items they wish to share with the other members of the Board of Education and the public.

Cognia Standard 1.5 - the governing authority adheres to a code of ethics and functions within defined roles and responsibilities. Board Policy 2002, Reporting to the Public.  

Cognia Standard 1.4  The governing authority establishes and ensures adherence to policies that are desinged to support system effectiveness.  Board Policy 2008, Board of Education Meetings.

Rationale: 

Cognia Standard 1.8 - Leaders engage stakeholders to support the achievement of the system's purpose and direction.  Board Policy 2022, Reporting to the Public.

Rationale:  Dr. Mark Adler has invited Margaret Hershiser to attend the meeting and outline details of a Class Action Lawsuit filed against all Nebraska School Districts including Ralston.  Ms. Hershiser will also address any legal questions that the Board may have at this time.

Rationale:  Dr. Adler will provide an additional overview and recent update of the planning for the Ralston Public Schools Return to Learn Protocol.  The information and document that will be presented is a compilation of the work, planning, and operations currently being done by the entire RPS Administrative Team and staff as we continue operations and learning during the 2020-2021 School Year.  The RPS Return to Learn Protocol was approved by the Board of Education on July 13, 2020.  With continuously changing elements within our community, the Return to Learn Protocol may require changes on a regular basis.  All changes and adjustments will be communicated and reviewed with the Board of Education.  Dr. Adler and the Administrative Team will update the Board of Education on recent changes to the RPS Return to Learn Protocol.

Board Policy 2022 Reporting to the Public

Rationale: 

Dr. Adler and Mrs. Richards will update the Board regarding Legislative issues. 

Cognia Standard 1.8 - Leaders engage stakeholders to support the achievement of the system's purpose and direction. Board Policy 2022, Reporting to the Public.

Rationale:  Dr. Jay Irwin will update the Board of Education on items and information that is under consideration with the Nebraska Association of School Boards.

Cognia Standard 1.8 Leaders engage stakeholders to support the achievement of the system's purpose and direction.  Policy 2022 Reporting to the Public.

Rationale: 

Dr. Adler will review the enrollment information with the Board.

Cognia Standard 1.8 - Leaders engage stakeholders to support the achievement of the system's purpose and direction.  Board Policy 2022, Reporting to the Public.

Rationale: 

The Ralston High School Student Handbook allows for a student to make an early graduation request of more than one semester to the Board of Education for approval.  As part of that process the student and their parents must attend the Board of Education Meeting to answer any questions that may come about.  Any request by a student must also be supported by the High School Principal.  Saodat Bobodzanova, a junior in excellent standing, has made application for a two semester early graduation and that has been supported by Principal Jesse Tvrdy.  It is the recommendation of the Administration that the Board of Education approve this request with successful completion of all graduation requirements by the end of the 2020-2021 school year.

Rationale:  The administration will ask for the Board of Education to adopt the 2020/2021 District Budget that was presented during discussion on August 24, 2020, and officially at the District Budget Hearing at 5:30 PM on September 14, 2020.  The District Budget was published on September 9, 2020, in the District's official newspaper of record, the Ralston Recorder.

Standard 3.7 The system demonstrates strategic resource management that includes long-range planning and use of resources in support of the system's purpose and direction.  Policy 3001 Budget.

Rationale:  The administration will ask for the Board of Education to adopt the 2020/2021 District Tax Request Resolution that was presented during discussion on August 24, 2020, and officially at the District Tax Request Hearing at 5:45 PM on September 14, 2020.  The District Budget and District Tax Request was published on September 9, 2020, in the District's official newspaper of record, the Ralston Recorder.

Standard 3.7 The system demonstrates strategic resource management that includes long-range planning and use of resources in support of the system's purpose and direction.  Policy 3001 Budget.

Rationale: 

The Board and Administration will review proposed policies.

Cognia Standard 1.5 - The governing authority adheres to a code of ethics and functions within the defined roles and responsibilities.  Board Policy 2001, Role of the Board of Education.

Rationale:  On August 24, 2020, Dr. Michael Rupprecht provided the Board of Education with two DRAFT policies that address recent changes in Title IX.  Dr. Rupprecht did accept feedback from the Board on possible changes to the identified policies and is asking for final approval of policies 2006 and 3057 by the Board of Education.

Title IX Policy Approval

• Policy 2006--Complaint Procedure
• Policy 3057--Title IX

Rationale: 

The Board reserves the right to move into closed session to protect the public interest or needless injury to the reputation of an individual for any action item listed on the agenda. The Board may, at its discretion, change the order of the agenda to accommodate unforeseen issues related to an agenda item.

Rationale: 

Supplemental Documents include the following:

Bill Review Schedule - 2020

 

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                  Board of Education Meeting – Mon., September 28th  – 6:00 p.m.                                           Virginia Moon Administrative Center

Sept. 23 - Facilities and Construction Workshop - Kearney and Virtual
Nov. 18-20 - State Education Conference - Omaha and Virtual
 

                       

Rationale: 

Cognia Standard 1.4:  The governing authority establishes and ensures adherence to policies that are designed to support system effectiveness.  Board Policy 2008, Board of Education Meetings.