February 8, 2021 at 6:00 PM - Board of Education Regular Meeting

Rationale: 

As Dr. Adler calls the Board of Education Meeting to order, he 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 January 11th meeting (the January 25th meeting was canceled). January Financial Reports, January bills in the amount of $551,487.26 for the General Fund. Prior to the meeting Heather Johnson and Merv Riepe reviewed the bills. 

Local Substitute Certificates for Margaret Flinn, Dakota Wesslund, Paula Tribulato and Marissa Nun.

Recommend the following teacher(s) resignations be accepted:

• Todd Uhrmacher--RHS Theater (Voluntary Separation)  29 Years of Service to Ralston and 35 overall
• Maureen Olsen--RHS Media Center (Voluntary Separation) 21 Years of Service to Ralston and 25 overall
• Tam Korshoj--Blumfield 2nd Grade (Voluntary Separation) 34 Years of Service to Ralston and 37 overall
• Tara Schomburg--Blumfield 6th Grade (Voluntary Separation) 33 Years of Service to Ralston and 37 overall

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. Adler and Mr. Buckingham 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. Cecilia Wilken will present information to the Board of Education on the mid year student achievement results.  Dr. Wilken will also discuss preliminary DRAFT plans as we begin to address recovery learning for students.

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:  Mr. Jason Buckingham will share the 2021-2022 District Budget Adoption Calendar with the Board of Education outlining the timelines and activities leading up to adoption of the 2021-2022 District Budget.

Rationale:  Dr. Adler will present Board of Education and Superintendent DRAFT goals to be used as the focus of our work for the next 3-5 years.  The goals that will be presented are the same goals that were communicated and prioritized prior to the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.  Dr. Adler will re-introduce the Board of Education and Superintendent goals with a few adjustments and take direction from the Board of Education on next steps.

Rationale:  Dr. Adler will work with the Board of Education to outline the process and present the information to conduct the Superintendent Evaluation.  The Board of Education members will be asked to complete the evaluation prior to the February 22nd Meeting of the Board of Education.  On February 22nd the Board of Education and Dr. Adler will review the results of the Superintendent Evaluation in open session.

Policy 4057 Superintendent Evaluation

Rationale:  Dr. Adler will share information about the DRAFT Interlocal Agreement between the City of Ralston and Ralston Public Schools concerning the use of Orval Smith Baseball Field and Crown and Wager Softball Fields.  The DRAFT agreement is attached and is for discussion at the February 8, 2021, meeting of the Board of Education.  After input and discussion, any changes can be included and then approved at the February 22, 2021, meeting of the Board of Education.

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 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: 

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: 

The Board of Education will enter into Executive Session to discuss contract negotiations with the Ralston Education Association.

Cognia Standard 1.4 - The governing authority establishes and ensures adherence to policies that are designed to support system effectiveness.  Board Policy 2021, Executive Meetings.

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Supplemental Documents include the following:

Food Service Report
Bill Review Schedule - 2021

 

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              Board of Education Meeting – Mon., February 22, 2021 – 6:00 p.m.

                                    Ralston High School Media Center

                       

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.