March 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.

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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.

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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.

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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 February 22 meeting; February Financial Reports, February bills in the amount of $484,310.46 for the General Fund.  Prior to the meeting Robin Richards and Liz Kumru reviewed the bills. 

Local substitute certificate for Jennifer Luczynski.

Recommend the following teacher resignations be accepted:
Annie Fauble - 3rd grade - Mockingbird
Maria Carabantes - Elementary Counselor - Karen Western and Meadows
Melissa Dehart - 5th/6th grade - Karen Western
Shelby Parr - 3rd grade - Wildewood
Elisa Brinklow - Life Skills Alternative Curriculum - RHS
Miranda Oberschulte - Physical Education - Mockingbird
 

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.

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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 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 the Cabinet Administrative Team will share further details of the District Recovery Learning Plan with the Board of Education.  The recovery learning plan will be partially supported by CARES II funding provided by the Federal government.  The administration will share proposed uses of the CARES II funds with the Board of Education and conduct a discussion around details fo the plan to include short and long term goals.

Rationale:  The Nebraska Department of Education is reviewing and updating NDE Rule 10, the accreditation and accountability rule for all public schools in Nebraska.  During the review process, NDE provides opportunities for input from a wide variety of stakeholders.  Dr. Adler will guide a discussion with the Board of Education so as a group we can offer input on the development of Rule 10 in future years.  Board of Education Members and Cabinet Administrators were sent a video to review prior to the meeting to provide appropriate background information to frame the discussion.

Rationale:  Dr. Cecilia Wilken will share information on work that has been done within our Instructional Time Study.  Ralston Public Schools has made a priority to work in the direction of a common early release for all schools in the District on the same day each week.  This aligned collaborative time will allow for the efficient operation of our Professional Learning Community initiative.  The PLC initiative will help staff to conduct effective collaborative meetings weekly around weekly review of student achievement data leading to targeted interventions and timely appropriate adjustments to instructional design.

Rationale:  Dr. Mark Adler will share the DRAFT plan with the Board of Education on addressing the instructional days and contract days missed due to the cancellation of school due to inclement weather.

Rationale:  Dr. Mark Adler and Mr. Jim Frederick will update the Board of Education on the progress within the development of the District Equity and Diversity Plan.

Rationale: 

Dr. Adler 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.

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The Board and Administration will review proposed policies.

Policy 1003: Purpose and Direction Statement
Policy 1004: Distribution of Policies
Policy 2011: Membership in Organizations
Policy 2018: Rules of Order
Policy 2019: Voting Method
Policy 2020: News Media Services at Meetings 

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.

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Supplemental Documents include the following:

Bill Review Schedule - 2021

 

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                  Board of Education Meeting – Mon., March 22  – 6:00 p.m
                                     Ralston High School Media Center

May 16, 2021 - RPS Graduation - 2:00 pm
 

                       

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.