September 9, 2019 at 6:00 PM - Board of Education Regular Meeting

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Please stand and join us in the Pledge of Allegiance.


AdvancED Standard 2.1 - The governing body establishes policies and supports practices that ensure effective administration of the system and its schools. Policy 2008, Board of Education Meetings.

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AdvancED 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.

AdvancED Standard 2.1 - The governing body establishes policies and supports practices that ensure effective administration of the system and its schools.  Board 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.

AdvancED Standard 2.1 - The governing body establishes policies and supports practices that ensure effective administration of the system and its schools.  Board Policy 2009, Public Participation at Board Meetings.

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Consent agenda items include minutes from the August 26, 2019 meeting; August Financial Reports, August bills in the amount of $469,665.54 for the General Fund, and $62,602.00 for the Building Fund. Prior to the meeting Heather Johnson and Linda Richards reviewed the bills. 

 

AdvancED 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.

AdvancED Standard 1.7 - Leaders implement operational processes and procedures to ensure organization effectiveness in support of teaching and learning.  Board Policy 3007, Review of Bills.         

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AdvancED 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.

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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.

AdvancED 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.  

AdvancED 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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AdvancED 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 update the Board of Education on information, activities, and input opportunities with the Districts educational programming on American Civics.

AdvancEd Standard 1.4 The governing authority establishes and ensures adherence to policies that are designed to support system effectiveness.  Policy 6039 Americanism.

Rationale:  Mr. Jason Buckingham will outline the preliminary DRAFT 2019/2020 District Budget and answer any questions and get direction on further development from the Board of Education.

The Ralston Public School District will hold its required Budget and Tax Request Hearing on Monday, September 16, 2019, at the Virginia Moon Administrative Center.

AdvancEd 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.  Board Policy 3001 Budget

Rationale: 

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

 

AdvancED 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.

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

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

 

AdvancED 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:  Replacement of a maintenance vehicle and snow plow.

Rationale:  History:
In 2008, the RSF generously donated about $160,000 to buy two new 60 passenger (about 30 adults) school busses to be used for our school activities as well as the main mode of transportation for our summer Lil Rams Program.  That was eleven years ago and those two new busses are showing their age and wear and tear.  Recently, during conversations with Sara and other RSF staff it was identified that a little more bus capacity would allow a larger summer enrollment.  All of this had guided the development of this activity bus upgrade proposal.

Proposal:
The proposed funding plan will access funds from multiple sources to purchase two new 2020 Thomas Busses.  If this proposed plan is approved and executed we should not have to worry about activity transportation for at least another 10 years.  The proposed Funding Plan is as follows:

• 2020 Thomas Rear Engine Transit Activity Bus (46 Adults) $131,270.00
• 2020 Thomas/Freightliner C2 Activity Bus (44 Adults) $97,875.00

Total Cost:  $230,000

Proposed Funding Plan
$115,000 Ralston Schools Foundation
$15,000 Kendall Peterson Estate 
$42,000 NDEQ School Bus Emissions Rebate Program (Approved)
$58,000  RPS Depreciation Fund

Rationale:
The $115,000 from the RSF represents half the cost of the entire purchase but is still significantly lower than the investment made in 2008.  The Kendall Peterson estate is unrestricted and a fund we have not accessed much.  Mr. Peterson was a champion of activities so I thought this would be a good use of funds knowing this purchase will allow our students to get to school activities.  The biggest driver in this project is the opportunity to get the NDEQ School Bus Emissions Rebate.  This is the last year for the rebate program and I think it would not be responsible for us to not take advantage of that program if we are in the market for a new bus.  This program does require us to retire an existing bus with higher emissions.  We have heard from NDEQ and the bus rebate has been approved for RPS.  Finally, as you can see, the District would put in $58,000.  That is a lower number than the contribution by the RSF but in addition to this potential purchase RPS will still have to replace at least one F-250 Snow Removal Vehicle and we have already had to replace a school van since one of ours had a blown motor.  In the end, I am trying to achieve a little balance for all parties involved but still make a big advancement in our transportation needs.

I have attached the bid proposals for both busses as well as pictures of them.  This proposal has already been reviewed by the RSF finance committee.  The next RSF Board Meeting is set for August 26th this proposal will be considered for approval.  If approved by the RSF, the Ralston Board of Education will be asked to consider approval of the project at their meeting on September 9, 2019.  Busses will not be ordered until all approvals are made and appropriate paperwork and documentation is completed with NDEQ.

AdvancEd Standard 3.8 The system allocates human, material and fiscal resources in alignment with the system's identified needs and priorities to improve student performance and organizational effectiveness.   Policy 3004 General Purchasing and Procurement.  Policy 3011 Transportation.

 

Rationale:  Board President Linda Richards is recommending the following appointment to the Committee on American Civics for the 2019-2020 School Year.

Heather Johnson
Elizabeth Kumru
Mary Roarty

AdvancEd Standard 1.4 The governing authority establishes and ensures adherence to policies that are designed to support system effectiveness.  Policy 6039 Americanism.

Rationale:  Mr. Buckingham and the administration asks that the Board of Education approve the purchase of a snow removal vehicle to replace one that is currently in use but is nearing the end of it's service.  Bid proposals have been solicited and it is recommenced that a Ford F-250 XL maintenance vehicle and V-Blade snow plow be purchased from Woodhouse Ford.

AdvancEd Standard 3.8  The system allocates human, material, and fiscal resources in alignment with the system's identified needs and priorities to improve student performance and organizational effectiveness.   Policy 3004 Purchasing.

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The Board and Administration will review proposed policies.

AdvancED 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 and Legal Status.

Rationale:  As a result of changes to Rule 91,  there are some required changes that are needed for some of our District Transportation Policies.  The following policies are being proposed for discussion and approval at the September 9th Meeting of the Board of Education:

• Policy 5044-- Safe Pupil Transportation Plan and Pupil Transportation Vehicle Driver Satisfactory Driving Criteria
• Policy 4039-- Employment of Classified Staff

After review at the August 26th Board of Education Meeting the administration asks that Policy 5044 and Policy 4039 be approved as presented.

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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 - 2019

 

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Next Board of Education meeting:  September 16 - 6:30 pm 
Virginia Moon Administrative Center.

Monday, Sept. 16 - 6:00 pm - Budget Hearing
Monday, Sept. 16 - 6:15 pm - Tax Request Hearing
Monday, Sept. 16 - 6:30 pm - Regular Board Meeting
Monday, Sept. 23 - 6:00 pm - Board of Education Meeting
Thursday, Nov. 7, 11:30 am - RHS Senior Citizen Thanksgiving luncheon
Thursday, Nov.14, 11:30 am - Karen Western Thanksgiving luncheon 
Thursday, Nov. 21, Blumfield - Circle of Friends Thanksgiving luncheon
November 20-22, 2019 - State Education Conference - CHI Center Omaha

                       

Rationale: 

AdvancED Standard 1.4 - The governing authority adheres to a code of ethics and functions within defined roles and responsibilities.  Board Policy 2008, Board of Education Meetings.