January 16, 2024 at 6:00 PM - Board of Education Regular Meeting/Business

Rationale: 

Patrons can watch the Ralston Public Schools Board of Education Meeting by following the link below.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCo8VrugRaRJ-0GL1Cg8BlBA

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

Cognia Standard 8:  The governing authority demonstrates a commitment to learners by collaborating with leaders to uphold the institution's priorities and to drive continuous improvement.
Policy 2008, Board of Education Meetings.

Rationale: 

Cognia Standard 8:  The governing authority demonstrates a commitment to learners by collaborating with leaders to uphold the institution's priorities and to drive continuous improvement.
Policy 2008, Board of Education Meetings.

Rationale: 

Reorganization of the Board for the 2024 calendar year.

Jason Buckingham will take nominations and conduct the election to name a Board of Education President for 2024.  Once the Board President is selected, that person will then conduct the nominations and elections for the Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer of the Board of Education. 

Cognia Standard 1.5 The governing authority adheres to a code of ethics and functions within defined roles and responsibilities.  Policy 2002 Organization of the Board.

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 2:  Learners' well-being is at the heart of the institution's guiding principles such as mission, purpose, and beliefs.
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 2:  Learners' well-being is at the heart of the institution's guiding principles such as mission, purpose, and beliefs.
Policy 2009, Public Participation at Board Meetings.

Rationale: 

Consent agenda items include minutes from the December 11th meeting; December Financial Report, December bills in the amount of $530,836.14 for the General Fund, and $3,651,230.62  for the Special Building Fund. Prior to the meeting, Carrie Hough and Mary Roarty reviewed the bills. 

Recommend the following teachers be hired for the 2024-25 school year:
Emily Kern - Mockingbird - Kindergarten.  BA-UNO.  Previous Experience: Former RPS Student teacher and Sub.
Paige Todd - Seymour - 6th grade.  (Taught at Seymour from 2015-2022)

Recommend the following teacher resignations be accepted:
Alyssa Agoncillo - Wildewood - 6th grade
Jaque Maddox - RHS - FCS
Tim Reischl - RMS - Social Studies
Lynn Behounek - RMS - Media Specialist
Deanna Johansen - RHS - Math
Jodi Krauss - Blumfield - Special Education
Shawna Mayer - CADRE Associate

 

Cognia Standard 8:  The governing authority demonstrates a commitment to learners by collaborating with leaders to uphold the institution's priorities and to drive continuous improvement. 
Board Policy 2008, Board of Education Meetings.

Cognia Standard 11:  Leaders create and maintain institutional structures and processes that support learners and staff members in both stable and changing environments.
Board Policy 3007, Review of Bills.         

Rationale: 

Cognia Standard 8:  The governing authority demonstrates a commitment to learners by collaborating with leaders to uphold the institution's priorities and to drive continuous improvement.
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 8:  The governing authority demonstrates a commitment to learners by collaborating with leaders to uphold the institution's priorities and to drive continuous improvement. 
Board Policy 2008, Board of Education Meetings.

Rationale: 

Cognia Standard 2:  Learners' well-being is at the heart of the institution's guiding principles such as mission, purpose, and beliefs. 
Board Policy 2022, Reporting to the Public.

Rationale:  Aaron Bredenkamp will provide an overview of the District Financial Report for the month.  Aaron Bredenkmap will address any questions that the Board of Education members may have on any part of the financial statements.  

 

Cognia Standard 8:  The governing authority demonstrates a commitment to learners by collaborating with leaders to uphold the institution's priorities and to drive continuous improvement. 
Board Policy 2008, Board of Education Meetings.

Cognia Standard 11:  Leaders create and maintain institutional structures and processes that support learners and staff members in both stable and changing environments.
Board Policy 3001, Budget

Rationale: 

Mr. Buckingham will update the Board regarding Legislative issues. 

Cognia Standard 2:  Learners' well-being is at the heart of the institution's guiding principles such as mission, purpose, and beliefs.
Board Policy 2022, Reporting to the Public.

Rationale:  Mrs. Elizabeth Kumru will update the Board of Education on items and information that is under consideration with the Nebraska Association of School Boards.

Cognia Standard 2:  Learners' well-being is at the heart of the institution's guiding principles such as mission, purpose, and beliefs.
Policy 2022 Reporting to the Public.

Rationale: 

Mr. Buckingham will review the enrollment information with the Board.

Cognia Standard 2:  Learners' well-being is at the heart of the institution's guiding principles such as mission, purpose, and beliefs.
Board Policy 2022, Reporting to the Public.

Rationale:  Mr. Buckingham, and members of the administrative team will provide an update to the Board of Education on the progress of various projects in motion with the 2021 Future Ready Ralston Bond Initiative.



 

Rationale:  Jason Buckingham will guide the Board of Education through the process to discuss, consider, and take all necessary action to enter into a construction management agreement with The Weitz Company for the Elementary School Facilities Improvement Project.

 

Rationale:  Jason Buckingham will provide information to the Board of Education on the Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) to complete the renovation of Seymour Elementary during the summer of 2024.  District officials have worked with the Weitz Company to develop the GMP along with professionals from BCDM Architects.  

The administration recommends the approval of the GMP outlined in the attached documents.

Rationale:  Mr. Buckingham will outline the various District Service Providers to the Board of Education.  The Board reviews District Service Providers annually in January.  The administration asks that the Board of Education approve the District Service Providers as presented.

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:  We are to appoint a Non-Discrimination Compliance Coordinator and a Title IX Coordinator on a yearly basis.  Mike Rupprecht has filled that role for RPS the past several years.

Rationale:  Mike Rupprecht has gathered information from our stakeholders and has compiled a calendar that was reviewed by our administration and the Board of Education at the 11/27/23 meeting.  The calendars approved on 12/11/23 contained an error identifying comp. day as an Inservice day.  The new calendars for 24-25 and 25-26 correct that error.

Rationale: 

The Board and Administration will review proposed policies.

Cognia Standard 8:  The governing authority demonstrates a commitment to learners by collaborating with leaders to uphold the institution's priorities and to drive continuous improvement.
Board Policy 2001, Role of the Board of Education.

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Supplemental Documents include the following:

Bill Review Schedule - 2023

 

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

January 21 & 22 - Legislative Issues Conference - Lincoln
April 6-8 - NSBA National Conference - New Orleans
 

                       

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 administration recommends the Board of Education move into executive session to discuss negotiations.


Cognia Standard 8:  The governing authority demonstrates a commitment to learners by collaborating with leaders to uphold the institution's priorities and to drive continuous improvement.
Board Policy 2021, Executive Meetings.

Rationale: 

Cognia Standard 8:  The governing authority demonstrates a commitment to learners by collaborating with leaders to uphold the institution's priorities and to drive continuous improvement. 
Board Policy 2008, Board of Education Meetings.