November 20, 2023 at 5:30 PM - Regular Board of Education Meeting
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1. Call the Meeting to Order
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
LEADERSHIP • SERVICE • SUPPORT
Notice of this meeting was given in advance according to State Law 84-1411, by giving notice of the meeting to the public on ESU 7 website www.esu7.org and posted at location of meeting. Notice of this meeting was also given in advance to all members of the Board of Education of Educational Service Unit 7. Availability of the agenda and purpose of the hearing was communicated in the advance notice of the meeting and in the notice to the members of this hearing. All proceedings of the Board of Education of Educational Service Unit 7 were taken while the convened hearing was open to the attendance of the public.
Discussion:
Roll call was taken at 5:36pm.
Board President conducted the meeting. Staff present: Larianne Polk, Administrator Linda Shefcyk, Business Manager Mindy Reed, Secretary to the Board of Directors Tami Clay, Special Education Director Dan Ellsworth, Network Operations Director |
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1.1. Notification of Open Meetings Law
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
This meeting has been preceded by reasonable advance notice and is hereby declared to be in open session. A copy of the Open Meetings Act is posted in the meeting room.
Attachments:
()
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1.2. Roll Call
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
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1.3. Absent Board Members
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
Board member Donald Ellison will be absent; he notified the Administrator prior to the meeting.
Recommended Motion(s):
Approval of Board Member absences as presented Passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
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1.4. Pledge of Allegiance
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Discussion:
All members present participated in the Pledge of Allegiance.
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2. Approval of Agenda
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
The sequence of agenda topics is subject to change at the discretion of the Board.
Recommended Motion(s):
Agenda as presented Passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
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3. Virtual Conferencing for November 2023, December 2023, January 2024, and February 2024
Speaker(s):
Board President or designee
Rationale:
Nebraska Revised Statute § 84-1411 authorizes virtual meetings for educational service units if the requirements of subdivision (2)(b) are met. The board will determine if next month's board meeting should allow for a virtual conferencing option.
The Board voted to have a virtual conferencing option for the following board meetings: November 2023, December 2023, January 2024, and February 2024. |
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4. Welcome Visitors
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Discussion:
No visitors present.
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5. Public Comment
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
The Board has the discretion to limit the amount of time set aside for public participation.
Citizens wishing to address the Board on a certain agenda item must complete the Request to be Heard Document prior to the start of the board meeting. Citizens wishing to present petitions to the Board may do so at this time. However, the Board will only receive the petitions and not act upon them or their contents.
Discussion:
No public comments provided.
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6. Consent Agenda
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
Unless removed from the consent agenda, items identified within the consent agenda will be acted on at one time. If any Board member wishes to discuss an item, it must be removed from the consent agenda at which time the remaining items will be acted upon. Consent Agenda Includes:
Recommendation: Discuss, consider and take any action necessary to approve the consent agenda as presented.
Recommended Motion(s):
Consent agenda as presented Passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
Discussion:
Board member Bob Arp requested to remove the bills from the consent agenda. Item 6.2 was removed and will now be agenda item 7. Presentation of Bills #77026 through #77207 totaling $1,093,951.81.
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6.1. Minutes
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
This is a consent item.
Attachments:
()
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6.2. Reading of Article III, Section 3, F Audits
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
This is a consent item.
Attachments:
()
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6.3. Reading of Article III, Section 4, F Internal Controls
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
This is a consent item.
Attachments:
()
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6.4. Reading of Article III, Section 7, D Trespassers
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
This is a consent item.
Attachments:
()
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6.5. Reading of Article III, Section 7, E Distribution of Materials
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
This is a consent item.
Attachments:
()
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6.6. Reading of Article III, Section 7, F Bulletin Boards and Web Pages
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
This is a consent item.
Attachments:
()
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6.7. Reading of Article III, Section 7, H Computer Acceptable Use Policy
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
This is a consent item.
Attachments:
()
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6.8. Reading of Article III, Section 7, I Recording of Others
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
This is a consent item.
Attachments:
()
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6.9. Excess Lodging and Meals
Speaker(s):
Board President or designee
Rationale:
Excess Lodging and Meals:
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6.10. Resignations
Speaker(s):
Board President or designee
Rationale:
Resignation:
This is a consent item.
Attachments:
()
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7. Presentation of Bills #77026 through #77207 totaling $1,093,951.81
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
The summary of bills for the current month total: $1,093,951.81 - Bills #77026 through #77207 Inservice bills total: $104.00
Attachments:
()
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
Discussion:
Board member Bob Arp requested to know what check number 77110 for Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium was for. The check was for the CCLC Project Director Day. Board member Dawn Lindsley requested to know what check number 77091 for Leigh Community Schools. The check was for the Perkins Key Note Speaker for the career fair.
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8. Mental Health Spotlight
Speaker(s):
Board President or designee
Rationale:
Ronelle Jackson, ESU 7 Licensed Independent Mental Health Practitioner, will be presenting the Mental Health Spotlight to the Board.
Attachments:
()
Discussion:
Ronelle Jackson, Licensed Independent Mental Health Practitioner (LIMHP) reviewed the attached Board Spotlight 2023 presentation. The Mental Health staff are able to customize services for the students using a social emotional learning curriculum. The questions asked during the presentation include:
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9. Change in FTE - Kaise Recek, Orientation Mobility Teacher
Speaker(s):
Board President or designee
Rationale:
Kaise Recek, Orientation Mobility Teacher, has been issued an updated contract to increase her FTE.
Recommendation: Discuss, consider and take any action necessary to approve the contract for Kaise Recek as presented.
Recommended Motion(s):
Discuss, consider and take any action necessary to approve the contract for Kaise Recek as presented Passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
Attachments:
()
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
Discussion:
Board member Dawn Lindsley asked for context behind the request for an increase in FTE. Kaise Recek is the Orientation and Mobility Teacher. Many ESUs do not have an employee with orientation and mobility training. Kaise provides services outside of the ESU 7 area to assist other ESUs. Kaise goes to ESU 9, ESU 10, and ESU 11 to provide services for students in need. There are multiple schools that need the Orientation and Mobility service, which necessitates the need to add time to Kaise Recek's contract. Currently, she travels two days a week to schools further away. She travels to Grand Island, Wood River, Kearney, Lexington, and Gothenburg on one of the travel days. Kaise typically goes to approximately four schools a day when she travels. The previous contract for Kaise was for three days a week and the request for an increase will now make it four days a week. Kaise typically provides service to each student once a month and possibly two times a month for someone with higher needs. ESU 7 does have an Orientation and Mobility contract with ESU 10. However, most of the contracts for the Orientation and Mobility service are directly with the schools Kaise Recek serves.
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10. Treasurer's Report
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
Review the breakdown of the Treasurer's Report
Recommended Motion(s):
Discuss, consider and take any action necessary to approve the Treasurer's Report as presented. Passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
Attachments:
()
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
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11. Administrator's Report General
Speaker(s):
Administrator or Designee
Rationale:
Attachments:
()
Goals:
Discussion:
ESUCC Update: Administrator Polk let the board know the legislative session has not started yet. The opening session will be on January 6, 2024. ESU Coordinating Council utilizes Bromm & Associates for governmental relations. Jason Bromm creates a report with all of the legislative bills and provides updates. Chief Administrator Polk will provide the board with general information and include a link to the report Bromm & Associates provides. District 41 has a new senator, Senator Meyer.
Professional Development and Print Shop Report: Director Ostmeyer is not in attendance. Administrator Polk read the attached Board Report-November 2023_PD and Print Shop document. Technology Report: The Nebraska Cybersecurity Network met earlier today. There is a survey being sent out to gather baseline data from schools. There are many schools which use ALICAP insurance. ESU 7 also utilizes ALICAP. The schools who are currently not covered by ALICAP are failing for reasons which could be resolved. The LAN Managers and other technology staff have been made aware of what ALICAP is requesting. There are some requests Director Ellsworth has asked ALICAP for clarification on. Director Ellsworth is working with the LAN Managers to make data-driven decisions. There were some LAN Managers utilizing different help ticket systems which did not allow Director Ellsworth to have the data on all help tickets being submitted and resolved by the LAN Managers. Those schools are moving over to the same system ESU 7 utilizes, so there can be transparent data on the number of tickets as well as the turnaround time to complete the ticket. Director Ellsworth assisted in creating an evaluation assessment matrix for the LAN Managers contracted out to the schools. The evaluation assessment matrix has been submitted to the NETA Conference. Board member Dawn Lindsley asked a question regarding the status of the secondary lines in the schools. Director Ellsworth stated the secondary line for ESU 7 is complete, the secondary line for Fullerton is complete, and the secondary line for Palmer is in progress but will not be complete until summer due to the need to run the cable under the parking lot. Currently, no other school has signed up for a secondary line. Board member Bob Arp asked if Director Ellsworth was aware of how many hacking attempts there had been in the ESU 7 area. Director Ellsworth let the board know ESU 7 utilizes Huntress, which is a managed security platform. If Huntress detects a hacking attempt, a flag is raised and the staff at Huntress typically handle it. If the hacking attempt is larger and may not be fully eradicated, the server is isolated and handled so no other server is impacted. Clarkson Public Schools also utilizes Huntress. There have been two hacking attempts in the last 30 days in ESU 7, which were not successful. Special Education Report: Director Clay provided the update for the Special Education Department. Special Education staff have been providing professional development to school staff. There have been schools which have asked the Special Education staff to provide Job Coach training, which has been well received. There have even been requests to make the Job Coach training a series, which says a lot about the caliber of special education staff ESU 7 has. Director Clay is working on a way to help new Superintendents understand Special Education Finance. Director Clay went out to visit each new Superintendent. During the visit, Director Clay and the Superintendent went through the school's final financials, which are connected to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and the Maintenance of Effort (MOE). Special Education staff are doing a nice job in the schools. The ESU 7 Special Education staff work hard and have the student's best interest in mind. |
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11.1. Goal Update
Speaker(s):
Administrator or Designee
Rationale:
Goals - Attached for your Review
Attachments:
()
Goals:
Discussion:
Administrator Polk reviewed the Superintendent Visit data documents which are reviewed during the Superintendent's visits.
Administrator Polk, Board Vice President Jack Young, and Board Member Bob Arp attended the Columbus Public Schools board meeting on November 13, 2023. Director Clay and Board Secretary Jennifer Miller attended the Humphrey Public board meeting on November 13, 2023. The Lakeview Community Schools board meeting is scheduled for December 11, 2023. Director Clay as well as Board President Doug Pauley and Board Secretary Jennifer Miller will attend. |
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11.2. Services Update
Speaker(s):
Administrator or Designee
Rationale:
SIMPL Update
The Chief Administrator will review data documents which are discussed at the Superintendent visits. |
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11.3. Facilities Update
Speaker(s):
Administrator or Designee
Rationale:
The Administrator will provide a facilities update during this item.
Attachments:
()
Discussion:
ALICAP completed a safety visit at ESU 7. Director Ellsworth took Ken, from ALICAP, around the buildings for the visit. Administrator Polk reviewed the recommendations in the attached ALICAP Inspection Report.
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11.4. Personnel
Speaker(s):
Administrator or designee
Rationale:
All Classified/Non Cert Hires and Resignations under this item. Not an action item.
New Hires:
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12. Committee Reports
Speaker(s):
Committee Chair
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12.1. Buildings and Grounds Committee Report
Speaker(s):
Administrator or designee
Rationale:
The Chair of the Buildings and Ground Committee will provide a report of the meeting.
Recommendation: Discuss, consider and take any action necessary to approve the Special Education Expansion Program as indicated in the Resolution.
Recommended Motion(s):
Discuss, consider and take any action necessary to approve the Special Education Expansion Program as indicated in the Resolution Passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
Attachments:
()
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
Discussion:
Buildings and Grounds Chair Bob Arp provided an update for the Building and Grounds Committee. Chairperson Arp referenced the attached Special Education Expansion Program document. ESU 7 is pursuing the possibility of expanding Special Education services, which will be housed in the South Building. The area would be approximately 1,200 square feet and include two classrooms, one wheelchair accessible bathroom, one sensory room, and two recovery rooms. The expansion is called the Special Education Expansion Program. The intent is to provide a program for up to ten students with autism or other complex disabilities causing communication and behavioral challenges. Chairperson Arp asked the board to turn to pages 27 and 28 to view the proposed floor plan for the south building and what the program layout may look like. Chairperson Arp asked the board to review the attached Special Education Expansion Resolution. Administrator Polk read the Special Education Expansion Resolution aloud to the board.
Special Education Director Clay went through the attached Special Education Expansion Program and explained the document is still in draft. Every school district would want to partner with ESU 7 in some form, the Superintendents either like the idea of the program and/or would utilize the program. The age range of the expansion program would be from kindergarten age to 21 years old. The program would consist of two classrooms, one teacher, and a one on one paraeducator per student with an additional floater paraeducator. The program would focus on essential life skills and behavioral skills. The instruction would come from the teacher and the continual practice would come from the paraeducators. The program would be a transitional program where the goal would be to transition the student to a less restrictive program and/or ultimately their home school district once the student consistently utilizes the skills learned in the Special Education Expansion Program. Director Clay has made an inquiry to the Nebraska Department of Education (NDE) regarding the potential Special Education reimbursable expenses for the school district. The building fees would not be reimbursable through Special Education. Director Clay reviewed the expenses in the attached document, with Option 2 being the preferred option. Since the start of Director Clay's employment with ESU 7, Superintendents have been asking for a program of this nature and it is brought up at multiple meetings. When the Superintendents first asked about the program, there was no space to house a program of this nature. Those circumstances have recently changed with Columbus Public moving out of the South Building, so now there is room for a new program. During the service planning for the 2024-2025 academic year, the Special Education Expansion Program was a top priority. Most schools do not have the capacity to work with some students with autism and behavioral issues due to staffing and/or the school environment. The Special Education Expansion program would provide the teacher and paraeducators with training and support. The training provided is detailed in the attached document. With the proper technique, training, and teaching, the program would help the students know how to handle their behaviors and how to interact with people in the community. A majority of the students who would be a part of the Special Education Expansion Program would be non-verbal. The program would help the students enhance their communication. President Doug Pauley stated the board briefly spoke about the Special Education Expansion Program last month. Secretary Jennifer Miller replied the discussion was also in the September board meeting minutes. President Pauley has a concern about how fast the program proposal has come to fruition. When the new space in the South Building became available, President Pauley thought there would be a strategic planning process for the building. The Board and ESU 7 conducted a lot of research when planning for the Learning Academy and wondered if that level of planning was necessary for the Special Education Program as well. Board Secretary Miller clarified the resolution attached starts the process of gathering bids, it does not commit ESU 7 or the district schools to the program. The Buildings and Grounds Committee reviewed the program draft during the committee meeting and asked numerous questions. The committee felt like the Special Education Expansion Program would be beneficial for ESU 7 and it would help students in need of the program. Board member Bob Arp read the ESU 7 mission aloud to the board, which reads "The mission of ESU 7 is to provide leadership and support by delivering customized and innovative services." Board member Arp emphasized the part regarding customized and innovative services. Bob expressed his concern about waiting to approve the resolution because it would only become more difficult to find staff. Bob Arp explained the resolution is to just get the process going. Board member Gary Wiesler stated ESU 7 recently received access to the other portion of the South Building, so the option for the program has only recently become reality. What Administrator Polk knows for sure: the schools are in dire need of the program, there is money in the cash reserve to front the program while the districts are able to pay back their portion. If the program is not approved this month or in December, it will have to wait until the 2025-2026 academic year. The playground project had been approved by the board previously, but it was put on hold due to steel prices. Administrator Polk and Director Clay cannot bring any solid financial figures to the board until an architect looks at the building. Administrator Polk is trying to find ways to maximize the money in cash reserve. The Learning Academy has space to start the program with five students until the remodel is complete. Board member Dawn Lindsley shared concerns regarding the building fee. Questions asked during the discussion:
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12.2. Negotiations Committee Report
Speaker(s):
Negotiations Committee Chair
Rationale:
The Chair of the Negotiations Committee will provide a report of the meeting.
Discussion:
Negotiations Chair Jennifer Miller provided an update for the Negotiations Committee. The Negotiations Committee met prior to the board meeting. Typically, ESU 7 gets the salary array from Perry Law Firm. This year, ESU 7 along with other ESUs are utilizing Sparq Negotiations. The court of industrial relations suggests having a salary between 98%-102% in the array. Based on the calculations within Sparq Negotiations, ESU 7 is sitting at 107%. Administrator Polk and Business Manager Linda Shefcyk will be reviewing all of the data and settings in Sparq Negotiations to confirm this is accurate. The health insurance utilized by ESU 7, Blue Cross Blue Shield, only increased by 1.99%. Business Manager Linda Shefcyk has a statewide meeting next week to check and compare data with other ESUs in Nebraska.
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12.3. Administrator Evaluation Committee Report
Speaker(s):
Administrator Evaluation Committee Chair
Rationale:
The Chair of the Administrator Evaluation Committee will provide a report.
Evaluation Timeline: - August: Evaluation Committee Chair and Administrator review Evaluation Tool and Evalluation Policy/Procedures. - September: Full Board is provided a paper copy of the evaluation questions. - October: Administrator sends digital evaluation and evaluation resources to the Evaluation Committee Chair in the first week of October. The chair then forwards on to full Board for completion by October Board Meeting. Board will send their completed evaluation tool to the Evaluation Committee prior to the October Board Meeting. Administrator completes Evaluation Tool as self-assessment and sends it to Evaluation Committee Chair on or before October 31. - November: Committee Chair will send the completed Administrator self-assessment to the full Board after November 1. Evaluation Committee compiles results of full Board completed evaluations prior to the November Board Meeting. - December: Evaluation Committee meets prior to December Board Meeting to review with Administrator the results of evaluation. Report to full Board in December Board Meeting following Closed Session requirements with Administrator present. - January: Confirm Evaluation Committee members. Administrator provides Evaluation Committee with goals and shares with Board at January Board Meeting.
Attachments:
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Discussion:
Administrator Evaluation Committee Chair Marni Danhauer provided the update for the Administrator Evaluation Committee. Chairperson Danhauer expressed her gratitude to the board members who completed the evaluation. Administrator Polk and chairperson Danhauer will meet to go over the evaluation results prior to the December board meeting. Board member Dick Stephens asked the Evaluation Committee to consider having the Administrator self-evaluation provided to the board prior to their completion of the evaluation. Evaluation Chair Marni Danhauer asked if any board members have additional comments, they can email them to her.
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13. Conference Report
Speaker(s):
Conference Attendees
Rationale:
Conference Attendees will report on their learnings.
Discussion:
Board President Doug Pauley, and members Joyce Baumert, Marni Danhauer, Gary Weisler, Dawn Lindsley, and Bob Arp agreed the State Education Conference was excellent. Highlights of the conference included the keynote speaker, sessions on mental health, social media, board committees, legislative updates, and community culture. One specific session of note was conducted by Lakeview staff called Mission Mental Health. Board member Bob Arp attended that session and was moved by the content and positive nature of the topic.
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14. Adjournment
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Discussion:
Meeting adjourned at 8:29pm.
Minutes respectfully submitted by Mindy Reed, Recording Secretary to the ESU 7 Board. |
