Monday, September 16, 2024 Directly following the Tax Asking/Final Levy - 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 5:31pm.
Board President conducted the meeting. Staff present: Kris Elmshaeuser, Administrator Mindy Reed, Secretary to the Board of Directors Marci Ostmeyer, Professional Development Director Tami Clay, Special Education Director Morgan Morsett, Administrative Secretary/Receptionist |
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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 Richard Stephens will be absent, prior notification was given.
Recommended Motion(s):
Discuss, consider and take all necessary action to approve 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.
Discussion:
Board members Richard Stephens and Karen Gomez were absent and notified the Administrator prior to the board meeting.
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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):
Discuss, consider and take all necessary action to approve the 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 Option
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.
Administrator Recommendation: Discuss, consider and take all necessary action to approve the virtual conferencing option for the October board meeting.
Recommended Motion(s):
Discuss, consider and take all necessary action to approve the virtual conferencing option for the October board meeting Passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
Discussion:
There will not be a virtual conferencing option for the October 2024 board meeting.
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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:
Administrator Recommendation: Discuss, consider and take all necessary action to approve the consent agenda as presented.
Recommended Motion(s):
Discuss, consider and take all necessary action to approve the 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.
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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. Presentation of Bills #78524 through #78663 totaling $1,178,764.98
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
The summary of bills for the current month total:$1,178,764.98 - Bills #78524 through #78663 General Activity Fund total: $0
This is a consent item.
Attachments:
()
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6.3. Reading of Article I, Section 5, E Negotiations
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
This is a consent item.
Attachments:
()
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6.4. Reading of Article IV, Section 5, H Copyright
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
This is a consent item.
Attachments:
()
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6.5. Reading of Article IV, Section 6, A Safety
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
This is a consent item.
Attachments:
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6.6. Reading of Article IV, Section 7, A Employee Files
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
This is a consent item.
Attachments:
()
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6.7. Reading of Article IV, Section 7, B Social Security Numbers
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
This is a consent item.
Attachments:
()
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7. Board Code of Ethics and Oath of Office - District 3, Amy Blaser
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
Amy Blaser was appointed as the District 3 Board Member for ESU 7. The September 2024 Board Meeting is the first meeting for Amy Blaser since the appointment. It is required for all board members to recite the oath of office and sign off on it as well as the Code of Ethics annually.
I, _____________________, do solemnly swear that I will support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of Nebraska, against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely and without mental reservations, or for purpose or evasions; and that I will faithfully and impartially perform the duties of the office of member of the Board of Educational Service Unit No. 7, according to law, to the best of my ability. And I do further swear that I do not advocate, nor am I a member of any political party or organization that advocates the overthrow of the government of the United States or this State by force or violence; and that during such time that I am in this position I will not advocate nor become a member of any political party or organization that advocates the overthrow of the government of the United States or this State by force or violence. So help me God.
Attachments:
()
Discussion:
Board member Amy Blaser recited the Oath of Office and reviewed and signed the Code of Ethics.
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8. Treasurer's Report
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
Review the breakdown of the Treasurer's Report.
Administrator Recommendation: Discuss, consider and take all necessary action to accept the Treasurer's Report as presented.
Recommended Motion(s):
Discuss, consider and take all necessary action to accept 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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9. 2024-2025 Resolution for Tax Asking and Final Levy
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
Now be it therefore resolved that the Board of ESU 7 has a tax request of $3,299,168.88 for the 2024-2025 fiscal year and the final levy of the Board of ESU 7 should be, and hereby is set at .015 for the 2024-2025 fiscal year.
Administrator Recommendation: Discuss, consider and take all necessary action to approve the 2024-2025 Tax Asking and Final Levy Resolution as presented.
Recommended Motion(s):
Discuss, consider and take all necessary action to approve the 2024-2025 Tax Asking and Final Levy Resolution 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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10. Approval of the 2024-2025 Budget
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
Administrator Recommendation: Discuss, consider and take all necessary action to approve the 2024-2025 Budget as presented.
Recommended Motion(s):
Discuss, consider and take all necessary action to approve the 2024-2025 Budget 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. Representation at the State Education Conference Delegate Assembly
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
Selection of one Board Member to represent ESU 7 at the Delegate Assembly on Friday, November 22, 2024, from 8:00am-9:30am.
Discussion:
Dawn Lindsley will be the representative at the Delegate Assembly.
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12. NASB Legislation Committee - Member 16 Election
Speaker(s):
Board President or designee
Rationale:
The following nominations have been submitted for NASB Legislation Committee Member #16.
Administrator Recommendation: Discuss, consider and take all necessary action to approve the Board President to submit the vote for ________, as the NASB Legislation Committee member #16.
Recommended Motion(s):
Discuss, consider and take all necessary action to approve the Board President to submit the vote for ________, as the NASB Legislation Committee member #16 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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13. Administrator's Report General
Speaker(s):
Administrator or Designee
Rationale:
Attachments:
()
Discussion:
Chief Administrator Kris Elmshaeuser thanked Morgan Morsett for attending the board meeting and helping project the meeting agenda.
Administrator Elmshaeuser reviewed the attached ESUCC September Presentation slides showing the Member Costs and Savings from the ESUCC Cooperative Purchasing. ESUCC met last week for ESU PDO and the ESUCC board meeting. Professional Development (PD) Report - Director Ostmeyer provided the PD report to the board. Director Ostmeyer wanted to let the board know the science standards were approved by the state board of education. Our very own Ernie Valentine is a member of the statewide science cadre. Director Ostmeyer received an email from the Nebraska Department of Education (NDE) regarding a potential grant opportunity for Grow Your Own Teacher Apprenticeship program. Director Ostmeyer reached out to Central Community College (CCC) to discuss the program and, due to the specifications of requiring a four-year educator prep program, she further reached out to Wayne State College. There have been several meetings with Wayne State College, Columbus Public School representatives, CCC representatives, and ESU 7 to assist Wayne State College in writing the grant. Amy Richards from ESU 7 has been leading this project and providing Wayne State College with documents to support the submission of this grant. Currently, Columbus Public Schools and ESU 7 would be partners with current employees who would qualify for this two-year program. The grant is for $2.5 million. The money would go to Wayne State College to cover all costs for the applicants to receive their education degree. The focus of this project is that individuals will receive a special education endorsement by June 2027. Director Ostmeyer provided an update on the January 3, 2025, PD Day event. There are currently around 1200 people who said they plan to attend. This number includes all types of school positions. The Agency Team is still in the process of finalizing sessions. There are 80 different speakers. There are about 200 paraeducators coming to the event. Board Secretary Dawn Lindsley asked if there needs to be more speakers for different areas, possibly cooks or family and consumer sciences? Director Ostmeyer requested that if Dawn has interested speakers, they can put information into the speaker proposal form. For certificated staff, attending the PD Day event would be considered an in-service day. For classified staff, they would be paid their normal rate to attend the event. Currently, there are 11 out of the 19 public school districts and one non-public school signed up to attend. All the ESU 7 staff will be attending the PD Day event for professional development as well. Special Education Report - Director Clay provided the Special Education report to the board. Special Education has grant opportunities they are accepting and considering. One opportunity is for mental health training for non-public schools. There has been a positive response to the need for mental health training in non-public schools. Another possible grant opportunity would be for ESU 7 to be a train-the-trainer for psychological first aid. There is a community option as well. However, Director Clay is concerned about the impact of staff time regarding the community option. Director Clay is working with schools on their determination of notice and will begin assisting districts with submitting the Special Education Financial Reporting System (SPEDFRS). The Bridges program is going well. The staff work very hard. Each Bridges student has a one-on-one para-educator and there is one teacher for five students. Director Clay is grateful the Board approved the Bridges program. |
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13.1. Goal Update
Speaker(s):
Administrator or Designee
Rationale:
Goals
Attachments:
()
Goals:
Discussion:
Chief Administrator Kris Elmshaeuser provided a goal report. For goal one, the Chief Administrator vacancy announcement has been posted. For goal three, Director Ostmeyer and board member Gary Wieseler will attend the Clarkson Board Meeting in October. There are no Directors or board members available to attend the Schuyler Board Meeting. Secretary to the Board, Mindy Reed, will reach out to the Schuyler Superintendent to notify him.
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13.2. Services Update
Speaker(s):
Administrator or Designee
Rationale:
Attachments:
()
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13.3. Personnel
Speaker(s):
Administrator or designee
Rationale:
Resignation:
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14. Committee Reports
Speaker(s):
Committee Chair
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14.1. Buildings and Grounds Committee Report
Speaker(s):
Buildings and Grounds Committee Chair
Rationale:
The Buildings and Grounds Committee Chairperson, Bob Arp, will provide an update.
Committee Recommendation: Discuss, consider and take any action necessary to approve the lowest bid, B-D Construction, for the Bridges project as presented. Committee Recommendation: Discuss, consider, and take any necessary action to move forward with getting bid specifications together for the playground using Mike Kennedy at RVW to handle the bid specs and RFP.
Recommended Motion(s):
Discuss, consider and take any action necessary to approve the lowest bid, B-D Construction, for the Bridges project as presented Passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
Recommended Motion(s) #2:
Discuss, consider, and take any necessary action to move forward with getting bid specifications together for the playground using Mike Kennedy at RVW to handle the bid specs and RFP 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 Committee Chairperson, Bob Arp, provided an update to the board. There are two major projects and one additional requested project at ESU 7. The HVAC project is approximately 1/3 of the way completed. The HVAC project will be done in three phases and should take approximately 15 weeks to complete. The Bridges project will start shortly once the bid approval is done. Board member Don Graff asked if we have worked with any of the construction companies who have submitted bids. Board member Graff had some concerns with BD Construction when he worked with them at Twin River approximately 20 years ago. Chairperson Arp notified the board that both BD Construction and Bierman have good standing in the area. Board Secretary Dawn Lindsley asked if there were any contingencies built into the contract about going over the proposed days? Administrator Elmshaeuser notified the board that the contract language has not been worked out yet, since the bid approval will be acted on tonight. All three construction companies said they would be completed with the Bridges construction by March 2025. Another project to consider is the playground. The Buildings and Grounds Committee is recommending moving forward with the process of getting bids to begin the construction on the playground. It would be ideal to have the playground done at the same time as the Bridges construction.
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14.2. Negotiations Committee Report
Speaker(s):
Negotiations Committee Chair
Rationale:
Reports of activities and discussions from the Negotiations Committee will take place during this item.
Joint Budget and Negotiations Committee Meeting will be in October. Committee Recommendation:
Discussion:
There will be a joint Negotiations and Budget Committee meeting prior to the October board meeting. Secretary to the Board, Mindy Reed, will send out times to the committee members. Negotiations Committee member, Bob Arp, notified the board that the Negotiations Committee had met informally twice.
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14.2.1. Request to recognize ESUEA as exclusive bargaining agent for 2026-2027
Speaker(s):
Administrator or designee
Rationale:
The ESU 7 Education Association requests that the Board representing the Educational Service Unit 7 take action to recognize ESU 7 Education Association as the exclusive bargaining agent for the non-supervisory certificated staff for the 2026-2027 contract year.
Committee Recommendation: Discuss, consider, and take all necessary action to recognize ESU 7 Education Association as exclusive bargaining agent for the non-supervisory certificated staff for the 2026-2027 contract year.
Recommended Motion(s):
Discuss, consider, and take all necessary action to recognize ESU 7 Education Association as exclusive bargaining agent for the non-supervisory certificated staff for the 2026-2027 contract year 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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14.3. Administrator Evaluation Committee Report
Speaker(s):
Administrator Evaluation Committee Chair
Rationale:
A report of activities from the Administrator Evaluation Committee will be given during this item.
Interim Chief Administrator Evaluation Timeline: - August: Evaluation Committee Chair and Administrator review Evaluation Tool and Evaluation Policy/Procedures. - March: Full Board is provided a paper copy of the evaluation questions. - April: Administrator sends digital evaluation and evaluation resources to the Evaluation Committee Chair in the first week of April. The chair then forwards on to the full Board for completion by the April Board Meeting. The Board will send their completed evaluation tool to the Evaluation Committee prior to the April Board Meeting. The Administrator completes the Evaluation Tool as a self-assessment and sends it to the Evaluation Committee Chair on or before April 30. - May: Committee Chair will send the completed Administrator self-assessment to the full Board after May 1. The Evaluation Committee compiles results of the full Board's completed evaluations prior to the May Board Meeting. - June: The Evaluation Committee meets prior to the June Board Meeting to review with the Administrator the results of the evaluation. Report to the full Board in June Board Meeting following Closed Session requirements with the Administrator present. Committee Recommendation:
Attachments:
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15. Conference Report
Speaker(s):
Conference Attendees
Rationale:
Conference Attendees will report on their learnings.
Discussion:
Board President, Doug Pauley and board member, Don Graff attended the York Area Membership Meeting. The meeting focused a lot on legislative updates.
Board member, Joyce Baumert attended the Area Membership Meeting in Norfolk. The meeting advocated the need to let our senators know how our schools are spending money. |
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16. Adjournment
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Discussion:
Meeting adjourned at 6:44pm.
Minutes respectfully submitted by Mindy Reed, Recording Secretary to the ESU 7 Board. |
