October 21, 2024 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 5:32pm.
Board President conducted the meeting. Staff present: Kris Elmshaeuser, Administrator Linda Shefcyk, Business Manager Mindy Reed, Secretary to the Board of Directors Marci Ostmeyer, Professional Development Director Dan Ellsworth, Network Operations Director Morgan Morsett, Receptionist/Administrative Secretary |
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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 Marni Danhauer will be absent. She notified the Administrator prior to the meeting.
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 Marni Danhauer and Don Graff were absent. Both 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 November board meeting.
Recommended Motion(s):
Discuss, consider and take all necessary action to approve the virtual conferencing option for the November board meeting 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 President Doug Pauley will not be able to attend the November Board Meeting in person, so he would like to have the virtual conferencing option.
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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 #78665 through #78820 - Totaling $1,126,669.59
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
The summary of bills for the current month total:$1,126,669.59 - Bills #78665 through #78820 General Activity Fund total: $733.20
Attachments:
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6.3. Reading of Article I, Section 2, C Chief Administrator Evaluation
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
This is a consent item.
Attachments:
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6.4. Reading of Article IV, Section 7, C Prohibition on Aiding and Abetting Sexual Abuse
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
This is a consent item.
Attachments:
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6.5. Reading of Article IV, Section 7, D Workplace Privacy Policy
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
This is a consent item.
Attachments:
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6.6. Reading of Article IV, Section 8, A Fair Labor Standards Act (Minimum Wage & Overtime) Policy
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
This is a consent item.
Attachments:
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6.7. Reading of Article IV, Section 9, A Attendance
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
This is a consent item.
Attachments:
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7. 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:
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Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
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8. 2024-2025 Contract for Michelle Olson, Grant Writer
Speaker(s):
Board President or designee
Rationale:
Michelle Olson has accepted the Grant Writer position effective November 6, 2024.
Administrator Recommendation: Discuss, consider and take all necessary action to approve the 2024-2025 Contract for Michelle Olson as presented.
Recommended Motion(s):
Discuss, consider and take all necessary action to approve the 2024-2025 Contract for Michelle Olson as presented Passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
Attachments:
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Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
Discussion:
Chief Administrator Elmshaeuser notified the board there were six applicants for the Grant Writer position. Administrator Elmshaeuser and Director Ostmeyer interviewed three candidates. The candidate who was offered the position is Michelle Olson. Michelle will be starting on November 6, 2024. Director Ostmeyer added this position came about through the service planning process. Grant writing is a need which came from the ESU 7 districts. The Superintendent Executive Committee discussed the need, and it was determined to move forward with hiring a grant writer. This position will be contracted out to the ESU 7 area schools wishing to participate.
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9. Administrator's Report General
Speaker(s):
Administrator or Designee
Rationale:
Attachments:
()
Discussion:
Chief Administrator Elmshaeuser provided the ESUCC update. ESUCC is re-branding SIMPL to SMART. Administrator Elmshaeuser reviewed the attached document. SIMPL stands for Service Implementation Model Process and Log. SMART stands for Service Management and Reporting Tool. The re-brand started in March 2024 and is planned to roll out by January 1, 2025. The re-brand came about because additional states, other than Nebraska, expressed interest in the SIMPL platform. Director Ostmeyer and the previous Chief Administrator Polk presented on the SIMPL platform at the 2023 AESA Annual Conference. Based off of the initial interest, a committee of ESU Administrators convened to discuss what it would take to market SIMPL outside the state of Nebraska. All agreed, a re-brand would be necessary.
Director Ostmeyer provided the Professional Development and Print Shop update. The data dig process will continue tomorrow with the Principal Cluster. The data dig process has been completed by the Superintendents and LANManagers. The data dig process is vital to creating the 2025-2026 ESU 7 Service Plan. The Print Shop staff will be taking a field trip to Lincoln Public Schools to see their print shop and to be able to ask staff questions. Director Ellsworth provided the Technology Department update. October is Cybersecurity Awareness month. Tech is focused on making sure staff are aware of what to look for when phishing emails are received and to make sure their passwords are secure. LastPass is being utilized by ESU staff, and it is being deployed to schools. There are currently 46 ESUs and schools signed up for LastPass. Director Ellsworth corresponded with the Senior Vice President of Sales for LastPass, and they are excited about what we are doing with LastPass in Nebraska. LastPass wants to be part of the PD day event being hosted by ESU 7 in January 2025. Director Ellsworth also provided an update on the audiovisual equipment. The projectors in the conference rooms are being switched out to larger televisions. The projectors in the Oak/Maple conference rooms will be removed and replaced in the second week of January. Everything should be fully functional by the January 2025 board meeting. Administrator Elmshaeuser reviewed the upcoming events. |
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9.1. Goal Update
Speaker(s):
Administrator or Designee
Rationale:
Attachments:
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Goals:
Discussion:
Administrator Elmshaeuser reviewed the goal updates. For Goal 1, the interview committee is scheduled to meet after the October board meeting and will be meeting with Shari after the November 2024 board meeting. For Goal 3, Administrator Elmshaeuser confirmed with board member Amy Blaser that she will be able to attend the Fullerton board meeting on November 11, 2024.
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9.2. Services Update
Speaker(s):
Administrator or Designee
Rationale:
Discussion:
Administrator Elmshaeuser reviewed the SIMPL screenshot attached to the agenda. Director Ostmeyer confirmed staff development does not just include the Professional Development department, there are other people who offer staff development services, which are included in the number presented below.
The PD Day event is coming along. The Directors and Agency Team have been working really hard to get everything in place. There are approximately 126 presenters scheduled for the event and there are 725 people who have registered to attend the event. Administrator Elmshaeuser notified the board they are welcome to volunteer, present, or attend the event. Administrator Elmshaeuser will send out an email to the board with the event registration link. |
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9.3. Facilities Update
Speaker(s):
Administrator or Designee
Rationale:
The Administrator will provide a facilities update during this item.
Goals:
Discussion:
Administrator Elmshaeuser provided an update to the board on the facility construction projects currently ongoing. The HVAC project in the North Building is going well. We now have heat in part of the building. All employees who had to leave their work area due to the construction have found other areas to work. Rutts has been working very hard and seems to be ahead of schedule.
The Bridges construction project started today. BD Construction picked up the keys earlier today, and will begin putting up the fire-blocking walls tomorrow. The playground specifications are in the works. Board member Bob Arp suggested we should schedule a tour of the construction sites in November or December. |
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9.4. Personnel
Speaker(s):
Administrator or designee
Rationale:
Resignations:
Position Change:
Discussion:
Administrator Elmshaesuer reviewed the personnel updates. The board expressed appreciation for the work Secretary to the Board, Mindy Reed, has done throughout her time with ESU 7.
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10. Select Recording Secretary to the Board of Education
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
Recommended Motion(s):
Discuss, consider and take any necessary action to appoint ___________ as Recording Secretary to the Board of Education 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:
Morgan Morsett was nominated for the Recording Secretary to the Board of Education starting with the November 2024 board meeting.
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11. Committee Reports
Speaker(s):
Committee Chair
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11.1. Budget Committee Report
Speaker(s):
Budget Committee Chair
Rationale:
Reports of Budget Committee activities and discussion will take place during this item.
Committee Recommendation:
Discussion:
Budget Committee chairperson Gary Wieser provided an update. With the approval of the budget in September, the joint meeting with the Negotiations Committee was to discuss questions they had for negotiation purposes.
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11.2. Negotiations Committee Report
Speaker(s):
Negotiations Committee Chair
Rationale:
Reports of activities and discussions from the Negotiations Committee will take place during this item.
Committee Recommendation:
Discussion:
Negotiations Chairperson Richard Stephens provided an update. The Negotiations Committee met with the ESUEA to discuss their proposals. With the information received, the Negotiations Committee will look at different options and meet before the November board meeting to continue discussions.
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12. Conference Report
Speaker(s):
Conference Attendees
Rationale:
Discussion:
A few board members attended the Area Membership Meeting. There were breakout sessions which discussed how Nebraska compares with surrounding states in terms of pay, teacher shortages and how to combat the shortage, and a session which summarized the special legislative session.
Administrator Elmshaeuser, Director Ostmeyer, and Business Manager Shefcyk attended the Labor Relations conference. Director Ostmeyer spent the second day with the KSB Law Firm and attended their breakout sessions. Business Manager Shefcyk attended a refresher on SPARQ Negotiations and NPERS audit. |
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13. Adjournment
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Discussion:
Meeting adjourned at 6:17pm.
Minutes respectfully submitted by Mindy Reed, Recording Secretary to the ESU 7 Board |
