February 10, 2025 at 6:00 PM - Board of Education Regular Meeting

Rationale: 

Mission Statement:

Gothenburg Public Schools is the cornerstone of a proud, passionate, and progressive community where students and staff thrive in a positive and innovative environment.  We ensure the growth of all individuals by inspiring them to own and maximize their potential.

A copy of the open meetings law is posted on the wall of the Board Room and is available to the public.

Rationale: 

The Board reserves the right to rearrange the order of items as needed.

Rationale:  ACT Interventions - Mrs. Baker & Mrs. Tiller

Rationale: 

Board Policy 2009 - Opportunity for Public Expression.  
(A copy of the policy is linked here.)

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

INSTRUCTIONS FOR MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO WISH TO SPEAK: This is the portion of the meeting when members of the public may speak to the board about matters of public concern.  

• Getting Started:  When you have been recognized, please stand and state your name.   

• Time Limit:  The board will generally allow a total of 30 minutes for the presentation of all public comments.  Individuals may speak only one time, and must limit comments to around 5 minutes.  If there are more than 6 individuals who wish to address the board, the 30 minutes will be divided equally between the number of speakers.   These time limits may be changed by a majority vote of the board members in attendance to extend the time for a specific item or speaker. 

• Personnel or Student Topic:  If you are planning to speak about a personnel or a student matter involving an individual, please understand that the district has a complaint policy and/or procedures to resolve such complaints and concerns.  The Board requests that you follow the policy and procedures before addressing these matters with the Board.  Board members will generally not respond to any questions you ask or comments about individual staff members or students.  

• General Rules: This is a public meeting for the conduct of business.  Comments from the audience while others are speaking will not be tolerated.  Lewd, obscene, profane, slanderous, threatening and hostile conduct or statements and fighting words (words whose mere utterance entails a call to violence) will not be tolerated. 

• No Action by the Board:  The board will not act on any matter unless it is on the published agenda. 

Rationale: 

1. Approval of Previous Minutes

2. Approval of the Treasurer's Report

3. Approval of the Warrants / Bills

  a.  Petty Cash

  b.  Student Activity

  c.  Hot Lunch

  d.  Bank Statement

  e.  Summary of Accounts and Receipts

  f.  Monthly Expenditure Report

  g. Check Journal

4. Excuse Absent Board Members

 

Rationale:  Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG) is an evidence-based, data-driven, national organization that is dedicated to empowering students with the skills and support to achieve success in education, employment, and life. The JAG Advantage integrates project-based learning, employer engagement, and trauma-informed care through competency-based, for-credit, elective classes. The JAG model allows students to participate in hands-on, realistic learning experiences, mastering 37 to 87 competencies, with the support to help our young adults navigate high school graduation and post-graduation success.

This program is offered free of charge to districts in the first two years and has a $10,000 per year commitment in subsequent years.  This is not a contract, but a memorandum of understanding that states if we are able to find the right person, that we are able to move forward.  This is an excellent opportunity to expand on Strategy 2 priorities.

The ideal candidate will be someone who enjoys working with young adults, is a relationship builder, and can cultivate career skills in young people entering the workforce.  The selected candidate is not required to hold a teaching certificate but must have a bachelor's degree.

Rationale: 

• Mrs. Hailey Kuefner (2nd Grade)
• Mrs. Erika Brown (6th Grade)

Rationale: 

• Marley Kennicutt is a graduate of Gothenburg Public Schools who graduated from UNK in December with a degree in Elementary Education and completed her student teaching with Mrs. Tara Foster in 2nd grade this fall.  
• Jaycee Anderson is a graduate of Gothenburg Public Schools who graduated from UNK in May 2024 and completed her student teaching with Mrs. Tiffani Dea in 3rd grade last spring. For the past year Mrs. Anderson has been teaching 2nd grade in Arnold.
• Paige Klumpe will graduate with her degree in Elementary Education in May 2025 from Wayne State. She is completing her student teaching this semester at Norfolk Public Schools.  Originally from Cambridge, she is no stranger to central Nebraska!
• Jill Camargo is currently teaching Spanish in Laurel-Concord and has spent time abroad in Equador as a Peace Corp language instructor. She was recently awarded the AATSP Nebraska Chapter Spanish Teacher of the Year in 2024.

Rationale:  A tentative agreement was reached through the negotiation process. The Gothenburg Education Association has ratified the proposed agreement.

The proposed agreement recommends an overall increase in total compensation of 3.92%. Total compensation includes applicable health insurance through the Educators Health Alliance, which saw rates increase by approximately 5.49% from 2024-2025 rates. 

Overall, our district will spend approximately $255,000 more on wages for instructional staff next year - equivalent to a 3.92% increase from the 2024-2025 school year.  

Our negotiation process has ensured a competitive starting wage for new teachers and one change this year is adding a half step to MA - MA 27 columns to ensure competitive wages for veteran teachers as well. The negotiation process is different than in years past given changes in state aid, levies, and tax authority.  Our goal is to remain as close to 3% as possible while still remaining competitive with districts in our array.  

Rationale:  The Superintendent currently has a three-year contract that expires on June 30, 2027.  At this time, the board will discuss and consider a motion to update the contract as presented.

Rationale:  The Gothenburg administrative team is an outstanding professional group of leaders.  District #20 will continue to benefit from their leadership.  The Personnel Committee is proposing a compensation package for administrative staff that reflects an overall increase in total compensation of 3% for administrative staff. Administrative compensation is based upon comparability with schools of similar size and who are located within a similar geographic area.  Total compensation used in the comparison includes applicable health insurance through the Educators Health Alliance which saw rates increase of 5.49% from this year's rates.

Rationale:  We join the following cooperatives as student needs are identified.  Program costs are prorated between districts who utilize the program.

Audiology. Several audiological services are available, these include comprehensive hearing evaluations for individuals from birth to 21 years of age; analysis, testing, and troubleshooting of hearing aid and cochlear implant devices used by students; consultation on FM system/auditory trainer device purchases for use at school as well as fitting and adjusting school amplification devices and assessment of classroom acoustics; and on-site school consultations regarding the impact of hearing loss, noise exposure, hearing loss prevention, and how to properly use and troubleshoot equipment.
 
Deaf Education. Three deaf educators provided direct services, consultative services, and assessment services to school districts in ESU 10 and ESU 11 to assist them in providing services to students, birth-21 who are deaf or hard of hearing.
 
Vision Services. A vision specialist provided direct services, consultative services, and assessment services to ESU 10 school districts’ students, ages birth-21 who are blind or partially sighted.  
 
Vocational Transition. A vocational transition specialist provided on-site assistance to 21 school districts for students with disabilities age 16 and older to help them realize independent living and employment appropriate to each student’s skills and abilities.
 
SpEd Supplemental Supervision School Age. There was a change in 2018-19 for districts who were not part of the supervision cooperative.  The service unit has an obligation to evaluate and supervise the special education staff that they employ and the programs in which they work so all districts that contract for staff are required to contribute to the supervision cooperative.  Costs are adjusted for districts with their own special education supervisors to account for staff supervision only and do not include charges for other supervision services. These costs appear on the schedule A as SpEd Supplemental Supervision services.

Rationale:  All teachers were given an opportunity to provide feedback on this proposed calendar.  In addition, there are a few items on here that have been thoughtfully considered in response to student data.

• Dudley Elementary will have an opportunity to engage in some very deep learning about math instruction.  The data supports this need and with new materials being adopted, it's a perfect opportunity.  This calendar outlines the following:
  • July 21st & 22nd (will be paid per diem as this training is required for all Dudley teachers)
  • October 13th - (JH/HS will have a normal day)
  • January 5th - PD for both buildings
  • April 2nd - (JH/HS will have a normal day)

Because Christmas lands on a Thursday, we will have two full weeks for Christmas break.  

This proposed calendar eliminates "extras" in October, January, and February to create a full week spring break in March. This was in response to staff feedback.

This calendar only includes THREE extra days (this year was five) for things like snow days, cold days, and state activities that require dismissal.  The proposed calendar includes 173.5 student days and 14.5 staff days - which totals 187 days (3 more than contracted).

As a first reading, there is no action needed.  There is no "perfect solution" to a calendar but I would encourage those who have feedback to please reach out to me directly.  

Rationale:  Mrs. Josie Floyd & Mr. Seth Ryker have prepared their annual Multicultural Education Report.

Rationale: 

Committee Reports (Chair in bold)

1.  Personnel Committee (Mr. Fornoff, Mrs. Terrell, Mrs. Jobman)
2. Transportation and Facilities (Mr. Wyatt, Mr. Dalrymple, Mrs. Brass)
3. Finance (Mrs. Jobman, Mr. Wyatt, Mrs. Brass)
4. Committee on American Civics (Mrs. Terrell, Mr. Fornoff, Mr. Dalrymple)
5. Policy Review (Mrs. Terrell, Mr. Fornoff, Mrs. Brass)

 

Rationale: 

Rationale:  Monday, March 10th

Swede Activities:
JH Quiz Bowl in PAC @ 4PM