October 10, 2016 at 6:00 PM - Board of Education Regular Meeting

1. The Board of Education reserves the right to enter into Closed/Executive Session for 1) the protection of public interest or 2) the prevention of needless injury to the reputation of an individual, and the individual has not requested a public meeting. When making a motion to enter into Closed/Executive Session, the member making such a request should be as specific as possible keeping the previously listed stipulation in consideration. 
2. If the Board is in agreement, a motion maybe to enter into Closed/Executive Session to 1) discuss a personnel matter, or 2) for the prevention of needless injury to the reputation of the individual, or 3) to discuss litigation and for the protection of the public interest.
3. Action concerning matters discussed in Closed/Executive Session will be acted upon in open session

Welcome to the Dundy County Stratton Public Schools Board of Education Meeting.  The Board welcomes citizens to attend board meetings to become acquainted with the programs and operations of the district.  Members of the public are also encouraged to share their ideas and opinions with the Board during the agenda item labeled “Public Items”.  Comments or questions from the audience at any other time during the meeting except for the agenda item “Public Items” will out of necessity be declared out of order.

The Nebraska Open Meetings Act prevents the board from speaking to a matter that is not on the agenda.  Please understand that the board may be unable to address your issue during the meeting.  It is not permissible for the board to comment on items not listed for the protection of the public’s right to know and participate in the discussion of items that do come before the board and stated appropriately in the meeting agenda.  

During this agenda item “Public Items” we ask that you abide by the following rules:

Public Comment Protocol and Procedures

1. Anyone wishing to speak to the board on specific agenda items or on other topics relevant to board business must complete a Public Comment Request Card and submit it to the Board President prior to the opening of the meeting.   The public will only be recognized and their comments heard at Item “Public Items” on the board agenda.  The total time allotted for the public comment will not exceed thirty minutes and each member of the public will be allotted not more than five minutes to address the Board.  If a group wishes to speak, please designate one spokesperson for the group.
   
   
2. Please state your name and the topic you are addressing before you begin.  
   
   
3. Speakers are asked to direct their questions and comments to the chair.  A member of the Board of Education or the Superintendent may direct clarifying questions to the chair, but the board will not under any circumstance enter into a debate with any the member of the public.
   
   
4. Speakers may offer objective criticism of district operations and programs, but the Board would encourage members of the public to address complaints concerning individual district personnel through the proper chain of command.  The chair may direct the member of the public to the appropriate means to address concerns brought before the Board; however, the board will not respond with action but will take comments under advisement and direct the comments to the appropriate staff member to address outside of the board meeting.
   
   
5. Please remember that is a public meeting for the conduct of business of the Dundy County Stratton Public School District. Offensive language, personal attacks and hostile conduct will not be tolerated. You should further be advised that there is no legal protection for any comments that are made. 
   
   
6. As stated in NEB. REV. STAT. § 79-570 Class I, II, III, IV, or VI school district; president; meetings; maintenance of order.  

   If any district meeting of a Class I, II, III, IV, or VI school district any person conducts himself or herself in a disorderly manner and persists in such conduct after notice by the president or person presiding, the president or person presiding may order such person to withdraw from the meeting and, if the person refuses, may order any person or persons to take such person into custody until the meeting is adjourned.

7. As stated in NEB. REV. STAT. § 79-571 Class I, II, III, IV, or VI school district; meetings; disorderly conduct; penalty. 

Any person who refuses to withdraw from such meeting on being so ordered as provided in section 79-570 or who willfully disturbs such meeting shall be guilty of a Class V misdemeanor. 

To verify that notice of the meeting was given by publication in the Benkelman Post, a legal newspaper for Dundy County Stratton and by written notice to each member of the board, the designated method of giving notice

To adopt the agenda of this meeting. The board reserves the right to change the order of items within the agenda.

I have visited with Elisha Hinojosa, President of DCSEA, and she agrees that there is no hurry to begin negotiations. So that the proprieties are observed the board should make a motion to delay the statutorily required beginning of negotiations until a date to be determined. 

Presentation of the financial status of the district, balances in various funds, recent/impending activity therein, anticipated expenses and planning for future considerations.

We need to have some discussion on the procedures we use to pay bills, who signs checks and the general oversight of our funds. First let me say that we have no issues here. However, the state auditor's office seems to be pushing local auditors to push schools to have the board sign all checks. Let me also say that what we do is the board's prerogative.

Currently, the board signs checks from the general fund, special building fund, QCPUF and depreciation funds. All other fund checks are signed by one of the principals and myself. You review, as part of the financial reporting in the packet, the general fund clearing and credit card bills as well as lunch. The section 125 plan checks become a medical privacy issue, but technically that is the employee's money.

In relation to what other schools do, our internal controls are at least as good if not better than anyone's. We routinely receive checks from other schools that have one signature and many times that is a secretary. 

So the question becomes, do you want to sign every check? If so, are stamps permissible? Electronic signatures? 

Mr. Rotherham and Mr. Fette will report and discuss what they are allowed to regarding our assessment results, where assessment in Nebraska is headed and changes we are considering to help improve our assessment scores. This is an informational presentation and discussion item. No action will be recommended.  

Attached you will find the starting point document for a change to the superintendent evaluation form. It is based on the NASB numerical model. I removed some, what I considered poorly written, indicators and added information to cover maintenance and transportation. The committee has not reviewed the document yet. I would suggest that the board read the document, suggest changes to myself or the committee. We will meet prior to the 21st and hopefully finalize the document. After that meeting you should have your legal counsel review the document and process. If that goes well the board can approve it in November and use it in December. 

Your state association has begun a process of building a vision for Nebraska's future. The process is based on two premises. First, we must reduce the demand on state and local programs if we wish to see a reduction in their cost. Second, we need to strengthen the economy and add jobs locally and statewide if we want to increase our resources. I would like to think if we can fix the second part the first part will eventually reduce itself, less crime, less poverty, less need for jails, welfare and Medicaid. 

NASB is seeking input on these topics and will be be presenting the results and formulating next steps at the State Conference in November. NASB is also seeking input from other groups to build a broad coalition which will have significant leverage, if it can present a united front. 

I would like to spend a little time tonight discussing both the local and state strategies on this topic.  

The auditors were here on October 4 and 5. Their report is due to the State November 1. We will have our reports back sometime in November and will report the results of the audit to the board at the December meeting. 

I have attached a document which outlines two use of facility proposals. The ones mentioned in the mid-month. It can be complicated or easy. 

I have been approached by the owner of the house south of the parking lot. He wishes to put up a metal carport that would extend onto our property 8 feet. 

I  have been approached by the new radio station in Atwood about the school running a radio spot promoting parent involvement. She read the spot to me and it would need some tweaking. The cost is $285 for one week and $485 for two weeks. The phone call came from Grand Island. 

I have a potential conflict with the November meeting. I do not like the idea of moving the meeting. I would like to discuss the situation and options.