November 13, 2017 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. 

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

We will review the NSAA legislative proposals presented for consideration at the November District V meeting. At this point in the legislative process each district votes only on the proposals presented in that district. In January we vote on any proposal from any district that passed that district. 

The enrollment figures for next years classifications have been released. The chance exists that we will be C2 in some activities and D2 in others. 

The board should select a voting delegate for the NASB State Education Conference

Every two years we receive a letter asking us to certify to the County Clerk the number of directors to be placed on the ballot at the primary election. The form is attached. We will have 5 positions up for election this year. 

The staff and administration will report on our in-service days and progress in preparing for this spring's external team visit.

The majority of this update will take place at the Foundation meeting. However, I placed this on the board agenda in the event something else needs to be addressed by the Board of Education regarding the Farm to Fork program. 

After ten years of talking to Great Plains and them saying it would cost us $20,000 to run fiber into the building in Stratton for wired internet and cost us another $20,000 per year for the connection fees, the tune has changed. Now, they have told Patrick that they alrerady have fiber in the ground and we could connect from the high school (where all of our internet runs) to Stratton via their fiber for 48 months at a cost of $2,532 ($52.75 per month) for a 100 Mbps connection. I think we can e-rate that and have the price further reduced.

Currently we use four radio transmitters: Stratton Elementary to water tower then water tower to the high school.  If we had to replace the two big radios that transmit data from Stratton to Benkelman it would cost more than $2500. 

This item is for your discussion and information.

Other schools in our area are paying more than we currently are. Last summer we raised the price to $105. We have subs who will not work here when they can drive to other schools for more money. We will be recommending a raise in sub pay. 

We have two requests for the Early Separation Incentive program for next year. These teachers would like to retire at the end of this year and collect the incentive money. 

Action or discussion on negotiations may be necessary.

President statement after motion passes:

The board has adopted a motion to enter closed session to discuss the negotiations strategy because it is in the school district’s best interest and the public’s best interest to discuss this in closed session. The board will limit its discussion to certified staff negotiations for the upcoming negotiations meetings.

President declares board out of executive session at 

President statement: The board is now exiting closed session. The board's discussion during closed session was limited to certified staff negotiations. 

Motion and vote