November 14, 2022 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

Elisha Hinojosa: A Moment of Recognition for an Honorable Educator

I would like to take a moment to recognize the selfless and professional contributions of one of our educators at the high school. Elijah Hinojosa teaches Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and Earth Science at the secondary level of DCS. She is also the freshman class sponsor, the JH and HS Quiz Bowl coach and is helping to spearhead the MTSS (Multi-Tiered Systems of Support) process at the high school. She is helping to revamp and redesign the student assistance team (SAT) as well. She is also one of the first to volunteer to cover classes if we need help. All of this while juggling a very busy home life. 

Elisha is a student favorite and for good reason. She is compassionate and takes an interest in the lives of all she teaches. This attribute is immediately evident when you observe her interactions with students in and out of the classroom. They genuinely enjoy her as a person and as an educator.  Under her direction, students are exposed to a classroom structure that provides them with a safe and sane learning environment where they are free to express themselves without fear of ridicule. Her classroom is managed by processes that provide a predictable structure. Students can typically forecast what is going to happen in the classroom based on the learning target and how it is displayed, shared, and then referred to. This intentionality is comfortable for her students and sets the stage for high levels of student engagement in all of her classes.

She is skilled in the art of delivering content. Cleverly, she is able to do so with inquiry and student discovery at the lesson root. She is consistently producing positive results from some students that have a history of being very apathetic about school and learning. She is patient. Among her most endearing attributes is her patience. She is also professional. She is also very poised. She models what she expects by "getting in the trenches with the students" and learns with them. She engages her students in highly rigorous and relevant learning experiences and often makes learning opportunities into choices. She is a master at Socratic dialogue and is skilled at giving students meaningful choices to complete as they work on the tasks. Her classroom is one of choice and is managed democratically. Students have a voice and that voice is valued. Mrs. Hinojosa is masterful at getting the most from her students and uses their ideas to further expand scientific concepts.

Mrs. Hinojosa is a great family member and her efforts to raise the academic bar for our students are evident. Her relationships with everyone she encounters, however, are the strength and the glue that make her so effective. She is admired by students, respected by her colleagues, and appreciated by her administration. Thank you for choosing Dundy County Stratton Elisha Hinojosa. You are a true Tiger!

Mr. Greg Loghry
I would like to formally recognize Mr. Greg Loghry for going above and beyond the call of duty.  Mr. Loghry has been a great addition this year to our music program.  I have enjoyed visiting his classroom where the learning is fun and the sounds are in tune.  His program on Nov. 10^th  with the Veteran’s program and his Pop Concert was outstanding.  He has made shelves for the classrooms on his own time and cost.  He has also helped with the stem program and lent his expertise of how to fly a drone to the class.  Super proud to have Mr. Loghry back in the classroom again.  Thank you!
Kris Freeland
DCS Elementary Principal


 

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.