May 11, 2020 at 7:30 PM - May Regular Meeting & American Civics Committee #2

Rationale:  This is meeting #2 related to the American Civics Requirements as set forth by Nebraska State Statute 79-724 and LB 399.  The Administration will discuss any possible curriculum purchases in addition to plans in place for next year to continue to meet the American Civics requirements as set forth by law.

This is a committee meeting only and will contain no formal board business.  However, it has been formally advertised with proper notice knowing that there will likely be a quorum of the board present due to the nature of the Zoom meetings platform and format.

Rationale:  In accordance with the Nebraska Open Meetings Act, 84-1407-14 the Opens Meeting Act is provided here in electronic format.

Rationale:  The minutes from the April 13 regular meeting and April 27 work session are included here for approval.

Rationale:  Sean Sterkel has accepted a position with Bridgeport Public Schools for the 2020-21 school year.  

Recommended motion:  Motion to accept the resignation of certified teacher Sean Sterkel.

Rationale:  Emily Lauck has signed a contract to join the ACS staff as the Little Paws preschool teacher for 2020-21. Emily is from Bloomfield and has run "Little Bees" Daycare in conjunction with the elementary school in Bloomfield.  She brings around 9 years of experience in that position.

Recommended Motion:  Motion to approve the 2020-21 teaching contract for Emily Lauck.

Rationale:  Due to lateral movement and an internal hire for the PE position, Teresa Halley has been hired to teach special education.  Teresa is the spouse of the new Valentine Supt. Mike Halley and comes with a wealth of experience in serving students with special needs.

Recommended motion:  Motion to approve the teaching contract for Teresa Halley for the 2020-21 school year.

Rationale:  This is the annual contract to be approved in order to receive special education services from Esu17. Each year, a school board must consider and approve contracts in order to receive specific services from their respective Educational Service Unit.  This year's contract totals an estimated budget of $697,147 which represents a 4% increase primarily due to staff salary increase in addition to additional early childhood services expense.

Recommended Motion:  Motion to approve the Esu17 contract to provide special education services for 2020-21.

Rationale:  This is the standard contract to be approved to maintain our nursing services through Esu17. Both of our nurses provide excellent support to our students and staff.  Providing this service through the Esu ensures we have the nursing support always available and in a manner that is appropriately funded through SPED and General Ed programs.  The contract is $25,056 this year reflecting a 4% budget increase to cover the increase in staff compensation.

Recommended Motion:    Motion to approve the contract with Esu17 to provide nursing services for 2020-21.

Rationale:  Phase 1 is the result of the discussion, planning, and work with Trane to propose projects to be completed during summer 2020.  Details in phase 1 correspond to those discussed during the April 27th work session of the board and are documented in the attached document from Trane.  Phase 1 for Summer 2020 is meant to be a smaller set of projects that can be funded by the district within the current budget and not cause the district to consider or commit to additional debt to fund a large scope of projects at this time.  In order to move forward with the recommended Phase 1, the board must approve the resolution to authorize the Superintendent to sign contracts with Trane not to exceed a given dollar amount.

Recommended motion to approve the following resolution:  Whereas the Board of Education authorizes the Superintendent to sign contracts with Trane and Sub-contractors for the amount not to exceed $70,000 for the projects discussed.

Rationale:  Annually, the district works with LunchTime Solutions following NDE Nutrition Services guidelines to determine pricing recommendations as we plan for a new school year.  State and Federal guidelines require basic price increases in order to maintain eligibility for free and reduced meal reimbursement to the district.  The amount of increase is determined by a calculation tool provided by NDE in which the district and LunchTime use in order to determine the recommended prices for breakfast and lunch. 

Recommended Motion:  Motion to increase breakfast and lunch prices by .10 for the 2020-21 school year.

Rationale:  The district has a 1994 Ford Econoline Van with 219,220 miles on it.  It has a bad transmission among other issues and cannot pass inspection in order to be used by the district.  Repairs to fix the van would be approximately $7000 for transmission replacement and other work.  We would like to put this van up for sealed bids.  If the bids are minimal, we would sell to scrap/salvage if that amount is higher.

Recommended Motion:  Motion to authorize Supt. Hafer to surplus the 1994 Ford Econoline Van by sealed bid or scrap/salvage.

Rationale:  The purpose of this resolution, as proposed by Board Member Brad Wilkins, is to recognize and commend the ACS staff for their efforts during this challenging time of COVID-19.

Rationale:  The next regular meeting of the Board is scheduled for June 8, 2020, at 8:00 p.m. in the District Office unless current health guidelines dictate the meeting to be via Zoom. Current agendas will be available for public inspection in the office of the superintendent.