January 5, 2015 at 6:30 PM - Board of Education Meeting Agenda

Rationale:  Re-elected Board Members Mike Kinney, Frank Kumor, and Nina Wolford will be administered the Oath of Office.

Attached is the Oath of Office for Board members.

Rationale:  The Bellevue Board of Education abides by the Nebraska Open Meetings Law.  A copy of the law is posted on the wall of our Board room.

Rationale:  Approve by consent items in section B of the Agenda identified with an asterisk and receive the information and proposals in section D identified with an asterisk.

Rationale:  The attached Minutes of the December 8, 2014, Board of Education Meeting and the December 15, 2014 Board of Education Work Session were sent to all members of the Board of Education for review.

Administrative Recommendation:  Approve the Minutes of the December 8, 2014, Board of Education Meeting and of the December 15, 2014 Board of Education Work Session.

Rationale:  Administrative Recommendation:  Acknowledge receipt of the Treasurer's Report for December, 2014.

Rationale:  Administrative Recommendation:  Approve the payment of claims totaling $802,778.47.

Rationale:  Administrative Recommendation: Release (1) Julie Katt from her contract effective December 19, 2014.

Rationale: 

The Board reviewed Board Policy 203.08, Legal Counsel at the December 8, 2014, Board meeting. The attached proposed Board policy is presented tonight for final approval.

Administrative Recommendation: Approve revised Board Policy 203.08, Legal Counsel.

Rationale: 

 

 

 

 

Rationale: 

Request for nomination of Temporary Chairman is taken.

 

Administrative Recommendation:  Nominate (Frank Harwood) as Temporary Chairman of the Board.

 

 

Rationale: 

Nominations for President of the Board will be taken.

 

If no further nominations, I declare that the nominations be closed.

 

If one nominee, roll call vote will be taken.  If more than one nominee, vote will be taken by secret ballot.

 

 

Rationale: 

 

 

Nominations for Vice President of the Board will be taken.

 

If no further nominations, I declare that the nominations be closed.

 

If one nominee, roll call vote will be taken.  If more than one nominee, vote will be taken by secret ballot.

 

 

Rationale: 

Nominations for Secretary of the Board will be taken.

 

If no further nominees, I declare that nominations be closed.

 

If one nominee, roll call vote will be taken.  If more than one nominee, vote will be taken by secret ballot.

 

 

Rationale: 

Nominations for Treasurer of the Board will be taken.

 

If no further nominees, I declare that nominations be closed.

 

If one nominee, roll call vote will be taken.  If more than one nominee, vote will be taken by secret ballot.

 

 

Rationale: 

Each year the board must authorize representatives to file the applications and reports for Impact Aid, Title XVIII of PL106-398, and any other Federal applications, reports, resolutions, contracts, real estate transactions, and agreements necessary to the operation of the school district as required on behalf of the Bellevue Public School District.

 Administrative recommendation:  The administration recommends that the President and Vice president be the authorized representatives of the Board.

 

Rationale: 

Each year the Board designates districts staff to act on their behalf in  matters relating to local, state, and federal programs including applications, plans, reports, and verified information for No Child Left Behind, vocational education, special education, adult education, grants, Educational Service Unit, and any other federal or state programs as required, and any contracts, real estate transactions, or agreements necessary to the operation of the school district and as authorized through Board policy.

 Administrative Recommendation:   The administration recommends that the Board authorize the Superintendent or his designee as the official representative of the Board of Education.

Rationale: 

 

In the event that the Board officers change, the Board must authorize the use of the previous officer’s signatures for the month of January.

 

 

Rationale: 

 

Each year the Board nominates three of its members to serve as Bellevue Public Schools' Foundation Board of Directors.

The current members of the Foundation Board of Directors are Frank Kumor, Lisa Rybar, and Doug Cook.

 

 

 

Rationale: 

 

The law requires that the President of the Board of Education appoint three Board members to examine, inspect, and approve all textbooks used in the teaching of American History and Civil Government.

The current members of the Americanism Committee are Cindy Copich, Mike Kinney, and Lisa Rybar.

 

            

Rationale:  The Bellevue Board of Education serves in a quasi-judicial role at various times including when a student discipline action by the administration is appealed.  The President of the Board of Education shall appoint three members of the Board to the Student Discipline Committee to hear any student discipline appeals.

The current members of the Student Discipline Committee are Doug Cook, Frank Kumor, and Nina Wolford.

Rationale: 

 

The Nebraska Association of School Boards is requesting a Board appointment to the Government Relations Network. The Government Relations Network keeps representatives current on important legislation at the local, state, and federal levels.

Cindy Copich was the 2014 representative.

 

 

 

Rationale: 

MABE is comprised of a school board representative from each of the metro area school districts.  The group typically meets monthly to share information and best practices.

Cindy Copich is the current Board representative.

The President of the Board of Education will appoint a member of the Bellevue Board as a representative on the MABE Board.

Rationale: 

 

Nebraska statutes require the Board of Education to annually review the Parental Involvement in Educational Practices Policy. The existing policy was adopted by the Board of Education in 1995 and is reviewed annually by the Board of Education.

Notice of the hearing was published in accordance with Nebraska statutes. A copy of the existing policy and regulation, Parental Involvement in Educational Practices, is attached.

Public input will be received at this time.

Rationale: 

Attached is a letter from BEA President Deb Carlson requesting that the BEA be recognized as the exclusive collective bargaining representative for non-supervisory certificated staff for the 2016-2017 school year. 

 

 

Rationale: 

The school district was approached by a cell phone tower company (SBA) with interest in installing a cell phone tower on the Mission Middle School property. Negotiations began several months ago with input from the board. Tonight a lease agreement on the project will be provided for consideration.

 

Administrative Recommendation: The administration recommends approving the contract with SBA for the installation of a cell phone tower on the Mission Middle School property.

 

 

 

 

Rationale: 

 

Budget Parameters are annually established by the Board of Education. The parameters are the guidelines for staff as they develop the proposed budget to be brought back to the Board in July. Based on current estimates, the 2015-16 operational budget will need to be reduced by $4.5 million due to the reduction in Federal Impact Aid.

A copy of the proposed Budget Parameters is attached.

Administrative Recommendation: The administration recommends the approval of the proposed Parameters for 2015-2016 Budgetary Planning.

 

 

 

Rationale: 

In June of 2014 the Board voted to change the Simplified Employee Pension Plan that is available to Non-Union Employee groups.  It was determined that the best vehicle for a new plan would be an Employer Paid 403(b).  It was also determined that the district should explore changes to the current Voluntary 403(b) plan.  A request for proposals (attached) was released in November and seven companies responded.  Based on the the proposals and references from other school districts, the administration has selected Omni Group to administer the district’s Voluntary and Employer Paid 403(b) plans.

Administrative Recommendation: The administration recommends the approval of Omni Group to establish and administer a Voluntary and Employer Paid 403(b) plan for the district.

 

 

Rationale: 

Voluntary Separation is an employee benefit program available to certificated employees.  The purpose of the program is to provide a benefit to employees that have served the district for at least 15 years.  Because longer serving employees tend to have higher salaries, several districts have used programs like Voluntary Separation to encourage these employees to leave the district in an effort to reduce staff costs.  Programs like Voluntary Separation can also be used to increase staff attrition if there is a need to reduce the overall number of staff positions.  An explanation of the current benefit will be given and ways the program could be changed may be discussed.

 

 

Rationale: 

Bellevue West Forensics competed at the Ralston GOLD tournament December 12, where senior Miguelle Corpuz placed 4th in Humorous Interpretation. 

 

On December 13, they competed at Creighton Prep, where senior Renee Pineda placed 7th in Original Oratory, Sophomore Cady Roman & Senior Miguelle Corpuz placed 5th in Duo Interpretation, and Juniors Moriah Hood and Emily Summers placed 6th in Duo Interpretation. 

Rationale: 

Bellevue Public Schools had three teams compete in the Bellevue Robotics Qualifier on December 13th.

 

The Lewis and Clark White Team won the Core Values Award. This award is given to the team that best displays cooperation, friendly competitive spirit, and gracious professionalism.

 

The Lewis and Clark Purple Team won the Champions Award. The Champions award goes to the best overall team in the tournament. The team that was very strong is each area Project, Robot Design, Core Values, and Robot Game. 

 

Both Lewis & Clark teams qualify for the Nebraska Robotics FLL Championship. Darin Toelle serves as the coach for both teams.

 

Additionally, Darin Toelle was the recipient of the Outstanding Coach Award. Darin took on the task of coaching 2 full teams this year. As a coach, he served as a guide and mentor but always let the students of each team make the final decisions on what they wanted to do and how they were going to do it.

 

The Bellevue Elementary Robotics Team participated this year and showed great spirit, giving a tremendous effort. The team coaches are Tim Kruger and Melissa Ziegler. 

 

BPS teacher, Garrett Sims, was awarded the Outstanding Volunteer award. This award honors an extraordinary volunteer(s) whose dedication to the FLL program has a positive impact on the team experience. 

 

The 2014-15 Nebraska FIRST LEGO League State Championship Tournament will be held on February 21, 2015, at the Strategic Air and Space Museum in Ashland, Nebraska.

Rationale: 

Congratulations to Bellevue West senior CJ Johnson, he was awarded the 2014 Gatorade Football Player of the Year. To see more about this award go to: http://www.gatorade.com/poy/profile.aspx?id=15487

Rationale: 

In the fall of 2012, the Board adopted a strategy to look at grading practices throughout the district.  Since that time, a staff committee and subcommittees have been meeting to study best practices for grading.  Tonight a very brief update on the meetings that have occurred this year will be given along with a timeline for future reports and possible recommendations.

Rationale: 

As part of the AdvancEd District Accreditation process, districts must have an external team visit every five years.  BPS will have its external visit the week of January 11, 2015.   Tonight, the AdvancEd visit schedule will be presented along with the role board members will play.

Rationale: 

The administration annually updates the Board about student performance as measured by various indicators.  Tonight's update will include information about the high school graduation rate. 

Rationale: 

Bellevue Public Schools provides student transportation beyond what is required by state or federal law.  These decisions have been implemented over time based mostly on the age of the students and barriers in the district that would impact students’ ability to walk to school.  Tonight a summary of the transportation program will be presented with cost estimates for transportation provided that is not required.

Rationale:  Public Comment pertaining to items not otherwise on the Agenda must be submitted to the Secretary of the Board five days prior to the Board meeting.  There were no items submitted for Public Comment for this meeting.

Rationale:  Learning Community - Nina Wolford
BPS Foundation - Doug Cook, Lisa Rybar, Frank Kumor
MABE - Cindy Copich
NASB Legislative Committee - Cindy Copich
Board Policy Review Work Group - Cindy Copich, Doug Cook, Mike Kinney
District Safety Committee - Doug Cook

Rationale: 

January 12, 2014, AdvancED Board Member Interviews, Welcome Center, 5:00 p.m.

January 14, AdvancED Special Meeting, Welcome Center, 2:30 p.m.

January 16, Bellevue East/West Boys & Girls Basketball Game at East, 5:30/7:15 p.m.

February 9, Board of Education Meeting, Welcome Center, 6:30 p.m.

Rationale: 

Administrative Recommendation: Adjourn to Executive Session to consider matters relating to strategy sessions with respect to collective bargaining, negotiations with outside agencies, and personnel which are necessary to be considered in closed session for the protection of the public interest and for the needless injury to the reputation of an individual.