June 1, 2021 at 5:30 PM - Special Board of Education Meeting

Rationale:  The Norfolk Public School District's board of education meeting is called to order.
 

Rationale:  If any board member is absent, there will need to be a  motion to excuse the absence.

Rationale:  This is a legal meeting of the board of education, as advertised by the means specified in board policy. A complete copy of the Open Meetings Act is posted in the board room for your review. A copy of the agenda is available at the desk of the recording secretary.

Rationale: 

This is the time during the meeting when the public may request to address the Board. If you wish to comment, we ask that you identify yourself, including your address, the name of the organization you represent and the topic that you wish to address. Each individual's comments will be limited to five minutes.

 Please note that  the Board cannot discuss or act upon matters that are not listed on the agenda. Therefore, Board  members will not respond to your comments or questions.  If you wish to request that an item be placed on a future Board agenda, you may contact the Superintendent or her assistant during normal business hours.

Also note that concerns related to school personnel need to be addressed to the Superintendent using the approved district protocol.

Rationale: 

I am recommending the following mask protocol for summer school:
1. Face masks are encouraged, but not required for staff and students.
2. Face masks may be required in a specific building if COVID-19 cases rise and the administration believes that this safety precaution is necessary to prevent further spread and a possible school closure.  
     * The Superintendent has the authority to make this decision and take action immediately, if/when it is warranted.

This recommendation is based upon the following information:

Center for Disease Control 5/13/2021:

• Fully vaccinated people can resume activities without wearing a mask or physically distancing, except where required by federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial laws, rules, and regulations, including local business and workplace guidance.

Nebraska Association of Local Health Directors 5/14/2021

• Masks are NOT included as an action that schools should take in order to avoid COVID-19 outbreaks.  Masks are included as an action that individuals can take to help their schools avoid COVID-19 outbreaks.

The Elkhorn Logan Valley Public Health Department 5/17/2021

• Mask requirements are no longer listed as a guideline for schools. They are now considered an individual’s responsibility.

• Because schools have less student density in buildings during summer school, this is a natural transition point in regards to moving away from masks.

• Not wearing a mask at school will not result in a quarantine.

• Case counts within our region have been extremely low.

• We are beginning the process of getting back to normal.

All other COVID-19 Safety Protocols will remain in place until the COVID-19 Return to School Committee has met to update/revise these plans.  I anticipate that revised COVID-19 Safety Protocols will be presented to the Board for consideration in July.  

Rationale: 

Michelle Austin

• 2021-2022, 4th Grade Teacher, Westside Elementary
• Bachelor of Arts, Early Childhood Education, University of Nebraska, Kearney
• 8/2020-Present, Sixpence Family Facilitator, Norfolk Family Coalition/Norfolk Public Schools

Ashley Foreman

• 2021-2022, 4th Grade Teacher, Westside Elementary
• 5/2021, Bachelor of Science, Early Childhood Education, Wayne State College, Wayne, NE
• 1/2021-5/2021, Completed Student Teaching at Westside Elementary, Norfolk, NE

Kristin Winegar

• 2021-2022, 2nd Grade Teacher, Jefferson Elementary
• Bachelor of Science, Early Childhood Education, Wayland Baptist University, Plainview, TX
• 8/2020-Present, Substitute Teacher for Norfolk Public Schools; 

Rationale:  This will be covered in Action Item 5.1.

Rationale:  Tamela Korth--5th grade Teacher at Norfolk Middle School

Rationale:  The next regular meeting of the Board of Education will be held on Monday, June 14, 2021. The Business Meeting will begin at 5:30 PM. All components of these meetings will be held at the NPS Central Administration Offices and will be open to the public unless an Executive Session is needed in order to protect the interest of the district or the reputation of an individual.