November 13, 2017 at 7:30 PM - Regular Board of Education Meeting

Notice of the meeting was given in advance by publication to the public and to all members of the Board of Education. Availability of the agenda was communicated in advance. The Open Meetings Act is here and available for review. 

Ms. Katie Wilson and Mr. Mitch Osborn, science department teachers, presented information pertaining to the possible consideration of a greenhouse. Ms. Wilson presented the positive benefits and opportunities a greenhouse would provide our students. A proposal was received from Stuppy Greenhouse Manufacturing for a 30' x 60' greenhouse. The board facility committee will continue to review details with the science teachers. The Albion Education Foundation has committed to funding the project based on final proposed budget and other funding sources. Proposal and design may be considered at the December Regular Board of Education Meeting. 

Transportation Committee met on Monday, October 23rd to review and discuss bus and vehicle fleet. Mileage, condition of vehicles/buses, and usage were considered. Committee discussed applying for 3 diesel bus replacement grants and possibly retiring 2 buses from the fleet. Committee discussed replacing two mini vans with two 4-wheel drive vehicles. Rules and regulations for passenger vans were discussed. 

Policy Committee met on October 25th to review and discuss multiple board policies including new policies on Memorials and Registered Sex Offenders. Committee reviewed multiple memorial policy recommendations and met with guidance counselors and administrators prior to bringing a suggested memorial policy to the board. 

Board Negotiators (Darren Wright, Ed Knott, Patti Meyer) met with the Boone Central Education Association Negotiators (Chris Grundmeyer, Dan Zoucha, Michael Volker) on October 30th and November 8th. Negotiators agreed to the following school array selection: Wisner-Pilger, Centura, Madison, Battle Creek, Twin River, Central City, St. Paul, Pierce, Ord, David City, O'Neill, North Bend Central. 

The next meeting is scheduled for November 29th. 

Elementary Principal Mr. Jimmy Feeney updated the board on the Reading and Math curriculum. Assessment data has been consistently reviewed when discussing and considering interventions and strategies for students. 

Middle School Principal Mr. Tanner Schutt discussed a possible change to the format for spring parent teacher conferences. A character retreat was held at the Middle School on October 23rd focused on courage. Guest speakers included Jenni DeWitt, Clyde Stuhr, Arnie Johnson, MADD, and Corey Jones from Cleveland, Ohio. Students and staff participated in a food scavenger hunt with all collected items being donated to the Boone County Food Pantry. October CARDS winner was Nyla Redler. NeSA and ACT assessment data was reviewed at the last teacher inservice on November 8th. 

High School Principal Mr. Erik Kravig noted that the Junior class participated in County Government Day on November 8th and that the Freshman and Sophomores attended college visits at UNL and UNK. Clyde Stuhr was the guest speaker for the annual Veteran's Day Program; Girls/Boys State Representatives Maggie Cleveland and Walker Stuhr spoke; Scott Wright won the Voice of Democracy Award and former student Thomas Hosford was recognized for being the state winner in 2016.  38 students had perfect attendance for the first 9 weeks. 

Activities Director Mr. Marcus Donner recognized the Fall participants for their great seasons and achievements, and updated the board on upcoming winter activities. 

Superintendent Hardwick updated the board details for the Grand Opening event on November 22nd and remaining construction items. A hot food display/warmer and a new popcorn popper were purchased for the concession stand. There will be no school on Tuesday, November 21st for the State Football Championships in Lincoln. The audit and annual financial reports have been completed and submitted. 

No public comment was received. 

Current bus fleet was reviewed by the transportation committee. Recommendation from the committee to trade/sell/scrap the 1997 Thomas and the 1999 Blue Bird (gas bus; not eligible for rebates) and to purchase two (2) 2019 Thomas Freightliner buses from Nebraska Truck Center (both with A/C) for a total cost of $199,460. Three different rebate incentives are available to eligible applicants to replace diesel school buses powered by model year 2006 or older engines with new buses powered by a certified 2017 or newer model. Rebates range from $15,000 to $100,000. All available rebate applications will be applied for and submitted; only a select number of rebates will be awarded to applicants. 

Bus purchase agreements will be held by the Transportation Committee and submitted following the awarding of bus replacement rebates. 

Rebates will be submitted for replacement of 1997 Thomas bus and possibly the 2007 depending on determination of Volkswagen funds awarded to the State of Nebraska. Transportation committee will determine appropriate removal of 1997, 1999, and possibly 2007 buses based on rebate funding and selectees. Diesel School bus Rebate Programs require that replaced buses be disabled (scrapped) within 90 days of replacement. The 1997 diesel qualifies for the rebates. 

Transportation committee will begin looking at replacing 2004 Chevy Venture and 2005 Chevy Venture, and 2017 Ford Transit due to safety reasons and mileage. 4-wheel drive vehicles will be considered. 

The 2016-18 Interlocal Agreement Cooperative between Boone Central, St. Edward, and Newman Grove for Wrestling contained inaccurate information. The agreement has been adapted to accurately reflect the extra curricular wrestling joint venture. The wording revisions in the amendment do not change any of the prior practices or agreed upon functions of the extra curricular cooperative between the three schools.

Recommended Sex Offender Policy according to Nebraska Sex Offender Act, rules, and regulations. Policy 3251 provides guidelines for handling registered sex offenders on school property or in attendance at school activities. 

The board of education and administration recognize the difficulty and the desire to remember the loss of a loved one. Policy 1320 provides guidelines for memorializing deceased students and staff. 

Design and planning for the Nebraska Beef in Schools Program will begin in December. A committee of administrators, board members, staff members, and community members will focus on the healthy benefits of locally raised beef and the value of beef production and agriculture in the state of Nebraska. Goals for the program will be developed, a timeline for implementation will be discussed, and expected outcomes will be established. 

Next Regular Board of Education Meeting will be Monday, December 11, 2017 @ 7:30 p.m. at the Boone Central Middle School in Petersburg.