August 11, 2014 at 8:15 PM - Board of Education Regular Meeting

More Information:  Mission Statement - Milford Public Schools will prepare all students to be successful citizens: Our Mission is fulfilled when all students read with comprehension, speak and write clearly, compute accurately, reason logically, understand and appreciate the fine arts, apply suitable strategies and habits of mind to solve problems, utilize technology to communicate and to understand information and behave morally.

This agenda contains a list of subjects known at the time of its distribution.  A copy of the agenda reflecting any changes will be available for public inspection during normal business hours in the District Office.  Except for items of an emergency nature, the agenda shall not be altered later than twenty-four hours before the meeting.  The Board reserves the right to alter the order of items, as it deems necessary.

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Information concerning the Open Meeting Law, Chapter 84, Article 14 of Nebraska State Statutes, is posted on the bulletin board in the back of the meeting room.

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This is the public’s opportunity to speak to items on the agenda. This is also the public’s opportunity to speak to any topic concerning the school district – since it is not an agenda item the board cannot discuss or take action on the matter at this time. Future discussion can be requested as an agenda item. To be recognized, all participants must complete the Request to Address the Milford Board of Education Form. No complaints regarding specific staff members will be heard during a public meeting. The District has established separate procedures for complaints against individual employees. Thank you for your participation.

More Information:  General Fund for $157,285.44
Payroll for $418,486.10
Total $575,771.54

Special Building Fund for $4,750.96
Depreciation Fund for $33,543.00

Item to point out:

1. There are a lot of yearly supply and summer items so ask if you have any questions as I am only pointing out the few that stand out to me.
2. ESU 6 Bill - OT/PT billing.  This is for physical therapy and occupational therapy.  We contract with ESU 6 employees and pay the ESU the ESU/State rate for these services.  We cannot hire our own employees for these services.  The amount of hours and services are dictated by IEP's and the identifying disability.  Some of these services continue through the summer and we provide services to birth through age 21.  Some of the students are not in school yet due to their age but qualify for services.  I had a question on this part of the ESU bill so thought I would explain it to everyone.
3. $5,499 to Harding and Shultz is for legal services related to student enrollment, student resident issue and regulations related to handbooks and some policies.
4. $4,201 to Harris is our annual fee for our accounting systems.  Our current system runs on our computers so we download the system on our computers and servers.  As has happened with most programs, this version is being phased out and the company is moving to a web based program so it can be accessed at any time (don't need to be at a district office computer) and will be backed up on off-site servers.  We have previewed the system and it is much better but will take time and money for the transfer.  I will be budgeting around $20,000 for this project in next years budget.  It will be new accounting/budget software, time clocks, vacation software and activity fund software.  We should get reimbursed the portion of the $4,201 we have not used to this point.  Just an FYI.
5. $3,360 to Midwest Doors is for automatic door closures for all storage closets and shop areas in the high school.  This is a requirement through the State Fire Marshall.
6. $578 to Wing Construction is for the installation of these automatic door closures.
7. FYI - our bill to NECO will be going up in the future.  Due to State regulations we need to have our security system and fire alarm panel on separate phone lines for our monitoring company (NECO).  We will now have two separate accounts at NECO.
8. $900 to UES GymPros is for the purchase and installation of a safety strap for the east main basketball standard in the south gym.  It is a permanent system but did not have a safety system on it.
9. $1,343 to Uribe for an extra dumpster.  We needed to fill a large dumpster 4 times to remove all the grass clippings that were dumped in the southwest corner of the practice field.  The odor was too strong and it needed to be removed.
10. Special Building Fund - is for Carlson West Povondra bills.  We currently have $145,526.88  remaining in this fund.
11. Depreciation Fund - is for sprinkler system equipment, bookcases and storage cabinets in the elementary and TVs, monitors and video equipment in the high school.  All items are equipment and can be depreciated.  We currently have $669,913.72  remaining in this fund.

More Information:  If every student that we have on the list as of 8/8/14 attends the 1st day of school, we will have 18 more students K-12 than we had when school dismissed this past May.

This year's numbers compared to last May:

Preschool is larger by 1 student - 13 to 14

K-6 is larger by 23 students - 339 to 362

7-8 is smaller by 3 students - 112 to 109

9-12 is smaller by 2 students - 224 to 222

Overall K-12 is larger by 18 students - 675 to 693


We have attached Mark's document that shows current and historical numbers for each grade level.

More Information:  I have attached mileage reports for your review.

No action needed.

More Information:  I have attached the 13-14 Staff Absence Report.

No action needed.

More Information:  We will have a report for you at the meeting.  We can tour after the meeting or you could visit anytime, except for Monday, to have a walk through.

More Information:  We will review the agreement.  This can be done in open or closed session.  We will only go into executive session if there is an item that we feel cannot be discussed in open session.


If needed:  Recommend motion to move into executive session to discuss Item VIA Negotiated Agreement for 1) the protection of the public interest, or 2) the prevention of needless injury to the reputation of an individual, and/or the individual has not requested a public meeting.

More Information:  The Special Meeting will be for closing out the 2013-14 budget year and for discussing the 2014-15 budget.

I am concerned about this date.  Valuations are not released until the 21st.  The preliminary budget packet may not be completed until Saturday or Sunday.  I can deliver those, but want to make sure you have time to review before the meeting.  I believe Ned is out of town the rest of that week so may not be able to change it.

Also, we have the picnic at the Pauley's on that Monday and do not want to change that.  Can't pass up great food and fellowship!

Just want to make sure everyone is ok with a late arriving packet.  Many of you review these in detail beforehand so want to make sure you have time to review.

More Information:  Payment request #5 is for $412,404.43.  This will be paid by the bank.

More Information:  We will be approving a new Policy manual for the District.  I emailed these to you last week.  We will be updating all policies.  There will be a number of them that continue to be updated over the next year.

More Information:  Recommended handbook is attached.

Also attached is a document highlighting the few changes that were made. 

More Information:  There were a number of additions and changes and we will review those with the Board at the meeting.

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The Board of Education reserves the right to enter into Closed/Executive Session for 1) the protection of the public interest, or 2) the prevention of needless injury to the reputation of an individual, and/or the individual has not requested a public meeting. When making a motion to enter into Closed/Executive Session, the member making the motion should be as specific as possible as to the reason(s) for executive session.

The Board President will restate the reason for Closed/Executive Session after the motion has been acted on.