November 11, 2024 at 4:00 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 other non-agenda topics concerning the school district - since it is not an agenda item the board cannot discuss or take action on the matter at this time. To be recognized, all participants must complete the Request to Address the Milford Board of Education Form.  The District has established separate complaint procedures for any complaints, including complaints and concerns against individual employees.  As such, the Board requests that this complaint process be followed before discussion with the Board takes place.  Thank you for your participation.

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General Fund for $123,122
Payroll for $800,000 (estimated)
Total $923,122

$447 to Branagh Information Group is for training for the preschool teaching staff.
$11,490 to Cornhusker International Trucks is for repairs to the 2013 bus.  This was for brake repairs and service for the hydraulic brakes.
$1,710 and $1,743 to Jan Meehl are for Physical Therapy services for special education.  These two bills are for services during September and October.
$4,242 to Sports Facility Maintenance is for basketball standard and bleacher inspections and maintenance completed in the summer.
$5,218 to US Cellular is for service for portable wifi hotspots.  We used these during COVID shutdown and have discontinued the use of these hotspots a few years ago.  We have been working with the company to determine the last month of service and now will close out the account.
 

More Information:  Elementary: 386
Jr. High: 133
High School: 246

Enrollment was 9 fewer students since last month.

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Open discussion as needed.  Below is the information on the Standing Positions for NASB:

PS-1 - School and ESU Funding Must Be Predictable and Sustainable
Notwithstanding any current standing position or resolution, the NASB would consider the support of a school/ESU funding proposal only if it could be demonstrated to be predictable, sustainable, and it does not encroach on local control as defined by the locally elected school board or ESU members. (2024) ("Funding & Finance")
 
***PS-1 sounds good but it leaves it pretty open depending on what your definition of "predictable and sustainable" is.  I am afraid some of the large schools may use this new standing position as a way to not change TEEOSA.
 
PS-2 - Voting Higher Than a Simple Majority
The NASB firmly opposes any legislation that mandates a voting threshold higher than a simple majority for passing any issue presented to voters by a school district or ESU. We believe that requiring anything more than a majority vote undermines the democratic process and places undue barriers on the ability of school districts or ESUs to address critical needs and make decisions that reflect the will of the community. (2024) ("State Policy")
 
***PS-2  This looks to be a good position to take.  This proposal is targeted towards the recent legislation to require a super majority to access that additional percentage (6%) above our 3% allowable revenue authority.
 
PS-3 - Lower Local Effort Rate
NASB supports lowering the Local Effort Rate in TEEOSA which would increase equalization aid. (2024) ("Funding & Finance")
 
***PS-3  I agree with this proposal.  But I think an amendment should be made to include "Valuations".  So the amended version would read "NASB supports lowering the Local Effort Rate and Valuations in TEEOSA which would increase equalization aid. (2024) ("Funding & Finance")"

More Information:  Mr. Carlson will present information at the meeting.  The presentation is attached.

More Information:  Attached is the proposed timeline and actions for the strategic planning process.  The names of the invited strategic planning members are listed in the attached document.  We will start to send invitations this month.

More Information:  This agreement is for the tile installation at the high school. We had two bidders on the project and Patina Studios had the low bid by a significant amount. School nutrition funds will be used for the installation costs.  The low bid for the installation is $21,797.84.

More Information:  Over the past few weeks, opportunities for junior high girls wrestling have shifted. Last year, many junior high meets included a bracket for girls, but this fall, we anticipate a decline in participation among girls at the meets we’re attending. Many schools are moving junior high girls wrestling to a January-February schedule, so most girls are not participating in wrestling in the fall. We currently have two junior high girls wrestling, and it might be challenging to arrange many competition opportunities this fall.

Seward is facing similar challenges and is considering adding junior high girls wrestling for January-February, when there would likely be many more competition options. I’ve asked about a cooperative with Seward if they move forward with this change. This partnership would not only increase competition opportunities for our girls, but also provide more teammates for practices. The primary needs we would need to address are transportation to Seward for practices and transportation to competitions.

After discussing with our administrative team and coaches, I recommend we consider exploring an agreement with Seward to offer junior high girls wrestling starting after Christmas break.

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This is an annual item and is required by law. The attached letter is a request from the MEA to be recognized as the negotiating body for the certificated staff for the 2025-26 and 2026-27 school years.  We are already settled for 2025-2026 unless a decision is made to reopen in the spring after state aid to schools is determined.

More Information:  Our auditor is still completing the audit documents.  If they are not available we will move this agenda item to the December board 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.