May 18, 2020 at 5:30 PM - Regular Board of Directors Meeting
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1. Call the Meeting to Order
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
LEADERSHIP • SERVICE • SUPPORT
Notice of this meeting was given in advance according to State Law 84-1411, by giving notice of the meeting to the public on ESU 7 website www.esu7.org and posted at location of meeting. Notice of this meeting was also given in advance to all members of the Board of Education of Educational Service Unit 7. Availability of the agenda and purpose of the hearing was communicated in the advance notice of the meeting and in the notice to the members of this hearing. All proceedings of the Board of Education of Educational Service Unit 7 were taken while the convened hearing was open to the attendance of the public.
Discussion:
Roll call was taken at 5:33 pm
Vice President Doug Kluth conducted the meeting. Staff present at ESU 7 Oak Room: Larianne Polk, Administrator Linda Shefcyk, Business Manager Mindy Reed, Secretary to the Board of Directors Doug Kluth, Vice President Other Staff present remotely: Marci Ostmeyer, Professional Development Director Darus Mettler, Special Education Director Dan Ellsworth, Network Operations Director |
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1.1. Notification of Open Meetings Law
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
This meeting has been preceded by reasonable advance notice and is hereby declared to be in open session. A copy of the Open Meetings Act is posted in the meeting room.
Attachments:
()
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1.2. Roll Call
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
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1.3. Absent Board Members
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
Recommendation: Discuss, consider and take action to approve the Board member absences.
Recommended Motion(s):
Approval of Board Member absences as presented Passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
Discussion:
Dan Hoesly arrived at 5:50pm.
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1.4. Pledge of Allegiance
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Attachments:
()
Discussion:
All members present participated in the Pledge of Allegiance.
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2. Approval of Agenda
Speaker(s):
Don Ellison or Designee
Rationale:
The sequence of agenda topics is subject to change at the discretion of the Board.
Recommended Motion(s):
Agenda as presented Passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
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3. Consent Agenda
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
Unless removed from the consent agenda, items identified within the consent agenda will be acted on at one time. If any Board member wishes to discuss an item, it must be removed from the consent agenda at which time the remaining items will be acted upon. Consent Agenda Includes:
Recommendation: Discuss, consider and take any action necessary to approve the consent agenda as presented.
Recommended Motion(s):
Consent agenda as presented Passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
Goals:
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
Discussion:
Richard Stephens requested that the Treasurer's Report be removed from the Consent Agenda for further discussion.
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3.1. Minutes
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
This is a consent item.
Attachments:
()
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3.2. Presentation of Bills #70851 through #70920 totaling $ 636,636.16
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
The summary of bills for the current month total:$636,636.16 - Bills #70851 through #70920 Inservice bills total: $ 20.00
Attachments:
()
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4. Treasurer's Report
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
This is a consent item.
Attachments:
()
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
Discussion:
The Treasurer's Report was removed from the Consent Agenda for further discussion. Administrator Polk explained outstanding grant reimbursements and the process necessary to request reimbursement. Administrator Polk added that it is uncertain how the coronavirus pandemic will impact any future Federal grants that ESU 7 may apply for. As for the current grants, we are still expecting the amount that was previously approved.
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5. Reading of Article I, Section 1, F Unit Calendar; Article I, Section 5, E Negotiations; Article III, Section 1, F Special Education Cooperative; Article III, Section 5, J Payment of Bills Prior to Board Authorization; Article IV, Section 1, C Salary Schedule Advancement; Article IV, Section 1, D Employee Benefits
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
Recommendation: Discuss, consider and take all necessary action to approve Article I, Section 1, F Unit Calendar; Article I, Section 5, E Negotiations; Article III, Section 1, F Special Education Cooperative; Article III, Section 5, J Payment of Bills Prior to Board Authorization; Article IV, Section 1, C Salary Schedule Advancement; Article IV, Section 1, D Employee Benefits.
Recommended Motion(s):
Approve Article I, Section 1, F Unit Calendar as presented Passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
Recommended Motion(s) #2:
Approve Article I, Section 5, E Negotiations as presented Passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
Recommended Motion(s) #3:
Approve Article III, Section 1, F Special Education Cooperative as presented Passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
Recommended Motion(s) #4:
Approve Article III, Section 5, J Payment of Bills Prior to Board Authorization as presented Passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
Recommended Motion(s) #5:
Approve Article IV, Section 1, C Salary Schedule Advancement as presented Passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
Recommended Motion(s) #6:
Approve Article IV, Section 1, D Employee Benefits as presented Passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
Attachments:
()
Goals:
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
Discussion:
Administrator Polk explained that there are not many changes to the corresponding policies. In the COBRA portion of the policy, "terminated" means no longer working. We will need to address the language for "terminated" and bring that back for approval in the June Board Meeting along with health insurance policy language.
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6. Updated numbering for Article V, Section 8, B Emergency Closure of ESU 7 Buildings and Article V, Section 8, C Emergency Exclusion of Persons from ESU 7.
Speaker(s):
Administrator or Designee
Rationale:
Recommendation: Discuss, consider and take all necessary action to approve Article V, Section 8, B Emergency Closure of ESU 7 Buildings and Article V, Section 8, C Emergency Exclusion of Persons from ESU 7. Both policies were previously presented to the Board as Section 7.
Recommended Motion(s):
Review and approve the updated Section 8 for both Article V, Section 8, B Emergency Closure of ESU 7 Buildings and Article V, Section 8, C Emergency Exclusion of Persons from ESU 7 Passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
Attachments:
()
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
Discussion:
Policy language has not changed since they were approved in March, the section number was changed from 7 to 8.
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7. Recommend removing Board policies not set forth in the newly adopted Board policy book
Speaker(s):
Administrator or Designee
Rationale:
Move to repeal and rescind all existing Board policies not set forth in the newly adopted Board policy book.
Recommended Motion(s):
Move to repeal and rescind all existing Board policies not set forth in the newly adopted Board policy book as presented Passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
Attachments:
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Goals:
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
Discussion:
Administrator Polk discussed the rationale why the policies do not need to be added. In the June Board Meeting, there will be one final policy action to close the book on all previous policy manuals.
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8. ESU 7 2020-2021 General Calendar Revision
Speaker(s):
Administrator or Designee
Rationale:
Recommendation: Discuss, Consider and take any necessary action to approve the ESU 7 2020-2021 General Calendar revision as presented. Revisions made include: August 13th was changed to an All Staff Training day. August 14th changed to LA/7 Inservice day. August 17th was changed to the Student Start Date.
Recommended Motion(s):
ESU 7 2020-2021 General Calendar Revision as presented Passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
Attachments:
()
Goals:
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
Discussion:
There was a date change regarding when the students would begin the 20-21school year.
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9. ESU 7 COVID-19 Pay Resolution
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
After consultation with legal council it is recommended that the following resolution be adopted and approved for up to four weeks.
Recommendation: Discuss, consider and take all necessary action to approve the ESU 7 COVID-19 Pay Resolution.
Recommended Motion(s):
Approval of ESU 7 COVID-19 Pay Resolution and allowing Administrator Polk to sign on behalf of the Board due to the remote meeting and the Board being unable to physically sign Passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
Attachments:
()
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
Discussion:
This is the third month that this action item has been on the agenda. In the summer months and after tomorrow there will be no para's being paid because they are off contract in the summer.
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10. Administrator's Report General
Speaker(s):
Administrator or Designee
Rationale:
Goals - Attached for your Review
Board Vacancy ESUCC Update Upcoming Events
Attachments:
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Goals:
Discussion:
Administrator Polk discussed the upcoming Board vacancy. The vacancy was advertised on the ESU 7 website starting May 14th. The interested candidates will need to turn in the paperwork by July 16th in order to appoint someone at the August 2020 Board Meeting. Administrator Polk has been reaching out to area Administrators for potential candidate names.
The District 6 opening will be put on the ballot. Non-incumbents have until August 3rd to file. Administrator Polk reviewed which Board Members were up for election this year. Incumbents have until July 15th to file. |
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10.1. Services Update
Speaker(s):
Administrator or Designee
Rationale:
SIMPL Update
Special Education Early Childhood File Review Results Administrator Polk will provide the Board with information for services deployed during the COVID-19 Crisis. Items inside this item include visit updates, quarterly report, director reports, etc.
Attachments:
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Goals:
Discussion:
Darus Mettler (SpEd) - Special Education Staff have been involved in Zoom meetings, group Zoom meetings, Zoom meetings with parents, grading papers, Special Education paperwork including progress notes, Individual Education Plans, Prior Written Notices, and other required paperwork. Staff have also been involved in trainings and professional development. Early childhood staff was in a file review, ESU 7 did a great job. Last words from the reviewer were "absolutely best process in the state of Nebraska". Early Childhood team is incredible.
Marci Ostmeyer (PD) - Staff continues to do current work but from a remote location, such as adding new teachers to the database, managing media resources, conference registrations, booking Zoom rooms, providing materials to teachers, and other tasks that can be completed remotely. Our staff members are able to do a significant amount of their jobs while they are at home. Professional Development staff created a website with Zoom tutorials with over 2000 views on how to facilitate Zoom meetings. Our coaches still continue to meet with principles and teachers. Dan Ellsworth (Tech) - Tech Department had to find a way to connect students and teachers outside of the building that were not used to technology. Zoom accounts went from approximately 40-50 before the pandemic to 1,400 during the pandemic. Nationally, Zoom went from 20,000 users to 20 million during this crisis. Tech is currently planning for summer support. Tech staff continues to work on databases, a new website, firewall updates, and other tech projects. Administrator Polk stated that some decisions have been made for the summer. Summer is typically a 4-6 week event here for the Cen7ter Kids. We are going to do remote learning for summer school and the decision had to be made last week. Special Education Director Mettler added that the extended school year is to help students maintain their skills, not to learn additional skills or catch up on what they may have missed during the pandemic. Administrator Polk added that ESU 7 is at a Level 2 Closure, the most restricted closure that we have. Given the information from the health department, Governor, and commissioners, ESU 7 determined a Level 2 Closure means 2-3 people on campus. We are moving to Level 1 Closure on June 1, 2020. We will continue to be closed to the public. We will authorize 10 people in the building each day. Office hours will be 8am-4pm starting June 1. Administrator Polk is not sure how long the Level 1 Closure will be in place, it depends on what the health department and Governor says. Administrator Polk will meet with the Directors every two weeks. At this point, we plan on holding the June Board Meeting on campus. |
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10.2. Facilities Update
Speaker(s):
Administrator or Designee
Rationale:
The Administrator or designee will provide a facilities update during this item.
- Facility Security/Door Locks - Academy/Warehouse gutters bid
Recommended Motion(s):
Motion to authorize Administrator Polk to accept lowest bid for the Academy/Warehouse gutters contract amount not to exceed $29,529 Passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
Attachments:
()
Goals:
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
Discussion:
Dan Ellsworth updated that the door locks will be finished up tomorrow. There are plans to lock the Tech area nightly as well as Linda's office due to the value of equipment and financial information. The main doors will be unlocked between 4:30pm-6:30pm on Board Meeting nights for the public to attend. The doors will remained locked otherwise. Name badges will be required to get into the building or the badge number can be entered. The last method, mainly used for guests or others wishing to enter the buildings, can be buzzed in by secretaries inside the building.
The warehouse gutters, particularly on the east side of the Learning Academy, leak and need replacement. |
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10.3. Personnel
Speaker(s):
Administrator or Designee
Rationale:
All Classified/Non Cert Hires and Resignations under this item. Not an action item.
Resignation: Pazia Ryba, Cen7ter Para. Her last day was Monday May 4th.
Goals:
Discussion:
Pazia Ryba, Cen7ter Para resigned due to accepting full-time work with full-time benefits. There is an active application open for para's on our careers page of the website.
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10.3.1. Migrant Education Program Summer Work Agreements
Speaker(s):
Administrator or Designee
Rationale:
Migrant Education Program
The MEP will have an alternate summer program in June and July. Summer Enrichment packets will be delivered by MEP staff to students in grades K-8 interested in participating. These packets will allow our program to reach students in smaller communities where we have not had summer programs in the past. The following 2020 Summer Staff are recommended for employment. Staff: Cindy Lorentzen Katie Parlane Mikki Wilcox
Goals:
Discussion:
Administrator Polk noted these individuals will be hired for the Migrant Summer School Program.
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10.4. Legislative Update
Speaker(s):
Administrator or Designee
Rationale:
During this item, the Administrator will provide a Legislative Update to members of the Board.
Goals:
Discussion:
Administrator Polk gave the update that Legislature will reconvene on July 20.
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11. Committee Reports
Speaker(s):
Committee Chair
Goals:
Discussion:
Board Member Richard Stephens noted the Handbook Committee meeting went pretty well and the Handbook is well written. Suggestions were well taken. It will be a solid handbook. All of the policies reflected in the handbook will come to the Board for review in June. No need for a follow up Handbook Committee meeting.
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11.1. Budget Committee Report
Speaker(s):
Budget Committee Chair
Rationale:
Reports of Budget Committee activities and discussion will take place during this item. Chairperson Doug Pauley will provide a report of the Budget Committee activities.
Discussion:
Board Secretary Doug Pauley noted this was the first budget meeting of the year. Tasks and duties were discussed. The Budget Committee started to get into the general budget this meeting. Right now, revenue is estimated 1.5% lower in the levy budgeted items. It is about what it was last year.
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12. Adjournment
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Discussion:
Meeting adjourned at 7:15pm.
Minutes respectfully submitted by Mindy Reed, Recording Secretary to the ESU 7 Board. |
