February 20, 2023 at 5:30 PM - Regular Board of Education 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 5:32pm.
Board President conducted the meeting. Staff present: Larianne Polk, Administrator Linda Shefcyk, Business Manager Mindy Reed, Secretary to the Board of Directors Marci Ostmeyer, Professional Development Director Tami Clay, 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:
Board Member Dan Hoesly will be absent; he notified the Administrator prior to the board meeting.
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.
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
Discussion:
Board member Dan Hoesly was absent, he notified the Administrator prior to the board meeting.
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1.4. Pledge of Allegiance
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Discussion:
All members present participated in the Pledge of Allegiance.
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2. Approval of Agenda
Speaker(s):
Board President 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. Virtual Conferencing Option
Speaker(s):
Board President or designee
Rationale:
Nebraska Revised Statute § 84-1411 authorizes virtual meetings for educational service units if the requirements of subdivision (2)(b) are met. The board will determine if next month's board meeting should allow for a virtual conferencing option.
Recommendation: Discuss, consider and take any necessary action to approve the virtual conferencing option for the _______ board meeting.
Recommended Motion(s):
Discuss, consider and take any necessary action to approve the virtual conferencing option for the _______ board meeting. 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.
Discussion:
There will be a virtual conferencing option available for the March Board Meeting.
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4. Welcome Visitors
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Discussion:
Dr. Aaron Plas, Superintendent at Lakeview Community Schools was present to review the 2023-2024 Service Plan.
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5. Public Comment
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
The Board has the discretion to limit the amount of time set aside for public participation.
Citizens wishing to address the Board on a certain agenda item must complete the Request to be Heard Document prior to the start of the board meeting. Citizens wishing to present petitions to the Board may do so at this time. However, the Board will only receive the petitions and not act upon them or their contents.
Discussion:
No public comments provided.
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6. Approval of the 2023-2024 Services Plan
Speaker(s):
Administrator or Designee
Rationale:
The ESU 7 Executive Committee Chair attending will make a summary report to the Board on the plan for ESU 7 Services for 2023-2024.
Recommended Motion(s):
Discuss, consider and take any action necessary to approve the 2023-2024 Services Plan as presented. 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:
Dr. Aaron Plas, Superintendent at Lakeview Community Schools attended to review the 2023-2024 Service Plan. Dr. Plas reviewed the process the ESU completes with the Superintendents and Principals. Dr. Plas stated all services align to services currently being offered along with a couple of additional services. Board member Gary Wieseler asked Dr. Plas if the service planning process was becoming easier or more difficult. Dr. Plas responded the process is becoming easier, there is consistency throughout the service planning meetings. Board Secretary Jen Miller asked if ESU 7 needs to make any changes in the process or if there was anything the ESU could do to make the process better. Dr. Plas stated having the previous years' data for each school has been very helpful in the process and hopes the ESU continues to provide these data during the meetings. The ESU has made changes to the process over the years. Board President Doug Pauley asked Dr. Plas if the Superintendents under the service planning process enough to be able to provide input from teachers and staff. Dr. Plas states having the meeting with both the Superintendents and Principals together is beneficial for this aspect and the Principals do get input from teachers and staff. Administrator Polk added the ESU sends out a survey to all the ESU 7 teachers to gather feedback as well. Director Ellsworth also does a similar service planning process with the ESU 7 area LANMangers.
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7. February Spotlight - Speech Language Services
Rationale:
Tricia Spieker, Speech Language Coordinator, will present the Speech Services Spotlight to the Board.
Attachments:
()
Discussion:
Tricia Spieker, Speech Language Pathologist Coordinator, presented the Speech Services Spotlight to the Board. Tricia reviewed the attached Speech Services presentation. Board President Doug Pauley asked how schools get Speech Language Pathologists if they do not go through the ESU. Tricia stated schools sometimes hire direct or go with different providers. There were questions related to the number of IEPs the Speech Language Pathologists were completing throughout the year. IEPs can continue from one school year to the next. An IEP has to be done within 365 days of the last one at a minimum. There can be IEP changes throughout the year or there can be more than one IEP done in a year. Board Secretary Jen Miller asked how the Medicaid billing aspect worked. Tricia explained the process and included the Speech Language Pathologists have to have the correct license in order for the schools to collect Medicaid dollars. ESU 7 currently has seven Speech Language Pathologists and five of those seven have the correct DHHS license in order for schools to benefit from Medicaid.
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8. 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.
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
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8.1. Minutes
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
This is a consent item.
Attachments:
()
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8.2. Presentation of Bills #75582 through #75756 totaling $922,948.56
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
The summary of bills for the current month total:$922,948.56 - Bills #75582 through #75756 Inservice bills total: $0
Attachments:
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8.3. Excess Lodging and Meals
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
Excess Lodging and Meals: The Admin Dept has travel excesses while attending the 2023 ESUCC Legislative Day in Lincoln, NE, February 13-14, 2023.
Excess for lodging and meals:
This is a consent item. |
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8.4. Reading of Article I, Section 1, F Unit Calendar
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
It shall be the responsibility of the Administrator to develop the ESU calendar for recommendation, approval, and adoption by the Board annually. The Educational Service Unit 7 Board of
Attachments:
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8.5. Reading of Article I, Section 2, B Duties and Function of the Board
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
This is a consent item.
Attachments:
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8.6. Reading of Article I, Section 3, C Role of Individual Board Members
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
This is a consent item.
Attachments:
()
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8.7. Reading of Article I, Section 3, D Orientation of New Board Members
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
This is a consent item.
Attachments:
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8.8. Reading of Article I, Section 3, G Compensation of Board Members
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
This is a consent item.
Attachments:
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8.9. Reading of Article I, Section 4, G Removal from Officer Position
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
This is a consent item.
Attachments:
()
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8.10. Reading of Article I, Section 4, H Filling a Vacancy in an Officer Position
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
This is a consent item.
Attachments:
()
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8.11. Reading of Article I, Section 5, B Appointments
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
This is a consent item.
Attachments:
()
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8.12. Reading of Article I, Section 6, D Line of Responsibility
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
General Chain of Command:
Attachments:
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8.13. April 1, 2023 - March 31, 2024 NASB Dues
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
This is a consent item.
Attachments:
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9. Treasurer's Report
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
Review the breakdown of the Treasurer's Report
Recommended Motion(s):
Discuss, consider and take any action necessary to approve the Treasurer's Report as presented. 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.
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10. New Hire: Jaedyn Morris, School Psychologist Intern for school year 2023-2024
Speaker(s):
Administrator or Designee
Rationale:
Jaedyn Morris, School Psychologist Intern for school year 2023-2024. Student at UNO. Jaedyn is from Clarks and is excited to be able to come back home for her internship.
Recommendation: Discuss, consider, and take any necessary action to approve the contract for Jaedyn Morris, School Psychologist Intern, for the 2023-2024 school year as presented.
Recommended Motion(s):
Discuss, consider, and take any necessary action to approve the contract for Jaedyn Morris, School Psychologist Intern, for the 2023-2024 school year 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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11. New Hire: Lynne Webster, Provisionally Licensed Mental Health Practitioner (PLMHP) for school year 2023-2024
Speaker(s):
Administrator or Designee
Rationale:
Lynne Webster, Provisionally Licensed Mental Health Practitioner (PLMHP) for school year 2023-2024. Lynne is a former School Counselor at Boone Central. She is currently the intern for ESU 7.
Recommendation: Discuss, consider and take any action necessary to approve the contract for Lynne Webster, PLMHP, for the 2023-2024 school year as presented.
Recommended Motion(s):
Discuss, consider and take any action necessary to approve the contract for Lynne Webster, PLMHP, for the 2023-2024 school year 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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12. New Hire: Crystal Van Winkle, Licensed Independent Mental Health Practitioner (LIMHP) for school year 2023-2024
Speaker(s):
Administrator or Designee
Rationale:
Crystal Van Winkle, Licensed Independent Mental Health Practitioner (LIMHP) for school year 2023-2024. Crystal is currently working at Grand Island Public.
Recommendation: Discuss, consider and take any action necessary to approve the contract for Crystal Van Winkle, LIMHP, for the 2023-2024 school year as presented.
Recommended Motion(s):
Discuss, consider and take any action necessary to approve the contract for Crystal Van Winkle, LIMHP, for the 2023-2024 school year 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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13. Reading of Article I, Section 3, F Code of Ethics for Board Members
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
2. Non-Discrimination: I will not make decisions which affect personnel, students, parents, the public, or otherwise on the basis of sex, disability, race (including skin color, hair texture and protective hairstyles), color, religion, veteran status, national or ethnic origin, age, marital status, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical condition, or other protected status, or on the basis of constitutionally protected speech.
Recommended Motion(s):
Discuss, consider and take all necessary action to approve Article I, Section 3, F Code of Ethics for Board Members as presented. 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.
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14. 2021-2022 Audit Report
Speaker(s):
Board President or designee
Rationale:
Rationale: The 2021-2022 Romans Wiemer and Associates Audit Report is attached for the Board's review.
Recommendation: Discuss, consider and take any action necessary to accept the 2021-2022 Audit Report as presented.
Recommended Motion(s):
Discuss, consider and take any action necessary to accept the 2021-2022 Audit Report as presented. 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.
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15. Educational Service Unit 7 Safe Return to Services/Instruction Plan
Speaker(s):
Administrator or Designee
Rationale:
Review and approve the Educational Service Unit 7 Safe Return to Services/Instruction Plan
Recommended Motion(s):
Discuss, consider and take action to approve the Educational Service Unit 7 Safe Return to Services/Instruction Plan as presented. 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.
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16. Administrator's Report General
Speaker(s):
Administrator or Designee
Rationale:
Attachments:
()
Goals:
Discussion:
Administrator Polk reviewed the attached ESUCC slides.
The Board Recognition Dinner will be April 17th at the Ramada. Board Secretary Jen Miller and other board members would support employees bringing their children if it is important to them. The recognition dinner is about the employees and if they would like to share it with their family, they should be able to. Employees will be responsible for paying for the meals for any extra family members they bring. Professional Development Report - Director Ostmeyer reviewed the details for the upcoming External Visit. Director Ostmeyer is very thankful for her other two Accreditation Team members, Amy Mazankowski (Resource Coach) and Cynthia Alarcon (Migrant Education Coordinator). The External Team is requesting to talk to five board members. Board President Doug Pauley, Board Vice President Jack Young, and board members Bob Arp, Dawn Lindsley, and Richard Stephens volunteered to speak with the External Team. Board Secretary Jen Miller will be an alternate in case one of the other board volunteers is unable to attend. There will be an exit on March 30th. If more than six board members wish to attend, the exit will need to be noticed as a Special Meeting. Confirmation of board member attendance will be made at the March board meeting. When the final External Visit report is received, Amy Mazankowski, Cynthia Alarcon, and Director Ostmeyer will present the report to the board. Special Education Report - Director Clay is finishing Special Education projections. ESU 7 Special Education services are growing. The Special Education department has an offer out to three additional staff members with one left to hire. The growth in Special Education staff is directly related to the increase in contract need from the school districts. Tech Report - Director Ellsworth updated the board on the Tech Department staffing. The last full-time open position was filled and the new hire started today. There is a Tech Internship position open. The internship allows up to 20 hours a week with a goal of rolling the intern in to a full-time position upon graduation, if a position is available. The Tech Department currently has 12 full-time positions and the intern position will be the 13th position. Director Ellsworth discussed how school districts are encouraging students to participate in two-factor authentication. The Tech Department requires the ESU 7 staff to do two-factor authentication. Director Ellsworth completed out a grant for $5,000 to help purchase security keys for laptops to provide to schools. |
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16.1. Goal Update
Speaker(s):
Administrator or Designee
Rationale:
Goals - Attached for your Review
Attachments:
()
Goals:
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16.2. Services Update
Speaker(s):
Administrator or Designee
Rationale:
 Items inside this item include visit updates, quarterly report, director reports, etc. |
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16.3. Settlement Agreement
Speaker(s):
Administrator or Designee
Rationale:
Discuss the Settlement Agreement and Release of Claims between ESU 7 and Columbus Public Schools related to an Interlocal Cooperation Act Agreement for Joint Special Education Facility between the parties dated October 11, 2011 and make any necessary actions.
Recommendation: Discuss, consider, and take action to execute a Settlement Agreement and Release of Claims between ESU 7 and Columbus Public Schools related to an Interlocal Cooperation Act Agreement for Joint Special Education Facility between the parties dated October 11, 2011.
Recommended Motion(s):
Discuss, consider, and take action to execute a Settlement Agreement and Release of Claims between ESU 7 and Columbus Public Schools related to an Interlocal Cooperation Act Agreement for Joint Special Education Facility between the parties dated October 11, 2011. 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.
Discussion:
There was a motion to move into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing the settlement agreement. Board President Pauley restated the motion prior to moving into Executive Session. The Board moved into Executive Session at 7:07pm. The time the board meeting reconvened was at 7:27pm.
This agenda item is tabled to the March Board Meeting. |
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16.4. Authorization to deed, distribute, and/or assign title and ownership of the South Building
Speaker(s):
Administrator or Designee
Rationale:
Authorize ESU 7 officials to cooperate and take any necessary or desired action to deed, distribute, and/or assign title, ownership, and any interest in any property possessed under the Interlocal Cooperation Act Agreement for Joint Special Education Facility from the Interlocal Agency or Columbus Public Schools to ESU 7.
Recommendations: Discuss, consider, and take action to authorize ESU 7 officials to cooperate and take any necessary or desired action to deed, distribute, and/or assign title, ownership, and any interest in any property possessed under the Interlocal Cooperation Act Agreement for Joint Special Education Facility from the Interlocal Agency or Columbus Public Schools to ESU 7.
Recommended Motion(s):
Discuss, consider, and take action to authorize ESU 7 officials to cooperate and take any necessary or desired action to deed, distribute, and/or assign title, ownership, and any interest in any property possessed under the Interlocal Cooperation Act Agreement for Joint Special Education Facility from the Interlocal Agency or Columbus Public Schools to ESU 7. Passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
Discussion:
This agenda item is tabled to the March Board Meeting.
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16.5. Termination of the Interlocal Cooperation Act Agreement for Education Facility
Speaker(s):
Administrator or Designee
Rationale:
Discuss the termination of the Interlocal Cooperation Act Agreement for Joint Special Education Facility between ESU 7 and Columbus Public Schools dated October 11, 2011 effective July 31, 2023.
Recommendations: Discuss, consider, and take action to terminate the Interlocal Cooperation Act Agreement for Joint Special Education Facility between ESU 7 and Columbus Public Schools dated October 11, 2011 effective July 31, 2023.
Recommended Motion(s):
Discuss, consider, and take action to terminate the Interlocal Cooperation Act Agreement for Joint Special Education Facility between ESU 7 and Columbus Public Schools dated October 11, 2011 effective July 31, 2023. Passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
Discussion:
This agenda item is tabled to the March Board Meeting.
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16.6. Facilities Update
Speaker(s):
Administrator or Designee
Rationale:
Discussion:
Administrator Polk would like to create a Building and Grounds Committee. The committee will need to meet on days other than the board meeting days. This new committee will replace the Playground Focus Group meeting scheduled for March 31, 2023. Secretary to the Board Mindy Reed will send the information to the Building and Grounds Committee which consists of Board President Doug Pauley, Board Vice President Jack Young, Board Secretary Jen Miller, board members Joyce Baumert and Bob Arp.
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16.7. Personnel
Speaker(s):
Administrator or designee
Rationale:
All Classified/Non Cert Hires and Resignations under this item. Not an action item. |
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16.8. Legislative Update
Speaker(s):
Administrator or Designee
Rationale:
During this item, the Administrator will provide a Legislative Update to members of the Board.
Attachments:
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Discussion:
Administrator Polk reviewed the attached Legislative Update. There are three proposed bills which could potentially impact ESUs: LB753, LB702 and LB48. Administrator Polk will provide an updated Legislative Update next month during the board meeting.
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17. Committee Reports
Speaker(s):
Committee Chair
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17.1. Negotiations Committee Report
Speaker(s):
Negotiations Committee Chair
Rationale:
Reports of activities and discussions from the Negotiations Committee will take place during this item.
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
Discussion:
Negotiations Chairperson Jen Miller provided an update on the Negotiation Committee. Negotiations Chairperson Jen Miller recommended a motion to approve a 4.5% total compensation package increase for the general staff group excluding the Administrator for the contract year of 2023-2024, authorizing Administrator discretion to distribute to staff members.
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18. Conference Report
Speaker(s):
Conference Attendees
Rationale:
Conference Attendees will report on their learnings.
Discussion:
Board members Richard Stephens and Dawn Lindsley attended the Legislative Issues Conference. Board member Dawn Lindsley wanted to emphasize to other board members to pay attention to the legislative session. This legislative season is a long session and there are a lot of bills affecting education and could have a domino effect.
Board President Doug Pauley attended the Board President Retreat. Board President Pauley was the only ESU board person in attendance. Board President Pauley stated it was a good conference. One of the schools in attendance talked about getting the board together to build a team and build trust. |
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19. Adjournment
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Discussion:
Meeting adjourned at 7:56pm.
Minutes respectfully submitted by Mindy Reed, Recording Secretary to the ESU 7 Board. |
