February 10, 2025 at 6:00 PM - Board of Education Regular Meeting
| Regular Board | |
| Attendance Taken on 2/10/2025 at 5:57 PM | |
| Lisa Brass | Present |
| Matt Dalrymple | Present |
| Kyle Fornoff | Present |
| Becky Jobman | Present |
| Kelly Terrell | Present |
| Nate Wyatt | Present |
| Present: 6, Absent: 0 | |
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Comments:
Dr. Allison Jonas, Superintendent Tomye McKenna, SPED Director & Assistant Elementary Principal Becky Vang, Business Manager |
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| Minutes | |
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1. Call to Order & Pledge of Allegiance
Rationale:
Mission Statement: A copy of the open meetings law is posted on the wall of the Board Room and is available to the public. |
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2. Approve the Agenda
Rationale:
The Board reserves the right to rearrange the order of items as needed.
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
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3. Recognition of Visitors
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3.1. Celebration of Excellence
Rationale:
ACT Interventions - Mrs. Baker & Mrs. Tiller
Discussion:
Dr. Jonas introduced Mrs. Baker and Mrs. Stevens. Mrs. Baker wanted to share some of the year's growth and went over the attached slide for 2024-2025 ACT/PreACT Data. She stated this data is like comparing apples to oranges, because it is really hard to compare classes to each other. Mrs. Baker advised the data compares the classes to each other and if they have taken the test one time or multiple times. Mr. Wyatt asked what the difference was between the two far left columns. Mrs. Baker advised the district test is what they took last April for 2025 students as juniors and the class of 2025 overall is data for the test taken multiple times and has raised their scores a little overall. She stated the next look is a lot better look at the class of 2025 and went over the slides columns. This slide includes the state scores, the PREACT scores and the Gothenburg Public Schools overall scores. Dr. Jonas asked what the max score for writing is. Mrs. Baker confirmed the max score is 12, with the Nebraska state average being a 6 and our district scored a 6.2. She said the highest score she has seen come through has been an 8 or 9, but nothing higher than that. Mrs. Baker advised the next slide is our PreACT verses our ACT. She advised the next slide is the ACT Benchmarks that addresses the question of what a good score looks like and college readiness. Mrs. Baker advised the last slide goes over the intervention steps. Mr. Wyatt asked if Mrs. Baker thought colleges were not considering ACT scores as they have in the past. Mrs. Bakers stated that there is a huge focus on scholarships and ACT test scores. Schools will take ACT scores into consideration, but it's not required for admission, but a lot of the bigger schools will look strictly at ACT scores for scholarships. Mr. Dalrymple asked how many students were taking outside prep work and courses. Mrs. Baker advised all juniors are given access at the start of their junior year to the ACT online prep program and then teachers use it as extra prep work. She stated she is not sure about the number of students who do anything additional on their own.
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3.2. Public Participation
Rationale:
Board Policy 2009 - Opportunity for Public Expression. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION INSTRUCTIONS FOR MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO WISH TO SPEAK: This is the portion of the meeting when members of the public may speak to the board about matters of public concern.
Discussion:
Dawn Urman addressed the board.
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4. Action Items
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4.1. Consent Agenda
Rationale:
1. Approval of Previous Minutes 2. Approval of the Treasurer's Report 3. Approval of the Warrants / Bills a. Petty Cash b. Student Activity c. Hot Lunch d. Bank Statement e. Summary of Accounts and Receipts f. Monthly Expenditure Report g. Check Journal 4. Excuse Absent Board Members
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
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4.2. Discuss and consider entering into a Memorandum of Understanding with JAG Nebraska.
Rationale:
Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG) is an evidence-based, data-driven, national organization that is dedicated to empowering students with the skills and support to achieve success in education, employment, and life. The JAG Advantage integrates project-based learning, employer engagement, and trauma-informed care through competency-based, for-credit, elective classes. The JAG model allows students to participate in hands-on, realistic learning experiences, mastering 37 to 87 competencies, with the support to help our young adults navigate high school graduation and post-graduation success.
This program is offered free of charge to districts in the first two years and has a $10,000 per year commitment in subsequent years. This is not a contract, but a memorandum of understanding that states if we are able to find the right person, that we are able to move forward. This is an excellent opportunity to expand on Strategy 2 priorities. The ideal candidate will be someone who enjoys working with young adults, is a relationship builder, and can cultivate career skills in young people entering the workforce. The selected candidate is not required to hold a teaching certificate but must have a bachelor's degree.
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
Discussion:
Dr. Jonas went over the rationale and introduced Mrs. Baker and Ms. Stevens again. Ms. Stevens stated she wanted to talk about how this would impact our middle school students, as a lot of the time we wait until junior or senior years to talk about careers. The earlier we can get kids to be interested in a career and know how their interests, skills and knowledge can tie into it. We want to focus on education first, but for middle schoolers who may start to feel like school is not for them, so that may mean that a job is not for them, we want to catch that and help them maybe see other jobs that may spark their interest. Ms. Stevens advised a few years ago we did habitudes which match habits and attitudes about yourself, your education and your career. It is important to help kids know there is a belief in their future and that we talk about students not only having jobs but careers, because there is a big difference. Mrs. Baker said that at the high school level they still have students that say they have no idea what they want to be or what they want to do, and I think this would help them bridge the gap from high school to college to the work force. Mrs. Baker said she feels there are a lot of benefits she can see from this, and it would be a great opportunity for our students. Ms. Stevens stated this is something we would like to have available for students to start in middle school. She advised that they currently have a quarter class where they do some career work, but this would be a course dedicated to careers. Mr. Fornoff asked how many schools in Nebraska participate in JAG. Ms. Stevens confirmed 31 schools in 15 school districts participate currently. She advised the JAG program was started in the 1980s, and it was to help families and students who primarily came to the US in search of a career. A lot of the time, that career was to work in a meat packing plant and as their children developed more skills, they didn't really see a different path and didn't know what job opportunities or skills they might have. The first schools to start JAG were Fremont, Columbus and then Macy for the Native American population up there and to help these students get on a career path. Ms. Stevens stated the governor is really pushing for more career opportunities in schools and that we would really like to have Gothenburg be part of that. Mr. Fornoff asked what type of individual would be a good fit for this role. Mrs. Baker stated this individual would be someone who can truly represent community connections, good relationships, and able to work through any traumatic experiences that a student may have been through. She confirmed this would be considered a full-time position, but they would be hired through United Way and would be their employee with their benefits. So, they would not have to be a certified teacher, but would need a bachelors degree.
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4.3. Personnel
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4.3.1. Consider the resignation of certificated staff.
Rationale:
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
Discussion:
Dr. Jonas read over the resignation of certificated staff.
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4.3.2. Consider approval of contract(s) for certificated staff.
Rationale:
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
Discussion:
Dr. Jonas read over the rationale.
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4.4. Discuss and consider approval of the Negotiated Agreement 2025-2026 with Gothenburg Education Association for the 2025-2026 school year.
Rationale:
A tentative agreement was reached through the negotiation process. The Gothenburg Education Association has ratified the proposed agreement.
The proposed agreement recommends an overall increase in total compensation of 3.92%. Total compensation includes applicable health insurance through the Educators Health Alliance, which saw rates increase by approximately 5.49% from 2024-2025 rates. Overall, our district will spend approximately $255,000 more on wages for instructional staff next year - equivalent to a 3.92% increase from the 2024-2025 school year. Our negotiation process has ensured a competitive starting wage for new teachers and one change this year is adding a half step to MA - MA 27 columns to ensure competitive wages for veteran teachers as well. The negotiation process is different than in years past given changes in state aid, levies, and tax authority. Our goal is to remain as close to 3% as possible while still remaining competitive with districts in our array.
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
Discussion:
Dr. Jonas read over the rationale. Mr. Fornoff thanked the GEA teachers' staff for their efforts. Mr. Dalrymple asked how we landed on the 3%. Dr. Jonas confirmed the 3% comes from our governor and his requirement that school districts can only increase their budget expenditures by 3% each year. So, prior to the new rules, that number didn't exist, so we would negotiate the best that we could, and it was really based on what the arrays were and where we fell into the array. And while that is still important, we really have tried to stay as close to that 3% as possible because 87% of our expenditures are wages and benefits, and so, if we spend 4% or 5% more on wages and benefits, that means we have got to reduce expenditures in those other areas in order to remain consistent on what we are able to tax for in the following year. Dr. Jonas wanted to add that we do currently have the ability to, with a super majority vote of the board, go beyond that 3% when it comes to budget time. This is something we need to continue to keep an eye on, because if there is ever to be a hard cap where school districts absolutely can not exceed that 3% without going to the public for a vote, that would make things pretty challenging.
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4.5. Discuss and consider a contract for the Superintendent from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2027.
Rationale:
The Superintendent currently has a three-year contract that expires on June 30, 2027. At this time, the board will discuss and consider a motion to update the contract as presented.
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
Discussion:
Mr. Fornoff read over the rationale.
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4.6. Discuss and consider approval of administrative contracts for the 2025-2026 school year.
Rationale:
The Gothenburg administrative team is an outstanding professional group of leaders. District #20 will continue to benefit from their leadership. The Personnel Committee is proposing a compensation package for administrative staff that reflects an overall increase in total compensation of 3% for administrative staff. Administrative compensation is based upon comparability with schools of similar size and who are located within a similar geographic area. Total compensation used in the comparison includes applicable health insurance through the Educators Health Alliance which saw rates increase of 5.49% from this year's rates.
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
Discussion:
Dr. Jonas read over the rationale.
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4.7. Consider approval of special education contracts for 2025-2026 with ESU #10.
Rationale:
We join the following cooperatives as student needs are identified. Program costs are prorated between districts who utilize the program.
Audiology. Several audiological services are available, these include comprehensive hearing evaluations for individuals from birth to 21 years of age; analysis, testing, and troubleshooting of hearing aid and cochlear implant devices used by students; consultation on FM system/auditory trainer device purchases for use at school as well as fitting and adjusting school amplification devices and assessment of classroom acoustics; and on-site school consultations regarding the impact of hearing loss, noise exposure, hearing loss prevention, and how to properly use and troubleshoot equipment. Deaf Education. Three deaf educators provided direct services, consultative services, and assessment services to school districts in ESU 10 and ESU 11 to assist them in providing services to students, birth-21 who are deaf or hard of hearing. Vision Services. A vision specialist provided direct services, consultative services, and assessment services to ESU 10 school districts’ students, ages birth-21 who are blind or partially sighted. Vocational Transition. A vocational transition specialist provided on-site assistance to 21 school districts for students with disabilities age 16 and older to help them realize independent living and employment appropriate to each student’s skills and abilities. SpEd Supplemental Supervision School Age. There was a change in 2018-19 for districts who were not part of the supervision cooperative. The service unit has an obligation to evaluate and supervise the special education staff that they employ and the programs in which they work so all districts that contract for staff are required to contribute to the supervision cooperative. Costs are adjusted for districts with their own special education supervisors to account for staff supervision only and do not include charges for other supervision services. These costs appear on the schedule A as SpEd Supplemental Supervision services.
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
Discussion:
Dr. Jonas read over the rationale.
Attachments:
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5. Policy & Procedure
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5.1. Review and discuss Draft 1 of the 2025-2026 school calendar.
Rationale:
All teachers were given an opportunity to provide feedback on this proposed calendar. In addition, there are a few items on here that have been thoughtfully considered in response to student data.
This proposed calendar eliminates "extras" in October, January, and February to create a full week spring break in March. This was in response to staff feedback. This calendar only includes THREE extra days (this year was five) for things like snow days, cold days, and state activities that require dismissal. The proposed calendar includes 173.5 student days and 14.5 staff days - which totals 187 days (3 more than contracted). As a first reading, there is no action needed. There is no "perfect solution" to a calendar but I would encourage those who have feedback to please reach out to me directly.
Discussion:
Dr. Jonas read over the rationale.
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6. Informational Items
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6.1. Multicultural Education Report
Rationale:
Mrs. Josie Floyd & Mr. Seth Ryker have prepared their annual Multicultural Education Report.
Discussion:
Dr. Jonas read over the attached Multicultural Education Report.
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7. Reports
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7.1. Board of Education Reports
Rationale:
Committee Reports (Chair in bold)
Discussion:
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7.2. Administrative Reports
Rationale:
1. Topic Specific Administrative Reports
2. General Administrative Reports a. Elementary (Mrs. Floyd) b. High School (Mr. Ryker) c. Activities (Mr. Mroczek) d. Special Populations (Mrs. McKenna) e. Teaching and Learning (Mrs. Richeson) f. Superintendent (Dr. Jonas)
Discussion:
See attached reports.
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8. Next Meeting
Rationale:
Monday, March 10th
Swede Activities: JH Quiz Bowl in PAC @ 4PM
Discussion:
The next meeting is scheduled for 03/10/2025 @ 6PM.
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9. Adjournment
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
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