Public Meeting Minutes: June 10, 2024 at 7:00 PM - Board of Education Regular Meeting

1. Call to Order and Pledge of Allegiance

Discussion:

Board President Desh called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
The Pledge of Allegiance was conducted at the CMAR special board meeting earlier in the evening.

2. Announcement of the Open Meetings Act Posting

Discussion:

Board President Desh identified the location of the Open Meetings Act Poster on the wall in the meeting room.
- Please note: An updated copy of the Open Meetings Act poster will be distributed to public entities for public distribution sometime during the summer of 2024.
- Until the posters arrive, the attached document will be displayed in the meeting room to accommodate the current changes.
- The changes are reflected in the currently posted materials: revised April 2024.

3. Staff and Student Presentations

Discussion:

No staff or student presentations are scheduled during June and July.
- These staff and student presentations will start again at the beginning of the 2024-2025 school year.

4. Consent Agenda

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Motion to approve the consent agenda as presented. This motion, made by Tim Cheney and seconded by Dean Busch, Passed.

Busch: Yea
Calfee: Yea
Cheney : Yea
Desh: Yea
Moore: Yea
Penterman: Yea

No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.

Discussion:

No further discussion.

4.1. Approval of Board Agenda

4.2. Approval of minutes of previous meetings

Attachments: (4)

4.3. Approval of Claims/Payment of Bills and Payroll

Attachments: (3)

4.4. Certificated/Classified Hire(s)/Reassignment(s)/Resignation(s)

4.5. Financial Report

Attachments: (1)

Financial Report. District OR1. June 12.2024 Board Meeting

5. Public Comment

Discussion:

Public Comment was provided by Darin Corder of Bennet, Nebraska.
Public Comment was provided by Jan Svoboda of Bennet, Nebraska

6. Administrative Reports

6.1. Superintendent's Report

Discussion: Highlighted Topics from the Superintendent's Report:

Facility Usage Sample Documents Discussion:
- Sample documents were discussed to develop and implement a District OR-1 Facility Usage Agreement for the high school community fitness center. This item will be discussed with the administrative staff before the July board meeting and a document will be shared at the regular board meeting for approval consideration.
Staff Kudos:
- Special congratulations to Michelle Paxton (FCS Teacher at the High School) and Mr. Thomas McChristian (Sixth Grade Teacher at Bennet) for their recent accomplishments.
Student Fees Clarification:
- The following fees were clarified at the meeting:
  - Student Activity Fee: $30.00
  - Event Admission:
    - $6.00 for adult
    - $4.00 for students
- All other fees will remain the same.
- A public hearing on the district Student Fee Policy (#5416) will be held before the Thursday, July 11th, 2024, regular Board of Education meeting.
Preschool:
- Personnel and Operational Update: No certified preschool staff were added to accommodate the discussed changes.
- Selection: A policy document clarifying updated preschool selection criteria was discussed and will be an action item later in the agenda.
- Tuition Discussion: The discussion included a recommendation that half-day tuition would remain at $150.00 per month and full-day tuition would be $300.00 per month.
2022 Bond: 3rd Issuance Update
- Proceeds and Repository Discussion revolved around rates of return.
  - This is also an action item later in the agenda.
District Communication Audit
- Parent and Patron Survey Update: Mr. Hart shared a brief summary of results from the recent Parent and Patron Survey. Action steps developed in alignment with the results of the study will be presented at the August 2024 Board of Education meeting.
- Upcoming Focus Groups: Focus groups are scheduled for Thursday, June 20th at Palmyra High School. These focus groups allow for more in-depth analysis of the survey results.
- Upcoming Student Survey: A survey will be administered to all students in 4th- 12th grade when school resumes in the fall.
Nebraska Rural Community Schools Association (NRCSA) Member Spotlight for District OR-1 Schools:
- District OR-1 was highlighted in the June edition of the NRCSA newsletter. Special thanks to Mrs. Cassie Wemhoff for helping put together this information for the publication.
Math Curriculum Update:
- Ms. Walter provided an update on the purchase of a new math curriculum. Staff training and instructional implementation of the material will occur this school year.
Personnel Update
- Ms. Walter shared an update on her transition to this new position.
- Classified Staff (Paras, Drivers, Food Service, Office, etc.). Update: We continue to look for high-quality paraprofessionals, food service workers, custodians, and bus drivers.
- Certified Staff Update: All certified positions have been filled.
2024-2025 Budget Planning Update:
- Mr. Hart provided information about the current budget and the projected 2024-2025 district budget.
Board Retreat Summary:
- Board members provided a summary of the board retreat held on Monday, June 3rd, 2024 at Transformation Marketing in Panama, Nebraska.
Student Handbook Update
- Preschool - This document is up for approval this month
- Elementary School: This document will be up for approval at the July board meeting.
- PHS: This document is up for approval in July after the Student Fees public hearing.
Staff Handbook Update
- Certified Staff:
  - This document will be for approval in July.
- Classified Staff:
  - This document will be on the board agenda for approval in July.
Building Projects Update:
- This update was summarized from the CMAR building tour of PHS that occurred earlier in the evening.
Summer Enrichment Update:
- Ms. Walter provided an update on summer enrichment.
MTSS:
- Ms. Walter provided an update on the district MTSS (Multi-Tiered Systems of Support) system.
Other items as needed:
- Mr. Hart passed out a document regarding NDOT improvements for designated Otoe County bridges.

Attachments: (7)

6.2. Administrative Team Report

Discussion: Highlights from the Admin Report:

High School Parking Update:
- Parking will remain the same for the start of the school year.
Committee Meetings:
- Behavior, MTSS, and Data committees will continue to meet this summer with both buildings to make changes, implement new ideas, and evaluate data from statewide testing and district assessments.
Math Curriculum Update:
- The Math Curriculum chosen was McGraw Hill. This curriculum will be implemented at both buildings starting in August.
Summer Enrichment:
- Summer Enrichment started Monday, June 3rd. We have 96 students enrolled. Summer Enrichment continues through June 20th and ends with a field trip to the movie theater.
- Numbers are lower this year due to having summer school at both locations and not accepting late registration due to construction.
Multicultural Report:
- Multicultural reports indicate compliance with 100% of staff under Rule 16.004.11. A binder of specific classroom activities is in the office.

Attachments: (3)

7. Discussion Items- Committee Reports

Attachments: (1)

2024 Board Committee Assignments_ District OR.1. Updated and Approved. January 10.2024 (1)

7.1. Americanism and Multicultural Reports

Discussion:

In compliance with the State Board of Education Rule 10 and LB 79-719, our schools have successfully completed all multicultural education requirements for the 2023-2024 school year.

7.2. District Activities Committee

Discussion:

Committee members summarized the meeting which occurred on Thursday, May 23rd, 2024 at PHS.

7.3. District Wellness Committee

Discussion:

District Wellness Committee Members summarized the meeting which was held on Wednesday, June 5th, 2024 at PHS.

8. Policy Review

Discussion:

Additional policies and new legislative mandates will be reviewed at the Thursday, July 11th, 2024 regular board meeting.

9. Action Items

Discussion:

After board member discussion, Riverstone Bank was chosen as the depositor for the third issuance of the 2022 bond.
- Riverstone Bank had the most competitive rate of the three options considered for this task.

9.1. Presentation, discussion, and or official action to approve the depository for the third issuance of the 2022 General Obligation Bonds.

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Motion to approve Riverstone Bank. This motion, made by Tim Cheney and seconded by Josh Penterman, Passed.

Busch: Yea
Calfee: Yea
Cheney : Yea
Desh: Yea
Moore: Yea
Penterman: Yea

No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.

Discussion:

After board member discussion, Riverstone Bank was chosen as the depositor for the third issuance of the 2022 bond.

9.2. Presentation, discussion, and or official action to approve the updated District OR.1 Preschool Selection Criteria Policy.

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Motion to approve as discussed. This motion, made by Josh Penterman and seconded by Dee Moore, Passed.

Busch: Yea
Calfee: Yea
Cheney : Yea
Desh: Yea
Moore: Yea
Penterman: Yea

No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.

Discussion:

No further discussion.
- These changes will take effect with the 2024-2025 school year.

Attachments: (1)

Student Preschool Enrollment Policy. 5013. Adopted June 10.2024

9.3. Presentation, discussion, and or official action to determine the tuition for preschool at Bennet Elementary School

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Motion to approve as discussed. This motion, made by Tim Cheney and seconded by Dean Busch, Passed.

Busch: Yea
Calfee: Yea
Cheney : Yea
Desh: Yea
Moore: Yea
Penterman: Yea

No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.

Discussion:

The board approved the following rates for tuition which will be in effect for the 2024-2025 school year.
- Part-Time: $150.00
- Full-Time: $300.00

9.4. Presentation, discussion, and or official action to approve the 2024-2025 Pre-School Student Handbook.

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Motion to Approve the 2024-2025 Bennet Elementary Pre-School Handbook. This motion, made by Dee Moore and seconded by Tim Cheney, Passed.

Busch: Yea
Calfee: Yea
Cheney : Yea
Desh: Yea
Moore: Yea
Penterman: Yea

No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.

Discussion:

No further discussion.

Attachments: (1)

24-25 Preschool Handbook. For Board approval june_ draft (1)

9.5. Presentation, discussion, and or official action to approve the 2024-2025 Bennet Elementary Student Handbook.

Action(s):

Motion Tabled:

Motion to table the 2024-2025 Bennet Elementary Student Handbook. This motion, made by Tim Cheney and seconded by Dee Moore, Tabled.

Busch: Yea
Calfee: Yea
Cheney : Yea
Desh: Yea
Moore: Yea
Penterman: Yea

No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.

Discussion:

This agenda item was "tabled" until the Thursday, July 11th, 2024 board meeting.
No further discussion.

Attachments: (1)

2024-25.Bennet Elementary Handbook for Board approval.June 2024.docx (1)

9.6. Presentation, discussion, and or official action to update food service student prices for the 2024-2025 school year.

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Motion to approve Food Service Prices for 2024-2025. This motion, made by Jaimi Calfee and seconded by Dee Moore, Passed.

Busch: Yea
Calfee: Yea
Cheney : Yea
Desh: Yea
Moore: Yea
Penterman: Yea

No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.

Discussion:

No further discussion.

Attachments: (1)

District OR-1 FOOD SERVICE PRICES for 2024-2025 School Year. for board review.June 12.2024 (1)

9.7. Presentation, discussion, and or official action to approve a calendar change to the 2024-2025 School District Calendar.

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Motion to approve the updated changes to the 2024-2025 school calendar. This motion, made by Dee Moore and seconded by Dean Busch, Passed.

Busch: Yea
Calfee: Yea
Cheney : Yea
Desh: Yea
Moore: Yea
Penterman: Yea

No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.

Discussion: No further discussion.
Specific changes are listed below:

Tuesday, March 25th, 2025, is now a regular school day for all students and staff.
Monday, March 31st, 2025, is now a no-school day for students. This will be a staff development day for staff as this is the MUDECAS Conference Music event and PHS will host the event.
Monday, August 12th, 2024, is now the first day of school for all students K-12.
Tuesday, August 13th, 2024, is now the first day of Preschool.

*Upon additional Facility Committee recommendations, the first day of school for students will be Monday, August 12th, 2024.

Please note: The updated calendar will be distributed to families and community patrons via the district website and social media channels and placed in the July 2024 district newsletter.

Attachments: (1)

District Calendar 2024-2025. Final. Updated.June 10.2024.Public Calendar

9.8. Presentation, discussion, and or official action to reschedule the Monday, July 8th, 2024 board meetings

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Motion to approve changing the Monday, July 8th, 2024 Board meetings to Thursday, July 11th,, 2024. This motion, made by Dean Busch and seconded by Tim Cheney, Passed.

Busch: Yea
Calfee: Yea
Cheney : Yea
Desh: Yea
Moore: Yea
Penterman: Yea

No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.

Discussion:

No further discussion.
- This board notice will be publicized as normal in the usual locations.

9.9. Presentation, discussion, and or official action to purchase an additional school bus.

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Motion to approve as discussed. This motion, made by Tim Cheney and seconded by Josh Penterman, Passed.

Busch: Yea
Calfee: Yea
Cheney : Yea
Desh: Yea
Moore: Yea
Penterman: Yea

No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.

Discussion:

Additional discussion involved capacity, type of fuel, and safety restraints.
No further discussion

Attachments: (2)

10. Board of Education Development

Discussion:

Board President Dsh sent out the Google Form link for board members to complete a board self-assessment survey.
No further discussion.

Attachments: (2)

11. Closed Session

Discussion:

No closed session occurred during the meeting.

12. Topics for Next Month’s Agenda

Discussion:

No further discussion.

13. Adjournment

Discussion: The meeting was adjourned at: 8:28 p.m.

June 10, 2024 at 7:00 PM - Board of Education Regular Meeting

Web Viewer