December 12, 2016 at 6:00 PM - Board of Education Regular Meeting

1. The Board of Education reserves the right to enter into Closed/Executive Session for 1) the protection of public interest or 2) the prevention of needless injury to the reputation of an individual, and the individual has not requested a public meeting. When making a motion to enter into Closed/Executive Session, the member making such a request should be as specific as possible keeping the previously listed stipulation in consideration. 
2. If the Board is in agreement, a motion maybe to enter into Closed/Executive Session to 1) discuss a personnel matter, or 2) for the prevention of needless injury to the reputation of the individual, or 3) to discuss litigation and for the protection of the public interest.
3. Action concerning matters discussed in Closed/Executive Session will be acted upon in open session

Welcome to the Dundy County Stratton Public Schools Board of Education Meeting.  The Board welcomes citizens to attend board meetings to become acquainted with the programs and operations of the district.  Members of the public are also encouraged to share their ideas and opinions with the Board during the agenda item labeled “Public Items”.  Comments or questions from the audience at any other time during the meeting except for the agenda item “Public Items” will out of necessity be declared out of order.

The Nebraska Open Meetings Act prevents the board from speaking to a matter that is not on the agenda.  Please understand that the board may be unable to address your issue during the meeting.  It is not permissible for the board to comment on items not listed for the protection of the public’s right to know and participate in the discussion of items that do come before the board and stated appropriately in the meeting agenda.  

During this agenda item “Public Items” we ask that you abide by the following rules:

Public Comment Protocol and Procedures

1. Anyone wishing to speak to the board on specific agenda items or on other topics relevant to board business must complete a Public Comment Request Card and submit it to the Board President prior to the opening of the meeting.   The public will only be recognized and their comments heard at Item “Public Items” on the board agenda.  The total time allotted for the public comment will not exceed thirty minutes and each member of the public will be allotted not more than five minutes to address the Board.  If a group wishes to speak, please designate one spokesperson for the group.
   
   
2. Please state your name and the topic you are addressing before you begin.  
   
   
3. Speakers are asked to direct their questions and comments to the chair.  A member of the Board of Education or the Superintendent may direct clarifying questions to the chair, but the board will not under any circumstance enter into a debate with any the member of the public.
   
   
4. Speakers may offer objective criticism of district operations and programs, but the Board would encourage members of the public to address complaints concerning individual district personnel through the proper chain of command.  The chair may direct the member of the public to the appropriate means to address concerns brought before the Board; however, the board will not respond with action but will take comments under advisement and direct the comments to the appropriate staff member to address outside of the board meeting.
   
   
5. Please remember that is a public meeting for the conduct of business of the Dundy County Stratton Public School District. Offensive language, personal attacks and hostile conduct will not be tolerated. You should further be advised that there is no legal protection for any comments that are made. 
   
   
6. As stated in NEB. REV. STAT. § 79-570 Class I, II, III, IV, or VI school district; president; meetings; maintenance of order.  

   If any district meeting of a Class I, II, III, IV, or VI school district any person conducts himself or herself in a disorderly manner and persists in such conduct after notice by the president or person presiding, the president or person presiding may order such person to withdraw from the meeting and, if the person refuses, may order any person or persons to take such person into custody until the meeting is adjourned.

7. As stated in NEB. REV. STAT. § 79-571 Class I, II, III, IV, or VI school district; meetings; disorderly conduct; penalty. 

Any person who refuses to withdraw from such meeting on being so ordered as provided in section 79-570 or who willfully disturbs such meeting shall be guilty of a Class V misdemeanor. 

Presentation of the financial status of the district, balances in various funds, recent/impending activity therein, anticipated expenses and planning for future considerations.

NDE and School Nutrition Services are rolling out new things for us. We will review them during this agenda item.

The negotiations team has tentatively reached an agreement with the certificated staff for the 2017-2017 contract year. 

Board President:  Is there a motion for the board to enter closed session to discuss administrative negotiations because it is in the school district’s interest, to prevent needless injury to someone’s reputation and the public’s best interest to discuss this in closed session.

Board Member # 1:  So moved. 

Board Member #2:  I second the motion. 

Discussion:

Roll Call Vote:

Board President:  The board has adopted a motion to enter closed session to discuss the negotiations because it is in the school district’s best interest, to prevent needless injury to someone’s reputation and and the public’s best interest to discuss this in closed session The board will limit its discussion to this issue.

[Record time board enters closed session.]

[When the Board has completed the closed session, make a motion to return to open session, get a second, discuss, and take a roll call vote.  Record the time that the closed session ends.]

During this item we will review the annual audit findings with the board.

Agenda item to allow for further review of the NSAA legislative proposals, particularly those which passed in districts other than District V that will be voted on at January NSAA District meetings.

The ESU staff development team has begun the process of identifying essential learning's in the various state standards. They are making that template and the accompanying tracking mechanism available to schools n the unit. They have saved all of our staffs a ton of time. Time was the number one issue raised by our staff and others in meetings with ESU staff in relation to getting this process done, curriculum redone and implementing the new and revised standards.

There is a provision in law and EHA/Blue Cross guidelines that allows board members to purchase the health insurance provided to the teachers by the district. It is now also possible to pick a separate plan from what we provide teachers and form your own pool. There is a minimum number of participants for this form your own pool option. Board members must pay their own premium and I believe they write the check directly to Blue Cross. The other caveat is that you can only sign up during 'open enrollment' periods. Right now the only one I know of is scheduled for August when new teachers are signed up. This will require board approval and I believe the adoption of a policy will also be necessitated. We must also report quarterly at a board meeting the board members who have elected such coverage. 

At the meeting we can review the policy plans, determine if the board is interested in offering this opportunity and find out how many of  you would be interested.

You can all thank Jason. 

The potential goals we came up with at the meeting on the 8th are attached. We will go through a process to try to select 3 or 4 to have become our focus.

The superintendent evaluation has been completed. The goals developed in the previous agenda item will be inserted into the document and my performance goals area also attached. 

December 12, 2016

Christmas Concerts

Stratton Elementary had their Christmas concert on December 1^st.  Benkelman Elementary will have their Christmas concert Thursday, December 15^th.

Holiday Dinner

Stratton had their Holiday Dinner on December 2^nd and Benkelman Elementary had a Thanksgiving dinner on Nov. 9^th. Several guests joined students to enjoy the holiday meals.

CPR Class

CPR Classes were held at the Benkelman Elementary Nov. 4^th and Nov. 18^th. 13 staff members attended the classes and are now certified in CPR. Thank you to the staff, Ellen Pottoff, Tammi Cawthra and Brett Palmer for making it a success.

Congratulations to Brittney Gauthier! She will graduate with her master’s degree on the 16^th of December.

12/9/16

December Secondary Principal’s Report:

• FBLA hosted a credit presentation for seniors on November 16^th. Students were able to hear about many great aspects of credit that apply to them as they move onto the next stage of their lives after graduation.
• Teacher In-service was held on November 18^th. Topics included English Language Arts standards/learning essentials and school improvement.
• A Public One-Act Performance was held on November 29^th. Several parents attended and all 7-12^th grade students.
• Hour of Code Activity on Dec. 6^h included all 7-12 students. Students are completing the activities through next week.
• Annual staff evaluations are progressing. Several walkthroughs have been completed as well.
• In-service is planned this week to work on school improvement, assessment preparation, and finals week plans. 

Superintendent Report

December 12, 2016

1. ACA update: We are continuing to try to keep up to date on this. There is new reporting this year. But the time and attendance software along with the financial package are making it much more efficient.

    

2. NASB Video: https://vimeo.com/194260783

Board Information

December 12, 2016

1. Upcoming meetings:
   1. ESU 15/16 Workshop: North Platte, Jan. 25 at 4:00
   2. NASB Legislative issues: Lincoln, Jan. 22-23
   3. Education Forum: Kearney, Feb. 5-9
   4. NRCSA Legislative update: Lincoln, Feb. 22
   5. NSBA National Conference: Denver, Co, March 25-27

       

      Let Crissy or Stacey know if you wish to sign up to attend any of these meetings.

       

2. January meeting: Remember in January we will have a Foundation meeting, seat new board members, elect officers and assign committees for 2017.