May 8, 2017 at 6:00 PM - Board of Education Regular Meeting

Rationale: 

Rationale: 

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

Rationale: 

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. 

Rationale:  To verify that notice of the meeting was given by publication in the Benkelman Post, a legal newspaper for Dundy County Stratton and by written notice to each member of the board, the designated method of giving notice

Rationale:  To adopt the agenda of this meeting. The board reserves the right to change the order of items within the agenda.

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

Rationale: 

The committee met again to continue the discussion of the fundraising accounts. In the interim since the last board meeting I met with Coach Behlke, Coach Spargo, Coach Wilson and Coach Freeland on the topic.

It is the prerogative of the board to enact a policy to oversee these funds if they wish. Other schools are all over the board on this issue. 

The outside accounts serve a purpose in some areas. The writing of checks to clinicians, tournament winners, etc works better there.

Attached is an outline of the discussions and direction the discussions are heading.

Action is not recommended at this time. 

Rationale: 

The transportation committee will have a meeting prior to the board meeting to look over the bids received. Base (with option bids) were:

Cornhusker International (International Chassis/Thomas body): $76,200 ($77,825)

Nebraska Truck Center (Freightliner Chassis/Thomas Body): $76430 ($82,132) (only bid with all options)

Nebraska Central (Blue Bird unit): $74,799 ($77,789)

Rationale:  Please read the attached policy closely. We need two readings to approve and the final version must be passed without amendment, per our policy. The committee met and worked this policy over based on the generic draft policy prepared by KSB School Law. 

Rationale:  We will go through starting this in June and July. I have some sample logos the students developed for our consideration. 

Rationale:  Attached is the policy that came out of last months meeting discussion on lunch charges. 

Rationale:  This update is required to be in place by June 30, which means we do first reading this month and second next month. It is straight from legal counsel. I filled in three blanks.  

Rationale:  I have a lengthy list of potential summer and future projects to discuss. As we begin to think about budgets and property tax requests we need to consider these possible future expenses.  

Rationale: 

This agenda item is to allow the board to discuss staffing needs and program offering changes for next year and into the future. This is a philosophical discussion about the programs we need to meet the needs of our students not a discussion of individual personnel. Among the things I would like to discuss is the potential of adding a staff member to man a behavior room and program.

Rationale:  We have offered a contract to Lesley Marshall to fill the upper elementary position and she has accepted. Lesley lives in McDonald, KS, has a Bachelors in Journalism from Indiana University and a Masters in Curriculum and Instruction from Kansas State.  She has accepted the offer conditionally, dependent on NDE approving the program she went through at Kansas State to become licensed as an elementary teacher. 

Rationale:  We need to replace, at the least this summer, the north roof section of Benkelman Elementary. I have a proposal from Weathercraft to do it for $28,427. We are not required to bid but may if the board wishes. We may also eventually consider the replacement of the north hall roof at Stratton Elementary. Weathercrafts proposal for that roof is $55,980. Again, you may seed bids or quotes but are not required to. 

Rationale: 

I know you are all aware that we need to stay up-to-date with our computers. I have looked at several options for purchasing and rotating new equipment. I have not looked at leasing. 

If we purchase 4 new sets every four years the cost to the district averages about $27,000 per year. That means that once in high school each class would receive a new computer. After 4 years we would hand those down to students in grades 5-8. Patrick and I have discussed the maintenance issues and he is comfortable with that cycle. I would also propose purchasing new iPads for grades K-4 every 6 years. Overall, they are more durable. That averages out to about $12,000 per year. 

If we have this plan and rotation set up we can transfer funds to depreciation each year with the anticipation of making these payments. The budget won't take a $100,000 dollar hit in one year and the money will be there when we need it. 

I would like to adopt some rotational practice for purchase of student technology. Teacher/Staff/Lab purchases are separate. 

Rationale: 

Superintendent Report

May 8, 2017

 

1. Mike Blecha: Mike has had some surgery and is recovering well.
2. Graduation: Save the date of May 14, 2017 at 2:00 PM. Any takers to join Adam, Lisa and I on the stage on the 14^th for graduation.
3. Athletic Director: Mr. Spargo has indicated he does not wish to continue in the position. At this point in time we will not fill that position. Mr. Fette and Mrs. Latta assume the duties being performed by Mr. Spargo and we will move forward.
4. Legislature: They are not moving much.
5. Sideline PT coverage: We are proceeding with an arrangement with Dundy County Hospital and Trevor Horner to provide some coverage and limited triage at events. At this point our costs include sending Trevor to some training and he wants us to update our supplies and equipment. 

 

 

Rationale: 

Board Items

May 8, 2017

1. Monday:

   Supper at 5:30, Transportation Committee at 5:45, Board meeting at 6:00

    

2. Reception:

   Retirement reception for Kathy Blecha will be on May 15 at 4:00

    

3. Legal update:

   The annual legal update is Friday June 9 in Kearney.

    

4. Next meeting:

Scheduled at the High School on June 12, 2017 at 6:00 MT