December 11, 2024 at 6:00 PM - Board of Education Regular Meeting
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1. Call to Order and Pledge of Allegiance
Discussion:
President Breitkreutz called the meeting to order at 6:00 PM and the Pledge of Allegiance was said.
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2. Motion to Excuse Board Member's Absence
Discussion:
All members were present.
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3. Open Meeting Law
Discussion:
The audience was reminded that Open Meeting Laws would be followed.
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4. District Mission Statement
The Raymond Central community is committed to providing a positive, challenging learning environment which prepares each individual to be a responsible citizen in an ever-changing society. |
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5. Consent Agenda
Discussion:
Motion by Matulka, second by Lange to approve the consent agenda as presented including the Regular Meeting Minutes of November 13, 2024; November financial statement; monthly bills; and approval of substitute teachers. RCV 6-0. Motion carried.
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5.1. Regular Minutes of November 13, 2024
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5.2. Financial Statement/Report
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5.3. Monthly Bills
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5.4. Policy Review
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5.5. Certificated staff hires/reassignment/resignations
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6. Correspondence/Recognition
Discussion:
Sarah Lange received the United States Senate Youth Program Scholarship.
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6.1. Annual Financial Literacy Education Report
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Discussion:
The Annual Financial Literacy Education Report was presented by Mr. Lurz indicating that our Life and Career Readiness course meets the state guidelines for personal finance.
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6.2. AQuESTT Report
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Discussion:
Superintendent Hanson presented the 2023-2024 AQuESST classification report released by the state. Mr. Hanson is pleased to report that Raymond Central Public Schools received a GREAT classification in the AQuESTT report.
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6.3. NDE State Conference Report
Discussion:
Superintendent Hanson, Brad Breitkreutz, Cathy Burklund and Bill Lange attended the 2024 State Education Conference in Omaha. They highlighted presentations they attended.
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7. Public Forum
Discussion:
Dave Burklund addressed the Board during Public Forum regarding student attendance at the elementary schools.
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8. Reports
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8.1. Administrative Reports
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Discussion:
Submitted by Troy Lurz, Jr-Sr High School Principal
Professional Development: The Professional Learning Team spent time today working on learning targets and the intentionality of what we are teaching in our classrooms. This piece fits tightly into our Instructional framework conversations and is pivotal to the connections we will eventually make with the rest of the system. It is my estimation that once we get this right as a school and a system, we will see a huge difference in how we approach learning in our schools. Achievement Scores and Testing: Nothing new to report on state testing. We are requiring the staff to offer a culminating assessment or semester exam. The intention is to measure the learning that has taken place since we started in August. The expectation is that students must be given an assessment that tests their skills, and dispositions, against the standard expected with respect to the course content. Ultimately, we are looking at mastering content standards and the teachers currently have the autonomy to define what that looks like. We will reevaluate the process after the semester with guidance from the Academic Achievement and/or Structures. Grades are due before the educators leave on December 20. This ties down the semester and gives the staff and students a needed break away from school. Friday Celebrations: We continue to celebrate the goings-on at our fine school in a variety of ways. Our present vehicle is the Friday Celebration time. We have used Advisory periods and before school times will be the most frequent. Note: To date, we have handed out Fifty-four (54) VIP Awards to students. Two were for preschool students. We have also recognized thirty-six (36) staff members for their merit and hard work. The excitement when the preschool student, "Big George" got his can’t be easily explained. The secondary students loved it. Note: We continue to find inventive ways to celebrate our world and the work at the high school. If we do not celebrate it when it is happening, it is often overlooked, assumed, or never recognized. We want to make a habit of celebrating everything. Counseling/ACT/Senior Experience/Scholarships (Tasha): November - Mini College Fair was well represented by military representatives and colleges. We will host an additional two in the Spring. Junior students completed their job shadow and the ASVAB. December - SCC came out to offer the ACCUPLACER test which replaces the ACT for a class placement exam for any students interested in SCC. Congratulations Sarah Lange: Congratulations to Sarah Lange for receiving the United States Senate Youth Program Scholarship. This includes a $10,000.00 scholarship and a one-week trip to Washington D.C. This is a HUGE honor for Sarah. Financial Literacy: According to Nebraska State Statute 79-3002, financial literacy is defined as, but is not limited to, "knowledge and skills regarding budget and financial record keeping; banking; taxes; establishing, building, maintaining, and monitoring credit; debt; savings; risk management; insurance; and investment strategies." Personal finance, however, is not defined by state statute. When does the Financial Literacy Act go into effect? The Financial Literacy Act was signed into law on May 26, 2021 and went into effect on August 28, 2021. The requirements, including the high school graduation requirement, began in the 2023-2024 school year. The Act also requires each student to complete at least one five-credit high school course in personal finance or financial literacy prior to graduation before the end of the 2023-2024 school year. This would apply to current high school juniors, or those graduating in 2024. Our Financial Literacy Story and How It Is Being Addressed: Per Rebecca Parks Beginning in the 2023-24 school year, all high school students in the State of Nebraska are required to take a course in Personal Finance. Raymond Central has for years been ahead of the game in preparing students and requiring a class with topics in personal finance. Previously senior students took a course called Adult Living. Now many of the topics from Adult Living are included in the course that meets the state guidelines for personal finance which is called Life and Career Readiness. In Life and Career Readiness, some topics that students discuss include: Credit including the use of credit cards, credit reports and scores, auto, student and home loans; Taxes with topics including filling out Federal and State taxes, different types of taxes, payroll deductions, net/gross pay; Completing a Bank Reconciliation; Money Management Skills such as budgeting and creating a budget; Housing and Transportation Choices including Renting/Buying/Leasing. Not only does this course meet the state requirements for personal finance, it also includes topics that are part of Raymond Central's Senior File. These topics include: Table Setting and Etiquette; Mock Interviews (which include cover letters, resumes, applications, introductions and the actual mock interview). Students work really hard during their time in Life and Career Readiness. As I shared above, there are many topics to cover in a semester. During my time at Raymond Central, I have been blessed to talk with past students who share the skills and information discussed informally Adult Living, now Life and Career Readiness have helped to prepare them for life after high school. I look forward to continuing to work with students to share/teach/discuss these important topics. Evaluation Update: We are in compliance with our non-tenured staff (completing the last of them presently) and we are on track with our evaluation systems. Feedback to staff has been immediate and delivered with confidence. It is our understanding that they appreciate the feedback they receive in the conversations and through the walk-throughs data. Our collective efforts are to offer staff constructive feedback that helps them grow as professionals and also validates the good work they are doing. The only way we can do this with accuracy and fidelity is to be in their classrooms on a regular basis and to continually ask questions about what is happening. Staffing: We have a wonderful staff. Still searching for a media technology support staff worker. The office staff has absorbed those duties for now. Student Council: The high school student council is collecting new and like new winter wear and toys. Donations will first go to the caring shelves and then the rest will be donated to the salvation army. The Jr High Student Council will be holding a dance for all RC 7th and 8th graders on January 24 from 7:00-10:00 PM in the New Gym. The Junior High Student Council will also be partnering with Nebraska Make-A-Wish- Foundation to host a Wish Week January 24-31. More information will be shared later. .png) Submitted by Tony Kobza, Asst Jr-Sr High School Principal/Athletic Director FacilitiesValedictorian and Salutatorian plaques have been ordered to update our record board area. We are working on updating the recognition for activity and athletic accomplishments. The Senior Picture screen will be moved to the blue wall with the Valedictorian and Salutatorian plaques to start to create an academic celebration wall.Records have been broken and record board updates are being done. The activity bus has been delivered to the design location and is being wrapped. Hoping for delivery before the end of the semester. AthleticsWinter seasons have begun with basketball games and wrestling meets starting the weekend of December 6.Fall Award Winners:
ActivitiesFBLA: Is busy preparing for the State Leadership Conference. We also have the Soup Supper on January 11 from 4:00-8:00 during the basketball game.FBLA Members went on a business tour to Hudl and UNL. At UNL students participated in an economics lesson on trading..png)
Speech: Central Players started off strong this season with competing at Millard North Novice the first Friday of November. Mitchell Hellerich won 1st place in Impromptu Speaking and Alyssa Grundin placed 2nd in Entertainment. Overall, the team won 2nd place. Buena Vista on Saturday, November 9 will be the first Varsity tournament. The team has been working hard to prepare and we feel confident that it will be a good year!Quiz Bowl: The Raymond Central Quiz Bowl team hosted 16 teams at a tournament on Saturday, November 16. The "A" team placed 2nd with a strong performance. This tournament qualified the school to send a team to compete in Chicago in April. The members of the "A" team were Sarah Lange, James Liu, Drew Tice, Liam Tvrdy, and Sophia Burt.Spanish Club: The Spanish Club will be traveling to Spain in June of 2026.Band/Choir: Grades 6-12 had their concert on December 5 and K-5 had their choir/5th grade band concert on December 10. The students did amazing preparing and having a great concert. Thank you to all the admininistrators, janitors, and parents for their help and support. Thanks!One Act: One Act Season is close to the end. The students, cast and crew, have been working very hard over the past two months. Districts are on Friday, December 6.Submitted by Elementary Principals Steve Rose and Deb Kruse Grandfriends Day
.png) Submitted by Amanda Coufal, Director of Special Education Unifed Bowling: Unifed Bowling has wrapped up their season for the 2024-2025 school year. We had 6 athletes and 15 partners that started this team at RC. The unifed bowling team competed in 5 meets this year. Five bowlers competed at Districts on December 4 and placed 6th overall with 641 points. For the year, they finished 26th out of 51 teams that competed in class B/C districts which is awesome for their first year! The coaches are proud of the dedication, competitiveness, leadership, inclusivity, and bravery to start something new. It was an awesome season and everyone is looking forward to next year! Life Skills Thanksgiving Dinner Tradition:The life skills class did it again with their annual Thanksgiving dinner held on November 26. The Mustang room was packed as the students prepared a delicious meal for their families and grandparents. It is fun to see the hard work and pride that they take in this dinner and to share this time with their families. Special thank you to Stacey Doan for organizing this event along with the help of Jody Albrecht, Ashley Matulka, Jessica Knopp and Leann Wiese..png) Submitted by Breanne Poston, Asst Jr-Sr High School Principal/Preschool Director What an exciting time it is with RC Preschool Christmas Programs right around the corner! The 4-year old classrooms will be presenting on Wednesday, December 18 and Thursday, December 19 from 2:00-3:00 PM in the Mustang Room and would love for anyone and everyone to join in the festive fun, but be prepared for a "cuteness overload" and a cookie, too! The 3-year olds will have their annual holiday party on Tuesday, December 17 at 2:00 PM in the preschool classroom. There will be cookie decorating, ornament making, and a special guest reading from our very own Superintendent Hanson...aka SANTA!! Please accept this as your official invitation to join us in celebrating such a special holiday season! .png) |
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8.2. Student Board Member
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Discussion:
Submitted by Ellerie White, Student Body President
I hope everyone is having a great day. Winter sports have started to compete. We had our Jamboree basketball game against NorthWest last week. Wrestling had its first tournament at Lakeview for both boys and girls. Sophia Burt got 1st, Morgan Shultz and Zaylee Kring placed 2nd, and Izzy Soden and Kaitlyn Rezac placed 3rd. For boys, Mathew Larson placed 1st, Elijah Ehlers and Hunter Sykes placed 2nd, and Ryker Coleman, Caleb Redstrom, Owen Kreikemier, and Wyatt Jelineck placed 3rd. Speech recently competed at Norris. Carlee Wolf placed 1st in entertainment and 2nd in informative. Sophia Burt placed 4th in Extemp. Our student council hosted another blood drive on December 6. We collected 21 units of blood and had eight new donors with Nebraska Community Blood Bank. We are also hosting a Winter toy drive for new or like new clothes and toys. We have donation boxes at the high school and both elementary schools, so please consider donating. I hope you all have a great Christmas and happy holidays. |
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8.3. Superintendent's Report
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Discussion:
I appreciated the community involvement at both of the forums held regarding options for lowering class sizes.
The NDE State Conference was a good experience. I spent time in legislative and legal sessions but was also able to learn about school construction project funding sources as well as school beef programs. I attended the NSCA Legislative Forum to get a preview of what bills that could impact education could be introduced this session. |
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8.3.1. Classified Staff hires/reassignment/resignations
Discussion:
Kayla Melton has been hired as a high school custodian.
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8.3.2. NASB Monthly Update
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8.3.3. NRCSA Monthly Report
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8.3.4. Update on Superintendent Goals
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8.3.5. Safety Report
Discussion:
The Safety/Crisis Team met and reviewed roles and responsibilities as well as communication protocols and templates. We are still making some modifications.
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8.3.6. Facilities Report
Discussion:
We are still waiting on final requirements from the fire marshal to finish the fire panel in Valparaiso.
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8.3.7. Important Upcoming Dates:
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8.4. Board Committee Reports
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8.4.1. Curriculum & American Civics Committee (Burklund-chair, Lange, Matulka)
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8.4.2. Facilities & Transportation Committee (Matulka-chair, Burklund, Lange)
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8.4.3. Finance Committee (Breitkreutz-chair, Burklund, Heyen)
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8.4.4. Negotiations Committee (Lange-chair, Benes, Heyen)
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8.4.5. Policy Committee (Benes-chair, Breitkreutz, Heyen)
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9. Old Business
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10. New Business
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10.1. Discuss, Consider and Take Necessary Action to approve an option to lower class sizes at the elementary level.
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Discussion:
Motion by Lange, second by Benes to approve the grade alike option in an effort to lower class sizes and eventually move to 3 sections per grade level. Grades K-2 will be at Ceresco and grades 3-5 will be at Valparaiso for the 2025-2026 school year. RCV 5-1 (Burklund).
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10.2. Discuss, Consider, and Take Necessary Action to approve the purchase of a 2025 71 Passenger International Bus.
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Discussion:
Motion by Matulka, second by Burklund to approve the purchase of a 2025 International 71 passenger bus at a cost of $134,320.00. RCV 6-0. Motion carried.
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10.3. Discuss, Consider, and Take Necessary Action to approve a Co-Operative Agreement with Parkview Christian For Baseball.
Discussion:
Motion by Matulka, second by Benes to approve a cooperative agreement with Parkview Christian for baseball which would add 5-7 additional players allowing Raymond Central to play a full JV roster but not bump us up to Class B. RCV 6-0. Motion carried.
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10.4. Discuss, Consider, and Take Necessary Action to Provide Financial Backing For a Line of Credit For the More Than a Field Project.
Discussion:
Discussion was held as to whether Raymond Central would provide financial backing to the Raymond Central Community Foundation in the event the "More Than A Field" project would need to obtain a Line of Credit loan. This could happen if work needs to continue and the Foundation is waiting on pledges to be received. Mr. Kobza will visit with a few banks to get options which would then be presented to the Board in January.
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11. Personnel
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Discussion:
Motion by Breitkreutz, second by Matulka to enter Executive Session at 7:53 PM to discuss a personnel issue. RCV 6-0. Motion carried.
The Board returned from Executive Session at 8:02 PM. |
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12. Next Regular Board Meeting
Discussion:
The next regular Board of Education Meeting will be held Wednesday, January 15, 2025.
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13. Retiring Board Member Recognition
Discussion:
Superintendent Hanson presented Brad Breitkreutz with a recognition plaque for the 8 years he served on the Board.
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14. Adjournment
Discussion:
Motion by Matulka, second by Lange to adjourn the meeting at 8:05 PM. RCV 6-0. Motion carried.
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