Public Meeting Minutes: November 10, 2020 at 5:30 PM - ESU #1 Board Meeting

A. Notification of Open Meetings Law

Discussion: At the beginning of this meeting, Vice President Sally Reinert announced and informed the public that a current copy of the Open Meetings Act is available at the meeting site and posted online.

The Zoom link for the virtual meeting is:
https://zoom.us/j/96511969366
Meeting ID: 965 1196 9366
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+1 346 248 7799

B. Roll Call*

Action(s):

Motion Carried:

Motion by Tucker Hight, seconded by Helen Sorensen, to excuse the absence of members AJ Johnson, Traci Haglund and Rhonda Heise: After discussion and on roll call vote, the Board voted as follows:

Motion Carried:

Haglund: Absent
Heise: Absent
Johnson: Absent
Hight: For
Johnson: For
Oswald: For
Reinert: For
Schultz: For
Sorensen: For
Thompson: For
Torpin: For

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

C. Approve Agenda*

Action(s):

Motion Carried:

Motion by Helen Sorensen, seconded by Robby Thompson, to approve the November 10, agenda as presented After discussion and on roll call vote, the Board voted as follows:

Motion Carried:

Haglund: Absent
Heise: Absent
Johnson: Absent
Hight: For
Johnson: For
Oswald: For
Reinert: For
Schultz: For
Sorensen: For
Thompson: For
Torpin: For

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

D. Consent Agenda*

Action(s):

Motion Carried:

Motion by Robby Thompson, seconded by Lana Oswald, to approve all items on the consent agenda as provided. Items include: October 13, Minutes; October Financial Reports (Treasurer, Revenue and Expense Reports); November bills of $842,425.83; and Administrator's Report. After discussion and on roll call vote, the Board voted as follows:

Motion Carried:

Haglund: Absent
Heise: Absent
Johnson: Absent
Hight: For
Johnson: For
Oswald: For
Reinert: For
Schultz: For
Sorensen: For
Thompson: For
Torpin: For

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

D.1. Previous Minutes (copy attached)

D.2. Financial Reports

D.2.a. Revenue Report/Treasurer's Report

D.2.b. Cash Summary/Expenditure Report

D.3. Bills for November

D.4. Administrator's Monthly Report

D.4.a. Migrant Education Program Report

D.4.b. ESU#1 & ESU#8 Collaborative Meeting

E. Public Comment

F. Educator Health Alliance Rates for 2021-22

Discussion: There will be an overall increase of 2.96 percent in premiums next year (2021-22) for the medical and dental insurance plans used by nearly every Nebraska school district, following action by the Educators Health Alliance (EHA), a consortium of three statewide public school groups that manages the plan. Medical insurance rates for active employees will increase 3.06 percent. Medical insurance rates for retirees will increase by 4.95 percent as, for the first time, special services fees will be included in the premium rates for retirees. Dental rates for all employees and retirees will remain unchanged from the 2020-21 rate level.

The single digit increase in premium rates is attributed to several factors, including:

The impact of the EHA’s state-wide wellness and health promotion program;
A program designed to assist in the management of chronic diseases and emerging diseases;
Holding the line on health and administrative cost increases; and
Continued prudent management in the design and choices of benefit plans.

G. Policy Change for Notice of Meeting

Discussion: A change in Nebraska Law necessitates an amendment in Board Policy (Board Meetings>>Section 6 - Notice of Meeting>>A. Notice to Public). The new language is highlighted.

A. Notice to Public

Reasonable advance publicized notice shall be given for meetings that are subject to the Open Meetings Act. The notice shall give the time and place of the meeting and contain an agenda of subjects known at the time of the notice or a statement that the agenda, which shall be kept continually current, shall be readily available for public inspection at the principal office of ESU 1 during normal business hours.

The Board will give advance notice of meetings by publishing such notice in a newspaper of general circulation within the ESU's jurisdiction and, if available, on such newspaper's web site. In addition to publishing, the Board may, in its sole discretion, also give advance notice of meetings by posting as an additional means of giving notice to the public.
The public notice shall be given by a method designated by the Board. The designated methods are publication or posting a reasonable time in advance of the meeting. Three days advance notice shall be considered sufficient. If notice is given by publication, the notice shall be published in a newspaper of general circulation in the ESU. If notice is given by posting, the notice shall be posted on the front door of the principal office of the ESU. The notice may in addition be posted at post offices, banks and other public places in the boundaries of the ESU or such other places at which the public may reasonably be notified.

For an emergency meeting, notice shall not be required to be given; however, the Board will complete minutes for such an emergency meeting as required by law.

The Board meetings that are subject to the notice requirement include all regular, special, or called meetings, formal or informal, of the ESU for the purposes of briefing, discussion of public business, formation of tentative policy, or the taking of any action of the ESU.

The notice requirement does not apply to:

Chance meetings or attendance at or travel to conventions or workshops of members of the Board at which there is no meeting of the Board intentionally convened, if there is no vote or other action taken regarding any matter over which the Board has supervision, control, jurisdiction, or advisory power.
Meetings of subcommittees unless a quorum of the Board attends or unless such subcommittees are holding hearings, making policy, or taking formal action on behalf of the Board.
Judicial or quasi-judicial proceedings, such as termination hearing proceedings.

Action(s):

Motion Carried:

Motion by Helen Sorensen, seconded by Robby Thompson, to approve the amended language in Board Policy as presented. After discussion and on roll call vote, the Board voted as follows:

Motion Carried:

Haglund: Absent
Heise: Absent
Johnson: Absent
Hight: For
Johnson: For
Oswald: For
Reinert: For
Schultz: For
Sorensen: For
Thompson: For
Torpin: For

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

H. Administrator Evaluation Process

I. Personnel*

I.1. Consider, discuss, and take necessary action on employee contracts and personnel changes.

I.1.a. Resignation(s)

Discussion: Classified Staff Resignation:
EDN Service Provider Abigail Gustad is resigning effective November 10.

I.1.b. New Hire(s)

I.1.c. Contract Change(s)

I.1.d. Termination(s)

J. Adjournment

Discussion: As there were no additional agenda items, Vice President Sally Reinert declared the meeting adjourned at 6:11 p.m.

November 10, 2020 at 5:30 PM - ESU #1 Board Meeting

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