June 25, 2015 at 12:00 PM - Board of Education 2nd Monthly Meeting

Rationale:  If any board member is absent, there will need to be a motion to excuse the absence.

Rationale:  This is a legal meeting of the board of education, as advertised by the means specified in board policy. A complete copy of the Open Meetings Act is posted in the board room for your review. A copy of the agenda is available at the desk of the recording secretary.

Rationale: 

Jessica Horsley

 2015-2016 – Middle School Instrumental Music

 Bachelor of Music Education Degree from Morningside College in Sioux City, Iowa

 Currently teaching music at North Union Sentral Elementary in Fenton, Iowa

Frank (Lee) Irvine

 2015-2016 – Alternatives For Success

 Bachelor of Arts Degree in Physical Education from Dickinson State University in Dickinson, North Dakota 

 Currently teaching Physical Education, Health, and coaching at Baltic School District in Baltic, South Dakota

Bonnie Johnson

2015–2016 – Washington .5 Title Teacher 

Bachelor of Science Degree in Education from Wayne State College in Wayne, Nebraska 

Student taught at Stanton Elementary in Stanton, Nebraska

Wendy Signor

 2015-2016 – Middle School Special Education 

 Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary and Special Education from Dana College in Blair, Nebraska 

 Master of Science Degree in Special Education from Wayne State College in Wayne, Nebraska

 Currently a substitute teacher at Christ Lutheran School in Norfolk, Nebraska

 Kelli Thelen 

 2015–2016 – Westside, Grade 3

 Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education from Wayne State College, Wayne, Nebraska 

 Previously taught third grade at Wilber-Clatonia Elementary School in Wilber, Nebraska

Kathryn (Katie) Uttecht 

 2015–2016 – Middle School, Grade 6 

 Bachelor of Arts Degree in Elementary Education from Dakota Wesleyan University in Mitchell, South  Dakota

 Student taught at Gertie Belle Rogers School in Mitchell, South Dakota

Rationale: 

We currently have 60 students enrolled in first grade at Bel Air and are strongly anticipating this number to be 61.  We also have 61 students enrolled in first grade at Washington.  This means that we will exceed our recommended cap of 30 students/classroom in both of these buildings, unless we take action.

My recommendation is that we hire an "overflow" first grade teacher for Bel Air, and utilize the following approach for Washington:

1. Approve the denied Boundary Exception that we would now have room for at Bel Air.

2. Close enrollment at Washington for first grade. Send all new first graders to Bel Air.

3. Ask for additional volunteers to transfer from Washington to Bel Air, to help even out class sizes.

Mrs. Andreasen anticipated that she would need a third section of first grade, so she already has a classroom and schedule ready to go. She just needs permission to hire a teacher.  In effect, we would be making Bel Air a three track school for both kindergarten and first grade next year, rather than waiting another year for first grade.

 

Rationale: 

We received notification that our reVISION Grant has been approved, which was written to provide funding for a full-time Career Academy Coordinator position.

This position will be similar to AfterShock Coordinator (grant) position. It will not require a teaching certificate, although an educational background is preferred.  The reVISION Grant will provide us with $50,000 for salary and benefits each year, for up to three years.

In year one, we are estimating that we will need to put in an additional $4600 to cover the $40,000 salary and benefits package.

In year two, we are estimating that we will need to put in an additional $7000 to cover the $42,000 salary and benefits package.

In year three, we are estimating that we will need to put in an additional $9300 to cover the $44,000 salary and benefits package.

In year four, we would be responsible for the entire amount, approximately $62,000, as we would no longer be eligible for the grant.

It is my opinion that we cannot meet our Strategic Planning Goal of providing course offerings (Career Academies) in all six career cluster areas, unless we hire a Career Academy Coordinator.  Thanks to this grant, we can do that at a low cost for up to three years.  After that, we will need to evaluate whether a full-time position is still required, and fund it through district funds, if necessary.

Rationale:  We are replacing the CO fridge in the workroom because the cost of repairing the ice maker is about 60% of the cost to replace the fridge.  I do have an interested buyer in the old fridge which is worth about $20.

Rationale:  Our next board meeting is scheduled for Monday, July 13th.  A study session will be held at 5:30, followed by a regular business meeting at 6:30.  All components of the meeting will be held at the City Administration Offices and will be open to the public.