November 18, 2019 at 5:30 PM - Regular Meeting

Zero Schools with concrete and ICF’s have great success with energy savings. Many fire stations are built with ICF.

Labor force is brought in, installation training courses are opening all over the U.S. One of Columbus’ local companies will be invited to training. Local association is here to oversee project. Advantage is the spending stays in the community.

Jeff Mulder believes strongly in this product especially for safety. ICF is so much faster to install, there is one project that was started in July, the tenants have already moved in.
Questions regarding how to build on to a concrete wall? With the districts growing population, it is important to know there would be an option. One remark was made regarding removal of a wall would be difficult. Another positive aspect with this product is because of the foam, you can use it any time of year.

Adam Elm was at the meeting sharing the 2018-2019 CPS Audit Report. He stated the high points that the audit was very clean, it was considered at the highest level. No material mistakes. The report had been mailed to the BOE members for review prior to the meeting.

There have been some major changes in accounting policies.  The accounting software allows to segregate jobs favorably. 

CPS Financial outlook is good. There are three months of cash in reserves. New this year is that the state requires the district to upload the report, which is a change from the past. Dave Melick, Executive Director of Business Operations and Human Resources, will work through any issues the state may have. It is good to have the board involved. 

The United Way, Chamber and CPS have had a partnership the with grant writer, Lori Aschoff. The United Way and the Chamber do not feel they are getting the response they expected. Dr. Loeffelholz is recommending to dissolve the partnership and to retain Ms. Aschoff as a grant writer for CPS only. Her response time has been longer recently, her mother has been ill. She has helped us secure $1,468,981.00 in grants for STEM, Pre-school and End of Year Grant money. Writing grants is an art. Dr. Loeffelholz will talk with her and see if she will still contract with CPS. He will also speak to her regarding response time and finishing projects. Ms. Aschoff did miss a deadline because of a time zone situation.

Dave Hiebner, CHS Principal explained the Memorandum of Understanding for the CHS Construction Class. Construction of a home would take a full year. The plan has always been to move to larger scale projects. Shelby Lumber has worked with Schuyler Community Schools and the program has been successful. Mr. Hiebner sat down with Shelby Lumber Company, Inc. to work out details for the MOU and what the program looks like to help them to build a house from beginning to end.  These students would work next to individuals that do this work professionally. This would give our students a great opportunity to gain academy status for juniors and seniors and see the process from beginning to end. They are looking at a 1400 square foot housing project. Shelby Lumber approached CPS originally some years ago. In reality they do not make much money on this project, the objective is to help train students. It positively helps our students move into the trades and learn a skill. It puts very little liability on CPS. Is there an increase in our insurance for this type of plan? Students are covered for any educational program. This would include 16 to 20 students, we have quite a few kids out in the workforce. The time spent during the school day would be 2 to 3 periods long. Driving to the site is covered by student’s insurance first and then CPS insurance. The location would be specifically in the Columbus area. Concerns for safety for our kids being on a job site with an offender is of concern. Who would verify criminal records? Do we assume any liability if one of our students is assaulted? Instructor is always there with students. We will ask those questions. Our attorneys have made this relevant to CPS students. Board requesting answers to questions. Table the motion on this MOU. Email Dr. Loeffelholz questions. 

Mr. Melick, Executive Director of Operations and Human Resources talked about the highlights in each report. Property taxes, final payment on gym cameras. Reimbursements were approved and received. Payments for Dell computers-cluster server, NCSA state and national dues, time management systems-all new time clocks, with a service fee, GNSA fees. 

Boys Town, Father Flanagans bill 55,000, CPS has 26 students attending. We are sending high needs students, these students could not function in a typical school setting. Many with mental health diagnosis. CPS has 2 elementary, 14 middle school, 10 high school students. Many struggle to make it thru the program and are unable to return.  Behaviors are the typical issues with these students. To get into Boys Town Campus in Omaha, there is a lengthy application process. If we recommend the transfer to Omaha campus, we would be responsible for payment.  Alternative to Boys Town? Jason has talked with Susan Uhl regarding the timing of communications regarding our students as that has been a bit trying. SPED students need a more specific education plan. 

Other payments that were mentioned. Central NE, Tyler technologies, data technical support and service. Madden Therapy, and a long term sub. 

Invoice inspections on vehicles, tire rotation. 

This statement shows payments for State Conference fees, Gene Steffy Auto group, Dell Computers. Prime Communications-wireless service, Sealco, repairs to the roof at the warehouse. Fireguard, fire alarm replacement at Centennial--lightning strike. 

Dr. Loeffelholz noted Mr. Melick's resignation letter-39 years in education.

Contributions for October were $56,016.30.  Community and Family Partnership will continue for another 6 months.

Mr. Melick brought to attention that there was an Early Retirement Incentive Program policy that we are no longer using. He is working on a new policy which is what we have used for the last 3 years. Premium increases, less than $30,000.  It is very user friendly, and the same as the last 2 years except the calculation. 

By enacting this policy the old policy becomes void.

Mr. Melick spoke on the report that the Auditor, Adam Elm presented earlier.  The report indicates the Lunch Fund being overspent $175,000.00, however the wrong figures were reported in the budget, this error has been rectified on the state report. 

Leonard Kwapnioski, Executive Director of  Building & Sites/Technology updated on the receipts from the sale of the suburbans for $18,000.00, CPS paid $4,900.00 for the new mini van. All money came in cash from the sale, and then a check was written to reconcile cash sale and payment to Gene Steffy. Mr. Kwapnioski has scheduled an appointment to get the windshield replaced after an incident with a construction truck, the construction company is paying for the repair. The new van is a staff only vehicle, it will be housed at the Transportation Building. 

Dr. Amy Romshek, Executive Director of Curriculum and Instruction introduced the new course Personal Finance.  This course has 8 units of study and will help students become more financially responsible, conscientious members of society. Units of study include financial planning, budgeting, saving and investing, managing credit and debt, using financial services, evaluating insurance, and identifying theft.

Students take accounting as a sophomore, this is needed information for our students. Dr. Romshek said this is a good move by the Business Department. They have requested updated texts--120 text for $10, 454.20.  There is no textbook for the course at this time, having a text will give more consistency to this course. EL is included. There is a certification once they have taken this course.  Brady VanCura spoke about the new Business course clusters and the curriculum.  Now they are giving assignments in google form, it is difficult to manage assignments with textbooks by keeping them in classrooms.

Jason Harris, Executive Director of Student Services reported on Title 1, IDA approval, final financials and AFR questions. Mr. Harris also brought attention ways to sell CPS and increase traffic at job fair booths, possibly giveaways of swag, etc.  Nicole Anderson, Executive Director of Marketing and CPS Foundation is collaborating with Mr. Harris to come up with some new ideas.

Dr. Loeffelholz shared some thoughts on CPS recent events: Musical was very impressive, they do a great job.  Lighting of the Anchor, lights attached with magnets.  Girls and Boys Basketball beginning, lots of activities. Meet the Teach is a new production that will be out on our web site and social media to highlight our teachers. A sample video with Sandi Seckel was shown to the Board.  He also reminded the Board plans for state convention in Omaha including dinner on Wednesday night. Dr. Loeffelholz spoke about the Kramer Education Center timeline--next phase will be the building design and what that looks like.  RFP's will be sent out to RGD, RVW, Canon Moss, and DLR. He is thinking CPS may be our own construction manager. RFP process to review.  His recommendation is to get everything going, break ground, about a 12 month project, Fall of 2021. 

Theresa-Musical, Kramer, harvest going well, no accidents.  Mike J. Mock Trial at courthouse, Doug M.-Band concert was awesome, loved the Musical. CMS Honor Band was well attended, well run. Trunk or Treat was a success, Sandi Seckel's Educator's Rising Group won. Doug W. talked about his hunting trip, he had buns and braunswager for several days and loved it, he attended an ESU poverty presentation, very in interesting.  This is an In service called Bridges out of Poverty. Mike Goos said it was a great meeting tonight.  He spoke about the difficulty in verifying students in regards to Boys Town from his past experience. Mr. Goos is very excited to hear about early childhood. Candy said the Musical wonderful. She said the slide that Mr. Hausmann showed regarding poverty should be an eye opener, it says something about our community.