December 12, 2016 at 7:00 PM - Board of Education Regular Meeting

Rationale:  Mr. Lyle Schjodt, Board President, will call the Board of Education Regular meeting to order.  Information concerning the Open Meeting Law, Chapter 84, Article 14 of Nebraska State Statutes, is posted on the bulletin board in this room.

Rationale:  The Board Secretary will conduct roll call attendance.

Rationale:  Draeson Allen, 1st Grade student at South Elementary, along with Cherri Yost, Elementary Art Instructor, will lead the Board in the Pledge of Allegiance.  

Rationale:  Bob Tichota and Brenda Jenny from the Blair Fire Department to discuss and report on Fire Prevention Week and activities at the K-12 schools. 

Rationale: 

Mr. Buddy Fausett, Manager of CF Industries, will present mini grant awards totaling $3,828.00 to the following teachers:

1. Todd Wick
2. Ann Kobs
3. Krissy Anderson
4. Peggy Rutcosky
5. Julia Vogel
6. Tracy Bye
7. Carol Nickerson
8. Ross Udey
9. Carson Norine
10. Sara Churchill
11. Jill Hensley
12. Amy Lueders
13. Jennifer Chikos

The goal of the CF Industries Classroom Minigrant Program is to support local education and improve agricultural and environmental literacy.

Rationale: 

Communication for Board consideration and possible action:

8th Grade Band Trip to Adventure Land:  Dr. Stogdill is requesting permission for the Otte-Blair Middle School 8th Grade Band to take a daylong trip to Adventureland Park (Des Moines, IA) on Monday, June 5, 2017.  The students will perform a concert in the park and then will spend the rest of the day enjoying the amusement park and rides under the supervision of the band director and parent volunteers.  This trip is NOT required for the class or grades and participation in this performance and trip will be voluntary.  Students will be responsible for the entire cost of the trip (approximately $60 per student - includes transportation and park entrance fee) through personal payment.  No district funds would be used for the trip.  

Rationale: 

Communication for Board consideration and possible action:

Blair High School Band Trip to Florida:  Mr. Tom Anderson is requesting Board approval for the Blair High School Band to take a five day/four-night trip to Tampa/St. Petersburg/Sarasota, Florida starting on May 27, 2018.  Mr. Mount would be coordinating this trip and the expected cost to each student is around $1,6000.00.  Students have opportunities to fundraise for this trip and no district funds are being requested.  

Rationale:  This is the portion of the meeting when members of the public may address the board about matters of public concern.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO WISH TO SPEAK:

Rationale: 

The Policy Committee met on Monday, November 21, 2016.  Meeting minutes are attached.

Item from this committee for proposed Board action:

• to approve on second and final notification of revisions on Policy 705.04R2-Students and Staff Memorials Placed in the Facilities or on the Grounds of the Blair Community Schools.
• to approve the first notification on New Policy 804.01-Computer and Data Security and New Policy 804.01R1-Procedure for Computer and Data Security Breach.  

Rationale: 

The Curriculum Committee met on Wednesday, November 30, 2016.  Meeting minutes are attached.

Rationale: 

The Buildings, Grounds, and Transportation Committee met on Monday, November 28, 2016.  Meeting minutes are attached.

Rationale: 

The Finance Committee met on Tuesday, December 6, 2016.  Meeting minutes are attached.

Item from this committee for proposed Board action:

• to accept the 2015-16 Audited Financial Statements and Audit Report from the Dana F. Cole & Company, LLP as presented.
• to approve a Resolution authorizing the issuance and sale by Washington County School District 0001 (Blair Community Schools) in the state of Nebraska of its General Obligation School Building Bonds, Series 2016, in one or more series and in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $10,500,000.00; Canvassing the returns of the Special Election held in connection with such Bonds; Authorizing certain officers to determine the final aggregate principal amount, maturities, rates, terms and other details of such Bonds; Imposing an Ad Valorem Tax on all taxable property with the District to pay the principal of, premium, if any, and the interest on such Bonds; Authorizing the designation of certain bonds as qualified tax-exempt obligations; Authorizing the sale and delivery of the Bonds to the purchaser thereof; Adoption certain post-issuance tax compliance and disclosure policies and procedures with respect to the Bonds; Authorizing the taking of certain actions and the execution and delivery of certain documents; and Prescribing other matters relating thereto.

Rationale:  The Board will consider proposed action to approve the implementation of the Professional Learning Community (PLC) model of staff development beginning in the 2017-18 school year.

Rationale: 

The following certified staff member, will be retiring effective upon the conclusion of the 2016-2017 school year:

• Joe Lannan - High School Science Teacher

 

Rationale: 

The Board of Education is authorized by state statute to hold closed sessions.  Closed sessions may be held when clearly necessary for the protection of the public interest or for the prevention of needless injury to the reputation of an individual.  Reasons that meet this standard include but are not limited to:  (a) strategy sessions with respect to collective bargaining, real estate matters, pending litigation, or litigation which is imminent as evidenced by communication of a claim or threat of litigation to or by the public body; (b) discussion regarding deployment of security personnel or devices; (c) investigative proceedings regarding allegations of criminal misconduct; (d) evaluation of the job performance of a person when necessary to prevent needless injury to the reputation of a person and if such person has not requested a public meeting; and (e) legal advice.

The Board will enter into Closed Session for the protection of public interest on the discussion of collective bargaining and for the evaluation of the job performance of a person when necessary to prevent needless injury to the reputation of a person and if such person has not requested a public meeting.