May 14, 2018 at 7:00 PM - Board of Education Regular Meeting

Rationale:  Information concerning the Open Meeting Law, Chapter 84, Article 14 of Nebraska State Statutes, is posted on the bulletin board in this room.

Mr. Lyle Schjodt, Board President, will call the Board of Education Regular meeting to order.

Rationale: 

The Board Secretary will conduct roll call attendance. 

Rationale:  Mr. Anderson, Blair High School Principal, will introduce the Pledge leaders:

• Cherise Wry, Culinary Team Sponsor and Family and Consumer Science Teacher at Blair High School, and the student Culinary Team.

Rationale:  Mr. Michael Yanney donated $300.00 to the BHS Theater Department for general support of the theater arts. 

Rationale:  The District received two (2) 22' flag poles donated by Eric Filow, representing the PTO, to be installed at North School and South School to replace current aging flag poles and hardware.  Estimated value of components and installation is in excess of $1,000.

Rationale:  The Walmart Community Grant Team has awarded Jennifer Fowler, OMS Special Education Teacher, $2,000.00 to be utilized to continue to run Circle of Friends (COF).  There is a COF group at all grade levels around the District.  COF is a form of Peer Mediated Intervention, a treatment approach in which typically developing peers are trained to implement behavioral interventions and facilitate social skills development in special needs populations.  It has been identified as an established treatment with positive outcomes for children with autism.  The program used to be funded by the Autism Action Partnership, but they are no longer funding the group.

The money will be unutilized to continue to provide social opportunities and activities for the groups.  In the past we have held activities such as pizza and movie night, pumpkin carving, holiday parties, scavenger hunts, and weekly meetings with treat to play games.  We have seen students gain confidence, social skills and true friendships with these programs. 

Rationale:  Mr. Tom Anderson, BHS Principal, is requesting permission for the Blair High School Band, under the direction of Mr. Jeff Mount, BHS Band Teacher, to perform at the Washington County Fair parade on Sunday, July 29, 2018. This is the 100th Year Anniversary for the Washington County Fair.  

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 Wednesday, April 25, 2018 at 4:30pm.  Meeting minutes are attached.

Item from this committee for proposed Board action:

• to approve the second and final notification of new policy 903.02-Video Surveillance.

Rationale: 

The Curriculum Committee met on Wednesday, April 25, 2018 at 12:00pm.  Meeting minutes are attached.

 

Rationale: 

The Buildings, Grounds, and Transportation Committee met on Thursday, April 19, 2018 at 4:30pm.  Meeting minutes are attached.

 

Rationale: 

The Finance Committee met on Tuesday, May 8, 2018.  Meeting minutes are attached.

Item from this committee for proposed Board action:

• to authorize the administration to enter into contract negotiations with Taher, Inc. for food service management company services.
• to approve the hiring of four (4) regular education paraprofessionals for elementary classroom support to be assigned by the Superintendent for the 2018-19 school year.
• to approve a lump sum of $70,000.00 for an increase of all classified staff pay, inclusive of wages and benefits, for the 2018-19 school year to be allocated by the Superintendent.
• to approve a lump sum of $30,000.00 for an increase of all certified administrator pay, inclusive of salaries and benefits, and excluding the Superintendent, for the 2018-19 school year to be allocated by the Superintendent.
• to approve the purchase of 270 Chromebooks to replace the aging Macbooks on the student computer carts using the Savings Depreciation Fund.

Rationale:  Acceptance of a resignation upon the conclusion of the 2017-18 school year.

• Christina Stednitz - Kindergarten Teacher, North Primary

Rationale:  Approval of Certified Staff for the 2018-19 school year:

• Kimberly Farrar - 5th Grade Classroom, Arbor Park Intermediate School
• Tayler Haeker - 9-12 Grade Math, Blair High School 
• Kyle Kruse - 9-12 School Counselor, Blair High School
• Ashley Miskowiec - Kindergarten Classroom, Deerfield Primary School
• Matt Novak - 9-12 Social Studies, Blair High School
• Steihl Reeves - 9-12 Social Studies, Blair High School