January 18, 2021 at 5:30 PM - Regular Board of Directors Meeting
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1. Call the Meeting to Order
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
LEADERSHIP • SERVICE • SUPPORT
Notice of this meeting was given in advance according to State Law 84-1411, by giving notice of the meeting to the public on ESU 7 website www.esu7.org and posted at location of meeting. Notice of this meeting was also given in advance to all members of the Board of Education of Educational Service Unit 7. Availability of the agenda and purpose of the hearing was communicated in the advance notice of the meeting and in the notice to the members of this hearing. All proceedings of the Board of Education of Educational Service Unit 7 were taken while the convened hearing was open to the attendance of the public.
Discussion:
Roll call was taken at: 5:35pm
Newly elected President Doug Pauley conducted the meeting after elections. Staff present: Larianne Polk, Administrator Linda Shefcyk, Business Manager Mindy Reed, Secretary to the Board of Directors Marci Ostmeyer, Professional Development Director Tami Clay, Special Education Director Dan Ellsworth, Network Operations Director |
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1.1. Notification of Open Meetings Law
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
This meeting has been preceded by reasonable advance notice and is hereby declared to be in open session. A copy of the Open Meetings Act is posted in the meeting room. §84-1411 adjusts notice requirements for meetings of public bodies. For meetings of governing bodies of all political subdivisions of the State of Nebraska:
Attachments:
()
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1.2. Roll Call
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
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1.3. Absent Board Members
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
Recommendation: Discuss, consider and take action to approve the Board member absences.
Recommended Motion(s):
Approval of Board Member absences as presented Passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
Discussion:
Jack Young was absent due to personal reasons.
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1.4. Pledge of Allegiance
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Discussion:
All members present participated in the Pledge of Allegiance.
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2. Approval of Agenda
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
The sequence of agenda topics is subject to change at the discretion of the Board. The January Spotlight will be moved to review after the Treasurer's Report.
Recommended Motion(s):
Agenda as presented Passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
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3. Welcome Visitors
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Goals:
Discussion:
Judy Zadina attended to present the Vision Spotlight.
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4. Public Comment
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
The Board has the discretion to limit the amount of time set aside for public participation.
Citizens wishing to address the Board on a certain agenda item must notify the Educational Service Unit Administrator prior to the board meeting. Citizens wishing to present petitions to the Board may do so at this time. However, the Board will only receive the petitions and not act upon them or their contents.
Goals:
Discussion:
No public comments provided.
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5. Election of Board Officers
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
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5.1. Election of Board President
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
Recommendation: Discuss, consider and take any necessary action to elect __________ as President of Board of Directors.
Recommended Motion(s):
Motion for Administrator Polk to preside over the nomination and electronic election process Passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
Recommended Motion(s) #2:
Election of _________ as President of the Board of Directors Passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
Discussion:
Richard Stephens, Gary Wieseler, and Donald Ellison requested not to be nominated as Board President citing personal reasons.
Jack Young and Doug Pauley were both nominated for Board President. Having multiple nominees, a ballot selection was conducted to determine a single nominee. Jack Young received 3 votes. Doug Pauley received 8 votes therefore was brought forth to the full body as the nominee for Board President. After electronic vote, Doug Pauley was elected as the 2021 Board President. |
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5.2. Election of Vice President of the Board of Directors
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
Recommendation: Discuss, consider and take any necessary action to elect ______ as Vice President of Board of Directors.
Recommended Motion(s):
Discuss, consider and take any necessary action to elect ______ as Vice President of Board of Directors Passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
Discussion:
Jack Young and Donald Ellison were both nominated for Board Vice President. Having multiple nominees, a ballot selection was conducted to determine a single nominee. Donald Ellison received 5 votes. Jack Young received 6 votes therefore was brought forth to the full body as the nominee for Board Vice President. After electronic vote, Jack Young was elected as the 2021 Board Vice President.
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5.3. Election of Secretary of Board of Directors
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
Recommendation: Discuss, consider and take any necessary action to elect ______ as Secretary of Board of Directors.
Recommended Motion(s):
Discuss, consider and take any necessary action to elect ______ as Secretary of Board of Directors Passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
Discussion:
The nominations for the Board Secretary: Jennifer Miller
Jennifer Miller was elected as the 2021 Board Secretary. |
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6. Committees, positions, and designations
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
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6.1. Select Treasurer
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
Recommended Motion(s):
Discuss, consider and take any necessary action to appoint ______ as Treasurer to the Board of Directors Passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
Discussion:
Linda Shefcyk was appointed as the 2021 Treasurer to the Board of Directors.
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6.2. Select Recording Secretary
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
Recommended Motion(s):
Discuss, consider and take any necessary action to appoint ______ as Secretary to the Board of Directors Passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
Discussion:
Mindy Reed was appointed as the 2021 Secretary to the Board of Directors.
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6.3. Select members of Board Committees
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
Members of the Board will choose Committees to partake in.
2020 Members Negotiations: - Jennifer Miller (Chair) - Richard Luebbe - Richard Stephens Handbook: - Jack Young - Jennifer Miller - Joyce Baumert - Richard Stephens Budget: - Doug Pauley (Chair) - Dan Hoesly - Gary Wieseler - Jack Young Evaluation: - Doug Pauley (Chair) - Jennifer Miller - Joyce Baumert - Marni Danhauer
Recommended Motion(s):
Discuss, consider and take any necessary action to approve the 2021 Negotiations Committee members as presented Passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
Recommended Motion(s) #2:
Discuss, consider and take any necessary action to approve the 2021 Handbook Committee members as presented Passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
Recommended Motion(s) #3:
Discuss, consider and take any necessary action to approve the 2021 Budget Committee members as presented Passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
Recommended Motion(s) #4:
Discuss, consider and take any necessary action to approve the 2021 Evaluation Committee members as presented Passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
Discussion:
After discussion and explanation of committee membership, the Board nominated the following committee membership, who were thereafter confirmed by Board action.
2021 Negotiations Committee members: Jennifer Miller, Richard Luebbe, Richard Stephens 2021 Handbook Committee members: Dawn Lindsley, Joyce Baumert, Bob Arp 2021 Budget Committee members: Dan Hoesly, Jack Young, Gary Wieseler 2021 Evaluation Committee members: Marni Danhauer, Don Ellison, Dawn Lindsley |
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6.4. Designate depository bank(s)
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
Authorized Depositories, Bonds, Disbursement of Funds requires the ESU 7 Board to annually authorize depositories for ESU 7 Funds. The checking accounts are currently at First National Bank and Trust, Columbus. The Board authorizes the Administrator and Board Treasurer to contact banks in the ESU area to invest money at the best rate.
Recommended Motion(s):
Discuss, consider and take any necessary action to authorize First National Bank and Trust, Columbus as the depository bank, as presented Passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
Discussion:
First National Bank and Trust, Columbus was approved as the depository bank.
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6.5. Designate Newspapers of Record
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
The Columbus Telegram is a newspaper of general circulation in all counties in the ESU 7 Area. Legal Notices as required will be reported in the Columbus Telegram.
Recommended Motion(s):
Discuss, consider and take any necessary action to authorize the Columbus Telegram as the newspaper of record, as presented Passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
Goals:
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
Discussion:
Statute and policy requires the ESU to have a single newspaper of general circulation. The Columbus Telegram was approved as the newspaper of record.
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7. Consent Agenda
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
Unless removed from the consent agenda, items identified within the consent agenda will be acted on at one time. If any Board member wishes to discuss an item, it must be removed from the consent agenda at which time the remaining items will be acted upon. Consent Agenda Includes:
Recommendation: Discuss, consider and take any action necessary to approve the consent agenda as presented.
Recommended Motion(s):
Consent agenda as presented Passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
Goals:
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
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7.1. Minutes
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
This is a consent item.
Attachments:
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7.2. Presentation of Bills #71773 through #71920 totaling $630,218.23
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
The summary of bills for the current month total:$630,218.23 - Bills #71773 through #71920 Inservice bills total: $0
Attachments:
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7.3. Mileage Reimbursement Rate
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
The IRS Mileage rate for 2021-2022 is $0.56 per mile.
Article III, Section 4, D Coffee Act Policy (Reimbursable Expenses) Reimbursement of Expenses. The ESU will pay the registration costs, tuition costs, fees or charges for attendance by Board members at such approved functions. The ESU will pay mileage at the rate allowed by law (that is, the rate established by the Department of Administrative Services) or actual travel expense if travel is authorized by commercial or charter means. The ESU will pay meals and lodging at a rate not exceeding the applicable federal rate unless a fully itemized claim is submitted substantiating the costs actually incurred in excess of such rate and such additional expenses are expressly approved by the Board. For employees and volunteers, the ESU will pay costs and make reimbursements in the same manner as provided above for Board member attendance, unless otherwise established by policy, Board action, contract, or negotiated agreement. |
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8. Treasurer's Report
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
Review the breakdown of the Treasurer's Report
Recommended Motion(s):
Discuss, consider and take any action necessary to approve the Treasurer's Report as presented. Passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
Attachments:
()
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
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9. Board Code of Ethics and Oath of Office
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
Annually, Board Members participate in the Oath of Office and sign their Code of Ethics.
I, _____________________, do solemnly swear that I will support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of Nebraska, against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely and without mental reservations, or for purpose or evasions; and that I will faithfully and impartially perform the duties of the office of member of the Board of Educational Service Unit No. 7, according to law, to the best of my ability. And I do further swear that I do not advocate, nor am I a member of any political party or organization that advocates the overthrow of the government of the United States or this State by force or violence; and that during such time that I am in this position I will not advocate nor become a member of any political party or organization that advocates the overthrow of the government of the United States or this State by force or violence. So help me God.
Attachments:
()
Discussion:
All board members present recited the Oath of Office. All board members present received the Code of Ethics Worksheet and signed the Code of Ethics.
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10. Dissemination of Conflict of Interest Forms
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
Annually, Conflict of Interest and Code of Ethics forms will be disseminated to the Board for signature.
Attachments:
()
Goals:
Discussion:
The Conflict of Interest Form was given to each board member present and explained that it needs to be filled out if there is ever a conflict of interest.
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11. ESU 7 2021-2022 General Calendar
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
Recommendation: Discuss, Consider and take any necessary action to approve the ESU 7 2021-2022 General Calendar as presented.
Recommended Motion(s):
Discuss, Consider and take any necessary action to approve the ESU 7 2021-2022 General Calendar as presented Passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
Attachments:
()
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
Discussion:
2021-2022 Calendar: The Board Meeting in September 2021 will need to be moved to September 15, 2021 due to the Budget Hearing. This change will be completed and the revised calendar will be brought back to the February Board Meeting to review and approve. The 2021-2022 calendar shows the ESU to be closed the 3rd Monday of April 2022. The Board Meeting will be moved to Tuesday, April 19, 2022. The 2022-2023 calendar is a DRAFT calendar.
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12. Reading of Article I, Section 3, F Code of Ethics for Board Members
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
Recommendation: Discuss, consider and take all necessary action to approve Article I, Section 3, F Code of Ethics for Board Members as presented.
Recommended Motion(s):
Discuss, consider and take all necessary action to approve Article I, Section 3, F Code of Ethics for Board Members as presented Passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
Attachments:
()
Goals:
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
Discussion:
Policy review. No changes to consider.
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13. Reading of Article I, Section 4, A Officer Positions
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
Recommendation: Discuss, consider and take all necessary action to approve Article I, Section 4, A Officer Positions as presented.
Recommended Motion(s):
Discuss, consider and take all necessary action to approve Article I, Section 4, A Officer Positions as presented Passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
Attachments:
()
Goals:
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
Discussion:
Policy review. No changes to consider.
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14. Reading of Article I, Section 4, B President
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
Recommendation: Discuss, consider and take all necessary action to approve Article I, Section 4, B President as presented.
Recommended Motion(s):
Discuss, consider and take all necessary action to approve Article I, Section 4, B President as presented Passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
Attachments:
()
Goals:
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
Discussion:
Policy review. No changes to consider.
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15. Reading of Article I, Section 4, C Vice President
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
Recommendation: Discuss, consider and take all necessary action to approve Article I, Section 4, C Vice President as presented.
Recommended Motion(s):
Discuss, consider and take all necessary action to approve Article I, Section 4, C Vice President as presented Passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
Attachments:
()
Goals:
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
Discussion:
Policy review. No changes to consider.
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16. Reading of Article I, Section 4, D Secretary
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
Recommendation: Discuss, consider and take all necessary action to approve Article I, Section 4, D Secretary as presented.
Recommended Motion(s):
Discuss, consider and take all necessary action to approve Article I, Section 4, D Secretary as presented Passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
Attachments:
()
Goals:
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
Discussion:
Policy review. No changes to consider.
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17. Reading of Article I, Section 5, A Committees
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
Recommendation: Discuss, consider and take all necessary action to approve Article I, Section 5, A Committee as presented.
Recommended Motion(s):
Discuss, consider and take all necessary action to approve Article I, Section 5, A Committee as presented Passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
Attachments:
()
Goals:
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
Discussion:
Policy review. No changes to consider.
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18. Reading of Article III, Section 4, C Depositories of Funds
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
Recommendation: Discuss, consider and take all necessary action to approve Article III, Section 4, C Depositories of Funds as presented.
Recommended Motion(s):
Discuss, consider and take all necessary action to approve Article III, Section 4, C Depositories of Funds as presented Passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
Attachments:
()
Goals:
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
Discussion:
Policy review. No changes to consider.
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19. Coordinating Agency for ESU 7 Special Education Cooperative
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
ESU 7 continues to serve as the coordinating agency for the ESU 7 Special Education Cooperative for 2021-2022.
Recommended Motion(s):
Discuss, consider and take any action necessary for ESU 7 to continue to serve as the coordinating agency for the ESU 7 Special Education Cooperative for 2021-2022 Passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
Discussion:
ESU 7 continues to serve as the coordinating agency for the ESU 7 Special Education Cooperative for 2021-2022.
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20. ESU 7 COVID-19 Pay Resolution and Update
Speaker(s):
Administrator or Designee
Rationale:
After consultation with legal council it is recommended that the following resolutions be adopted and approved or reviewed every four weeks.
Recommendation: Discuss, consider and take all necessary action to approve the ESU 7 COVID-19 Pay Resolution.
Recommended Motion(s):
Discuss, consider and take all necessary action to approve the ESU 7 COVID-19 Pay Resolution Passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
Attachments:
()
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
Discussion:
Medical hours have significantly dropped from November. Some staff members that were in Phase 1A have started the vaccination process.
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21. Administrator's Report General
Speaker(s):
Administrator or Designee
Rationale:
Goals - Attached for your Review
Evaluation Committee Goals ESUCC Update Board Goals Upcoming Events
Attachments:
()
Goals:
Discussion:
Administrator Polk discussed the vaccination sign up forms on the health department websites and provided links to the websites. If there are any questions or if assistance is needed, contact Mindy Reed. There have been 12 staff who received the vaccine so far, 1/3 of the staff who received the vaccine had adverse reactions which caused them to miss work. Some of the adverse reactions included significant swelling, fever, chills, and fatigue. The staff who had the most significant side effects are the ones who previously had COVID.
ESU 7 is in the part of the continuous improvement cycle to look at the strategic plan, vision, and mission. Administrator Polk would like to hold off on writing goals for the agency until the summer 2021. The previous strategic planning goals have been all met. The new goals will be long term goals, where does ESU 7 want to be in three to four years and what actions will it take to reach those goals. Last month, Administrator Polk gave the board members the Self-Assessment form. Administrator Polk asked if any board member would like to share their personal goal. Some Board Members shared their goals to improve computer skills, learn more about ESU 7 operations, and to become better prepared for Board Meetings. Administrator Polk reviewed the Administrator Evaluation Committee Goals, see attached. ESUCC Report included the following: ESU 7 will be getting an additional 9,000 black masks to be distributed to school districts. CARES Act has been reauthorized with Nebraska receiving almost four times as much as the first allocation. Part of this new allocation will go to Nebraska Department of Education (NDE) and part to the Governor. ESUCC is working hard to include ESUs in that allocation. Rule 84 revision and drafting has begun. Redistricting discussions have also started at the Federal level. After those decisions discussions will move to state levels and then ESU board levels. Everything has been delayed due to COVID, after April the board will need discuss if we want to continue to have a 12 member board, the board can be anywhere from 5-12 members. |
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21.1. Services Update
Speaker(s):
Administrator or Designee
Rationale:
SIMPL Service Planning Update
Spotlight: Vision Items inside this item include visit updates, quarterly report, director reports, etc.
Attachments:
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Goals:
Discussion:
Spotlight - Vision - Judy Zadina, Vision Department Coordinator, presented valuable information to the Board regarding ESU vision personnel, disabilities the department services, school district information, and equipment necessary. Her presentation was appreciated by the Board.
Next month the chair of the Superintendent Executive Committee will discuss the Service Plan at the board meeting. There may be a job opening in PD soon to help support more MTSS. There is a Superintendent Meeting on 1.22.2021 and the new position will be discussed during the meeting. Director Ostmeyer and Director Clay have been working together to see how the new position can be funded. There is another service called Counselor Coach which would run though the Student Services department. This position will also be discussed on 1.22.2021. |
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21.2. Personnel - Classified Employment Agreement for Madison Sander - Level III Substitute
Speaker(s):
Administrator or Designee
Rationale:
Classified Employment Agreement for Madison Sander - Level III Substitute
Goals:
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21.3. Legislative Update
Speaker(s):
Administrator or Designee
Rationale:
During this item, the Administrator will provide a Legislative Update to members of the Board.
- Legislative Document Update
Goals:
Discussion:
As of Friday last week, over 400 bills have been introduced. Senator Walz is the Chair of the Education Committee. Administrator Polk reviewed the Legislative Update to the ESU 7 Board 1.18.21 document, attached to the agenda. The yellow highlighted issues are ones that could impact the ESU.
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22. Committee Reports
Speaker(s):
Committee Chair
Goals:
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22.1. Negotiations Committee Report
Speaker(s):
Negotiations Committee Chair
Rationale:
Reports of activities and discussions from the Negotiations Committee will take place during this item.
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
Discussion:
The Negotiations Committee recommended a 4% total package increase for all staff except certified Special Education staff next year for staff doing a phenomenal job. Negotiations doing a lot of work over the year. Jennifer Miller, on behalf of the Negotiations Committee, wants to appreciate all of the hard work the ESU 7 staff has been doing and continues to do. This last year has been difficult and staff continues to work hard and stay positive through it all. Staff need to feel how much they are appreciated and the Board would like to give them the increase to really show how much their hard work means.
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23. Adjournment
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Discussion:
Meeting adjourned at 7:36pm.
Minutes respectfully submitted by Mindy Reed, Recording Secretary to the ESU 7 Board. |
