March 15, 2021 at 4:30 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 4:30pm
Board President conducted the meeting. 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:
Donald Ellison absent due to personal reasons. Dan Hoesly 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.
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:
Principal Leanne Blanchard, Cen7ter Special Education Teacher Rachel Burgess, and Cen7ter Special Education Teacher Julie Lazarchic attended to present the Cen7ter 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 complete the Public Comment Document prior to the start of 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. 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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5.1. Minutes
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
This is a consent item.
Attachments:
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5.2. Presentation of Bills #72056 through #72192 totaling $675,779.59
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
The summary of bills for the current month total:$675,779.59 - Bills #72056 through #72192 Inservice bills total: $0
Attachments:
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6. Spotlight - Cen7ter
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
Principal Leanne Blanchard will provide the March Spotlight on Cen7ter.
Attachments:
()
Discussion:
Principal Leanne Blanchard, Cen7ter Special Education Teacher Rachel Burgess, and Cen7ter Special Education Teacher Julie Lazarchic went through the slide show for the Cen7ter Spotlight.
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7. 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:
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Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
Discussion:
Administrator Polk discussed the cash on hand and cash reserve lines. The goal is to have 30% cash on hand which is enough to sustain salaries and grant opportunities while ESU 7 waits for payments from schools and grants. The ESU is trending toward reaching the 30% by the end of this fiscal year.
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8. Reading of Article I, Section 6, D Line of Responsibility and the Chain of Command
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
Removed Production Supervisor position On Matters Involving Production.
Recommended Motion(s):
Discuss, consider and take all necessary action to approve Article I, Section 6, D Line of Responsibility and the Chain of Command 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:
There is no longer a Production Supervisor position. Policy was updated with the correct change of command for the Production Department.
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9. Reading of Article II, Section 2, A Regular Meetings
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
Recommendation: Discuss, consider and take all necessary action to approve Article II, Section 2, A Regular Meetings as presented.
Recommended Motion(s):
Discuss, consider and take all necessary action to approve Article II, Section 2, A Regular Meetings 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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10. Reading of Article II, Section 7, A Agenda Construction
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
Recommendation: Discuss, consider and take all necessary action to approve Article II, Section 7, A Agenda Construction as presented.
Recommended Motion(s):
Discuss, consider and take all necessary action to approve Article II, Section 7, A Agenda Construction 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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11. Reading of Article II, Section 7, B Agenda Availability
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
Recommendation: Discuss, consider and take all necessary action to approve Article II, Section 7, B Agenda Availability as presented.
Recommended Motion(s):
Discuss, consider and take all necessary action to approve Article II, Section 7, B Agenda Availability 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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12. ESU 7 COVID-19 Pay Resolution
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
Federal FFCRA expires March 31, 2021. In the January 2021 Board Meeting, it was acted upon to have the Pay Resolution to through May 2021. Given the fact that all ESU 7 personnel have been provided the opportunity to become vaccinated from COVID-19 as of March 11, 2021, ESU 7 Board will discuss whether to continue with the current resolution or to allow it to expire.
Recommendation: Discuss, consider and take all necessary action to allow the ESU 7 COVID-19 Pay Resolution to expire.
Recommended Motion(s):
Discuss, consider and take all necessary action to allow the ESU 7 COVID-19 Pay Resolution to expire 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:
Discussion among board members was wide and deep on this topic. The original motion to allow the resolution to expire was moved to amend by Board Member Richard Stephens and seconded by Secretary Jennifer Miller to allow the resolution to continue until August 31, 2021. Much concern and consideration was given around not discriminating against any individual or individuals regardless of his/her decision to be vaccinated against COVID-19. Board members expressed their concern for employee health and their continued ability to support themselves in the event he/she contracts COVID-19. Concern around the amendment was largely due to the length of time between now and August 31, 2021. Health officials and the status of the Coronavirus continue to change. These changes will contribute to the decisions to continue with the Pay Resolution each month. After discussion and roll call, the amendment failed. The original motion to expire the Pay Resolution was called. Having no further discussion, the original motion failed. The final motion by Secretary Jennifer Miller was seconded by Board Member Bob Arp. This motion will continue the Pay Resolution through May 31, 2021 with approval required by the Board each month. There was discussion to clarify the meaning the motion. The board felt this was the most inclusive solution, addressed equity in staff decisions related to the vaccine, and allows for current health official considerations. After no more questions by the Board roll call was taken and this final motion passed.
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13. ESU 7 Administrator Contract Amendment
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
The Board Negotiations Committee has proposed the salary amount for the ESU 7 Administrator for the 2021-2023 term as detailed in the attached contract. Recommendation: Discuss, consider and take any necessary action to approve the amended ESU 7 Administrator Contract.
Recommended Motion(s):
Discuss, consider and take any necessary action to approve the amended ESU 7 Administrator Contract 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.
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14. Administrator's Report General
Speaker(s):
Administrator or Designee
Rationale:
Recommended Motion(s):
Discuss, consider and take any necessary action to approve the new time for the April Board Meeting as discussed Passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
Attachments:
()
Goals:
Discussion:
The Board Recognition Dinner was at the Elk's Club prior to COVID-19. Administrator Polk and the Directors recommended to have a Staff Recognition Reception rather than a dinner. The Board Meeting will be 4pm-5pm on April 19, 2021 and the reception will start at 5:15pm. There will be cupcakes and recognition for employees being honored. There will be a Zoom connection for those who would like to view it.
Redistricting occurs every census. The census data has been delayed at the Federal level so State Legislative Redistricting will likely not occur until August or September. The current legislative session will be over by that time, so there will likely be a special session to redistrict. Following legislative redistricting counties will complete their process. It will likely be around December/January before ESU 7 discusses redistricting. The districts need to be as consistent in population as possible taking into consideration population sub-group distribution. Redistricting can be done by hand or using computer software. Administrator Polk is exploring vendors to complete the ESU 7 redistricting process. The Board will need to make a determination on Board Member size prior to completing the redistricting process. State statute allows anywhere from 5-12 board members on the ESU 7 Board. Strategic Planning - ESU 7 is working with Dr. John Skretta, ESU 6 and Dr. Keith Rohwer, NCSA Ambassador. Administrator Polk will gather data to begin this work. |
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14.1. Services Update
Speaker(s):
Administrator or Designee
Rationale:
Attachments:
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Goals:
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14.2. Personnel: Kendra Gustafson, Professional Development Coordinator
Speaker(s):
Administrator or Designee
Rationale:
Kendra Gustafson is excited to start working as a Professional Development Coordinator at ESU 7 this summer. Kendra has been teaching English Language Arts in Nebraska for 25 years and, currently, teaches 8-12 English at Cross County Schools. She obtained her Bachelor of Arts in Education degree from the University of Nebraska at Kearney in 1993, as well as a Masters in Curriculum and Instruction in 2007. Currently, she is enrolled at Northwest Missouri State University in their Educational Leadership Program. Kendra says that her passion includes leading and supporting teachers, both first year teachers and veterans, which brought her to apply for the position at ESU 7. Kendra and her husband, Mark, live in Osceola, where they own a small business. They have 5 children and 2 grandchildren. She is excited to make this career change and looking forward to serving the schools in the ESU 7 area.
Recommended Motion(s):
Discuss, consider and take any necessary action to approve the contracts for Kendra Gustafson, Professional Development Coordinator 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:
Director Marci Ostmeyer provided information about Kendra Gustafson and the new position created as a result of service planning. There were no questions by the board.
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14.3. Legislative Update
Speaker(s):
Administrator or Designee
Rationale:
During this item, the Administrator will provide a Legislative Update to members of the Board.
Goals:
Discussion:
Administrator Polk reviewed the attached legislative document.
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15. Adjournment
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Discussion:
Meeting adjourned at 6:38pm
Minutes respectfully submitted by Mindy Reed, Recording Secretary to the ESU 7 Board. |
