April 14, 2025 at 6:30 PM - Board of Education Regular Meeting
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1. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
Rationale:
INDIVIDUALS WISHING TO ADDRESS THE BOARD WILL BE RECOGNIZED TO SPEAK AT THE BOARD TABLE. WHEN RECOGNIZED BY THE CHAIR, PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME BEFORE PROCEEDING WITH YOUR COMMENTS. A MAXIMUM TIME LIMIT OF 5 MINUTES WILL BE ALLOWED FOR EACH AUDIENCE UNLESS AN EXCEPTION IS GRANTED BY THE CHAIR.
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1.1. Open Meetings Act
Rationale:
A copy of the Open Meetings Act is posted in the Board Room. The Board may meet in Closed Session to consider issues including, but not limited to 1) strategy sessions with respect to collective bargaining, real estate purchases, or litigation; 2) discussion regarding deployment of security personnel or devices; 3) investigative proceedings regarding allegations or misconduct; or 4) evaluation of the job performance of a person when necessary to prevent needless injury to the reputation of a person or persons. The vote to hold a Closed Session shall be taken in open session and the subject matter and reason for the session shall be included in the motion. The motion and the vote of each member of the Board and the time when the session commenced and concluded shall be recorded in the minutes. If the motion passes, the President will restate on the record the limitation of the subject matter of the Closed Session.
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2. CONSENT SECTION
Rationale:
All matters listed under the Consent Section are considered to be routine and will be enacted by one motion. There will be no separate discussion of these items. If discussion is desired, the item(s) will be considered at the end of the Consent Section.
Recommended Motion(s):
Motion to approve the consent section as presented passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
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2.1. Legality of Meeting
Rationale:
Approve that all legal requirements have been met as to advance notice of this meeting to both individual Board Members and to the public. |
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2.2. Approval of Agenda
Rationale:
Approval of the agenda as published/revised. Note that items can be removed or amended from the published agenda at this time but additions can be made only through an emergency resolution.
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2.3. Minutes from Previous Meeting(s)
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2.4. Policy & Board Reports
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2.4.1. Option Enrollment
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2.4.2. Student Enrollment
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2.5. Personnel Reports
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2.5.1. Certified / Classified Monthly Personnel Report
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2.6. Business Reports
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2.6.1. Bill Listing
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2.6.2. Fund Reports
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2.7. Surplus/Salvage Items
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3. REPORT ITEMS
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3.1. FEA
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3.2. Update on Board Goal #1 Student Outcomes/Serve All Students - Student Discipline and Mental Health Referrals
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4. ACTION ITEMS
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4.1. Board Items
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4.1.1. Formal Complaint
Rationale:
Board of Education Policy 44E.3a outlines a process for resolution of formal complaints filed by certified staff members regarding any matter of dissatisfaction with his/her employment. The purpose of this procedure is to secure, at the lowest possible level, equitable solutions to complaints against either the Board, its agents or members. On March 22, 2025, a formal complaint was filed by staff member Justin Bigsby in response to an email exchange between FPS Board of Education Member Mike Petersen and himself. Attached is a copy of the formal complaint, the superintendent's resolution letter and the email exchange. It is the recommendation of the administration that the Board of Education acknowledge and receive the formal complaint, superintendent resolution letter and the email exchange.
Recommended Motion(s):
Motion to acknowledge and receive the formal complaint filed March 22, 2025 by Justin Bigsby regarding an email exchange with Board Member Mike Pertersen, the March 28, 2025, superintendent resolution letter and a copy of the email exchange passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
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4.2. Elementary/Secondary Items
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4.2.1. Tool & Die Equipment Purchase
Rationale:
As part of the CTE programming the District purchased a HAAS training mill, tool room mill and tool room lathe. In order to run the equipment various tools and fixtures are required. Attached is the price quote from Productivity Inc. which includes various tools, bits, tool holders, collets and accessories. It is the recommendation of the administration that the Board of Education authorize the purchase of tools, bits, tool holders, collets and accessories at a not to exceed price of $28,099.03. Source of funds is the General Fund - Federal Perkins grant ($25,099) and State CTE grant ($3,000).
Recommended Motion(s):
Motion to authorize the purchase of tools, bits, tool holders, collets and accessories from Productivity Inc. as presented at a not to exceed price of $28,099.03 passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
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4.2.2. FMS Computer Science & Technology Purchase
Rationale:
Through the State GEER’s Developing Youth Talent Initiative grant the middle school Business curriculum will offer computer programming / coding. To deliver the curriculum a higher level computer is needed. Attached is the price quote from Sterling technology to provide 30 Dell Optiplex 7020 BTX computers mounts and monitors utilizing government purchasing pricing.
Recommended Motion(s):
Motion to authorize the purchase of 30 Dell Optiplex 7020 BTX computers, mounts and monitors from Sterling technology utilizing government pricing as presented at a not to exceed price of $24,661.80 passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
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4.2.3. FHS Out of State Travel Request - JAG
Rationale:
See attached letter
Fremont High School students will be representing JAG Nebraska at the National Career Development Conference in Indianapolis, IN, April 23-27, 2025.
Recommended Motion(s):
Motion to approve FHS JAG students out of state travel request to Indianapolis, IN, April 23-27 for the National Career Development Conference passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
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4.3. Curriculum and Instruction Items
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4.3.1. FPS Science Curriculum Revision
Rationale:
The Nebraska State Board of Education adopted the revised K-12 Science Standards at their meeting on September 6, 2024. FPS is in the process of reviewing/revising our science curriculum in preparation for implementation this fall per state statute 79-760.02. Over the past five months, 25 FPS K-12 Science Teachers have worked through the updated standards and instructional recommendations in collaboration with the science specialists from NDE and ESU#2. The team identified goals and needs to meet those goals for science instruction for our FPS students and teachers and then began reviewing, evaluating and piloting materials that align to the standards to make recommendations for moving forward. The revision team is in the process of concluding their work, which has been very interrupted with the unplanned school closures due to weather and weather-related circumstances. The recommendation(s) will be going to the FPS Board of Education Textbook Committee for review and feedback between the April and May Board of Education meetings. Attached is a summary of the materials currently being reviewed and not to exceed prices provided by each vendor. The approval would be subject to the Textbook Committee review/approval process. This timeline/process will allow the teacher materials with delivery in time for our Teacher Contract work days May 19-22. It is the recommendation of the administration that the Board of Education authorize the purchase of science curriculum materials from various vendors at a not to exceed price of $1,597,000. Purchase orders will be prepared and orders placed after the Board of Education Textbook Committee meets to review and approve the materials. Source of funds: General fund and Depreciation fund.
Recommended Motion(s):
Motion to authorize the purchase of science curriculum materials from various vendors at a not to exceed price of $1,597,000 passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
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4.4. Personnel Items
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4.5. Business/Facility Items
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4.5.1. Line of Credit
Rationale:
Due to the timing of when the majority of the District’s General Fund revenues (property taxes and State Aid) are received, it may be necessary for the District to engage in short-term borrowing. State statute and NDE Rule allow for short-term borrowing with Board of Education approval. It is the recommendation that the Board of Education authorize the administration to enter into a short-term borrowing agreement with First National Bank of Fremont/Omaha.
Recommended Motion(s):
Motion to approve entering into a short-term borrowing agreement with First National Bank of Fremont/Omaha to meet cash flow requirements passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
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4.5.2. Grant Elementary Lighting Project
Rationale:
Prior to the 2021 bond issue a district wide facilities study was conducted to determine facility needs across the district. One of those needs that was identified but not addressed with bond proceeds was interior lighting at Grant Elementary. The project was put out to bid with all bids due on April 3, 2025. The bids were reviewed by Brett Pierce and Andrew Lang of Morrissey Engineering. The district received 5 bids for the project with Denny Electric being the low bid at $108,494.00. (bid tabulation and Morrissey recommendation is attached) It is the recommendation of the administration to approve the price of $108,494.00 for the replacement and installation of the new LED lighting at Grant Elementary. The source of funds will be the Special Building Fund. The Board, by approving this contract with Denny Electric is approving the contract documents, and all associated documents related thereto according to the terms and conditions as on file with district records or such other or additional terms and provisions as negotiated and approved by the Associate Superintendent or a designee, and the Board is hereby delegating to and authorizing the Associate Superintendent or a designee to sign, execute, and deliver the contract documents and all such related documents, make all contract payments, and to take or cause to be taken any and all other action and sign any other documents as may be necessary to complete the transaction, and to administer, operate, and/or implement the contract and all associated documents related thereto on a day-to-day basis during this project as contemplated thereby, for and on behalf of this school district, and hereby designates the Director of Operations, or another person as selected by the Associate Superintendent or a designee from time to time as its program administrator under this agreement.
Recommended Motion(s):
Motion to approve the Grant Elementary lighting upgrade as presented passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
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4.5.3. FHS South Parking Lot Lighting Project
Rationale:
The parking lot lights at the High School in the South parking lot are inefficient and do not effectively light the heavily used parking lot. Fremont Public Schools has received pricing from three vendors to replace four pole lights and pole bases with new lighting that will illuminate the South parking lot efficiently and effectively. It is the recommendation of the administration to approve the price of $26,855.00 from Fremont Electric for the replacement and installation of the new LED lighting in the South parking lot at Fremont High School. The source of funds will be the Special Building Fund. The Board, by approving this contract with Fremont Electric is approving the contract documents, and all associated documents related thereto according to the terms and conditions as on file with district records or such other or additional terms and provisions as negotiated and approved by the Associate Superintendent or a designee, and the Board is hereby delegating to and authorizing the Associate Superintendent or a designee to sign, execute, and deliver the contract documents and all such related documents, make all contract payments, and to take or cause to be taken any and all other action and sign any other documents as may be necessary to complete the transaction, and to administer, operate, and/or implement the contract and all associated documents related thereto on a day-to-day basis during this project as contemplated thereby, for and on behalf of this school district, and hereby designates the Director of Operations, or another person as selected by the Associate Superintendent or a designee from time to time as its program administrator under this agreement.
Recommended Motion(s):
Motion to approve the Fremont High School South parking lot lighting upgrade as presented passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
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4.5.4. Server Hardware Purchase
Rationale:
The FPS Technology Department is requesting permission to proceed with a technology purchase of server hardware and storage hardware. The core VMware cluster and storage in the MSEAC NOC need to be replaced as the existing hardware has reached the end of support. The existing VM servers and storage were purchased and installed in early 2018. (see attached letter of recommendation from Cliff Huss and Sterling price quote). It is the recommendation of the administration that the Board of Education authorize the purchase of the following from Sterling technology: Server hardware (3 servers) totaling $38,330.52. Storage hardware (2 storage arrays and 2 expansion enclosures) totaling $120,333.63 Total hardware cost: $158,664.15 Sterling’s pricing reflects NASPO contract pricing. Source of funds is the General Fund - Technology budget.
Recommended Motion(s):
Motion to authorize the purchase of server hardware and storage from Sterling at a total
cost of $158,664.15 passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
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5. CLOSED SESSION
Recommended Motion(s):
Fremont Public Schools 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. Motion to go into Closed Session passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
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6. ADJOURNMENT
Recommended Motion(s):
Motion to adjourn passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
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