July 18, 2023 at 7:00 PM - Sutherland Public School District 55
Agenda |
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1. Call the meeting to order
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2. Flag salute
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3. Open Meetings Law
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4. Roll call
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5. Consent Agenda
Recommended Motion(s):
Motion to approve consent agenda passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
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6. Treasurer's report
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7. Recognition of Visitors/Public Comment
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8. Action Items
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8.a. Lantis Absence
Recommended Motion(s):
Move to excuse Shad from the June 26th goal setting meeting. passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
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8.b. Policy 3036
Rationale:
Authorized Purchases. Authorized users have standing authority to use the purchasing card to charge actual, necessary, and reasonable travel expenses and Hotels, Gas, Meals and other reasonable travel expenses. Otherwise, the purchasing card may only be used to purchase goods and services approved by the board or the superintendent or designee. The maximum amount that may be charged in a single day is $1,500.
Authorized Users. Individuals holding the following titles may be assigned an individual purchasing card: Administrators and Teachers or designee. The board may take action at any meeting to authorize additional users or to revoke or suspend user privileges. Such action shall be recorded in the minutes. The school may also maintain a purchasing card in the name of the school district. School district employees may purchase school related goods and services with the school district credit card only with authorization from the superintendent. Purchase Review Procedures. The superintendent, or his or her designee, and Business Manager will conduct independent reviews of credit card expenses, or a sample thereof, on a monthly basis.
Recommended Motion(s):
Approve policy 3036 with added changes. Hotels, Gas, Meals and other reasonable travel expenses, $1,500 single day limit, AuthorizedAdministrators and Teachers or designee and monthly. passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
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8.c. Policy 5004
Rationale:
Policy 5004 Option Enrollment
This policy is based on the statute governing option enrollment and sets forth the standards for considering and accepting option students. We have included provisions that go beyond the statutory requirements but that we have found helpful (e.g., the authority to reject an applicant for false statements on the application form, dealing with late applications). The statute requires school boards to have "specific" standards for acceptance or rejection for release of a resident or option student. We have attempted to add more specific standards for acceptance and rejection that are typical in option policies. Refer to the 5000 series memo, as it gives additional information regarding the factors that we’ve highlighted in green. Before you deny an option application based on one of the factors highlighted in green, you should give one of us a call to visit about the specific facts of your situation. The board of education will approve late applications to option into the district under the following conditions: i. When the resident district has released the student; ii. When the student's late enrollment into the district meets the standards for acceptance or rejection of option students contained elsewhere in this policy; Redline Version
Recommended Motion(s):
Approve Policy 5004 with the recommended changes from KSB and the first option B. passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
Recommended Motion(s) #2:
Discuss and consider an Option Enrollment Resolution. passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
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8.d. Policy 5018
Rationale:
Parental Involvement Policy (5018).
Although it is confusing, there are two "parental involvement" policies: one required by state law and one by federal law under Title I. State law requires the board to hold a public hearing on its parental involvement policy. After the hearing, the board must either alter and adopt the revised policy or reaffirm it as written. NEB. REV. STAT. § 79-533. Required Annual Policy Review
Recommended Motion(s):
Move to approve the annual review of policy 5018 as written. passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
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8.e. Policy 5035
Rationale:
Policy 5035 Student Discipline
* No longer can expel PK-2nd grade students * Student who is suspended must (may was removed) be given the opportunity to complete makeup work. * LB 705 principal now has up to 72 hours to send a written notice of suspension, prior it was 48 hours. * LB 705 includes a new requirement. At the conclusion of an expulsion, a school district must reinstate the student and accept nonduplicative, grade-appropriate credits earned by the student during the term of expulsion from any Nebraska-accredited institution or institution accredited by one of the six regional accrediting bodies in the United States. * Hearing Examiner. When a hearing is requested under the Student Discipline Act, the superintendent now "recommends" the appointment of a hearing examiner within two school days after receiving the hearing request. Parents have two days to request the designation of a different hearing examiner. Upon receiving the request, the superintendent: * The Hearing. Previously, the hearing had to be "scheduled" within five school days after it was requested. Now, the hearing must be "held" within five school days after the appointment of the hearing examiner. Previously, students and their parents had the right to examine records and written statements "at a reasonable time" before the hearing. Now, the 8 school must provide copies of records, written statements, and required affidavits no later than 48 hours before the hearing. * School Board Decision. In the event of an appeal, the school board now must take final actions within three calendar days after the hearing. Previously, there was no time limit on the board’s ability to make a final decision. These changes are required.
Recommended Motion(s):
Approve Policy 5035 with changes. passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
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8.f. Policy 5045
Rationale:
REVISION TO POLICY 5045: STUDENT FEES The Nebraska Public Elementary and Secondary Student Fee Authorization Act permits schools to charge fees for "postsecondary education costs." However, just like fees charged to participate in extracurriculars or for student meals, the board must designate the "maximum" fee that may be charged. Our policy has always contained a section for postsecondary education costs, but it did not list the maximum for those costs. This change will now require you to list the maximum fee that might be assessed to a student for postsecondary education costs. Unless you designate the maximum fee (even if the student ends up paying less), it’s technically not lawful. If you collaborate with local colleges, universities, or 9 community colleges to offer postsecondary classes or dual credit classes, you should list the maximum fee a student may be required to pay. Keep in mind that schools cannot charge a fee for earning high school credits. However, you can require families to pay any postsecondary costs if they also want college credit. We recommend listing the max amount per course, to include all fees for tuition, materials, etc. You should set the number high enough to account for the most a student may be required to pay, especially if you work with multiple institutions. This change is required. ______________________________________________________
Recommended Motion(s):
Move to adjust activity fees from $15-$20 for JH students and $20-$25 for HS students. passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
Recommended Motion(s) #2:
Move to adjust lunch prices for K-12 students for breakfast from $1.50-$1.70 and lunch prices for K-6 students $3.00-$3.20. 7-12 student lunch prices from $3.30-$3.50. Milk prices for $.35-$.50 and entree's $.60-$.90. passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
Recommended Motion(s) #3:
Move to approve the Maximum Post Secondary Education Costs of $175 per credit hour. passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
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8.g. Policy 5054
Rationale:
Student Bullying
Required annual review
Recommended Motion(s):
Approve bullying policy 5054 as written. passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
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8.h. Policy 5057
Rationale:
Title I Parental Involvement Policy (5057).
In addition to the general parental involvement policy, the district must have a policy on the involvement of parents in its Title I program. The board must "conduct, with the involvement of parents, an annual evaluation of the content and effectiveness of the parental involvement policy in improving the academic quality of the schools served...." 20 U.S.C. § 6318(a)(2)(E) (Elementary and Secondary Education Act § 6318(B)). Note that NDE has been looking for evidence of parental input in the "annual evaluation" of the policy and programs. We recommend that you provide evidence of input from at least one affected parent, even if that is a staff member of the district, such as recording their input in your board meeting minutes or receiving an e-mail from an affected parent suggesting changes or stating that the policy is good as written. Required Annual Review
Recommended Motion(s):
Approve the annual review of Policy 5057. passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
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8.i. Policy 6038
Rationale:
Policy 6038: Artificial Intelligence
This is an optional policy.
Recommended Motion(s):
Approve Policy 6038 as written. passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
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8.j. Handbooks
Recommended Motion(s):
Approve the classified and certified handbooks with changes. passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
Recommended Motion(s) #2:
Approve the Preschool, Elementary and 7-12 student handbooks with changes. passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
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8.k. HVAC Unit Repair or Replace
Rationale:
This units AC does work. The heat side is in need of repair. The unit is 20-years old and it could take up to four or more months for the new unit to arrive. $5,500 to fix the heat side or $11,200 for a new unit.
Recommended Motion(s):
Approve the purchase of a new 3-Ton HVAC unit for $11,200. passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
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8.l. Milk Contract
Recommended Motion(s):
Approve Hiland Dairy Foods Products bid pricing for 2023-24. passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
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8.m. MGT Window Film
Recommended Motion(s):
$11,798 or tinted $12,798 passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
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8.n. Weathercraft Roofing
Rationale:
Section L is in need of replacement either this year or next year. If the board approves, Weathercraft said they would get all the equipment and supplies on the roof prior to the start of school and would work with the school on limiting the noise in the classrooms.
Recommended Motion(s):
$146,653 passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
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8.o. Review Classified Contract Changes
Rationale:
As we discussed, KSB has long recommended that the board not be involved in the approval of extra duty sponsor agreements or classified staff agreements, for several reasons.
First, most boards by policy and practice defer that work to the superintendent or others the superintendent designates to assist (such as head custodian involved in interviews/hiring of assistant custodians). This is also confirmed by your policies on hiring/firing classified staff and extra duty sponsors.
Second, if the board approves all of those agreements, even just as a matter of practice, that actually creates legal issues. If "the school board" is the one contracting with a para or community member basketball coach, then legally it can be argued that it would be the board that would have to end that contract. Let's say a para shows up to work intoxicated the day after your board meeting. I think at most schools, the superintendent could terminate that person's employment on the spot. However, if the board has contracted with them rather than the superintendent, it leaves that as an open question, at best. I don't think most boards would want to have to take action to fire an intoxicated para, especially if they wouldn't be able to do it for another 30 days or by calling a special meeting.
Third, I think board members already do a lot, and they don't get paid enough to be the decisionmakers on things like who should coach basketball and make playing time judgments. If the board contracts with coaches, that opens the door to elevate those issues right past you, as I mentioned above. Board members absolutely may have opinions, but it's our preference that those flow through the superintendent who is charged with making the ultimate decisions.
Bottom line: I would recommend changing your extra duty agreements/letters and your classified staff contracts to be signed by the superintendent, not approved and signed by the board. But the board can and should speak into things like benefits and rates of pay for those folks, just not necessarily be the ones to sign the contracts and make the hiring/firing decisions.
Ultimately, how to structure this is completely up to the board. But it sounds like you are functioning like most schools anyway, so making that change to you signing the agreements/letters would be more consistent with your practices and policies. If you or the board has any questions, please just let me know.
Thanks,
Bobby
Bobby Truhe
Recommended Motion(s):
Approve having extra duty agreements/letters and classified staff contracts to be signed by the superintendent. passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
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8.p. Review Classified Wages
Rationale:
Due to staffing changes in technology, administrative assistants, and custodial, we felt it was necessary to approve the updated wages for the 23-24 school year.
Recommended Motion(s):
Review the 23-24 classified salaries passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
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8.q. Resignations
Recommended Motion(s):
Approve the resignation of Mr. Maxcy. passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
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8.r. Option Students
Recommended Motion(s):
Approve the option in of Mea Jo (1), Ea Ray (4) and Rowdy Tuff (K). passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
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8.s. Technology Director
Rationale:
The contract for Brad Golden (New Technology Director) is projected to be completed and ready prior to the board meeting.
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9. Reports
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9.a. Elementary Principal Report
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9.b. High School Principal Report
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10. Board Reports
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11. Superintendent Report
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12. Closed Session to discuss Superintendent salary
Recommended Motion(s):
Motion to enter executive session for the protection of the public interest to discuss the negotiations of salary and to prevent needless injury to the reputation of an individual during the discussion of personnel job performance passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
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13. Next meeting date and time
Recommended Motion(s):
August 21, 7:00 PM. passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
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14. Adjournment
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