November 14, 2016 at 7:30 PM - Regular November 2016 Meeting

Agenda:

1.  Review monthly bills using the EMeetings Software.

2.  Review all credit card transactions for the month.

3.  Finance Committee Members sign-off on review of monthly bills, credit card transactions, and district fund balances.

4.  Approve superintendent's expenses (credit card transactions, mileage, cell phone reimbursement)

5.  Bank accounts that were recommended to be closed in conjunction with APA audit because of their use of the school's name or TFIN # have been closed.

6.  Use of the General Fund Flow-Thru Account has been discontinued

7.  State audit recommendation's and implementation decisions:

1. Employee Appreciation Recommendation-We will continue recognize and appreciate the employees, but in a non-compensatory manner.
2. End of Year Picnic Recommendation-Continue to with end of the year celebration, and ensure that the meal expenses of non-district employees are paid for those by those attendees or funded with outside sources.
3. Flow Thru Account Recommendation-Discontinue use the Flow Thru Account.
4. One-Day Trip Meals Recommendation-Discontinue providing meals on one-day trips.
5. Food Expenditures for Student Activity Trips Recommendation-Continue to provide meals for students on trips, but not to adult sponsors (staff or volunteers) on the trip, and to keep as accurate records of the expenditures as possible of these expenses.
6. Approval of Superintendent Expenditures Recommendation-The superintendent's expenses will be approved on a monthly basis, by the finance committee.
7. USPS Receipt Documentation Recommendation-Staff will write the destination and the purpose of the mail on the receipt from the USPS.
8. Credit Card Documentation Recommendation-A purchase order and supporting documentation for each credit card transaction will accompany every credit card receipt and be reviewed each month by the finance committee.
9. Signatures on Checks Recommendation-The district will put a system in place to ensure the president and secretary's signature appears on each check issued by the school district.

During the 2015-16 annual audit, the auditors suggested closing this activity account and moving that money to the general fund and more correctly coding these revenues as insurance settlement proceeds.  This board motion will provide the capacity to do this and to ensure the board and auditor that it has been done.

Congratulations to October's ABC Blue Jay Staff Member of the Month, Mrs. Shari Spaulding.

Congratulations to our November Nominee's who include:

Kelley Jarzynka is involved in so many activities that take a lot of her evening and weekend time away from her family. She was instrumental in the inception of the Robotics program at Ravenna. She has also been involved with the One Act Play production for many years.  She is amazing in class in what she gets the students to accomplish and learn.  As I always tell her, I have learned so much myself in her class!

The Ravenna Booster Club has approached the school about making improvements to the weight room.  They would propose providing new equipment to the school in the amount of $13,600, provided the school would be willing to make a contribution towards the equipment in the amount of $2,000.  

Mr. Dan Bolling has worked with the Booster Club on the equipment and design layout of the weight room.

Mr. Schroeder has asked Mr. Thober about any concerns he has regarding the equipment replacement, as he uses the room for instructional purposes.

The superintendent would also like to discuss the possibility of declaring the old equipment in the weight room as surplus for sale/disposal and using the funds from sales of any of the current equipment for future weight room purchases.  The Booster Club has indicated that they would be interested in purchasing a "Vertimax" (which is used to help students improve their vertical jump) during the 2017-18 school year, and they have asked if the money from the sales of the surplus equipment could be applied towards this equipment.

As per the superintendent's contract, the superintendent is required to remind the board at it's annual November meeting that they have the right to non-renew his contract by informing the superintendent of their intent to non-renew within 7 days after the regular December Board Meeting.  This renewal reminder is found in "Section 2" of the attached superintendent's contract.

Renewal of the superintendent's contract is an annual agenda item for the December Board Meeting, as per the language of the superintendent contract.

The superintendent is also required to be evaluated twice during the first year of employment and then annually thereafter.  The superintendent's evaluation is an annual agenda item for the December Board Meeting.

This agenda item serves as the written notice the superintendent is required to provide regarding his contract and performance evaluation, as per the superintendent's contract.

• Learning Walks (November 16 and 17)

As a continuation of our participation in ALP (Academic Literacy Project) we are doing learning walks this week. During learning walks teachers observe each other and provide feedback.  Typically the teacher being observed identifies and area or two they'd like feedback on.  It is often a specific instructional or engagement strategy (strategies) they are using.  A team of 2-4 teachers observe for 15-20 minutes then immediately meet with the teacher to provide Validations/Affirmations and Polishers.  This is a great way to build strong teaching strategies but also to foster trust and teamwork among the staff.  For this round of learning walks two members of the ESU 10 staff will accompany our teachers.

In addition we will do Buddy Walks.  The premise is the same as learning walks but instead only one teacher will observe and provide feedback.

• Winter Map Dates

Winter MAP testing has tentatively been set for Nov 28 - Dec 16

Secondary Principal’s Report November 2016   

Pizza With The Principal

We had our first Pizza With The Principal session this week.  I was able to sit down with 8 students on Friday and eat pizza and talk about their future plans, what they like most about RPS, and get to know each other better.  It was an awesome experience!  I can’t wait to do it again next month.  

Active Shooter Protocols and Training

The district completed training on active shooter protocols and informational training on November 4th.  The information and training were a joint effort between RPS, Buffalo County Sheriff’s Department, Ravenna Police Department, The City of Ravenna, Ravenna EMS/Fire Department, and Buffalo County Emergency Management.  We received numerous compliments from both staff and the other entities involved.    

Fall Activities Update

As Fall activities come to a close I just wanted to take a minute and thank all of our participants, coaches, and sponsors for their hard work, commitment, and dedication to representing our school and community.  

End of 1st Quarter

Hard to believe, but the first quarter of the year is over.  It was a busy first quarter with the implementation of our MTSS behavior expectations model, positive praise ratio, positive postcards, pizza with the Principal, along with all the teaching and learning that is happening on a daily basis.  Thank you to our students and staff for all the hard work they put into the first quarter!  

Information Gathering on Random Drug Testing

I am in the process of collecting information on random drug testing programs that other schools are using.  Two conference schools, Central City and Adams Central, currently have programs in place.  Central City randomly tests students that are involved in extracurricular activities and uses a third party testing company to administer the testing program.  They test 10 high school students and 5 middle school students each time they test.  Justin Anderson, the Activities Director at Central City, stated that he believes the most important aspect of their testing program is that it provides students with a reason to say no.

reVision

1)  Economic Forecasting Board is estimating a $910 million dollar shortfall in forecasted revenue.

2)  ReVision Grant Update-The ReVision team met with the NDE ReVision Team to plan our community engagement luncheon on Wednesday, November 30th.  This will be an exciting opportunity to engage local business owners on the path they would like to see our career and technical education programming at Ravenna Public Schools take.  Encourage those who were invited to attend to attend.  The luncheon and process are all being paid through a $2000 grant the district applied for last spring.

3)  Policy Update-Mr. Schroeder will be working with the Board's Policy Committee over the course of the next couple of months to continue to work through the policy review.  Rule 10 Visit & Standards & Assessment Policy.

4)  State Audit Update-Mr. Schroeder has met with the Board's Finance Commitee and will work with the remaining board members to determine what changes to make based on the findings in the APA's report.

5)  Revision Grant-Community Engagement Meeting @ 11:00-1:00 PM on November 30th at Ravenna City Auditorium.  Lunch will be served and a group facilitator will ask the participants for assistance in aligning our career education courses with local, regional, and state workforce demands for the purpose of improving our career and technical education programming. 

6) LPC Conference Update:

Thanks to our Veterans for their service and for their participation in the wonderful Veteran's Day Program held at the school on November 11th!  -Ken Schroeder

Congratulations to Marilyn Bohn on being selected as the Region 13 Seat on the Nebraska Association of School Board's Board of Directors!  -Ken Schroeder

A special thank you to Hilary Bolling and to Pat Shrader for all of the hard work they do behind the scenes with the district's payroll and accounting processes.  The hard work they put in all year long ensures a smooth annual audit and accurate record keeping.  -Ken Schroeder

The One-Act Performance was awesome!  Good luck to the performers during this competition season!  -Misti Fiddelke

Congratulations to the Ravenna Public Schools Fine Arts Department on receiving the Nebraska Arts Council Recognition Award.  They did a great job performing and representing Ravenna Public Schools at the Nebraska State Capitol! -Marc Vacek

Thanks to the Ravenna Public Schools Foundation Members and to the local corporate sponsors in supporting the first annual Blue & White Night!  We are looking forward to a great evening! -Marilyn Bohn

Kuddos to the FFA Chapter for their nice representation at National Level Competition!  -Dawn Standage

Thanks to Tammy Mittelstaedt for taking ownership of the Youth Center Program and for making positive changes to the program. -Marilyn Bohn