December 9, 2019 at 7:00 PM - Board of Education Regular Meeting

Rationale: 

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.  Lunch Fund Monthly Review

• Lunch Fund Worksheet
• Breakfast & Lunch Meals Goals
• Transition & Data Points

6.  NPPD Energy Incentive Rebate for 20-Ton Condense Unit & Phase 3 of Elementary HVAC Replacement-$400 (Will show as a credit on our electricity bill)

7.  Capital Improvement Plan (Special Building Fund)-Bids to be Solicited

• 60 Ton Condenser & Coil-$100,000 (Budget Price)
• Track Runway Repairs-$25,000 (Budget Price)
• High School Locker Room Lockers-$30,000 (Budget Price)

8.  Depreciation Fund-Bids to be Solicited

• Route Bus Bid-$89,000 (Budget Price)-With $42,000 worth of secured grant funding to be applied to purchase.  $47,000 estimated cost to school district.
• 1/2 Student Computer Refresh-$75,000 Budget Pricing

9.  Negotiations & Budget Authority
 

 

Rationale:  This notice is being provided to board members for archival purposes.  The notice was sent to them via email on November 18th.

Rationale: 

Members of the Public, 

This is the portion of the board meeting when we invite anyone in attendance to address the board of education. If you would like to speak to the board regarding any of the items on tonight's agenda or a public concern, now is your opportunity to do so.  Please review the orange sheet (found on the visitors' chairs) of paper that contains the guidelines for public participation.  If you wish to speak to the board at this time, please let me know.  "Would anyone like to address the board at this time?"

 

AFTER THE PERSON(S) INDICATE(S) THEY WISH TO SPEAK

1.  Please stand and state your name?

2.  What topic will you be speaking on?

3.  Are there others in the room who wish to speak to the same topic? (If so, ask that they be recognized so that 30 minutes of time for public comment can be apportioned as per the policy-5 minutes per person).

4.  Optional-"Please understand that public comment is your opportunity to speak to the board and present your concerns, thoughts, feelings, ideas, and observations.  Members of the board are happy to hear from members of the public, but the board will not engage in conversation or dialogue with you during public comment."

4.  "You'll have approximately 5 minutes to address the board, as we allow 5 minutes per person and a total of 30 minutes for public comment.  You may begin when you are ready?"

 

 

 

Rationale:  Mrs. Endecott will be in to share good news about the school's nutrition program and the positive changes that have been made since discarding Opaa!'s service.

Rationale:  ABC Bluejay Staff Member of the Month-Mrs. Dawn Reicks-I would like to nominate Dawn Reicks for ABC Bluejay of the Month.  Mrs. Reicks is an outstanding educator that truly cares about her students.  Mrs. Reicks is a hardworking, well organized, committed teacher who has given much to our students. She is respected by her pupils, their parents, and fellow teachers.  Mrs. Reicks has high expectations for herself and her students that is evident in the way her students always give their best effort.

Other nominees included:
Jean Luth-I would like to nominate Jean Luth for the ABC Bluejay of the Month. Jean is a very dedicated, hardworking paraprofessional. She is always willing to lend a helping hand in and out of the classroom. Jean develops great working relationships with teachers and other staff, as well as students. She is kind-hearted, empathetic, and truly cares about the students as well as co-workers. Jean will arrive early and stay late to help students that need some extra help, she attends all meetings regarding students she works with, and addresses concerns she may have about a student. Jean is an outstanding paraprofessional who always gives 110%.

Custodial & Maintenance Staff-I have a group nomination. I would like to nominate the Janitorial and Maintenance staff. They are probably the hardest working, yet most unnoticed part of our school. They do such a good job of keeping the grounds, classrooms, gyms, lunchroom, and building looking great. They're always in a good mood, easy to work with, happy to help, and you never hear them complain.

Heidi Kjar-I would like to nominate Heidi Kjar.  Since joining our staff Mrs. Kjar has shown tremendous dedication and work ethic.  She does her best to work with all students to challenge them and hold them accountable.  She has been a great addition to our staff.

Hilary Bolling & Pat Shrader-Another successful financial audit has been conducted this fall.  This success is due in large part because of the work of Hilary and Pat.  They keep excellent financial and payroll records with a high degree of accuracy, which pacify and please the auditors.  Ravenna Public Schools is very fortunate to have such competent and caring people accounting for it.  Beyond that, Hilary and Pat are always quick to help staff members with their personnel and program needs and however they can.

Joana Velez-I would like to nominate Joanna Velez.  Joanna is hard working as both a food service and custodial staff member.  She is polite and pleasant, wearing a smile around wherever she is working.  She has just been a fantastic addition to our staff in every way.

Krissy Reisbeck-I want to nominate Krissy Reisbeck for ABC Bluejay Staff Member of the Month. She has a smile on her face every day and is always very positive and patient with the students she works with. The students that she works with also always have a smile on their face when she is working with them and it looks like they truly enjoy working with her.

 

Rationale: 

Information Requested since the last negotiations session, regarding number of sick leave days used by staff and number of sick days paid out at a rate of $40, per unused sick leave day in excess of 50 days:

 

Rationale: 

As per the superintendent's contract, the superintendent is required to remind the board at its annual November meeting that they have the right to non-renew his contract by informing the superintendent of their intent to non-renew the contract 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.

Rationale: 

Board Members Schirmer, Standage, & Vacek are up for re-election in 2020, should they choose to run for the board again.  The filing form and information on filing fees ($0) is attached to this agenda item for board members wishing to file for election.

Filing deadline for incumbents is February 18, 2020.

The filing form and information for those wishing to file is attached to this agenda item.

Rationale:  The board committee on American Civics needs to meet again before the end of the year.  Can we schedule this in conjunction with the January 13th Board Meeting for a time of 6:00 with Misti, Ryan, & Tara?

Rationale:  As part of our on-going policy review, board members should please review our 1000 & 2000 Series Board Policies in advance of the January Board Meeting.  The superintendent will do the same and provide any suggested revisions to the Board Policy Committee & to the whole board at the January Board Meeting.  To the superintendent, nothing requires immediate attention.  It's simply best practice to continually engage in a review of board policies, and we have been a little lacks about doing this lately.

Rationale:  Scott Daniel who facilitated the last board retreat with the Strengths Finder data, is willing to provide strategic planning services to the school board.  He will be zooming in at 9:00 to discuss his proposal.  The "TRACTION" attachment provided by Scott is below.  He is offering his services for $5,000 for two days of strategic planning assistance.

NASB is indicating the cost of their services will be $3500-$4000.

Rationale:  Annual 5th/6th Grade Garage Sale
The students raised $750 and donated the money to Kinsley Henrey and family.

Santa Riders
Members of the Santa Riders will visit the elementary on Friday, December 20.  The kids really enjoy having Santa visit their classroom.

Elementary Winter Program
The Elementary Winter Program will be Tuesday, December 13 at 6:00 pm (Matinee at 1:30 pm)

TAK Club Food Drive
The TAK Club is sponsoring a food drive in the elementary for the next two weeks.  The food will be donated to our local food bank.  The class that donates the most items will win Christie’s rolls and $100 for the class.

 

Rationale:  Student Artist of the Month-Kaia Johnson (Art Attached)

1.  Building Projects/Updates

• Football Field Retaining Wall & Drainage
• Parking Lot-Seams need to be re-tarred because of erosion due to excessive rainfall.  Waiting on bid.
• 60-Ton Condenser Invitation to Bid
• Track Runway Resurface Invitation to Bid
• Bus Purchase Invitation to Bid
• 1/2 Student Computer Refresh Invitation to Bid

2.  Special Education Monitoring Letter/File Review (Attached)

3.  Wiring of Shop Equipment (Photo Attached)-Some of the woodworking equipment in the shop has wiring that is very old, brittle, and needs to be replaced.  We have secured a certified electrician to do this.  I wanted the board to be aware of this, is this was an unanticipated expense.  The attached photo tells the story of the need to update the wiring.

4.  60-Ton Condenser Replacement-The school will be inviting bids for this summer project.  The bid specs for the job, as prepared by ETI's Marty Kasl are attached.  As previously requested, we will advertise this invitation to bid in the Omaha World Herald in addition to the Kearney Hub to see if we can solicit a larger pool of more competitive bids.


Monthly Superintendent Goals Update (Goals Document Attached):

Academic Achievement

• Presented to teachers at December 6 In-Service regarding our next cycle of school improvement and the structure we will used modeled around the 6 QUESTT Tenets.
• Continue to work with the LPC Art Teachers to redesign and improve the Annual LPC Art Show.  It's going to be great for kids!  Academic achievement isn't just about "reading, writing, and arithmetic." ;-)

Vision

• Scheduled strategic planning session and discussed desired outcomes with consultant for December Board Meeting.
• Attended State School Board Convention

Community Relations

• Coordinated with Chamber of Commerce to disseminate information to staff regarding their upcoming events.
• Coordinated wit the Chamber of Commerce to deliver borrowed vinyl cutter to the new maker's space in the public library.
• I've been asked to serve on the REDC (Ravenna Economic Development Committee) as a board member.  I will be installed as a new board member in January.
• Volunteered to make pies for the Lion's Club Soup Supper, as I couldn't work the event due to a robotics meet I will be attending.