January 20, 2014 at 6:00 PM - Regular Board of Education Meeting

1. Signature of Notification

2. Call to Order, Pledge of Allegiance, Roll Call, Welcome Visitors

2.1. Acknowledge Open Meeting Laws

2.1.i. The Board of Education reserves the right to enter into Executive Session for the protection of the public interest; or the prevention of needless injury to the reputation of an individual, and if the individual has not requested a public meeting.

2.1.ii. Notice of this meeting was published in the Gering Citizen on January 16, 2014.

3. Excuse Absent Board Members

4. Action Items

4.1. Election of New Officers

4.1.i. President

4.1.ii. Vice President

4.2. Appointments

4.2.i. Board Secretary

4.2.ii. Board Treasurer

5. Recommendation to Approve Consent Agenda

5.1. Consent Agenda*

5.1.i. *Sequence of agenda items are subject to change. Please plan to attend the entire meeting.

5.1.ii. Approval of Agenda/Amendment of Agenda Items

5.1.iii. Approval of Minutes from Previous Board Meetings

5.1.iv. Approval of Claims/Bills

5.1.v. Approve Depository for Funds for Gering Public Schools - Valley Bank, First State Bank, US Bank, Platte Valley Bank, Nebraska Liquid Asset Fund

5.1.vi. Approve Corporate Resolutions for Valley Bank

5.1.vii. Approve Corporate Resolution for First State Bank

5.1.viii. Approve Corporate Resolution for U.S. Bank

5.1.ix. Approve Corporate Resolution for Platte Valley Bank

5.1.x. Approve Corporate Resolution for Nebraska School District Liquid Asset Fund

5.1.xi. Appoint Superintendent Bob Hastings as the Authorized Representatives to Secure Funds for the district.

5.1.xii. Appoint Superintendent Bob Hastings or his designee as the authorized representative for Gering Public Schools for federal programs.

5.1.xiii. Recommendation to Set Date and Time for the Regular Board Meetings

5.1.xiv. Personnel Items

5.1.xiv.1. Contract Approvals

5.1.xiv.2. Resignations

5.1.xiv.2.1. School Psychologist Megan Patterson (Jr. High)

6. Patron Comments

6.1. The Board recognizes the importance of citizen participation in school business. In order to assure citizens are heard and board meetings are conducted efficiently and in an organized manner, the Board shall set a 3 minutes time limit per patron, not to exceed a total of 30 minutes for all comments.

7. Reports & Discussions

7.1. Recognition of Accomplishments

7.1.i. 1996 grad Seth Root told Randy Johnson that he was selected to receive the 2012 Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers. This is the highest honor bestowed by US Govt. to professionals in early stages of independent research careers. A White House press release was issued.

7.1.ii. Cedar Canyon placed 3rd in First State Bank's "Gift of Love" contest by collecting nonperishable food items and built an igloo out of them. They were featured in the newspaper.

7.1.iii. Geil 3rd graders were asked by the newspaper to write letters about their wish for the world. Favorites included "...for everyone to be kind to one another and not bully" and "...for there to be no more cancer."

7.1.iv. Geil Elementary collected 1,058 pairs of socks i December for the "Blair's Foster Socks" mission, which brings comfort & hope to children in distress through clean, fun socks and scholarships. See blairsfostersocks.com for more info.

7.1.v. Dean Gorsuch came to visit Geil Elementary to thank them for the banner and wishes that were sent to him when he was competing in the National Rodeo Finals in December.

7.1.vi. At the Freshman Academy: Advisories raised $460 for "Gift of Love"; The NJHS caroled at Heritage Estates and Northfield Villa; Students partnered with the UNL-Panhandle Station and held a "supplies" drive for DOVES; and the NJHS held a bake sale for the Salvation Army.

7.1.vii. Lincoln Elementary Highlights (see attachment)

7.2. Committee Preferences for 2014

7.3. Curriculum Committee Meeting Report

7.4. Facilities Committee Meeting Report

7.5. Business Committee Meeting Report

7.5.i. Financial Report - The Business Committee reviewed all bills for this consent agenda. Bills unique to this month were discussed for clarification. The total amount of bills approved in the consent agenda for the month of December, 2013 by specific funds are as follows:

7.5.i.1. Trial Balance Summary

7.5.i.2. Fund Balances

7.5.i.3. Schedule of Investments Held

7.5.i.4. Financial Statement

7.5.i.4.1. Revenues: General Fund=$1,224,951.91; Depreciation Fund=$314.59; Cafeteria Fund=$87,657.91; Activities Fund=$45,448.92; Fees Fund=$83.75.

7.6. Personnel Committee Meeting Report

7.7. Superintendent's Report

8. Action Items

8.1. Approval of Interlocal Agreement for VALTS

9. Tentative Committee & Meeting Dates

10. Board Comments

11. Executive session for the sole purpose of discussing negotiations strategy

12. Adjournment