March 14, 2023 at 7:00 PM - Board of Education Regular Monthly Meeting

Discussion:  President Lutkemeier opened the meeting at 7:00 pm.  The meeting notice was advertised in the March 2nd publication of the Blue Hill Leader.  "The Open Meetings Act" poster was displayed in the meeting room.

Discussion:  Notice was provided according to district policy.

Discussion:  N/A

Discussion:  See attached document.

Discussion:  Guests in attendance were Caitlin Crowe and Jennifer Karr.  No comments were offered at this time.

Discussion:  Mr. Bauer and board members, Daren and Shaun, attended the NRCSA Spring Legislative Conference on March 7th.  He reported that LB 753 (private school tax credit) passed and went to the floor.  He asked board members to consider making the full-time custodial staff a salaried position vs an hourly rate.  One custodian per location.  Mr. Bauer believes this would help with hiring moving forward.  All ESSER funds have been received.  Mr. Bauer attended the Wayne State College Student Teacher Fair today.  Extra Duty assignments will be presented at the April Board of Education meeting.  Mr. Bauer reminded board members that the NRCSA Spring Conference will be held March 23rd & 24th.  Small Town Kettle Co. will be presenting at 3:35 on Thursday, March 23rd in the Silver 3 Room.  Mr. Bauer reviewed Section C, paragraphs 1 & 2 in the Negotiated Agreement with board members regarding salary placement for incoming teachers.  A plan was made to meet with the teacher's negotiation committee the next day.  He also brought up how other schools benefit their student teachers with housing credit and sub-rate pay.  Mr. Bauer also stated that the drug policy and extra duty assignments will be on the agenda for next month.  

Discussion:  Mr. Drake reported the Jump Rope for Heart has concluded:  49 students participated and raised $4,234.31.  February 20 - 24 was FFA Week (February 24th, Jr. High FFA students came down to talk to the 6th graders).  February 27 - March 2nd (Read Across America week), NHS students had activities for the kids.  The kids had a great time.  March 2nd, the Green Eggs and Ham Breakfast was very well attended.  Also, the One School One Book Movie Matinee event was held.  PreK Roundup was held on March 7th.  Kindergarten Roundup was held on March 14th.  Report cards were also sent home that day.  Upcoming events include: Severe Weather Week - March 27 - 31.  Teacher In-Service will be March 29th from 1 - 4:00 pm.  No school on April 7th and 10th.  The Elementary Spring Concert is set for May 11th at 7 pm.  The Elementary Honors Program and Field Day will be May 17th.  (Honors at 9:00 / Field Day at 10:30)  Mr. Drake reported that they would be interviewing for the 2nd grade position soon.  He also stated that he would be attending the NRCSA conference.

Discussion:  Mr. Arntt reported that the State Dance competition took place in Grand Island, where Silver Lake's team won the Jazz Championship for Class D.  There was no school on February 22 due to teacher in-service from 8 to noon and Parent-Teacher's conferences from 1 to 7 pm.  The Canva and ChatGPT training was covered at the high school in-service.  Canva is a graphic design platform that is used to create social media graphics and presentations.  ChatGPT can write introduction and abstract sections of articles, which raises ethical questions.  Silver Lake came in 4th at TVC Speech, February 22nd.  FFA plant sales began on February 27th.  Speech Night was held at the high school on February 28th and was well attended.  Regional Science Fair took place at UNK on February 29th.  Silver Lake's speech team placed 3rd at District's in Franklin with 4 girls qualifying in 3 events.  The FFA Banquet was held on March 13th.  Actions Day will be held at CCC on March 15th.  State Speech is set for March 17th at UNK.  ACT is planned for March 21st.  State Powerlifting at Harvard will be March 25th.  A teacher in-service is set for March 29th.  TVC Quiz Bowl at Franklin is also set for March 29th.  State FFA will take place March 29 - 31st.  The Orchard Powerlifting meet is set for April 1st.  FBLA SLC will take place April 3rd - 5th.  Prom is planned for April 14th.  The Spring Junior / Senior High Music concert is set for April 17th.  Mr. Arntt also reported that pre-registration is underway and they have started to build the 2023-24 schedule.  Mrs. Schmidt and Mrs. Sinsel are looking to update ELA curriculum.  MARC Corp will be resurfacing the HS gym floor on July 5th.  Tillotson will be giving a bid on refinishing the restroom floors at the HS with an epoxy flooring.  Board members discussed FFA students going to the National Conference.  Questions were raised about the school paying expenses if a student does not qualify, or if this was a 2nd (or repeat) trip.  Administration will be checking with the FFA sponsor and the policies that are in place.

Discussion:  Hallie Hoffman has resigned from her second grade position to take a position at Kenesaw Public Schools.

Discussion:  Mr. Elley has accepted a position as the 7-12 Principal at Harvard.  This has created an opening for a 7-12 Math position.

Discussion:  Mr. Conroy has informed the district that he will not be returning for the 2023-24 school year.  

Discussion:  The insurance premium for 2023-24 is increasing due to the replacement value on commercial property going up.  See attached insurance quote.

Commercial Property Premium:  
22-23 - $40,411
23-24 - $48,456

Business Auto:
22-23 - $13,084
23-24 - $13,250

Total Account Premiums:
22-23 - $63,727
23-24 - $71,760
 

Discussion:  Mr. Niemeyer informed board members of some details of the Hastings Public Schools lockdown due to the swatting call.  The school had previously shared the floor plan, room numbers and the teachers assigned to those rooms with the 911 center.  It was easier to determine that the call was a scam.  Also the school had a parent pick up procedure set up in their breezeway.

Discussion:  N/A

Discussion:  The next regular board of education meeting is set for Wednesday, April 12th, 7 pm at the elementary school in Bladen.  A couple of items to be included on next month's agenda will be a drug testing policy and the extra duty assignments.