August 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 July 27th publication of the Blue Hill Leader.  "The Open Meetings Act" poster was displayed in the meeting room.

Discussion:  Guests in attendance were:  Courtney Buerer, Krista Karr, Dustin Karr, Jennifer Karr, Adam Klein, Deb Skrdlant, Ashley Kral, Michelle Sorensen, Mary Gerloff and Jennifer tenBensel.  Ashley Kral addressed the board listing her concerns regarding a staff member.

Discussion:  Mr. Bauer thanked board members for their participation in the budget workshop last week.  He reported attending KSB's School Law training on student discipline this week.  Also, Psychological First Aid Trainings are in full swing.  Mr. Bauer is currently waiting on valuations to finish putting the budget and tax request together.  The administrative team attended Administrators Days in Kearney July 26th - 28th.  Legislative changes were the main topic of concern.  NSAA Football declarations will be November 30th.  The joint public hearing is set for 7 pm, Sept. 14th at Hastings High School.  

Discussion:  Mr. Drake reported completed events included Administrator Days in Kearney, School Mental Health Cohort, New Teacher In-Service at ESU-9, New Teacher Orientation and the Teacher in-Service.  Upcoming events are:  Teacher In-Service and Elementary Staff Meeting (Aug 15th), Preschool Orientation and the First Day of School (Aug 16th), First Day of Preschool (Aug 23rd), Picture Day (Aug 24th) and Grandparents Day which is set for September 15th.  Nick Duester has started as the elementary's head custodian.  Peggy Timm will be working part time in the kitchen and helping with some prep for the preschool room.

Discussion:  Mr. Jones reported on staff training, including Administrator Days, Mental Health Training, New Teacher Training, ELA Curriculum, New Staff Orientation, and Staff In-Services on Aug 14th & 15th, which included Safety Trainings, Strengthsfinder, CIP meeting, Instructional Model and staff meetings for each site.  The first day of school for students is Aug. 16th.  Drop and Adds for student schedules continue until August 22nd; Picture day is set for August 24th and Parent-Teacher Conferences will be September 20th from 1 - 7 pm.  Current enrollment for junior high is 25 students, with the high school at 67 students.  JH/HS Sports / Activities included the TVC fall meeting on August 2nd, summer weights, and fall scrimmages which are set for August 17th for both volleyball and football.  Roughly 70% of the high school is involved in fall sports.  Mr. Jones included the schedule for upcoming games, Parents Night for volleyball (Aug 24th), football & cross country (Aug 25th); band camp (Aug 8-10), FFA/FBLA Back to School Bash (Aug 18th) and Homecoming (Sept 29th).  Safety drill schedules were also listed.

Discussion:  $92,595 was paid to NE/Central Equipment for a 2023 Microbird Short Bus.

Discussion: 
$2,670 - Big Al's Bins (Temporary Roof Repair) 
$21,607 - Tilley's Sprinklers/Sod at Elementary
$11,913 - White Castle Roofing Elementary Roof Repair
$851.36 - Property taxes on our rental
$28,644 - Rutt's Heating and Air for individual room controls at elementary
$5,899 - Tilley's Sprinklers Bladen Football Field

Discussion:  We have had a vacancy at the elementary for a custodian since last December.  We have offered the position to Nick Duester and he has accepted.

Discussion:  Alex Ehrman has accepted an offer to be an assistant volleyball coach this season.  Alex will be student teaching first semester for physical education with us.

Discussion:  Mrs. Trausch, our industrial arts teacher, has listed some items she would like to advertise as surplus and get out of the shop.  These are items she has no intent on replacing.

Discussion: 
1. Storage at Bladen site.
2. Football Field Lights at Bladen site.
3. Bus barn in Bladen.
4. Tree removal on lot purchased in Bladen (Parking lot phase #1)
5. Reminder (Fire Alarm system in Roseland)
6. Used Astroturf (Bladen playground)

Discussion:  Eric Parr has gathered some trailer prices and options for us.  The price for a second set of carpet for the elementary gym floor would be somewhere in the neighborhood of 14,000-18,000 with the carts included.  

Discussion:  In another training video, KSB School Law helps board members and administrators navigate conflict of interest and liability concerns.

Discussion:  The next regular board meeting is set for Wednesday, September 13th, 7 pm at Bladen.  A public hearing & tax request is set for Wednesday, September 20th, 7 pm in Bladen.