May 13, 2024 at 7:00 PM - Board of Education Regular Meeting

Discussion:  Mr. McMurtry stated that the last day of school for students is May 16th.  The last day for teachers will be May 17th.  The church is doing a luncheon for all staff members to thank them for their service to the district.  The next board meeting is June 10th.

Discussion:  Mr. Reed gave a presentation in regards to implementing an AP Government course offering next year.  He stated that it is run by the college board which does an audit on the curriculum.  The class culminates in a test through the college board that determines if a student receives college credit.  The test is scored 1-5.  Most schools offer some college credit for any score that is 3 or higher.  The GPA is different than other courses as well.  This class would be scored on 2-5 on a 4 point scale.  In order to be valedictorian, a student would need to take this class.  

Discussion:  Mrs. Bailey went through the list of reports for financials.  The check register was discussed.  Nancy pointed out that PLP is our credit recovery software that we are using this year.  The financial for each account was discussed.  Mr. McMurtry pointed out that Nebraskaland Bank put out an offer to keep all of our funds with them offering 5% interest for a period of 3 months.  Mr. McMurtry kept our money with the bank instead of transferring funds to NLAF

Discussion:  Mr. McMurtry read the administrator report that is attached.  He commended the transportation staff for getting students back home safely and in a timely manner when the bus broke down on the way back from Lincoln.  End of the year field trips and field days are rounding out the school year.  Testing went well and all students have been tested.  Graduation was successful and a great event for everyone who participated.  Mr. McMurtry thanked the board members for their involvement.  State track is the only remaining event for the school this year.   Jesse Reyes will be competing in both the 400 and the 800.  School improvement discussion centered around staffing and course offerings.  All certified staff members are returning.  All classified staff members aside from one para who is not returning due to having  new baby.  An astronomy class offering is being gauged for interest at the high school level.

Discussion:  Mr. McMurtry presented the building and grounds report.  The coach bus has been fixed and will be picked up tomorrow.  Both alternators were replaced.  Other busses will be rotated through to Gothenburg for maintenance.  Summer projects will begin on Monday.  The old gym is going to be finished starting on Monday.  Erin is going to be helping out by mowing the football field this summer.  

Discussion:  Mr. McMurtry gave a legislative update.  LB 1329 changes rules to option enrollment.  Students can now opt up to 3 times.  LB 1329 gives authority to the board to determine how long training needs to be based upon mandates.  LB 71 allows 5 year old to remain in preschool if they so choose.  LB 1329 revises the school's requirements in and around truancy.  LB 304 requires schools to post on their websites what associations they are affiliated with and the cost to be affiliated with them.  LB 71 gives parents the right to retain their child based upon 3 criteria.  LB 43 requires public comment at every meeting.  LB 43 also changes the terms for records requests.  LB 1300 excludes scrutinized companies from being contracted with for technology.  

Mr. McMurtry said that ESSER reimbursement is due by the end of September.  His goal is to have everything wrapped up by the end of July.  

Class sizes were talked about.  Current class size limits are k-3 18 students, 4-6 22 students, 7-9 28 students, and 10-12 30 students.  It was discussed about possible changes to the 9th grade enrollment limit.  Mr. Meyer said that he couldn't remember a reason why 9th grade was different than 10-12.  Mr. McKeemen spoke up and said the same.  Mr. McMurtry said that he didn't think there was a reason to it other than the use of junior high as 7-9.  The board was open to having this as a discussion item and possibly changing the freshman enrollment limit to 30 at the next meeting.  

Discussion:  Mr. McMurtry presented some information on area schools and what they are charging for lunch and breakfast.  Mr. McMurtry discussed how many schools just plan to supplement the lunch fund with the general fund.  Mr. McMurtry stated that this is simply a transfer of cost from the parent to the tax payer.  

Mr. McMurtry made the following suggestions for prices for the next school year
Breakfast - $2.50
Elementary lunch - $3.60
Secondary lunch - $3.85
Adult breakfast - $2.75
Adult lunch - $4.75
seconds - $2.50
Milk - $0.80

Mr. McMurtry pointed out rising cost in food prices.  Mrs. Breinig stated that it is not possible to pack a lunch for less than $3.60.  Mr. McKeeman agreed.  Mr. Meyer pointed out that he has heard many compliments about the work that Traci and her crew do in the kitchen for our students.  

Discussion:  Mr. Meyer pointed out that lunch prices are the suggested prices from the discussion item.

Discussion:  Mr. McMurtry stated that this is the contract for Jade Seigel who provides speech services for our students.  We share her with Hershey Public Schools.  We get her for 2 days a week and pay a percentage of her contract equal to her time in the district.  Mr. McMurtry stated that she does a tremendous job for our students.