June 17, 2024 at 7:00 PM - Board of Education Regular Meeting

Discussion:  Shaun Pagel read and signed his oath of office
I, Shaun Pagel, do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of Nebraska, against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or for purpose of evasion; and that I will faithfully and impartially perform the duties of the office of member of the school board of Maxwell Public Schools, according to law, and to the best of my ability. And I do further swear that I do not advocate, nor am I a member of any political party or organization that advocates the overthrow of the government of the United States or of this state by force or violence; and that during such time as I am in this position I will not advocate nor become a member of any political party or organization that advocates the overthrow of the government of the United States or of this state by force or violence. So help me God.
Mr. McMurtry stated that the next board meeting is July 8th.
A budget retreat was set for July 29th
Thoughts and prayers were asked for the Simpson family from their Maxwell Public School family

Discussion:  Nancy Bailey read through the reports.  It was stated that we are 76% through our targeted budget.  All accounts are currently in good shape.  It was discussed possibly reimbursing the general fund from the lunch fund for salaries.  Mr. McMurtry wanted to wait until all bills are through so that we don't have to put any more money in that account.  Mrs. Bailey pointed out several expenses to the board so that they knew what they were.  

Discussion:  Mr. McMurtry read a report from mainenance director Jason Sommer.  Several projects have been completed.  The new gym was painted and new banners have been hung.  The old gym was refinished.  Elementary rooms are cleaned and the crew is about two thirds the way through high school and junior high rooms.  The press box renovations are completed.  Concrete work around the addition is ongoing.  Jason is in touch with engineers to get wind loads for the posts that will hold the scoreboard.

Discussion:  Mr. McMurtry stated that budget authority has been released.  Maxwell's authority is $2,353,228.  That is roughly $150,000 less than Maxwell levied for last year.  The reason that this occurred is the new sped reimbursements are higher and raises the amount of resources that Maxwell has access to.  

Paperwork with UNK for the new music teacher is finished.  We are waiting on NDE for approval of the certificate.  Recommendation for approval of the contract is planned for the July meeting

FFA officers will be given the opportunity to attend the national conference in October.  Parameters will need to be established prior to commitment.  These details will be worked out between the sponsors.

Discussion:  Current class sizes are as follow:
k-3 18
4-6  22
7-9 28
10-12 30

Mr. McMurtry was asked by Casey Meyer if there was a reason that 9th didn't align with the rest of the high school.  Mr. McMurtry stated that he didn't know why it wasn't in line with the rest of the high school numbers.  Mr. McMurtry and Mr. Feeney both recommended that all capacities remain the same except for changing 9th grade to 30 to align with the rest of the high school capacities

Discussion:  The subscription for elementary CKLA reading materials has expired.  Mr. McMurtry presented a quote for another 3 years.  Mr. McMurtry reiterated the fact that materials for education will be recurring costs going forward as they are all subscription based.  

Discussion:  Handbook change recommendations were presented.  The changes consisted of:
Different bell schedules to allow for Academic Success at the end of the year
Changes to dress code reinforcement that include forcing students to change who are not in compliance
Changes to how tardiest are handled.  After the 3rd tardy, further tardies would result in in-school suspension
Updated cell phone policy that was adopted
Updated language for graduation requirements

Discussion:  Open Sci Ed materials for Biology, Chemistry, and Physics have been green lighted by Ed Reports.  These courses were not yet finalized when the science purchase for 7th-9th grade was made last year.  A quote was presented to the board and a recommendation for approval was made.

Discussion:  Mr. McMurtry read through all policy change requirements and recommendations to the board.  Board members asked questions to better understand each policy change.  A second readin of these changes will happen in July prior to asking the board to approve all changes.