March 16, 2020 at 7:00 PM - Board of Education Regular Meeting
| Minutes | |
|---|---|
|
1. Milford Public Schools Board of Education Information
More Information:
Mission Statement - Milford Public Schools will prepare all students to be successful citizens: Our Mission is fulfilled when all students read with comprehension, speak and write clearly, compute accurately, reason logically, understand and appreciate the fine arts, apply suitable strategies and habits of mind to solve problems, utilize technology to communicate and to understand information and behave morally.
This agenda contains a list of subjects known at the time of its distribution. A copy of the agenda reflecting any changes will be available for public inspection during normal business hours in the District Office. Except for items of an emergency nature, the agenda shall not be altered later than twenty-four hours before the meeting. The Board reserves the right to alter the order of items, as it deems necessary. |
|
|
2. Opening Procedures
|
|
|
2.1. Call to Order, Roll Call
|
|
|
2.2. Excuse Absent Board Members (if needed)
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
|
|
|
2.3. Open Meeting Law
More Information:
Information concerning the Open Meeting Law, Chapter 84, Article 14 of Nebraska State Statutes, is posted on the bulletin board in the back of the meeting room. |
|
|
2.4. Additions to Agenda
|
|
|
2.5. Welcome and Introduction of Visitors
|
|
|
2.6. Community Input
More Information:
This is the public’s opportunity to speak to items on the agenda. This is also the public’s opportunity to speak to any topic concerning the school district – since it is not an agenda item the board cannot discuss or take action on the matter at this time. Future discussion can be requested as an agenda item. To be recognized, all participants must complete the Request to Address the Milford Board of Education Form. No complaints regarding specific staff members will be heard during a public meeting. The District has established separate procedures for complaints against individual employees. Thank you for your participation. |
|
|
3. Consent Agenda
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
|
|
|
3.1. Approve Minutes of Previous Meeting
|
|
|
3.2. Approve Payment of Claims
More Information:
General Fund for $90,777.47 |
|
|
4. Reports
|
|
|
4.1. Administrative Reports
Discussion:
Elementary Principal: Mrs. Hartman recognized student accomplishments. She discussed Girls On the Run and Kindergarten Round Up.
Secondary Principal: Mr. Mowinkel discussed the successful wrestling season, recognized student accomplishments, and shared that Striv students broadcasted the Girl's State Basketball tournament. Director of Learning: Dr. Kubicek discussed teacher goal setting. He shared the ACT and state assessments will not take place this year. Superintendent: Mr. Wingard congratulated the board members that will continue on the board. He included the NASB update. He discussed upcoming NRCSA and NASB trainings and future meetings. |
|
|
4.2. Review/Discuss Grade Level Student Enrollment Report
More Information:
K-6 is at 432
7-8 is at 95 9-12 is at 220 K-12 total is at 747 |
|
|
4.3. Construction Updates
Discussion:
Mr. Wingard shared that he has concerns with the brick on the high school.
|
|
|
4.4. Legislative Report
More Information:
AM 2877 for LB 974
Discussion:
Mr. Wingard included a letter from the Nebraska Education Collaboration. President Welsch discussed the state budget and LB974.
|
|
|
4.5. Discuss State Funding for Public Education
More Information:
Open discussion as needed. |
|
|
5. Board Commentary
Discussion:
Board member Ned Pauley thanked the administration for their work with COVID-19. President Welsch discussed the staff meeting on 3/16/20 and thought it went well.
|
|
|
6. Unfinished Business
|
|
|
6.1. Act on 2020/21 Option Enrollment Numbers
More Information:
We reviewed these numbers in February. Our recommendation is to approve the option enrollment requests.
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
|
|
|
6.2. Review/Discuss District Planning
More Information:
I have this on the agenda as a follow-up to our retreat. Any questions or comments will be discussed at this time. The administrative team has not discussed this item since our last meeting.
Discussion:
No discussion.
|
|
|
6.3. Discuss 2020-21 Master Calendar
More Information:
The administrative team does not have a final recommendation for you at this time. This item will be acted on at the April Board Meeting.
Discussion:
No discussion.
|
|
|
7. New Business
|
|
|
7.1. Approve Initial Teaching Contracts for Caitlynn Ensley (elementary music), Addison Pauley (4th grade), Brittany Dey (4th grade), Jake Kment (junior high science)
More Information:
We have had some great interviews and some tough decisions!
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
|
|
|
7.2. Approve Initial Teaching Contract for Faith Towle (elementary counselor)
More Information:
I have this as a separate agenda item as this is a new position for the district. We discussed the need for this position at our Board Retreat.
We had a solid pool of candidates. Candidate Faith Towle stood out during the interview and reference checking process. Faith is currently the elementary counselor at Clinton Elementary in Lincoln. Faith started the counseling program for Clinton. Faith initiated and implemented many of the programs we are wanting for Milford Elementary and introduced us to several other ideas. Faith's teaching experience was at Seward Middle School. We believe Faith is the one that can start our program!
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
|
|
|
7.3. Coronavirus General Discussion
More Information:
We will have a general discussion on Coronavirus
Discussion:
Mr. Wingard shared his concerns regarding COVID-19. He included the letter sent to parents announcing the school closure. He discussed what the district has in place.
|
|
|
7.4. Coronavirus - Discuss/Act On Resolution for Approving Superintendent to Act on Leave Considerations for Classified Staff and Certified Staff Not Covered by the Negotiated Agreement
More Information:
KSB Law is recommending a resolution authorizing the superintendent to: Approve emergency expenditures, enter into contracts, and incur obligations for emergency management purposes and to minimize the disruption to education services regardless of existing statutory limitations and requirements pertaining to appropriation, budgeting, or the manner of entering into contracts. Approve all claims and take any other action authorized by law during the emergency and any resulting school closure, which the board will review and approve once the board resumes regular operations. Assign and utilize staff as necessary prior to, during, and after a closure, and to provide any leave, pay any compensation, and enter into agreements with staff for the purposes of protecting the health and safety of the school community, continuing the efficient operations of the school district, and ensuring staff return to work in the school district in the event of a closure.
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
|
|
|
7.5. Coronavirus - Discuss/Act On Superintendent's Authority to Suspend, Cancel, or Reschedule Certain Events, such as Use of School Facilities, School Trips, Concerts, Prom, and Graduation
More Information:
Even though we have policies stating that the superintendent has the authority to take steps to make these decisions, KSB Law feels it would be prudent for a board to reconfirm this authority.
I visited with Bobby tonight and he said this is truly optional.
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
|
|
|
7.6. Coronavirus - Discuss/Act On Superintendent's Authority to Pay Non-Discretionary Claims
More Information:
From KSB: In the event of a prolonged closure, the board may want to give the superintendent authority to make certain payments even if the board cannot or does not meet—for example service payments on a bond or payments to food vendors who are still providing items for the school’s food program. The more specific this grant of authority is from the board, the less likely you will be to face a challenge from a disgruntled patron in the future.
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
|
|
|
7.7. Coronavirus - Discuss/Act On Superintendent's Authority to Assign Staff as Needed Prior to a Closure, During a Closure, and After a Closure
More Information:
Again, although we already have policies giving the authority to to the superintendent to assign staff as needed, KSB feels we should reaffirm this. Staff assignments will be both unpredictable and may change without much notice. This could include assigning staff to report to school or to perform certain duties at home.
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
|
|
|
7.8. Coronavirus - Discuss/Act On Superintendent's Authority to Hire Additional Classified Staff or Contract for Sanitation and Other Services as Needed
More Information:
We already have a policies conferring classified staff hiring authority to the superintendent or his or her designee, and a policy outlining the superintendent’s ability to contract for services. As in the above items, KSB feels it would be prudent to reaffirm this authority.
I have already reached out to some cleaning companies for bids, etc. We may have to contract with one of them if directed to clean by the Health Department. We may also have to hire some of our regularly employed staff (paras) to assist with cleaning which would be a change in job assignments.
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
|
|
|
8. Executive Session
More Information:
The Board of Education reserves the right to enter into Closed/Executive Session for 1) the protection of the public interest, or 2) the prevention of needless injury to the reputation of an individual, and/or the individual has not requested a public meeting. When making a motion to enter into Closed/Executive Session, the member making the motion should be as specific as possible as to the reason(s) for executive session.
Discussion:
Adjourned Executive Session at 8:38 p.m.
|
|
|
9. Adjourn
Discussion:
President Welsch adjourned the meeting at 9:06 p.m.
|
