June 12, 2023 at 7:00 PM - Board of Education Regular Meeting

• Board President Desh called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
• Board President Desh led the board and the patrons in attendance in the Pledge of Allegiance.

• Board President Desh identified the location of the Open Meetings Act Poster on the wall in the meeting room.
  • Please note that no changes to the Open Meeting Act occurred during the latest Legislative session and the current Open Meetings Act information will stay current until further notice. 

• There were no staff or student presentations at the meeting due to the summer break. 
• These presentations will begin again when school starts in the fall.

• No further discussion. 

• Public comment was provided by Dallas Svoboda of Bennet, Nebraska.
• Public comment was provided by Craig Bolz of Palmyra, Nebraska.

• "Community Unity" Panel Update:
  • The Palmyra and Bennet "Community Unity" Panels are complete and the Douglas "Community Unity" Panel is nearing completion and will be finalized in the fall after staff and students return to school. 
• Staff Handbooks:
  • Due to the recent legislative changes and updated NDE requirements and possible updates established by our student behavior, activities, and technology committees, the staff handbooks will be presented for approval at the Monday, July 10th regular board meeting. 
• Student Handbooks: 
  • Due to the recent legislative changes and updated NDE requirements and possible updates established by our student behavior, activities, and technology committees, the student handbooks will be presented for approval at the  Monday, July 10th regular board meeting. 
• District Calendar Update:
  • To accommodate recent legislative training requirements and additional mandates, social media, behavioral, building schedule, and technology system updates, and in alignment with tentative construction schedules at both buildings, Monday, August 7th - Friday, August 11th will be staff development and training for our district personnel and no school for students.
  • The first student day for students in grades K-12 will be Monday, August 14th. 
  • The first student day for preschool students will be Tuesday, August 15th. 
  • The updated calendar is attached to this agenda item.
  • Communication of the new district calendar will be posted on our school website and social media channels and communicated in the July "hard copy" newsletter which will be mailed to our district patrons.
• "Beginning of the Year" and Summer Activities
  • The first student day for students in grades K-12 will be Monday, August 14th. 
  • The first student day for preschool students will be Tuesday, August 15th. 
  • HS and Elementary Open House
    • These dates will be announced at a later time. 
  • Summer Enrichment Update:
    • The elementary school has hosted over 130 students during the summer enrichment period.
    • Students have been involved in a variety of fun-filled activities while continuing to learn core academics. 
    • Special thanks to our teaching staff, paras, bus drivers, and parents for their flexibility in dealing with the parking lot construction at the Bennet site. 
• Personnel Update
  • Certified Staff: All certified staff have been hired for the upcoming school year and all of our teaching positions are currently filled. 
  • Classified Staff: Applications are still being taken for food service, paraprofessionals, bus drivers, and substitutes. Interested applicants should call our school office at (402) 780-5327 to apply or apply online on our district website at www.districtor1.org
• "Board Retreat" Information:
  • A board retreat has been scheduled for Wednesday, July 12th beginning at 6:30 p.m. at Transformation Marketing in Panama, Nebraska.
  • Public Notice of this meeting will be posted in the local newspaper
• End of the Session Legislative Update:
  • More information is contained in a subsequent agenda item.  
• Summer Building Projects 
  • High School
  • Bennet
• Building Expansion and Construction Update
  • More information is contained in a subsequent agenda item. 
• Curriculum Update
  • Mr. Johnson shared that our Social Studies department will be getting an updated digital curriculum (Saavas) in alignment with the district curriculum cycles. 
• Strategic Planning Update
  • A Prioritization Summary of the strategic plan is attached to this agenda item.
  • The main guiding principles of the plan include Culture and Connectedness, Facilities, Student Learning Experiences, Personnel Effectiveness and Staffing, and Board Governance.  
• 2023-2024 Budget Information: 
  • Discussion included the new formula for the state (foundation) aid projections for next year. 
  • More specific information related to the 2023-2024 district budgeting process will take place at the July 10th regular board meeting.

• Bennet Elementary School:
  • Entrances / Exits
  • Safety
  • Communication and Community Updates
  • Parking Lot Discussion: Stalls / Traffic Flow / Concrete Removal
  • Bus and Parent/Staff Traffic Flow/ Efficiency
  • Gym Floor and Gym Update
  • Shed Relocation
  • Playground Renovation
  • Alleyway Closure 
• Palmyra High School:
  • Entrances / Exits
  • Safety
  • Communication and Community Updates
  • CTE electrical logistics, equipment (placement and overall projected costs).
  • Flooring
  • Timeline
  • Parking, traffic flow
  • Concrete removal
  • Summer events

• A lengthy overview of the results of the most recent legislative session included discussion and information on school finance and taxes, requirements and timelines for the upcoming Joint Public Hearings, teacher recruitment and retention,  private school scholarships, dress codes, dyslexia, option enrollment related to special education, school safety, graduation requirements, part-time student enrollment, and extracurricular participation, teacher certification and basic skills requirements for licensure, student financial aid requirements (FASFA), student discipline changes, youth organizations and access to school,  and textbook loan changes. 

The discussion included information regarding the following items: 

• Team Rooms
• Grooming Service 
• Irrigation work
• Shot put area
• Concession stand
• Olson Complex Family Nights
• Memorial Plaque
• GMax testing and turf care
• Other items as identified 

Olson Complex Family Nights: 

• Please note that these Family Nights are intended to promote community engagement and family involvement at the Olson Complex. Children should be supervised at all times and pets will not be allowed inside the Olson Complex gates. 
• Community members and families are encouraged to come to the Olson Complex on these nights to enjoy an opportunity to meet other community members and spend time walking the track, visiting, or enjoying the football field for activities like soccer, football, etc.
• More specific information about the upcoming Family Nights is listed below: 
  • Tuesday, June 27th from 6:30 - 8:00 p.m.
  • Tuesday, July  18th from 6:30 - 8:00 p.m.

• More information is contained in the attached documents. 
• A second issuance of the remaining bond proceeds was discussed and this second issuance is projected to occur in the fall (October/November) timeline. 

• Ms. Walter and Mr. Johnson discussed information related to the following areas:
  • Social media and student cell phone usage and possible daily operational changes at the high school, parking, and traffic flow at both buildings, summer enrichment, student behavior committees and data retreat information, student assessments, and state reports on Multiculturalism and Americanism. 
• Examples of Multi-Cultural Reports and the Admin report for June 2023 are attached. 

• Examples of the attached student reports were discussed by Ms. Walter. 
• These reports are submitted and required in compliance with Nebraska State School Law LB 399.

• No further discussion.

• Suggested changes deal with cell phones and technology usage at school.
• Mr. Johnson provided additional context and rationale as to why the policy change might be needed at the high school.
• These proposed changes are scheduled to be included in the 2023-2024 Student and Staff Handbooks. 

• No further discussion.

• No further discussion.

• Law Conference in Kearney: Thursday, June 15th:
  • Board President Desh will be attending this conference and will provide a summary at the July 10th regular board meeting.  
• Board Retreat:
  • The Board retreat date and time were discussed and the retreat is scheduled to be held on Wednesday, July 12th beginning at 6:30 p.m. at Transformational Marketing (if the venue is available). Public notice of the meeting will be posted prior to the retreat. 
• The NASB Board Quicks:
  • This document for June 2023 is attached.
• NASB Legislative Notes are attached.
  • This document for June 2023 is attached
• Construction Manager At Risk (CMAR) Monthly Progress/ Update Meetings: 
  • The board discussed how to best facilitate upcoming construction-related expenditures and building expansion progress updates from BIC Construction.
    • Board members decided to meet monthly beginning at 6:15 p.m. prior to the regular Board of Education meeting. These meetings will be held in the media center or the west conference room at the high school.  These meetings will start in July 2023 and continue throughout the duration of the construction process. 
    • BIC representatives and other construction-related company representatives (as needed), will be in attendance to discuss construction progress and expenditures. 

• No closed session occurred during the meeting.

• Policy Additions and Requirements from the recent Legislative Session
• Annual Hearing (Parent Involvement, Student Fees)
• 2023-2024 School Meal Prices
• Policy Review on:
  • Bullying Policy
  • Attendance Policy
  • Student Discipline Policy
• 2023- 2024 Budget Discussion
• Option Enrollment Appendix update
• Strategic Planning Update 
• 2023 - 2024 Student Fees
• 2023-2024 Staff and Student Handbooks
• "Beginning of School" Schedule 
• Other items as needed

• The meeting was adjourned at 8:56 p.m.