July 14, 2021 at 6:00 PM - Board of Education Regular Meeting
Minutes |
---|
1. Call to Order and Pledge of Allegiance
Discussion:
President Gould called the meeting to order at 6:00 PM and the Pledge of Allegiance was said.
|
2. Motion to Excuse Board Member's Absence
Discussion:
Motion by Breitkreutz, second by Lange to approve the absence of Derek Matulka. RCV 5-0. Motion carried.
|
3. Open Meeting Law
Discussion:
The audience was reminded that the Open Meeting Laws would be followed.
|
4. Consent Agenda
Discussion:
Motion by Burklund, second by Breitkreutz to approve the consent agenda as presented including the regular meeting minutes of June 16, 2021; workshop meeting minutes of July 7, 2021; June Financial Statement; and July monthly bills. RCV 5-0. Motion carried.
|
4.1. Regular Minutes of June 16, 2021 and Board Workshop on July 7, 2021
Attachments:
(
)
|
4.2. Financial Statement/Report
Attachments:
(
)
|
4.3. Monthly Bills
Attachments:
(
)
|
5. Correspondence/Recognition
|
6. Public Forum
|
7. Discussion Items
|
7.1. Administrative Reports
Attachments:
(
)
Discussion:
Submitted by Allison Stansberry, Jr-Sr High School Principal
Congratulations to Rosalie Tvrdy for being selected into the Youth Leadership Lincoln Program. Selected members spend one day a month together. The Youth cohort is interactive and hands-on helping the participants develop leadership and team participation skills. They have the opportunity to meet with community leaders from across Lincoln and learn how they can help maintain the quality of life we enjoy. Each month during the year they’ll learn about community visions, business, government, human services, and health. Theme this year will be "Making Waves" - As the tides change, after a challenging year, we come together as a staff and as a community in a new way with a deepened focus on impact, both individual and collective. In considering when, where, how, and why we make an impact, we strive to create a steadfast sense of belonging amongst the turbulent currents around us. We strengthen and empower ourselves and support each other so that we can make a positive difference in the world around us. We’ll do this by reconnecting with one another with joy at the center; this can be a buoyant and positive force for ripples of change. Open House/Orientation - We will be sending communication out next week regarding Back to School Open House/Orientation. Currently, the plan is as follows: August 4th: 3:00-6:00 (Grades 7-12) 6:30-8:00 (6th Grade Orientation) August 5th: 1:00-6:00 (Grades 7-12) 6:30-8:00 (6th Grade Orientation) We plan on doing the 6th grade orientation similar to last year. We will have families sign up for a night and go through 3 rotations: Handbook, Technology, Fees/Forms/Etc. One thing that will help our process is having our forms online. This will allow families to fill these out at home so when they come in they just have to take care of fees, chromebooks, etc. We will have computers set up and available for families to use if they choose to fill them out here. Cell Phone Policy - Research: https://awayfortheday.squarespace.com/survey As you have or will see in the Student Handbook, we are updating the handbook to align with Board Policy. Previously, the handbook stated that electronic devices would be up to the discretion of the teacher. As we find, phones are becoming more of a disruption to the learning environment and having an impact on the learning of our students. Therefore, the handbook was updated to state the following based on School Board Policy 5101: Electronic Devices:
Classes: One thing that is important to bring to light is that we are seeing an increase in class sizes in the junior high. For example, our 7th grade reading class has sections of 26 and 27 students. Due to the nature of scheduling and current staffing, offering more sections of reading is not an option at this time. Also, in August I will update with current enrollment numbers by grade level. We are still looking for an Industrial Tech Teacher. We are hoping we can find someone to step into the role at least the second semester. Upcoming Dates: July 27th-July 30th: Administrator Days (Kearney) August 3rd/August 4th: Back to School Open House/Orientation August 3rd: K-8 Discovery Ed Training August 4th: 9-12 Discovery Ed Training August 5th: New Teacher Training August 6th: All Staff Return August 11th: First day with students (12:00 Dismissal) Submitted by Brian Gralheer, Assistant Jr-Sr High School Principal/Athletic Director I think I can speak for our coaches when I say that it is great to have a normal summer. The restrictions of last year did not allow us to host team or youth camps, and also restricted our athletes' access to the weight room. It is great to have our youth and varsity players back in the weight room and in the gym doing the things they love.
Submitted by Shelly Dostal, Elementary Principal at Valparaiso/K-5 Curriculum Director Summer Academy finished their last day on July 1. A huge thank you to the families and staff who made this program possible. Civic Nebraska provided wrap around child care at a discounted rate and provided transportation to the Ceresco site from Valparaiso. Jumpstart Kindergarten Class will meet the last two weeks of July for an abbreviated session this year. Thank you to Mrs. Kendra Carlson and her assistants for leading this program. Plans are being developed for the 2021-2022 school year. The administrative team has met and continues to move forward, supplies and materials have been ordered, custodial crews have been working in the building, classroom spaces have been assigned and teachers are gearing up for the year. Class size numbers continue to be a concern with the smallest class at 22 and most at 24-25. The School Improvement Team will meet again in August. The back to school PTO pool party will be held on July 30 from 6:00-8:00 PM at the Wahoo pool. New teachers will attend RC orientation on August 5 with all staff reporting on August 6. New to the education profession teachers will attend the ESU#2 New Teacher Academy on August 2 and 3. Meet and Greet your teacher time is scheduled for August 9. The first day of school will be August 11, dismissing at the elementary at 11:45am. The administrative team has been busy. Personally, I have been reviewing data, attending various webinars and will continue to attend meetings virtually and in person throughout the remainder of the summer. The administrative team will attend the annual Nebraska Administrator Days Conference in Kearney on July 28-30. Mrs. Lopez will complete her administrative assistant duties on July 30. She will train new hire Kindra O’Malley on July 26-30. Congratulations to Kathleen Cooper and family on the birth of her son Joseph on June 28. The handbook has been updated for board approval. Please see proposed changes. Submitted by Ann Egr, Elementary Principal at Ceresco/Special Education Director Elementary Updates and revisions to the 2021-22 handbook have been made. The proposed changes are a separate item for board approval. Custodial staff continues to working hard! The facilities look great! We need to be mindful of the elementary class sizes. The smallest class is 23 and that is kindergarten. Meet and Greet night is scheduled for August 9, 2021. I can’t believe that is right around the corner! The Administrative Team will be attending Administrator Days at the end of July. This event will be in person at Kearney. Elementary Summer Academy Wrap Up - 12 Sessions **Attendance varied due to vacations that were scheduled prior to the planning of Summer Academy and also prescheduled RC volleyball camp. Valparaiso Number of students attending: 28
Number of students attending: 30
Two other students exclaimed, "This was the best day ever!" Reluctant readers asked to take home books to read over the summer. Valparaiso students completed 1,083 units using the Lexia reading skills program while Ceresco students completed 1,097 units. Students also enjoyed making ice cream, creating bridges, and programming with the Bee Bots, S’mores pizza box oven, and the Pringle Challenge. |
7.2. Curriculum Report
|
7.3. Superintendent's Report
Attachments:
(
)
Discussion:
Summer Facility updates are progressing as expected. The roof project is almost finished, the installation of the portable unit is on track with siding and plumbing as the next major phases. The cement work out by the new storage shed has been completed. The striping of the parking lot is the remaining 'big' project for the summer.
Administrator Workshop - The six administrators are planning to attend the in person Administrator Days workshops at the end of July. One of the days is devoted to NDE updates and insights. |
7.3.1. Goal 1: Ensure continuing well being of staff and students by creating an equitable framework for responding to and recovering from a pandemic.
|
7.3.2. Goal 2: Continue the creation of a 10-year facilities strategic plan for implementation that addresses maintenance and improvements for existing building assets.
|
7.3.3. Goal 3: Develop progress monitoring tools to evaluate the effectiveness of district initiatives to ensure the sustainability over time.
|
7.3.4. 2021-2022 Raymond Central Strategic Plan
Attachments:
(
)
|
7.4. Facilities Report
|
7.5. Review of Technology Plan
Attachments:
(
)
Discussion:
Kidwell has finished installing the new camera on the outside of the high school.
We are currently working on inventorying the Chromebooks. Keely Schaffer and Steve Rose have been working to sort through the iPads to see which ones can be utilized in the elementary technology classes, kindergarten, and PK. When that is finished we will set up the elementary Chromebook carts. New staff computers are being set up and some have already been in to pick them up. |
7.6. Update of Raymond Central Crisis and Safety Protocol
|
7.7. Committee on American Civics (Breitkreutz - chair, Springer, Burklund)
|
7.8. Transportation Committee (Breitkreutz- chair, Springer, Lange)
|
7.9. Finance Committee (Springer- chair, Blanchard, Breitkreutz)
|
7.10. Facilities Committee (Blanchard- chair, Springer, Burklund)
|
7.11. Negotiations Committee (Blanchard - chair, Gould, Lange)
|
7.12. Curriculum Committee (Gould - chair, Burklund, Lange)
|
7.13. Policy Committee (Springer- chair, Gould, Lange)
|
7.14. NASB Monthly Update
Attachments:
(
)
|
7.15. Review Student Participation Numbers
Attachments:
(
)
Discussion:
Brian Gralheer presented Raymond Central student participation numbers by activity/grade level and the last five years history. He also presented data using academic information from Raymond Central students indicating that participation in extracurricular activities does show an increase in academic success.
|
7.16. Discuss the Return to Learn plan for the 2021-22 school year.
Attachments:
(
)
Discussion:
The draft of our 2021-2022 Safe Return to School Plan will be posted to the website asking for feedback, comments, input from patrons. The Board will meet to review any changes prior to posting the final plan.
|
7.17. Review Public Forum Presentation(s) - Consider, discuss, and take all necessary action
|
8. Action Items
|
8.1. Approval of Staff Resignation(s)
Discussion:
Motion by Burklund, second by Lange to accept the resignation of Deb Shanahan as Valparaiso Cook. RCV 5-0. Motion carried.
|
8.2. Approval of Staff Appointment(s)
Discussion:
Motion by Blanchard, second by Breitkreutz to approve the staff appointment of Kindra O’Malley as Valparaiso Administrative Assistant, Step 1. RCV 5-0. Motion carried.
|
8.3. Approval of Substitutes
Discussion:
Motion by Burklund, second by Lange to approve Trisha Alexander as substitute teacher; Samantha Kenning as local substitute teacher; and Megan Johnson as substitute paraeducator. RCV 5-0. Motion carried.
|
8.4. Approval of Propane Bid
Attachments:
(
)
Discussion:
Motion by Breitkreutz, second by Lange to accept the propane bid of $1.389 from Otte Oil & Propane as the supplier for district tanks from September 1, 2021 through August 31, 2022. RCV 5-0. Motion carried.
|
8.5. Approve changes to technology forms.
Attachments:
(
)
Discussion:
Motion by Breitkreutz, second by Burklund to approve changes to the 2021-2022 Technology Forms presented. Grades 1-2 will be moving to chromebooks with Kindergarten being the only grade using ipads. RCV 5-0. Motion carried.
|
8.6. Approval of elementary and secondary student/parent handbooks
Attachments:
(
)
Discussion:
Motion by Breitkreutz, second by Blanchard to approve changes to the 2021-2022 Elementary and Secondary Student/Parent Handbooks as presented. RCV 5-0. Motion carried.
|
8.7. Approval of Staff Handbook
Attachments:
(
)
Discussion:
Motion by Lange, second by Burklund to approve changes to the 2021-2022 Staff Handbook as presented. RCV 5-0. Motion carried.
|
8.8. Raymond Central's Updated Teacher Evaluation Tool (process, protocol, and rubric) - Consider, discuss and take all necessary action
Attachments:
(
)
Discussion:
Motion by Burklund, second by Gould to approve the Updated Teacher Evaluation Tool (Process, Protocol, and Rubric) as presented. RCV 5-0. Motion carried.
|
8.9. Approval of Foreign Exchange student from Spain for the 2021-22 school year.
Discussion:
Motion by Blanchard, second by Lange to approve a Foreign Exchange Student from Madrid, Spain for the 2021-2022 school year. RCV 5-0. Motion carried.
|
8.10. Approval of budget workshop date.
Discussion:
Motion by Breitkreutz, second by Lange to approve the Budget Workshop date of Wednesday, August 25, 2021 at 6:00 PM. RCV 5-0. Motion carried.
|
8.11. Approval of Next Regular Board of Education Meeting - Wednesday, August 11, 2021
Discussion:
Motion by Blanchard, second by Breitkreutz to approve the next regular Board Meeting for Wednesday, August 11, 2021 and also a Special Board Meeting for Monday, July 26, 2021. RCV 5-0. Motion carried.
|
9. Adjournment
Discussion:
Motion by Blanchard, second by Breitkreutz to adjourn the meeting at 6:46 PM. RCV 5-0. Motion carried.
|
10. Important Upcoming Dates:
|