April 12, 2022 at 6:30 PM - REGULAR MEETING

Discussion:  Vice President Sandman called the meeting to order at 6:30 pm CT.

Discussion:  Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

Discussion:  Vice President Sandman advised every one of the open meetings act being posted and available.

Discussion:  Vice President Sandman verified that the ESU 15 Board meeting was advertised according to policy.

Discussion:  Present were: Marty Conroy, Mary Dueland,  Larry Gossen,  John Metzger, Don Remington and Allison Sandman. Burke joined at 6:39 pm.

Discussion:  Absent board members: Burke, Loop, Repass and Stevens

Discussion: 

ESU 15 Staff Developer, Kelly Erickson, updated the board on how the school year was coming along. We are in our eighth year of PLCs, seventh year in person because of covid. 

NDE is always changing and the new Language Art Standards have been adopted, new Math Standards are also coming out. The NSCAS  tests are changing. English Language Arts , Math and Science will have new tests this spring.  NWEA MAP merged with NSCAS to form NSCAS Growth for 3rd - 8th Grades ELA and Math assessments.  Some positive outcomes are the testing results will be available right away, so we will not have to wait until the fall for results.  Kelly is also a NWEA MAPS certified trainer and has been working with the teachers on the assessment and standards transition.  She has been working on Marazano training and teacher evaluation models to meet the new Rule 10.

Kelly works a lot with the school improvement process with the individual schools. Three of our nine schools had their school improvement external reviews this year; Chase County, Hayes Center and Wauneta/Palisade.  Three more schools will have their reviews next year, Medicine Valley, Southwest and Dundy County/Stratton.

There are a lot of teacher shortages for this next school year. Kelly is trying to help find teachers for schools and administrators with substitutes or whatever she can do for the administrators and teachers. 

Discussion:  Mary Dueland had a correction and the minutes were approved with corrections.

Discussion:  April Payables of $121,635.69 and Payroll of $73,562.13.

Discussion:  Mr. Calvert updated the board on a new contract for the Migrant/ELL Director position. 

Discussion:  Mr. Calvert read a resignation letter from John Metzger. John has been on the ESU 15 board for the last 10 years.  The board thanked John for his many years of service and wished him well, as he would be missed.

Discussion:  Laurie Brenning updated the board on the posters she has been able to do since the purchase of the wide area poster printer.  Board members looked at some of the posters that had been printed. Laurie has been able to collaborate with Kelly Erickson for posters to go with recent meetings.  Schools are very excited about the ability to print larger stuff that they will no longer have to go out of the school system to get.  Laurie was able to show the principals and superintendents at the latest meetings. Laurie thanked the board for purchasing the large poster printer. 

Discussion:  Mr. Calvert updated the board on the legislative session.
LB 1218- Walz teacher certification/loan forgiveness-alt certification       forms-five million for loan forgiveness
LB 1112- One computer course before graduation-2024-25
LB 888- Holocaust/slavery-could come up for final reading
LB873- property tax/social security tax deductions
LB1073- govener-vetoed, could not override bill

 

Discussion:  Mr. Calvert updated the board on ESUCC meetings- a big push for a cyber security team. In May they will want to vote on a cyber security team. It will not be mandatory, but the more that join the cheaper the services could cost each school. 
-4/12/2022- Supt meeting-Robert Stevens running for school board committee. 
-5/19/2022-Staff day
-The repainting of the building will be done as soon as it is done freezing at night.
-There is a large shortage of staff in Nebraska and all schools are feeling it as schools are trying to hire new staff for next year. 
 

Discussion:  Dueland asked about the migrant after-school program.
Sandman spoke about the shortage of teachers back in the day and how the seniors would teach the younger grades. - Grow your own teachers. 

Discussion:  The meeting adjourned at 7:13 pm.  The next Board Meeting is May 10, 2022, in McCook NE @ 12 pm, Noon.