September 16, 2013 at 6:30 PM - Board of Education Regular Meeting

Rationale:  I.     Call Hearing to Order

II.   The purpose of the Hearing is to review, discuss, consider, and receive input, and or
       support, opposition, criticism, suggestions or observations of taxpayers relating to
       the 2013-14 proposed budget.

III.  Adjourn Budget Hearing

Rationale:  I.     Call Hearing to Order

II.    The purpose of the Hearing is to review, discuss, consider, receive input, and hear
        support,opposition, criticism, suggestions or observations of taxpayers relating to
        the 2013-14 proposed property tax levy.

III.   Adjourn Levy Setting Hearing

Rationale: 

STRIVE  •  COMMIT  •  SUCCEED  -  District Mission Statement

Schuyler Community Schools in partnership with parents, students, and the community is committed to educate students to become skilled, knowledgeable and responsible citizens in a global society - District Vision Statement

Notice of this meeting was given in advance according to State Law 84-1411, by giving notice of the meeting to the public.  Notice of this meeting was also given in advance to all members of the Board of Education

Rationale:  This meeting has been preceded by advance notice and is hereby declared to be in open session.  A copy of the Open Meetings Act is posted in the hallway outside the Media Center.

Rationale:  Discuss, Consider and Take Action on the consent agenda

Rationale:  The SCHS student representative will be at the meeting.

Rationale:  We will be honoring All-A honor roll students from 12-13 at the board
meeting.  Letters were sent to parents last Friday.

Rationale:  We discussed the proposed budget in August.  We were waiting for the district valuations to be certified by the county assessor prior to setting our final tax request. Attached is the full budget, the advertised budget notice, and the valuations certified for the 2013-14 school year.

Rationale:  Attached is the property tax levy as advertised along with the resolution to be adopted by the board of education at their regular meeting.  Valuation increase was 5.5%.  See attached information.

Rationale:  In the past, salaries for bus drivers and substitute teachers were changed in the fall.  We are proposing the attached salary updates and recommend approval of these salaries occur with the adoption of the classified handbook in the spring.  Attached are the pages from the support staff handbook and the recommendation on the following positions for the 2013-14 school year. 

 Bus Driver:  $12.75 per hour plus $.10 longevity for returning employees.

 Van Driver:  $11.50 per hour plus $.10 longevity for returning employees.

 Route Driver:  $15.00 per trip plus $.10 longevity for returning employees.

 Alt Ed Driver:  $20.00 per trip – (new addition) plus $.10 longevity for returning employees.

The salaries listed above reflect a $.25 increase in base salary plus $.10 for returning employees.  See attached recommendation.

Rationale:  The Nebraska Association of School Boards now provides an online policy service.  This service converts all board policies to HTML code which allows the board and the general public to search policies, convert to other languages, and maintain and/or update our policies.  The initial set-up fee is $300 and the annual renewal fee of $1,000 per year (January to December).  If we begin during the fall, our annual fee will be prorated.  See enclosed agreement.

Rationale:  We have a couple new hires for your consideration.

The Sixpense Grant provides a position for a "home visitor" to serve fifteen (15) birth to age three children in our community.  This person must have a bachelor's degree and must be bilingual.  Amanda O'Mally has been tentatively offered this position, pending board approval.  Amanda has experience in working with children and we believe will be a strong asset to our school and community.

We are also recommending hiring Lourdes Pena and Paloma Arcieva for the "new comers" para-educator positions at the middle and high school buildings.  These two are replacement positions.

Finally, we needed to reassign a special education teacher from the two rural schools to support special education students at the alternative school.  Due to this reduction in staff for the rural schools, we are recommending replacing that FTE with Brante Hayes (substitute teacher) to cover the physical education classes at those two buildings and will spend the remainder of the day at the elementary building and Head Start buildings as a SPED para-educator.  Because this teaching position is only for two periods per day, we will be hiring this individual as a substitute teacher rather than as a regular employee.  The regular physical education teachers will be providing the lesson plans for these classes.  By reassigning the PE, the regular teachers will be free to teach the science classes in their buildings.

Rationale: 

SCHUYLER COMMUNITY SCHOOLS FOUNDATION

MEETING 09/09/13 @ 12 NOON – 1:00 P.M.

@ SCHUYLER CHAMBER OFFICE

  

Membership:  Lumir Jedlicka-Treasurer, Brian Vavricek- President, Virginia Semerad, Clinton Parr- Secretary, Sandy Seckman- Vice President, Victor Lopez, and Dan Hoesing

Guests             –     Lora Johnson – Chamber Executive Director

                        -Joyce Baumert – Performing Arts consultant – 402-352-5324

–mandjbaumert@gmail.com – possible member

                        -Kem Cavanah – Economic Development Executive Director

-Shelley Friesz – sfriesz@esu7.org – 402-352-3527 Ext 216 – Foundation Assistant

-Sheri Balak – sheribalak@hotmail.com – Alumni Honors consultant

Absent: 

Vision:  To support the enrichment of educational programs and student life experiences 

Goals:  -To promote education in Schuyler Community Schools

            -Additional giving of $100,000 by August 31^st, 2013

Secretary Report/Minutes – Review and Approve (refer minutes e-mailed by Shelley Friesz – August 5, 2013)

 

Treasurer’s Report – unofficial total balance $115,037

     ·   Donations received from Martin & Laurie Schlautman $50 and Mendlik Orthodontics $25 

 

New Business

     ·    Scott Larson from Paul J Strawhecker Inc. contacted Shelley in regards to fundraising- would like to come and meet with the committee at the October board meeting

 

Committee Reports: 

• Labor Day:Brian*, Clinton, Victor

             °  Dance         

             °  Parade

             °  Volleyball Tourney

• Scholarship:Sandy*, Lumir
• Education:Lumir*, Lora, Brian

   ·   Fine Arts Center- Sandy, Joyce and Virginia

                           
  
  • Need to set:
    • Method of Funding
    • Timeline
    • Completed Visual Rendering
    • Contact Conference Schools to find out about fund raising, Started by large donor and or by special building fund levy
  • Need to create partnerships – Need for meeting w/ Representatives from:
    • SCS Foundation
    • Colfax Foundation
    • Schuyler Community Schools
    • City of Schuyler
    • Economic Development
    • Latino Community
    • Cargill
  • Other areas of funding:
    • Individuals/Groups that have an interest/need for such a facility
    • SCS General Fund
    • SCS Special Building Fund
    • Union Pacific Grant
    • Bricks for Bucks
    • Projected cost Refer to e-mail from Hewgley & Associates
• Alumni Honors Committee:Sheri & Joyce

• Auditorium: 14,058 sf x $195.00 = $2,741,310 plus 10% contingency & fees $274,131.00
• Music Hall: 8,866 sf x $165.00 = $1,462,890 plus 10% contingency & fees $146,289.00
• Cost of project $4,204,200.00
• Cost of project including contingency & fees $4,624,620.00
  • Working w/ the Library Foundation?

    ·    Promotion:  All members – Honors Convocations, Graduation, Labor Day, Dance Recital

• Donor recognition board
• Giving Challenges
  • Classes
• Marketing Plan
  • TV in West and East Gym
    • Names of givers
    • Historical perspective of what the foundation has done
      1. SMS Foundation included
    • Use of Brochure
    • Visual projection of the area – sent to Kem for website
    • Solicit donations:

      -Sporting events

      -Foundation Fund Raising and Awareness Annual Banquet

                  -$75/plate

                  -Silent Auction

      -Melodrama

      -Other Ideas

    • Channel 99 (11) 

Next Meeting – October 7, 2013 – Monday – 12:00 Noon @ the Schuyler Chamber Office

Rationale: 

1)  Rural Enrollments #’s

Fishers      73 Students      48 Families

Richland   37 Students       28 Families 

2)  NE Dept. of Environmental Quality Calendar

Congratulations to Gage Stutzman and Davis Arriaza, two 2^nd graders at Fisher’s, for having their art work selected for the Dept.’s  yearly calendar.  They attended a reception at the capital and had their picture taken with Governor Heineman in August.   This is the 6^th consecutive year for a Fisher’s student to be selected.

3)  Kara Kudera, a 7^th grader at Fisher’s, is undergoing chemo and radiation for a Wilm’s tumor.   When able, she is attending school in the mornings and receiving afternoon classes via Skype as her energy level allows.  Thanks to Mrs. Mueller for her extra time and work in helping Kara keep up with her school work. 

4)  The Fisher’s teachers and I want to thank Brian Vavricek for repairing the school driveway with rock and distributing the rubberized mulch on the playground.

5)  Recently Completed Events

            Safety Inspection

            Health Checks

            Dibels Testing 

6)  Operating Councils will be meeting Tues. Sept. 17 at Fishers and Wed. Sept. 18 at Richland.

Rationale:  I have explained our School Improvement plans including our plans and progress for the required actions from our External Visit last year.  I also mentioned that we are going to be examining our Social Studies curriculum this year and that means that we may need to have some meetings of the Americanism committee in the future as well.

Rationale:  Ms. Conrad has started intramurals at the high school.  The groups are playing volleyball this fall.  She also has the dates set up for volleyball at the middle school and elementary. 

The NSAA has a new policy for coaches.  Each coach must go through concussion training.  In the past, it was recommended and SCS did educate coaches.  With the NSAA requiring training, SCS coaches now take an online course and then print out a certificate stating that they have completed the training. 

Mr. Winings received a nice compliment after the Norris football game.  The officials made a point to come visit with him.  The official stated that he has officiated a lot of football games in his lifetime and this (Schuyler team) is by far the best class act he has officiated.  The official stated between the coaches sideline behavior and the student athlete behavior on the field, what he witnessed that night is rare these days.  SCS coaches have implemented a character development in their programs.  We are seeing the benefits.

Rationale:  High School
Repaired ice machine and air conditioner in West gym; repaired mixer and hot water heater in
kitchen; included in the board packet are pictures of the boy’s locker room and Preschool
Multi Purpose room before and after

Middle School
Replaced flame sensor roof unit top #13, repaired roof top unit # 10 and #4 air conditioning;
repaired Freon leaks, walk in freezer and oven; replaced fan motor in kitchen; new circuit in
room #110

Elementary School
Repaired roof unit top #20, #8, #4, #7 and room #198 air conditioner; installed power pole and
conduit in work room; repaired flag pole light, dishwasher and walk in freezer defrost relay

Preschool
Repaired air conditioner SW modular; installed 2” pipe for wiring for cameras; repaired fire
alarm system wiring; installed 2 safety panels on the old playground equipment

Richland
General maintenance;

District 4R
General maintenance;

Rationale:  A few highlights from this months board report:

I would like to introduce Amanda O'Malley to SCS. Amanda is our new Sixpence home visitor.

Parent teacher conferences will be held September 25th. Please stop in and say hi if your available.

Enrollment at SES         787
                    Preschool 103

Some new playground equipment at the preschool will be installed this week.

Rationale:  Highlights for this month:

     •  Use of iPads by middle school staff for class use and assignments is increasing
     •  New Science Lab is up and running
     •  Participation is up in all three fall sports

Rationale:  We are currently serving 12 students at 4R.  10 high school students including 1 young mother and her child, and 2 middle school students.

Barbara Saathoff is the head teacher.  WE have 2 para-educators for support, 1 for high school and 1 for middle school.  We also have Liz Mallory coming out for special education support.  We have 3 students who require 1 on 1 support everyday from a special education teacher as stated in their IEP's.  This keeps us in compliance with the law.

We will also implement early outs on Friday's.  Students will have to earn their early dismissal by attending regularly, having no disciplinary referrals, and making appropriate  progression.  This time will allow time for parent meetings, as well as collaboration among the staff.

Rationale:  We will be honoring students receiving All-A's for all four terms during the 201312-13 school year.

2013-14 enrollment:
9th Grade:    110
10th Grade:  106
11th Grade:  124
12th Grade:  134

Food Service Program 
The Grab n' Go program has increased the number of meals served.  Last year we served an average of 58 breakfasts a day.  This year we are serving an average of 127 meals.  In the month of August we served 981 additional breakfasts.

The high school staff is developing a new reporting system in to use the compile the assessment data.  This information will be available to students/parents over their iPads.  See attachment.

Rationale:  We will be taking a team of administrators and teachers to Kearney to attend the Fall Tech. Conf.  This team will be responsible for developing the district technology plan to be presented to the board of education in Janaury.  See information below:

Schedule at a Glance

Wednesday, October 2nd

1:00 pm to 5:00 pm - Preconference Sessions
Google Collaboration
Tips, tricks, tools and guidelines to use as a starting point to getting your students, faculty, and staff ready and excited about Google Apps for Education. With an overview of top used web apps to a break out for administrators and teachers. Administrators will work on change management, policies, productivity, collaboration and training and support options. Teachers will dive into devices, collaboration, administration, digital citizenship, search and discovery, and more options in Google Apps.

iBook for Creating Course Content
iBook author is a free application that allows users to create an interactive book that can be used on an iPad, iPhone or iPod touch. Video, audio, slide shows and other interactive media will be added to the sample book created in this workshop.  If you have always wanted to create your own iBook but didn't know where to start, this is the session for you.  Participants will need to come with iBook author loaded on their computer and will want to bring their iPad and synch cord for previewing and viewing their created book.

Social Media Bootcamp
Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Path, YouTube, LinkedIn, Slideshare, Blogger.  The list of social media sites could go on forever.  In this session Craig Badura, pK-12 Integration Specialist for Aurora Public Schools, and Laura Kroll, Elementary Principal for Exeter-Milligan Elementary, will discuss how social media is revolutionizing the education field.  Craig has a passion for digital citizenship and will be sharing his knowledge and expertise on the dos and don’ts of social media and the importance of leaving a positive digital footprint.  Laura Kroll is one of the co-founders of #nebEDchat and will be sharing her experiences with making connections through social media and the importance of becoming a connected educator. Participants will need to come prepared with a device and a little enthusiasm. This will not be a sit and get session. You will be creating a Twitter account which will help you begin the exciting journey of creating your own PLN and becoming an informed, responsible, connected educator.

6:00 pm - Dinner (included in your registration)
7:00 pm - “Leading in a Learner-Centered Learning Environment”
Keynote Speaker: Patrick Larkin
This session will answer the following questions:  1. What is social learning and why is it more important today than ever before?  2. How can increased technological connectivity expand, change or improve student learning?   3. Is connectivity expanding our concept of who is a literate or educated person today? In answering these important questions we will look at some well articulated standards that can assist in the implementation of these digital tools. Discussion will focus on getting community support, professional development, and concrete examples of how this shift is necessary to best prepare our students for their future. Schools need to find ways to use technology in the classroom without the unneeded restrictions due to fear and uncertainty. In this session, Andy will share the good, the bad, and the ugly of "letting kids drive" the technology at Andrew CSD. Andy will also share his vision and thoughts of where technology is taking his district and your district whether you like it or not. Buckle up and let's start moving forward!

Thursday, October 3rd

7:00 am - Exhibits Open/Registration
8:00 am - Select-a-Session I
8:45 am - Break
9:15 am - Select-a-Session II
10:00 am - Break
10:15 am - Select-a-Session III
11:15 pm - Lunch
1:00 pm - Select-a-Session IV
1:45 pm - Break
2:00 pm - Select-a-Session V
2:45 pm - Break
3:00 pm - Select-a-Session VI

Rationale:  See attached information.

Transfers                              From                              To
     1                                    Richland                         SES

Option Requests                    From                              To
     1                                    Schuyler                         Columbus Public

Canceled Options                  From                              To
 1 family (3 Students)           Cedar Bluffs                    Fisher's, SCHS, SCHS

Rationale:  We have expanded the use of the NASB meeting portal to include school and board committee meeting schedules and meeting minutes.  We are working on the school website to assist us in being more transparent to our staff and community.  See website.

Rationale:  Labor Relations Conference:  Rich, Lumir, and Chuck attended the Labor Relations Conference in Lincoln, hosted by the NASB.  The first day focused on the mechanics of the negotiations process.   Day 2 focused on changes in the law, negotiations process, legislation, health insurance, etc.  See attached information.

Area Membership meeting at Norfolk on September 25.  Registration due, Wednesday, September 18th.

NASB State Conference is scheduled for November 20-22 in Omaha.

Rationale:  We need to know by Wednesday, September 18th, which area membership meeting the board wants to attend.  The Norfolk area meeting is September 25th and the Fremont area meeting is October 2nd.  The meeting agenda is:

4:45 p.m.	Registration
5:00 p.m.	Opening Session
5:30 p.m.	Skill-Building Session #I
6:20 p.m.	Skill Building Session #2
7:10 p.m.	Dinner and Awards

Curriculum

Fiduciary Responsibilities – Money Saving Options – Megan Boldt & John Spatz This session will cover ALICAP, the school insurance program; NASBMC, the Medicaid Consortium, the new Unemployment Insurance Program and others. Come to this session ready to learn how your district could save a dollar. Superintendent Contracts & Evaluations – Marcia Herring & Megan Neiles-Brasch The board has a fiduciary responsibility to work with the school attorney to review, revise, or develop a contract defining the board and superintendent’s obligations, expectations and responsibilities. This session will provide you with resources to support the board’s role related to the Superintendent contract and evaluation. Recent Guidelines for Federal Mandates – Jim Luebbe The Feds have issued new details for handling issues such as disabled students in athletics, the Family Medical Leave Act, Military Leave Provisions, Exchange Visitor Programs, Wellness Programs and others. We will examine the effects of these changes on your districts. Unicameral Impact – Megan Neiles-Brasch A brief overview of the 2013 Legislative Session and proposed Legislative Resolutions from Nebraska School Districts. Introduction to NETS (Nebraska Education Technology Services) – Craig Caples & John Spatz NETS is a subsidiary company of NASB. Learn more about the company and the time/cost saving services offered by NETS, including eMeetings, Online Policy Manuals, Data Storage and Document Imaging, Online Contract Settlement Form and the North Star Negotiation Software program. Conflict Resolution – Marcia Herring & Shari Becker Dealing with conflict in a constructive and productive manner under the scrutiny of the public can be challenging. Participants will discuss and explore two specific areas of conflict: conflict among board members (and the public) and between the board and superintendent. School Policy for ESUs – Jim Luebbe School law identifies an ESU differently than a school district. This session will address the implications for policy and daily operations.

Rationale:  Rich, Chuck, and Lumir attended the Labor Relations Conference.  They will share highlights of the conference.  See attached Conference Schedule.

Rationale:  See Attached Schedule.