Oakland-Craig Board of Education Meeting Minutes

The regular monthly Board of Education meeting was held Monday, March 14, 2016 in the Board Meeting Room in the Elementary Building. Administrators present were Superintendent Smith, Secondary Principal Droescher and Elementary Principal Bland. President Thiele called the meeting to order at 8:00 p.m. and noted the Nebraska Open Meetings Law. Notice of this meeting was properly posted and/or published by advance Public Notice in accordance with Board Policy #2008 with notice and advance agenda given to the President of the Board and all members prior to the meeting date.

ROLL CALL

Roll Call was called with the following members present: Anderson, Brett Johnson, Kiley Johnson, Magnusson, Pille, Ray, Richards, Schmidt and Thiele.

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

            Pille moved that the agenda be approved as presented. Kiley Johnson seconded the motion. There was no discussion. Voting results were: For Motion-9; Against Motion-0; Other-0. Motion carried.

REGULAR AGENDA

President Thiele welcomed approximately 20 visitors. Three patrons addressed the Board.

DLR – CURTIS JOHNSON UPDATES ON THE PARKING LOT, HIGH SCHOOL AND BOILER PROJECTS

Curtis Johnson of DLR updated the Board on several items. Specifications for the boiler project have been sent to contractors to bid on. Curtis presented cost estimates for paving the parking lot north of the elementary building. The assessment on the high school building is nearing completion. Curtis gave the preliminary report which included ideas on how to make the building ADA accessible. Cost estimates will be reported at a future Board Meeting.

STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE REPORT

            Student Representative, James Moseman, reported on the happenings at the High School. The Student Council would like to place 3 picnic tables outside the high school building. They will coordinate with the janitors on placement. The shop class will build them. Twelve students have completed the Microsoft Office Specialist certification. The FFA has received a Farm Credit Grant for $2,000 to be used for creating and maintaining a garden. The produce will then be used in the cafeteria as a first step to making a fully functional Farm to School Program. Tommy Nelson and Dylan Swenson were congratulated for their participation at the State wrestling tournament. The Girls Basketball Team was recognized for qualifying for the State tournament. James concluded his report by providing a list of upcoming events and activities.

APPROVAL OF MARCH 2016 CLAIMS FROM THE GENERAL FUND

Magnusson ­­moved that the March 2016 claims from the General Fund, in the amount of $81,643.51 be approved as presented. Pille seconded the motion. There was no discussion. Voting results were: For Motion-9; Against Motion-0; Other-0. Motion carried.

APPROVAL OF MARCH 2016 CLAIMS FROM THE SAVINGS AND DEPRECIATION FUND

            Pille moved that the March 2016 claims from the Savings and Depreciation Fund, in the amount of $29,956.64 be approved as presented. Magnusson seconded the motion. Mr. Smith explained that this was for the purchase of the Chrome Books for the high school. Voting results were: For Motion-9; Against Motion-0; Other-0. Motion carried.

APPROVAL OF MARCH 2016 CLAIMS FROM THE LUNCH FUND

Ray ­­moved that the March 2016 claims from the Lunch Fund, in the amount of $10,207.69 be approved as presented. Magnusson seconded the motion. There was no discussion. Voting results were: For Motion-9; Against Motion-0; Other-0. Motion carried.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM THE FEBRUARY 8, 2016 SCHOOL BOARD MEETING

Anderson moved to approve the minutes from the February 8, 2016 board meeting as presented. Kiley Johnson seconded the motion. There was no discussion. Voting results were: For Motion-8; Against Motion-0; Other-1 (Ray abstained). Motion carried.

STANDING COMMITTEE REPORTS

Pille reported that the Buildings Grounds and Transportation Committee met on March 1^st. Items discussed included leaks in the gym, replacing the pickup and issues with the drain in the kitchen.

The Adhoc Committee met on February 17^th, February 24^th and March 7th. Smith provided a copy of the notes from those meetings. Members of the committee explained the selection processes for the bond underwriter and the architect firm. They suggested that we retain D.A. Davidson & Co. as the bond underwriter and Prochaska & Associates, Inc. as the architect firm.

DISCUSS, CONSIDER AND TAKE ALL NECESSARY ACTION TO RETAIN THE FIRM OF EITHER AMERITAS INVESTMENT CORP., D.A. DAVIDSON & CO., OR FIRST NATIONAL CAPITAL MARKETS, INC., AS BOND UNDERWRITER AND APPROVE EXECUTION OF A PRE-BOND DISCLOSURE LETTER FROM THE SELECTED BOND UNDERWRITER SETTING FORTH THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE SELECTED BOND UNDERWRITER’S OBLIGATIONS AND LIMITATIONS DURING THE PERIOD UP TO ANY BOND ISSUE ELECTIONS RELATING TO A PROPOSED NEW SECONDARY SCHOOL FACILITY.

            Richards moved (i) to retain the bond underwriting firm of D.A. Davidson & Co., (“Underwriter”), (ii) to approve execution of the Underwriter’s pre-bond disclosure letter dated March 14, 2016, (“Disclosure”) in the form on file with official school district records and as presented at this meeting, acknowledging Underwriter as the expected joint bond underwriter for and on behalf of Burt County School District 11-0014, a/k/a Oakland-Craig Public Schools (“OCPS”), along with Burt County School District 11-0001, a/k/a Tekamah-Herman Public Schools, and setting forth certain pre-bond underwriting services, obligations and limitations of the Underwriter to the school districts during the period up to any bond issue election relating to a proposed new secondary school facility (“Project”), and (iii) to authorize and direct the OCPS Superintendent of Schools, or other designee, to complete any such negotiations and make necessary modifications to the Disclosure as deemed appropriate by the Superintendent, or a designee in OCPS’s best interest, and to sign, execute and deliver the final Disclosure and any other necessary approvals or other transaction documents and make payments under such Disclosure as may be necessary to complete the transaction, and to implement and administer the same through the course of the Project as contemplated thereby, for and on behalf of this School District. Schmidt seconded the motion. After discussion and on roll call vote, the following members voted in favor of passage and adoption of the above motion: Brett Johnson, Kiley Johnson, Magnusson, Pille, Richards, Schmidt and Thiele. The following members voted against the same: Anderson and Ray. Voting results were: For Motion-7; Against Motion-2; Other-0. Motion carried.

DISCUSS, CONSIDER AND TAKE ALL NECESSARY ACTION TO RETAIN THE ARCHITECT FIRM OF EITHER CANNON MOSS BRYGGER & ASSOCIATES, P.C., DLR GROUP INC., PROCHASKA & ASSOCIATES, INC., OR THE CLARK ENERSEN PARTNERS, INC., AND APPROVE EXECUTION OF A PRE-BOND PHASE ARCHITECT AGREEMENT, BY AND BETWEEN BURT COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT 11-0014, A/K/A OAKLAND-CRAIG PUBLIC SCHOOLS, AND BURT COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT 11-0001, A/K/A TEKAMAH-HERMAN PUBLIC SCHOOLS, AND WITH THE SELECTED ARCHITECT FIRM AS THE JOINT ARCHITECT FOR THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO PROVIDE CERTAIN ARCHITECTURAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES TO THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS WITH A PRE-BOND FEE LIMITATION OF $10,000 ($5,000 FOR EACH DISTRICT) DURING THE PERIOD UP TO ANY BOND ISSUE ELECTIONS RELATING TO A PROPOSED NEW SECONDARY SCHOOL FACILITY.

Pille moved (i) to retain the architect firm of Prochaska & Associates, Inc., (“Architect”), (ii) to approve the Pre-Bond Phase Architect Agreement (“Agreement”) by and between Burt County School District 11-0014, a/k/a Oakland-Craig Public Schools (“OCPS”), and Burt County School District 11-0001, a/k/a Tekamah-Herman Public Schools, and with the Architect, in the form on file with official OCPS records and as presented at this meeting, as the joint architect for the school districts to provide certain pre-bond architectural and administrative services to the school districts during the period up to any bond issue election relating to a proposed new secondary school facility (“Project”), and (iii) to authorize and direct the OCPS Superintendent of Schools, or other designee, to complete any such negotiations and make necessary modifications to the Agreement as deemed appropriate by the Superintendent, or a designee in OCPS’s best interest, and to sign, execute and deliver the final Agreement and any other necessary contracts, certifications, approvals or other transaction documents and make payments under such Agreement as may be necessary to complete the transaction, and to implement and administer the same through the course of the Project as contemplated thereby, for and on behalf of this School District. Brett Johnson seconded the motion. After discussion and on roll call vote, the following members voted in favor of passage and adoption of the above motion: Brett Johnson, Kiley Johnson, Magnusson, Pille, Richards, Schmidt and Thiele. The following members voted against the same: Anderson and Ray. Voting results were: For Motion-7; Against Motion-2; Other-0. Motion carried.

DISCUSSION ON POSSIBLE SPORTS CO-OP WITH TEKAMAH-HERMAN

            Pille reported that he and President Thiele met with a couple board members from Tekamah-Herman to discuss a possible sports co-op. Tekamah-Herman would like to co-op boys basketball due to projected low numbers for the next couple of years. After lengthy discussion, it was decided to not proceed with the co-op.

DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE APPROVAL OF THE ADDITION OF A 1.0 FTE TEACHER IN THE ELEMENTARY BUILDING

Principal Bland presented several options for class splits for the next school year and the possible need for an additional teacher in the elementary. Much discussion followed. At this time, an additional teacher will not be hired. It was decided to split the 2016-2017 2^nd grade class but not split the Kindergarten.

CONSIDER AND ACT ON THE HIRING OF STAFF

            Pille moved that Alex Hoefling be hired as Vocal Music Education Teacher for the 2016-2017 School Year.   Anderson seconded the motion. Mr. Smith, Mrs. Bland and Mr. Droescher provided background information on Mr. Hoefling. Voting results were: For Motion-9; Against Motion-0; Other-0. Motion carried.

DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE APPROVAL OF ESU 2 TITLE COOPERATIVE     

Brett Johnson moved to approve the contract between Oakland-Craig Public Schools and ESU 2 for Title I Cooperative Services. Magnusson seconded the motion. There was no discussion. Voting results were: For Motion-9; Against Motion-0; Other-0. Motion carried.

DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE APPROVAL OF 2016-17 SCHOOL CALENDAR

Brett Johnson moved to approve the Oakland-Craig Public Schools Calendar for 2016-17, as presented. Kiley Johnson seconded the motion. Mr. Smith explained that he polled the faculty and staff and the majority chose the option of teachers returning on August 15^th with students starting on August 17^th. Voting results were: For Motion-9; Against Motion-0; Other-0. Motion carried.

DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE APPROVAL OF FOUNDATION BOARD APPOINTMENTS

Brett Johnson moved to elect, according to the by-laws, the following community members to the Oakland-Craig School Foundation Board of Directors: Kiley Johnson, Andy Rennerfeldt and Paige Peterson. Ray seconded the motion. There was some discussion. Voting results were: For Motion-8; Against Motion-0; Other-1 (Kiley Johnson abstained). Motion carried.

DISCUSSION OF TECHNOLOGY STAFFING AND COMPUTER CHECK-OUT

            Mr. Smith reported the Ryan Kroger has resigned from the position of Technology Coordinator effective June 10^th. Gerald Brand has agreed to serve as our tech coordinator for the 2016-2017 school year. We are still working on the exact schedule for Mr. Brand but he will teach 2 science classes and we will continue to employ tech interns from Midland. In addition, ESU 2 will help with some of our needs. We are in the process of hiring a science teacher and reconfiguring the class load. Part of this reconfiguration will be to offer a few more ag classes by Mrs. Penke. President Thiele thanked Ryan for all he does for our district.

The administration will work on a computer check out policy for the upcoming school year. After much discussion, it was decided to require a $25.00 deposit to check out a computer for the remainder of this school year.

SUB PAY DISCUSSION

            Mr. Smith provided a comparison of substitute teacher pay in the area. Our current rate is the lowest in the area. After some discussion, it was decided to raise the substitute teacher pay to $105 per day.

BOARD MEMBER REPORTS

            Brett Johnson thanked the Board Members that have been putting in extra time with the sports co-op and consolidation talks.

ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS

            Elementary Principal Bland reported that MAP testing has been completed. NeSA Reading, Math and Science assessments will begin at the beginning of April. Parent Teacher Conferences were held last week with 96% of the parents attending.  Mrs. Bland congratulated Connor Guill for his 1^st place finish and Kara Peterson for her 4^th place finish in the Burt County spelling bee. She also thanked Corner Drug and the Mulder family for bringing world traveler Dean Jacobs to Oakland-Craig. He held assemblies for the entire school. She explained Breakout EDU which encourages students to think “outside the box” to solve problems. A list of upcoming events and activities was presented. Current PK-6^th grade enrollment is 257 students, which is up 1 student from last month and 6 students from last year.

Secondary Principal Droescher reported current enrollment for the 7^th through 12^th grades at 186 students which down 1 from last month and 6 from last year.   NeSA Reading, Math and Science assessments will begin at the end of March. Congratulations were extended to Mrs. Meyer and students for tying for 2^nd place at the East Husker Conference Art Show.  A list of upcoming events and activities was provided.

Superintendent Smith provided a list of upcoming Board Member workshops and asked members for plans to attend. Superintendent Smith provided the most recent state aid numbers that show we will receive about $50.00 in state aid next year. Smith shared a letter we received from patrons of another school district complementing our student section at a district basketball game. Smith reported that he will be covering for Mrs. Bland during her maternity leave. Since there is enough money in the QCPUF fund, we anticipate being able to pay those bonds off in May. Smith thanked Shannon Harney for coming up with a loader and moving some snow for us. He also thanked Paige Peterson for organizing the Boot Camp to raise money for the O-C Foundation.

There being no further business on the agenda of this meeting, President Thiele adjourned this meeting at 11:53 p.m.

Secretary,

Julie Ehlers

O