January Oakland-Craig School Board Minutes

The regular monthly Board of Education meeting was held Monday, January 11, 2016 in the Board Meeting Room in the Elementary Building. Administrators present were Superintendent Smith, Secondary Principal Droescher and Elementary Principal Bland. Superintendent Smith 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.

Pille moved that Aaron Anderson is absent, excused. Thiele seconded the motion. There was no discussion. Voting results were: For Motion-8; Against Motion-0; Other-1. Motion carried.

ROLL CALL

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

ELECTION OF PRESIDENT

At this time, the board was asked to make nominations for President. Magnusson nominated Thiele. Schmidt made a motion that nominations cease and Thiele be elected President by acclamation.   Magnusson seconded the motion. Pete Thiele was elected President of the Board of Education for 2016 by acclamation. President Thiele is now presiding.

ELECTION OF VICE-PRESIDENT

Nomination for Vice-President took place. Pille nominated Schmidt. Magnusson made a motion that nominations cease and Schmidt be elected Vice-President by acclamation. Richards seconded the motion. Schmidt was elected as Vice-President of the Board of Education for 2016 by acclamation.

APPOINTMENT OF SECRETARY/TREASURER

Magnusson moved to appoint Julie Ehlers as Secretary/Treasurer for 2016.   Brett Johnson seconded the motion.   There was no discussion. Voting results were: For Motion-8; Against Motion-0; Other-1. Motion carried.

ROUTINE BUSINESS

The meeting was called to order by President Thiele at 8:04 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: Brett Johnson, Kiley Johnson, Magnusson, Pille, Ray, Richards, Schmidt and Thiele.

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

            Ray moved that the agenda be approved as presented. Magnusson seconded the motion.   There was no discussion. Voting results were: For Motion-8; Against Motion-0; Other-1. Motion carried.

REGULAR AGENDA

STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE REPORT

            Student Representative, James Moseman, reported on the happenings at the High School. He reported that the student council is having lunch meetings with Mr. Smith after the school board meetings to discuss relevant topics. They are working on a plan to increase recycling in the high school as well as preparing for their blood drive and Relay For Life fundraiser. Moseman congratulated the girls’ basketball team on their 2^nd place finish at the Malcom Holiday Tournament. Connor Mockenhaupt was selected to participate in the UNO Middle School Honor Choir Festival. James Moseman’s Voice of Democracy entry was a district winner and will move on to state competition on February 10^th. James concluded his report by providing a list of upcoming events and activities.

President Thiele welcomed approximately 20 visitors. No one addressed the board.

STAFF RESIGNATION

Pille moved to accept the resignation, with regret, of Cindy Blanc. Kiley Johnson seconded the motion. President Thiele read Mrs. Blanc’s resignation letter and thanked her for her many years of dedicated service. She will be sorely missed. There was no discussion. Voting results were: For Motion-8; Against Motion-0; Other-1. Motion carried.

UPDATE OF REVISION PROCESS

            Annie Magnusson reported that she had attended a reVISION meeting in West Point. This meeting explained to business leaders of several communities what a Career Education program could look like. She invited the Board to attend the meeting to be held at the Elementary Commons on January 20^th.

APPROVAL OF JANUARY 2016 CLAIMS FROM THE GENERAL FUND

Pille ­­moved that the January 2016 claims from the General Fund, in the amount of $15,879.24 be approved as presented. Ray seconded the motion. There was no discussion. Voting results were: For Motion-8; Against Motion-0; Other-1. Motion carried.

APPROVAL OF JANUARY 2016 CLAIMS FROM THE BUILDING FUND

            Magnusson moved that the January 2016 claims from the Building Fund, in the amount of $4,390.50 be approved as presented. Schmidt seconded the motion. There was no discussion. Voting results were: For Motion-8; Against Motion-0; Other-1. Motion carried.

APPROVAL OF JANUARY 2016 CLAIMS FROM THE LUNCH FUND

Pille ­­moved that the January 2016 claims from the Lunch Fund, in the amount of $11,850.57 be approved as presented. Kiley Johnson seconded the motion. There was no discussion. Voting results were: For Motion-8; Against Motion-0; Other-1. Motion carried.

APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES FROM THE DECEMBER 2015 BOARD MEETING AND THE DECEMBER 16, 2015 SPECIAL MEETING

Schmidt moved to amend the minutes from the December 2015 board meeting to include thanking the Friends of Oakland Foundation for the grant we received. Magnusson seconded the motion. There was no discussion. Voting results were: For Motion-8; Against Motion-0; Other-1. Motion carried.

Magnusson moved to approve the minutes from the December 2015 board meeting and the December 16, 2015 Special Meeting as amended. Schmidt seconded the motion. There was no discussion. Voting results were: For Motion-8; Against Motion-0; Other-1. Motion carried.

SELECTION OF BANK DEPOSITORY FOR DISTRICT FUNDS

Schmidt moved that The First National Bank Northeast be designated as the depository for all School District #14 checking accounts for 2016.   Pille seconded the motion.   There was no discussion. Voting results were: For Motion-8; Against Motion-0; Other-1. Motion carried.

SET THE REGULAR BOARD MEETING DATES AND TIME

Magnusson moved that regular meetings of the Oakland-Craig Board of Education be held on the second Monday of each month at 8:00 p.m. Brett Johnson seconded the motion. There was no discussion. Voting results were: For Motion-8; Against Motion-0; Other-1. Motion carried.

BOARD AUTHORIZATION FOR SUPERINTENDENT ACTIONS

Pille moved that the Board of Education authorizes and grants the Superintendent or his designee authority to represent the district in all matters relating to local, state, and federal programs and funds, such as but not limited to Title Programs, ESU#2 Co-op purchasing of supplies, ESU#2 Co-op for Title I Services, etc.   Magnusson seconded the motion.  There was no discussion. Voting results were: For Motion-8; Against Motion-0; Other-1. Motion carried.

APPROVAL OF THE TECHNOLOGY PLAN AND PARTICIPATION IN USF FUNDING PROGRAM

Magnusson moved to approve the Technology Plan and participate in the USF Funding Program. Ray seconded the motion. Superintendent Smith explained that this program helps with telephone and internet costs and also provides some funds for technology infrastructure. Voting results were: For Motion-8; Against Motion-0; Other-1. Motion carried.

COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS FOR 2016

President Thiele asked for members’ input on what committees they would prefer to serve.   Thiele appointed chairmen and members to four board committees and one ADHOC committee. The Board Committee list will be updated and sent out.

DESIGNATE THE DISTRICT OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER FOR PUBLICATONS

            Pille moved that the Oakland Independent be designated as the official newspaper for the Oakland-Craig Public School District. Ray seconded the motion. There was no discussion. Voting results were: For Motion-7; Against Motion-1 (Brett Johnson);  Other-1(Anderson absent). Motion carried.

DESIGNATE THE DISTRICT’S LEGAL COUNSEL

Magnusson moved to designate the attorneys of KSB School Law of Lincoln, Nebraska as the district legal counsel. The District reserves the right to use the legal services of Legal Counsel for the Nebraska Association of School Boards, as may be needed. Kiley Johnson seconded the motion. There was no discussion. Voting results were: For Motion-8; Against Motion-0; Other-1. Motion carried.

DISCUSSION OF BOARD OPERATING PRINCIPLES

            The Board Operating Principles were discussed at the Board Retreat held on December 16, 2015.   Superintendent Smith handed out copies of the board operating principles. He requested that the Board members look them over and be ready approval at the February Meeting.

DISCUSSION OF BOARD GOALS

            The Board Goals were discussed at the Board Retreat held on December 16, 2015.   Superintendent Smith handed out copies of the board goals with changes made at the Board Retreat. He requested that the Board members look them over and be ready for revision and approval at the February Meeting.

DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE APPROVAL OF A COMPANY TO COMPLETE THE ENGINEERING WORK AT THE NORTH ELEMENTARY PARKING LOT

Pille moved to accept the bid of DLR in an amount to not exceed $25,750.00 for engineering work to be done at the Elementary North Parking Lot. Magnusson seconded the motion. Superintendent Smith explained that we only received one bid for this project. Another company sent him an email this afternoon saying they did not have time to get a bid put together. This cost will come out of contingency funds. Voting results were: For Motion-8; Against Motion-0; Other-1. Motion carried.

BOARD MEMBER REPORTS

            There were no board member reports.

STANDING COMMITTEE REPORTS

President Thiele reported that the Americanism & Education Committee had met and reviewed the 2000 Series of Policies.

POLICY REVIEW, REVISION AND ADOPTION

Pille moved to approve the revised Policy 2009 concerning Public Participation at Board Meetings. Kiley Johnson seconded the motion. Thiele explained the some minor changes in wording were made to the policy. Voting results were: For Motion-8; Against Motion-0; Other-1. Motion carried.

POLICY REVIEW, REVISION AND ADOPTION

Schmidt moved to approve the review of the following policies: 2001 – “Role of the Board of Education”; 2002 – “Organization of the Board”; 2003 – “Development and Education of Board Members”; 2004 – “Oath of Office”; 2005 – “Conflict of Interest”; 2006 – “Complaint Procedure”; 2007 – “Reimbursement and Miscellaneous Expenditures”; 2008 – “Meetings”; 2010 – “Preparation for Regularly Scheduled Board Meetings”; 2011 – “Membership in Organizations”; 2012 – “Board Code of Ethics”; 2013 – “Violations of Code of Ethics”; and 2014 – “Relationship with School Attorney”. Ray seconded the motion. No changes were made to these policies. Voting results were: For Motion-8; Against Motion-0; Other-1. Motion carried.

APPROVAL OF NEGOTIATED AGREEMENT FOR 2016-2017 AND 2017-2018

Magnusson moved to approve the negotiated agreement between the District and the OCEA for 2016-2017 and 2017-2018 as presented, with a base salary increase of $850 to $32,925 for 2016-2017 and $600 to $33,525 for 2017-2018. Richards seconded the motion. There was no discussion. Voting results were: For Motion-8; Against Motion-0; Other-1. Motion carried.

DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO DIRECT THE ADHOC COMMITTEE TO CONTINUE WORKING WITH THE TEKAMAH-HERMAN PLANNING COMMITTEE

Discussion took place regarding continuing to work with Tekamah-Herman on possible consolidation plans. Brett Johnson moved to approve the following motion:   The Oakland-Craig Board of Education recommends the ADHOC Committee continue working with the Tekamah-Herman Committee on a comprehensive study on what a new class III school district located in the Craig area would look like. If both districts find the results of the study favorable, a 60% vote of each school board would be necessary to proceed to a bond election. A bond election would allow the voting public to either create or reject a new class III school district.

The comprehensive study includes working with fiscal agents, bond companies, Architectural/Engineering firms, reviewing budget data, reviewing site and building program data, site and building concepts and any other necessary information gathering processes. Schmidt seconded the motion. Thiele reiterated that continuing could cost up to $10,000. The plan also needs to have a plan for the existing high school building. Voting results were: For Motion-7; Against Motion-1 (Ray); Other-1(Anderson absent). Motion carried.

ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS

            Elementary Principal Bland reported that the teachers are looking at creating a writing curriculum and the math crosswalk has been scheduled. Preschool recently had an ECERS review and did very well with an overall score of 5.43 out of a possible 7. The possibility of splitting the current 1^st grade class when they become 2^nd graders was discussed. Current PK-6^th grade enrollment is 255 students, which is up 7 students from last month.

Secondary Principal Droescher reported current enrollment for the 7^th through 12^th grades at 189 students which up 4 from last month but down 3 from last year.   ACT test scores were reviewed.   The NeSA Writing testing window is January 18^th – February 5^th. The Winter Dance will be held on January 16^th. Upcoming professional development topics were reported.

Superintendent Smith provided a list of upcoming Board Member workshops and asked members for plans to attend.   DLR will be completing an assessment of the high school soon. Leuder Construction made some of the requested repairs at the elementary. The paint issue will addressed this summer. CAT 6 line was installed at the high school over Christmas break. Most of the cost was covered through E-Rate funds. The new phone system will be installed this summer.

Mr. Smith and Julie Ehlers presented a brief overview of information about the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) timelines and requirements that will affect our school district in 2016.

Schmidt moved to enter into executive session at 10:19 p.m. for personnel and the evaluation of job performance clearly necessary for the protection of public interest or for the protection of needless injury to the reputation of an individual in compliance with the law. Pille seconded the motion. There was no discussion. Voting results were: For Motion-8; Against Motion-0; Other-1.

Schmidt moved to resume regular session at 10:46 p.m.   Magnusson seconded the motion. There was no discussion. Voting results were: For Motion-8; Against Motion-0; Other-1.

Richards moved to offer 2016-2017 Administrative Contracts with the proposed compensation package. Schmidt seconded the motion. There was no discussion. Voting results were: For Motion-8; Against Motion-0; Other-1.

There being no further business on the agenda of this meeting, President Thiele adjourned this meeting at 10:47 p.m.

Secretary,

Julie Ehlers