District Data: Board of Education

January 8, 2007 Board Minutes

PENDER PUBLIC SCHOOL BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING MINUTES

Pender Public School – Room #112

January 8, 2007 – 7:00 p.m.

The Pender Public School Board of Education met in regular session in Room 112 on Monday, January 8, 2007. President Mark Lander called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. with the following members present: Robert McQuistan, Mark Lander, Connie Felber and Terri Reppert. Absent: Franklin Fendrick and Larry Simonsen. Also present were Board members elect Matt Peters, Dan Wichman, J.J. Maise, Superintendent/Elementary Principal Joe Sherwood, Secondary Principal Jason Dolliver and Recording Secretary Barb Preston. Visitors: Norvin “Fuzz” Hansen, Rusty Bartlett, Kathi Siebrandt, Robbie Welsh, Carri Mailloux, Marg Roberts, Ray Welsh, Lisa Maise, Jean Karlen, Jaima Geisert, Jody Davis, Brant Wichman, Rene Lehmkuhl, Cyndi Conroy, Mari Lubberstedt, Carla Urbanec, Connie Wichman and Celsey Wichman.

President Lander read aloud the oath of office for J.J. Maise, Dan Wichman and Matt Peters and asked them to signify by saying, “I do,” signifying their agreement with the oath as read. After the oath of office for these three newly elected members was administered, President Lander adjourned the meeting sine die to allow for reorganization of the board and Superintendent Sherwood took over as chairman. Superintendent Sherwood stated that the order of the agenda would be changed to consider agenda item #5 – Reorganization of Board before item #4 – School Board Vacancy.

Motion made by McQuistan, seconded by Peters to nominate Connie Felber for President and that nominations cease. Superintendent Sherwood stated the motion and the result of roll call vote being: Ayes – Maise, Wichman, Peters, McQuistan; Nays – None; Abstain – Felber; motion carried 4-0-1.

Motion made by Wichman, seconded by Peters to nominate Robert McQuistan for Vice-president and that nominations cease. President Felber stated the motion and the result of roll call vote being: Ayes – Wichman, Peters, Felber, Maise; Nays – None; Abstain – McQuistan; motion carried 4-0-1.

Motion made by Maise, seconded by Wichman to nominate Matt Peters for Secretary/Treasurer and that nominations cease. President Felber stated the motion and the result of roll call vote being: Ayes – McQuistan, Felber, Maise, Wichman; Nays – None; Abstain – Peters; motion carried 4-0-1.

At an orientation meeting held on January 3, 2007, Felber, Maise, Wichman, Peters, and McQuistan agreed to establish two separate meeting times with three board members and Superintendent Sherwood. Board members felt that meetings during the month in addition to the regular monthly business meeting would assist the new members in learning the things necessary to do a better job as a member of the board, stay in closer touch with monthly happenings of the school and to become better informed on issues at hand. It was agreed that a schedule of meetings would be determined at the board retreat on January 27^th.

President Felber stated that consideration of filling the vacancy on the board of education as a result of Franklin Fendrick’s resignation would be considered at a special meeting at 7:15 a.m. on Friday, January 12, 2007. Mrs. Felber invited anyone who was interested in filling the position to submit their name and the reason they would like to serve on the board in writing to Barb Preston, by Thursday, January 11, 2007, at noon. She asked the other four members to stop in or to come a little early on Friday to review the applications prior to convening the special meeting and making the appointment. President Felber further stated that the appointment would not be limited to the written applications. Board members felt that postponing this decision for a few days would give patrons one more chance to let them know of their interest in serving on the Board of Education. In addition, President Felber said that committee assignments would be postponed until the January 27^th board retreat when a full board was present. President Felber encouraged board members to attend the Labor Relations Conference scheduled for February 5-6, 2007 in Kearney. Mrs. Felber agreed to attend on Tuesday, February 6^th, only and no other board members agreed to attend at this time, however, another opportunity for decision will be made at the retreat.

Motion was made by McQuistan, seconded by Wichman to approve banking resolutions indicating changes that resulted from board reorganization for all accounts held at Pender State Bank as presented. President Felber stated the motion and the result of roll call vote being all ayes, motion carried.

President Felber notified those present that as of July 1, 2006, Nebraska Statute 84-1412(8) requires that the public be informed about the location of posted information regarding the Open Meetings Act and drew their attention to the copy posted in the meeting room and accessible to all members of the public.

President Felber reviewed the agenda as presented, affirmed that every board member had received notice of the meeting and that the meeting had been published. The agenda was accepted as presented.

Motion to approve the minutes of the December 11, 2006 regular meeting was made by McQuistan and seconded by Peters. President Felber stated the motion and the result of roll call vote being all ayes, motion carried.

A motion to approve payment of bills as follows: General Fund - $190,455.23; Hot Lunch Fund - $8,415.33; Payroll - $103,134.20 and QCPUF - $300.00 was made by McQuistan, seconded by Peters. President Felber stated the motion and the result of roll call vote being all ayes, motion carried.

Secondary Principal Jason Dolliver presented his administrative report using a Power Point presentation indicating that at Mr. Sherwood’s request he had contacted Nebraska Department of Education personnel to find out the process for modifying our current evaluation tool. As a result of that request, Mr. Dolliver reported that since our evaluation tool has already been approved by the NDE and the modifications being made are additions, that it will be a simple process ending with approval from the Nebraska Department of Education.

Mr. Dolliver’s next topic of discussion, Staff Excellence, included a thank you to Vicky Westerhold for providing training to a secretary from a neighboring district in Activity Fund Software. He also complimented Corky Malmberg on being selected to make a presentation with a NASA Explorer School Team at the National Science Teacher Association’s conference in St. Louis, Missouri in late March. Principal Dolliver also reported that a NASA presented would be at Pender on January 9 and 10 to make presentations to the 5^th and 6^th grade students, High Ability Learner (HAL) students, as well as, the secondary science students.

Mr. Dolliver reported that Matt Kai, Maintenance Supervisor, and he had met with representatives from Egan Supply, our maintenance/floor care providers, because they had discovered that the wear and tear on the main gym floor appeared to be heavy. In addition, the floor’s surface becomes very slick and presents a safety hazard for players. The Egan representative explained to Matt Kai and Mr. Dolliver that the life of the floor’s surface could be cut from 20 to 10 years unless the problem was addressed. Some possible solutions would include a new deep cleaning product that could be used once every 10 days to reduce floor grime, using the main gym floor only when necessary, using the elementary gym for physical education, using the elementary gym for all club ball activities and on the rare occasion that the main gym would be used for club ball we would require dedicated gym shoes for use and avoid all unnecessary use.

The district has been receiving some positive media attention in the last few weeks in the Norfolk Daily News featuring the successes of the boys’ basketball team. The Huskerland Prep Report interviewed Taylor Williams and will run an article soon about the boys’ basketball team.

Two or three people from the NDE Peer Review team will be in Pender on January 25^th to evaluate our assessment process and reporting. The district will receive a grade following the evaluation and will be provided an opportunity to make corrections before submitting the official report in September. Mr. Dolliver also reported that Mr. Sherwood and he would be taking training to become NDE Peer Review team evaluators on January 11-12, 2007.

Lastly, Mr. Dolliver welcomed the new board members and thanked them for their commitment to the Pender school district, students and staff.

Superintendent/Elementary Principal Joe Sherwood provided a Power Point presentation reminding Board members, staff and visitors of the district Vision Statement. The Vision Statement includes goals as follows: 1) Maximum achievement for every child; 2) Family and community partnerships to foster population growth; and 3) Safe, healthy, efficacy enhancing and guidance rich learning environment. Mr. Sherwood reported that progress was being made on the student achievement reports that will be mailed out to parents of students in grades K-11 in early February. AIMSweb probes will be completed by the end of January and those graphs will also be mailed with the achievement reports to parents.

Mr. Sherwood reported that Mr. Dolliver may be in Norfolk serving as a member of their Peer Review team on the day that the Pender district’s review is taking place. The 6 Quality Criteria will be reviewed and further explained at training in February at ESU #1. Some of our teachers have indicated a willingness to attend that training. On February 5^th and again on March 5^th, Dr.

Fred Goerisch will be at Pender Public Schools to provide a two-day workshop on Layered Curriculum for our teachers to provide tools that will allow instructors to meet unique needs of

students. An invitation and subsequent registration has been shared with instructors from all over Northeast Nebraska. Superintendent Sherwood reported that our enrollment numbers as of January 8^th include 346 PK-12 students; 320 K-12 and 26 preschool students. We reported 322 K-12 students to the Nebraska Department of Education as of the first Friday in September. In addition, Mr. Sherwood reported that he had received several comments from parents that the learning climate has shown a noticeable improvement.

President Felber welcomed all visitors to the meeting and explained that at the orientation meeting the 5-member board discussed ways to better communicate with patrons and to provide more knowledgeable response. Consensus of that group was to offer a 30-minute session with three board members and administration prior to every regular board meeting to allow dialogue with any patron who would like to discuss any item or concern. In addition, patrons will be asked to complete a short form entitled “Procedures for Public Comment” including their name, the topic to be presented and a brief description. At the bottom of the form the concerned patron will have an opportunity to select the best method of communication for a reply. This form will need to be completed and presented to the Board President prior to the agenda item allowing audience with the board. The board will listen and direct someone to get back with the commentator within a designated time frame. President Felber also answered questions about the second opportunity to address the board at the end of the agenda and explained that no form was necessary for that section and that the board would continue to hear comments on agenda items only at that time. President Felber assured those present that if clarification or repetition of information was necessary during the discussion of an agenda item it would be provided. The “Procedures for Public Comment” form will be made available on the district website, in the Superintendent’s office or can be requested by e-mail or phone. This new procedure will be implemented beginning at the regular board meeting on February 12, 2007.

President Felber then provided an opportunity for patrons to address the board regarding items on the agenda and not on the agenda and no one took advantage of the opportunity.

Several agenda topics were shared with board members for the January 27^th retreat and President Felber asked board members to provide additional items for discussion if they so desired. Those items should be presented to President Felber or Superintendent Sherwood in the near future. The retreat is set for Saturday, January 27, 2007, at 8:00 a.m.

Superintendent Sherwood informed board members that the lift used in the secondary building needs to either be repaired or replaced in the very near future. The lift is inconsistent and very slow and has been required for students and staff at various times this year. Mr. Sherwood said that he has asked and been assured by the NDE Special Populations office staff members that use of the IDEA grant funds for this project would be approved. This project would fall under an ADA requirement. More information would be gathered prior to the January 27^th retreat and board members could discuss it further at that time.

Board President Felber asked for comments from visitors on agenda items as discussed. No one took advantage of the opportunity to comment.

President Felber explained that she would be unable to attend the next regular meeting scheduled for Monday, February 12, 2007, at 7:00 p.m. and asked board members if they would like to reschedule the meeting for a time when she would be available. Board consensus was to hold the meeting on the originally scheduled date – February 12, 2007.

Moved by McQuistan, seconded by Peters to adjourn. President Felber stated the motion and the result of the vote being all ayes the meeting was adjourned at 8:15 p.m. by acclamation.

Larry Simonsen, Secretary Barb Preston, Recording Secretary

AFLAC January Payroll 36.27

Alltel Cell Phones 318.84

Ameriprise January Payroll 900.00

A T & T Long Distance 311.37

BC/BS of NE January Payroll 29,090.27

Brennan Industries, Inc. Archery Equipment 1,114.00

Pamela Buchholz Mileage 32.56

Child Development Center SPED Services 255.50

Credit Management Services, Inc. January Payroll 435.32

Cuming County Treasurer Election Expenses 185.90

Department Of Revenue January Payroll 4,887.03

Economy Market Ag Ed/Science/SPED/Cust Supp 72.30

Egan Supply Co Custodial Supplies 684.30

Environmental Services, Inc. SPED Services 1,798.16

ESU #1 SPED Services 38,598.93

First Investors Corp January Payroll 364.45

First National Bank Computer Supplies/Lamp 461.41

Lonnie Ford Mileage 113.22

Susan Holstedt Admin Fees 238.50

Kens Rexall Drug Batteries 4.58

Linweld Rental 36.50

Lorensen Ag Ed/Custodial Supplies 127.98

Madison National January Payroll 535.24

Madison National January Payroll 472.06

Mass Mutual - Panorama January Payroll 1,763.82

Menards Light Fixtures/Bulbs 120.59

Midwest Music Center Inc Instrumental Music 126.30

Mosaic SPED Services 1,384.96

NPERS January Payroll 21,464.58

NSEA January Payroll 969.42

Nebraska School Bus Inc Regular Route 16,075.43

New York Life Insurance Co. January Payroll 100.00

Nogg Chemical & Paper Co Custodial Supplies 303.35

Oppenheimer Funds January Payroll 480.44

Pender Ace Hardware SPED/Ag/Cust Supplies 515.27

Pender Activity Fund Pop 67.50

Pender General Fund January Payroll 45.27

Pender Municipal Utilities Utilities 8,070.40

Pender State Bank January Payroll 33,814.42

P/T Community Ed Foundation January Payroll 157.94

Pender Times Annl Report/Proc/Not 623.08

Perry Guthery Haase & Gessford Legal Fees 12,306.35

Pam Peters Mileage 14.80

Petty Cash Fund Transfer 778.96

Plumbing & Heating Wholesale Water Heater 4,101.24

Qwest Phone 395.40

Ray's Midbell Instrumental Music 26.80

S&H Tax Service January Payroll 4,936.44

Joe Sherwood Mileage 395.92

Smith's Farm Service Inc Van Gas/Discounts 259.27

Stan Ortmeier & Co. Ball Valve 40.99

Gary Walker Reimbursement 12.60

Welsh's Pizza Teacher Appreciation 29.00

General Fund Total $190,455.23

Hot Lunch Fund Total $8,415.33

Payroll Total $103,134.20

QCPU Fund Total $300.00