BOARD OF EDUCATION RETREAT MINUTES
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
The Pender Public School Board of Education held a retreat in Room #111 on Wednesday, January 31, 2007. President Connie Felber called the meeting to order at 6:06 p.m. with the following members present: Felber, McQuistan, Peters, Maise, Karlen and Wichman. Absent: None. Also present were Superintendent/Elementary Principal Joe Sherwood and Recording Secretary Barb Preston. Visitors: Norvin “Fuzz” Hansen.
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.
President Felber asked Board members to select a date for the Board Appreciation meeting which was originally scheduled for January 14th, but was postponed because of inclement weather. After the four former board members are contacted, a date of either February 11th or 18th would be established on a majority rules basis.
Superintendent Sherwood distributed a copy of a membership dues invoice from the Nebraska Association of School Boards (NASB) offering the Pender district a one-time 50% membership discount for fiscal year April 1, 2007 to March 31, 2008. The discounted membership would be $1,373 and would entitle members to discounts for conferences, allow boardsmanship training provided by NASB in addition to many other services offered by the Association. After discussion, board members felt that the services and discounted conference registrations would be beneficial to them.
Motion was made by Peters, seconded by Wichman to rejoin the Nebraska Association of School Boards at the discounted rate of $1,373 for the fiscal year beginning April 1, 2007 and ending March 31, 2008. President Felber stated the motion and the result of roll call vote being: Ayes – Maise, Wichman, Peters, Karlen, Felber; Nays – McQuistan; motion carried 5-1.
Superintendent Sherwood presented the 2006 annual report to board members. Areas highlighted include: district finance, transportation, curriculum, personnel, building and grounds, technology, boardsmanship and policy. Board members discussed various aspects of the report and the impact on the upcoming school year.
Building and Grounds Committee Chairman Robert McQuistan reported that the committee had met to explore options for purchasing a parcel of property near the school. Mr. McQuistan said that the committee felt that the purchase was cost prohibitive at this time and recommended that the board taken no further action. Board consensus was to accept the committee recommendation.
Superintendent Sherwood reported that he had prepared and reviewed the first semester secondary principal’s evaluation with Mr. Dolliver. Mr. Sherwood recommended that Mr. Dolliver’s contract be offered for the 2007-08 school year. In addition, Superintendent Sherwood recommended that he negotiate salary and benefits for the contract with Mr. Dolliver and make recommendation to the board for final approval. Board members agreed with the recommendation.
Superintendent Sherwood reported to board members that he had met with our food services supervisor about needs in that department. The final recommendation was that the area was over-staffed and reduction should occur. After carefully considering the options, the two part-time food service personnel members were notified that their services would no longer be needed due to the desire to reduce costs of the program.
Secondary Principal Jason Dolliver informed the board that early indications on NSAA classification show that Pender may be classified as a D-1 district for competition in 2008-09. The decrease in student populations coupled with an exceptionally small 8th grade class this year drive our total numbers into a range that could result in reclassification. Mr. Dolliver told board members that it was too early to make any decisions and at this point the purpose was just informative.
President Felber stated that she contacted Marcia Herring, NASB Representative, regarding the best method to use for evaluating the elementary principal position. Typically, principals are evaluated by the superintendent, however, in our case the superintendent and elementary principal are one in the same. Mrs. Herring suggested that while an evaluation of that position was necessary it needed to be a broad picture and should be based mostly on student achievement. Board discussion resulted in a request to look into developing a tool for the evaluation and also a request for Mr. Sherwood to provide an elementary principal’s report at each board meeting in addition to his superintendent’s report.
Board member J.J. Maise asked that consideration of amending the board policy regarding gym usage on Sunday be placed on the February agenda. Policy Committee Chairman Karlen suggested that the Policy Committee members meet prior to the February 12th meeting to review the current policy and possibly make recommendation for amendment.
President Felber shared information she obtained at the NASB Statewide Conference in November regarding goal setting procedures. Board members plan to invite a representative from NASB to assist the board in a goal setting session in the near future.
Timeline orientation was discussed. A timeline for board procedures could be developed to assist board members in decision making and planning for the entire year. Development of a timeline will be included on the February 12th agenda.
Motion was made by McQuistan to go into executive session at 8:07 p.m. to discuss personnel in relation to planning and assignment for the 2007-08 school year, to review personnel portions of Superintendent Sherwood’s annual report, and to provide an opportunity for people specific planning. President Felber stated the motion and the result of roll call vote being all ayes, motion carried.
Motion was made by Maise, seconded by Wichman to reconvene it open session at 9:30 p.m. President Felber stated the motion and the result of roll call vote being all ayes, motion carried.
Board discussion regarding the superintendent salary and benefit negotiations process resulted in a decision to have the officers work with Mr. Sherwood to come up with a recommendation. Board officers are Felber, McQuistan and Peters.
Maise, McQuistan and Peters volunteered to meet with patrons 30 minutes prior to the regular meeting scheduled to be held on Monday, February 12, 2007.
Moved by Maise, seconded by McQuistan to adjourn. President Felber stated the motion and the result of the vote being all ayes the meeting was adjourned at 9:52 p.m. by acclamation.
Secretary Recording Secretary
Matt Peters Barb Preston
