APRIL 14 BOARD MINUTES
PENDER PUBLIC SCHOOL BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING MINUTES
PenderPublic School– Room #110
April 14, 2008 – 7:00 p.m.
The Pender Public School Board of Education met in regular session in Room 110 on Monday, April 14, 2008. President Connie Felber called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m. with the following members present: Connie Felber, Matt Peters, Robert McQuistan, Jean Karlen, J.J. Maise and Dan Wichman. Absent: None. Also present were Superintendent/Elementary Principal Sherwood, Secondary Principal Jason Dolliver, and Recording Secretary Barb Preston. Visitors: Jason Sturek, Cyndi Conroy, Tim Olin, Kristine Muir and Matt Kai.
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 all other board members had received notice of the meeting and that the time and place of the meeting had been published. The agenda was amended by deleting consideration of items under Agenda Item #13 – Personnel: 1) Summer Mowing Contract; 2) Science Probationary Contract and 3) 2008-09 Extra Duty Assignments. The agenda was approved as amended.
Motion to approve the minutes of the March 10, 2008 regular meeting replacing “Motion was made by McQuillan” with “Motion was made by McQuistan” on page 5 and the March 20, 2008 special 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 - $194,288.97; Hot Lunch Fund - $10,104.03; and Payroll - $106,767.47 was made by Maise, seconded by McQuistan. President Felber stated the motion and the result of roll call vote being all ayes, motion carried.
Superintendent Sherwood used a Power Point presentation to inform board members of recent legislation regarding State Aid and assessment testing. Mr. Sherwood also highlighted recent field trips taken by elementary students, informed the board of the AimsWEB progress monitoring status and of the upcoming Spring benchmarking scheduled for April 23-25. An upcoming No Child Left Behind (NCLB) visitation has been scheduled for April 30th. Mr. Sherwood praised Tim Olin for leading the preparation process and doing a great job. It was reported by Mr. Sherwood that Vicki Smith, Linda Nitzschke, Jason Dolliver and he would be presenting a section at the Excellence in Education Conference to area professionals entitled “Leadership Development and Community Engagement in School Improvement” on April 16 and 17 in Lincoln.
Secondary Principal Jason Dolliver reported that prom and post-prom events went great, our students were to be commended on conducting themselves very well and thanked all those responsible for providing the post-prom festivities. In addition, Mr. Dolliver thanked community and staff members for their part in providing a beautiful atmosphere by helping the students decorate the Heese Event Center for their special evening. The requisition process is nearly complete and they have been approved by administration. Many items on the priority list established at a staff meeting in February were addressed including textbooks, computers, wireless lab, and smart boards. Staff members have met with ESU #1 representatives to evaluate switching from AimsWEB to Universal Screening. As a result of recent legislation (LB1157), Mr. Dolliver stated that the district would not be purchasing the NE Online software that they had originally considered and will be awaiting further direction from the Nebraska Department of Education as to future assessment requirements. Mr. Dolliver reported that he had completed all teacher evaluations for 2007-08. Interviews have been held and contracts have been offered for the positions of elementary special education, special services director, math and Spanish. The search continues for a 5th grade teacher and interviews have been scheduled. Curricular graduation requirements may also be impacted by the passing of LB 1157 in the subject areas of science and social studies. Graduation is set for Sunday, May 18th, at 1:00 p.m. for 25 seniors.
President Felber implemented the Procedures for Public Comment established by the board in January. No one took advantage of the opportunity.
Motion was made by Maise, seconded by Peters to approve enrollment option requests from Anthony Charron and Cory Sebade from Emerson-Hubbard as 9th graders for the 2008-09 school year as signed by administration and reported to the Nebraska Department of Education on or before March 15, 2008. President Felber stated the motion and the result of roll call vote being all ayes, motion carried.
President Felber reported that she had received information from the Nebraska Association of School Boards (NASB) asking for the Pender Board to cast a ballot for the position of Legislation Committee Member No. 16. There were three nominations: Dale Fornander, Jean Karlen, and Barb Overleese.
Motion was made by Wichman, seconded by McQuistan that the Pender ballot be cast for Jean Karlen for the NASB Legislation Committee Member No. 16 opening. President Felber stated the motion and the result of roll call vote being all ayes, motion carried.
Board member Matt Peters commended Joe Sherwood and Jason Dolliver on their attendance at a recent FFA event where Jill Lander recognized the district’s contribution to her during her tenure as a State FFA officer.
Jason Dolliver and Kristine Muir asked the board to approve a request for Flames trips and fundraising from June, 2008 through February, 2009. Ms. Muir prepared the information outlining possible trips and how the trips would be funded.
A motion was made by Wichman, seconded by Maise to approve the Flames fundraising and trip proposal from June, 2008 through February, 2009 as presented and further required that established fundraising and trip policy guidelines be followed. President Felber stated the motion and the result of roll call vote being all ayes, motion carried.
Mr. Dolliver stated that after consulting with our legal counsel it was determined that further action was necessary on the 403(b) plan process. Mr. Dolliver asked the board to consider approving an engagement letter and costs of $750 plus fees arising from telephone conferences, correspondence and electronic mail at an hourly rate with Cline, Williams, Wright, Johnson & Oldfather, L.L.P. Michael Mueller, attorney for the firm, will prepare the necessary Section 403(b) Plan Document for a frozen plan and assist the district in meeting the new IRS requirements.
Motion was made by Wichman, seconded by Maise to follow the advice of our legal counsel and sign an engagement letter with Cline, Williams, Wright, Johnson & Oldfather, L.L.P for $750 plus costs to prepare the necessary Section 403(b) Plan Document for a frozen plan and assist the district in meeting the new IRS requirements. President Felber stated the motion and the result of roll call vote being all ayes, motion carried.
Davis Design and BVH architectural firms, in addition to Siemens Building Technologies have visited the building and are in the process of putting together estimates and possible solutions for upgrading the older restrooms to meet accessibility guidelines and improve the facilities. More information is being gathered and board consensus was to continue with the process approved during the March meeting allowing Matt Kai and the Facilities/Transportation Committee to move forward with authorizing a firm to draw up plans, seek bids and possibly have bids ready for approval by the May board meeting.
Jason Dolliver presented a list of prioritized maintenance projects to be accomplished this summer and paid through the 2007-08 general fund budget. The list was reviewed and questions were answered regarding these projects.
Motion was made by McQuistan, seconded by Wichman to approve summer maintenance projects as presented with the exception of any restroom repairs in the ag ed area and the purchase of mats for the new gym to be paid through the general and activity funds. President Felber stated the motion and the result of roll call vote being all ayes, motion carried.
Mr. Dolliver also reviewed a capital improvement plan that included the construction of a utility shed at the football field and the purchase of a floor scrubber. These improvements would also be paid through the maintenance area of the general fund. Matt Kai explained that the construction of the shed would begin yet this school year if approved and would allow some of the advanced construction classes to participate in the process. Mr. Dolliver asked the Board to consider the approval of allowing the solicitation of donations in exchange for some advertising at the football field to support the construction. So far, one bid has been received and a second will be requested. Board members asked Mr. Dolliver to prepare an administrative regulation that would outline how the solicitation of donations would occur and other details as necessary to allow the process to happen.
Motion was made by Wichman, seconded by Karlen to authorize the Facilities/Transportation Committee members to review the bids when the second bid is received, evaluate the best overall plan and accept it for the construction of the shed at the football field not to exceed $6,410.07. President Felber stated the motion and the result of roll call vote being all ayes, motion carried.
Matt Kai presented bids from Nogg and Egan for a replacement floor scrubber and recommended that the Egan bid be accepted. Bids in the amount of $10,285 and $11,252.50 were received for units from Egan and a bid for $10,325.75 was received from Nogg. This unit will replace an aging unit that is currently in use.
Motion was made by Wichman, seconded by McQuistan to accept the bid from Egan in the amount of $10,285 for the purchase of a new floor scrubber. President Felber stated the motion and the result of roll call vote being all ayes, motion carried.
Policy Committee Chair Jean Karlen led discussion on Section 1000, Policy #1000-1250 dealing with Community Relations. A couple of minor changes were made regarding the bulletin board policy.
Committee recommendation was made to approve the second reading of Policy 1000-1250 as amended. President Felber stated the motion and the result of roll call vote being all ayes, motion carried.
Policy Committee Chair Jean Karlen led discussion on Section 1000, Policy #1300-1480 dealing with Community Relations. The Policy Committee had reviewed this section earlier and each policy was reviewed with all board members. The Policy Committee made a recommendation to ask for a complete report on fundraising and current status of the Heese Event Center Project, the current contract with Pepsi and any other projects supported by donation. President Felber directed Superintendent Sherwood to prepare a complete report on all donations that have been received during his tenure and to present his report at the May board meeting.
Committee recommendation was made to approve the first reading of Policy 1300-1480 as reviewed and amended. President Felber stated the motion and the result of roll call vote being all ayes, motion carried.
Negotiations Committee Chair Felber reported that no meetings had been scheduled with the PEA to begin the negotiating process. The committee members have attended two workshops on negotiations and will consider attending a meeting for area negotiators in Wisner later this week.
Motion was made by Maise, seconded by Peters to accept Vanessa Gascon’s resignation at the end of the 2007-08 school year and to thank her for her year of service to the district. President Felber stated the motion and the result of roll call vote being all ayes, motion carried.
Motion was made by Wichman, seconded by Peters to approve Brooke Allen as the accompanist for the musical as allowed through the negotiated agreement at a rate of 1.5%. President Felber stated the motion and the result of roll call vote being all ayes, motion carried.
Motion was made by Wichman, seconded by Maise to move into executive session at 9:30 p.m. to discuss 2007-08 staffing issues, staffing and assignments for 2008-09 and technology services and the tech services coordinator position for the remainder of 2007-08 and how to staff that position for 2008-09. President Felber stated the motion and the result of roll call vote being all ayes, motion carried.
Motion was made by Wichman, seconded by Maise to reconvene in open session at 10:55 p.m. President Felber stated the motion and the result of roll call vote being all ayes, motion carried.
President Felber stated that as a result of executive session, Board consensus is to accept the proposal made by Mr. Sherwood regarding his contract establishing his last day in the building as May 22, 2008; however, Mr. Sherwood will be expected to fulfill his administrative obligations to the district through June 30, 2008. The board also authorized Jason Dolliver to continue to explore plans to fill the tech coordinator position as discussed, to advertise if necessary and to report information to the Board as it becomes available.
Motion was made by Maise, seconded by Peters to approve a probationary contract with Cassandra Guenther to serve as the secondary math instructor at a .6 FTE for the 2008-09 school year. President Felber stated the motion and the result of roll call vote being all ayes, motion carried.
Motion was made by McQuistan, seconded by Wichman to approve a probationary contract with Kelsey Koch to serve as the Spanish instructor for the 2008-09 school year. President Felber stated the motion and the result of roll call vote being all ayes, motion carried.
Motion was made by Maise, seconded by McQuistan to approve a probationary contract with Kelly Ballinger to serve as the elementary special education instructor for the 2008-09 school year. President Felber stated the motion and the result of roll call vote being all ayes, motion carried.
Motion was made by McQuistan, seconded by Wichman to approve an administrative Agreement for Assignment of Additional Duties as Special Services Director for the 2008-09 school year allowing for an additional 20 days of service and other duties as may be assigned at a rate of $7,500 per year with Kelly Ballinger. President Felber stated the motion and the result of roll call vote being all ayes, motion carried.
President Felber asked if anyone would like to address the board regarding agenda items discussed by board members. No one took advantage of the opportunity.
Connie Felber shared an invitation from Wisner-Pilger’s board of education for a regional negotiations meeting scheduled for April 16th. Dan Wichman, Jean Karlen and Connie Felber volunteered to attend the meeting. President Felber communicated that during a meeting between Pender and Wayne’s Shared Resources Committee discussion was held as to establishing meeting dates and times after July 1st to allow Dr. Joe Reinert to be in attendance at both meetings. After discussion, board members agreed that the Pender meeting could be held on the third Monday of the month after July 1st. President Felber reminded board members that the next regular board meeting will be held on Monday, May 12, 2008 at 7:00 p.m.
Motion was made 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 11:15 p.m. by acclamation.
Matt Peters, Secretary Barb Preston, Recording Secretary
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AmSan LLC Custodial Supplies 1,857.23
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A T & T Long Distance 152.60
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Data Management, Inc. Visitor Log Books 302.60
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