Board of Education: Board of Education

School Board Minutes August 18, 2008

PENDER PUBLIC SCHOOL BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING MINUTES
Pender Public School – Room #110
August 18, 2008 – 7:00 p.m.

The Pender Public School Board of Education met in regular session in Room 110 on Monday, August 18, 2008. President Connie Felber called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. with the following members present: Connie Felber, Robert McQuistan, Jean Karlen, Matt Peters, J.J. Maise and Dan Wichman. Absent: None. Also present were Superintendent Joe Reinert, Building Principal Jason Dolliver, Assistant Principal Tim Olin, SPED Director Kelly Ballinger and Recording Secretary Barb Preston. Visitor: Jason Sturek.

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 approved as presented.

Motion to approve the minutes of the July 21, 2008 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 - $235,630.94; Hot Lunch Fund - $13,990.56; Student Fee Fund - $4,150.00; Bond Fund - $500.00; and Payroll - $95,360.74 was made by Wichman, seconded by McQuistan. President Felber stated the motion and the result of roll call vote being all ayes, motion carried.

Mr. Dolliver reviewed the district mission statement and governing beliefs with board members, provided information on new teacher orientation, staff pre-service days and the first day of school. ACT results for Nebraska and locally were compared from 2004 through 2008. Enrollment numbers on the first day of school were shared showing an increase of 3 students in grades K-12. Our half-day kindergarten and preschool students will attend school on August 20th for the first day and a more formal report on enrollment will be shared at that time. Mr. Dolliver shared that the FFA and the Village of Pender worked cooperatively on a landscaping grant project in the city park with the FFA providing labor and the Village providing the funding and other resources. The Community Forestry Development Grant provided by Lower Elkhorn NRD in the amount of $4,300 was used in part to fund the project. It was reported as part of Mr. Dolliver’s presentation that our district will be subject to a School Improvement review by the Nebraska Department of Education during the 2008-09 school year and that Mr. Olin and he are already developing a plan to successfully navigate the inspection process. Fall practices kicked off the season for activities which include volleyball, girls’ golf, football, FFA Farm Safety Day and Homecoming. Coaching assignment changes for junior high volleyball and junior high girls’ basketball were reported by Mr. Dolliver assigning Melissa Hansen to those duties for the 2008-09 school year.

Assistant Principal Tim Olin shared a brief report on first day activities in the elementary stating that all things went smoothly. Mr. Olin also reported that a bus evacuation drill is planned for
1 later in the week. In addition, Guidance Counselor Olin reported that students have registered for two distance learning classes.

Superintendent Joe Reinert provided information on upcoming van driver training and the changes in NDE Transportation rules affecting the discontinuance of using 15-passenger vans over the next 3 years. Those vans will need to be used for transporting staff or materials only after that time or may need to be sold or traded in for alternate transportation. In addition, Dr. Reinert explained that he had reviewed a proposed lease agreement between the Village and the District regarding Heyne Field. Two versions of the lease were shared and no clear consensus could be made. Supplies that were ordered for the building originally approved by the board for construction at Heyne Field were invoiced and the expenditure was approved. Lorensen Lumber asked the board to consider releasing those supplies to be sold thereby eliminating the need to store the materials until construction occurs. Developing an acceptable lease for Heyne Field and deciding on whether or not to release the materials for resale were referred to the Facilities/Transportation Committee for further consideration.

President Felber implemented the Procedures for Public Comment established by the board. No one took advantage of the opportunity to address the board members.

Mr. Dolliver presented a recommendation to increase the half-day preschool tuition from $8/half-day to $10/half-day. Increases in expenses supporting the program, utilities, insurance, etc. were the basis for the recommendation to increase the tuition fee. While the tuition will not entirely support the program, it will offset some of the expenses. The preschool program is in the second year of a 3-year period before the students can be counted and used to calculate State Aid revenue.
A motion was made by Wichman, seconded by Peters to establish the half-day tuition rate for preschool at $10/half-day beginning with the 2008-09 school year. President Felber stated the motion and the result of roll call vote being all ayes, motion carried.

President Felber asked board members if any of them were interested in being nominated as a candidate for the Nebraska Association of School Board Director position for the district’s region. No board members were interested in the nomination.

Consideration of a Section 125 Plan resolution was tabled. Legal counsel is preparing the document and resolution to meet all applicable guidelines. A complete document and resolution were not available.

SPED Director Kelly Ballinger asked the board to table consideration of a contract with Envisions to provide services for a district student. Ms. Ballinger is reviewing the student’s current placement, meeting with parents and will be prepared to make a final recommendation at a future meeting.

No further information was discussed regarding the Heyne Field agreement as most of the conversation occurred during Dr. Reinert’s report.

Facilities/Transportation Chair J.J. Maise and Mr. Dolliver reported that work was progressing on the two restrooms currently being renovated. The floors have been poured in both restrooms and some of the plumbing work has been completed. Board members selected tile colors for the remodeled facilities.
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Policy Committee Chair Jean Karlen shared that each board member had received copies of policy they requested to review. The Policy Committee reported that tonight’s action completes a full review of board policy. President Felber thanked the committee members for their hard work on reviewing these documents.

Committee recommendation was made to approve the second reading of Section 7000 – New Construction, Policy 7010-7053 as reviewed and amended. President Felber stated the motion and the result of roll call vote being all ayes, motion carried.

Committee recommendation was made to approve second reading of the revisions to Policy 1100-Community Use of School Facilities, 4022-Military and Family Military Leave, 5101-Student Discipline Policy, 5202-Student Records, 5415-Bullying and 8346-Public Participation at Board Meetings and to repeal Policy 9370(a) as provided by legal counsel and reviewed by the board. President Felber stated the motion and the result of roll call vote being all ayes, motion carried.
Negotiations Committee Chair Felber reported that the PEA had met and ratified the negotiated agreement. The final agreement resulted in a $1,350 increase in base from $26,800 to $28,150, a decrease in health insurance premium as a result of an increase in health insurance deductible ($300/person to $550/person), dropping the BA+36 from Step G, grandfathering those current staff members on Steps E and F to allow movement to Step G, minor wording changes in leave language and adding a 3% consideration for a practice coach in the extra duty schedule. All of the changes made resulted in a 3.48% or $59,571 increase in the total package from 2007-08 to 2008-09.

Committee recommendation was to approve the 2008-2009 negotiated agreement with the certified staff as presented. President Felber stated the motion and the result of roll call vote being all ayes, motion carried.

Principal Dolliver recommended approval of hiring Judi Vraspir for the food service position, Joe Hansen for the custodial position and Melissa Hansen for the para-professional position. Candidates were selected for interviews for each position and selection was based on a collaborative effort between administration and the supervisor in each respective area.
Motion was made by McQuistan, seconded by Karlen to approve a work agreement with Judi Vraspir for the food service position at a rate of $9.50/hour and benefits as approved by the board for 9-month classified staff 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 Peters to approve a work agreement with Joe Hansen for the custodial position at a rate of $10.90/hour and benefits as approved by the board for 12-month classified staff 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 work agreement with Melissa Hansen for the para-professional position at a rate of $8.50/hour and benefits as approved by the board for 9-month classified staff for the 2008-09 school year. President Felber stated the motion and the result of roll call vote being all ayes, motion carried.
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No executive session was held.
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.

President Felber informed board members that a special meeting to consider final approval of expenditures and transfers has been scheduled for Wednesday, August 27, 2008, at 7:00 a.m. Also, the next regular board meeting will need to be rescheduled to the second Monday of the month in September at 8:00 p.m. instead of 7:00 p.m. to allow time to review, amend and file the budget documents which are due on September 20, 2008. The next regular board meeting will be held on Monday, September 8, 2008, at 8:00 p.m.; the second Monday. President Felber asked board members to consider attending one of the 2008 Area Membership Meetings scheduled for September 24th in Norfolk or October 1st in Fremont. Board members Karlen, Felber, Maise, Peters and Wichman asked to be registered for the session in Fremont. Superintendent Reinert and Principal Dolliver also plan to attend if their schedules will allow.
Motion was made by McQuistan, seconded by Peters to adjourn. President Felber stated the motion and the result of roll call vote being all ayes, motion carried; meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m.
Matt Peters, Secretary Barb Preston, Recording Secretary
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Alltel Cell Phones 178.15
Ameriprise August Payroll 900.00
AmSan LLC Custodial Supplies 873.94
A T & T Long Distance 122.28
BC/BS of NE August Payroll 30,372.89
Pamela Buchholz Uniform Reimbursement 123.96
BVH Architects ADA Bathroom Project 5,138.42
CCS Presentation Systems, Inc. Smartboards 3,348.50
Dakota Business Systems Annual Copier/Printer Lease 6,864.00
Department Of Revenue August Payroll 4,485.57
Dolezal Motor Co. Van Maintenance 156.84
Economy Market Curriculum Days 162.01
Electronic Sound, Inc. Phone Repair 446.41
Envisions of Norfolk, Inc. SPED Services 1,159.80
Farm Bureau Financial Services August Payroll 475.00
First National Bank Accounting Books 449.04
Follett Software Co. Destiny Library License 2,796.01
Harris Annual FA2 Support 2,215.97
Susan Holstedt Admin Fees 221.40
Wally Juhlin Snake Drain 100.00
Matt Kai Uniform Reimbursement 250.00
Lorensen Lumber & Grain Building Supplies/Misc 3,822.93
Madison National August Payroll 527.78
Madison National August Payroll 398.39
Mass Mutual August Payroll 1,776.98
Mid States School Bus, Inc. SPED Transportation 2,479.23
Midwest Office Annual Copier Maintenance 8,340.92
Morning Shopper Classified Ads 96.00
NASB Bd Training/Reg 302.67
NCSA Administrator Days 140.00
Nebraska Safety Center Van Driver Instruction 400.00
NPERS August Payroll 19,380.66
NSEA August Payroll 1,098.57
Lee Novak Professional Services 1,072.00
NRCSA Annual Membership Fee 700.00
Oppenheimer Funds August Payroll 456.04
Orkin Pest Control Annual Pest Control 1,035.80
Rodney K. L'Heureux Professional Services 661.38
Pearson Education, Inc. Workbooks 177.94
Pender Ace Hardware Tricycles 139.98
Pender Activity Fund Transfer 2,517.54
Pender Grain Inc Round Up 117.75
Pender Lunch Fund Curriculum Lunch 75.00
Pender Municipal Utilities Utilities 3,174.02
Pender State Bank August Payroll 33,241.97
P/T Comm Ed Foundation August Payroll 116.62
Pender Times Not/Proc/Ads/Stamp 171.14
Perry Guthery Haase & Gessford Legal Services 1,643.50
Petty Cash Fund Transfer 97.90
Plato Inc. Annual Service/Support 2,037.00
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Barb Preston Mileage 52.65
Puckett Florist Flowers 64.50
Quill Corporation Signage 435.52
Qwest Phone 396.12
Qwest DL Fees 1,662.10
Ray's Midbell Repair Instruments 664.34
S&H Tax Service August Payroll 4,247.43
Siemen Building Technologies, Inc. Annual Service Agreement 22,124.00
Smith's Farm Service Inc Van/Dr Ed/Mower/Skdldr/Disc 517.07
Softchoice Corporation Destiny Operating System 468.56
Sycamore Leaf Solutions, LLC Annual Student Software Support 1,848.00
Wayne Community Schools Professional Services 5,466.67
Welsh's Pizza Gift Certificate 20.00
Wingett & Smith Insurance Annual Premium 50,115.00
Zimco Supply Co. Herbicide/Grubout 509.08
General Fund Total $235,630.94
Hot Lunch Fund Total $13,990.56