HAYES CENTER PUBLIC SCHOOLS

REGULAR BOARD MEETING

December 13, 2010

7:00 P.M. 

 

The Board of Education for the Hayes Center Public Schools District #43-0079 held its regular board meeting on Monday, December 13, 2010 in the Conference Room at the High School. Notice of the meeting was given in advance by publication and posting in accordance with the Board policy of giving notice of such meetings. Notice of this meeting was given in advance to all Board members.

President Large called the meeting to order at 7:05 P.M. with Superintendent Ron Howard, Principal Brian Hof, and Board members Kevin Large, Kris Kressin, Marian Richards, Bob Rosno, and Joe Anderjaska present. Randy Richter was absent.  The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by those in attendance. Richter arrived at 7:06 P.M.

There were no visitors present wishing to address the board.  

The Open Meetings Law Poster was on display and recognized by President Large.

ADDITION TO AND ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA-Rosno moved, seconded by Anderjaska, to approve the agenda. Voting yes: Rosno, Richards, Large, Anderjaska, Richter, Kressin. Voting no: none. Motion passed 6-0.

AUDIENCE COMMUNICATIONS: There were letters to the board from Maury Cox and Mark Frecks concerning community use of the weight loft and new gym, and from the school staff and HCEA concerning cameras in the classroom and merit pay.

SERVICES REPORT-none

TRANSPORTATION-none

TEACHER’S ASSOCIATION UPDATE-none.

BOARD MEMBER/COMMITTEE REPORTS/REQUESTS: Mr. Howard had updated UNL wind turbine reports for the board. Joe commented on the State Board Conference in Omaha. He attended a workshop on Sexting and would like to host a workshop here for area schools to inform students of the consequences of sexting.

Mr. Howard reminded the board of the NASB Legislative Issues Conference in Lincoln January 23-24 and the Board Member Workshop January 26 in North Platte.

SUPERINTENDENT REPORT-RESPONSE TO FACILITIES QUESTIONS-Mr. Howard asked for direction on the use of the weight loft and gymnasiums.

SALE OF 409 HUGHES AVE PROPERTY-The purchase agreement document has been completed and the district is working with two different entities on the abstract title transfer.

REPORT ON DISTRICT PERSONNEL-First semester observations and evaluations have been completed except Mrs. Richards. Mrs. Richards evaluation will be completed this week now that she is back in school.

 PRINCIPAL REPORT-Mr. Hof reported on the co-op proposal for Jr. High football. Wauneta-Palisade was very receptive to the idea and Mr. Hof recommended the district go forward with both the junior high football and track program. The junior high football proposal would be for the 2011/2012 school year and the junior high track program would start this spring.  He also suggested that there may be interest in sharing other programs down the road. There will be information for parents and a meeting at a later date.

ACTION ITEMS-CONSENT AGENDA-Kressin moved, seconded by Rosno to approve the consent agenda consisting of the approval of the minutes of the November 8, 2010 Regular Meeting,  approval of additional November General fund claims in the amount of $26,232.95, approval of December General fund claims of $189,460.63, and the approval of Centurian software purchase order in the amount of $2,740.40. Voting yes: Richards, Large, Anderjaska, Richter, Kressin, Rosno. Voting no: none. Motion passed 6-0.

FACILITY USE- Mr. Howard reported that town team basketball has been in the old gym, they like it there and he feels like that is where it should remain to help keep the floor in the new gym nice as long as possible. There have been requests from members of the community to be able to use the weight room and to use the new gym instead of changing to go to the old gym. Some board members felt that since tax money pays for the new facilities that patrons should be able to use them. There are quite a few keys out for the weight room. It was suggested to re-key the door and require a deposit for the use of a key with the deposit being returned when the key is turned in. This will allow the administration to know how many keys are out and who has them. The board also requested that anyone using the facilities sign a waiver that the school is not responsible for accidents.

 Kressin moved, seconded by Rosno, to allow the public, with a deposit, to be able to use the new gym. Voting yes: Anderjaska, Kressin, Rosno, Voting no: Large, Richter, Richards.  Motion failed 3-3.

There was also discussion of people using the weight loft during games. For safety reasons, no unauthorized personnel will be allowed in the weight loft during games.

CAMERAS IN THE CLASSROOM- There was discussion about the pros and cons of cameras in the classroom. Kressin thought that the use of cameras in the classroom could protect the district from litigation in the future.  There was discussion of the teacher survey and that teachers didn’t feel the cameras were necessary and that it is the job of the administration to oversee the buildings. There was also discussion of the cost of the cameras and that the district could put the money to better use.

Kressin moved, seconded by Rosno, to put cameras in the classrooms and look at the cost of putting them in the buses. Richards moved, seconded by Anderjaska to amend the main motion to include cameras in the board room.

During discussion Richards pointed out that if there was a feeling cameras should be in the classroom to protect the district, that they should also be in the board room to protect the district.  Anderjaska referred to an NRD case where a video or audio of the meeting could have saved a long litigation.

Voting yes: Richards, Anderjaska . Voting no: Richter, Kressin, Rosno, Large. Motion failed 2-4.

Kressin moved, seconded by Rosno, to put cameras in the classrooms and look at the cost of putting  them in the buses. Voting yes: Kressin, Rosno. Voting no: Anderjaska, Richter, Richards, Large. Motion failed 2-4.

LITIGATION OFFER-Mr. Howard presented the board with a Settlement Agreement and Release which was drafted by the attorneys. He recommended that the board accept the offer of $8,000 from BD Construction for partial reimbursement on the repairs to the windows and for attorney fees.

Anderjaska moved, seconded by Richards, to accept the litigation offer with BD Construction. Voting yes: Richards, Large, Anderjaska, Richter. Voting no: Kressin, Rosno. Motion passed 4-2.

CAPITAL EXPENDITURES- The Priority Committee met and came up with a list of priority items for the district to purchase. Recommendations included: five lunchroom tables, cafeteria stove, power washer, four Smart Boards, LCD Monitors for the computer labs and approximately seven teacher desktops, Negotiation software, and two document cameras and carts. The committee also recommended using money appropriated in the Vo-Ag budget to purchase Vo-Ag shop equipment. The board directed Mr. Howard to get bids for two used suburbans and a used five or six passenger car.

                Kressin moved, seconded by Richter, to accept the recommendation of the priority committee to purchase and complete the projects listed on the front page and bring the vehicle bids to the January meeting for approval as well as bids on new suburbans. Voting yes: Rosno Richards, Large, Anderjaska, Richter, Kressin. Voting no: none. Motion passed 6-0.

SHELTER AGREEMENT FOR RED CROSS- Mr. Howard has been approached by the Red Cross and asked if our school district would consider being a site they could use in emergencies. His belief is that our school would be a natural fit for the Red Cross to use in an emergency.

                Anderjaska moved, seconded by Rosno, to enter an agreement with the Red Cross for the school to be used as a crisis center. Voting yes: Richards, Large, Anderjaska, Richter, Kressin, Rosno. Voting no: none. Motion passed 6-0.

FFA TRIP TO NATIONAL WESTERN STOCK SHOW (JANUARY)-Mr. Hendricks presented two itineraries for the board to consider. There was also a letter from the FFA Officers asking permission for the FFA to attend the Stock Show.

                Rosno moved, seconded by Large, to approve the FFA trip to the Stock Show. Voting yes: Large, Anderjaska, Richter, Kressin, Rosno, Richards. Voting no: none. Motion passed 6-0.

CORRESPONDENCE-The board received Thank You notes from: Jeanne & Gregg Bishop, Carole Curran, Marlene Tidyman, Kim Maucher, and Lana May.

EXECUTIVE SESSION- Richards moved, seconded by Anderjaska, to go into Executive session for the Superintendent evaluation. President Large reminded the board that the Superintendent evaluation was all that would be discussed in Executive session. The board entered into Executive session at 9:45 P.M. The board came out of Executive session at 10:26 P.M.

President Large adjourned the meeting at 10:26 P.M.

FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS-Determination of Superintendent contract, Election of officers, Official Depository, Official Newspaper, Committee appointments, Early retirement policy, High School Social Studies class requirements, Vehicle bids, Jr. High Co-op, Clavinova.  

 

The next regular scheduled meeting of the Board of Education will be held on Monday, January 10, 2011 at 7:00 P.M. in the High School Conference Room.

 

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President                                                                                            Secretary