HAYES CENTER PUBLIC SCHOOLS

REGULAR BOARD MEETING

April 9, 2012

8:00 P.M.

CALL TO ORDER: The regular meeting of the Board of Education for the Hayes Center Public Schools District #43-0079 was held on Monday, April 9, 2012 in the Conference Room at the High School. Notice of the meeting was given in advance by publication and posted in accordance with the Board policy of giving notice of such meetings. Notice of this meeting was given in advance to all Board members.

ROLL CALL- President Anderjaska called the meeting to order at 8:00 P.M. with Principal Peggy Pruter, and Board members Joe Anderjaska, Kevin Large, Kris Kressin, Marian Richards, Randy Richter, and Bob Rosno present. Mr. Howard was unable to attend the meeting.  The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by those in attendance.

RECOGNITION OF VISITORS: President Anderjaska reminded the visitors to fill out the sign-in sheet if they wished to address the board.

RECOGNITION OF OPEN MEETING LAW POSTER-The Open Meetings Law Poster was on display and recognized by President Anderjaska.

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

AUDIENCE COMMUNICATIONS: Alicia Dimas addressed the board concerning her rights and her family’s rights as citizens of the U.S. to sign the recall petition and voice their opinions. She was very hurt and upset that some board members didn’t think her family had a right to sign the petition because they are Hispanic and didn’t know what they were signing. She assured the board they all knew what they were signing and was very disturbed at being discriminated against. She reminded the board they should be thinking about the kids.

Gilbert Gigax addressed the board concerning the call he got from an attorney in Omaha that is representing Kressin and Rosno and questioned whether the petition carrier read the petition to him. He let the man know it was read to him and his wife and he was done with him and didn’t ever want to talk to him again. He let the board know he thought that what is going on is ridiculous and called for Kressin, Richter and Rosno to resign from the board tonight.

SERVICES REPORT: Brett Warren explained the new layout for the web page and asked the board for any comments. It will be very user-friendly and will be the home-page for each student.  He also addressed the need for new laptops for the teachers as the ones they are using are outdated and very slow.  The new ones are needed to keep up with all the updates we have done in technology. The old laptops will probably be sold by the district.

TEACHER ASSOCIATION UPDATE-None

BOARD MEMBER/COMMITTEE REPORTS/REQUESTS: BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS COMMITTEE REPORT: Kressin reported that they(Richter and Kressin; Rosno was unavailable) met and went through the Capital Projects list. The Summer Project list items are all under Mr. Howard’s spending authority as are many of the First Priority and Second Priority projects. Anderjaska questioned whether any of the projects seemed unnecessary and Kressin commented that most of them are under Mr. Howard’s authority so they really didn’t have any control over them.  Kressin still said they needed to do a walk-through of several of the teacherages to set priorities there. Anderjaska voiced concerns about the safety of students south of the high school with bus loading and unloading, especially during and after games when people are walking between vehicles, and also handicap accessibility to the buildings. We need to consider whether to make the area a bus loading zone and give up some of the parking in that area. There will be some discussion with the Village Board and the Sheriff’s department, as these considerations are addressed.

COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE REPORT: Calendar- Large commented on the meeting they had with the teachers committee and several options they wanted to discuss with Mr. Howard. Mr. Howard met with Mrs. Soundy and they were able to come to an agreement so Mr. Large recommended going with the new calendar proposal they have come up with. 

NEGOTIATIONS- Richards reported to Mrs. Fornoff that the board is still waiting on information from NASB before they are ready to meet with the teacher committee again.

SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT-Update on grants-Mrs. Pruter reported that the district has received a $5,000 grant from Great Plains Communications for student related items.  Two more grants have been applied for but it is too early to hear anything back.  External audit information-nothing received yet.

PRINCIPAL’S REPORT: Music and speech contests-Six students participated in the State Speech contest, some of them stayed overnight and competed in the All State Band. Kaitlin Howard received recognition for 1^st chair in her section. 

Inter-high day-Rylie Goltl received 3^rd place in American Government at Inter-high day in McCook; five others place in the top ten. Several students will be participating in North Platte’s Inter-high day this Wednesday.

FFA State Convention-Students did very well in their competitions. Halsie Large will have her Specialty Crop Production reviewed by the National committee and if she is one of the top three she will get to go to the National Convention. Several others also placed.

Elementary Quiz Bowl- Participated in Quiz Bowl at Imperial.

External Review-They gave some very helpful suggestions and complimented us on several things but the district has not received the written review

ACTION ITEMS-CONSENT AGENDA- Large moved, seconded by Richards, to approve the consent agenda.

 Kressin moved, seconded by Richter, to amend the motion to correct the minutes to include that the recall votes that were cast 3-3 were not illegal. That the attorney stated the schools have always paid legal bills, the $642 was the board’s responsibility, she re-iterated twice that the meeting was not illegal, and that Kressin and Richter did offer to resign if Mr. Howard resigned. Voting yes: Kressin, Rosno, Large, Anderjaska, Richter. Voting no: Richards. Motion passed 5-1.

Large moved, seconded by Richards, to approve the amended motion consisting of the corrected and amended minutes and the April General Fund claims of $175,350.99(payroll-$137,288.74  claims-$38,062.25)  Voting yes: Large, Richards, Richter, Rosno, Anderjaska, Kressin. Voting no: none. Motion passed 6-0.

Review Board policies 1000 and 2000 – 1^st reading-Anderjaska moved, seconded by Richards, to table the first reading of the 1000 policy. Discussion: Joe had received several suggested changes needed in the policy from Marcia Herring of NASB. Kressin asked Anderjaska to read through the proposed changes in the 1000 policy. Anderjaska will have them typed up and will bring them next month. There were also other policy issues Kressin questioned; Anderjaska will follow up with Marcia on those and bring it back next month. Richards re-read the motion: Anderjaska moved, seconded by Richards, to table the first reading of the 1000 policy. Voting yes: Richards, Richter, Rosno, Anderjaska, Kressin, Large. Voting no: none. Motion passed 6-0.

Review Board policies 3000 and 4000 – 1^st reading-  Kressin moved, seconded by Richter, to approve first reading of policies 2000, 3000, and 4000. Discussion followed. There was also discussion on Policy 2020.1. Richter questioned if it needed changed because we were not following it. There was a question if the Superintendent was getting around his purchase authority by making installment payments on items. Large made some suggestions but wanted a chance to work on wording for next month. Also need to look at Policy 2100.1 wording or changes to wording in the Superintendent/Principal contract. Anderjaska would like to visit with Mr. Howard and come back with recommendations. Richards noted that there are several typos in the 3000 policy, they were pointed out and discussed. Mrs. Pruter pointed out some changes in the 4000’s on FRPA laws and Internet safety that should be looked at to see if the changes affect the school or the state. Richards re-read the motion-Kressin moved, seconded by Richter, to approve first reading of policies 2000, 3000, and 4000 with corrections. Voting yes: Richter, Rosno, Anderjaska, Kressin, Large, Richards.  Voting no: none. Motion passed 6-0.

Approval of 2012-2013 School Calendar-Rosno moved, seconded by Large, to approve the 2012-2013 school calendar. Discussed under Committee reports above. Voting yes: Rosno, Anderjaska, Kressin, Large, Richards, Richter.Voting no:none. Motion passed 6-0.

Purchase Public Address system- Anderjaska read the statement in the narrative from Mr. Howard that there was only one bid received and that Mr. Howard would highly recommend the purchase of this system as it is compatible with our present phone system and will tie in both the elementary and the high school. It was questioned whether we needed two bids.

 Rosno moved, seconded by Richards, to purchase the PA system.  Kressin questioned Mrs. Pruter on when it might be installed so that there might be a chance to get a second bid. She wasn’t sure. There were more questions on where it ties in-She did comment that when they practiced a lock-down situation there were some areas of the buildings that weren’t covered and it caused problems with students getting to a safe area in an emergency situation. President Anderjaska commented that for safety reasons it is probably needed and would be money well spent. Richards re-read the motion-Rosno moved, seconded by Richards, to purchase the PA system. Voting yes: Anderjaska, Kressin, Large, Richards, Richter, Rosno. Voting no: none. Motion passed 6-0.

Junior High sports- Mrs. Pruter went through the survey results. Parents of next year’s sixth, seventh and eighth graders are pretty split between co-oping and having the girls play with the boys. The least popular choice was to have the one sixth grade boy play with the three seventh and eighth grade boys and play other schools four on four.  Anderjaska moved, seconded by Rosno, to table item 6, Jr. High sports. He would like to have the activity director address some questions. He asked Mrs. Pruter if there was time to table it for a month. She thought that if we were co-oping we would need to let other schools know for scheduling etc. He is wondering if this is just for basketball and if we are continuing to co-op the football program? Do we want to combine with someone for Jr. High sports? There was quite a bit more discussion with Anderjaska removing his motion to table with approval from Rosno. Anderjaska thought we should follow the administration’s recommendation.

 Anderjaska moved, seconded by Large, to approve having the girls play with the 7^th and 8^th grade boys with the option of one sixth grade boy also playing. Voting yes: Kressin, Large, Richards, Richter, Rosno, Anderjaska. Voting no: none. Motion passed 6-0.

Approval of additional staffing positions- Mrs. Pruter addressed the need for a preschool aid for a special needs student for next year and the possibility of combining it with dishwasher and Suburban driver positions. The other change would be to develop a new position that would include a half time certificated staff member to oversee all aspects of the Title and HAL programs. The other portion of this position would be as a Para Educator in the Library or to assist classroom teachers in their classroom and with the supervision of students. Also this person would be the junior high girls’ sports coach. This would be a full time position without health insurance. Large moved, seconded by Rosno, to accept the Superintendent’s recommendation on staffing. Kressin questioned if it needed to specify the description and wanted the approximate cost included. Large moved, seconded by Rosno, to accept the Superintendent’s recommendation on staffing as per his estimated costs. Voting yes: Large, Richards, Richter, Rosno, Anderjaska, Kressin. Voting no: none. Motion passed 6-0.

Senior trip-Kressin moved, seconded by Large, to approve the senior trip itinerary. Mr. Wortman did clarify that one of the activities planned for the last day will change because it is not open yet-another destination will be substituted. Richards re-read the motion-Kressin moved, seconded by Large, to approve the senior trip itinerary. Voting yes: Richards, Richter, Rosno, Anderjaska, Kressin, Large. Voting no: none. Motion passed 6-0

Teacher laptop computers- This item was presented by Mr. Warren at the beginning of the meeting. Richter moved, seconded by Rosno, to purchase 17 laptops for the teachers. Voting yes: Richter, Rosno, Anderjaska, Kressin, Large, Richards. Voting no: none. Motion passed 6-0.

Resignation- President Anderjaska read a letter of resignation from Dolores Lawson. Mrs. Lawson has served as School nurse for 29 years.  Kressin moved, seconded by Rosno, to accept Dolores Lawson’s resignation and thank her for her 29 years of service. Voting yes: Rosno, Anderjaska, Kressin, Large, Richards, Richter. Voting no: none. Motion passed 6-0.

President Anderjaska read a letter of resignation from Megan Soundy.  Rosno moved, seconded by Large, to accept Megan’s resignation and thank her for four years of service. Voting yes: Anderjaska, Kressin, Large, Richards, Richter, Rosno. Voting no: none. Motion passed 6-0.

DISCUSSION-BOARD POLICY 2020.1 -already discussed under 2000’s above.  CAPITAL PROJECTS-already discussed under committee reports/requests above.

CORRESPONDENCE- none

INFORMATION ONLY-GRADUATION SPEAKER RECOMMENDATIONS- The Senior class has voted to ask Austin McKillip to be the Graduation speaker.

FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS- Negotiations, Classified staff salaries, Course schedule, Board policies 1000, 5000 & 7000s, Scholarship update, Bond interest payment.

ADJOURNMENT-President Anderjaska adjourned the meeting at 9:56 P.M.

The next regular scheduled meeting of the Board of Education will be held on Monday, May 14, 2012, at 8:00 P.M., in the High School Conference Room.

These are a full draft of the minutes that will be considered for approval at the next regular Board meeting.

April 2012 Mid Month Report to the Board of Education

• I have done some research with the RPAC superintendents with regard to salaries and negotiations. The consensus appears to be that they will be offering about a 3% average increase for these schools. Jeanne has prepared a spreadsheet that represents a 2%,3% and 4% raise for the different staff classifications. I will make this information available to the negotiations committee. We are looking at a 3% increase in health insurance for next year, which would cost the district about $6,000. Last year we gave a staff salary increase (across the board) of approximately 3.5%. A 3% increase across the board for next year with the increase in insurance would cost the district about $55,000.
• We have started the process of building the class schedule and course offerings for next year. We would like to continue to offer Distance Learning, Art and Spanish. We are also looking into another Math course through an online program or through DL. We presently are not meeting the needs of all of our Math students with our current courses. Adding an additional different class should help to offset the students that are not prepared for advanced Math. We are also looking into class offerings or additional programs for our HAL students. The board may want to also look into supporting our upper level and advanced students by helping to pay for college level courses. Some districts pay for a certain number of college credits for advanced students on a yearly basis.
• There have been some changes in federal rules with the hot lunch program. They are now mandating that a minimum price must be paid to meet their qualifications and guidelines. That minimum, according to the formula, for our district is $2.45. With that said, for us to meet these guidelines we will need to raise lunch prices by .05 cents for both elementary and high school. We will not need to increase adult lunches or any of the breakfast prices for the upcoming school year.
• We have a number of applicants for our positions that are open. These positions close today and we will start the interview process and follow up in the next few days.
• The laptops for the teachers have been received and set up. They are a vast improvement from the old laptops.
• Austin McKillip will be the graduation speaker and that has been confirmed.
• The external visit report for school improvement went very well. Jeanne has attached the report for your attention. Basically they recommend that we have more collaboration time for teachers, which we built into next year’s schedule. Also, they suggest we do more in-depth individual work with students in Reading and Math. This will be addressed in the hiring of an additional Para that you previously approved.

• We met for two hours yesterday to begin the process of setting up our new website. It is very user-friendly and will be quite an upgrade from what we presently have. This web site should be completed and up and running before the end of the present school year.
• We are still working on coming up with a plan for bus loading and unloading. There are some complications to our original plan. When we get all the details worked out we will inform you of the changes.