Minutes December 14, 2016
The regular meeting of the Board of Education of the Creighton Community School District No. 13 was held on December 14, 2016 at 7:00 p.m. in the High School Library.
Notice of the meeting was given in advance thereof by publication in the Creighton News, as shown by the Affidavit of Publication attached to the minutes. Notice was also hung at the City Offices, front door of the high school, and front door of the elementary.
Notice of the meeting was simultaneously sent to all the members and a copy of their acknowledgment and receipt of notice and agenda is attached to these minutes. Availability of the agenda was communicated in the advance notice as was the notice to the members of this meeting. All proceedings hereafter shown were taken while the convened meeting was opened to the attendance of the public. The agenda for the meeting is attached and incorporated into these minutes.
President D. Morrill called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
D. Morrill announced that the Open Meeting Laws Act Poster was displayed on the wall.
Members present: Dan Morrill, Kay Morrill, Colleen Farnik, Dixie Hanefeldt, and Gene Suhr. K. Morrill moved to excuse Tim Gragert due to military service. Seconded by Suhr. RCV: 5-0. Motion Carried.
Others Present: Superintendent Petersen, Principal Nilson, Secretary Hoffman, and district patrons.
The Pledge of Allegiance was said.
Suhr moved to approve the agenda, seconded by Hanefeldt. RCV: 5-0. Gragert excused. Motion Carried.
Lori Olson from Dana and Cole presented on the 2015-2016 audit. She gave an overview on the different sections of the audit cover and explained how to read the different reports. Lori then answered questions from the board concerning cash reserve and the tax levy. She cautioned the board when lowering the reserves to be careful and gradual.
Jackie Kruse, food service director, gave an update on the federal lunch requirements. Students seem to be enjoying the salad bar and multiple entrée options each day.
Public comment: Visitors were welcomed and public comment paragraph was read. There was no public comment.
- Reports:
Superintendent Petersen stated that the preschool playground is completed. She will be attending a legislative session in January with area Superintendents to express concern for public schools. The state of the schools report is now called the Nebraska Education Profile. Discussion occurred about NeSA scores and about how scores can fluctuate each year based on class makeup, mobility, and testing differences. We received $17,000 in erate funding to upgrade the technology infrastructure this summer. The total cost is around $25,000. She thanks board members Dan Morrill and Gene Suhr for their service to the board.
Principal Nilson shared the interventions that are currently being used for students who are failing or near failing in classes. Staff is continuing to implement strategies to help the juniors perform well on the ACT tests in April. The school received a grant to purchase radio equipment for the school. An online bulldog apparel store is now open.
2. Board Committees:
The board completed a Vision 20/20: One Vision, One State survey for the Nebraska Assoc. of School Boards. The survey had questions concerning expectations for successful graduates from your school system, barriers for these students, and different people/groups the school can partner with to help achieve these goals.
The policy committee met and worked on the public comment in board meeting policy. It is ready for board approval.
The negotiations committee met with the CTA about negotiations for the 2017-2018 school year. An agreement was reached.
There was no correspondence.
K. Morrill moved to approve the consent agenda with the removal of Item D, McDowell Information. Seconded by Suhr. RCV: 5-0. Gragert excused. Motion Carried.
The bids for the McDowell land were opened. The lone bid was from Bryan Dartman for $207.90 an acre. K. Morrill moved to accept the bid of $207.90 by Bryan Dartman for the contract duration of March 1, 2017 to February 28, 2020. Seconded by Suhr. RCV: 5-0. Gragert excused. Motion Carried.
Discussion/Action Items:
- Superintendent Petersen shared the report from the Deputy State Fire Marshall following his visit. The school does not have to install a fire sprinkler system to meet code. He did note the windows in the high school classrooms are a couple of inches to small to meet NFPA fire safety egress requirements. These can be replaced over time. He did mention that the glass windows in the high school office are dangerous due to their age.
B. The policy committee presented the new public comment in board meeting policy. Suhr moved to accept the recommendation on Policy #204.12 from the Policy Committee. Seconded by K. Morrill. RCV: 5-0. Gragert excused. Motion Carried.
- The teacher and board have agreed on negotiations for the 2017-2018 school year. The base will increase by $500, insurance benefits will remain the same, and bereavement days for parents, spouse, and children will increase to five days. K. Morrill moved to increase the base salary by $500 to $34,100 and to change the bereavement leave for parents, spouse, and children from three days to five days. Seconded by Suhr. RCV: 5-0. Gragert excused. Motion Carried.
D. Farnik moved to accept the 2015-2016 fiscal year audit. Seconded by Hanefeldt. RCV: 5-0. Gragert excused. Motion Carried.
E. The motion was made to hire Joe Pfanstiel as a certified teacher in November. Discussion was held on the classes he would teach as well as any possible additional classes that may be added in the technology or STEM field. Farnik moved to hire Joe Pfanstiel as a certificated teacher, seconded by Suhr. RCV: 5-0. Gragert excused. Motion Carried.
F. The FLSA law that was to go into effect on December 1st has been delayed. The law had prompted changes to three contracts at the November meeting. The motion needed to be rescinded. K. Morrill moved to rescind the motion in the November meeting with respect to employee compensation under FLSA. Seconded by Hanefeldt. RCV: 5-0. Gragert excused. Motion Carried.
G. The Superintendent evaluation was discussed. Farnik moved to approve the Superintendent’s evaluation. Seconded by Suhr. RCV: 5-0. Gragert excused. Motion Carried.
The following bills were paid:
At 9:08 p.m., President D. Morrill adjourned the meeting. The next regular meeting of the Board of Education will be held on Monday, January 9, 2016, at 7:00 p.m. in the high school library.
Jennifer Hoffman, Secretary
