Minutes- July 10, 2017
The regular meeting of the Board of Education of the Creighton Community School District No. 13 was held on July 10, 2017 at 7:00 p.m. in room 403.
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 Morrill called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Morrill announced that the Open Meeting Laws Act Poster was displayed on the wall.
Members present: Kay Morrill, Colleen Farnik, Dixie Hanefeldt, Tim Gragert, and Duane Fanta. Farnik moved to excuse Greg Kuhlman, seconded by Fanta. RCV: 5-0. Kuhlman arrived at 7:50.
Others Present: Superintendent Thompson, Principal Nilson, Secretary Hoffman, and district patrons.
The Pledge of Allegiance was said.
Gragert moved to approve the agenda, seconded by Hanefeldt. RCV: 5-0. Kuhlman excused. Motion Carried.
During public comment, Jim Fuchtman addressed the board on the topic of the cash reserve that the school budget continues to carry over from year to year. He reviewed and summarized his previous addresses to the board and asked that the board be mindful of state statute and levying of new taxes when preparing next years’ budget. He also addressed the issue of levying new funds for the HVAC system last year and the plan to do the same this year. He questioned why new taxes would be levied when there are plenty of collected taxes available to pay for the HVAC Project.
Farnik wished to pull the monthly financials from the consent agenda. Fanta moved to approve the June board minutes. Seconded by Gragert. RCV: 5-0. Kuhlman excused. Motion Carried.
In discussion on the financials, Farnik expressed that she would like to go over larger bills out loud each month and that she feels any calls to the lawyer by the board president should be done with another board member or administrator present. Superintendent Thompson indicated that he welcomed questions about the financials anytime. Fanta moved to approve the monthly financials. Seconded by Hanefeldt. RCV: 5-0. Kuhlman excused. Motion Carried.
- Reports:
Superintendent Thompson discussed the possibility of the board using e-meetings software. He also explained the chain of command and the roles of the board and the superintendent. He is looking forward to meeting with the individual board members and staff to learn more about the district. Final comments were about the trees on the south side of the school needing to be trimmed or removed.
Principal Nilson expressed interest in implementing a drug testing policy for students who participate in competitive activities. This is becoming a more common practice and he was interested in the board’s thoughts. Farnik stated it would have to be done properly. The administration and policy committee will look into this more and bring it back to the board at a later date. Nilson stated that Ipad checkout times and 7th grade orientation had been scheduled.
President Morrill explained that John Spatz from the Nebraska Association of School Boards (NASB) had been updating board members on happenings from the latest legislative session at lunches around the state. Many bills deal with charter schools, retiring school personnel, and bullying. Morrill shared NASB’s Matt Belka’s “Board Notes” and the survey emailed to all board members. Featured in the Board Notes was ESU 2’s newly developed career program. Morrill indicated that ESU 2’s career program was similar to ESU 1’s “Friday’s at Northeast”. She shared the Friday’s at Northeast program had greatly expanded their offerings for the 2017-18 school year.
A thank you was received from Katie Homan for the Erwin McDowell Trust.
Discussion/Action Items:
- Gragert moved to appoint Superintendent Robby Thompson as the district representative for state and federal reporting. Seconded by Hanefeldt. RCV: 5-0. Motion Carried.
- We did not receive any option enrollment requests.
- The minutes from the HVAC progress meeting were reviewed. Ceiling installation will start mid-July, door installation is almost complete, and the heat pumps are 80% complete. Some additional lights may need to be installed in the gym due to the new ductwork creating shadows. Communication and low voltage wire in the ceiling may need to be tied up and this is not in the scope of the HVAC Project contract.
- Information on communication and meetings with Tremco were reviewed. Company representatives were not able to be here on July 3rd but a conference call was held where the roof issues were discussed. On July 7th Tremco representatives met with the building committee and Superintendent Thompson to further discuss concerns and to complete a roof top inspection. We are currently awaiting notice from Tremco that they have approved a bid from one of their roofing contractors so that work could begin on the most crucial areas.
- No board members were able to attend the Open Meetings Workshop on July 20th.
- Several committee meetings were scheduled for the next few weeks. The policy committee will meet at 4:00 p.m. on July 24th. The finance and building and grounds committee will meet on July 17th at 11:00 a.m. The planning and development committee will meet on July 25th at 4:00 p.m.
The following bills were paid:
At 8:09 p.m., President Morrill adjourned the meeting. The next regular meeting of the Board of Education will be held on Monday, August 14, 2017, at 7:00 p.m. in the High School Library.
Jennifer Hoffman, Secretary
