Minutes- December 12, 2018
The regular meeting of the Board of Education of the Creighton Community School District No. 13 was held on December 12, 2018 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 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, Duane Fanta, Dixie Hanefeldt, and Greg Kuhlman. Farnik absent.
Others Present: Superintendent Thompson, Principal Nilson, Secretary Hoffman, and district patrons.
The Pledge of Allegiance was said.
Kuhlman moved to approve the agenda, seconded by Hanefeldt. RCV: 4-0. Farnik absent. Motion Carried.
There was no public comment.
Kuhlman moved to approve the consent agenda of monthly financials, minutes from the November 13th board meeting, and the revised policy 201.06 to include 201.06a. Seconded by Hanefeldt. RCV: 4-0. Farnik absent. Motion Carried.
- Reports:
Superintendent Thompson reported that Greg Long from Educator’s Health Alliance came and spoke to the staff about their insurance coverage. He joined a group of teachers as they visited Ponca and Crofton to see how they utilize Ipads and Chromebooks in their schools. Superintendent Thompson shared highlights from the sessions he attended at the NASB annual conference. Custodian interviews were conducted last week and an offer has been extended. He will participate on an external review team review for Pierce in January.
Principal Nilson reported that winter activities are underway. Teacher evaluations are in progress and he is starting the schedule creation process for 19-20. Principal Nilson also visited area schools to review their technology. After more research, polling staff, and possibly more visits, he is hoping that a determination can be made in early 2019 as to which direction the district wants to go with technology. The crisis team is working to update our current crisis plan.
President Morrill noted upcoming committee work that needs to be completed over the next few months. She listed the upcoming workshops. She also attended the state NASB conference in November. A few of the sessions she attended were on superintendent evaluations, strategic planning, and school law.
Hanefeldt reported that the policy committee is reading through the policies again. They will begin reading the student handbooks to make sure that they align with board policies. The personnel committee met to review Superintendent Thompson’s evaluation and to discuss his contract. Fanta explained that the transportation committee met with Larry Vortherms from Avera. Larry was wondering if the school would be interested in working with Avera to provide public transportation to students in town.
There was no correspondence.
Discussion/Action Items:
- There were four candidates for the vacant board member position. Matt Fritz, Toni Tauber, Kathy Rice, and Sara Kronberg were all asked to answer the same four questions, with each one given the opportunity to answer a question first. Discussion then occurred amongst the board members that every candidate would bring good ideas and be an asset to the board. Fanta moved to have Matt Fritz fill the vacant board position. Seconded by Kuhlman. RCV: 4-0. Farnik absent. Motion Carried. Fritz was seated with the board.
- Principal Nilson reviewed where the district is in the school improvement process. Staff met with Rhonda Jindra from ESU 1 on December 5th. Performance standards were reviewed. Surveys completed by students and staff will be reviewed. Mrs. Sayers has been working on the School Improvement Process website so it will be ready to submit for review next fall. Teacher in-services this year have been devoted mainly to school improvement and technology.
- Superintendent Thompson read a resignation letter from custodian Mike Costello.
- Joan Jorgensen, special education teacher, submitted her letter of retirement, effective at the end of the 18-19 school year. Fanta moved to approve the resignation of Joan Jorgensen. Seconded by Kuhlman. RCV: 5-0. Farnik absent.
- Superintendent Thompson recognized outgoing board members Tim Gragert and Colleen Farnik for their service to the board.
- Board members were given the 18-19 audit to review prior to the meeting. Kuhlman moved to approve the 18-19 audit, seconded by Hanefeldt. RCV: 5-0. Superintendent Thompson may see if Lori Olson from Dana F. Cole would want to come over and explain the audit since we will have two new board members.
- President Morrill distributed a summary of Superintendent Thompson’s evaluation. Overall, the evaluation was good. Any areas were someone ranked him with a low score were reviewed. The same goals for the superintendent will apply for the rest of the 18-19 school year. Kuhlman reported that the personnel committee proposes extending Superintendent Thompson’s contract by another year and raising his salary by $2,000 for the 19-20 school year. Superintendent Thompson accepted the proposal. His contract will be published online for approval at the January board meeting.
The following bills were paid:
At 8:30 p.m., President Morrill adjourned the meeting. The next regular meeting of the Board of Education will be held on Monday, January 14, 2018, at 7:00 p.m. in the High School Library.
Jennifer Hoffman, Secretary
