Minutes- March 11, 2019
The regular meeting of the Board of Education of the Creighton Community School District No. 13 was held on March 11, 2019 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 posted at the City Offices, front door of the high school, and front door of the elementary school.
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 at the entrance.
Members present: Kay Morrill, Amy Borgmann, Greg Kuhlman, Matt Fritz and Dixie Hanefeldt. Duane Fanta arrived at 7:07.
Others Present: Superintendent Thompson, Principal Nilson, Secretary Hoffman, and district patrons.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Kuhlman moved to approve the agenda. Seconded by Hanefeldt. RCV: 5-0. Fanta excused. Motion Carried.
There was no public comment.
Fritz asked to pull the monthly financials from the consent agenda. Borgmann moved to approve the rest of the consent agenda consisting of the February 11th board minutes, NASB continued membership and dues, and 2019-2020 school calendar. Seconded by Kuhlman. RCV: 5-0. Fanta excused. Fritz questioned if KSB, the school’s lawyer, was paid on a retainer or hourly rate, and if the Northeast Nebraska Hard of Hearing bill was a monthly expense or not. Legal fees are billed on an hourly basis and the Northeast Nebraska Hard of Hearing Agency is billed on an as utilized basis. Hanefeldt moved to approve the financial reports. Seconded by Kuhlman. RCV: 5-0. Fanta excused.
Reports:
- Superintendent Thompson reported that we are currently sending a student to ESU 1 Tower School in Wayne, and splitting transportation costs with Wausa. He has contacted an architect about the roof problems. Non-certificated staff evaluations were done for the first time this year. He also reviewed the formal evaluation procedure for certificated staff. The school website will have a new look and an app has been purchased from SOCS that will help share school information with the public.
- Principal Nilson activities for the week of March 11-16. He participated in an AdvancEd external review for O’Neill in January and feels that Creighton is on the right track for our school improvement visit in the fall. The crisis team is working on developing guidelines for any issues that may arise. Teachers are reviewing APL training and usage at in-services and will begin to realign classroom curriculum to standards.
- Board President Morrill shared an example items available on the NASB website and encouraged members to be utilizing it. The example she shared was a comparison of proposed property tax bills and how they affected schools. Morrill’s report included the NASB monthly review and upcoming NASB/NRCSA conference offerings. Also included in the report was committee work for the next month.
- Hanefeldt reported that the policy committee had reviewed the junior/senior high student handbook and cross-referenced it to board policy. They will work on the elementary and activities handbooks next. Fanta reported that the buildings and ground committee met and discussed the problems with the roof. They recommend having an architect come in and look at the issue, as the bricks at one area are beginning to lean in towards the top of the school. The committee will bus contract and bus routes for 2019-2020 school year Superior Turf will fertilize inside the track and the west side of the school this year.
- There was no correspondence.
Discussion/Action Items:
- Superintendent Thompson recommended offering contracts to the current certified staff for the 2019-2020 school year. Hanefeldt moved to offer contracts for 2019-2020 to all certified staff as recommended by Superintendent Thompson. Seconded by Kuhlman. RCV: 6-0. Motion Carried.
- A resignation letter was shared from Rebecca Pischel, she has been offered a position at Niobrara Public Schools for next school year. Fanta moved to accept the resignation of Rebecca Pischel. Seconded by Kuhlman. RCV: 6-0. Motion Carried.
- Kuhlman reported that the finance committee met on February 27 and reviewed Superintendent Thompson’s recommendation for Principal Nilson’s contract for 2019-2020 school year. Superintendent Thompson stated that evaluations are done on principals just like superintendents. Hanefeldt moved to approve Superintendent’s Thompson’s recommendation of a 1.9% increase and continued contract for Principal Nilson for the 2019-2020 school year. Seconded by Fritz. RCV: 6-0. Motion Carried.
- The board discussed the Sparqdata e-meeting program again. Superintendent Thompson and Morrill stated that some of the area schools that utilize the program are Wausa, Winside, Wayne, Norfolk, Laurel, and O’Neill. The board looked at area schools’ websites that included Sparqdata links for their board meetings. Morrill indicated Wausa’s board meetings are on the 3rd Monday and that would be an opportunity for members to see an electronic format in action. She also encouraged members to browse the websites of the schools utilizing Sparqdata.
- Upcoming board training opportunities from NASB and NRCSA were reviewed. Morrill and Superintendent Thompson will attend the NRCSA conference March 21 and 22 in Kearney.
The following bills were paid:
At 7:53 p.m., Fanta moved to adjourn the meeting. Seconded by Hanefeldt. RCV 6-0. Motion carried. The next regular meeting of the Board of Education will be held on Monday, April 8, 2019, at 7:00 p.m. in the High School Library.
Jennifer Hoffman, Secretary
