Minutes- July 8, 2019
The regular meeting of the Board of Education of the Creighton Community School District No. 13 was held on July 8, 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, Duane Fanta, Greg Kuhlman, Matt Fritz, Amy Borgmann, and Dixie Hanefeldt.
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 Borgmann. RCV: 6-0. Motion Carried.
There was no public comment.
Morrill pulled section C out of the consent agenda for further discussion. Fanta moved to approve consent agenda including the June minutes and the monthly financial reports. Seconded by Fritz. RCV: 6-0. Motion Carried. Several policies were modified to align with new legislation. Policy 203.06, Board Committees, was updated according to LB 399 changes to State Statute 79-724 changing the name to Committee on American Civics and provisions include requiring: no fewer than two public meetings per year (one of which public testimony is accepted); minutes of the meetings; some curriculum changes and testing or homework requirements; and removal of class 3 demeanor for non-compliance. Policy 407.07 was updated to comply with LB 675 which changes period of time a current board may obligate future boards in agreements, including the collective bargaining agreements for periods not to exceed 4 years (previously 3 years). Resident Students, Policy 502.01, was updated by LB 115 to change provisions related to enrollment of children of members of the military. Policy 504.19, Student Fees, will be discussed in action item ‘a’ below. Student Directory Information, 507.02, was updated by LB 575 regarding the provision of information access by military recruiters to include access to routine directory information for each student in a high school grade and allows parents to opt their student out of being put on a list for recruiters. Citizenship, Policy 604.11, now includes provisions relating to the American Civics Statute 79-724 mandating some curriculum changes to testing and homework. Policy 702.03, Budget Adoption Process was updated by LB 103 to change the procedure for setting a political subdivision’s property tax request requiring a vote of the board if property tax valuations result in an increase (regardless of if there is a levy change) and requires a new notice of Property Tax Increase Hearing separate from the existing school board Budget Hearing, and includes provisions for requirements to be included in the board’s budget resolution. Purchasing Procedures, Policy 706.01, was changed to align with LB 675 requirements allowing current boards to obligate future boards in agreements for certain specified services for periods not to exceed 7 years instead of the previous 4 years. Hanefeldt moved to approve policies 203.06, 407.07, 502.01, 507.02, 604.11, 702.03, and 706.01 with recommended changes. Seconded by Fanta. RCV: 6-0. Motion Carried.
Reports:
- Superintendent Thompson stated that the roof insulation has been cored and there are areas that are saturated and matted down. The recommendation from the architect is to put in new insulation. The sprinkler system on the football field is installed, but a back flow needs to be included on the system. A contract has been offered for a van driver/para for this fall and Thompson is awaiting acceptance. The Cross Country Coop with Plainview was not approved by the Plainview Board, so will not take place as was acted on and approved at last regular meeting by the Creighton Board.
- Principal Nilson stated that we have a teacher participating in the test question writing for NSCAS English and that the school improvement team is finalizing plans for the external team review visit.
- Board President Morrill shared the NASB update, highlights from the NRCSA Member update and reminded members of upcoming workshops. Morrill as reminded committee chairs of necessary upcoming committee work. Policy Committee Chair Hanefeldt shared that the policy committee has reviewed and updated the 100, 200, and 300 policies and is currently reviewing the 400 – 900 policies and working on updating the Table of Contents to correspond with currently adopted policies. Transportation Chair Fanta shared committee information as a part of action item‘d’ below.
- Thank you notes were received from Erwin McDowell Educational Trust Loan recipients Travis Tyler, Ashtyn Fritz, and JD Kuhlman.
Discussion/Action Items:
- The meeting was opened for public comment for the annual review of the Student Fees Policy. There was no public comment. Superintendent Thompson stated that the only changes were to the Driver’s Education costs and Hot Lunch costs to correspond with previous board action. Fanta moved to approve the student fees policy as reviewed and modified. Seconded by Borgmann. RCV: 6-0. Motion Carried.
- Principal Nilson reported that there were a few minor changes to the student handbooks. The Creighton app was added as a way to contact families and vaping was added to the tobacco policy. Seniors will no longer be able to purchase their IPad after graduation as they will be passed down to update elementary technology. The Chromebook handbook is a duplicate of the IPad handbook except there will not be an insurance fee charged for the Chromebooks since they will not be taken home. Borgmann moved to approve the changes to the handbooks as indicated. Seconded by Fritz. RCV: 6-0. Motion Carried.
- Fanta reported that the Transportation Committee met with Jim Borgmann in June to discuss bus transportation for the upcoming year. The committee proposed to keep the contract the same as last year at 2.63 per mile. Bus routes will be finalized once final busing options are finalized. The school is looking into purchase a 14 passenger bus to run on one route if another driver cannot be found. In order to drive a 14 passenger van the driver does not need a CDL, only a Level 1 Bus Certification. Superintendent Thompson is going to look at the mini buses later this week. Fanta moved to keep the bus contract the same as the 18-19 contract year (2.63 per mile). Seconded by Kuhlman. RCV: Kuhlman-yes, Fanta-yes, Hanefeldt-yes, Borgmann- abstained, Fritz-yes and Morrill-yes. Motion Carried. Bus routes will be finalized and approved at August Regular Board Meeting.
- Discussion on the use of school vans for non-school-summer activities occurred. Student safety, additional opportunities for students, liability issues and the cost not being the responsibility of taxpayers were all topics discussed. The topic was then tabled for time to collect further information.
- There were no upcoming workshops until September, so no action needed at this time.
The following bills were paid:
At 8:47 p.m., Fritz moved to adjourn the meeting. Seconded by Kuhlman. RCV 6-0. Motion carried. The next regular meeting of the Board of Education will be held on Monday, August 12, 2019, at 7:00 p.m. in the High School Library.
Jennifer Hoffman, Secretary
