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Minutes- February 8, 2021

February 13, 2021

The regular meeting of the Board of Education of the Creighton Community School District No. 13 was held on February 8, 2021 at 7:00 p.m. in the High School Library.

Notice of the meeting was given in advance thereof by publication in the Knox County 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

for the meeting is attached and incorporated into these minutes.

President Fanta called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.  He announced that the Open Meeting Laws Act Poster was displayed on the wall at the entrance.

Members present: Duane Fanta, Matt Fritz, Greg Kuhlman, Amy Borgmann, and Dixie Hanefeldt.  Others Present:  Superintendent Thompson, Principal Nilson, Secretary Hoffman and district patrons.   

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

Fritz moved to approve the agenda, seconded by Borgmann. RCV: 5-0.  Motion Carried.

There was no public comment.

Reports:

1. Superintendent Thompson stated that state aid for next year will be $38,555.  Mr. Nilson’s evaluation has been completed.  Different bills in the legislature dealing with education were reviewed.
2. Principal Nilson shared that winter sports are winding down.  The ESU is going to host content level zoom sessions for teachers.  He is in contact with the health department to get vaccinations for school staff.
3. President Fanta stated that board committees will be set up once a new board member is appointed.
4. The transportation committee met and reviewed numbers associated with the costs of operating our own buses or contracting out.  The committee recommended to continue operating our own buses next year.  We may want to purchase an activity bus when the current lease expires. 
5. There was no correspondence.

Kuhlman moved to approve the consent agenda consisting of the monthly financials, January board minutes, accepting the resignation of the head cook and hiring a new head cook.  Seconded by Fritz.  RCV:  5-0.  Motion Carried. 

Discussion/Action Items:               

1. Fritz moved to accept the resignation of Kay Morrill from the school board.  Seconded by Hanefeldt.  RCV:  5-0.  Motion Carried.
2. Four candidates submitted letters of interest to be a school board member.  Eric Meyer, Eric Burns, Toni Tauber, and Eric Schroeder were all asked the same four questions in a round robin format.  The board thanked all the applicants for their interest.  After some deliberation, Borgmann moved to appoint Toni Tauber to the open position.  Fritz seconded the motion.  RCV:  5-0.  Motion Carried. 
3. Superintendent Thompson explained the breakdown of busing costs going through Mid States of Wayne, Holiday Express of Grand Island, or operating our own buses.  The board discussed the certification needed for driving different routes and vehicles.  Fritz moved to run the bus service ourselves for the 21-22 school year.  Seconded by Hanefeldt.  RCV:  6-0.  Motion Carried.
4. Superintendent Thompson explained the ESU 1 service contract for 2021-2022.  The contract is for $179,606.64 and covers speech therapy, vision, deaf education, audiology, psychologist, physical and occupational therapy, early childhood, outreach and transition services.  The cost may vary if we use more or less services then originally contracted.  Hanefeldt suggested that we table the contract to March in order to look at other options for the services.  Fritz felt that the ESU may be underserving our kids and agreed about looking at other options.  Discussion dealt with surveying special education families on their thoughts, how the ESU is evaluated, and the difficulty of finding people in these areas.  The board tabled the contact to the March meeting.
5. Hanefeldt moved to approve the Nebraska Association of School Board dues for the 2021-2022 school year.  Seconded by Fritz.  RCV:  6-0.  Motion Carried.
6. Superintendent Thompson presented a quote for thirty Chromebooks using REAP funding.  Fritz moved to purchase the Chromebooks for $10,956.60.  Seconded by Kuhlman.  RCV:  6-0.  Motion Carried.
7. A proposed calendar for next year was shared with the board.  It is very similar to the current calendar.  The first day of school is August 18 and the last day would be May 19. 
8. Kuhlman moved to approve Fanta’s registration to the President’s Retreat on March 14 and 15.  Seconded by Fritz.  RCV:  6-0.  Motion Carried.

The following bills were paid:

At 8:36 p.m., Kuhlman moved to adjourn the meeting. Seconded by Fritz.  RCV:  6-0.  Motion Carried.  The next regular meeting of the Board of Education will be held on Monday, March 8, 2021, at 7:00 p.m. in the High School Library.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

                                                                                                                                                                                    Jennifer Hoffman, Secretary