March 2024 Board of Education Monday, March 11, 2024 7:00 PM as advertised in the Pilot-Tribune/Enterprise and on High School Media Center fortcalhounschools.org ROUTINE BUSINESS -Call to Order: The meeting was called to order at 7:00 PM. There were 4 administrators and 7 visitors present. -Note Nebraska Open Meeting Laws: So noted. -Excused Absences: Moved that the absence of Josh Christensen be excused. This motion, made by Schrum and seconded by Bonacci, Passed. Mike Bonacci: Yea, Josh Christensen: Absent excused, Cassie Kelly: Yea, Amanda Schrum: Yea, Kelli Shaner: Yea, Ted Welchert: Yea -Roll Call: Bonacci-Present; Christensen-Absent Excused; Kelly-Present; Schrum-Present; Shaner-Present; Welchert-Present. -Approval of Agenda: The agenda was approved as presented. This motion, made by Shaner and seconded by Bonacci, Passed. Mike Bonacci: Yea, Cassie Kelly: Yea, Amanda Schrum: Yea, Kelli Shaner: Yea, Ted Welchert: Yea PRESENTATION Bo Hansen along with Colby Bentley and Eli Tinkham were present to give an update on Digital Technology. Mr. Hansen gave a brief introduction of himself, his expertise, and gave the progression of our computer science courses. The classes now use various ways including field trips for Digital Art 1-2 and Graphic Design, and the next levels will be Digital Art 3-4 and 5-6. This constitutes a full career pathway for students as outlined by NDE and will present them a way to go ahead in the field and economic development when leaving high school. The first year is learning and getting to use the software, the second year will use the software for projects to benefit the schools, and third year will have a heavy focus on video design. He gave examples of student-designed logos and materials that have been used this year and commercials that were made by Colby and Eli among others. These students also run the video board during games. Amanda Schrumm commented they did a great job all last season and she heard a lot of positive comments. Dr. Wemhoff said the state came out with guidelines and Mr. Hansen has taken it to where it is now. The career pathway is driving the process as we continue to learn and there will eventually be a financial benefit for offering courses within these career pathways. REGULAR AGENDA -Public Participation: There was none. -Approval of Claims: Moved that the claims for March be approved in the amount of $147,449.47 from the General Fund and $5,808.71 from Savings & Depreciation. This motion, made by Kelly and seconded by Shaner, Passed. Mike Bonacci: Yea, Cassie Kelly: Yea, Amanda Schrum: Yea, Kelli Shaner: Yea, Ted Welchert: Yea. Mr. Green and Cassie Kelly reviewed the bills and spoke about the regular monthly and periodic expenses. Mr. Green spoke about the claims to be paid through ESSR monies for mental health, camera systems through an e-rate grant, and Savings and Depreciation. Abe’s Trash is reviewing their billing for adjustments so there will be no claim from them for the next 2 months. Reviewing monthly claims prior to the meeting is getting more comfortable. -Consent Agenda: Moved that the Consent Agenda be approved as presented. This motion, made by Bonacci and seconded by Shaner, Passed. Mike Bonacci: Yea, Cassie Kelly: Yea, Amanda Schrum: Yea, Kelli Shaner: Yea, Ted Welchert: Yea -Standing Committee Reports: No committees met. -Policies: 3019 Sale or Disposal of School Property; 3020 Copyright Compliance; 3021 Operation of School Business Office; 3022 Volunteers; 3022R Volunteer Services Agreement Move that the board of education waive first reading and pass on second reading Policies: 3019 Sale or Disposal of School Property; 3020 Copyright Compliance; 3021 Operation of School Business Office; 3022 Volunteers; 3022R Volunteer Services Agreement as reviewed and recommended. This motion, made by Kelly and seconded by Shaner, Passed. Mike Bonacci: Yea, Cassie Kelly: Yea, Amanda Schrum: Yea, Kelli Shaner: Yea, Ted Welchert: Yea. Mr. Green and the committee are continuing to review and update policies if needed. There are no changes in these. We are able to conduct sales by different means and closely monitoring the copyright laws especially with music. The offices will close at 3 in the summer months; volunteers are just now being allowed back since COVID to work with students and must complete the volunteer form which is a part of the policy. -Bus Bids: Moved that the Board of Education accept the bid from Cornhusker International Trucks, Inc. for a 2025 59-passenger International bus in the amount of $113,940.00. This motion made by Shaner and seconded by Kelly, Passed. Mike Bonacci: Yea, Cassie Kelly: Yea, Amanda Schrum: Yea, Kelli Shaner: Yea, Ted Welchert: Yea. The bid process was published and companies contacted. We had bids from the same two as the last purchase and chose the bid from Cornhusker who was the lowest bid. We have purchased the last 2 buses through them and they have treated us well. Mike Bonacci asked if the board needs to make adjustments to the amounts put aside to be able to stay on the 2 year replacement schedule. The amount put aside has increased, but Mr. Green will monitor the situation. With the timeline for delivery it should be OK. -Resignations •Grace Roby: Moved that the resignation of Grace Roby be accepted. This motion, made by Shaner and seconded by Bonacci, Passed. Mike Bonacci: Yea, Cassie Kelly: Yea, Amanda Schrum: Yea, Kelli Shaner: Yea, Ted Welchert: Yea. She did a wonderful job but wants to be closer to home. There has been a lot of change in the Music program but good change. •Jessica Fleischman: Moved that the resignation of Jessica Fleischman be accepted. This motion, made by Shaner and seconded by Kelly, Passed. Mike Bonacci: Yea, Cassie Kelly: Yea, Amanda Schrum: Yea, Kelli Shaner: Yea, Ted Welchert: Yea. She is appreciated for what’s she done the last 3 years. -Contract of Employment: Moved that Katy Kelsey be offered a contract of employment beginning with the 2024-25 contract year. This motion, made by Kelly and seconded by Shaner, Passed. Mike Bonacci: Yea, Cassie Kelly: Yea, Amanda Schrum: Yea, Kelli Shaner: Yea, Ted Welchert: Yea. Teachers were reassigned which opened a spot in Kindergarten. Katy wanted to be back in Fort Calhoun and we are glad to have her. -Board Member Reports: Bonacci said the facilities look great and is anxious to see a meet on our new track. Shaner commented on the mental health conferences held saying they were well done and has heard lots of positive comments. They were well put together and hope they continue. Schrum also spoke about the mental health conference and that it was great for Fort Calhoun to be on the news in the forefront for such a positive reason. She reminded the board about the prom and commented on the great Choir concert. She concluded by thanking all for everything they do. -Administrator Reports: Dr. Wemhoff-Parent Teacher conference percentages did not include e-mails or phone calls but are doing something different with kids who are failing by keeping up on them on a regular basis but communications with parents would have made a difference in the percentage of contacts; working with ESU#3 to align our MTSS with AqUESTT and connecting them to our accreditation process; explained the make-up of the ACT day and what each class would be doing; that the ACT will be totally on-line this year but the PreACT will still be “pencil and paper”; announced that Charlee Potadle was named Veteran Teacher of the Year through NETA for her uses of tech into what she presents as she teaches; upcoming events including Prom, the Jr High Science Fair, Band Variety Show, Easter Break and the Choir Music. Prom coronation has been moved to 7:15PM, Post Prom opens at 11:00 PM, has a window of release between 3:45-4:15AM and will be held again in Fort Calhoun because of rising costs for outside venues. Mr. Wagner-Reported on events around the building including 99% contacts; student testing and Read Across America Week; the kindergarten and HAL positions have been filled and interviews are scheduled for 5th Grade and Music; gave summer school data including proficiency and funding with the board president saying they will meet in committees and if they feel this would be a benefit and will follow with a recommendation for what they would like to see happen; he also reported on the Problem Solving Team focusing on problem solving needs and academic and social-emotional learning, upcoming Kindergarten Round up, and professional development. School improvement included special education guidelines and eligibility procedures being distributed to staff, the next meeting is March 15th and student surveys will go out this week as part of our school improvement plan. Dr. Wemhoff said this is a lot of work but our model of accreditation is fitting right into our school’s improvement process. Mr. Schleifer-He highlighted Winter sports athletes including basketball, wrestling, dance and cheer and their accomplishments and it has been a lot of fun to watch the progress of the Dance program. Spring sports are starting and Fort Calhoun will be hosting B-2 District Track. Mr. Plum will not be coaching basketball for us any longer - thank you for what he’s done and his investment in our program. Mrs. Anita Saalfeld told the board that Owen Miller was recognized as a Nebraska Distinguished World Language Scholar for Spanish. -Superintendent Report and Legislative Report: Mr. Green spoke about board goals and there will be a technology report in April; gave the numbers so far for option enrollment with April 1st being the “by” date for notifications to parents; Fort Calhoun will host the B-2 District Track; there were 27 agencies and over 100 people who attended our community health conference including media coverage which was spearheaded by Jacque Fischer and Ashley Dougherty; and the school board election in November. The legislature has put a cap of 6 bills on “package bills”, is trying to put a 3% “hard” cap on budgeting but they and the governor are showing preference for the “soft” cap. The governor is proposing a 40% reduction in property tax but the question is how to make up the $1 billion shortfall this would cause. It is not known how all this would impact school funding but the governor could bring the legislature back for a special session. As for now we will use last year’s formula for school funding. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the president adjourned the meeting at 7:53. ZNEZ PT 03-19-24
