Regular February 2024 Meeting Monday, February 12, 2024 7:00 PM as advertised in the Pilot-Tribune/Enterprise and on the school website fortcalhounschools.org High School Media Center Mike Bonacci: Present Josh Christensen: Present Cassie Kelly: Present Amanda Schrum: Present Kelli Shaner: Present Ted Welchert: Present ROUTINE BUSINESS-Call to Order: President Schrum called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM. There were 4 administrators and 5 visitors present. Nebraska Open Meeting Laws were noted.-Excused Absences: All present Roll Call: Bonacci, Present; Christensen, Present; Kelly, Present; Schrum, Present; Shaner, Present; Welchert, Present. Approval of Agenda: This motion, made by Christensen and seconded by Bonacci, Passed. Mike Bonacci: Yea, Josh Christensen: Yea, Cassie Kelly: Yea, Amanda Schrum: Yea, Kelli Shaner: Yea, Ted Welchert: Yea REGULAR AGENDA Public Participation: There was no one who asked to speak. Approval of Claims: Moved that the claims for February be approved in the amount of $145,060.73 from the General Fund and $167,271.44 from Savings & Depreciation. This motion, made by Shaner and seconded by Bonacci, Passed. Mike Bonacci: Yea, Josh Christensen: Yea, Cassie Kelly: Yea, Amanda Schrum: Yea, Kelli Shaner: Yea, Ted Welchert: Yea. Mr. Green explained the claims from ESU #3, the agreed upon payment to the Activity Fund, Frontline for our hiring processes, and yearly dues to NASB. From Savings and Depreciation, the final two payments for the track project were paid resulting in a savings of about $85,000 from the original bid, Prime to retrofit the door security, and payment for purchase of the new van. He also explained the process of having a board member look over all the bills. They met and went over them, answered questions and made sure they were all signed off. This is a work in progress suggested by the auditors. There was a question about payments to ACT if the state covers our juniors. They do, but we also have preACT for 8th and 10th grades. Claim for Abe's Trash Service: Moved that the claim for Abe's Trash Service be approved in the amount of $1,565.45. This motion, made by Kelly and seconded by Shaner, Passed. Josh Christensen: Abstain, Mike Bonacci: Yea, Cassie Kelly: Yea, Amanda Schrum: Yea, Kelli Shaner: Yea, Ted Welchert: Yea Consent Agenda: Moved that the Consent Agenda be approved as presented. This motion, made by Christensen and seconded by Kelly, Passed. Mike Bonacci: Yea, Josh Christensen: Yea, Cassie Kelly: Yea, Amanda Schrum: Yea, Kelli Shaner: Yea, Ted Welchert: Yea. Standing Committee Reports: Finance-Christensen reported on HR and payroll support, the HAL position, discussions for a new bus, final payments for the Track project, Foundation information, cost savings by changing lighting at the high school to LED, the 2024-25 calendar, Classified Staff schedule and raises, administration raises, student teacher stipends, and the internet outage and offices closing. The committee is recommending the same raises for administrators as the superintendent, recommending researching stipends for student teachers, closing the offices for the internet outage, and starting on bus bids as it takes about a year for one to be delivered. American Civics: Shaner reported they discussed the same items as Finance, and they are recommending the change to Policy 5045-Student Fees. Policy 5045 - Student Fees: Move that the board of education waive 1st reading and pass on second reading the revision to Policy 5045-Student Fees. This motion, made by Shaner and seconded by Christensen, Passed. Mike Bonacci: Yea, Josh Christensen: Yea, Cassie Kelly: Yea, Amanda Schrum: Yea, Kelli Shaner: Yea, Ted Welchert: Yea. Mr. Green explained that through our food service review it was found we were not charging enough for adult breakfast. Schools must charge an amount to at least cover subsidies. The change is just removing adult prices from the “student” fees policy as they are not applicable. The price will be changed to reflect the correct amount and employees notified. Administrator Contracts: High School Principal: Moved that the contract for Dr. Nick Wemhoff be approved as discussed and decided upon. This motion, made by Shaner and seconded by Schrum, Passed. Mike Bonacci: Yea, Josh Christensen: Yea, Cassie Kelly: Yea, Amanda Schrum: Yea, Kelli Shaner: Yea, Ted Welchert: Yea. Raises mirror the superintendent’s pay, 5 more vacation days, and the opportunity to buy back sick time upon retirement. There was discussion about arrays and that superintendents’ are not as clear cut as teacher arrays. A comparison within our conference superintendents shows the 3% to be in line with this mid range. Elementary School Principal: Moved that the contract for Mr. Drew Wagner be approved as discussed and decided upon. This motion, made by Shaner and seconded by Bonacci, Passed. Mike Bonacci: Yea, Josh Christensen: Yea, Cassie Kelly: Yea, Amanda Schrum: Yea, Kelli Shaner: Yea, Ted Welchert: Yea Assistant Principal/AD: Moved that the contract for Mr. Jamie Schleifer be approved as discussed and decided upon. This motion, made by Christensen and seconded by Kelly, Passed. Mike Bonacci: Yea, Josh Christensen: Yea, Cassie Kelly: Yea, Amanda Schrum: Yea, Kelli Shaner: Yea, Ted Welchert: Yea Contract of Employment: Move that the board of education extend a contract of employment to Alaina Wallick as a 7th-8th grade English teacher. This motion, made by Kelly and seconded by Christensen, Passed. Mike Bonacci: Yea, Josh Christensen: Yea, Cassie Kelly: Yea, Amanda Schrum: Yea, Kelli Shaner: Yea, Ted Welchert: Yea. She is now at Columbus Scotus teaching 8th and 10th grades and has taught at Westside. They said great things about her. She is wanting to get closer to Omaha. Classified Staff Pay Schedule: Moved that the Classified Staff Pay Schedule be approved as presented. This motion, made by Christensen and seconded by Kelly, Passed. Mike Bonacci: Yea, Josh Christensen: Yea, Cassie Kelly: Yea, Amanda Schrum: Yea, Kelli Shaner: Yea, Ted Welchert: Yea. Mr. Green said this is done about every two years. The changes also reflect increasing route and activity pay for bus drivers. In addition it includes up to 4 personal days to be the same as paras. Compensation for Classified Staff: Moved that the classified staff be granted raises not to exceed 2.7%. This motion, made by Christensen and seconded by Schrum, Passed. Mike Bonacci: Yea, Josh Christensen: Yea, Cassie Kelly: Yea, Amanda Schrum: Yea, Kelli Shaner: Yea, Ted Welchert: Yea. This will also include personal days up to 4 to be used any time. There was discussion about putting the benefits, personal days etc. on the pay schedule and how the employees know what these are. Mr. Green said there are tiers for each class of personnel where these are shown and conveyed to employees. This system has been used for quite a long time and has worked. Updates to the tiers are made as needed. Board members would like to see these. Stipends for Student Teachers: Moved that the board of education approve a $5,000 per semester stipend for student teachers. This motion, made by Shaner and seconded by Bonacci, Passed. Mike Bonacci: Yea, Josh Christensen: Yea, Cassie Kelly: Yea, Amanda Schrum: Yea, Kelli Shaner: Yea, Ted Welchert: Yea. The Finance Committee discussed research about how to get and keep student teachers in schools. Schools are struggling to get them so districts are offering stipends. Amounts paid from surrounding schools were reviewed and $5,000 is in the mid-range of what is being paid. We would select applicants in areas where we need them, conduct interviews and have a cap of 3 student teachers per year. This is a way to get them in our buildings, see what and who we are with the thought to motivate them to come and hopefully stay. Colleges are sending letters to schools to see what is being offered. This falls in line with corporate interns being paid stipends and is a “great idea”. Mr. Green will get the information to the colleges right away. Approval of the 2024-25 Calendar: Moved that the calendar for 2024-25 be approved as presented and recommended. This motion, made by Christensen and seconded by Kelly, Passed. Mike Bonacci: Yea, Josh Christensen: Yea, Cassie Kelly: Yea, Amanda Schrum: Yea, Kelli Shaner: Yea, Ted Welchert: Yea. The calendar reflects a “roll back” year so the start date is a week later. Holidays are pretty much the same as the current year. In order to align with our staff goal it includes 2 teacher work days without students which puts students days at 177. There is one day per semester which does not increase teacher contract days and they are supportive of this. Staff in the audience thanked the board for this change for them. Board Member Reports: Welchert commented on the turnout for the Father/Daughter Dance; Bonacci said it is nice to see the gyms being full: Mr. Wemhoff was thanked for planning the lasagna feeds to support Post Prom; and Schrum told the board about Prom and coronation, thanked the school for having space for the babysitting class, and that she appreciates all they are doing in the schools. Administrator Reports: Dr. Wemhoff spoke about Parent Teacher Conferences, hiring for the JH English position, professional development, ACT day with the test now being online and what the other classes will be doing that day, student achievements, and upcoming activities. He told the board that Prom is “awesome” and they are welcome to be there. Mr. Wagner: Reported on the spelling bee, upcoming Conferences, Preschool registration and that by April 1st enrollees will be notified if accepted or on a wait list, the Father-Daughter dance, new intervention groups for students with needs, some of our 4th graders being selected for the National Assessment of Educational Progress, not scheduling Summer School this year, professional development, and upcoming events. School improvement surveys will go to students and the external visit will be in 2024-25. There was discussion about the impact on students that no summer school will have. It was explained that the COVID money we used for this is now gone so no funding. There is no plan at this time for students and the board will need to consider this. Board members asked about the number of students this would affect and there has always been a need. One parent in the audience stated summer school was “hugely helpful to bring her child up to where he belongs”. Another comment was that the need should be addressed and if there is one the district needs to do this. Mr. Wagner said he will look into this to get kids identified and parents notified. Mrs. Benoit was in the audience and stated they have previously used the December K-3 student data and notified parents so they can plan. It is better to address it on the front end rather than deal with it later. There were 10-12 students for each grade last summer. Mr. Schleifer: Gave an overview of the Winter sports and being proud of the kids who “worked hard”. He mentioned the 3 wrestlers who made it to state-Gage, Merritt and Presley, and noted that the boys basketball subdistrict will be tough. He also reported on our Dance Team earning 13th in the nation in Pom at the National Tournament and the upcoming final Winter activities. New programs will be put in place to recognize and showcase 4-year 3 or more sport athletes and Summer weight participants. Starts for Spring activities were noted. Superintendent Report and Legislative Summary: Mr. Green reported on board goals and that there will be a Technology report at the March meeting, that teachers are appreciative of the 2 extra staff days built into the calendar, and the facility looks great and waiting to use the new track. He gave an update of the proceedings in the Unicameral highlighting those that would directly affect schools. LB1339 regarding firearms in schools provides for boards to provide mapping of school buildings to public safety agencies, which we have. He also spoke about suspensions for younger children, 100% tuition for students to Nebraska system universities earning a perfect ACT score in support of our Nebraska kids to keep them in state, and is thankful for allowing schools into the education conversations with this governor. He noted we had received a resignation from the elementary music teacher just before the meeting that will get advertised as soon as possible. CLOSED/EXECUTIVE SESSION Move to Closed/Executive Session: Moved that the board of education go into closed session for the prevention of needless injury to the reputation of an individual in compliance with the law. The board entered closed/executive session at 8:03PM. This motion, made by Schrum and seconded by Christensen, Passed. Mike Bonacci: Yea, Josh Christensen: Yea, Cassie Kelly: Yea, Amanda Schrum: Yea, Kelli Shaner: Yea, Ted Welchert: Yea. President Schrum again read the motion to note the reason for the executive session. Return to Open Session: The board returned to open session at 8:29 PM. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the president declared the meeting adjourned at 8:30 PM. ZNEZ ENT 02-23-24
