Regular January Meeting Monday, January 9, 2023 7:00 PM High School Media Center as advertised in the Pilot-Tribune/Enterprise and on the schools’ website fortcalhounschools.org ROUTINE BUSINESS Call to Order: The meeting was called to order at 7:00 PM with Superintendent Green presiding. There were 4 administrators and 17 visitors present. Note Nebraska Open Meeting Laws: So noted. Excused Absences: There were none-all present. Roll Call: Bonacci, Present; Josh Christensen, Present; Cassie Kelly, Present; Amanda Schrum, Present; Kelli Shaner, Present; Ted Welchert, Present Approval of Agenda: Moved that the agenda be approved as presented. 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 Oath of Office: Board members read the Oath of Office in unison. Board Members Make Declaration for the Record of Any Conflicts of Interest per Nebraska Accountability and Disclosure Laws: Josh Christensen declared for being associated with Abe’s Trash Service. ELECTION OF OFFICERS: Mr. Green read the procedure for election of officers. • Election of President: Christensen nominated Schrum and Bonacci seconded. There were no other nominations. Schrum was elected president on a 6-0 unanimous ballot. Schrum is now presiding. • Election of Vice President: Shaner nominated Christensen and Bonacci seconded. There were no other nominations. Christensen was elected vice president on a 6-0 unanimous ballot. • Election of Secretary: Bonacci nominated Shaner and Christensen seconded. There were no other nominations. Shaner was elected secretary on a 6-0 unanimous ballot. • Election of Treasurer: Shaner nominated Bonacci and Christensen seconded. There were no other nominations. Bonacci was elected treasurer on a 6-0 unanimous ballot. PRESENTATION Because of a scheduling conflict, the presentation will take place later in the meeting. REGULAR AGENDA Public Participation: Teri McKennan addressed the board, thanked them for stepping up and making quality decisions that mold our students into good citizens. She is and has been a band parent volunteer working in all aspects of the role. The band program helps students make great strides in students striving to success. She stated the solos and ensembles enhance the entire band and students to grow. Mr. Jones is their accompanist and it helps them to gain confidence. He follows them from 5th and 6th grade through junior high and high school, sees their potential, and sees where they fit. Without his individual lessons these students would not be as successful or confident. “He takes our kids and makes them into musicians”. There were no other comments. Approval of Claims: Moved that the claims in the amount of $106,344.37 from the General Fund and $1,157.78 from Savings and Depreciation be approved. This motion, made by Christensen and seconded by Shaner, 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 for tuition and contracted services, Mechanical Sales for HVAC work at the high school, and field paint. Claim for Abes Trash: Moved that the claim from Abe's Trash Service be approved in the amount of $1,565.45. This motion, made by Bonacci 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 Shaner and seconded by Christensen, Passed. Mike Bonacci: Yea, Josh Christensen: Yea, Cassie Kelly: Yea, Amanda Schrum: Yea, Kelli Shaner: Yea, Ted Welchert: Yea. A question about the old bus was presented and Mr. Green said it was traded in the purchase of the new one. Committee Assignments 2023: President Schrum explained the committees and how members were placed. To become familiar with the policies and the process to adopt them, newly elected members were placed on this committee with a member that is familiar with it. Committee on American Civics/Facilities and Grounds/Transportation: Ted Welchert, Cassie Kelly and Kelli Shaner Finance/Technology: Amanda Schrum, Josh Christensen and Mike Bonacci Mr. Green will coordinate times for committee meetings and get with the members to schedule them. Set Regular Board Meeting Day and Time: Moved that the Regular Meetings of the Fort Calhoun Board of Education be held at 7:00 PM on the 2nd Monday of each month. Passed with a motion by Member #1 and a second by Member #2. 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 Designate the District Official Newspaper for Publications: Moved that Washington County Pilot-Tribune & Enterprise and the Daily Record, when needed, be designated as the official newspapers for the Fort Calhoun School District. This motion, made by Christensen and seconded by Shaner, Passed. Mike Bonacci: Yea, Josh Christensen: Yea, Cassie Kelly: Yea, Amanda Schrum: Yea, Kelli Shaner: Yea, Ted Welchert: Yea. This is just our standard procedure. Designate District's Legal Counsel: Moved to designate the attorneys of KSB School Law of Lincoln, Nebraska as district legal counsel. The District reserves the right to use the legal counsel of Nebraska Association of School Boards, as may be needed. This motion, made by Bonacci and seconded by Christensen, Passed. Mike Bonacci: Yea, Josh Christensen: Yea, Cassie Kelly: Yea, Amanda Schrum: Yea, Kelli Shaner: Yea, Ted Welchert: Yea. We have been with KSB since their inception and they are a good firm. Being a member of NASB we are able to contact them with questions as a service they provide Board Authorization for Superintendent Actions: Moved that the Board of Education authorize and grant the superintendent or his designee, authority to represent the District in all matters relating to local, state and federal programs and funds. 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. This allows the superintendent to do his job. Appoint an Executive Secretary: Moved that Rose Tinkham be appointed as the Executive Secretary for the Fort Calhoun School District. 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 Selection of Bank Depository for District Funds: Moved that Washington County Bank, Blair and Fort Calhoun Nebraska be designated as the depository for all School District #3 accounts for 2023. This motion, made by Christensen and seconded by Shaner, Passed. Mike Bonacci: Yea, Josh Christensen: Yea, Cassie Kelly: Yea, Amanda Schrum: Yea, Kelli Shaner: Yea, Ted Welchert: Yea. The bank has now rebranded to WBC as it has expanded outside Washington County. Enrollment Information: This information is being presented prior to the committees meeting to discuss class and program limits in preparation for setting the limits at the February meeting. The numbers show where we’re at and if any adjustments are needed to set these limits. Standing Committee Reports: There were none. Board Member Reports: Schrum thanked the members for selecting her president and is excited to work with the two new members. Christensen welcomed the new members. Shaner thanked the audience for everyone coming. Bonacci asked about the goals discussed at the retreat and about future curriculum and staff. He does not want this issue to be put on the “back burner”. Mr. Green said the administration has been discussing these issues keeping in mind the budget. State aid won’t be finalized until at least March and the legislature now in session may try to move it around. The district has added several new paras but continue to advertise to be up to the full complement. This is a widespread issue with schools. Kelly stated she is excited to start this new opportunity. Welchert said he will “do his best to make good decisions.” Administrator Reports: •Mr. Wemhoff: Working on new Math standards aligning our curriculum and with the new elementary program that will be adopted; continuing to work on the Multi Tiered Support Systems (MTSS) for student support and meeting their needs with all the right resources; information about I Love Public Schools Day, training for proactive solutions that will go along with our MTSS to establish a common problem solving language between teachers and students; and upcoming events including the junior high dance and local Spelling Bee. •Mr. Wagner: Gave a wrap up of first semester events; the Math adoption presentations and being on track for adoption in March; professional development including a team building exercise for staff to interact with each other and work with students based on their personalities; and upcoming events. He said the kids are excited to be back and thanked the board for their support. •Mr. Schleifer: Updated the board on activities including the basketball Holiday Tournament, wrestling information, the Unified Basketball and a big thank you to all who helped and participated adding he hoped to host one at Fort Calhoun and include track in the program, junior high girls basketball and junior high wrestling starting, and upcoming activity events with basketball parents night being January 31st. Superintendent Report: Mr. Green reported on being in the 2nd year of the goal to develop and revise the technology philosophy; working on the track area and the upcoming presentation; an update on the wrestling building and having to remake one of the wall pads because of an error in manufacturing; a legislative update with the possibility of 60-70 bills a day being introduced during the 90 day session; an update on COVID after meeting with the team to be in compliance with our ESSR plan stating we still have cases but are not reporting numbers at this time; being a part of mock interviews at Midland University which is a good connection with other superintendents; and School Board Recognition Week with facts about those who serve in Nebraska. There were questions from the audience regarding lighting on the walkway to the Wrestling building and our COVID protocols. PRESENTATION: Lamp, Rynearson Track/Field Project Matt Tinkham and Caleb VanWeelden gave an overview of the current plan detail and bid process for this project. Slides of the various aspects of the project were shown and discussed. In the preliminary work for the plan it was discovered there is an existing gas line across the field that will have to be relocated and the main power source near the high jump but with careful excavating it may not have to be moved. The power running between the lights will not be a big issue and conduit would be run to the existing scoreboard for future use when it needs to be replaced. The grading plan is a simple design to remove the entire track leaving it fairly flat but allowing for drainage and following the existing path. It was not feasible to leave the long jump runs so field events will be moved north. Some access to this site will be redone with larger sidewalks, adding concrete, and fencing for access control. The building was not included in the scope of the plan so is the schools’ responsibility because of cost. The type of fencing will have to be decided upon. Some of the existing fencing can be used if galvanized is chosen and the replacement fenced areas were explained. The field will be full turf with logos in the center and end zones and will also be striped for football and soccer. Coaches’ boxes and sideline stripping will also be done as will the striping for track lanes. They again stated the changes for long jump runs on the ends and adding pole vault in order to host district and conference meets putting all field events north of the football field. The proposal is about 95% complete just waiting on the board’s decision on fencing. Bids will go out mid January with a 3-week timeline for return. The completion date will be 8/25 for the first home game, but with the track needing 1 month to cure, it will not be stripped at that time. Weather can really hamper the schedule but they will do all they can to get it open. This estimate is $2.2M but with the relocates it will be closer to $2.3M. There were questions about change orders and was told a buffer will be written in however any new changes asked will be a change order which would alter the amounts. Any utilities not reported or discovered or upgrades would be a change order. The district will only “pay for what you get”. The board was advised that there would only be a small number of bids as there are not many certified track builders and not many others have the capability to do it. Board comments included it is one of the first things people see coming into town. Restrooms and bleachers are not included but is the next phase, that the need is understood, and this will depend on where the bids come in. Fencing was discussed with the black being more aesthetic, but galvanized being more maintenance free. The board consensus was to go with galvanized because it could be matched to existing fencing that would remain. A new scoreboard is not in the project at this time but could be a project at a later date. The Booster Club is in the process of replacing the scoreboard in the Main Gym. In conclusion Mr.VanWeelden stated that the schedule is really important. They plan to begin May 22nd to be complete by the end of August, however any flexibility is important. Athletes for State Track may have to use an alternate site, and a rainy summer will make it not available for August. Striping is planned for mid October-November 1st. The top of the track will be a rubberized surface which affords more cushion for joints when running. They thanked the board for their attention and input. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business President Schrum declared the meeting adjourned at 8:15PM. ZNEZ PT 1-17-23
