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Board of Education: Board Meetings

November 13, 2006 - Minutes

November 13, 2006

NORFOLK PUBLIC SCHOOLS
NORFOLK, NEBRASKA

Notice - Notice of the regular meeting was published in the Norfolk Daily News on Tuesday, November 7, 2006.

4:30 Session

November 13, 2006 - The Board of Education met on Monday, November 3, 2006, at ­­4:30 p.m. for the study session at the Norfolk Public Schools Administration Office (Board Room) and regular meeting (City Council Chambers).  Members present included Brad Krivohlavek, Jane McDaniel, Alfredo Ramirez, Julee Pfeil, Paul Cazabon, and Clark Froehlich.  Absent:  None.  Also present were Superintendent Randy Nelson, Robert Waite, Dan DePasquale and Doug Witte.  Representatives of Ray and Associates, a superintendent search firm, was also present for the first part of the  4:30 p.m. study session.

Call to Order, Legal Meeting - Alfredo Ramirez, President, called the meeting to order at 4:30 p.m. and declared a legal meeting of the Board of Education.

Open Meetings Act - President Ramirez announced that a complete copy of the Open Meetings Act is posted on the East wall in the Board Room of the Administration Office, 512 Philip Avenue and that a complete board packet is available for review.

Ray and Associates – A presentation by Ray and Associates, a superintendent search firm, was made to the board at the 4:30 meeting.

Construction Update – Mark Riley, Beckenhauer representative, reported on the seven construction projects presently underway.  He reported on all the projects that are currently underway.  The projects are progressing nicely.

Operational Council Update – Dan Honeywell reported that the Operational Council met on October 24 at Winter School.  He reported that there were 12 members on the Operational Council and that meetings are usually no longer than one hour.  The main objective is to keep everyone informed and up to date as much as possible.  Mr. Witte attended the October 24 meeting since Dr. Nelson was at a special meeting of the board.  He reported that he is trying to present different scenarios as to how the Class I schools may look next year.  This helps in the decision making process.  Everyone seems to have a positive attitude toward the merger.

Next Four Month Meeting Schedule – President Ramirez directed the board’s attention to the outlined meeting schedule for the next four months.  He asked the board members to review the time schedule.  The board discussed some issues that they will be addressing in the next few months. 

Superintendent Search Firm Discussion -- Dr. Nelson excused himself from the meeting.  The board went into discussion of the hiring of a superintendent search firm.  Each board member gave their 1-2 choice of the firm they preferred.  Since there was no clear choice, no decision was made at this meeting.   More discussion will take place at the noon meeting on November 14, 2006.

Adjournment – President Ramirez adjourned the meeting at 7:20 p.m.

REGULAR MEETING
Consent Agenda

Call to Order, Legal Meeting - Alfredo Ramirez, President, called the regular meeting of the Board of Education to order at 7:30 p.m. and declared a legally advertised meeting.  He welcomed everyone.

Open Meetings Act - President Ramirez announced that a complete copy of the Open Meetings Act is posted on the West wall in the City Council Chambers located at 309 Madison Avenue and that a complete board packet is available for review.

Consent Agenda - It was moved by Brad Krivohlavek, seconded by Jane McDaniel, to approve the consent agenda items as amended.  Roll call:  Aye: Krivohlavek, Ramirez, Pfeil, McDaniel, Froehlich, and Cazabon.  Nay:  None.  Motion carried.

Minutes   -- Regular Meeting, October 9, 2006
                    Board Retreat, October 24, 2006
                    Advisory Council, October 24, 2006
                    Special Meeting, November 8, 2006

Excused Absence – None

Resignations/Early Retirement – Approved the following resignations/early retirements effective at the end of the 2006-07 school year except Mr. Spahn who will leave on January 19, 2007.

  • Jack Fischer – Senior High Instrumental teacher
  • Karen Fundus – Speech Language Pathologist
  • Marion Hoobler – Middle School Math Teacher
  • Don Blevins – Elementary Music Teacher
  • Randy Spahn – Middle School Principal (Contract is done Jan. 19, 2007)
  • Suzanne Carson – 203 Grade Teacher at Reiche School
  • Janelle Johnson – Reading Teacher at Northern Hills Elementary
  • Charlene Anderson – 1st Grade Teacher at Jefferson Elementary
  • Carol Waggoner – 1st Grade Teacher at Lincoln Elementary
  • Linda Winkler – 6-8 Grade Teacher at Reiche School
  • Barbara Saltz – 5th Grade Teacher at Sunny Meadow School
  • Jim Weber – Library/Media at Senior High School
  • Barbara Farrar – 3rd Grade Teacher at Washington School
  • Jane Steffens – 4th Grade Teacher at Washington School
  • Nancy Whisinnand – Special Education Teacher
  • Randy Nelson – Superintendent (approved at the October 9, 2006 meeting)

Coop Renewal – Approved a two-year coop agreement with Norfolk Catholic for Boys Tennis.  The current agreement ends this month.  This would be for the 2007 and 2008 tennis seasons

Tractor Bid – Approved the low bid from Dinkel Implement in the amount of $47,500 for a maintenance tractor less trade in of a Kubota w/loader.

Junior High Bids – Approved the Junior High remodeling bids.  The bids are now being presented due to a legal battle which has now been resolved.

(See bid tabulation sheet) – Exhibit A


Claims – Approved claims in the amount of $327,266.19 for General Fund, $81,607.03 for Cooperative Fund, $49,346.82 for Reserve/Depreciation Fund, and $1,030,997.04.for Reserve//Depreciation Fund.

Award for Excellence – Dave Wright presented Mike O’Gorman, Junior High custodian, with the Award for Excellence plaque.

Focus on Students – Grant School presented the Prime Time Reading Program.

Superintendent’s Report – The following items were discussed:  congratulations to Mike O’Gorman, Award for Excellence recipient, thank you for parent turn out at Parent-Teacher Conferences, State School Boards Conference, and construction update. 

Financial Report – Robert Waite gave the financial report.

Instruction/Personnel Report – Dr. DePasquale reported on the district’s on-line application process.

Student Services Report –Mr. Witte reported on the following:  Parent-Teacher Conference Summary, guidance counselor attendance at NE School Academy training, beginning of winter sports and activities, and One Act Play scheduled for November 21.

Finance Committee – The Finance Committee met at noon and reviewed the bills and will be gathering more information to move forward on the building projects.

Activities Committee Report – Met on Monday, October 23 and identified priorities needed at Memorial Field.  The group brainstormed on ways to address the Memorial Field issue

Future Meetings – State School Boards Convention, November 15-17, 2006, Omaha, Nebraska; No 2nd meeting of the month; Regular Meeting, Monday, December 11, 2006, 4:30 Study Session and 7:30 Regular Session. 

Adjournment - President Ramirez declared the regular meeting adjourned at 8:20 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Randy A. Nelson, Secretary                              Alfredo Ramirez, President
Board of Education                                           Board of Education

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