November 12, 2007 Minutes
by Veryle Winter
November 20, 2007
NORFOLK PUBLIC SCHOOLS
NORFOLK, NEBRASKA
Notice—Notice of the regular meeting was published in the Norfolk Daily News on Tuesday, November 6, 2007.
4:30 Session
4:30 Session—The Board of Education met on Monday, November 12, 2007 at 4:30 p.m. for the study session at Norfolk Public Schools Administration Office, and at 7:30 moved to the City Council Chambers for the regular meeting. Members present included Jane McDaniel, Brad Krivohlavek, Julee Pfeil, Clark Froehlich, Alfredo Ramirez, and Paul Cazabon. Absent: None. Also present were Superintendent Marlene Uhing, Robert Waite, Dan DePasquale, and Doug Witte.
Legal Meeting – Jane McDaniel, 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 Jane McDaniel announced that a complete copy of the Open Meetings Act was available for review if anyone was interested and that a complete board packet is available for review.
Construction Update –Mark Riley, Beckenhauer representative, indicated the construction at Junior High and Senior High should be completed by December 1, and the final work on the sidewalk at Woodland Park should be completed by November 16. At Washington Elementary a switchover is needed on some rooftop units, and that should be completed by December 1. The work on the addition at Jefferson Elementary should be completed soon with occupation by December 3. Demolition on the south end of the building should start in early December and the renovation scheduled for completion by February 14. All construction projects are ahead of schedule.
District Poverty & LEP Plan – Dr. Uhing distributed a copy of the summary points of the 2007-2008 Poverty/LEP Plan. Small class size is a major criteria and the financial component was explained. She indicated the district administrators have met and have done everything legally and ethically possible to follow the spirit of the plan. The Plan’s possible funding and impact on the district was discussed. Robert Waite indicated our district should be notified by February 1 what our state aid will be if the legislature doesn’t make any changes.
District Data – Dr. Uhing indicated the Central Office is gathering data from building administrators for the Board of Education. She indicated a Board Retreat might be an effective way to process the data. Robert Waite handed out information on the district’s enrollment history for each building and the district as a whole based on the Fall Membership Report, as well as projections for the future. Superintendent Uhing indicated the district administrators and Board need to assimilate this data regarding staffing issues, enrollment, etc., and project a timeline, costs, and recommendations as soon as possible. More data will be collected and shared in the next few weeks. Paul Cazabon suggested scheduling another meeting. Jane McDaniel and Marlene Uhing will send proposed dates to the other Board members for their consideration.
Discuss Meeting Schedule for Board/Administrative Team – Dr. Uhing suggested January 4 as a date for a luncheon and afternoon meeting to discuss the McRel Workshop and other district data. Board members were reminded of the National School Boards Meeting the end of March, with registration due by December 18, and they were encouraged to attend the workshop on 21st Century Skills.
Executive Session -- At 5:54 p.m. it was moved by Clark Froehlich, seconded by Julee Pfeil, to move into executive session for the purpose of discussion of personnel and nurse negotiations for protection of the public interest. Roll call: Aye – Krivohlavek, McDaniel, Ramirez, Pfeil, Cazabon, and Froehlich. Nay – None. Motion carried.
At 6:40 p.m. it was moved by Brad Krivohlavek, seconded by Alfredo Ramirez, to move out of executive session and back to regular session. Roll call: Aye – Krivohlavek, McDaniel, Ramirez, Pfeil, Cazabon, and Froehlich. Nay – None. Motion carried.
The board continued discussion of meeting schedule times for a December retreat. The board also discussed preparation for election of officers in December. Board members should consider their own interest in those leadership positions and be prepared to conduct elections at the December meeting.
The board also discussed appropriate media contacts for board members. If a board member wants to respond to the media, that board member will do so by making it clear they are not speaking as a board member. They will also share with the rest of the board that they are going to contact media in case there is a concern.
Adjournment – President Jane McDaniel recessed the meeting at 7:08 p.m.
REGULAR MEETING
Consent Agenda
Regular Meeting – Jane McDaniel, President, called the regular meeting of the Board of Education to order at 7:28 p .m. and declared a legally advertised meeting. She welcomed everyone.
Open Meetings Act – Jane McDaniel, President, 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 Clark Froehlich, seconded by Paul Cazabon, to approve the consent agenda items as listed and to add the acceptance of the resignation of Kathy Naranjo contingent upon finding a suitable replacement. Roll call: Aye: McDaniel, Krivohlavek, Ramirez, Pfeil, Froehlich, and Cazabon. Nay: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.
Minutes -- Regular Meeting, October 8, 2007
2nd Meeting of the Month, October 25, 2007
Excused Absence – None
Resignation – Approved the resignation of Dan DePasquale effective at the end of the current school year. No action was taken on the other requests for early retirement. The board is studying the financial situation of the district before making a decision.
Resignation of Kathy Naranjo – Approved the resignation of Kathy Naranjo effective at the end of the first semester contingent upon finding a suitable replacement.
Coop Agreement for Girl’s Soccer/Norfolk High Northeast – Agreed to coop with Lutheran High Northeast in Girl’s Soccer.
Policy Update – Coop Agreements – Approved an amendment to the Coop Policy which would allow for coop agreements to be turned in up until June 1 for fall activities and September 1 for winter activities and January 1 for spring activities if they failed to meet the April 1 deadline. This will coincide with the NSAA policy.
Claims – Approved claims in the amount of $282,130.59 for General Fund; $76,333.34 for Cooperative Fund; $175,628.34 for Lunch Fund; $135,139.45 for Reserve/Depreciation Fund and $335,437.09 for Special Building Fund.
Regular Agenda
Award for Excellence – The Award for Excellence award was presented to Juli Rohleder, Senior High guidance secretary.
Focus on Students – The After School and Dance “Choristers” from Lincoln Elementary and Montessori School presented the Focus on Students.
Superintendent’s Report – Dr. Marlene Uhing's report included: congratulations to Juli Rohleder, Senior High guidance secretary, for being named “Award for Excellence” recipient, construction update, review of poverty plan, and Dan DePasquale.
Financial Report– Robert Waite gave the financial report.
Student Services Report – Mr. Witte reported on parent-teacher conference summary, beginning of winter sports season and No Child Left Behind grants.
Instruction/Personnel – Dr. DePasquale reviewed information on the Norfolk Public Schools released in the 2006 Department of Education Report Cared.
Finance Committee – There was no report.
Activities Committee Report – There was no report.
REGULAR AGENDA ITEM
No Regular Agenda Items This Month
Future Meetings – State School Boards Convention – Omaha, NE, November 14-16, 2007; no 2nd meeting of the month for November; regular meeting, Monday, December 10, 2007, 4:30 p.m. study Session and 7:30 p.m. regular meeting.
Adjournment – President Jane McDaniel declared the
regular meeting adjourned at 8:05 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Marlene Uhing,
Secretary
Jane McDaniel,
President
Board of
Education
Board of Education
