October 13, 2008 Minutes
by Veryle Winter
October 22, 2008
NORFOLK PUBLIC SCHOOLS
NORFOLK, NEBRASKA
Notice—Notice of the regular meeting was published in the Norfolk Daily News on Friday, October 10, 2008.
4:30 Session
4:30 Session—The Board of Education met on Monday, October 13, 2008, at 4:30 p.m. for a study session in the Board Room of the Administration Office, 512 Philip Avenue and at 7:30 p.m. for the regular meeting at the City Council Chambers, 309 Madison Avenue. Members present included Brad Krivohlavek, Clark Froehlich, Alfredo Ramirez, Julee Pfeil, and Paul Cazabon. Absent: None. Also present were Superintendent Marlene Uhing, Robert Waite, Bob Hastings, and Doug Witte.
Legal Meeting – Brad Krivohlavek, President, called the meeting to order at 4:30 p.m. and declared a legal meeting of the Board of Education.
Open Meetings Act – Brad Krivohlavek, President, announced that a complete copy of the Open Meetings Act is posted on the East wall in the board room located at 512 Philip Avenue, Norfolk, Nebraska.
2008-2009 Enrollment Information – Bob Waite reported on enrollment figures. He reported that the district is up 36 students (39 if pre-school is included). Total enrollment including pre-school is 3906 and 3839 excluding pre-school. The Middle School showed the greatest increase with 55 students.
School Improvement – Bob Hastings reported on the school improvement process and plans for our upcoming staff development days. He shared five major goals that the district is focusing upon to achieve the mission and goals of the district.
District Public Relations Planning – Dr. Uhing shared that she is implementing some public relations tools. She will be developing a Key Communicator Network and have a regular radio program to address school related issues. She plans to have a draft of a district-wide professional development plan by the end of the year.
NASB Convention – Board members were
asked about their attendance at the NASB Convention to be held on
November 19-21 in LaVista, NE.
Update on eMeetings – Dr. Uhing reported that we have switched companies for the computers needed for our eMeetings and that they should be arriving shortly. The board will be trained during the 4:30 session at the November 10 meeting.
SEAN in Norfolk – Dr. Uhing shared that the Student Education Association of Nebraska will be hosting their conference in Norfolk on October 18. Jefferson Elementary and Lincoln Elementary are the two buildings that will be serving as hosts. They will be providing some service time to our district in their “Outreach to Teach” program.
Request for Student Data – Dr. Uhing shared that the district has been asked to share their student database with Norfolk Area Recruiters and with Peter Kiewit. We can provide certain information but we would want to know who owns the database. It was suggested that we seek legal counsel before we proceed further.
Biz Show – The Chamber has offered a booth to the schools of Norfolk for their annual Biz Show on October 16. Our Senior High will be at the booth from 12:00 -1:00 and we will have some give-a-ways.
403b Update – An update on the Third Party Administrator for our 403b plans was provided the board.
Policy Review – Two board policies were reviewed by the board. One deals with changes to the Open Meetings Law and the other one involves student records. These will be acted upon on first reading at the 7:30 meeting.
Other – The board discussed a date for a board retreat in November.
Adjournment – President Brad Krivohlavek adjourned the meeting at approximately 6:43 p.m.
REGULAR MEETING
Consent Agenda
Regular Meeting – Brad Krivohlavek, 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 – Brad Krivohlavek, 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.
Amendments to Consent Agenda – It was moved by Paul Cazabon, seconded by Clark, to pull Action Item B, Resignation of Jane McDaniel, from the consent agenda and to act upon it separately. Roll call: Aye: Krivohlavek, Froehlich, Ramirez, Pfeil, and Cazabon. Nay – None. Motion carried.
It was moved by Julee Pfeil, seconded by Clark Froehlich, to change the number of the board policy relating to school board meetings and the open meetings law to 204.8. Roll call: Aye: Krivohlavek, Froehlich, Ramirez, Pfeil, and Cazabon. Nay – None. Motion carried.
Consent Agenda -- It was moved by Julee Pfeil, seconded by Alfredo Ramirez, to approve the consent agenda as presented with the approved amendments. Roll call: Aye – Krivohlavek, Pfeil, Froehlich, Ramirez, and Cazabon. Nay – None. Motion carried.
Minutes -- Regular Meeting, September 8, 2008
2nd Meeting of the Month, September 25, 2008
Excused Absence – None
Policy – Approved on first reading the following policies:
• 204.8 School Board Meetings: The open meetings law was amended by LB 962. Statute language: No public body shall require members of the public to identify themselves as a condition for admission to the meeting or shall such body require that the name of any member of the public be placed on the agenda prior to such meeting in order to speak about items on the agenda.
• 501.4 – Student Files and Records: This policy is revised in response to recent opinions from the Department of Education’s Family Policy Compliance Office and proposed amendments to the FERPA regulations. It focuses on:
a. Restricting access to student records to those in the school system that have “legitimate educational interests”
b. How student records are to be handled by contractors, volunteers, and consultants with a “legitimate educational interest”
c. The annual FERPA notice given to parents should reflect these changes.
Claims – Approved claims for October as follows: $560,695.18 for General Fund, $14,386.28 for Cooperative Fund; $220,037.73 for Lunch Fund; $50,395.15 for Reserve/Depreciation Fund; and $129,517.47 for Special Building Fund.
Regular Agenda
Award for Excellence – Will continue in November.
Focus on Students – Beth Gentrup/Nancy Polodna and Middle School students presented on Student Video About Middle School.
Superintendent’s Report – Dr. Marlene Uhing's report included: Key Communicators, Nebraska State Education Association, and Biz Show.
Financial Report – Robert Waite gave the financial report.
Instruction/Personnel – Mr. Hastings reported on Staff Development Days.
Student Services Report – Mr. Witte reported on the following items: fall parent/teacher conferences; Region II Elementary Principals Leadership Conference; CPR and AED emergency training procedures, nurses’ fall screening and narrative and budget preparations for No Child Left Behind.
Finance Committee – No report.
Activities Committee Report – The Activities Committee met on September 29, 2008. The topics discussed included: sports we are cooping in and the number of participants, 5-year plan review, eligibility issues with NSAA guidelines, and moving of “The Panther”.
Regular Agenda Item
Board Member Jane McDaniel Resignation – It was moved by Clark Froehlich, seconded by Alfredo Ramirez, to accept the resignation of Jane McDaniel from the board since her residence is no longer in Norfolk. Each board member and Dr. Uhing commented on Jane’s service to the district. Roll call: Aye – Krivohlavek, Pfeil, Froehlich, Ramirez, and Cazabon. Nay – None. Motion carried.
Future Meetings – 2nd Board Meeting of the Month, Thursday, October 30, 2008, at noon at the Central Office; and Regular Board Meeting, Monday, November 10, 2008, 4:30 p.m. Study Session and 7:30 Regular Meeting at City Council Chambers; and State School Boards Convention – November 19-21, 2008, Omaha, Nebraska.
Adjournment – President Brad Krivohlavek declared the regular meeting adjourned at 8:25 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Marlene Uhing,
Secretary
Brad Krivohlavek, President
Board of
Education
Board
of Education
