Minutes -- February 8, 2010 -- 4:30 Study Session
February 08, 2010
Norfolk Public Schools
Board of Education Study Session
February 08, 2010 04:30PM
Central Office Board Room
Attendance Taken at 4:30 PM:
Present Board Members:
Joel Carlson
Clark Froehlich
Dr. Brad Krivohlavek
Mr. Bruce Mitchell
Julee Pfeil
Alfredo Ramirez
Updated Attendance:
Julee Pfeil was updated to absent at: 6:15 PM
1. Call to Order
Brad Krivohlavek, President, called the meeting to order at 4:30 p.m. and stated that the Open Meetings Act was posted on the east wall for review.
2. Declaration of a Legal Meeting
Brad Krivohlavek, President, declared this a legal meeting of the Board of Education. The meeting was advertised in the Norfolk Daily News on Thursday, February 4, 2010. A copy of the agenda is available at the desk of the recording secretary.
3. Reports and Discussion Items
3.1. Effective Instructional Practices
The district is beginning to conduct training with the goal of developing a district-wide instructional model. Dr. Uhing gave a PowerPoint presentation on Effective Instructional Practices. She reported that the district has recently sent 50 teachers and administrators to the
5- day APL training. This is the beginning phase of training all our staff in the next few years.
3.2. School Calendar
The board held discussion regarding the 2010-2011 school calendar which includes professional development time. It was announced that the early dismissal time for staff development activities will be held on Fridays at 2:00 p.m. There will be specific objectives for the staff during the Staff Development time. The students who stay at school will be supervised and will be provided activities and homework assistance. The time will be made up by eliminating most of the ½ days that had been used for this and by adding a few minutes to the instructional day.
3.3. Policy
3.3. a. Coop Policy
The board discussed the coop policy. Mr. Froehlich expressed his concern of allowing students outside our district to coop, pay a minimal fee, and potentially take a position from a Norfolk student.
No fee has been firmly decided upon but it was suggested that perhaps it would be $200-$250 per student.
The board also discussed the fact that cooping could be eliminated.
The board directed the administration to place this topic on the 7:30 agenda of the March 8, 2010 board meeting.
3.3. b. Employee Absence Due to Weather
The board discussed the board policy "Employee Absence Due to Weather". Dr. Uhing presented an amendment to our current policy which would allow a staff member to take either a personal day or be docked 1/187th of their salary when they could not come to work due to weather related issues.
This will be brought back to the March 8, 2010 board meeting for action.
3.4. Legislation
Information related to current legislative issues was shared.
3.5. Nebraska School Activities Association Resolution
Discussion regarding the resolution will be on the business meeting agenda. The Nebraska School Activities Association is celebrating its 100th birthday. The NSAA is member-driven; all constitutional provisions and bylaws are initiated and passed by the NSAA membership.
LB 1021 would completely restructure the NSAA and add levels of governance (and cost) to the NSAA. It would substantially change how rules, regulations, investigations, interpretations, and sanctions are handled.
4. Action Items
5. Minutes of Meetings
Minutes of meetings throughout the month were available for review.
6. Other
Ms. Schwartz informed the board that the Finance Committee heard a presentation from the Liquid Assets Fund, an affiliate of the NASB, on investing district funds. This would provide more flexibility and less bank charges. The board will discuss it further next month.
6.1. Joint Governing Board Meeting
Dr. Uhing shared information regarding the upcoming February 15 Joint governing Board meeting. She stated that legislative issues will be discussed.
6.2. Board Meeting Dates
Dr. Uhing pointed stated that the National School Boards Convention in April is at the same time as our normal board meeting. A new date will need to be determined for the board meeting. It must be on or before the 3rd Monday in March.
The board decided on April 19 at 4:30 p.m. (Study Session) and 7:30 (Regular Session) at the NPS Administration Office, 512 Philip Avenue, Norfolk, NE.
6.3. Board Code of Ethics
The board reviewed the Code of Ethics policy at the second meeting of the month of January. The board determined when the policy was adopted that it would be reviewed and signed annually.
7. Adjournment
Brad Krivohlavek, President, declared the meeting adjourned at 7:00 p.m.
