NORFOLK PUBLIC SCHOOLS
  NORFOLK, NEBRASKA

Notice—Notice of the regular meeting was published in the Norfolk Daily News on Wednesday, June 4, 2008. 

4:30 Session

4:30 Session—The Board of Education met on Monday, June 9, 2008, at 4:30 p.m. for a study  session in the Board Room of the Administration Office, 512 Philip Avenue, and at 7:15 p.m. moved to the City Council Chambers for the budget amendment hearing and the regular meeting.  Members present included Brad Krivohlavek (arrived at 4:52 p.m.), Jane McDaniel, Clark Froehlich, Alfredo Ramirez, and Julee Pfeil.  Absent:  Paul Cazabon.  Also present were Superintendent Marlene Uhing, Robert Waite, and Doug Witte.  Dan DePasquale was absent for the meeting.

Legal Meeting – Clark Froehlich, Vice--President, called the meeting to order at 4:30 p.m. and declared a legal meeting of the Board of Education.

Open Meetings Act – Clark Froehlich, Vice-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.

TeamMates Presentation – Mary Whealy, outgoing president of TeamMates and Mara Riley, TeamMates assistant coordinator, reported to the board on the TeamMates program.  Joyce Kirschner was introduced as the newly name coordinator of TeamMates.  Dan Mauk presented Alfredo Ramirez with an award from the TeamMates Program.  A TeamMates mentor and mentee also addressed the board and shared their experiences of being “teamed together” for several years.

Dr. Krivohlavek arrived at this point.

Student Fees and Handbook Questions -- Mr. Witte reported that the district is required to hold a hearing each year for the Student Fee Policy.  This hearing must cover the fees that will be charged and the amounts collected for the fees during this year.  The hearing is conducted as part of the regular board meeting.

Handbooks – Mr. Witte had distributed copies of the handbooks to the board members and asked if they had any questions. 

Policy Updates – Dr. Uhing distributed copies of board policies that need to be updated.  Dr. Uhing summarized the changes being recommended.

Update on Budget Amendment/Budget/Finance Items – Mr. Waite updated the board on the need for a budget hearing to amend our General Fund Budget for the 2007-2008 school year.  The Norfolk Public Schools received funds from various state and federal sources that are not known as the beginning of the fiscal year.  The amendment of the budget will have NO impact on local property taxes.  The total budget

Lunch Prices -- Mr. Waite also explained that he will be recommending a 25 cent increase in school lunch prices for next school year.  This increase is needed because of the high increase of food items due to high energy costs, etc. 

Budget – Mr. Waite explained the budget process to the board.

Executive Session – At 6:37 pm. it was moved by Clark Froehlich, seconded by Julee Pfeil, to move into executive session for the purpose of discussion of personnel.  Roll call:  Aye – Krivohlavek, Ramirez, Pfeil, McDaniel, and Froehlich.  Nay – None. Absent:  Paul Cazabon.  Motion carried.

End Executive Session – At 7:02 p.m. it was moved by Clark Froehlich, seconded by Julee Pfeil, to move out of executive session and back to regular session.  Roll call:  Aye – Krivohlavek, Ramirez, Pfeil, and Froehlich.  Nay – None. Absent:  Paul Cazabon.  Motion carried.

Adjournment – President Brad Krivohlavek adjourned the meeting at approximately 7:05 p.m. 

BUDGET AMENDMENT HEARING

Dr. Uhing opened the hearing by explaining the district is required to hold a hearing to amend the 2007-2008 budget.  The district receives funds from various state and federal sources that are not known at the beginning of the fiscal year.  There is NO impact on local property taxes.

Mr. Waite summarized the various receipts as follows:

Special Building Fund                                                           $3,594,500

General Fund                           

     Early Childhood Education Grant                                        $100,000

     Distance Education and Telecommunication                            20,000

     Title II, Part D                                                                     16,961

     RUS Grant                                                                          10,000

                                                                                             146,961

     Special Education                                                               750,000

­                                                                                        $4,491,461

There were no comments from the public.

The hearing adjourned at 7:17 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.

 STUDENT FEE HEARING

At 7:15 Mr. Witte explained the recommendations for changes to the Student Fee Policy.  He also explained that there is a provision for a waiver of fee based upon income.  He asked for questions from the board and the public. 

Consent Agenda -- It was moved by Jane McDaniel, seconded by Clark Froehlich, to approve the consent agenda as presented.  Roll call:  Aye – Krivohlavek, McDaniel, Pfeil, and Froehlich.  Nay – None. Abstained:  Alfredo Ramirez.  Absent:  Paul Cazabon.  Motion carried.

Minutes   --    Regular Meeting, May 12, 2008

Excused Absence – Paul Cazabon

Signature for Federal Program – Approved the signature of Director of Student Services for all Federal Grants and Programs for the 2008-2009 school year.

Signature for Federal Lunch Program – Approved the signature of the Associate Superintendent for Business Services for the Federal Lunch Program for the 2008-2009 school year.

Amended Budget – Approved the amended budget for the 2007-2008 budget year.  This amended budget is due to additional funds received by the district from grant and federal sources.  There is no increase or change to taxing requests.

Personnel – Approved the following resignations and replacement staff for the 2008-2009 school year:

Resignations:

ü  Michelle Petersen, ELL teacher at Northern Hills, Woodland Park, and Bel Air Elementary Schools

ü  Rita Andrews, 6^th grade Middle School mathematics

ü  Debbie Marotz, 4^th grade at Westside contingent upon finding a suitable replacement

Replacement Staff:

• Mary Luhr, Senior High Special Education
• Mary Bennett, Junior High mathematics
• Bianca Ramirez, 3^rd grade at Jefferson Elementary
  

Girls’ Soccer Coop – Approved continuation of the girls’ soccer coop activity agreement for an additional year.

NorfolkPublic SchoolHandbooks – Approved district handbooks with revisions for the upcoming year.  These have been revised and updated by the Director of Student Services.

Student Fees Policy – Approved revisions to the Student Fee Policy as presented by the Director of Student Services.  This policy would be effective at the start of the 2008-2009 school year.

School Lunch/Breakfast Prices – Approved an increase of 25 cents for school lunch and breakfast.  The increased costs of food and transportation are greatly impacting the costs of providing meals.

Policy – Approved on first reading the following board policies:

            705.1 – Complaints Relating to Instructional Materials

            801.1 – Internet Use Policy

            205.1 – Travel and Other Expense Reimbursement Policy
Claims – Approved claims in the amount of $396,307.92 for General Fund: $42,399.27 for Cooperative Fund; $92,176.15 for Lunch Fund; $100,073.39 for Reserve/Depreciation Fund, and $58,054.19 for Special Building Fund.

Award for Excellence – Will continue in September

Focus on Students – Focus on Students will continue in the fall.

Superintendent’s Report – Dr. Marlene Uhing's report included:  Norfolk Public Schools Selected for the 2008 Outstanding Career Education Program Award; Rhonda Collins, Senior High Guidance, EdQuest Scholarship, and Bob Hastings and Marlene Blakeman appointed to Nebraska Council on Teacher Education Advisory Board.

Financial Report – Robert Waite gave the financial report.  

Instruction/Personnel – Dr. DePasquale was not present and no report was given.

Student Services Report – Mr. Witte reported on enrollment as of May 23, 2008 and the summer programs being offered throughout the district. 

Joyce Kirschner has been selected as the New TeamMates of Norfolk Co-Coordinator.

Finance Committee – The Finance Committee met at noon and set a noon meeting for next week to begin the budget process.  The budget amendment items were reviews and well as discussion on the need to rise lunch prices were held.

Activities Committee Report – The Activities Committee met on Wednesday, May 28, 2008, and discussed the coop policy and numbers in various sports.

Future Meetings – Regular meeting, Monday, June 9, 2008, 4:30 p.m. study session and 7:30 p.m.,  2^nd monthly meeting on Thursday, May 22, 2008, National Honors Dessert Reception on Wednesday, May 14, 2008, and Graduation on Sunday, May 18, 2008.  The Life Graduation will be held on Wednesday, May 14, at 1:00 p.m. in Johnny Carson Theatre.

Celebrations – Dr. Krivohlavek commented that the Celebrations booklet was very good and thanked Sue Burns and Jackie Ruzicka for their hard work.
Adjournment – President Brad Krivohlavek declared the regular meeting adjourned at 7:50 p.m.

Respectfully submitted, 

Marlene Uhing, Secretary                          Brad Krivohlavek, President
Board of Education                                    Board of Education