BENNINGTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS DOUGLAS COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT NO

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1 BENNINGTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS DOUGLAS COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 59 BOARD OF EDUCATION REGULAR MEETING JANUARY 11, :00 PM BENNINGTON DISTRICT BOARD ROOM Mission Statement The mission of the Bennington Public Schools is to provide educational opportunities in a safe, caring environment that will prepare all students to meet the challenges of the future. Attendance Taken at 6:02 PM: Present Board Members: Kara Neuverth, Matt Wickham, Darren Updated Attendance: Mark Byars arrived at 6:04 PM. I. Public Forum- No members of the general public were present. II. Call Meeting to Order The January 11, 2016, regular meeting was called to order by Board President Matt Wickham at 6:02 PM. At the beginning of the meeting, President Wickham directed the public to the location of a copy of the Open Meetings Act. II.A. Board reorganization/election of Officers President, Vice President, Treasurer, and Appoint Secretary. On nominations duly made, the following were elected to the positions named: Matt Wickham, President; Darren Siekman, Vice President: Mark Byars, Treasurer; Jodi McCoy was appointed as Board Secretary. II.B. Approve Slate of Officers Motion Passed: Approval of the 2016 School Board slate of Officers as presented passed with a motion by Brad Renter and a second by Dr. Valerie Voting yes: Mark Byars, Kara Neuverth, Matt Wickham, Darren Siekman, Brad Renter and Dr. Valerie II.C. Approved Practices and Procedures Motion Passed: Approval of the 2016 School Board Practices and Procedures as listed: 1. Approval of current board policies and regulations; 2. Depository for School District 59 funds Bank of Bennington; 3. Newspapers of record: Douglas County Post-Gazette, The Daily Record, and Omaha World-Herald; 4. Review School-Sponsored Media Policy ; 5. Adoption of an Order of Business Included in By-Law ; 6. Dissemination of Conflict of Interest Statements to Board Members Policy ; 7. Appoint Superintendent as Representative to ESU #3 Advisory Council Policy ; 8. Designate Superintendent as Authorized Representative for Bennington Public Schools for all State and Federal programs passed with a motion by Matt Wickham and a second by Darren Siekman. Voting yes: Mark Byars, Kara Neuverth, Matt Wickham, Darren

2 II.C.1. Approval of Current Board Policies and Regulations Policy # II.C.2. Depository for School District No. 59 Funds- Bank of Bennington Policy # II.C.3. Newspapers of Record: Douglas County Post-Gazette, The Daily Record, Omaha- World Herald II.C.4. Review School-Sponsored Media Policy # II.C.5. Adoption of an Order of Business Included in By-Law Policy # II.C.6. Dissemination of Conflict of Interest Statements to Board Members Policy # II.C.7. Appoint Superintendent as Representative to ESU#3 Advisory Council Policy # II.C.8. Appoint Superintendent as Authorized Representative for Bennington Public Schools for all State and Federal Programs II.D. Appoint 2016 Committee Members Policy # President Matt Wickham reassigned the following members to the current standing committees: Building and Finance Brad Renter, Matt Wickham, Mark Byars. Curriculum Darren Siekman, Kara Neuverth, Dr. Valerie Policy Matt Wickham, Darren Siekman, Dr. Valerie III. Consent Agenda (Note: Items on the consent agenda are considered routine and will be enacted under one motion. There will be no separate discussion of these items at the meeting unless a Board Member requests an item removed from the agenda for separate action.) III.A. Approval of Agenda III.B. Approval of Minutes of the Monday, December 7, 2015, Regular Meeting III.C. Presentation of January Bills for Approval and Payment III.D. Consider Temporary Non-Resident Requests from Melissa and Brian Overton Motion Passed: Motion by Darren Siekman and a second by Mark Byars, to approve the following Consent Agenda items (or as presented). Voting yes: Mark Byars, Kara Neuverth, Matt Wickham, Darren IV. Items Removed From the Consent Agenda for Separate Action There were no items removed from the Consent Agenda. V. Reports V.A. Administrative Reports - Building Principals, Special Services Coordinator, Sarah Ihrig, and Curriculum Director, Dee Hoge, submitted reports to the Board for their review with the opportunity for questions and discussion. Dr. Haack presented his report to the Board with thanks to the Board for the staff breakfast provided on their January 4, 2016 inservice day. Bennington is co-hosting the Phi Delta Kappa meeting on Jan 27th. V.B. Committee Report(s) - Darren Siekman presented Curriculum Committee report. V.C. Lobbyist Report - Dr. Haack reported to the Board discussions regarding Learning Community legislation in which transportation and poverty funding were addressed.

3 V.D. Construction Report - Dr. Haack reviewed five items; land, Bennington Elementary entrance, Middle School progress, warehouse project and auxiliary gym progress. V.E. LCCC Report - Matt Wickham advised LC did not meet in December. V.F. Strategic Planning Update - Strategic Planning Goals 1-3 provided updates to the Board on their continued progress. VI. Unfinished Business VI.A. Review James Dale Security Report - Discussion of the funds approved by the Board in Sept. were for a safety and security audit. The additional funds that were approved by the Board were to further our work with Seven Citadels and work to update our safety protocol documentation. Motion Passed: Motion by Matt Wickham and a second by Darren Siekman, to amend the Securities Audit Agreement with Seven Citadels Consulting for additional cost not to exceed $4, to include services listed under Option #3 of the proposed agreement approved by the Board at the September Regular Meeting. Voting yes: Mark Byars, Kara Neuverth, Matt Wickham, Darren VI.B. Discuss and Consider Middle School Change Order(s) - There were two change orders that were prepared by DLR Group for the Board's approval. PR #2 and CCR #1 were for newly-discovered manholes and clearing brush and trees away from 168th Street. CCR #1 will be deducted from the costs of constructing a turning lane on 168th Street. Motion Passed: Motion by Darren Siekman and a second by Mark Byars, to approve all items listed in Middle School Change Order PR#2 and CCR#1 at a cost of $19, and $14, respectively. Voting yes: Mark Byars, Kara Neuverth, Matt Wickham, Darren VI.C. Discussion of and School Calendars Modification of the and school calendars. Motion Passed: Motion by Darren Siekman and a second by Brad Renter to modify the school calendar with a starting date of August 17, 2016, which includes 176 student days and 186 contracted days. Voting yes: Mark Byars, Kara Neuverth, Matt Wickham, Darren Motion Passed: The administration has prepared a draft calendar for with similar starts and breaks to Motion to table this item to the February 1, 2016, Regular Board Meeting to allow time for further staff input and review passed with a motion by Darren Siekman and a second by Matt Wickham. Voting yes: Mark Byars, Kara Neuverth, Matt Wickham, Darren VII. New Business VII.A. Approval of Series 2016 Bonds Ameritas - Mr. Bruce Lefler of Ameritas was present to review the resolution for the issuance of Series 2016 bonds. This is necessary to provide the district additional bond funds to cover costs associated with construction projects approved by voters in May of Motion Passed: Motion by Mark Byars and a second by Dr. Valerie Calderon, to approve the resolution as presented to issue General Obligation School Building Bonds, Series

4 2016, in the principal amount not to exceed $28 million (actual Twenty-eight Million Dollars $28,000,000) on Date TBA, according to their terms. Voting yes: Mark Byars, Kara Neuverth, Matt Wickham, Darren VII.B. Approve Curriculum and Personnel Proposals - The motion was necessary to act on a Curriculum and Americanism Committee recommendation. The committee recognizes the need to delay further discussion regarding personnel additions until the State of Nebraska has stabilized discussion on state aid. The Curriculum Committee recommended the addition of several teaching positions for the school year and some curriculum modifications necessary to accommodate growth. Estimated costs, $380, Motion Passed: Motion by Dr. Valerie Calderon and a second by Kara Neuverth, to accept the recommendations by the Curriculum and Americanism Committee and administration for the curriculum and personnel modifications and additions as outlined in the December 14, 2015, Curriculum and Americanism Committee Report and pending budget approval. Voting yes: Mark Byars, Kara Neuverth, Matt Wickham, Darren VII.C. Discuss Cash Flow Report A cash flow projection report for the year has been presented to the Board. Administration reported the District s general fund cash flow is very healthy at this time. Motion Passed: No motion needed, discussion only. VII.D. Accept BEA Negotiating Letter for the School Year - The Board received a letter from Denise Klaus requesting that the BEA represent certified staff in the negotiations. Motion Passed: Motion by Brad Renter, and a second by Mark Byars, to accept the Bennington Education Association (BEA) as the representative for certified staff in negotiations. Voting yes: Mark Byars, Kara Neuverth, Matt Wickham, Darren VII.D. Bennington Public Schools Foundation Appointments - Debbie Almquist has completed her four-year term and her board position expires January, The Foundation is asking the Board of Education to approve Brad Baumert to serve in Debbie's open board seat, and now name Melissa Freed and Chris Curzon to fill two open seats on the Board. The Foundation Board of Directors is also requesting the Board of Education appoint a school board member to the Foundation's board. Motion Passed: Motion by Matt Wickham and a second by Brad Renter, to appoint Brad Baumert, Chris Curzon and Melissa Freed as members of the Bennington Public School Foundation Board of Directors for a four-year term beginning January, Voting yes: Mark Byars, Kara Neuverth, Matt Wickham, Darren Siekman, Brad Renter, Dr. Valerie Motion Passed: Motion by Matt Wickham and a second by Dr. Valerie Calderon, to appoint Darren Siekman as Board of Education Liaison to the Bennington Public Schools Foundation Board of Directors for a one-year term beginning January, Voting yes: Mark Byars, Kara Neuverth, Matt Wickham, Darren Siekman, Brad Renter, Dr. Valerie

5 VII.F. Approve New State Mileage Reimbursement Rate - The Nebraska Department of Education (Pursuant to State Statute Section ) has changed the mileage reimbursement rate set a year ago (January 1, 2015) for the upcoming year. The new rate will be $ Motion Passed: Motion by Mark Byars and a second by Kara Neuverth, to adopt the state mileage rate for district reimbursement at $0.540 as set forth by the State of Nebraska. Voting yes: Mark Byars, Kara Neuverth, Matt Wickham, Darren Siekman, Brad Renter, Dr. Valerie VII.G. District Housing Report - The district housing report for 2015 shows that the district gained 185 homes in the 2015 calendar year with an additional 151 homes under construction in the month of December. The number of houses occupied during the year represents an increase of approximately 18 homes from the 2014 calendar year. The number of homes under construction experienced an increase of 38 homes from the previous year. The number of homes built and occupied in 2015 is the highest number of new homes since Based on past history and conversations with developers/realtors connected to Bennington, our school district will continue to see strong growth in new homes during the 2016 calendar year. Motion Passed: There is no motion required, information item only. VII.H. Personnel VII.H.1. Resignation(s) - Robin (Rob) Hartung has submitted a letter of resignation. Mr. Hartung started at Bennington in the fall of Rob graduated from the University of Nebraska - Lincoln in 1978 and went back to school years later to earn a master's degree in Motion Passed: Motion by Darren Siekman and a second by Brad Renter, to accept the resignation of Rob Hartung from his assignment with regrets and thanks for the years of service to the District. Voting yes: Mark Byars, Kara Neuverth, Matt Wickham, Darren Pamela Broderick submitted her letter of resignation after the winter break. Pam is a preschool paraprofessional assigned to Bennington Elementary. She has been employed with Bennington Public Schools for approximately five (5) years. Motion Passed: Motion by Brad Renter and a second by Kara Neuverth, to accept the resignation of Pam Broderick from her assignment with regrets and thanks for the years of service to the District. Voting yes: Mark Byars, Kara Neuverth, Matt Wickham, Darren VII.H.2. Hiring(s) Administration recommended the hiring of Lisa Knudtson, special education paraprofessional. Motion Passed: Motion by Dr. Valerie Calderon and a second by Mark Byars, to accept the recommendation of the administration and approve the hiring of support staff personnel for the school year pending budget approval and back ground check as presented: Lisa Knudtson 6.5 hours, special education paraprofessional, at Step 1

6 ($10.70) on the classified salary schedule. Voting yes: Mark Byars, Kara Neuverth, Matt Wickham, Darren VII.I. Executive Session to Discuss Superintendent Evaluation and Potential Land Acquisition and Negotiations Motion Passed: Motion by Matt Wickham and a second by Darren Siekman, to have the Board go into executive (closed) session at 7:34 PM for the purpose of a strategy session with respect to real estate purchases, employee negotiations and discussing the superintendent evaluation as an executive session is clearly necessary for the protection of the public interest. The Board President called the Board back into open session at 8:03 PM with no action taken. VIII. Time and date of next Regular Meeting February 1, 2016 at 7:00 PM in the Bennington District Board Room. IX. Adjournment Motion Passed: With no further Business, motion to adjourn meeting at 8:03 PM passed with a motion by Matt Wickham and a second by Mark Byars. Voting yes: Mark Byars, Kara Neuverth, Matt Wickham, Darren Jodi McCoy, Board Secretary