ELGIN PUBLIC
SCHOOL BOARD
Regular May Meeting
Distance Learning Room, EPS
May 12, 2011, 7:30 PM
President Laurie Waterbury called the Regular May Board Meeting to order at 7:30 PM. Board members present were Laurie Waterbury, Steve Heithoff, Kim Wells, Stan Heithoff, Ryan Reestman, and Bob Hoefer. Also present were Superintendent Steve Dennis, Principal Jimmy Feeney, Paula Jensen, Heidi Rethmeier, and Sara Walsh.
President Waterbury led the “Pledge of Allegiance.” Waterbury reminded everyone that a copy of the Nebraska Open Meetings Law was posted in the meeting room.
School board meeting notice complied with Meeting Notice Policy #204.07.
Stan Heithoff motioned and Kim Wells second to approve the Consent Agenda: #5- Minutes of
Previous Meeting, #6- Adopt the Agenda, #7- Financial Report, #8- Board Bills. Motion carried, vote 6-0.
AMH, Transportation, $90.00; Boone Co. Health Center, Transportation, $150.00; CVA, Instru Expense, $15.85, Maintenance, $38.39; Corner Service & Tire, Transportation, $740.06; Dean’s Market, Maintenance, $10.99, Instru Expense, $65.96, Instru Expense, $76.68; Eakes, Instru Expense, $306.93; Elgin Equip/Machine, Maintenance, $55.25; Elgin FCCLA, Instru Expense, $360.96; Elgin One Stop, Transportation, “$1,540.35“, SpEd Expense, $251.29; Elgin Review, Business Expense, $250.00, Board Expense, $98.91; Elite Office Products, Business Expense, $436.71; Elkhorn RPPD, Operation Plant, “$2,069.94“; Grand Island Physical Therapy, SpEd Expense, $563.13; Hadley-Braithwait, Maintenance, $321.60; Harding & Schultz, Board Expense, $110.00; Henn Electrical LLC, Maintenance, $80.50; Island Supply & Welding Co., Instru Expense, $141.93; Jonny Dodge, Transportation, $300.53, $267.87; Kayton International, Maintenance, $750.00; MARC, Maintenance, $180.84; Midwest Floor Spec., Maintenance, $130.40; NASSP, Instru Expense, $374.50; NCSA, Business Expense, $99.00; New Victorian Inn, Instru Expense, $69.99; Omaha World Herald, Board Expense, $863.16; Ramada Inn, Business Expense, $59.00, Reimbursement, “$4,168.87“; Renaissance Learning, Instru Expense, “$1,285.50“; Schumacher, Operation Plant, $72.50; Source Gas, Maintenance, “$2,213.14“; Student Assurance Serv., Business Expense, $500.00; The Station, Transportation, “$1,251.24“; The Thompson Co., Maintenance, $123.36; Tyler Technologies, Business Expense, “$1,709.00“; Volkman Plmbg/Htg, Maintenance, $415.50; Wells Fargo, “$1,464.05“; Winner’s Circle, Instru Expense, $324.30.
Total Board Bills: “$24,398.18“
May Payroll: “$174,926.50“
Total Board Bills/ Payroll: “$199,324.68“
President Waterbury recognized visitors and asked if the patrons had any comments.
In board correspondence, Mr. Dennis presented information about a workshop being offered in Columbus regarding foundations.
No committee reports were given.
In the principal’s report, Mr. Feeney gave a wrap-up of the spring testing. The NeSA testing scores have not been made public yet. He also reported on spring activities and banquets. The spring clean-up day was held and appreciation was given to Sara Walsh for organizing the efforts to clean-up and beautify the school grounds and community.
Special Recognition goes to NVC Scholastic Recognition Award (28+ ACT): Nathan Anderson, Ashley Bode & Anthony Hemenway. Wolfpack Wrestling, Nebraska Scholastic Wrestling Coaches Association Academic All State: Nathan Anderson, Anthony Hemenway & Jared Seier. ESU #8 Quiz Bowl Champions: Ashley Bode, Dean Braband, Anthony Hemenway, Brett Kinney & Angela Richart. FCCLA: Gold Medal STAR Events – Ivy Prater; State Medal & Ribbon for completing five modules of Power of One – Michelle Bauer. FFA: Juliana Dunn 2nd at Districts & Gold Merit at State in Jr. Public Speaking; Brett Kinney 1st at Districts & Bronze Merit at State in Creed Speaking.
In Action Items, the 2011-12 proposed calendar was presented. Teachers will report on August 15th & 16th for teacher inservice/workdays and the first day for students will be August 17, 2011. The tentative last day of school will be May 18, 2012. Steve Heithoff motioned and Ryan Reestman second to approve the 2011-12 tentative school calendar as presented. All voted aye, motion carried. The calendar was revisited later in the meeting when graduation time was discussed. Superintendent Dennis reported that after the parents’ request last month to move graduation time up to 5:00 pm for next year and all subsequent years, the junior and sophomore class parents were polled and there was no opposition to changing the time. Steve Heithoff moved to change the graduation time to 5:00 pm for 2012 and all subsequent years. Ryan Reestman seconded the motion and it passed on a unanimous 6-0 vote.
The principal contract for the new principal/A.D. was discussed. Steve Heithoff motioned and Bob Hoefer second to approve the principal/A.D. contract for Adam Patrick. Stan Heithoff, Steve Heithoff, Bob Hoefer, & Laurie Waterbury voted yes, Ryan Reestman voted no, and Kim Wells abstained from voting. Motion carried.
Hoefer motioned and Wells second to approve the Spanish teacher contract for Amy Klein. All voted aye. Motion carried.
Stan Heithoff motioned and Reestman second to approve 2nd reading of policy 201.01.2 Board of Education job description. All voted aye. Motion carried.
Wells motioned and Stan Heithoff second to approve 2nd reading of policy 303.05.1 Athletic/Activities Director Job Description. All voted aye. Motion carried.
The technology committee recommended a purchase of a promethean board and two mimios. Reestman motioned and Wells second to approve the technology purchase in the amount of $6200. All voted aye. Motion carried.
Stan Heithoff motioned and Steve Heithoff second to approve the adoption of state science standards. All voted aye. Motion carried.
In buildings/grounds improvements, bids were received from Heating Connection, Volkman Plumbing/Heating, and Schmitt Construction to install air conditioning in the coach’s office of the gym building. Steve Heithoff motioned and Reestman second to approve the bid from Schmitt Construction in the amount of $3,495. All voted aye. Motion carried.
The restroom/storage area/concession stand project was discussed in length and was tabled until more information is obtained.
Steve Heithoff motioned and Reestman second to approve the bids from Schmitt Construction to install an awning over the east entrance to the high school building in the amount of $4,618 and the bid for an awning over the elementary fire exit doors on the north side in the amount of $3,292, and the bid for the bus loading area in the amount of $2,665 for a total of $10,575. All voted aye. Motion carried.
Reestman motioned and Stan Heithoff second to approve the use of school vehicles for summer activities. All voted aye. Motion carried.
On the topic of the student handbooks, Principal Feeney and Supt. Dennis went over changes that were discussed with the policy committee. Stan Heithoff motioned and Kim Wells second to approve the 2011-12 Student Handbooks. All voted aye. Motion carried.
Steve Heithoff motioned and Reestman second to approve the renewal of the sports cooperative with Pope John High School. All voted aye. Motion carried.
Wells motioned and Hoefer second to approve a Wolfpack cheer squad. All voted aye. Motion carried.
In the Superintendent report, Mr. Dennis reported on the NVC meeting in April and a letter from the NENAC about joining the conference. Dennis will be hiring one summer maintenance person for mowing and all of the cleaning/painting and other summer projects will be completed by the current staff. A staff appreciation luncheon will be held on May 19th at noon in the lunchroom.
Supt. Dennis reminded the board of the school law seminar in Kearney on June 10th. He also reported that he had met with the NDE about our school improvement process. She said our requirements are met with the Northern Tier Plan and we will not need an external visitation team.
Discussion was held in regard to preschool transportation, tuition costs, and personnel. The board asked Supt. Dennis to survey other area preschools regarding tuition charged and transportation they provide to their students.
Classified staff renewals were discussed and more information will be available at the June meeting when the non-certificated salaries are set. Supt. Dennis has met with NDE staff about amending our 2010-11 budget. They have advised him that it would not be worth the trouble of paperwork.
Reestman motion and Stan Heithoff second to enter closed session to discuss teacher and administrator negotiations for protection of the public interest. President Waterbury restated the motion and the board all voted aye. Motion carried. The board went into closed session at 9:58 p.m. The board returned to open session at 10:33 p.m.
Steve Heithoff motion and Reestman second to enter closed session to discuss the Superintendent’s evaluation for prevention of needless injury to the reputation of an individual, and if the individual has not requested a public meeting. President Waterbury restated the motion and the board all voted aye. Motion carried. The board went into closed session at 10:35 p.m. The board returned to open session at 11:42 p.m. and Hoefer motioned and Wells second to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried, vote 6-0. Meeting adjourned at 11:43 p.m.
The next regular meeting will be June 9, 2011 at 7:30 p.m. in the Distance Learning Room.
Respectfully submitted,
Kim Wells, Secretary
Paula Jensen, Recorder
–This is a draft copy and does not become official Elgin Public Board minutes until approved at the next regular or advertised meeting.
Publish: May 25, 2011
