Minutes of the May Board Meeting
June 05, 2007
Proceedings of the
Bridgeport Public Schools
Morrill County School District #63
Board of Education
Monday, May 14, 2007 – 7:00 PM
Jr./Sr. High School Media Center
President George Chikos called the regular meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. Roll call was taken. Members present: George Chikos, Kay Anderson, Dale Nichols, Ken Jacobson, Vickie Hall, and Justin Corman. Also present were Superintendent Randy Butcher, Recording Secretary Vonnie Brown, Elementary Principal Kevin Myers, High School Principal Mike Mitchell and several visitors.
President Chikos informed the public of the Open Meetings Act posted on the library door.
Agenda was approved by consensus.
Communications were read. There were three thank you cards. Julie & JD Nein and family expressed appreciation for the flowers sent on the birth of their son, Gage. Tami & Todd Janicek and Jewel Hoxworth expressed appreciation for the pullovers they received from the School Board for Teacher Appreciation week.
Visitors were recognized.
Business Meeting:
It was moved by Anderson, seconded by Jacobson to approve the minutes of the April 10 board meeting. Yes: Chikos, Anderson, Nichols, Jacobson, Hall, and Corman. No: none.
It was moved by Hall, seconded by Nichols to approve the financial reports ending April 30, 2007. Yes: Chikos, Anderson, Nichols, Jacobson, Hall, and Corman. No: none.
It was moved by Anderson, seconded by Corman to approve the April bills paid in May, and general payroll and withholding of $382,833.48 and lunch fund payroll and withholding of $8,387.98 for May, 2007. Yes: Chikos, Anderson, Nichols, Jacobson, Hall, and Corman. No: none.
April bills paid were as listed:
|
Paid To |
Amount |
|
|
|
|
Building Fund |
|
|
Key Concepts |
2000.00 |
|
|
|
|
Employee Benefits Fund |
|
|
PayFlex Systems USA, Inc. |
142.40 |
|
|
|
|
General Fund |
|
|
AHA Process |
295.00 |
|
Airgas Intermountain, Inc. |
53.38 |
|
Alliance Times-Herald |
69.03 |
|
Cynthia Almquist |
1129.65 |
|
Peggy Backer |
7.00 |
|
Barbour Music |
11.40 |
|
Bateman's Trading Post |
53.37 |
|
Kathy Baxter |
34.56 |
|
Benzel Pest Control |
37.50 |
|
Gail Beyer |
37.56 |
|
Willis Beyer |
221.00 |
|
Blue Cross Blue Shield of NE |
803.78 |
|
Bridgeport News Blade |
422.13 |
|
Bridgeport 66 Service |
331.60 |
|
Bureau of Education and Resear |
598.00 |
|
BYO Playground |
121.60 |
|
Capital Business Systems |
1555.90 |
|
Chimney Rock Public Power Dist |
71.30 |
|
City of Bridgeport |
5304.23 |
|
Contractors Materials, Inc. |
87.74 |
|
Cranmore Pest Control |
150.00 |
|
Culligan Water Conditioning |
249.54 |
|
Display Supply & Lighting Inc. |
90.10 |
|
ESU #13 |
28120.12 |
|
Fantail Glass Repair |
180.00 |
|
Farm Plan |
49.96 |
|
Flinn Scientific Inc. |
869.72 |
|
Fritz's Septic |
161.00 |
|
FSH Communications |
63.90 |
|
Gamble Store |
48.89 |
|
Tim Griffiths |
68.00 |
|
Hamilton |
17.95 |
|
Hammond & Stephens |
249.86 |
|
Hillyard Inc. |
4838.99 |
|
Ideal Linen (Custodial) |
1280.62 |
|
J&C Lawn Service |
138.05 |
|
Jack & Jill |
29.44 |
|
J.W. Pepper & Sons, Inc |
649.86 |
|
Ardis Kisner |
15.50 |
|
Kim Knaub |
6.00 |
|
Kinder Morgan, Inc |
5177.99 |
|
Koke's Auto Farm Truck |
206.90 |
|
Lee's Service |
6944.19 |
|
Linweld |
31.50 |
|
Loup Valley Lighting(Formerly |
893.79 |
|
Lisa Lussetto |
70.57 |
|
Janice Macomber |
29.10 |
|
McGraw - Hill |
1129.74 |
|
Michelle Keszler |
259.42 |
|
Michelle Stevens |
14.50 |
|
Mike's Screenprinting & Awards |
45.49 |
|
Morrill County Clerk |
996.12 |
|
Morrill Co Hospital Clinic/Pos |
85.00 |
|
Morrill County Community Hospi |
737.70 |
|
Music in Motion |
29.45 |
|
Nasco - Fort Atkinson |
651.17 |
|
National Center for Youth Issu |
109.83 |
|
Nebraska Central Equipment, In |
157.82 |
|
Nebraska Machinery Co. |
374.96 |
|
Ward Nelson |
7.00 |
|
Nebraska Council of School Adm |
180.00 |
|
Nebraska School Foundation Net |
25.00 |
|
National School Boards Associa |
1325.00 |
|
Office Depot |
329.99 |
|
Panhandle Coop System |
1492.97 |
|
Kimberly Parker |
1186.66 |
|
Pegler - Sysco Food Services C |
8655.51 |
|
Visa |
1293.39 |
|
Plummer Insurance Inc. |
327.99 |
|
Popplers Music Inc. |
243.31 |
|
Principal Life Ins Co |
1188.96 |
|
Purchase Power |
2018.99 |
|
Qwest |
38.62 |
|
Qwest Corporation |
14.46 |
|
Riverside Lumber |
31.46 |
|
Robert Brooke & Associates, In |
148.35 |
|
Rockler Woodworking & Hardware |
35.07 |
|
Tricia Schmunk |
48.29 |
|
School Specialty |
3074.66 |
|
Scottsbluff Winnelson Co. |
246.99 |
|
Sidney Sun-Telegraph |
117.00 |
|
Staples Credit Plan |
13.67 |
|
Star Herald |
536.24 |
|
Sweet Things Bakery |
129.80 |
|
Tandem Library |
630.01 |
|
The Tarnished Halo |
41.50 |
|
Teacher's Media |
134.16 |
|
Thompson School District R2-J |
1070.87 |
|
U.S. Awards |
107.82 |
|
US Bancorp |
1436.35 |
|
Vasquez Angela |
52.36 |
|
Verizon |
309.01 |
|
Waite True Value Lumber |
64.73 |
|
Walmart Community |
51.86 |
|
Waste Connections, Inc. |
48.82 |
|
Wells Fargo Card Services, Inc |
789.13 |
|
Wordware, Inc. |
656.25 |
|
W.P.C.I |
34.00 |
|
|
94604.72 |
|
|
|
|
Lunch Fund |
|
|
Alsco |
176.36 |
|
Bluffs Sanitary |
66.25 |
|
Cash-Wa Distributing |
3394.30 |
|
Harris Sales Company |
385.56 |
|
Jack & Jill |
323.95 |
|
School Lunch Solutions |
2657.74 |
|
Sonny's Super Foods |
56.18 |
|
|
7060.34 |
|
|
|
Special Recognition:
Mr. Myers expressed appreciation for all the people who helped make the Second and Third Grade AR day a success. Bob Rodgers took the students on a hay ride. Greg Lusetto gave the students a demonstration of a tractor pull. Tim Griffiths arranged for use of the Camp Rock facilities. Claudia Loomis-Goltl also helped make the day fun. It was an entertaining day and a good reward for the readers who strived and reached their reading goals.
He also expressed appreciation to Dave and Clint Schaff for their considerable contribution to the tech day for the Sixth graders. Previously Julie Nein’s sixth grade class built robots at the Harms Center. This week, Cal Renander’s class went on a hiking expedition to locate, identify, and plot by GPS several plants. Schaffs’ paid for Susan Myers time to go with the sixth graders and help them use the GPS and GIS systems rented from Schaffs. Thanks also go out to Susan Myers for taking a personal interest and providing her assistance.
Unfinished Business:
Kathy Baxter spoke to the board about her dissatisfaction with her position at Bridgeport Public Schools. She presented a letter of resignation and asked to be released from her contract to accept another position.
It was moved by Nichols and seconded by Jacobson to adjourn to Executive Session at 7:20 p.m. Kathy Baxter, Kevin Myers, and Mike Mitchell were invited to join the board. The board came out of executive session at 7:35. It was moved by Jacobson and seconded by Hall to approve Kathy Baxter’s resignation. Yes: Chikos, Anderson, Nichols, Jacobson, Hall, and Corman. No: none.
Lisa Bryan addressed the board regarding the proposed change in extra duty pay. It was moved by Nichols to rescind the board’s decision in August to move Science Club to Group IV. The motion died to be discussed later in agenda with other extra duty pay discussion.
A proposal was presented from Ron Sparks to build a classroom in the auditorium in the 4-6 building. He was the only person to submit a proposal. He is prepared to begin as soon as school is out. It was moved by Anderson and seconded by Nichols to accept Ron Spark’s proposal. Yes: Chikos, Anderson, Nichols, Jacobson, Hall, and Corman. No: none.
Discussion of air conditioning installation for Jr. High and Sr. High school area was tabled. Proposals are still being accepted.
There were three proposals to tile the locker room showers. It was moved by Hall and seconded by Anderson to accept Chuck Estrada’s proposal of $4255.00. Yes: Chikos, Anderson, Nichols, Jacobson, Hall, and Corman. No: none.
An agreement with the architectural firm of Hewgley & Associates was reviewed. Action was tabled to allow school attorney Douglas to review the agreement. The board also requested the Superintendent to develop an RFP process to allow the board to determine which architect to select.
There was consideration of rescinding a previous decision to require 7th and 8th grade students from the Angora attendance center to attend the town center. Consideration was turned over to the Policy Committee for further review.
New Business:
There was discussion of personnel hiring. It was moved by Anderson and seconded by Nichols to approve the employment of Chris Koozer as ESL teacher and Cassie Wegelin, Jesse Bustos, and Ashley Vergil as Student Summer help. Yes: Chikos, Anderson, Nichols, Jacobson, Hall, and Corman. No: none.
There was discussion of Technology upgrades for the 2007-2008 school year. The board was presented a technology plan which shows the technology upgrades from 1997 to the present. There were Purchase orders submitted by Melissa Krason, Technology Director. It was moved by Corman and seconded by Hall to approve the requested Purchase Orders. Yes: Chikos, Anderson, Nichols, Jacobson, Hall, and Corman. No: none.
Extra Duty pay schedule was reviewed. The board heard recommendations by Mr. Mitchell. It was decided to table a decision and survey area schools for comparability on extra duty pay before the next scheduled meeting. This item will be placed early in the agenda for the June meeting.
It was decided by consensus to open bids for repository for school funds for the next three years.
Mr. Mitchell announced scheduled recipients for the Clark Scholarship.
There was discussion of the Western Nebraska Distance Learning Consortium in order to offer high school courses and possibly college credit courses to our high school via distance learning. It was moved by Anderson and seconded by Jacobson to approve Bridgeport Public Schools’ participation in the consortium. Yes: Chikos, Anderson, Nichols, Jacobson, Hall, and Corman. No: none.
It was moved by Jacobson and seconded by Nichols to approve a resolution for on-line courses. The resolution follows:
WNDLC RESOLUTION TO OFFER LIMITED INSTRUCTION VIA ONLINE COURSES
WHEREAS, online education represents a twenty-first century approach to teaching and learning that is appropriate for many of today’s students; and
WHEREAS, technological advances, particularly in the development and dissemination of resources through the Internet, can provide alternatives for the provision of educational services that can be customized to serve the diverse needs of today’s student population; and
WHEREAS, online courses can significantly reduce gaps in student academic opportunity by providing an expanded menu of courses that will supplement and enrich existing curricula; and
WHEREAS, online education courses that are supplemental to the district’s education program can serve as an effective tool to expand the educational opportunities for student at all levels of achievement; and
WHEREAS, district students can have educational needs related to academic enrichment, credit recover, world languages, scheduling conflicts, credit recover, and summer school; and
WHEREAS, Education Service Unit #13 is facilitating online courses offered for schools and students through the EWU #13 consortium;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED by the Bridgeport School District Board of Education that:
1. The administration has facilitated a review of prospective online courses offered through the ESU #13 consortium, and they have been found to meet state standards and district graduation requirements.
2. District and school officials may authorize students to take online courses facilitated by ESU #13 in accordance with the below provisions.
a. Online courses will be reserved for high school students unless extenuating circumstances warrant participation by younger students.
b. Students may not take on online course if the course is already offered onsite unless specific approval has been obtained from the principal.
c. Students must obtain written approval of the principal before enrolling in an online course. To obtain permission, a student shall submit a written note to the principal that provides course information and reason(s) for requesting the online course, and agree to adhere to district policies, including but not limited to the policy on student use of the Internet.
3. High school students may earn a maximum of forty (40) units of academic credit to be applied toward graduation requirements by satisfactorily completing approved online courses. The principal may waive this limitation on the number of credits that may be applied toward graduation upon submission of a student’s written request explaining unusual circumstances that make it necessary for the student to take additional online courses to satisfy the district’s graduation requirements.
4. Only online courses approved by the principal shall be included on student transcripts.
Yes: Chikos, Anderson, Nichols, Jacobson, Hall, and Corman. No: none.
The board reviewed four bids submitted for carpet and installation scheduled for replacement this summer. It was moved by Nichols and seconded by Corman to accept Chuck Estrada’s bid for installation with the purchase of carpet from Clemens Carpet for a total of $5498.16. Yes: Chikos, Anderson, Nichols, Jacobson, Hall, and Corman. No: none.
Approval of Foundation By-Laws was tabled until the June meeting as board members have not had the opportunity to review them.
Final arrangements were made for the Staff Appreciation dinner on May 21, 2007, at 6:00 p.m.
Discussion:
A Policy Committee meeting was scheduled for June 7 at 7:00 p.m. in the Superintendent’s Office.
Negotiations Committee will continue to meet with Bridgeport Education Association regarding the 2007-2008 contract.
There will be a Nebraska School Law Seminar June 8, 2007, in Kearney. Mr. Butcher asked that board members consider attendance.
There will be a Business Committee meeting prior to the next regular School Board meeting at 6:00 p.m. on June 11, in the Superintendent’s Office.
Mr. Butcher reported that Bridgeport Public Schools will participate in the Nebraska Risk and Protective Factor Student survey again this year.
Reports:
Mr. Myers reported on the Sixth Grade GPS/GIS Tech Trip to the Wildcat Hills. On a Friday, they hiked out on trails, selected 10-12 plants, marked their location on the GPS. They went to the Harms Center and spent two hours of research. Then the following Wednesday, they returned to the Harms Center to create layered topography and aerial photos of their plants and their location. This project may be used by the Harms Center as a sample project for future grants. Mr. Myers said that the students were very appreciative of the opportunity and enjoyed the project. Junior High students worked with the sixth graders on their research. The interaction between the younger and older students was productive and exciting.
Mr. Mitchell reported that the handbooks have not been completed for review. Based on previous board discussion and recommendation of the administration it has been decided to close campus for the 7th and 8th graders at lunch time next year. He also reviewed considerations for changing eligibility requirements. He also reviewed possible changes to suspensions from participation in extra-curricular activities as a consequence of drug/alcohol policy infractions.
Mr. Mitchell reported two expulsions this month. It was moved by Corman and seconded by Jacobson to approve the expulsions. Yes: Chikos, Anderson, Nichols, Jacobson, Hall, and Corman. No: none.
It was moved by Chikos and seconded by Anderson to adjourn to Executive Session for discussion of procedures at 9:25 p.m. Yes: Chikos, Anderson, Nichols, Jacobson, Hall, and Corman. No: none. Mr. Mitchell, Mr. Myers, and Vonnie Brown were invited to attend. The board returned from Executive Session at 9:58 p.m. by consensus.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:00 by consensus.
Respectfully Submitted,
Vonnie Brown
Recording Secretary
Approved by:
Randy Butcher, Superintendent
Public Notice is hereby given that the next regular meeting of the Bridgeport Board of Education will be at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, June 11, 2007, at the Bridgeport Public Schools Media Center.
