Minutes of the November Board Meeting
by Vonnie Brown
December 04, 2007
Proceedings of the
Bridgeport Public Schools
MorrillCountySchool District #63
Board of Education
Monday, November 12, 2007 – 7:00 PM
Jr./Sr. High School Media Center
President George Chikos called the regular meeting to order at 7:06 p.m. Roll call was taken. Members present: George Chikos, Vickie Hall, Kay Anderson, Dale Nichols, Ken Jacobson, and Justin Corman. Also present were Superintendent Randy Butcher, Recording Secretary Vonnie Brown, High School Principal Mike Mitchell and visitors.
President Chikos informed the public of the Open Meetings Act posted by the library door.
It was moved by Hall, seconded by Andersonto approve the agenda for the meeting. Yes: Chikos, Jacobson, Hall, Corman, Anderson, and Nichols. No: none.
The board clarified their request to cut costs on travel by stating that employees will be required to share rooms when traveling to workshops. If an employee wants to have a separate room, the employee will have to pay the difference. The Superintendent and Policy Committee will work on a policy to address the boards concerns on travel costs.
A thank you from Vance Stott for a “get well” cookie bouquet was read.
Visitors were recognized.
Business Meeting:
It was moved by Hall, seconded by Nichols to approve the minutes of the October 3 Special Meeting and the October 8 Regular Meeting. Yes: Chikos, Jacobson, Hall, Corman, Anderson, and Nichols. No: none.
It was moved by Jacobson, seconded by Hall to approve the financial reports ending October 31, 2007, the October bills, and November General Fund payroll and withholding of $414,234.51 and Lunch Fund Payroll and withholding of $10,067.38. Yes: Chikos, Jacobson, Hall, Corman, Anderson, and Nichols. No: none.
October bills paid were as listed:
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|
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Depreciation Fund |
|
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ReganisAutoCenter |
13900.00 |
|
|
|
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Employee Benefits Fund |
|
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PayFlex Systems USA |
267.00 |
|
|
|
|
General Fund/Payroll |
|
|
AirgasIntermountain |
27.19 |
|
Alltel |
231.00 |
|
Cynthia Almquist |
1918.16 |
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Arbor Scientific |
298.32 |
|
Mike Asmus |
44.00 |
|
Peggy Backer |
50.00 |
|
Barbour Music |
759.30 |
|
BayardPublic School |
542.19 |
|
Benzel Pest Control |
37.50 |
|
Blue Cross Blue Shield of NE |
432.49 |
|
Bridgeport News Blade |
953.75 |
|
Tom Borders |
823.84 |
|
Bridgeport 66 Service |
12.00 |
|
Bridgeport Inn |
97.50 |
|
Broadwater Country Store |
40.93 |
|
Randy Butcher |
299.58 |
|
Barbara Calkins |
6.50 |
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Capital Business Systems |
148.12 |
|
Center for Education & Emplyme |
284.95 |
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Chimney Rock Public Power Dist |
79.30 |
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City of Bridgeport |
5108.81 |
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Classroom Direct |
766.10 |
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Courage to Change |
210.60 |
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Cranmore Pest Control |
75.00 |
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Culligan Water Conditioning |
566.84 |
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Cynmar Corp. - Scientific Supp |
132.47 |
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Douglas, Kelly, Ostdiek, Bartels |
477.25 |
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Eric Armin Inc. |
44.90 |
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ESU #10 |
425.00 |
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ESU #13 |
19230.27 |
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ESU #16 |
122.85 |
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Eye Think |
591.22 |
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Farm Plan |
29.40 |
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Follett Library Resources |
1139.07 |
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Frey Scientific |
18.95 |
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Friendship House |
2.95 |
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Gamble Store |
150.82 |
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G. Neil |
69.05 |
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Tim Griffiths |
129.00 |
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Julie Hadden |
75.00 |
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Hamilton |
8.38 |
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Harcourt |
495.74 |
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HARRIS |
2180.00 |
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Highsmith Co. |
36.94 |
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Houghton Mifflin |
342.63 |
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Ideal Linen (Custodial) |
2952.30 |
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Jack & Jill |
47.22 |
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Tami Janicek |
152.32 |
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Karen Jones |
211.46 |
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J.W. Pepper & Sons |
661.57 |
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Ardis Kisner |
40.00 |
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Kim Knaub |
15.37 |
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Source Gas |
47.79 |
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Koke's Auto Farm Truck |
219.11 |
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Lakeshore Learning Materials |
266.26 |
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Lee's Service |
5510.71 |
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Linweld |
323.82 |
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McGraw - Hill |
5267.02 |
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Mike Mitchell |
192.55 |
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Morrill Co Hospital Clinic/Pos |
255.00 |
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MorrillCounty Community Hospi |
747.50 |
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MPRRC/USU |
585.00 |
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Nebraska Association of School |
40.00 |
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Nebraska Public Health |
21.00 |
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Nebraska Total Office |
79.98 |
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NE Safety & Fire Equipment |
326.00 |
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Nebraska Council of School Adm |
250.00 |
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North Central Association |
120.00 |
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Novell Inc. |
1290.00 |
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Onsite Maintenance |
49.18 |
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Panhandle Coop System |
1384.50 |
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Panhandle Sales & Service |
653.50 |
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Pearson Education |
882.82 |
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Performance Auto Spa |
42.00 |
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Visa |
939.29 |
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Plummer Insurance Inc. |
630.00 |
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Principal Life Ins Co |
1357.04 |
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Print Express |
75.00 |
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Qwest |
649.26 |
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Really Good Stuff |
14.95 |
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Riverside Lumber |
37.79 |
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Raquel Rodriguez |
52.50 |
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Saddleback Educational Inc. |
79.15 |
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Sax Arts and Crafts |
102.12 |
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School Outfitters |
305.71 |
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School Specialty |
2436.10 |
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Staff Development for Educator |
1074.00 |
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SocialStudiesSchool Service |
52.11 |
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Sonny's Super Foods |
105.93 |
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State Chemical Manufacturing |
1181.15 |
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Staples Credit Plan |
867.09 |
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Star Herald |
24.96 |
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Sweet Things Bakery |
16.55 |
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TALX Corporation |
118.45 |
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TeachingResourceCenter |
8.95 |
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Telecom West |
39.95 |
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US Bancorp |
1768.91 |
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Verizon |
235.97 |
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Voss Lighting |
473.00 |
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Walmart Community |
422.36 |
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Waste Connections |
48.82 |
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Wells Fargo Card Services |
1455.31 |
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W.P.C.I |
1501.75 |
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Kim Stuart |
429.44 |
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78653.45 |
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Lunch Fund |
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Bluffs Sanitary |
328.86 |
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Cash-Wa Distributing |
5441.68 |
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Chris Estrada |
19.84 |
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Harris Sales Company |
224.40 |
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Ideal Linen Supply (Cafeteria) |
248.77 |
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Jack & Jill |
453.49 |
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Pegler - Sysco Food Services C |
10149.69 |
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School Lunch Solutions |
967.28 |
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Sonny's Super Foods |
30.85 |
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Maria Castano |
1056.52 |
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18921.38 |
Mr. Roberts received a letter from the University of Wyoming thanking him for bringing the band to Band Day on October 27, 2007. The University’s Director of Bands was impressed with the band and said that they represented the school and community exceptionally well.
Mr. Butcher received a letter from Nebraska Public Power District commending Tess Hughes for her high morals in returning a lost cell phone that she found in the McDonald’s parking lot. The letter stated that this is a reflection on the type of students in the school and the values instilled by her parents.
Mr. Mitchell recognized Satchell Hedin for being selected as November Lion’s Club Senior of the Month.
Unfinished Business:
Rob Rauner, of Rauner and Associates of Sidney, discussed the results of the 2006-2007 audit. He discussed the schools internal controls and management. He complimented the staff in the business office. He stated that the school was in a good financial position and there was an increase in assets of $144,189 for the year which will carry over to the next years budget.
Gerald Ehlers, of Key Concepts, presented a needs assessment. During his review he was looking at the facility, gathering information on instruction and activities, and he interviewed teachers and staff. He asked the staff about the facility needs that would provide positive environments and improve instruction. The staff’s response was to improve the facility so that “breakout” instruction need not be done in hallways where there are distractions. They also stated that there was a need to get the elementary classes all under one roof to regain instruction time lost in transferring students between classrooms and between buildings. Services such as speech, enrichment, PE, special education, lunch, ELL, library, Computer class, and Music often require students going to other buildings. There are also issues of storage space, climate control throughout the school (heating AND cooling), space and privacy for school nurse, additional space for special education and ELL, sinks in the classrooms, alternative classroom space, scheduling issues with sharing the Multi purpose room for PE, breakfast, and lunch, and needing facilities that will allow the administration, school nurse, and counselor an adequate office area. He also discussed the need for a bus barn and an adequate parking area. These are all issues that need to be addressed to facilitate student learning and to provide a good environment for learning.
The Building Committee had previously interviewed three fiscal agents for the building project. The Building Committee stated that all the fiscal agents appeared to be knowledgeable and their costs were very similar. The Building committee made a recommendation to approve D.A. Davidson and a motion was made by Jacobson and seconded by Corman to approve D. A. Davidson & Co. as the fiscal agent for the proposed Building Project. Yes: Chikos, Jacobson, Hall, Corman, Anderson, and Nichols. No: none.
There was discussion of forming committees recommended by the fiscal agents to inform the public about the building project. Board members were asked to invite members of the community and try to create a pool of interested individuals to form a steering committee for the building project.
Pat Hass spoke about the ACT and SAT testing for students. She stated the differences between the tests, the purpose of the tests and when and how often they are offered.
The board reviewed the bids for vehicles to determine if they met the specifications required. Reganis Motors bid included a 2006 Chevrolet Suburban for $26,995 with a proposed trade in of $13595 for two high mileage vans if they met approval of Reganis Motors. It was moved by Hall and seconded by Nichols to accept the offer from Reganis with an allowance for $500 difference if necessary after Reganis looked at the vans. The cost to the school would be between $13,400 and $13,900 dependent on Reganis trade in offer. Yes: Chikos, Jacobson, Hall, Corman, Anderson, and Nichols. No: none.
New Business:
The board received information from the Superintendent stating the need for an Alternative Learning Program for students with special learning needs. With the current space constraints, night school is being considered as an alternative for those students who are unable/unwilling to control their behavior. An alternative may also be necessary for those students who have different learning needs and have been referred by a Student Assistance Team, an Intervention team or an Administrator. Due to the constraints of current time, space, and scheduling, the evening alternative program is the best option at this time. It was moved by Anderson and seconded by Corman to approve Mr. Butcher to research options for an Alternative Learning Program. Yes: Chikos, Jacobson, Hall, Corman, Anderson, and Nichols. No: none.
The board discussed alternative support software called A+ Software that provides individualized programming for students. The funds would not come from the General Fund. Microsoft settlement funds for software are available to be used for an expenditure of this type. These funds are designated by the Microsoft settlement to cover software expenses. It was moved by Anderson and seconded by Nichols to approve the purchase of A+ Software with Mr. Mitchell and Mr. Myers selecting the best package to meet our student’s needs at a cost not to exceed the quotation of $23,513.95. Yes: Chikos, Jacobson, Hall, Corman, Anderson, and Nichols. No: none.
The State of the Schools report was reviewed. Because Bridgeport Public Schools did not meet the state required Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) for two years in a row in a subgroup of students at one grade level, the school will be in a school improvement status and the school will take action to attempt to meet AYP in all groups and subgroups. K-3 has shown remarkable progress, but the school must now show 81% AYP in order to correct their present status. The State of the Schools report is available for viewing online at http://reportcard.nde.state.ne.us.
The Board discussed the need for all Bridgeport pre-school age children to be able to participate in preschool activities. By consensus, the board agreed to have Mr. Butcher pursue an Early Childhood Grant.
Discussion:
There was public comment by a local citizen.
The board studied the comparison of tax levies and adjusted valuation for the district as published in the Bridgeport News Blade.
There was discussion of timelines for a bond issue and development of committees. Due to the magnitude of these issues, a work session was scheduled for Monday, November 26, at 7:00 p.m. at the Bridgeport Public Schools Media Center. Representatives of D.A. Davidson, Fiscal Agent for the Building Project, Hewgley & Associates Architectural firm, and Jerry Ehlers of Key Concepts will be invited to attend. The Board was also assigned to provide the Superintendent’s Office with names of community members that they would like to have attend this first session.
Reports:
Mr. Mitchell reported that the Veteran’s Day program was a success and thanks everyone involved in the planning and presentation of the program – including the committee, staff, and students. Mr. Butcher added that he had heard several compliments on the manners, helpfulness, and the good behavior of the students.
Mr. Mitchell reported on the number of students out for basketball and wrestling. He also reported that the One Act Play will be presenting a performance for the student body on Monday afternoon, November 19.
Mr. Butcher reported that he and George Chikos will be attending the NASB Conference at Omaha November 14 – 16.
A policy committee meeting to discuss new policies was set for January with the date to be scheduled later.
There was a suggestion that scholarship information should be sent out before the end of December.
It was moved by Anderson and seconded by Nichols to adjourn at 9:50 p.m. Chikos, Jacobson, Hall, Corman, Anderson, and Nichols. No: none.
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, December 10, 2007, at the Bridgeport Public Schools Media Center.
