February 11, 2008 Board Minutes
by Vonnie Brown
March 06, 2008
Proceedings of the
Bridgeport Public Schools
Morrill County School District #63
Board of Education
Monday, February 11, 2008 – 7:00 PM
Jr./Sr. High School Media Center
President George Chikos called the regular meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. Roll call was taken. Members present: George Chikos, Vickie Hall, Kay Anderson, Dale Nichols, Justin Corman, and Ken Jacobson. Also present were Superintendent Randy Butcher, Recording Secretary Vonnie Brown, Elementary Principal Kevin Myers and visitors.
President Chikos informed the public of the Open Meetings Act posted by the library door.
By consensus, the agenda for the meeting was approved with the repositioning of Public Comment from the Reports section to IIF and the addition of Item IIG, a wellness comment.
There was a thank you card from Gordon & Sarah Roberts family for the flowers sent in memory of Gordon’s father.
Visitors were recognized.
Business Meeting:
It was moved by Anderson, seconded by Corman to approve the Consent Agenda with the exception of check number 8010 and check number 8035. This includes the minutes for the January 14 meeting, the financial reports ending January 31, 2008, the January bills, and February General Fund payroll and withholding of $413,278.15 and Lunch Fund Payroll and withholding of $10,154.96. Yes: Chikos, Jacobson, Hall, Anderson, Corman, and Nichols. No: none.
January bills paid were as listed:
|
Paid To |
Amount |
|
|
|
|
Depreciation Fund |
|
|
Scottsbluff Winnelson Co. |
1,211.76 |
|
Webers Plumbing and Heating |
16,170.00 |
|
|
17,381.76 |
|
Employee Benefits Fund |
|
|
PayFlex Systems USA |
133.50 |
|
|
133.50 |
|
General Fund |
|
|
Medtronic Emergency Response S |
95.38 |
|
Airgas Intermountain |
28.24 |
|
Alltel |
173.96 |
|
Cynthia Almquist |
2,596.70 |
|
Armando Garcia |
115.00 |
|
American School Board Journal |
57.00 |
|
Mike Asmus |
19.00 |
|
Peggy Backer |
75.00 |
|
Blue Cross Blue Shield of NE |
432.49 |
|
Bridgeport News Blade |
164.44 |
|
Tom Borders |
286.60 |
|
Brookes Publishing |
55.49 |
|
Randy Butcher |
82.88 |
|
Barbara Calkins |
38.76 |
|
Capital Business Systems |
385.10 |
|
Chimney Rock Public Power Dist |
90.30 |
|
City of Bridgeport |
5,741.51 |
|
Colorado/West Equipment Inc. |
66.23 |
|
CommSource Inc. |
366.79 |
|
Contractors Materials |
98.88 |
|
Crescent Electric Supply Compa |
178.00 |
|
Culligan Water Conditioning |
288.39 |
|
Dennis Supply Co |
79.92 |
|
ESU #13 |
18,370.29 |
|
Eye Think |
455.26 |
|
Farm Plan |
17.35 |
|
Gamble Store |
20.36 |
|
Tim Griffiths |
129.00 |
|
Leo Gusman |
55.00 |
|
Harcourt |
2,008.27 |
|
Hewlett Packard Company |
459.00 |
|
Highsmith Co. |
22.52 |
|
Ideal Linen (Custodial) |
1,201.66 |
|
Jack & Jill |
102.10 |
|
Kathleen Johnson |
38.00 |
|
J.W. Pepper & Sons |
742.49 |
|
Source Gas |
11,564.60 |
|
Koke's Auto Farm Truck |
276.11 |
|
Lee's Service |
805.25 |
|
Linweld |
37.71 |
|
McGraw - Hill |
930.32 |
|
Deb Millette |
20.59 |
|
Mike Mitchell |
222.20 |
|
Morrill Co Hospital Clinic |
92.00 |
|
Morrill County Community Hospi |
38.75 |
|
MPRRC/USU |
195.00 |
|
Nebraska Association of School |
4,662.00 |
|
Nebraska Council of School Att |
130.00 |
|
NE Safety & Fire Equipment |
125.00 |
|
NETA08 Conference Registration |
330.00 |
|
Nebraska Rural Community Schoo |
214.32 |
|
Principal Life Ins Co |
1,281.59 |
|
Qwest |
1,299.65 |
|
Ramada Inn Kearney NE |
1,780.00 |
|
Renaissance Learning |
500.00 |
|
Deb Rowe |
18.51 |
|
School Health |
224.92 |
|
Candice Sherfey |
32.93 |
|
Sonny's Super Foods |
49.00 |
|
Staples Credit Plan |
31.76 |
|
TALX Corporation |
118.45 |
|
Tandem Library |
553.03 |
|
The Tarnished Halo |
45.00 |
|
Telecom West |
39.95 |
|
Thompson Glass |
199.70 |
|
US Bancorp |
1,718.69 |
|
Verizon |
110.19 |
|
Waite True Value Lumber |
62.07 |
|
Waste Connections |
49.17 |
|
Wells Fargo Card Services |
1,486.68 |
|
W.P.C.I |
34.00 |
|
Tom Borders |
119.00 |
|
Tom Borders |
383.80 |
|
|
65,089.05 |
|
Lunch Fund |
|
|
Bernard Food Industries |
1,638.22 |
|
Bluffs Sanitary |
243.10 |
|
Cash-Wa Distributing |
3,142.17 |
|
Harris Sales Company |
334.80 |
|
Ideal Linen Supply (Cafeteria) |
124.29 |
|
Jack & Jill |
45.52 |
|
Pegler - Sysco Food Services C |
12,213.89 |
|
School Lunch Solutions |
1,056.57 |
|
Sonny's Super Foods |
21.03 |
|
|
18,819.59 |
|
|
|
Jaicee Post was recognized for being selected as February Lion’s Club Senior of the Month.
The Speech team was recognized for their performance at the Western Trails Conference. They won their fourth straight meet of the year and brought the WTC traveling trophy back to Bridgeport for another year. The students took first place in five out of eight events. 1st – OID Katie Vergil, Jaicee Post, Angela Wickard, Ashley Leever and Titus Kautz, Duet – Katie Vergil and Titus Kautz, Persuasive – Kendal Hughes, Serious Prose – Angela Wickard and Poetry – Ashley Leever. 2nd – Humorous Prose – Valerie Kesterson. 3rd – Infomative – Ashley Leever and Extemporaneous – Valerie Kesterson. 4th – Informative – Jaicee Post and Extemporaneous – Shane Laux. 5th – Informative – Leigh Chikos and Persuasive – Shannon Anderson.
Jase Dean was congratulated for signing with the Nebraska Cornhuskers as “walk on” this fall.
There was public comment by two members of the Angora community regarding the proposed legislation that could allow the community to reopen their own school in Angora.
Tammy Dean discussed the possibility of forming an after school Yoga class for staff to be offered two to three nights/week beginning February 21. She presented potential cost and asked the board if they would be interested in paying the Yoga teacher in the interest of staff wellness. As this had not been on the agenda, the board could take no action at this time.
Unfinished Business:
There was discussion of the future of the Angora attendance center. The board expressed their appreciation of the comments from Angora community. Angora became an attendance center when legislation required reorganization of the Class I schools with an affiliated K-12 district. During the discussion the Angora patrons were reminded that the Board had met with the Angora community last year and the community asked that the school allow the Angora attendance center to continue to be open for one more year so that they could pursue creating a Class I with the proposed statutes. The legislation to open Class I schools passed last year but was vetoed by the Governor. This year new legislation was proposed to allow communities to create a Class I school. It was moved by Jacobson and seconded by Hall to close the school at Angora at the close of the 2007-2008 school year, but to retain the building to allow Angora to start their own school, if legislation allows, at some future date. Yes: Chikos, Jacobson, Hall, Anderson, Corman, and Nichols. No: none.
Gail Beyer, a parent, expressed an interest in beginning a Booster Club. It would be a separate entity from the school with its own tax ID number, organized to support and encourage students in all school activities – athletics and fine arts. They would organize dinners, after game meals, pep rallies, and Homecoming – beginning when school starts back up in August, 2008.
The State Department of Roads again offered the school the opportunity to purchase the former district office at 514 Main in Bridgeport. There being no interest in the offer, no action was taken.
There was a review of a proposal for Panhandle Geotechnical & Environmental to do a geotechnical investigation of the soil under the proposed addition. It was moved by Corman and seconded by Hall to accept the proposal offered. Yes: Chikos, Jacobson, Hall, Anderson, Corman, and Nichols. No: none.
There was a review of the architects’ drawings for the proposed building project. After diagramming the necessary classrooms the board and administration agreed that there was a need for three more classrooms to allow for future growth. The way that state aid is calculated makes it reasonable for the school to plan to have enough space to keep all classroom rosters under 20 students which allows the school to receive more state aid. There was a discussion of the cost of maintaining the old 1927 building for ten years compared to the cost of building a new auditorium. There was also a discussion of more administrative office space which would include removing the Superintendent’s office to allow for playground space. The board discussed the cost of demolition of the 1927 building if the building were to be replaced. The architect will provide plans with options for additional parking space for staff during the day and additional parking for visitors for activities. A meeting to discuss these issues was scheduled for Monday, February 25, at 7:00 p.m.
New Business:
There was discussion of dues for Nebraska Association of School Boards (NASB). They have provided a valuable service for the school. They provide reasonable cost workshops, consultation, training, facilitation of retreats, policy guidance, legal advice and lobbying. It was moved by Corman and seconded by Anderson to approve payment of check no. 8035 to NASB for dues and workshops. Yes: Chikos, Jacobson, Hall, Anderson, Corman, and Nichols. No: none.
There was consideration of continuing Elementary Principal Contract. It was recommended by Mr. Butcher to continue the contract and to use the previously used calculation for contract continuation for administrators, with a commendable or above on the evaluation. It was moved by Corman and seconded by Nichols to approve the continuation of the Elementary Principal’s contract. Yes: Chikos, Jacobson, Hall, Anderson, Corman, and Nichols. No: none.
There was consideration of continuing Secondary Principal Contract. It was recommended by Mr. Butcher to continue the contract and to use the previously used calculation for contract continuation for administrators, with a commendable or above evaluation. It was moved by Corman and seconded by Hall to approve the continuation of the Secondary Principal’s contract. Yes: Chikos, Jacobson, Hall, Anderson, Corman, and Nichols. No: none.
The Superintendent’s Office has received notice of retirement from Gary Oltmann and Vance Stott. They also received resignation from Julie Hadden as cheerleader coach. Mr. Butcher stated that they have all been doing a great job and have been dedicated to the school. They will be missed.
It was moved by Corman and seconded by Nichols to accept Gary Oltmann’s retirement resignation. Yes: Chikos, Jacobson, Hall, Anderson, Corman, and Nichols. No: none.
It was moved by Nichols and seconded by Hall to accept Vance Stott’s retirement resignation. Yes: Chikos, Jacobson, Hall, Anderson, Corman, and Nichols. No: none.
It was moved by Corman and seconded by Nichols to accept Julie Hadden’s resignation. Yes: Chikos, Jacobson, Hall, Anderson, Corman, and Nichols. No: none.
There was discussion of a purchase for all staff during Teacher Appreciation Week. It was moved by Hall and seconded by Corman to approve the suggested purchase for Teacher Appreciation week with the word “Staff” to be embroidered on the items when purchased. Yes: Chikos, Hall, Anderson, Corman, and Nichols. No: Jacobson.
The board reviewed EHA’s determination that schools that do not have a 76% participation in the BCBS will be charged a 5% penalty. NCSA has been negotiating to give us one more year before the penalty is assessed. If the 5% penalty is assessed it will become a part of negotiations.
There was consideration of upgrading cell phone service. There was a proposal from Viaero presented by Will Deines. The school is currently using Alltel, however, the proposal from Alltel did not provide enough information to make a decision on future service. No action was taken.
Mandatory direct deposit of payroll has been a side discussion of the business committee. It was moved by Corman and seconded by Jacobson to require employees to establish payroll direct deposit by June 1, 2008. Yes: Chikos, Jacobson, Hall, Anderson, Corman, and Nichols. No: none.
The school needs to replace an engine in a bus that has approximately 140,000 miles on it. It is estimated that a rebuilt engine could be purchased for $7,500. A new engine will be around $12,000. It was moved by Jacobson and seconded by Corman to purchase a rebuilt engine for the bus. Yes: Chikos, Jacobson, Hall, Anderson, Corman, and Nichols. No: none.
There was discussion of nominating a NASB Legislative Committee Member. As board members from other schools are unknown to this board, no action was taken. The board was instructed to bring any nomination they wish to make to the March board meeting.
Discussion:
Mr. Butcher presented information regarding how certified state aid is calculated He also showed the historical growth and dips in state aid to Bridgeport Schools. Bridgeport Schools state aid increased 7% in 2005-2006, 22% in 2006-2007, 52% in 2007-2008. The increase in state aid in 2007-2008 was $1,330,848. Next year’s certified state aid will drop by $218,994; however, the increases in the last two years have been significant. This year’s budget included property taxes of $2,141,200 while this year’s state aid was $3,901,515. The public needs to realize that the increase in state aid has helped the school to make improvements in programming that significantly help students. The state aid factor has allowed the school to adequately meet the needs of students with increased state aid and a mill levy of less than $1.03.
A community Meeting to discuss the Building Project will be held February 25, 2008, at 7:00 p.m. in the Jr/Sr High School Media Center.
The Bayard and Bridgeport Joint Board meeting has been scheduled for February 26, 2008, at 6:00 p.m. in Bayard Nebraska.
NRCSA Spring conference will be held in Kearney March 12 – 13, 2008.
NASB workshop called School Board as Judge and Jury is scheduled for April 3, 2008, in Gering. All board members have been registered for this meeting.
NASB Negotiations Networking Meetings will be coming up and the board will be informed.
NASB School Law Seminar will be held in Kearney on June 13.
NASB School Finance meeting will be held in North Platte on July 22.
All board members are encouraged to attend these meetings.
Reports:
Mr. Myers reported a 77% participation in the Parent Teacher Conferences the first week in February. This is down almost 5% from last year.
Mr. Butcher informed the board that a letter was received from an attorney representing a parent. It was recommended by consensus that the letter be given to the school attorney for advice.
Jacobson made a motion seconded by Hall to adjourn to Executive Session for Personnel reasons at 9:22 p.m. Yes: Chikos, Jacobson, Hall, Anderson, Corman, and Nichols. No: none.
Moved by Hall and seconded by Anderson to return from Executive Session and resume Regular Session at 9:46 p.m. Yes: Chikos, Jacobson, Hall, Anderson, Corman, and Nichols. No: none.
It was moved by Anderson and seconded by Hall to adjourn at 9:52. Yes: Chikos, Jacobson, Hall, Anderson, Corman, 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, March 10, 2008, at the Bridgeport Public Schools Media Center.
