September Board Meeting Minutes

Proceedings of the

Bridgeport Public Schools

Morrill County School District #63

Board of Education

Monday, September 14, 2009 – 7:00 PM

Jr./Sr. High School Media Center

President Justin Corman called the regular meeting to order at 7:11 p.m.  Roll call was taken.  Members present: Kay Anderson, Justin Corman, Dale Nichols, Vickie Hall, and Ken Jacobson.  George Chikos was absent.  Also present were Superintendent Dave Miller, Recording Secretary Vonnie Brown, Elementary Principal Kevin Myers, High School Principal Titus Staples, and visitors. 

President Corman informed the public of the Open Meetings Act posted by the library door.

It was moved by Hall and seconded by Jacobson to approve the agenda with the addition of Item IVH regarding classified salaries. Yes: Anderson, Hall, Nichols, Jacobson, and Corman.  No: None. 

There were no communications.

Visitors Bryce DeCora, Michelle Keszler, Amy Widener, and Willis Beyer were recognized. 

Business Meeting:

There was some discussion regarding expenditures and Mr. Miller was asked to check into per diem policies.  It was moved by Jacobson and seconded by Anderson to approve the Consent Agenda. The Consent Agenda includes the financial reports and payables ending August 31, 2009, and Final 0809 Payroll and withholding of $3,055.49, September General Fund payroll and withholding of $410,914.22, and Lunch Fund payroll and withholding of $ 4,505.47.  Yes: Anderson, Hall, Nichols, Jacobson, and Corman.  No: None. 

Bills paid were as listed:

Special Recognition:

Mr. Miller commended Taryn Retzlaff for achievement of her Master of Education degree in Secondary Curriculum and Instruction/Reading 7-12.

Unfinished Business:

Willis Beyer reported on the status of the air conditioning/heating system installation.  The plumbers were to be here on the 9^th to finish up.  There is air balancing to be done after the plumber’s work is complete.  There is a substantial completion inspection scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on September 23.  Everything is already in use except the heat.  The water heater has been replaced with a 100 gallon water heater.  Willis has been favorably impressed with its ability to keep up in the locker room.  No training has been done yet on the new system.

Willis Beyer also spoke on the school vehicle emergency plan.  Flashlights have been placed in all school vehicles.  He found that our current coverage has no roadside assistance plan, but he has initiated reviewing available policies and costs   He is working on getting laminated cards with contact information prepared to have in all vehicles.

New Business:

Michelle Keszler sent a letter to Board Members regarding Rule 10 Standards Requirements that Bridgeport Public Schools adopt Language Arts Standards prior to December 11, 2009.  She enclosed proposed standards that were reviewed by representatives of the elementary staff and representatives of the 7-12 language arts staff over the summer, and she stated that these standards meet the requirements of Rule 10.  It was moved by Hall and seconded by Nichols to accept these as the local standards.  Yes: Anderson, Hall, Nichols, Jacobson, and Corman.  No: None. 

It was moved by Anderson and seconded by Jacobson to approve the 2009-2010 budget and tax levy as presented at the Budget Hearing held previous to the Regular Board Meeting.  Yes: Anderson, Hall, Nichols, Jacobson, and Corman.  No: None. 

It was moved by Hall and seconded by Nichols to assign Yvonne Brown the authority to be the representative for communications with IRS, and any and all banks or financial institutions with Bridgeport Public Schools funds along with authority to work with State Auditors, Local Auditors, and Nebraska Department of Education Financial Services.  Yes: Anderson, Hall, Nichols, Jacobson, and Corman.  No: None. 

Another change order was received fro AJ Sheetmetal to flush out the chilled water loop.  It was moved by Jacobson and seconded by Hall to approve the latest change order in the amount of $2999.  Yes: Anderson, Hall, Nichols, Jacobson, and Corman.  No: None. 

Corman presented information regarding negotiations with Bridgeport Education Association (BEA).  The negotiated agreement has been agreed to by the Negotiations Committee and the members of the BEA.  It was moved by Hall and seconded by Anderson to approve the negotiated agreement increasing the base salary to $30100 and increasing the deductible on health insurance to $600 per the BEA’s request.  Yes: Anderson, Hall, Nichols, Jacobson, and Corman.  No: None. 

There was a request from Mrs. Bryan to purchase two Gizmos Interactive computer simulators.  It is $799 per teacher’s license for this Internet based program.  American Reinvestment Recover Act (ARRA) funds may be used for this purchase.  If other classrooms identify a use for this in their classes, additional licenses may be purchased at a price discounted $200.  The board indicated that the price does not require board approval, but agreed that it seems to be a good value.

The Superintendent goals established at the August 10 worksession were reviewed.  It was moved by Anderson and seconded by Hall to approve these goals as stated in the minutes of that meeting.  Yes: Anderson, Hall, Nichols, Jacobson, and Corman.  No: None. 

It was moved by Jacobson and seconded by Nichols to adjourn to Executive Session for Personnel considerations at 7:49 p.m.  Yes: Anderson, Hall, Nichols, Jacobson, and Corman.  No: None. The principals were invited to stay.

There was a motion by Hall to return to Regular Session from Executive Session at 8:24 p.m.

It was moved by Hall and seconded by Jacobson to approve a recommended 3% wage increase for classified personnel with the 3% being applied at the base for Paraprofessionals and Bus drivers.  For all other personnel, the 35 will be applied to their current wage.  Yes: Anderson, Hall, Nichols, Jacobson, and Corman.  No: None. 

It was moved by Nichols and seconded by Anderson to increase the Superintendent Secretary $1.00/hr rather than the 3% due to increased responsibilities especially regarding Title I reporting.  Yes: Anderson, Hall, Nichols, and Corman.  No: Jacobson. 

Discussion and Reports:

Mr. Miller reported on the bus accident that occurred on September 8, 2009.  Involved was the driver and five students.  No one was seriously injured.

Mr. Miller reported on the sale of the kitchen prep table and the steam kettle that were offered for bid.  The winning bid on the table was $110 and on the steam table was $160.

Mr. Miller reported on radon testing that has been offered free to the school.  There will also be presentations regarding radon offered.  It is hoped to present these on a classroom basis.

There was discussion of a Board Retreat and the consensus of the board was that the worksession establishing Superintendent goals covered the same areas that would be discussed in a Board Retreat, so a Board Retreat would not be necessary this year.

Mr. Miller discussed Tuition Reimbursement for workshops and college credit tuition for professional development.  ARRA funds may be used for these purposes in K-6.  Discussion of a school initiated tuition reimbursement plan for 7-12 was discussed in Negotiations but did not receive enthusiastic interest.

It was suggested to Mr. Miller that as the Paraprofessionals received an extra personal day in 2008-2009, perhaps the bus drivers and kitchen employees (also nine month employees) ought to receive a personal day as well. 

Mr. Miller informed the Board that the Senior sponsors would like direction regarding any limits they wish to put on such things as gown color selection for Graduation.  It was the consensus of the board that these are administrative decisions and as such should be left to the High School Principal and the Superintendent.

Mr. Staples reported that High School is off to a good start.  The Saxon Math representative was at the school on September 11 and worked with staff on training.  The first Success for Learning of the school year was on September 11 and some students did participate.  Homecoming is scheduled for September 18, 2009 with the game to start at 6:30 p.m.  The Homecoming dance will be held on Saturday night in the multi-purpose room.  A breathalyzer will be used at the door.  TeamMates met earlier Monday evening and appointed officers.

Purchase and implementation of the Messenger program is in process.

Anderson raised a question regarding a natural gas evacuation plan.  The necessity for informed evacuation in such an occurrence is crucial.  Mr. Miller will look into information regarding education on this issue.

Kay attended the NASB Area Membership meeting in Gering on August 26.

It was moved by Jacobson and seconded by Nichols to adjourn at 8:42 p.m.  Yes: Jacobson, Anderson, Nichols, Hall, and Corman.  No: none. 

Respectfully Submitted,

Vonnie Brown

Recording Secretary

Approved by:

Dave Miller, 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, October 12, at the Bridgeport Public Schools Media Center.  Agenda will available upon request at the Superintendent’s Office at 800 Q Street after October 8.

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