Minutes of Regular Monthly Meeting
December 11, 2008
Elgin Public School Board
Regular December School Board Meeting
Distance Learning Room EPS
December 11, 2008 7:30 PM
President Heithoff called the regularly scheduled December 2008 Elgin Public School Board Meeting to order at 7:32 PM. Board members present were Steve Heithoff, Stan Heithoff, Laurie Waterbury, Mary Bauer, Bruce Anderson and Scott Beckman. Also present were Interim Superintendent Lee Hall, Principal Fisher, Dennis Morgan of the Elgin Review, staff member Jeanne Johnson, and newly elected school board member Kim Wells.
President Heithoff reminded everyone that a copy of the Nebraska open meeting law was posted in the meeting room.
School board meeting notice complied with Meeting Notice Policy # 204.07.
Bauer moved, Anderson second, to approve consent agenda item #4- approve the minutes from the regular November meeting, item # 5-adopt the agenda, item #6- accept the financial report, and item # 7- pay the board bills. The motion passed with a 6 to 0-yes vote.
President Heithoff recognized visitors and there was no correspondence this meeting.
Principals Report- Mr. Fisher reported on the Designing with Technology class, the upcoming Christmas Program and Concert, Monday, December 15th, and developing Business/Technology courses. The One-Act Team placed 3rd at Districts and the Football Team completed an 11-1 season advancing to the state semi-finals. Winter sports are underway with wrestling, and girls/boys basketball.
Mr. Hall reported on State School Board Convention sessions and information, and NVC athletic concerns. There were positive outcomes from a 4th grade parents meeting and Mr. Hall will recommend hiring a .5 FTE SPED aide. There will be a professional day for staff training in January.
The Board recognized Nathan Niewohner on his selection to the Hastings Honor Choir, Austin Stamp for his 100th career wrestling win, and the Eagles Football Team on their 11-1 record and 3rd place final state ranking.
Mr. Hall recommended an additional half time aid for the Special Education Program.
Beckman moved, Bauer second, to hire Megan Schindler as a .5 FTE SPED aide for the remainder of the 2008/2009 school year. Motion passed on a 5 to 0 yes vote, with Waterbury abstaining.
Waterbury moved to approve coaching employment agreements with non certified staff. Anderson second. Motion passed on 6 to 0 yes vote.
Jeanne Johnson, school technology coordinator addressed the Board and explained the internet security programs and software options.
Stan Heithoff than moved, Beckman seconded to accept a $2335 bid from Centurion for the Smart Shield Computer Security Program. Motion passed with a unanimous yes vote.
Beckman moved to approve the Curriculum Coordinating Council policy revisions. Waterbury second. Motion passed on a 6 to 0 yes vote.
Bauer moved, Anderson second to accept three option enrollment applications for this school years second semester. This motion received a unanimous yes vote.
Beckman moved to retain Mr. Hall as interim superintendent for the 2009/2010 school year. Waterbury second. Motion failed on 2 to 4 no vote. Beckman-yes, Waterbury –yes, Anderson-no, Bauer-no, Stan Heithoff-no, Steve Heithoff-no.
Bauer moved to conduct a superintendent search for the 2009/2010 contract year. Stan Heithoff second. Motion passed with a 4 to 2 yes vote. Anderson-yes, Bauer-yes, Stan Heithoff-yes, Steve Heithoff-yes, Beckman-no, Waterbury-no.
Beckman moved to hire NASB as superintendent search consultant. Stan Heithoff second. Motion passed with a 6 to 0 yes vote.
Approval of policy section 100 and 200 updates was tabled until the next meeting.
The Board discussed the annual audit.
Mr. Hall will obtain bids for elementary bathroom renovation and replacement of a water fountain in the boys’ locker hallway in the new gym.
The Area Small Schools meeting was reviewed, and several issues confronting small rural schools were discussed.
Mr. Fisher updated the Board on development of the east parking lot.
Board member Steve Heithoff, newly elected board member Kim Wells, and Mr. Hall reported on attending the State School Board Convention.
The District will receive an $8390 rebate for the lighting upgrade to the school.
The Board and Mr. Hall reviewed and suggested corrections and updates to policy manual sections 300 and 400.
Mr. Hall reported that there will be a Northern Tier School Review by the Nebraska Department of Education next spring.
The staff Christmas Party will be December19th.
The drainage concern by the new elementary building was discussed.
The Board Planning and Retreat session will be January 29, 2009 at the Plantation House.
Anderson moved to enter closed session to discuss the individual board member section of the Board Self Evaluation, to prevent the needless injury to the reputation of an individual, and that no individual has requested a public meeting. Beckman second. Motion passed on a 6 to 0 yes vote.
President Heithoff then restated the motion to enter closed session to discuss the individual board member section of the Board Self Evaluation, to prevent the needless injury to the reputation of an individual, and that no individual has requested a public meeting.
The board entered closed session at 9:58 PM to discuss Board Self Evaluation.
The board returned to open session at 10:30 PM.
The Board continued discussing the Board Self Evaluation. The Board addressed issues facing the district, ways to address educational issues, and reviewed district accomplishments of the past year.
The next regularly scheduled Elgin Public School Board meeting will be Monday, January 12, 2009 at 7:30 PM, in the distance learning room, Elgin Public High School.
Waterbury moved to adjourn at 11:02 PM. Beckman second. Motion passed with a 6 to 0 yes vote.
Scott Beckman – Board Secretary
--This is a draft copy, and does not become the official Elgin Public School Board minutes until approved at the next regular or advertised meeting.