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08/14/2023 August Board of Education Meeting Minutes

 

MINUTES OF REGULAR BOARD MEETING

August 14, 2023

This agenda was published in the Niobrara Tribune, August 10, 2023.



 

PRESENT

Matt Moody

Ward Adema

Kristine Flyinghawk

Susan Bolling                                             

Diane Teadtke-absent

Matt Paulsen 

Margaret Sandoz, Superintendent

Sarah Higgins, Principal

Val Mullanix, Principal



 

Chairman Moody opened the hearing for Activity Fund Amendment at 5:30 p.m. He closed the hearing at 5:40 p.m.

 

Board Work Session began at 5:40 p.m. 

 

Chairman Moody called the regular meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. It was noted that LB898 dealing with Open Meeting Laws was duly posted. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all present.

 

Motion by Bolling and Seconded by Adema to approve the agenda. RCV: Adema-aye, Paulsen-aye, Flyinghawk-aye, Bolling-aye Moody-aye. Motion Approved. Teadtke-absent.

 

Motion by Flyinghawk and seconded by Paulsen to approve the minutes from the regular meeting held on July 7, 2023. RCV: Paulsen-aye, Flyinghawk-aye, Bolling-aye Moody-aye, Adema-aye. Motion Approved. Teadtke-absent.

 

Motion by Adema and seconded by Flyinghawk to approve the bills as presented: RCV: Flyinghawk-aye, Bolling-aye Moody-aye, Adema-aye, Paulsen-aye. Motion Approved. Teadtke-absent.

 

The financial report was presented.  Motion by Bolling and seconded by Flyinghawk to approve the financial report. RCV: Bolling-aye Moody-aye, Adema-aye, Paulsen-aye Flyinghawk-aye. Motion Approved. Teadtke-absent.

 

Motion by Adema and seconded by Paulsen to approve the amended Activity Fund Budget as published and presented. RCV: Adema-aye, Paulsen-aye, Flyinghawk-aye, Bolling-aye Moody-aye. Motion Approved. Teadtke-absent.

 

RESOLUTION

 

WHEREAS, the Nebraska Legislature enacted several measures this past legislative session, including LB 243, to adjust public school district revenue and finances; and,

WHEREAS, LB 243 generally limits a public school district’s property tax request authority, subject to limited exceptions; and

WHEREAS, LB 243 includes an exception to generally allow a school district to otherwise exceed the default property tax request authority if at least seventy percent of the Board of Education votes in favor of the increased request; and

WHEREAS, a Board of Education of a school district with an average daily membership of more than three thousand forty-four students but no more than ten thousand students may increase its tax request by an additional five percent above the base growth percentage; and

WHEREAS, the School District’s average daily membership is more than three thousand forty-four students but is less than ten thousand students; and

WHEREAS, due to rising enrollment, student and staffing needs, and the need to maintain its budgetary obligations, the Board of Education of Niobrara Public Schools, (the “School District”) hereby desires to increase its base growth percentage by an additional seven percent or other maximum amount as permitted by law; and;

WHEREAS, public notice of this possible increase was published in a legal newspaper of general circulation in the School District at least one week prior to this Board meeting.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that, pursuant to Section 5 of 2023 Neb. Law 243, at least seventy percent of the Board of Education of the School District affirmatively votes to increase to the School District’s overall property tax request authority by an additional seven percent above the base growth percentage, or other maximum amount as permitted by law.  The Superintendent or designee is hereby authorized and directed to take any action consistent with this Resolution to ensure that the School District’s overall property tax request complies with this Resolution.

 

The foregoing Resolution having been read in its entirety, Member Bolling moved for their passage and adoption.  Member Flyinghawk seconded the same.  After discussion and on roll call vote the following members voted in favor of passage and adoption of the above Resolution: Flyinghawk-aye, Bolling-aye, Moody-aye, Adema-aye, Paulsen-aye. Motion Approved

The following members voted against the same: 

The following members were absent or not voting: Teadtke; absent.

The above Resolution having been consented to by at least seventy percent of the Members of the Board of Education, it was declared as passed and adopted by the President at a duly held and lawfully convened meeting in full compliance with the Nebraska Open Meetings law.

 

DATED this 14 day of August 2023.

 

NIOBRARA PUBLIC SCHOOLS

BY: Matt Moody

President

ATTEST:

Susan Bolling

Secretary

 

RESOLUTION

 

WHEREAS, the School Board is required by law to adopt by resolution policies and specific standards for acceptance or rejection of option enrollment applications by October 15th for the following school year; and,

WHEREAS, the School Board has received and reviewed evidence and information submitted by the administration and other sources and made determinations thereon with respect to standards for acceptance or rejection and with respect to the capacity of this school district to accept option enrollment students based upon available staff, available facilities, projected enrollment, and availability of special education programs for the following school year; and,

WHEREAS, the School Board has determined that the educational interests of this school district would be best served by adoption of the resolutions, and the policies and specific standards herein contained.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Option Enrollment Policy presented to the School Board as Policy 502.02, and Appendix “1” to such Policy 502.02, should be and the same are hereby adopted, and any previous policy or interpretation or application of the option enrollment program which is or has been inconsistent with the Policy 502.02, and Appendix “1” to such Policy 502.02, are repealed effective on the date of the passage of this resolution,

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that all paragraphs, subparagraphs, and portions of words of this Resolution, of Policy 502.02, and Appendix “1” to such Policy 502.02 are severable and that in the event any of the same are determined to be invalid for any reason, such determination shall not affect the validity of any of the remainder of the same.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that policies and specific standards for acceptance or rejection of option enrollment applications should be and are hereby adopted, for applications filed after adoption of this resolution, and are hereinafter set forth:

The above Resolution, having been read in its entirety, member Adema moved for its passage and adoption, member Bolling seconded the same.  After discussion and on roll call vote, the following members voted in favor of passage and adoption of the above Resolution:           

Flyinghawk-aye, Bolling-aye, Moody-aye, Adema-aye, Paulsen-aye. Motion approved.

The following members voted against the same: 

The following members were absent or not voting: Teadtke, absent.  The Resolution having been consented to and approved by a majority of the members of the School Board, was declared as passed and adopted by the President at a duly held and lawfully convened meeting in full compliance with the Nebraska open meetings law.

 

DATED this 14th day of August 2023.
NIOBRARA PUBLIC SCHOOLS

 

By: Matt Moody-President

                                                     

Attest: Susan Bolling-Secretary

 

Appendix “1” to Option Enrollment Policy

 

The following is Appendix “1” to Policy 502.02 for the current school year.  The Board of Education hereby sets forth the maximum number of option students for the current school year in any program, class, grade level or school building or in any special education programs operated by this school district, based upon available staff, facilities, projected enrollment of resident students, projected number of students with which this school district will contract based on existing contractual arrangements, and availability of appropriate special education programs.  

 

PROGRAM

PROGRAM

CAPACITY

PROJECTED

ENROLLMENT

NO. OF OPTION STUDENTS

Kindergarten

25

   

First

25

   

Second

25

   

Third

25

   

Fourth 

25

   

Fifth

25

   

Building Capacity, Elementary 

     

Sixth

25

   

Seventh

25

   

Eighth

25

   

Building Capacity, Middle School Attendance Center

     

Ninth

25

   

Tenth

25

   

Eleventh

25

   

Twelfth

25

   

Building Capacity, Sr. High School Attendance Center

     

* Special education capacity will be determined on a case-by-case basis in accordance with state law and the available resources as determined by the District’s Director of Special Education or designee.

 

Motion by Paulsen and seconded by Flyinghawk to approve a commitment to the Jobs for America Graduated Program. RCV: Bolling-aye Moody-aye, Adema-aye, Paulsen-aye Flyinghawk-aye. Motion Approved. Teadtke-absent.

 

The Board was asked to review the materials that will be used for the School Improvement Visit scheduled for September.

 

Administrative Reports were given. 

 

The meeting was adjourned at 7:10 p.m. The next meeting is scheduled for September 11, 2023, at 6 p.m.

 

                                                                Respectfully Submitted,

                                                                 Susan Hillman, Recording Secretary