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Minutes December 13, 2017

January 09, 2018

The regular meeting of the Board of Education of the Creighton Community School District No. 13 was held on December 13, 2017 at 5:00 p.m. in the High School Library.

Notice of the meeting was given in advance thereof by publication in the Creighton News, as shown by the Affidavit of Publication attached to the minutes.  Notice was also posted at the City Offices, front door of the high school, and front door of the elementary.

Notice of the meeting was simultaneously sent to all the members and a copy of their acknowledgment and receipt of notice and agenda is attached to these minutes.  Availability of the agenda was communicated in the advance notice as was the notice to the members of this meeting.  All proceedings hereafter shown were taken while the convened meeting was opened to the attendance of the public.  The agenda for the meeting is attached and incorporated into these minutes.

President Morrill called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m.

Morrill announced that the Open Meeting Laws Act Poster was displayed on the wall.

Members present: Kay Morrill, Colleen Farnik, Tim Gragert, Greg Kuhlman, Dixie Hanefeldt, and Duane Fanta.  

Others Present:  Superintendent Thompson, Principal Nilson, Secretary Hoffman, and district patrons.   

The Pledge of Allegiance was said.

Kuhlman moved to approve the agenda.  Seconded by Gragert.  RCV: 6-0.  Motion Carried.

There was no public comment.

Farnik asked to pull the financials from the consent agenda.  Hanefeldt moved to approve the November board minutes, policy second readings for 802.07, 406.06, 406.08, and 407.03, and the policy changes for 411.04 and 415.08 (revised policies attached).  Seconded by Gragert.  RCV:  6-0.  Motion Carried.  Farnik asked for clarification on a few bills. Kuhlman moved to approve the financial report, seconded by Fanta.  RCV:  6-0.  Motion Carried.

Reports:

1. Superintendent Thompson updated the board on the roof warranty.  He will contact Tremco to see if they will cover the costs of the repairs around the gym roof.  The negotiations committee will meet with the CTA negotiations committee December 19^th.  He reported on several sessions from the annual NASB conference in November.  We will receive a rebate from NPPD for electrical items used in the HVAC update. 
2. Principal Nilson shared the NeSA result numbers for grades 3-8 for math, science, and English language arts.  Our students results were very similar to area schools.  The trend across the state was that the English scores were lower due to a change in testing format.  In 2016-2017, CHS juniors scored well above the state average in math, English, and science.  ACT prep will begin in early January for the sophomores and late February for the juniors.  Brightbytes surveys are being conducted to gather information for school improvement and Google Classroom is being utilized to help incorporate more technology into the classroom.  All classes are working on utilizing new technology as we work towards the school improvement goal. 
3. President Morrill and Colleen Farnik reported on a few sessions that they attended at the NASB conference and remarked that the conference is always worth attending.  360 Energy Engineers held the final group meeting of contractors, administrators, janitors and Building Committee members to review the work completed, discuss outstanding issues, and discuss warranty procedures. They will continue to communicate and fine tune any issues that may arise with the transition to the new HVAC system. Morrill compiled the superintendent evaluations that had been completed by the board members and results were shared later in the meeting.

Copies of all reports are available with the minutes in the business office.

4. Joan Jorgensen left a message with Secretary Hoffman thanking the board for the new Ipad she had received for her classroom.

Discussion/Action Items:

1. Deb Wragge, the facilitator for strategic planning, shared a handout explaining the process that will be used for the school planning and development process.  The procedure is based on the works of Victoria Bernhardt and it is a continuous cycle.  A steering committee will be formed to lead the process. Principal Nilson expressed some concern that the school improvement team has already been reviewing data as we are in the third year of the school improvement cycle.  Deb explained the Bernhardt process will incorporate all of the work that they have already done and will also cover many more areas of planning and development.  Deb will work to coordinate with the ESU staff that currently assists in the school improvement process.  The planning and development committee will meet with Deb in January.
2. Principal Nilson reviewed the assessment results from the NDE State of the Schools report as a part of his Principal’s report.
3. An update on the school improvement cycle was given during the principal’s report.
4. Superintendent Thompson met with Creighton Auto about purchasing a 2012 Ford Expedition and trading the 2004 school van.  He shared the spec sheet with the board and explained a need for a 4-wheel drive vehicle to be utilized during the winter months.  Superintendent Thompson said that he felt this was a good trade and that we had remained within the $20,000 budgeted amount. Fanta moved to purchase the 2012 Ford Expedition from Creighton Auto for $20,000 plus the 2004 van.  Seconded by Kuhlman.  RCV:  6-0.  Motion Carried.
5. Superintendent Thompson has received two similar bids for a new security camera system.  The bids were from Heartland Communications and DSN Security.  The old system is in need of replacement.  Gragert moved to accept the bid for a new camera system.  Fanta seconded the motion.  RCV:  6-0.  Motion Carried.
6. Kathy Zepf had submitted a letter of resignation to be effective the end of the 2017-2018 school year.  Kuhlman moved to accept the resignation request of Kathy Zepf, seconded by Gragert.  RCV:  6-0.  Motion Carried.
7. Lori Olson from Dana F. Cole plans to attend the January board meeting to discuss and answer any questions on the audit.  Fanta moved to approve the 2017 fiscal year audit.  Seconded by Kuhlman.  RCV:  6-0.  Motion Carried.
8. The board reviewed the compiled Mid-Term Superintendent Evaluation.  Superintendent Thompson received high marks in many areas.  The board briefly discussed areas with a lower mark.  Morrill stated that it appears the board is pleased with his work due to the number of high marks.  Fanta moved to approve the superintendent evaluation as presented.  Seconded by Kuhlman.  RCV:  6-0.  Motion Carried.  He will continue to work on the same three goals for the next evaluation.
1. The board discussed extending the current contract with the addition of another year.  After a brief discussion the decision was made to extend the contract. Gragert moved to extend Superintendent Thompson’s contract by another year.  Seconded by Hanefeldt.  RCV:  6-0.  Motion Carried.   

The following bills were paid:

At 7:18 p.m., President Morrill adjourned the meeting.  The next regular meeting of the Board of Education will be held on Monday, January 8, 2017, at 7:00 p.m. in the High School Library.  

                                                                                   Jennifer Hoffman, Secretary