Hearing for Student Fees Policy 5045 and Regular July 2024 Meeting Monday, July 8, 2024 7:00 PM as advertised in the Pilot-Tribune/Enterprise High School Media Center and on fortcalhounschools.org HEARING ON STUDENT FEES POLICY 5045 -Hearing Called to Order: The hearing was called to order at 7:00 PM with 4 administrators and 2 visitors present. -Roll Call: Mike Bonacci-Present, Josh Christensen-Present, Cassie Kelly-Present, Amanda Schrum, Kelly Shaner-Present, Ted Welchert-Present -Review of Policy 5045 Student Fees: Mr. Green explained the changes including charges for Cheerleading and Dance and that meal prices will be inserted after the USDA guidelines are released. -Board of Education Comments: There was no further discussion. -Public Comments: There were none -Adjournment of Student Fees Hearing: Being no further business, the president declared the hearing adjourned at 7:01 PM. REGULAR BOARD MEETING ROUTINE BUSINESS -Call to Order: The meeting was called to order at 7:03 PM. -Note Nebraska Open Meeting Laws: So noted. -Excused Absences: There were none. -Roll Call: Mike Bonacci-Present, Josh Christensen-Present, Cassie Kelly-Present, Amanda Schrum, Kelly Shaner-Present, Ted Welchert-Present -Approval of Agenda: Moved that the agenda be approved as presented. This motion, made by Christensen and seconded by Kelly, Passed. Mike Bonacci: Yea, Josh Christensen: Yea, Cassie Kelly: Yea, Amanda Schrum: Yea, Kelli Shaner: Yea, Ted Welchert: Yea REGULAR AGENDA -Public Participation: No one asked to address the board. 2 visitors left. -Approval of Claims: Moved that the Claims for July be approved in the amount of $108,650.51 from the General Fund and $26,236.07 from Savings and Depreciation. This motion, made by Christensen and seconded by Shaner, Passed. Mike Bonacci: Yea, Josh Christensen: Yea, Cassie Kelly: Yea, Amanda Schrum: Yea, Kelli Shaner: Yea, Ted Welchert: Yea. Mr. Green and Cassie Kelly looked through the invoices and discussed the higher charges for HVAC, yearly charges for online instructional materials, and second semester Special Education contracts. There was a question about a bill to the Lunch Fund for student support. -Claim from Abe's Trash Company: Moved that the Claim from Abe's Trash Service be approved in the amount of $1,692.50. This motion, made by Bonacci and seconded by Kelly, Passed. Josh Christensen: Abstain, Mike Bonacci: Yea, Cassie Kelly: Yea, Amanda Schrum: Yea, Kelli Shaner: Yea, Ted Welchert: Yea -Consent Agenda: Moved that the Consent Agenda be approved as presented. This motion, made by Shaner and seconded by Schrum, Passed. Mike Bonacci: Yea, Josh Christensen: Yea, Cassie Kelly: Yea, Amanda Schrum: Yea, Kelli Shaner: Yea, Ted Welchert: Yea -Standing Committee Reports: No committees met. -Milk Bids for 2024-25: Moved that the board of education accept the bid from Hiland Dairy for milk and dairy products for 2024-25. This motion, made by Christensen and seconded by Shaner, Passed. Mike Bonacci: Yea, Josh Christensen: Yea, Cassie Kelly: Yea, Amanda Schrum: Yea, Kelli Shaner: Yea, Ted Welchert: Yea. Bids are sent out every year and Hiland is the only one that is now able to supply our area. It was noted that the milk was 1¢ higher per carton. -Meal Prices for 2024-25: Tabled until the USDA guidelines are received. -Review and Reaffirm Policy 5045-Student Fees: Moved that the board of education waive first reading and and pass on second reading Policy 5045 Student Fees as reviewed and recommended. This motion, made by Kelly and seconded by Christensen, Passed. Mike Bonacci: Yea, Josh Christensen: Yea, Cassie Kelly: Yea, Amanda Schrum: Yea, Kelli Shaner: Yea, Ted Welchert: Yea. -Review and Reaffirm Policy 3057 - Title IX: Moved that the board of education waive first reading and pass on second reading Policy 3057 Title IX as reviewed and recommended. This motion, made by Shaner and seconded by Kelly, Passed. Mike Bonacci: Yea, Josh Christensen: Yea, Cassie Kelly: Yea, Amanda Schrum: Yea, Kelli Shaner: Yea, Ted Welchert: Yea. This is the 2024 updated policy with some political verbiage which is in line with recent legislation. It is recommended by KSB, our attorneys. -Fuel Bids for 2024-25: Moved that the board of education continue with Taylor Oil at 3¢ off the pump price for gasoline and from Calhoun Oil for 3¢ off the pump price for off-road diesel for 2024-25. This motion, made by Christensen and seconded by Bonacci, Passed. Mike Bonacci: Yea, Josh Christensen: Yea, Cassie Kelly: Yea, Amanda Schrum: Yea, Kelli Shaner: Yea, Ted Welchert: Yea. Mr. Green said it has been a long-standing relationship and both remain consistent. -Approval of Handbooks-Secondary and Elementary Parent-Student; Teacher; and Activity: Moved that the Secondary and Elementary Parent-Student Handbooks, the Teacher's Handbook and the Activity Handbook be approved as presented and recommended. This motion, made by Kelly and seconded by Shaner, Passed. Mike Bonacci: Yea, Josh Christensen: Yea, Cassie Kelly: Yea, Amanda Schrum: Yea, Kelli Shaner: Yea, Ted Welchert: Yea. Nick Wemhoff spoke about the changes to the Student, Teacher and Activity handbooks. These changes included updating the language from KSB to be in line with the policies we follow; and also bullying, cheating, and teachers using discretion within their individual classrooms. Child abuse and neglect areas have also changed. Updates in charges for Chromebooks were explained. The board questioned how many devices we have, where the money goes, if there is enough to support repair/replacements, and if this is a self-insured program. He said a few students don’t seem to be concerned if their Chromebook is damaged, etc. and this new pricing program is hoped to be a deterrent to the damages. Another new policy regarding firearms was also added. For the class schedule, going to an eight-period day will allow students to get help for academic deficiencies during the school day rather that after school time. Finally, he explained the new Senior Release program which will allow students to come late or leave early if they are up to speed in classes. This will be in addition to OJT and release for Metro classes. It is hoped it will clear space in classes, however it could affect a GPA because of the lower number of classes taken. These changes along with updating staff were also carried over to the Activity and Teacher Handbooks. Sara Horstman: The Elementary Handbook was updated as mandated by the new policies and with minor changes of names, etc. -Wrestling Building: Moved that the board of education approve the proposal from BD Gossman Inc. for an estimated $550,000.00 not to exceed $620,000.00 for the renovation of the Wrestling Building per attached bid. This motion, made by Bonacci and seconded by Kelly, Passed. Mike Bonacci: Yea, Josh Christensen: Yea, Cassie Kelly: Yea, Amanda Schrum: Abstain, Kelli Shaner: Yea, Ted Welchert: Nay. In the discussions Amanda Schrum stated concrete was included. She felt confident if it stayed under $600,00 but is reluctant because it was bid with no specs and asked how this could be done not knowing the procedures herself. Ted Welchert said the person usually knows what they want and with this being a pretty simple building, they can look at the systems already in place and mirror what is there. Mr. Green said if we don’t do this now how would we proceed. Getting specs and another bid may not come back differently as he doesn’t know himself how it is done. Ted Welchert continued that the contractor has control of who he's working with - subs he knows, and where to go and get things done, as he has a general scope showing what is there now. In his opinion the bid is too high and asked if it is the best even not going through the spec process. His concern is the job will come in cheaper and the bidder will get a higher return as the proposal for the $550,000 is a firm number. He stated “consciously I think it’s too high” and he “doesn’t feel comfortable voting for this amount”. The contractor knows what he has to do. This is an open space and the amount is too high based on the square footage. Cassie Kelly asked about the shell being $200,000 and doesn’t know about coming up with the costs. Instead of multiple phases could it cost less if all at once? There was discussion about the plumbing layout and if it’s under the $550,000 he would get the difference. Mr. Green said he wouldn’t have bid if he wasn’t trying to help the school and thinks he’ll be very fair. He is working to get volunteers to help and that is already figured in the $550.000. Discussion continued with rebidding and what would happen if there were none or at higher amounts. The time taken would push the project back until next year. Mike Bonacci said he felt this is a “viable option” we can do now and we have to do it. Mr. Green said again if not tonight it would set us back until next year and prices would be higher. There is money in the Building Fund to cover this and by the time the project is complete there will be more. He doesn’t see a cheaper option down the road. Kelli Shaner respects all these opinions but there is no time and has no knowledge of the process. She suggested to accept it and respect that it gets done to “our satisfaction” and she respects his bidding. It would be different if it was a want item, but it has to be done. Amanda Schrum said that piecing the project together is not the best idea and asked if any conflicts of interest were involved because the bidder is a coach. Mr. Green said the conflict of interest policy was “followed to a T”. -Board Goals for 2024-25: Moved that the Board Goals for 24-25 be adopted as recommended. This motion, made by Christensen and seconded by Kelly, Passed. Mike Bonacci: Yea, Josh Christensen: Yea, Cassie Kelly: Yea, Amanda Schrum: Yea, Kelli Shaner: Yea, Ted Welchert: Yea. -Board Member Reports: Mike Bonacci commended Mr. O’Connor and said he impresses with the time and what he’s doing with all the kids this summer. There are lots of kids involved. Amanda Schrum welcomed Sara Horstman and said it will be a great school year “hitting the ground running”. Mr. Green spoke about the August schedule and that a second August meeting will be held to work on the budget so as to be ready for the August 30th deadline. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, the president declared the meeting adjourned at 8:01 PM. ZNEZ ENT 07-19-24
