MINUTES
RAYMOND CENTRAL PUBLIC SCHOOLS – BOARD OF EDUCATION
MONDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2006
RAYMOND CENTRAL JUNIOR-SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL – MUSTANG ROOM
SCHOOL DISTRICT #161
(These minutes are unofficial until approved at the next regular Board of Education
meeting.)
President: Kay Maresh, David Grimes, Jennifer Lorenzen, and Mark Christensen. Also
attending were Gary W. Oxley, Superintendent, and Dan Ingwersen, Ceresco Elementary
Principal.
Absent: Melaine Miller, Linda Ward - arrived at 7:10 P.M., Harriet Gould arrived at 7:05
P.M. Ivan Dixon – arrived at 8:00 P.M. and Amanda Bouc arrived 8:00 P.M.
President Maresh called the meeting to order at 6:10 P.M. in the Mustang Room
and the Pledge of Allegiance was said.
President Maresh reminded the audience of the Open Meeting Laws posted on the
east wall.
Interview of Fiscal Agents to Study a Proposed Bond Issue for the Junior-Senior High
School
Daniel J. Smith, of D.A. Davidson and Company (previously Kirkpatrick Pettis)
presented the Board with an overview of the D.A. Davidson Company’s business
performance and history, references, qualifications, compensation approach and fees,
customer service and community involvement and their financing experience listings.
His presentation was followed by a question and review of information
Al Eveland and Jay Spearman of Ameritas Investment Corp., presented the Board
with their executive summary of a building plan, financing plan, marketing of District’s
bonds, investment bankers, profile of the firm, commitment to educational finance,
proposed fee structure, and reference listing.
Their presentation was followed by questions and review of information.
Consent Agenda
Motion by Grimes, second by Ward to approve the regular meeting minutes on
November 20, 2006, November Financial Statement/Report, and November Bills as
presented. RCV 4-0. Motion carried.
Correspondence/Recognitions
A holiday wish was read to the Board from the Ceresco Elementary staff.
Public Forum – There were no speakers at Public Forum.
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President Maresh presented Linda Ward with a plaque in recognition of her eight
(8) years as a Board of Education Member in Ward 6. Her term expires in January of
2007.
Barbara Schiefen, One of the Sixth Grade Instructors, highlighted her curriculum
activities.
Discussion Items
Presentation by Joe Gehr, Lancaster County Deputy Sheriff
His presentation was delayed until the January meeting.
Presentation by Del Fuelberth: The Beckenhauer Construction Management Process that
can be used on Building Projects.
Del Fuelberth highlighted Beckenhauer Construction Management expertise and
their performance record for the Board’s review.
Staff Reports – Dr. Gould, Mr. Ingwersen, Mr. Dixon, and Mr. Oxley
Principal Dixon reported that they are currently working on getting students to
make-up time for tardies and absences. The North Central final five year report should
be coming from Don Fritz in the next few weeks. The 1st semester ends on the 22nd of
December and the secondary teachers report back on the 4th and 5th of January to do
grades and get ready for 2nd semester. This is also a good time for students to make-up
tardies and detentions. It they do not make-up the time, they will not receive credit. He
reported that we are still looking for a Speech teacher for second semester. He informed
the Board that Mike Scanlon’s brother lost his brother on Wednesday, December 13th.
Mr. Dixon wished all the Board members a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Mr. Ingwersen reported that he attended a School Improvement Workshop at ESU
#3 along with other staff members in Omaha to help prepare for the next cycle of school
visitation by the NDE and NCA. The Ceresco Elementary School has received over
$260.00 for our local children and many items are being brought to school by the students
for the Friendship Home in Lincoln. The K through third grade students has been
working hard on the Christmas Music Program which is Tuesday, December 19, 2006, at
7:00 P.M. at the Junior-Senior High School. The Fourth graders sent 26 pounds of treats
and other needed items to PFC Sean O’Malley in Iraq. He thanked the PTO for funding
the mailing. The Homework Club/Safe Study will start in January at Ceresco on Tuesday
and Thursday afternoons from 3:30 P.M. to 4:30 P.M. Lona Benes and Diane Ahlstrand
will be instructors. He commended Jennie Danner for the wonderful Band Program on
December 3rd.
Dr. Gould reported the K-3 students will perform the Winter Vocal Concert on
Tuesday, December 19, 2006, at 7:00 P.M. also. The BEYOND guitar class will be
making a debut at the concert too. Charlene Brown has organized an outstanding
selection of songs and dances that will be performed by the students. She invited the
Board members to attend the performance. She commended Jennie Danner for her
excellence in preparing the band students for the wonderful 5th and 6th grade bands’
performance on Sunday, December 3rd.
The Children’s Classic Class is finishing their book, The Christmas Carol by
Dickens. For an end of the book celebration and optional activity, several students and
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parents attended the musical performance of this book at the Omaha Community
Playhouse. In January, this class will be reading the classic, Black Beauty. The students
have an on-line private blog where they can go to answer questions and respond to one
another about contents of the book.
The PTO Holiday Shoppe was held on December 5th and 6th. Students were able
to purchase gifts for parents or siblings and have them wrapped. BEYOND activities
continue – the Lego class concluded last week. Students constructed robots and had
opportunities to use laptop computers to construct courses for them to travel. The
Valparaiso Homework Club started on November 28th. It meets Tuesday and Thursday
under the direction of Lori Maxwell. January opportunities will include a cup stacking
class and a Jeopardy class.
She reported that Miss Kelly’s 2/3 combo class has been making beadie buddies
and putting them up for sale as a class project. The class visited the Valparaiso bank to
learn about loans, have had to think about inventory, and even count change back to
fellow students. The money raised for this project will provide special presents for
students in area hospitals.
Superintendent Oxley reported that he checked on the funding of a baseball team
outside the General Fund if the District wanted to pursue in some future year(s). Tim
White, newly elected Board of Education member and he attended the NASB New Board
Member Workshop on December 5, 2006, in Omaha. He also reported that he received
an e-mail from ESU #2, Executive Director, Mike Ough, regarding ESU #2 hosting their
annual February Board of Education/Administrator Dinner Program on Wednesday,
February 28, 2007. The Board is asked to respond to the Superintendent’s Office if they
are interested in attending.
He also reported that the new SIP team members have been designated and the
administration will be discussing the appointments and costs involved for substitute
teachers and other set costs regarding their appointments at an upcoming administrative
meeting. A report will be given to the Board at the January meeting for their approval.
Student Board Report/Board Members Report
Amanda Bouc reported that the boys’ basketball team is having a successful
season. They are 4-1 and have suffered their only loss to Syracuse. The girls’ basketball
team is 1-4 and won their first game last Friday night against DC West. The wrestling
team is very small this year, but is still succeeding. Ethan Studebaker is still undefeated
and is ranked number 2 in the state. Ryan Pohlman, a freshman is 9-2 in the season. The
Mock Trial team that qualified to State earned 3rd place at the State competition in
Lincoln. This is the highest placing that a Mock Trial team has ever received. The One-
Act Play tied for 1st at the District competition and received 2nd on judges preference.
This is the highest placing earned by a One-Act Play since 2000. The FFA Senior
Parliamentary Procedure Team got 1st at Districts and qualified to State. Also qualifying
were Katie Clifford and Reed Strizek in their public speaking events. The Junior
Parliamentary Procedure team and several individual events are alternates to the State
competition. The speech team won their first meet of the season 2 weeks ago at Lincoln
High and got 4th place last Friday at Lincoln Southeast. They missed 3rd place by one
point. Sarah Smith won another triathlon competition at Lincoln Southeast. Band and
choir had a successful winter concert 2 weeks ago. The 8th grade band recently traveled
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to the senior center to perform Christmas music. On Saturday, December 16, 2006, the
Junior High Student Council made cards and cookies and delivered them to the Haven
House in Wahoo. The High School Student Council is organizing the student talent show
for Friday and proceeds will go to the Cancer Foundation.
David Grimes and Kay Maresh reported on the seminars they attended at the
NASB State Convention in Omaha in November. Mrs. Maresh distributed a copy of the
speech sign that will be placed in the driveway to the Junior-Senior High School before
January 13, 2006. Greg Bouc and Phil Carlson will be involved in the installation. A
light will be provided in the installation. The cost was over $1,000.00 approved but
additional funding will be provided by the Parents for Fine Arts and/or from an Activity
account.
A request was also made to recognize other organization’s successes of State
competitions regarding placement of banners in the gym or another suitable location.
This will be reviewed and reported back at a later date.
Assessment/School Report Card
Data Writing Assessment sheets were disseminated highlighting student
performance. It provides the students, parents and teachers an early snapshot about
student performance in writing. These writing assessments are given annually in the fall
to prepare students for the State assessment that is given in February. Dr. Gould also
distributed the 1996-2009 Holistic Writing Scores Sheet. At the fourth grade level, the
students who scored a 4 or below are being provided additional instruction and writing
opportunities.
Raymond Central will be visited by the Nebraska Department of Education in
March. The purpose of this visitation is to review the portfolio that highlighted the Six
Quality Criteria which are evaluated as part of our assessment process. She reported that
she worked at the ESU #2 on December 5th with administrators from the consortium
schools. The portfolio is on-line and will be used during the NDE visit in March.
Quality Criteria #2, Opportunity to Learn, still needs to be completed. Teachers complete
a matrix throughout the year noting what standards they are teaching and when they
assess each standard. This information is compiled and placed in a district matrix.
Dr. Gould presented the 2005-2006 Raymond Central Report Card draft. The
RCPS students are continuing to show growth in academic areas. Performance on
Criterion Reference Assessments (CRAs) continues to show improvement. There are a
few areas where we need to target additional support. At the January 4th meeting, the
School Improvement Team will look at all levels of student performance. The
disaggregated data results will be presented to the entire faculty in January also. At that
time, the school improvement goals will be discussed and identified. She commended
Wendy Martin for the fine job she did in formatting the report. She will be bringing the
final draft back to the January meeting.
2007-08 Budget Planning
Superintendent Oxley reported that he will have 2007-08 budget planning
information at the January meeting.
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North Central Visitation Report – Dr. Gould
The External Team has finalized their report of the visitation results. A copy of
the document was given to the Board. She encouraged the Board to read the report and
come with questions to the January meeting. Members of the School Improvement Team
will be available to review the highlights as well as answer questions. The new SIP
Team has started meeting and several members have attended a workshop in Omaha last
week at ESU #3 to gain information about the SIP process. North Central has joined with
another company and now is called AdvancED. The new process will be similar to the
old, still targeting improved student performance; however, there are now 7 criteria for
which a district will be held accountable. Don Fritz has agreed to continue to chair our
team as the External Leader. The new team includes co-chairs Lori Maxwell and
Charlene Brown, Ceresco members Dan Ingwersen and Lona Benes, Valparaiso members
Stacey Kopecky and Lori Maxwell and High School members Delores Smith, Mike
Scanlon, Mike Henderson and Julie Troelstrup. A Data Dig is scheduled for Thursday,
January 4th at the Valparaiso Elementary School. All data will be reviewed and prepared
for an all faculty review later in January so new student performance targets can be
identified. The committee is inviting a Board member to be a part of the team and also
looking for some community members to join. If interested, they are to contact Dr.
Gould.
Report on 8th Grade Student Needing Special A.D.A. Accommodations
Superintendent Oxley reported that we have an eighth grade student needing
special A.D.A. accommodations. He will be having hip surgery in late December. A
special ramp has been constructed at the door of the southwest math room door. Classes
that are held on the west side in other classrooms have been moved to the math room for
periods as needed.
Report on Bus Repairs in the Past Month – Phil Carlson
Phil Carlson reviewed the bus repairs for the past month. He reported that we
have a bus that is in need of a major overhaul. He also highlighted the projects that are
planned to be completed over the holiday break time.
Report on Progress of Underground Fuel Spill Inspection by Saberprobe
Superintendent Oxley reported that Saberprobe has submitted their Tier I Pre-
Investigation Assessment report on the underground fuel spill at the Junior-Senior High
School during the spring of 2005. The report has also been submitted to the Nebraska
Department of Environment Quality office.
Results of 2006 General Fund Election for Board of Education Members
The results of the November 2006 Board member elections were given to each
Board member. Jennifer Lorenzen, Kay Maresh, and new Board member Timothy White
were re-elected and elected for four (4) year terms.
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Action Items
“Work Agreement” Appointment for Grades 7-12 Speech/Language Arts Instructor for
the 2006-07 Second Semester.
There was no action taken as no Speech/Language Instructor has been hired as of
this date.
“Work Agreement” Appointment for Grades 7-12 Mathematics Instructor for the 2006-07
Second Semester
Motion by Grimes, second by Lorenzen to appoint Arnold Talero as ½ Time 7-12
Grade Mathematics Instructor on a work agreement for 2006-07 second semester. RCV
5-0. Motion carried.
Approval of New Mileage Rate $.485 Effective January 1, 2007
Motion by Lorenzen, second by Christensen to approve the rate new mileage rate
of $.485 effective January 1, 2007. RCV 5-0. Motion carried.
Approval of Snow Removal Bid
Motion by Lorenzen, second by Maresh to approve the rate of $100.00 an hour for
snow removal at the Ceresco Elementary Building with contractor yet to be determined.
RCV 5-0. Motion carried.
Revisit Date, Location, and Time for Board of Education Retreat
The Board approved the date of Saturday, January 6, 2007, at 8:30 A.M. to
approximately 12:00 Noon for a Board of Education Retreat in the Mustang Room at the
Junior-Senior High School.
Approval of Date and Time to Interview Architectural Firm
Motion by Maresh second by Grimes to interview architectural firms tentatively
on Wednesday, January 17, 2007, at 7:00 P.M. in the Mustang Room at the Junior-Senior
High School. RCV 5-0. Motion carried.
Approval of Surplus Items
None at this time.
Approval of Next Regular Board of Education Meeting Date
Motion by Maresh, second by Grimes to hold the next regular Board of Education
Meeting on January 15, 2007, at 7:00 P.M. in the Mustang Room at the Junior-Senior
High School. RCV 5-0. Motion carried.
Executive Session to Revisit Discipline Incident; to Review the Proposals of the Two
Fiscal Agents’ Firms; and to Review the Performance of the Superintendent of Schools.
Motion by Maresh, second by Ward to adjourn to executive session at 10:20 P.M.
to revisit discipline incident, to review the proposals of the two fiscal agents’ firms, and
to review the performance of the Superintendent of Schools. RCV 5-0. 5-0. Motion
carried.
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Return to Regular Session
Motion by Grimes, second by Ward to return to the regular meeting at 11:00 P.M.
RCV 5-0. Motion carried.
Approval of Fiscal Agent
No action was taken, will be on the January Agenda
Adjournment
Motion by Maresh, second by Christensen to adjourn the meeting at 11:00 P.M.
RCV 5-0. Motion carried.
The next regular meeting of the Raymond Central Public Schools Board of
Education meeting will be Monday, January 15, 2007, at 7:00 P.M. in the Mustang Room
at the Junior-Senior High School. A Board Retreat will be held on Saturday, January 6,
2007, at 8:30 A.M. in the Mustang Room at the Junior-Senior High School. A Special
Meeting will be held tentatively on Wednesday, January 17, 2007, at 7:00 P.M. in the
Mustang Room to interview architectural firms. Agendas may be reviewed prior to the
meeting.
06 December 18, 2006, BOE Minutes
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