Board asked to change comment timing

by Stephanie Iwan Flamme
Published 7/21/21

The July 15 North Bend Central School Board meeting opened with public comment. Pat Tawney addressed the Board and more than twenty stakeholders attending the meeting.

Tawney requested that the board ask for public comments when an agenda item is brought before the board, not prior to beginning the agenda.

“This is the time that the board should call for discussion,” Tawney said. “It is the job of elected officials to listen and ask questions.”

According to Tawney, last month’s issues brought out a lot of concerned people to the meeting and patrons should be able to voice their concerns in a comfortable place.

Board member Justin Taylor advocated that the board move in that direction because by doing so, those wishing to speak to the board would feel respected. It would also allow the board to get current information.

“Before making a motion on an agenda item, there’s open comment. It might influence your decision” Tawney said.

President Dan Wesely commented that the board would look into the options for presenting public comment.

During the meeting the board prepared for the 2021-2022 school year.

New hires for the coming school year include elementary nurse Beth Vrana, district maintenance director Mike Murray, high school custodian Tracy Schwanebeck and paras DeAnn Souza, Amy Voss, Mary Engelhart and Callie Goertz.

Doug Hoops presented the team builder committee update. The process would take about two years and would be set up to build trust by listening to all of the stakeholders: teachers, staff, students, parents and community members. The committee’s recommendation was to contract with consultant Les Duomo from Iowa, as he had a definitive plan and cost. The board voted to proceed with the team building plan by contracting Duomo.

A change in the proposed calendar was discussed. Due to the Big 10 Wrestling Tournament being held in Lincoln in March 2022, the NSAA state basketball tournament for both boys and girls will be run concurrently. The proposal to move the non-school days in March to March 7, 8, and 9 with March 8 or 9 serving as the in-service date was voted upon favorably and the calendar was amended. It was also noted that August 17 will be the first day of school for students with a 1:30 p.m. dismissal.

With state and federal reimbursements of $385,711.80 for the school lunch program, prices for lunches will not change.

“All student lunches will be free again this next year,” superintendent Dan Endorf said.

Caryn Ziettlow, ESU 2 Professional Developer, presented school improvement process plans. She reviewed Cognia, which the district had been using, but this would have to be aligned with the new Nebraska Department of Education framework. She also pointed out that the Cognia plan basically focuses on the secondary level and the elementary would need to be addressed and added to the process.

The NDE process would be teacher led with one secondary and one elementary co-chair and supported by school teams.

“It would be a professional learning process building on strengths,” Ziettlow said.

Ziettlow would facilitate the reviewing and revision of improvement goals and improvement strategies, data related to school improvement goals, and the development of a comprehensive needs assessment.

The board voted to adopt the NDE framework for school improvement.

The board also released a call for bids for property/casualty insurance coverage.

The 2021-2022 COVID-19 Return to School Plan was presented. Bob Fuerer explained that since NBC was open last year, the school is already prepared to meet The American Rescue Plan Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief guidelines.

“We’re expecting to go back to school like we did three years ago,” Endorf said, “We’re planning on starting in the green (lowest on the COVID risk dial), and staying in the green, unless something changes.”

Since materials for the elementary roof are scheduled to arrive Aug, 8, installation will begin with their arrival and the project will proceed as soon as possible.

A review and a first reading of recommended board policies was completed.
The next meeting will be Aug. 9 in the Board of Education Room.

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