OFFICIAL MINUTES, BOARD OF EDUCATIONAL SERVICE UNIT NO. 13 

Tuesday – April 15, 2008                     ESU #13 Center – 4215 Avenue I, Scottsbluff, NE 

The regular meeting of the Board of Educational Service Unit No. 13 was called to order by President Ray Richards on Tuesday, April 15, 2008, at 7:00 PM at the ESU #13 Center, 4215 Avenue I, Scottsbluff, Nebraska.  Previous public notice was given in the Star-Herald on April 12, 2008.  Agendas were mailed/delivered to the Board April 10, 2008. 

President made reference to the Nebraska Open Meetings Act as posted on the wall of the meeting room. 

Present:         Don Egging, Bill Knapper, Tom Millette, Cash Ostrander, Phyllis Pebley, Ray

                        Richards, Mark Sinner, Rosalene Tollman, Keith Wiederspan, Marilyn Wimmer,

                        Terry Miller-Administrator, Marsha Hegwood-Business Manager, and Doris

                        Christensen-Clerk/Treasurer.  Audience:  Jim Copley, Sandy White.           

Absent:          Patricia Dobry, Rachel Smith.                       

Moved by Pebley, seconded by Tollman, that absent Board members be excused (Patricia Dobry, Rachel Smith).  Aye:  Egging, Knapper, Millette, Ostrander, Pebley, Richards, Sinner, Tollman, Wiederspan, Wimmer.  Nay:  none.  Absent:  Dobry, Smith.  Carried.           

Moved by Ostrander, seconded by Egging, that the agenda be approved as listed.  Aye: Egging, Knapper, Millette, Ostrander, Pebley, Richards, Sinner, Tollman, Wiederspan, Wimmer.  Nay:  none.  Absent:  Smith, Dobry.  Carried.           

Moved by Ostrander, seconded by Pebley, that consent action items be approved (minutes of regular meeting, treasurer’s report, budget report, claims for disbursement).  Aye: Knapper, Millette, Ostrander, Pebley, Richards, Sinner, Tollman, Wiederspan, Wimmer, Egging.  Nay:  none.  Absent:  Smith, Dobry.  Carried.   The following General Fund claims were approved for payment: 

Calendar:

1.     Tuesday, May 20, 2008 – next regular Board meeting  – ESU #13 Center – 6:30 PM.

2. Thursday, May 8, 2008 – Meridian Spring Music Program – ESU #13 Center – 1:30 PM

Public Forum:  Sandy White, Media Director, reported that online media catalog system is going well and thanked the Board for giving them the opportunity to pursue this project.  Training of users is still necessary and that will be the focus for 2008-2009.  By the fall of 2009, our goal is to replace the current delivery system with postal mail system. 

Reports:

1. 2008-2009 Menu of Services:

·         This document is a comprehensive listing of ESU #13 programs and services and their funding sources.  Delivery of such centers around technology (emphasized by cover).

·         The Menu of Services will be presented to the Superintendents next Wednesday at which time they will be asked to approve the programs and services and recommend them to the ESU #13 Board for funding.  (This fulfills § 79-1204, “ESUs shall act primarily as service agencies in providing core services and services identified and requested by two-thirds of member districts representing a majority of students.”

2. Legislative Bills of Interest:

·         LB 1157:  Puts an end to STARS testing and supports a uniform standardized testing model to measure academic progress.

·         The plan calls for statewide reading test in 2009-10 and statewide math test in 2010-11 given to grades 3^rd – 8^th and one high school grade.  In 2011-12 a statewide science test would be given in at least one elementary, middle school and high school grade.

·         Dr. Doug Christensen has resigned his position as Commissioner of Education.

·         LB 1154:  Beginning July 1, 2008, ESUs may exceed the budget lid to 110% of need.  Financial information will be forthcoming from Russ Inbody, NDE.

·         Much controversy exists over Learning Communities and litigation is pending (Sarpy County).

·         LB 988:  ESUs will no longer be allowed to exempt from the levy lid insurance bonding obligations to pay health insurance premiums.

3. ESU #13/WNCC Project Update:

·         Subcontractors submit progress reports at Facilities Committee Meetings.

·         Concrete floor is being poured.

·         Bidding process will begin to acquire furniture.

·         Interlocal generated revenue by selling dirt, and we have the opportunity to sell more.

4. “School Board as Judge and Jury”:

·         Attorneys did a good job of presenting information that was easily understood.

·         It was a “descent review” of information.

·         Caution in enforcing policies/procedures is always emphasized.

5. Negotiations:

·         First meeting between Board and ESUEA will be held Tuesday, April 22, 1008, at 6:00 PM. 

Old Business: 

Moved by Wiederspan, seconded by Egging, that the request to hire additional staff for VALTS and on-line education programs be approved.  Aye:  Millette, Ostrander, Pebley, Richards, Sinner, Tollman, Wiederspan, Wimmer, Egging, Knapper.  Nay:  none.  Absent:  Smith, Dobry.  Carried.           

Moved by Sinner, seconded by Wimmer, that the recommendation to use North Central Association-Advance ED for Unit Improvement process be approved.  Aye:  Ostrander, Pebley, Richards, Sinner, Tollman, Wiederspan, Wimmer, Egging, Knapper, Millette.  Nay:  none.  Absent:  Smith, Dobry.  Carried.

(Note:  Knapper has suggested that the ESU #13 Board develop a three-year plan and a five-year plan this fall.)           

New Business:   

Moved by Knapper, seconded by Wimmer, that the request from McDermott & Miller to conduct ESU #13 audit for fiscal year ending August 31, 2008, be approved.  Aye:  Pebley, Richards, Simmer, Tollman, Wimmer, Knapper, Millette.  Nay:  Wiederspan, Egging, Ostrander.  Absent:  Smith, Dobry.  Carried.           

Moved by Richards, seconded by Ostrander, that the employee Notice of Appointment with Kayla Wood be approved.  Aye:  Richards, Sinner, Tollman, Wiederspan, Wimmer, Egging, Knapper, Millette, Ostrander, Pebley.  Nay:  none.  Absent:  Smith, Dobry.  Carried.           

Moved by Sinner, seconded by Tollman, that the above-listed minutes be approved as read.  Aye:  Sinner, Tollman, Wiederspan, Wimmer, Egging, Knapper, Millette, Ostrander, Pebley, Richards.  Nay:   none.  Absent:  Smith, Dobry.  Carried.           

President declared regular meeting adjourned.  Next regular meeting will be held Tuesday, May 20, 2008, at 6:30 PM at the ESU #13 Center, 4215 Avenue I, Scottsbluff, Nebraska.

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