November 12, 2007
November 15, 2007
November 12, 2007
The Crete Board of Education met on November 12, 2007 at 6:30 p.m. at the Crete Administration Building at 920 Linden Avenue for their regular meeting. Board members present were Dennis Isernhagen, Tom King, Laura Ebke, Matt Hanson, Kim Buser, and Bill Lorenz. Also present were Superintendent Kyle McGowan, Principals Tim Conway, Kim Jacobson, and Bret Schroder, Assistant Principals Diane Bruha and Steve Teget, Curriculum Director Valorie Foy, and Business Manager Sandra Rosenboom, and interested members of the community.
The meeting, having been duly preceded by advance notice and in compliance with the open meetings law, was called to order by President Hanson at 6:34 p.m.
Motion #115-07 Laura Ebke moved to approve the following consent items--minutes of the October meeting: General Fund Claims in the amount of $150,893.81, Depreciation Fund Claims in the amount of $83.61, and Employee Benefits Claims in the amount of $258.10 and approve the monthly financial reports. Tom King seconded the motion. On roll call: Voting Aye: Isernhagen, Ebke, Buser, King, Hanson, Lorenz. Voting Nay: None. Motion carried: 6-0.
Kyle McGowan informed the board that Julie Viger has been hired for food service and Barb Hernandez-Powers has resigned. This week is American Education Week. Food is being delivered from the Board to each building in appreciation to the work the staff does. The NASB Convention is this week. Board members will be attending Thursday and Friday.
Larry Hoback, network manager, presented information on the NDG Mobile messaging system that will be piloted. Parents may sign-up and receive text messages on their wireless devices, including mobile phones, wireless PDA’s and pagers, email messages, and voice messages. This service will assist in communicating with families for a variety of reasons including emergency situations.
Motion #116-07 Laura Ebke moved to move items 8 and 9 forward in the agenda. Bill Lorenz seconded the motion. On roll call: Voting Aye: Isernhagen, Ebke, Buser, King, Hanson, Lorenz. Voting Nay: None. Motion carried: 6-0.
The foreign language department presented information for the Spanish and German language classes taught in Crete. Stacey McGonegle, elementary Spanish teacher, told about what students learn at each grade level in the elementary. Betty Diaz, middle school and Spanish 1 teacher told about middle school classes. Janet Eckerson, high school teacher, told about the high school classes. These classes now include an AP Spanish class that includes literature and more writing. Spanish for Native speakers classes are also offered to teach native Spanish speakers Spanish grammar, reading, and writing. Julie Schumacher talked about the German classes offered and gave some of the benefits of learning a second language.
Members of the World Language Club told about their trip last summer. Sixteen students and several adults went on the trip. The cost of the trip was $3,800. They requested that the board approve another trip in two years.
Motion #117-07 Laura Ebke moved to approve the request of the World Language Club to plan a European trip for the summer of 2009. Tom King seconded the motion. On roll call: Voting Aye: Isernhagen, Ebke, Buser, King, Hanson, Lorenz. Voting Nay: None. Motion carried: 6-0.
Valorie Foy presented information on the seventh annual State Report Card. She discussed Crete’s reading, writing, and math scores on the criterion-referenced tests. She also reviewed the norm-referenced and other test scores, demographics and other district information. The district received exemplary ratings on the quality of the assessments, and in the number of students assessed and meeting the math, reading, and writing standards. Board members asked questions and discussed the meaning of different results.
Steve Teget presented the fall activity participation report. Percentages of students involved in activities have remained about the same as previous years. Seventh grade was the one with the highest participation at 73% of students in activities, and 10th grade has the lowest participation in fall sports at 43%.
Kyle McGowan reported that Crete Public Schools received a Certificate of Recognition from the Nebraska Association of School Boards for parent involvement.
Kyle McGowan also reported that ALICAP has recognized the district for its preventative loss control program and thanked the staff for their efforts in accident prevention.
Motion #118-07 Laura Ebke moved to accept the snow removal bid from Tim Conway and Scott Johnson. Bill Lorenz seconded the motion. On roll call: Voting Aye: Isernhagen, Ebke, Buser, King, Hanson, Lorenz. Voting Nay: None. Motion carried: 6-0.
Motion #119-07 Laura Ebke moved to approve the issuance of a local substitute certificate to April Schierling. Kim Buser seconded the motion. On roll call: Voting Aye: Isernhagen, Ebke, Buser, King, Hanson, Lorenz. Voting Nay: None. Motion carried: 6-0.
Motion #120-07 Laura Ebke moved to approve the Educational Telecommunications Services Agreement with Galaxy Cable, Inc. and Dark Fiber Solutions, Inc. Dennis Isernhagen seconded the motion. On roll call: Voting Aye: Isernhagen, Ebke, Buser, King, Hanson, Lorenz. Voting Nay: None. Motion carried: 6-0.
Motion #121-07 Laura Ebke moved to adjourn at 8:47 p.m. Tom King seconded the motion. On roll call: Voting Aye: Isernhagen, Ebke, Hanson, Buser, King, Lorenz. Voting Nay: None. Motion carried: 6-0.
Attest:_______________________________ Signed:_________________________________
(Secretary) (President)
Minutes subject to final approval at next months meeting.
