April 14, 2008
by Sandy Rosenboom
April 23, 2008
April 14, 2008
The Crete Board of Education met on April 14, 2008 at 6:30 p.m. at the Administration Office at 920 Linden Avenue for their regular meeting. Board members present were Dennis Isernhagen, Tom King, Kim Buser, Bill Lorenz, Laura Ebke, and Matt Hanson. Also present were Superintendent Kyle McGowan, Principals Tim Conway, Bret Schroder, and Kim Jacobson, Assistant Principals Steve Teget and Diane Bruha, 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 conducted in accordance with the posted open meetings law, was called to order by President Hanson at 6:32 p.m.
Motion #45-08 Laura Ebke moved to approve the following consent items--minutes of the February meeting, General Fund Claims in the amount of $169,165.61, Depreciation Fund claims in the amount of $1,918.11, and Employee Benefits Fund claim in the amount of $267.00, and approve the monthly financial reports. Kim Buser seconded the motion. On roll call: Voting Aye: Hanson, Isernhagen, King, Lorenz, Ebke, Buser. Voting Nay: None. Motion carried: 6-0.
Kyle McGowan informed the board that Tracey Haller, Shari Eberspacher, and Jeannette Franco have resigned, Judy Kotas and Chris Pickard has been hired as TeamMates Coordinators, and Laura Lauenroth has been hired as a middle school secretary. The group observed a moment of silence for the Strilkivsky family and their loss in a tragic car accident.
Kathy Lenertz, Jennene Anderson, Mike Morris, and Eric Fahrlander presented information about the district’s music program. They told about the amount of time the students spend in chorus, the programs they present, and the special groups for which the students audition, eight high school students were chosen for the regional honor choir and four for the all-state chorus. At the middle school general music, music cultures, and world drumming are exploratory courses for students who are not in band. At the high school there are four band groups—concert band, marching band, jazz band, and pep band.
Kyle McGowan and the Building and Grounds Committee informed the board about the possible purchase of portable classrooms in an effort to reduce class size and some overcrowding. Sealed bids are being taken by Lincoln Public Schools as they are selling some extras that they no longer need. One portable is needed at the elementary and one is needed at the middle school.
Kyle McGowan opened the discussion on the K-12 reading curriculum. He briefly discussed the process and the selection of Reading Mastery. Tom King, chair of the Curriculum Committee said the committee had received the recommendation from the administration, listened to input from various teachers and others. Valorie Foy summarized the proposal and submitted a written synopsis which detailed the cost for reading instructional materials and implementation plan. Reading Mastery is proposed for preschool to 6th grade. Advanced level grades 4 and 5 will do novels study. McDougall is proposed for Grades 6-8 students who are not in Reading Mastery. Grades 9-11 at the high school will use Prentice Hall. Kyle McGowan introduced three staff from Gering Public Schools. Audrea Boden, Reading Specialist, Jadie Beam, teacher, and Pam Barker, Gering principal, shared their experience with Reading Mastery and fielded questions. Matt Buser, Rick Blessen, J. L. Vertin, Amy Braunberger, Vicki Rethmeier, Bill Rethmeier, Julie Kozisek, Doug Drevo, Janet Bohaty, and Brenda Kuncl spoke stating their opinions about Reading Mastery. Questions were asked and answered in the discussion of the reading curriculum adoption.
Motion #46-08 Laura Ebke moved to implement the proposed reading curriculum with Reading Mastery Preschool through 6th grade, McDougall for grades 6-8, and Prentice Hall for grades 9-11. Dennis Isernhagen seconded the motion. On roll call: Voting Aye: Hanson, Isernhagen, , Lorenz, Ebke, Buser. Voting Nay: King. Motion carried: 5-1.
Motion #47-08 Laura Ebke moved to accept the donation of a strip of land on the west side of the middle school from Ron Sack. Dennis Isernhagen seconded the motion. On roll call: Voting Aye: Hanson, Isernhagen, King, Lorenz, Ebke, Buser. Voting Nay: None. Motion carried: 6-0.
Motion #48-08 Laura Ebke moved to approve the hiring of an additional resource teacher for the 2008-09 school. Kim Buser seconded the motion. On roll call: Voting Aye: Hanson, Isernhagen, King, Lorenz, Ebke, Buser. Voting Nay: None. Motion carried: 6-0.
Motion #49-08 Laura Ebke moved to approve the issuance of a local substitute certificate for Chelsee Marvin. Dennis Isernhagen seconded the motion. On roll call: Voting Aye: Hanson, Isernhagen, King, Lorenz, Ebke, Buser. Voting Nay: None. Motion carried: 6-0.
Motion #50-08 Laura Ebke moved to approve contracts for 2008-09 school year for Kile Cain at BA Step 1, Jenny Smith at BA Step 5, and Andrea Lamb Hicks at BA Step 3. Dennis Isernhagen seconded the motion. On roll call: Voting Aye: Hanson, Isernhagen, King, Lorenz, Ebke, Buser. Voting Nay: None. Motion carried: 6-0.
Motion #51-08 Laura Ebke moved to approve contracts for the 2008-09 school year for Aaron Wagoner at BA Step 1, Jill Shaw at BA Sep 2, Brent Cain at MA Step 1, and Emily Wisch at BA Step 1. Bill Lorenz seconded the motion. On roll call: Voting Aye: Hanson, Isernhagen, King, Lorenz, Ebke, Buser. Voting Nay: None. Motion carried: 6-0.
Motion #52-08 Laura Ebke moved to approve contracts for the 2008-09 school year for Ashlee Rickert at BA Step 1 and Katie Wright at BA Step 4. Kim Buser seconded the motion. On roll call: Voting Aye: Hanson, Isernhagen, King, Lorenz, Ebke, Buser. Voting Nay: None. Motion carried: 6-0.
Motion #53-08 Laura Ebke moved to approve to a contract for the 2008-09 school year for Jim Moore as Activity Director. Kim Buser seconded the motion. On roll call: Voting Aye: Hanson, Isernhagen, King, Lorenz, Ebke, Buser. Voting Nay: None. Motion carried: 6-0.
Motion #54-08 Laura Ebke moved to approve the resignation of Marla Wademan to be effective at the end of the 2007-08 school year. Dennis Isernhagen seconded the motion. On roll call: Voting Aye: Hanson, Isernhagen, King, Lorenz, Ebke, Buser. Voting Nay: None. Motion carried: 6-0.
Motion #55-08 Laura Ebke moved to approve the resignation of Sara Teetor to be effective at the end of the 2007-08 school year. Tom King seconded the motion. On roll call: Voting Aye: Hanson, Isernhagen, King, Lorenz, Ebke, Buser. Voting Nay: None. Motion carried: 6-0.
Motion #56-08 Laura Ebke moved to approve the resignation of Julia Mc Donald to be effective at the end of the 2007-08 school year. Kim Buser seconded the motion. On roll call: Voting Aye: Hanson, Isernhagen, King, Lorenz, Ebke, Buser. Voting Nay: None. Motion carried: 6-0.
Motion #57-08 Laura Ebke moved to enter executive session at 11:02 p.m. Kim Buser seconded the motion. On roll call: Voting Aye: Hanson, Isernhagen, King, Lorenz, Ebke, Buser. Voting Nay: None. Motion carried: 6-0.
Motion #58-08 Tom King moved to exit executive session at 11:30 p.m. Bill Lorenz seconded the motion. On roll call: Voting Aye: Hanson, Isernhagen, King, Lorenz, Ebke, Buser. Voting Nay: None. Motion carried: 6-0.
Motion #59-08 Dennis Isernhagen moved to adjourn the meeting at 11:31 p.m. Bill Lorenz seconded the motion. On roll call: Voting Aye: Hanson, Isernhagen, Ebke, Voting Nay: None. Motion carried: 6-0.
Attest:_______________________________ Signed:_________________________________
(Secretary) (President)
