BOARD OF EDUCATION REGULAR MEETING MONDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2024 7:00 PM PUBLIC SCHOOL LIBRARY 506 W. 9TH STREET DORCHESTER, NE 68343-0007 Notice of the time and place of the Dorchester Board of Education meeting was published in a newspaper of general circulation within the district. Newspapers of general circulation in the district include, but are not necessarily limited to, the Crete News, the Lincoln Journal Star, or the Omaha World-Herald. Notice is also posted in at least three prominent places within the school district which may include the following: Dorchester Public Schools, Farmers Coop, First State Bank, and the Village Office. Individual board members received in advance the meeting agenda and meeting materials. Pursuant to Section 84-1412 of the Nebraska Statutes, the public is hereby informed that a current copy of the Nebraska Open Meetings Act is posted in the Board meeting boardroom. Matthew Hansen: Present Mike Hatfield: Present Shelly Lehr: Present Carol Schnell: Present Kelli Schweitzer: Present Steve Vyhnalek: Present 1. Call to Order and Announce Open Meetings Act Verification The regular board meeting was called to order by President Steve Vyhnalek at 7:00 pm with all board members present. He confirmed the advanced notice to the public of the meeting date and agenda. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all. 2. Roll Call Also present were Superintendent Curt Cogswell, Principal Jake Wiese, and Jen Feeken. 3. Receive Visitors and Announce Open Forum for Public Comment No visitors present. 4. Request for Change of Agenda No request for change of agenda. 5. Approval of the Minutes of the Last Meeting(s) Motion to approve the reading of the last meeting minutes passed with a motion by Shelly Lehr and a second by Matthew Hansen. Matthew Hansen: Yea, Mike Hatfield: Yea, Shelly Lehr: Yea, Carol Schnell: Yea, Kelli Schweitzer: Yea, Steve Vyhnalek: Yea 6. Financial Report Motion to approve the financial report passed with a motion by Matthew Hansen and a second by Mike Hatfield. Matthew Hansen: Yea, Mike Hatfield: Yea, Shelly Lehr: Yea, Carol Schnell: Yea, Kelli Schweitzer: Yea, Steve Vyhnalek: Yea 7. Reports 7.1. Principal's Report Mr. Wiese reported that staff attended the Blue River Cohort at Exeter-Milligan. Professional development this month will include instructional model work and scheduling for next year. Upcoming events include parent-teacher conferences, longhorn line-up, and K-6 reading coaching. 7.2. Superintendent's Report Mr. Cogswell shared highlights from the month with the girls basketball team placing 3rd at the CRC basketball tournament in York and wrestlers placing at the CRC wrestling tournament. The speech team started their season and 10 students participated in the CRC Junior High Honor Choir. Upcoming events include Dorchester hosting a Child Find night on February 22nd and an ESSA Compliance meeting on February 28th. Pinnacle Bank will be creating a Dorchester Longhorn debit card. Mr. Cogswell also stated that he has been asked to be a part of a school external visit on February 26th and 27th. 8. Discussion Items 8.1. Review Board Policies - 6004, 6005, 6006, 6007, 6008 and #6009 The board reviewed policies #6004, #6005, #6006, #6007, #6008, and #6009. Policy #6004 is Curriculum Development. This policy states that curriculum must align with state standards. Policy #6005 is Academic Credits and Graduation. This policy sets forth the requirements for graduation. Policy #6006 is Commencement Ceremony. This policy states that students who have completed graduation requirements are allowed to participate in commencement exercises. Policy #6007 is Senior Recognition. This policy states that honor graduates will be given an honor medallion and that the Valedictorian and Salutatorian will be determined upon final completion of all courses. Policy #6008 is Class Rank. This policy defines how a student's class rank is determined. Policy #6009 is Grade Placement of Transfer Students. This policy defines how a student's grade will be determined. 8.2. State Apportionment Payment Dorchester Public School has received $35,489 from the State Apportionment Payment. This payment is based on the census of children ages 5 to 18 living in the school district. 8.3. CTE Funding Dorchester Public School has received a $7,500 CTE grant. Mr. Bruha ordered equipment for the shop and Mrs. Tachovsky will pay for students to attend the FBLA State Leadership Conference. 8.4. Shot Clock It appears that the NSAA is going to adopt the shot clock for basketball next year. Mr. Cogswell is looking into pricing for a shot clock. 8.5. Board Election Filing Board Member Incumbents must file by February 15th. 8.6. State Aid The projected State Aid Model for next year has Dorchester's State Aid going from $503,514 to $592,441 for an increase of $88,927. 8.7. Staffing Mr. Cogswell informed the board that due to a student's needs, an additional para needed to be hired. 8.8. Legislative Update: Mr. Cogswell shared current legislative updates. 9. Action Items 9.1. Twin River's Application to the CRC Twin Rivers Public School has made an application to the Crossroads Conference. Motion to vote to approve Twin Rivers Public School for admission to the Crossroads Conference failed with a motion by Shelly Lehr and a second by Matthew Hansen. Matthew Hansen: Nay, Mike Hatfield: Nay, Shelly Lehr: Nay, Carol Schnell: Nay, Kelli Schweitzer: Nay, Steve Vyhnalek: Nay. 9.2. Consider Approving Membership in the Nebraska Association of School Boards Motion to approve continued membership in the Nebraska Association of School Boards passed with a motion by Kelli Schweitzer and a second by Mike Hatfield. Matthew Hansen: Yea, Mike Hatfield: Yea, Shelly Lehr: Yea, Carol Schnell: Yea, Kelli Schweitzer: Yea, Steve Vyhnalek: Yea 9.3. Consider the contract and salary for Principal Motion to go into closed session at 8:22 pm to discuss the contract and salary for the principal passed with a motion by Carol Schnell and a second by Matthew Hansen. Matthew Hansen: Yea, Mike Hatfield: Yea, Shelly Lehr: Yea, Carol Schnell: Yea, Kelli Schweitzer: Yea, Steve Vyhnalek: Yea Motion to come out of closed session at 8:39 pm passed with a motion by Carol Schnell and a second by Matthew Hansen. Matthew Hansen: Yea, Mike Hatfield: Yea, Shelly Lehr: Yea, Carol Schnell: Yea, Kelli Schweitzer: Yea, Steve Vyhnalek: Yea Motion to approve the contract and salary for Principal Jake Wiese passed with a motion by Carol Schnell and a second by Matthew Hansen. Matthew Hansen: Yea, Mike Hatfield: Yea, Shelly Lehr: Yea, Carol Schnell: Yea, Kelli Schweitzer: Yea, Steve Vyhnalek: Yea 10. Board Committee Report(s) There were no board committee reports. 11. Establish Future Board of Education Meeting Date(s) and Time(s) The next scheduled board meeting is Monday, March 11 at 7:00 pm. 12. Adjourn Motion to adjourn at 8:43 pm passed with a motion by Matthew Hansen and a second by Mike Hatfield. Matthew Hansen: Yea, Mike Hatfield: Yea, Shelly Lehr: Yea, Carol Schnell: Yea, Kelli Schweitzer: Yea, Steve Vyhnalek: Yea Mike Hatfield, Secretary of the Board of Education CR — February 21, 2024 ZNEZ
