BOARD OF EDUCATION REGULAR MEETING MONDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 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: Absent 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. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. 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 Matt Smith and Matt Bolton were present. 4. Request for Change of Agenda Discussion item 8.5 Superintendent Search was moved 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 Kelli Schweitzer and a second by Mike Hatfield. Matthew Hansen: Yea, Mike Hatfield: Yea, Shelly Lehr: Yea, Carol Schnell: Absent, 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 Shelly Lehr. Matthew Hansen: Yea, Mike Hatfield: Yea, Shelly Lehr: Yea, Carol Schnell: Absent, Kelli Schweitzer: Yea, Steve Vyhnalek: Yea Carol Schnell arrived at the meeting at 7:10 pm 7. Reports 7.1. Principal's Report Mr. Wiese shared that during Longhorn Line-up in October students wrote thank you notes to someone, and they wrote thank you notes to Veterans in November. The elementary excellence rally was October 25th, and the secondary rally was October 28th. Apply to College Day was a success, with 14 seniors applying to 35 colleges. Events happening soon are DVFD Fire Prevention Activities on November 13th, ASVAB testing for juniors on November 15th, and State Poet Matt Mason giving presentations on November 19th. 7.2. Superintendent's Report Dr. Cogswell discussed with the board that the Veteran's Day Program went well with good attendance from the community. Junior High Wrestlers had their first meet in Friend, and the junior high will perform their play on November 14th. He is starting to work on finding superintendent candidates. 8. Discussion Items 8.1. Committee on American Civics Dr. Cogswell talked about schoolwide activities done to promote American Civics. This included reciting the Pledge of Allegiance daily, our Patriots' Day & Veterans Day Programs, County Government Day, and seniors taking the Citizenship Test. 8.2. November Policy Review The board reviewed Policy #6021 District Criteria for Selecting Evaluators to be Used for Special Education Evaluation and Verification and Independent Educational Evaluations, Policy #6022 Section 504, Policy #6024 Student Discipline, Policy #6025 Student Cell Phone and Other Electronic Devices, and Policy #6026 Emergency Dismissal. 8.3. Staff Insurance Dr. Cogswell brought to the board a request from a staff member about insurance. 8.4. Negotiations The Negotiations Committee will meet on Thursday, November 14th at 7:15 am in the library. 8.5. Superintendent Search The Superintendent Search was moved to the last item on the agenda 9. Action Items 9.1. Competency-based Crediting for World Languages Motion to approve policy 6019, Competency-based Crediting for World Languages 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 9.2. Resignation Dr. Cogswell read his letter of resignation to the board. Motion to approve his resignation passed with a motion by Matthew Hansen and a second by Kelli Schweitzer. Matthew Hansen: Yea, Mike Hatfield: Yea, Shelly Lehr: Yea, Carol Schnell: Yea, Kelli Schweitzer: Yea, Steve Vyhnalek: Yea 10. Board Committee Report(s) 10.1. Negotiation Committee The next negotiation meeting will be on November 14th at 7:15 am in the library 11. Closed Session (as necessary per statute) Motion to move into closed session at 7:53 pm passed with a motion by Shelly Lehr and a second by Mike Hatfield. Matthew Hansen: Yea, Mike Hatfield: Yea, Shelly Lehr: Yea, Carol Schnell: Yea, Kelli Schweitzer: Yea, Steve Vyhnalek: Yea Motion to return to regular session at 8:24 pm passed with a motion by Matthew Hansen and a second by Carol Schnell. Matthew Hansen: Yea, Mike Hatfield: Yea, Shelly Lehr: Yea, Carol Schnell: Yea, Kelli Schweitzer: Yea, Steve Vyhnalek: Yea 12. Establish Future Board of Education Meeting Date(s) and Time(s) The next scheduled board meeting is Monday, December 9th at 7:00 pm 13. Adjourn Motion to adjourn at 8:27 pm passed with a motion by Kelli Schweitzer and a second by Carol Schnell. 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 — November 27, 2024 ZNEZ
