REGULAR MEETING
April 16, 2012
ATTENDANCE
The Board of Education of the School District of the City of Hastings, in the County of
Adams, in the State of Nebraska, held a regular session at the City Hall, 220 North
Hastings Avenue, Hastings, Nebraska, at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, April 16, 2012. The
meeting was advertised in the Hastings Tribune on Wednesday,
April 11. The meeting was called to order by President Jessica Meeske. Other
attendance was as follows:
Members
Present:
Others
Present:
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Jim Boeve
John Bonham
Brent Gollner
Jim Heyen
Jane Kleeb
Matt Pershing
Shayne Raitt
Laura Schneider
Craig Kautz, Superintendent
Jeff Schneider, Director of Finance and Operations
Chad Dumas, Director of Curriculum, Instruction,
Assessment
Trent Kelly, Director of Technology and Operations
Jay Opperman, Principal, Hastings High School
David Essink, Principal, Hastings Middle School
Lawrence Tunks, Principal, Alcott Elementary School
Ann Auten, Principal, Hawthorne Elementary Schoo
Hannah Seagren
Lauren Miller
Miranda Sabater-Wilbur
Tiamin Pan
Danielle Carpenter
Angelina Gerhards
Kyle Beaman
Michael Hull
Connie Franzen
Deanna Dirks
LaRee Lowry
Jennifer Clancy
Phyllis Hawes
John Richard Hawes
James Widhelm
Kay Widhelm
Joan Primrose
and
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Kelly Koff
Russ Kulwicki
Becki Kulwicki
Ruth Nicolaus
Mike Tebbe
Loretta Tebbe
Connie Consbruck
Larry Consburck
Beverly McIntosh
Phil Odom
Robert Sands
Susie Sands
Cynthia Lewis
Ron Lewis
Linda Walsh
John Walsh
Charleen Gleason
Kelly Crawford
Erica Jenkins
Becky Katzberg
Deb Lyons
Amber Schultz
Jan Herbek
Branden Baxter
Lacritia Spanel
Kirk Ortegran
Pete Theoharis
Rod Tickle
Bruce Mooers
Tom Jurgensmeier
Robert Hrnchir
Patricia Hrnchir
Chuck Conrad
Zach Spurgeon
Beverly Russ
Ron Skrdla
Matt Sass
Cody Jackson
Christi Hrnchir
Aggie Tompkins
Kristin Slechta
Alex Thayer
Marilyn Busboom
Dave Witt, HEA
Shay Burk, Hastings Tribune
Kristin Friesen, Public Access Channel 12
Tyson Havranek, KHAS/KICS Radio
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President Jessica Meeske reminded the public that a complete copy of the Open
Meetings Act was posted on the south wall of the City Council Chambers. Copies of
the law were also available for the public.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A motion was made by Heyen and seconded by Raitt to approve the minutes of the
March 15 Work Session and the March 19 Board Meeting. Upon a roll call vote,
members voting “aye” were Boeve, Bonham, Gollner, Heyen, Kleeb, Meeske,
Pershing, Raitt, and Schneider. Members voting “nay” none. Motion carried 9-0.
PAYMENT OF EXPENDITURES
It was moved by Pershing and seconded by Kleeb to approve the payment of
expenditures in the amount of $3,181,968.47 for the month of March 2012 minus
claims #105258, #105353, and #105430. Upon a roll call vote, members voting “aye”
were Boeve, Bonham, Gollner, Heyen, Kleeb, Meeske, Pershing, Raitt, and
Schneider. Members voting “nay” none. Motion carried 9-0.
It was moved by Pershing and seconded by Kleeb to approve claims #105258 and
#105353. Upon a roll call vote, members voting “aye” were Boeve, Bonham, Gollner,
Heyen, Kleeb, Meeske, Pershing, and Schneider. Members voting “nay” none. Raitt
abstained. Motion carried 8-0 with 1 abstention.
It was moved by Pershing and seconded by Kleeb to approve claim #105430. Upon a
roll call vote, members voting “aye” were Boeve, Bonham, Gollner, Kleeb, Meeske,
Pershing, Raitt, and Schneider. Members voting “nay” none. Heyen abstained.
Motion carried 8-0 with 1 abstention.
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT – None
CORRESPONDENCE - None
BOARD OF EDUCATION REPORT
Phil Odom, representing the Hastings Valley Scottish Rite of Free Masonry,
presented certificates to the 2012 Educator of the Year nominees: Robin Bailey,
Jennifer Clancy, Kelly Crawford, Gwen Davidson, Jan Herbek, Erica Jenkins, Becky
Katzberg, Todd Kiplinger, Becki Kulwicki, Cynthia Lewis, Ronda Loetterle, Laree
Lowry, Chelsey Mangers, Ann Mays, Kirk Ortegren, Julie Parker, Susie Sands, Amber
Schultz, Kristen Slechta, Lacritia Spanel, Pete Theoharis, Rodney Tickle, Mike
Trindle, and April White. Mr. Odom shared that the winner of the Educator of the
Year Award will receive a $1,000 check from the Scottish Rite to be used to further
his/her education or utilize for classroom use. He thanked the Board, staff, and
teachers for their dedication to education. Superintendent Kautz explained the
nomination process and added that, outside of Omaha Public Schools, Hastings
Public Schools has had more finalists/winners of the coveted state award than any
other school district.
SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT
Under Good News, Superintendent Kautz reported on the following:
The District has had very positive feedback from the Skills USA Competition. Senior
High students Chris Lundquist received a second place medal in Oxyacetylene
Welding and Cutting, Cole Fischer received a second place medal in Precision
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Machining Technology, and Scott Hagan Koci received a third place medal in
Automotive Service.
The following students received honors in this year’s Nebraska Press Women High
School Journalism Contest. First-place winners are invited to attend NPW’s spring
convention at Peru State College. The students are: Opinion, second, Kelsey
Christensen; News, second, Wyatt Davis; Feature, first, Grace Kelly; Sports,
honorable mention, Emily Zysset; Columns, first, Hailey Hemenway; Feature Photo,
third, Megan Reiners; Graphics/Photo Illustration, third, Tori Halloran; Single-Page
Layout, second, Wyatt Davis, third, Haley Hemenway; Double-Truck Layout, first,
Kelsey Christensen; Video News, first, Shane Samuelson; Video Feature, first,
Shane Samuelson; Yearbook, first, Kelli Poplau. Cathy Davis is the Journalism
Adviser/English Instructor.
Hastings High German teacher Pat Vogel received compliments and congratulations
from the Nebraska Association of Teachers of German for having four of his students
place at the 70th percentile or above on the National German Examination. Alyssa
Ziemba, Jared Fischer, and Cesshandra Davis were honored at an Awards
Reception at UNO on April 14. And, the outstanding news, Alyssa Ziemba has been
awarded an all-expenses-paid trip to Germany by the American Association of
Teachers of German. She was one of 39 students across the nation to receive this
honor.
Senior High staff and students donated 66 pints of blood during the March blood
drive.
Twenty-eight Hastings High students are History Day winners and now qualify for
State History Day on April 21.
Over 500 pieces of art by 400 students of Hastings Public Schools are now on
display at the Hastings Museum. Be sure to visit the HPS Student Art Show to see
these impressive pieces. The show will run through April 24.
In 1991, Dr. John Pershing instituted an Excellence in Academics Award to recognize
the top female and male graduating seniors (G.P.A.) from each elementary school.
That tradition has been carried on by his son, Dr. Matt Pershing. This year’s top
female and male seniors are: Alcott-Tressa Gloystein and Christopher Lundquist;
Hawthorne-Kelli Poplau, Julia Warrick, and Ryan DeBoer; Lincoln-Vickie Hartman
and Matthew Geiger; Longfellow-Hailey Hemenway and Stephen Gnagy; MortonEmily Shuck and Cole Fischer; and Watson-Lauren Bliss and Thomas Portwood.
“Spotlight on Learning”
***
David Essink, Hastings Middle School Principal, and Deanna Dirks, Hastings Middle
School reading specialist and facilitator, based their Power Point presentation on
school improvement in literacy. Mr. Essink shared NeSA scores, highlighting the
progress the Middle School students have made by concentrating on literacy and
problem solving. When compared to other similar districts, Middle School students
are doing well. This last year, a semester of reading was added for all eighth-grade
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students and a reading audit was completed. The improvement process has involved
many individuals; concentrated on essentials, curriculum, materials, and practices;
made visits to other middle schools; researched interventions and strategies; and held
meetings as a school improvement team and reading team. Both Mr. Essink and Ms.
Dirks shared their plan of action for the 2012-2013 school year.
COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE PUBLIC
Connie Consbruck from the South Central Nebraska Right to Life and Hastings Area
Citizens Right to Life spoke to the Board with concerns about controversial materials
possibly inadvertently making their way into schools. Marilyn Busboom asked how to
obtain the Board Agendas with attachments.
SPECIAL BOARD FUNCTIONS
It was moved by Raitt and seconded by Heyen that the Board give second-reading
approval to proposed new Policy 506.025 – Cooperative Activity Programming. This
policy outlines the guidelines to be used when Hastings Public Schools chooses to
cooperate with other school districts in establishing a student activity when the
student activity would be of a clear benefit to resident students and when
implementation of the student activity would not be possible without such cooperation.
Upon a roll call vote, members voting “aye” were Boeve, Bonham, Gollner, Heyen,
Kleeb, Meeske, Pershing, Raitt, and Schneider. Members voting “nay” none. Motion
carried 9-0.
SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE FUNCTIONS
Educational Services
It was moved by Gollner and seconded by Schneider that the Board approve the
students eligible for a diploma on May 13. This action does not confer anything on
the students listed other than their eligibility for graduation. Students on this list
failing to complete all graduation requirements will have their names removed from
the list of graduates, will not receive a diploma, and will not participate in this year’s
graduation ceremony. Upon a roll call vote, members voting “aye” were Boeve,
Bonham, Gollner, Heyen, Kleeb, Meeske, Pershing, Raitt, and Schneider. Members
voting “nay” none. Motion carried 9-0.
It was moved by Bonham and seconded by Raitt that the Board approve the History
Club of Hastings High to travel to Kansas City on May 7 to visit the Harry S. Truman
Library and Museum. This trip would allow students to expand their knowledge of
President Truman’s life and leadership during WWII and the Cold War. This trip
meets guidelines established by Board Policy 607.05. Upon a roll call vote, members
voting “aye” were Boeve, Bonham, Gollner, Heyen, Kleeb, Meeske, Pershing, Raitt,
and Schneider. Members voting “nay” none. Motion carried 9-0.
It was moved by Pershing and seconded by Kleeb that the Board approve the
contract with Grand Island Physical Therapy for school-based occupational therapy
services for the 2012-2013 school year. Money to fund these services will be drawn
from the Special Education Fund. Upon a roll call vote, members voting “aye” were
Boeve, Bonham, Gollner, Heyen, Kleeb, Meeske, Pershing, Raitt, and Schneider.
Members voting “nay” none. Motion carried 9-0.
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It was moved by Heyen and seconded by Schneider that the Board approve the
expenditure of an amount not to exceed $100,000 for the replacement of school
kitchen equipment and kitchen equipment repairs. Price quotes have not yet been
received. Once they are available, the District needs to move in an expedient manner
to get the equipment replaced and repairs made. Money to fund the
equipment/repairs would be drawn from the General/Lunch Funds. Upon a roll call
vote, members voting “aye” were Boeve, Bonham, Gollner, Heyen, Kleeb, Meeske,
Pershing, Raitt, and Schneider. Members voting “nay” none. Motion carried 9-0.
Human Resources
It was moved by Gollner and seconded by Bonham that the Board approve the
transition, over the next three years, of Reading Specialist positions to Instructional
Facilitator positions across the District to not only provide assistance in reading and
math but to also provide certificated staff with job-imbedded professional learning
focused upon improving teaching and student learning. Funding for these positions
would come from the Special Education/PLAS/Title/General Funds. Upon a roll call
vote, members voting “aye” were Boeve, Bonham, Gollner, Heyen, Kleeb, Meeske,
Pershing, Raitt, and Schneider. Members voting “nay” none. Motion carried 9-0.
Consent Agenda
A motion was made by Schneider and seconded by Gollner to approve the following
Consent Agenda items:
Certificated Staff Release – Celia Luth
Celia Luth from her Senior High Spanish position effective at the end of the 20112012 school year.
Certificated Staff Appointments/Transfers – Chelsea Kuddes, Marjorie Little,
Sherri McCune, Nathan Mueller, Kathy Perdew, Lacritia Spanel, Holly
Vanderpool, and Kimberly Vogt
Chelsea Kuddes to a Lincoln Elementary vocal music position to replace Pam Smith,
who is retiring at the end of the 2011-2012 school year. Ms. Kuddes will be placed at
BA – 3 of the 2011-2012 salary schedule.
Marjorie Little from her .8 Middle School counseling position to a .9 Middle School
counseling position for the 2012-2013 school year. Ms. Little’s placement will remain
the same.
Sherri McCune to a Watson Special Education position to replace Susie Sands, who
will be retiring at the end of the 2011-2012 school year. Ms. McCune will be placed
at BA-1 of the salary schedule.
Nathan Mueller to a full-time Spanish position effective for the 2012-2013 school year
to replace Celia Luth, who has resigned. His placement will remain the same.
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Kathy Perdew to the newly created Watson Special Education position. Ms. Perdew
will be placed at BA27-11 of the salary schedule.
Lacritia Spanel from her Senior High Special Education position to the newly created
Middle School Special Education position. Ms. Spanel’s placement will remain the
same.
Holly Vanderpool to a Speech Pathologist position to fill the vacant position from
2010-2011. Ms. Vanderpool will be placed at MA – 4 of the salary schedule.
Kimberly Vogt, a Middle School Science teacher to a Middle School Library Media
Specialist position to replace Suzann Christensen, who resigned previously. Ms.
Vogt’s salary schedule placement and wage will remain the same.
Extra-Standard Releases – Tamisha Rose-Osgood and Kimberly Vogt
Tamisha Rose-Osgood from her Senior High girls basketball coaching position
effective at the end of the 2011-2012 school year.
Kimberly Vogt from her Middle School Student Council sponsor position effective at
the end of the 2011-2012 school year.
Kimberly Vogt from her Science liaison position effective at the end of the 2011-2012
school year.
Classified Retirement/Release – Janice Baker and Susan Meyer
Janice Baker is retiring from her food service position effective May 17, 2012.
Susan Meyer from her Hawthorne paraeducator position effective April 5, 2012.
Classified Staff Appointment – Max Meents
Max Meents to a 4-hour Middle School custodial position beginning 3/15/2012 to
replace Jerry Lyngstad, who was released previously. Mr. Meents will be paid the
starting wage for custodians with adjustments for experience, if applicable.
Gifts
Gifts to the District in the amount of $23,449.66.
Upon a roll call vote, members voting “aye” were Boeve, Bonham, Gollner, Heyen,
Kleeb, Meeske, Pershing, Raitt, and Schneider. Members voting “nay” none. Motion
carried 9-0.
COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE PUBLIC
No member of the pubic addressed the Board.
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FUTURE MEETINGS
The next Board Work Session will be held at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 17, 2012,
in the District Conference Room. The next Board Meeting is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.
on Monday, May 21, 2012, in the City Council Chambers.
ADJOURNMENT
A motion was made by Schneider and seconded by Gollner to adjourn. Upon a roll
call vote, members voting “aye” were Boeve, Bonham, Gollner, Heyen, Kleeb,
Meeske, Pershing, Raitt, and Schneider. Members voting “nay” none. Motion carried
9-0. The meeting adjourned at 8:00 p.m.
Submitted:___________________________________________________________
Approved:___________________________________________________________
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