March Regular Board Meeting Minutes

March 14, 2023

Board of Education Regular Meeting

Monday, March 13, 2023 7:00 PM

High School Media Center in Odell
506 Perry Street
Odell, NE 68415

1. Open Meeting

1.1. Roll Call
The absences of Angie Clifford and Kolin Kotas were excused.

1.2. Recognize the Open Meetings Act information

1.3. Approve minutes of last meeting. Motion to approve minutes of last meeting Passed with a motion by Adam Engelman and a second by Kasey Murphy.

Dusty Duis: Yea, Adam Engelman: Yea, Paul Kostal: Yea, Kasey Murphy: Yea

Yea: 4, Nay: 0
There was no discussion.

2. Instruction and Related Items

2.1. NRCSA update from Jack Moles Executive Director
Jack Moles, Executive Director of the Nebraska Rural Community Schools Association, gave a report to the Board on their membership and recent happenings in the legislature.  The Board appreciated Jack's willingness to present to the Board and his dedication to rural Nebraska schools.

2.2. Student Report
No student report was available.

2.3. Principal Report
Principal Mezger reported on upcoming assessments, Kindergarten Roundup (April 28), Dr. Seuss Week, as well as other recent student activities.  Congratulations to Coach Coufal and Coach Theye on their recent Speech Championships in the Pioneer Conference and the District Meets.  Best of luck at the State Speech Meet!

2.4. Approve Senior Sneak Schedule Motion to approve senior sneak schedule Passed with a motion by Adam Engelman and a second by Dusty Duis.

Dusty Duis: Yea, Adam Engelman: Yea, Paul Kostal: Yea, Kasey Murphy: Yea

Yea: 4, Nay: 0
There was no discussion.

3. Personnel Items

3.1. Accept resignation from Jeanne Skidmore from teaching position effective at the end of the school year Motion Passed with a motion by Kasey Murphy and a second by Adam Engelman.

Dusty Duis: Yea, Adam Engelman: Yea, Paul Kostal: Yea, Kasey Murphy: Yea

Yea: 4, Nay: 0
The Board thanks Mrs. Skidmore for her thirty-three years of dedicated service.

3.2. Approve teaching contract for Heather Heble for 2023-2024 school year Motion to approve teaching contract Passed with a motion by Dusty Duis and a second by Kasey Murphy.

Dusty Duis: Yea, Adam Engelman: Yea, Paul Kostal: Yea, Kasey Murphy: Yea

Yea: 4, Nay: 0
There was no discussion.

3.3. Approve teaching contracts for Carson Ebeling for 2023-2024 school year Motion Passed with a motion by Adam Engelman and a second by Kasey Murphy.

Dusty Duis: Yea, Adam Engelman: Yea, Paul Kostal: Yea, Kasey Murphy: Yea

Yea: 4, Nay: 0
There was no discussion.

3.4. Review 2023-2024 extra duty recommendations
The Board reviewed the 2023-2024 extra duty recommendations.

3.5. Approve Classified Staff salaries for 2023-2024 Motion Passed with a motion by Dusty Duis and a second by Adam Engelman.

Dusty Duis: Yea, Adam Engelman: Yea, Paul Kostal: Yea, Kasey Murphy: Yea

Yea: 4, Nay: 0
There was no discussion.

4. Support Service

4.1. Technology Update

4.2. Facility Update
Superintendent Meyerle reported that there had been issues with cold temperatures in the link to the new gym.  The issue was resolved with added insulation.  Casper's Construction took care of the cost.  The Board thanks Casper's for their continued attention and dedication to the new addition and our school.

5. Superintendent Items

5.1. Superintendent Report
Superintendent Meyerle reported to the Board that he was moving forward with some cost reductions.  The deductions are to counteract LB 644 (postcard bill).  Superintendent Meyerle and the Board hope that the decrease in spending will allow for the avoidance of the bright pink postcards being mailed out, and would not require participation by the school in the joint county meeting.  Valuations and real growth are still a key component and those numbers are unknown until August 20.

Superintendent Meyerle noted his displeasure with the formula that dictates a school’s tax request.  There is a lot of "real growth" in Lincoln, Grand Island, Kearney etc., but in rural areas the "real growth" will be limited, which means a school’s allowable growth on a tax request will be lower.  If a school needs to exceed its allowable amount, then the postcards go out and the school needs to attend the joint meeting.

School Finance is an ongoing question at the state level.  We are hoping things change for the better for 2024-2025 regarding the state's contribution. 

At this point with continued increases in staffing salaries, costs of benefits and inflation, Superintendent Meyerle is planning on reducing spending by approximately $220,000.  Reductions are made up from the following:

No new bus purchase
No summer custodial work from the kitchen staff at the elementary
25% cut in Hillyard supplies
No furniture orders
Reducing one Mental Health position.  Will retain one position with the ESU
Reduce one spot at the Alternative Education School at the ESU
Possible OT reductions with the ESU
Tech support from the ESU reduced by .5 days a week (retain 2 days a week)
Assistant HS Football Coaching position
Assistant HS Volleyball Coaching position
Assistant HS Track Coaching position
JH Track Coaching position
No window/floor/door work
Eliminate a Small Vehicle Driver
Reduce one Para position at the elementary to .5 time

Superintendent Meyerle gave the Board an update on teacher negotiation information.  Negotiations will be held in the fall for the 2024-2025 school year.

He also gave an update on the upcoming MUDECAS All-Star Basketball games that will be held in Odell on March 18.  It is the first year for the games.  The MUDECAS Association thanks Diode Technologies for their sponsorship and all the of players and coaches for their willingness to participate.
 

6. Financial Items

6.1. Pay bills as presented Motion to approve bills as presented. Passed with a motion by Dusty Duis and a second by Adam Engelman.

Dusty Duis: Yea, Adam Engelman: Yea, Paul Kostal: Yea, Kasey Murphy: Yea

Yea: 4, Nay: 0
There was no discussion

7. Board of Education Items

7.1. Committee Reports

7.2. Executive Session

8. Adjournment Motion to adjourn Passed with a motion by Adam Engelman and a second by Kasey Murphy.

Dusty Duis: Yea, Adam Engelman: Yea, Paul Kostal: Yea, Kasey Murphy: Yea

Yea: 4, Nay: 0
President Kostal adjourned the meeting at 7:54pm.  The next regular meeting is scheduled for Monday, April 10 at 7pm at the elementary.

Bills: