July Board of Education Minutes

Board of Education Regular Meeting

Monday, July 17, 2023 6:00 PM

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

 1. Open Meeting

1.1. Roll Call
The absence of Kolin Kotas was excused.

1.2. Recognize the Open Meetings Act information

1.3. Approve minutes of last meetingMotion to approve minutes of last meeting Passed with a motion by Angie Clifford and a second by Kasey Murphy.

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

Yea: 5, Nay: 0
There was no discussion.

2. Instruction and Related Items

2.1. Principal Report
Principal Mezger reported on reporting for the 2022-23 school year and preparations for the 2023-24 school year.

2.2. Adopt required policy updates for 2023-2024Motion to pass requires policy updates as suggested by KSB School Law Passed with a motion by Adam Engelman and a second by Dusty Duis.

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

Yea: 5, Nay: 0
There was no discussion.

2.3. Review and reaffirm Student Fee Policy #5045 for 2023-2024 Motion to reaffirm policy #5045 Passed with a motion by Angie Clifford and a second by Kasey Murphy.

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

Yea: 5, Nay: 0
There was no discussion.

2.4. Review and reaffirm Parental Involvement Policies #5018 and #5057 for 2023-2024 Motion to reaffirm policies #5018 and # 5057. Passed with a motion by Adam Engelman and a second by Kasey Murphy.

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

Yea: 5, Nay: 0
There was no discussion.

2.5. Set athletic admission prices for 2023-2024 Motion to set athletic admission prices Passed with a motion by Angie Clifford and a second by Adam Engelman.

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

Yea: 5, Nay: 0
Admission prices to athletic events will remain unchanged for 2023-2024.  Current military and past military members will continue to be admitted without charge.  Also, any person living in the Diller-Odell School district that is 65 years of age or older, may stop at either office, present an ID with DOB, and get a season pass to be admitted free of charge to home athletic events.

2.6. Set breakfast and lunch prices for 2023-2024 Motion to set breakfast and lunch prices Passed with a motion by Kasey Murphy and a second by Dusty Duis.

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

Yea: 5, Nay: 0
There will be no increase in breakfast or lunch prices for 2023-2024.  

2.7. Approve Alternative Education agreement with ESU 5 Motion to approve Alternative Education Agreement with ESU 5 Passed with a motion by Dusty Duis and a second by Adam Engelman.

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

Yea: 5, Nay: 0
Superintendent Meyerle noted that spots for Diller-Odell have been reduced from two to one.  Another spot will be purchased if needed.

3. Personnel Items

4. Support Service

4.1. Technology Update

4.2. Facility Update
Superintendent Meyerle gave an update on summer facility work.

5. Superintendent Items

5.1. Superintendent Report
Superintendent Meyerle noted he will be working on the budget the next month.  Changes have occurred in the process with LB 644 last year and LB 243 this year.

6. Financial Items

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

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

Yea: 5, Nay: 0
Superintendent Meyerle noted the bill for $35,700 for student one to one devices, would be reimbursed from ESSER III funds.  This purchase will nearly complete the use of those funds that the district used for technology devices.

7. Board of Education Items

7.1. Discuss, consider, and take all necessary action to adopt resolution increasing the school district's base growth percentage used to determine the school district's property tax request authority by up to seven percent (7%).Motion for resolution to increase base growth percentage to determine property tax request authority by 7%. Passed with a motion by Adam Engelman and a second by Angie Clifford.

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

Yea: 5, Nay: 0
Due to the passage of LB 243 there have been some changes in school finance that created limitations on a school's tax requests.  Superintendent Meyerle noted that the school had been trying to get ahead of the issue and the school has made some staffing and expense reductions for 2023-2024.  Superintendent Meyerle noted that staffing costs (salaries/insurance) will continue to rise.  Other costs (fuel, vehicles, supplies, and services) continue to increase, as do Special Education costs.

To summarize the schools position:

1- In 2022-2023 the tax request for the school (General and Special Building Funds) was $4,719,494

2- With the passage of LB 243 the district’s base tax request for the General and Special Building funds can be $4,521,038 ($198,456 less than last year).  Superintendent Meyerle fears this will not be enough to support current programs and functions even with an increase in state aid.
 

3- With the approval of said resolution by at least 5 of 6 Board members, the district can create some security by increasing the schools request to a max of $4,915,743.  This is done for a safeguard and to protect from an unexpected costly change in operations.  This does not mean the school will tax for that amount.

4- Superintendent Meyerle has approached the 2023-2024 school year with some decreased spending actions.  

5- Superintendent Meyerle plans to lower the district's tax request from last year's amount of $4,719,494, but cannot commit to an amount until more budget work is done in the next month.  The passage of the resolution at least gives the district the ability to tax for more than the base minimum of $4,521,038 if needed.

6- Anyone with any questions on the subject should contact Superintendent Meyerle.

7.2. Committee Reports

7.3. Approve NRCSA membership Motion Passed with a motion by Dusty Duis and a second by Kasey Murphy.

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

Yea: 5, Nay: 0
Superintendent Meyerle noted the perks of belonging to NRCSA.

7.4. Executive Session

8. Adjournment Motion to adjourn Passed with a motion by Angie Clifford and a second by Kasey Murphy.

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

Yea: 5, Nay: 0

President Kostal adjourned the meeting at 7:00pm.  The next regular meeting is scheduled for August 14 at 6:00pm at the elementary school.

 Bills: