BOARD OF EDUCATION

DUNDY COUNTY STRATTON PUBLIC SCHOOL

BENKELMAN NE 69021

January 2012 

The Dundy County Stratton Board of Education met in regular session on January 09, 2012 at the Dundy County Stratton High School. The following members were present:

M Blecha, C Kerchal, K Lorens, Mike Lutz, J Metzger, S Noffsinger, and S Stamm.   Also present were Principal Jim Kent, Principal Mike Rotherham, Superintendent Dallas Watkins and Dundy County Stratton School staff JoAnn Decker. Visitors were Rami Albers, Lisa Fox, Amy M Haines, and Jason Frederick from The Benkelman Post.  Board Members Steve Krug and Linda Melchert were absent.

Superintendent Watkins called the meeting to order at 6:00 P.M.

Superintendent Watkins stated that the board follows the Open Meetings Act Guidelines which are located in the meeting room.

Motion by Stamm seconded by Noffsinger to approve the agenda and minutes of the December 12, 2011 regular meeting, December 15, 2011 Board In Service, December 19, 2011 special meeting, and the December 27, 2011 special meeting.  Yes:  Blecha, Kerchal, Lorens, Lutz, Metzger, Noffsinger, and Stamm.  No: None. Absent:  Krug and Melchert. Motion carried.

Motion by Lorens seconded by Kerchal to retain John Metzger as President, Shad Stamm as Vice-President, Sandy Noffsinger as Secretary, and Steve Krug as Treasurer for 2012 and that nominations cease.  A roll call vote was taken on the nominations.  Yes: Kerchal, Lorens, Lutz, Metzger, Noffsinger, Stamm, and Blecha.  No: None.   Absent: Krug and Melchert.  Motion carried.

The oath of office was administered to the newly elected officers.

President Metzger presided as president for the meeting.

President Metzger excused Steve Krug and Linda Melchert from the meeting.

There were no public items of discussion.

Motion by Blecha seconded by Lutz to approve the administrative and financial reports and payment of bills.  Yes:   Lorens, Lutz, Metzger, Noffsinger, Stamm, Blecha, and Kerchal.  No: None.  Absent: Krug and Melchert.  Motion carried.

Principal Rotherham reported on report cards; Holiday happenings, Benkelman Elementary sent cards to soldiers, wrote letters to Santa, sang Christmas carols and helped with bingo at the Hester Home, did gifts for Operation Christmas Child, and Kindergarten made their gingerbread houses and distributed around town; Stratton Elementary went caroling at the Senior Center and around town, and Kindergarten wrote letters to a marine from Stratton;  Haigler Elementary went caroling at the Senior Center, and Kindergarten made gingerbread houses.   Mr. Rotherham thanked Florence Priddy for nearly 30 years of excellent service to the school district as the Stratton Elementary cook; he also reported on important dates.  Principal Kent congratulated Mr. Loghry and Mrs. Hughes for very good winter concerts; he also reported on Republican Plains Activities Conference events; calendar adoption; Nebraska Schools Activities Association proposals; attendance policy; football scheduling; summer projects; high school scoreboards; FFA attending the stock show; he also reported that the school in no longer using highschoolsports.net.  Superintendent Watkins reported on Labor Relations Conference; Nebraska Association of School Boards Conference; Special Meeting notice and agenda; the annual Nebraska Rural Community School Association legislative forum; Hansen Foundation; and mileage rate notice from Internal Revenue Service.  Superintendent Watkins also thanked Florence Priddy for nearly 30 years of service to the school.  She was a great cook, cared deeply about the kids and will be missed.

There were no board items of discussion.

President Metzger appointed the following committees: Budget/Finance/Governance-Mike Blecha, Steve Krug, John Metzger, and Shad Stamm; Transportation/Building/Grounds/-Kent Lorens, Mike Lutz, John Metzger, and Craig Kerchal; Curriculum/Activities/Staff Development- Mike Lutz, Sandy Noffsinger, Linda Melchert, and Shad Stamm.

There were no sealed bids received on the used vehicles that were advertised for sale.

Motion by Blecha seconded by Noffsinger to approve the officers of the Board of Education of Dundy County Stratton Public Schools, to take necessary action to transact business as required by Nebraska statue and district policy.  Yes: Lorens, Lutz, Metzger, Noffsinger, Stamm, Blecha, and Kerchal.  No: None.  Absent: Melchert and Krug.   Motion carried.

Motion by Noffsinger seconded by Blecha to recognize the Dundy County Stratton Education Association as the bargaining agent to represent the teachers in the 2012-2013 negotiations with the Board of Education pending request letter from Dundy County Stratton Education Association.  Yes: Lutz, Metzger, Noffsinger, Stamm, Blecha, Kerchal, and Lorens.  No. None.  Absent: Melchert and Krug.  Motion carried.

Motion by Stamm seconded by Lutz to retain Kent Lorens (Chair), Shad Stamm, Sandy Noffsinger, and Mike Blecha (alternate) to represent the Board of Education for Dundy County Stratton Public Schools for teacher negotiations for the 2012-2013 school year.  Yes: Metzger, Noffsinger, Stamm, Blecha, Kerchal, Lorens, and Lutz.  No. None.  Absent: Melchert and Krug.  Motion carried.

The Board discussed Nebraska School Activities Association legislative proposals.

The Board discussed the Haigler Elementary public meeting dates and an election date for the patrons of the original Haigler School District to decide if it should remain open after the 2011-2012 school year.

Board member Craig Kerchal addressed the board regarding the DARE program and an assembly or seminar on sexting for elementary and middle school students since the high school and junior high has already had one this year.

Motion by Blecha seconded by Noffsinger to adjourn at 7:24 P.M.  Yes: Metzger, Noffsinger, Stamm, Blecha, Kerchal, Lorens, and Lutz,  No: None.  Absent: Krug and Melchert.  Motion Carried.                        __________________________                                                                                     Sandy Noffsinger, Secretary