WESTSIDE COMMUNITY SCHOOLS DISTRICT 66 Board Meeting Minutes March 11, 2013

Transcription

1 WESTSIDE COMMUNITY SCHOOLS DISTRICT 66 Board Meeting Minutes The Board of Education Curriculum Meeting of School District 66 was convened in open and public session on at 6:19 p.m., at the Westside ABC Building, 909 South 76th Street, Omaha, Nebraska. Board members present: David Woodke, President Rosie Zweiback, Vice President Martha Slosburg, Treasurer Scott Hazelrigg, Secretary Tom Baker, Director David Williams, Director Notice of the meeting was given in advance by publication in The Daily Record on March 8, 2013; a copy of which is attached to the official minutes. Notice of this meeting and the availability of the agenda was simultaneously given to all members of the Board of Education and available to anyone at the Board of Education offices. All proceedings hereafter shown were taken while the convened meeting was open to the attendance of the public. District Administrative Staff Members in attendance: Blane McCann, Eric Weber, Andy Rikli, Maryanne Ricketts, Peggy Rupprecht, Suzy Jones, Linda Comfort, Kent Kingston, and Kris Weland. Other Staff and Visitors: Paul Lindgren, Rob Uchtman, Lynn Spady, Gregory Ratliff, David Shabram, Heather Kasel, Joe Kasel, Chris Wing, Michelle Wing, Olivia Wing, Christian Litton, Caty Litton, Korbin Wolfe, Jordan Schlautman, Paul Trivilino, Cristin Rold, Lynn Spady, Anna Sumner, Debbie Hanslip, Garret Higginbotham, Dave Richardson, Laura Iliff, Michael Schlautman, Kyle Trivilino, Nyca Gaskill, Soren Johnson, Sam Sweeney, Christian Kasel, Olivia Robino, Jordan Estee, Greg Tracey, Alex Zimmerman, JJ Life, and Victoria Johnson. President, David Woodke called the meeting to order at 6:19 p.m. He acknowledged that the meeting had been publicly announced and the agenda was available to any interested parties. Board member roll call was taken and attendance is noted above. Mr. Woodke welcomed the audience and encouraged everyone to sign the attendance sheet since this information is part of the official minutes of the Board meeting. Mr. Woodke told the Board that the Nebraska Open Meetings regulations have also been posted. He also announced that handouts of supportive documents dealing with issues being discussed during the meeting were available. Ms. Zweiback made a motion to approve the minutes of the Board of Education Meeting held on February 19, 2013 as presented. Mr. Williams seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously by roll call vote.

2 Page 2 Treasurer s Report Martha Slosburg presented the Treasurer s report, along with a motion to approve expenditures in the amount of $5,879,590. Ms. Slosburg advised that we are half way through the fiscal year, and the General Fund balance is higher than the previous due to the audit adjustment for cash held by the County Treasurer, and the use of cash reserve last year. Ms. Slosburg said that the Nutrition Services Fund reflects the kitchen remodels, and the Depreciation Fund continues to be spent down. Mr. Baker seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously by roll call vote. (A copy of the report is attached to the official minutes.) Communications Superintendent McCann directed the Board to the Children s Hospital publication and the article on anxiety. He explained that four years ago, Westside formed a partnership with Children s Hospital to examine how anxiety directly impacts students in school. Dr. McCann recognized Matt Lee, Westside High School Social Studies Teacher, as the recipient of the Apple Distinguished Educator Award. He said this award is give to K-12 educators, and previous recipients are Cristin Rold and Kent Kingston. Dr. McCann announced that Debra Hanslip, Excellence in Youth Program Coordinator received a lifetime achievement award from the National Association for Gifted Children. He also recognized Laura Liu, student at Sunset Hills Elementary, as the Speech Contest winner. Personnel Report Dr. Eric Weber, Assistant Superintendent, Human Resources presented the Personnel Report. He said his report consisted of two resignations, one recommendation for approval of Leave of Absence, two recommendations for approval of resignation, two recommendations for approval of probationary contracts, and three recommendations for approval of administrative contracts. Mr. Hazelrigg made a motion to approve the Personnel Report as presented. Ms. Zweiback seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously by roll call vote. (A copy of the report is attached to the official minutes.) Robotics Update Kent Kingston, Executive Director of Technology, introduced Lynn Spady, Technology Integrationist, David Shabram, Engineering and Technology teacher at the middle school, and Greg Ratliff, Engineering and Technology teacher at the high school. Ms. Spady talked about the fifth grade Excellence in Youth students who participated in robotics seminars during the and school years. Students explored various areas of robotics which included the building and programming Lego Mindstorms robots. She said students learned about the Engineering Design Process and practiced technical writing and drawing. She advised that this was made possible through a grant from the Foundation. These students participated in the Robotics Showcase both years.

3 Page 3 Mr. Shabram said that robotics at the middle school began in He explained that at the middle school level students begin to learn the basic uses of robots and learn how they function. Students explore the basic controls and manipulation of a CEENBot, and using CEENBot Commander software, they experience creating a basic program for a CEENBot. The Westside Middle School CEENBot Robotics Team has been competing for three years. Students on the team work together to prepare for a variety of challenges relating to robot manipulation, autonomous programming, and engineering design. At Westside High School, interest by student Alex Zhu, along with teacher Gregory Ratliff, prompted the building of an electronic robot. The number of students participating continues to expand each year, and now the club now has multiple teams that include instruction in science, technology, engineering and math concepts. These teams have all experienced success as they compete in the Nebraska Robotics Expo each year. In 2011, Jordan Estee and Mr. Ratliff established the first WHS VEX Robotics Team. This team has earned over 25 awards, and have qualified for state, national and world championships. The vision of Westside Robotics is to expand the science, technology, engineering and math opportunities for students through the use of robotics. The report concluded with a demonstration for the audience and Board of Education by the students with various robots. (A copy of the Executive Summary is attached to the official minutes.) New Teacher Induction Suzy Jones, Director of Staff Development, Linda Comfort, Special Education/Staff Development, and Cristin Rold, Westside High School English/Staff Development, presented a report to the Board on the New Certified Staff Program. Ms. Jones began saying this program is designed for all certified staff, not just teachers. She said the program is revised each year and provides retention to the staff. Ms. Jones explained that over 400 new teachers have received this training in the past ten years. She said the training shows these teachers the support systems that are in place, provides a common language, and offers critical feedback from discussions that help teachers learn what works in the classroom. Ms. Rold explained that new teachers begin the school year five days prior to the return of veteran staff. During these days, they receive training on standards based education, assessment practices, classroom management, curriculum and technology programs, as well as district policies and procedures. Each new teacher is paired with a mentor and spends one of those five days working with that mentor, and during this time also has the opportunity to spend time with the building principal. Mentors provide consistency and ease stress for new teachers. Mentors are paired with all new teachers, whether a first year teacher or veteran.

4 Page 4 The New Certified Staff Program is a three-year program, and during this time, new teachers attend three training sessions on the various elements of effective instruction. Ms. Comfort explained that during this time new teachers are observed by a Staff Development Facilitator at least three times the first year, twice the second year, and one time in the third year. These observations provide the new teachers with feedback on their instruction. New teachers are also paired with veteran staff as a curriculum contact, and receive additional support from building administrators. New teachers whose mentors are located in a different building have a building contact in their school that is available to answer specific questions that the new teacher may have about their assigned school. In years two and three, the instruction includes motivation sessions. The presenters concluded saying that motivation is the most powerful factor in setting up students for success. A video was then shown of teachers sharing what they had learned from the program. They said the program provided them with much knowledge, helped them feel clear and secure in their instruction, and gave them a great start to teaching. (A copy of the Executive Summary is attached to the official minutes.) State of Technology Update Dr. Paul Lindgren, District Technology Coordinator, and Rob Uchtman, Westside High School Technology Specialist, provided a report to the Board on Instructional Technology. Dr. Lindgren began explaining that efforts are being made to provide and support the necessary tools for staff and students, as well as the implementation of efficiency efforts to best use district time and resources. He said the technology staff maintains and updates about 6000 laptop and desktop computers each year. Approximately 2500 of these are Macbooks and are assigned to students in grades Students in seventh grade, grades K-6 are re-using Macbooks from the 1:1 program, and each kindergarten classroom is equipped with six ipads. The Disrict s technology staff also supports about 1000 computers for staff members. Dr. Lindgren explained that additional efforts include the upgrade to a fiber ring that connects all buildings to each other as well as to the ESU#3, and replaces older wireless systems. Elementary Integration lessons continue to expand, and a pilot program provides internet service to students in need. Mr. Uchtman talked about efficiencies the District is pursuing. He explained that over $2 million in hardware and warranty costs are saved with the re-use of the refurbished laptop computers. He said that the expanded use of the Casper Management System allows the team to distribute software and updates in a day. Professional Development is offered through online services, and the technology staff provides technology integration tips for staff. Dr. Lindgren said the expertise of Westside staff impacts our community as well as other educational entities. Westside has also impacted the organization of Apple, Inc.

5 Page 5 Westside has received seven Apple Distinguished School Awards, and three Apple Distinguished Educator Awards. Practices and procedures are constantly being evaluated to ensure that students have the best learning tools to be successful. Dr. Lindgren said that Westside should stay with the laptop emphasis, and that serious creation is best on a laptop. Even with the shift to the use of ipads, Dr. Lindgren advised they he and his staff feel confident that laptops provide the analytical, communication, and creative tools that have the level of power that students need. (A copy of the Executive Summary is attached to the official minutes.) Board Member Representation Update Martha Slosburg reported approval of a partnership between the Learning Community and a South Omaha library, and Learning Community Early Childhood Centers for North Omaha. David Woodke said there was a MABE meeting on Wednesday that he could not attend, and offered attendance to other board members. Announcements Dr. McCann reviewed upcoming events which included: the Board of Education Meeting on March 18, the Board of Education Meeting on April 9, the NSBA Annual Conference on April 13-15, the Scholar Athlete Banquet on April 24, the Coaches Night of Distinction on May 3, and the Board of Education Curriculum Meeting on May 6, There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:16 p.m.