The Broken Bow school board met in regular session Monday evening in the public library.
After the pledge of allegiance was recited, newly elected board members Colby Fisher and J.D. White read their oaths as required by state law before beginning their official duties.
The board then motioned to keep their officers the same as last year—Amy Staples will continue as board treasurer, Pam Holcomb will remain the vice president, Tom Osmond is the president, and Kay Einspahr will continue as the board secretary.
School Superintendent Darren Tobey gave updates on the construction at the school. The garage doors in the CTE building need replacing, and bricks in the front entry have seams that don’t match. They will also need to be replaced. Tobey said the contractors have been receptive to the problems he’s noticed. Tobey said the gym remodeling phase of the project will begin February 10th.
Board President Osmond said the board and teachers have a handshake deal in place following negotiations, the details which will be announced in February.
The Board heard the treasurer’s report and claims report. School Superintendent Darren Tobey stated during the treasurer’s report that investments from construction bond funds have been going well.
“So the construction CD, we took out all of that $26.5 million, or we borrowed all of that $26.5 million right away, and then invested that money and we’ve made just over a million dollars since last March, about 9 months, on that money,” explained Tobey.
During district accolades, Tobey thanked the Berean church for letting the school use their facilities during construction, indicated the EL program has a new translator, and thanked several teachers for assisting in tutoring students after school. He added that the student run Indian Savings Bank has great participation and kids enjoy working with Nebraska State Bank.
Indian Football player Cal Wells has been chosen to play in the Shrine Bowl this summer, and Addie Ellis will showcase her volleyball skills in the NCA All-Star VB match this summer, while her coach Skylar Morris was chosen as an assistant coach for the contest.
KSB was redesignated as the school’s law firm, and Nebraska State Bank will continue as the school’s financial institution for day-to-day banking. Credit cards are run through First Interstate Bank.
Policy changes approved
The Board approved their policy aligning with the Nebraska Open Meetings Act. Requirements of the board include holding their regular meetings on or before the third Monday of each month, special and emergency meetings may be called as provided by law, and the board may schedule work sessions and retreats in order to provide board members and administrators with the opportunity to plan, research and engage in discussion.
The policy also addresses that the board must give advanced published notice of each meeting of 48 hours or more to board members and the public. Notice of regular and special meetings must be published in the Custer County Chief prior to the meeting, posted on the newspaper’s website, and posted on a statewide website established and maintained as a repository for such notices by a majority of Nebraska newspapers.
The Board approved fiscal management for purchasing and procurement using federal funds, and a policy regarding drones and unmanned aircraft was adopted.
Stipulations for operating drones not for purposes of district programs or activities include: they must have prior written permission from the superintendent or designee to be operated on or above district property, and must comply with all state and federal regulations governing their operation.
In addition, drones owned by the district or operated on or above district property with permission must be operated only outside the school building in the area authorized by the superintendent or designee. Drones in use on school property must be under the direct supervision of an individual fully trained and skilled in their operation, and used by an individual with the requisite skill and training to safely operate the drone.
Drones used for monitoring or recording pictures, videos or audio must have the prior written permission of the superintendent or designee and comply with all board policies governing recordings, data, and records.
Anyone using drones on school property in a manner that does not comply with this policy or applicable state and federal laws may be confiscated, and the operator may be subject to discipline, or civil or criminal liability.
The Board also approved their policy regarding technology in the classroom. The policy states that teachers who wish to bring a device into the classroom should inform the principal before deploying the device. Smart speakers and similar devices may be approved for use in the classroom, and all other electronic devices that connect to the internet that a staff member wishes to use for the education of students should be disclosed to the administration prior to use.
The policy also states assistive technology may be used in district classrooms. Any assistive technology that actively or passively create or transmit audio or video recordings must be disabled while the student uses the device in a classroom unless required by law. Any classroom recordings made by a staff member will be made according to district policy.
The policy also states the school will serve as an agent for parents and guardians in the collection of information within the school context, further stating the school’s use of student information is solely for education purposes. In addition, the district uses various software applications to record, track and store student data. If the district becomes aware of an application suffering a data breach, the district will notify students, parents, and staff in accordance with district policy.
Finally, the technology policy states that staff are permitted to select applications for use in the classroom, provided they ensure the application is safe for students and serves a pedagogical purpose. The district will provide training on student privacy laws to staff members using applications in the classroom.
Next, the board approved a policy statement that the school district does not discriminate on the basis of prohibited factors in employment and educational programs and activities.
Lastly, the board approved their policy regarding naming school facilities and property. The policy gives the board sole authority to name all school district facilities or property, and the board has the right to refuse to name any facility or piece of property and to make name changes at any time.
The Board adjourned at 6:38pm.
The next regular meeting of the Broken Bow school board is set for February 17th at 6pm.
