Special school board minutes-November 2017
Bancroft-Rosalie Community School
Special Board of Education Meeting
November 27, 2017 at 7:30 p.m.
President Nottlemann called the Special Board of Education meeting to order on Monday, November 27, 2017, in the Bancroft-Rosalie School Library at 7:30 p.m. Notice of the meeting was published five days prior to the meeting. The purpose of the special meeting was to hear the results of the feasibility study from Key Concepts consultant Dr. Gerald Ehlers. Both the Bancroft-Rosalie and the Lyons-Decatur Board of Education were in attendance.
Board members present were Trevor Bonneau, Pam Browning, Pat Browning, Jason Gatzemeyer and Mike Nottlemann. Board member Naomi Brummond was absent. Superintendent Cerny, visitors and school personnel were also present.
President Nottlemann informed the public that a current copy of the “Nebraska Open Meeting Act” is posted on the north wall of the library and welcomed Dr. Gerald Ehlers, Lyons-Decatur Board of Education and guests. President Nottlemann turned the floor over to Dr. Gerald Ehlers, consultant for Key Concepts.
Dr. Ehlers stated every school system is unique and different. The focus for a merger is to find what is in the best interest and ways to help the students receive a better education. The students are the main objective for this feasibility study. There are four implications in a merger: educational, financial, emotional as well as political.
The three concepts considered for this study were:
Concept A - Merging school districts and maintaining K -12 programs in both facilities. This would have a potential savings of $300,000.
Concept B (Concepts B1 and B2) - Merging school districts with K-4 programs at Bancroft-Rosalie and Lyons-Decatur, a 5-8 program at one site, and a 9-12 program at the other. Potential savings of $706,302.
Concept C (Concepts C1 and C2) – Merging school districts with K-5 programs at Bancroft-Rosalie and Lyons-Decatur, a 6-8 program at one site and a 9-12 program at the other. Potential savings of $700,463.
Concepts B1 and C1 placed the high school in Lyons-Decatur and the middle school in Bancroft-Rosalie.
Concepts B2 and C2 placed the high school in Bancroft-Rosalie and the middle school in Lyons-Decatur.
Dr. Ehlers determined that neither site could accommodate both the junior high and high school, but the existing buildings would be sufficient to house any of the concepts and all of the B and C concepts would result in at least two available classrooms in each building site that could be used for new programs if the districts decided to add educational opportunities for students.
Dr. Ehlers went through particulars to come to this conclusion: The current situation at each site concerning education, financial and the curriculum; placing the concepts in picture form; the demographics of the districts, tax rates, general fund levy, staffing,
and the optioning of in/out students. He discussed future enrollment projections through 2027-28 based on averaging kindergarten class sizes over the past ten years. He emphasized that the numbers become less reliable the further you project into the future.
Dr. Ehlers also spoke on unification concept where you put the districts together without merging for a minimum of three years. This would involve combining assets and liabilities with two separate boards but also have one super board, which manages the operation of the district.
One area of concern was the lab space available for both Agriculture and Industrial Technology programs at the same site. Utilizing the existing buildings would require the programs to have their own classrooms but share a lab space. Dr. Ehlers recommended that the issue of handicapped accessibility of the Lyons-Decatur upper floors be addressed with either an elevator or a chair lift. He pointed out that the Lyons-Decatur buildings are older and have more stairs and the vocational building in Lyons is across the street. If Concepts B or C were implemented, the boards would have to determine which age group is better able to handle walking stairs and moving between buildings.
Dr. Ehlers recommended that the Boards assign a committee to continue to talk about ways in which the schools can work together to increase educational opportunities for students. The existing BRLD Cooperative Committee already had done some of this work and would be a good place for the continued talks to occur.
At 9:18 p.m., Dr. Ehlers thanked both boards for giving him the opportunity to present this informational meeting. Superintendent Hansen from Lyons-Decatur asked his Board if his group had any further questions and thanked Dr. Ehlers and the Bancroft-Rosalie board for having them. Lyons-Decatur Board of Education adjourned at 9:19 p.m.
Superintendent Cerny presented and the board discussed the “Indian Policies and Procedures” policy. Motioned by Gatzemeyer, seconded by Bonneau for first approval for new board policy #631.2 Indian Policies and Procedures. Discussion. RCV: Ayes – 5, Opposed – 0. Motion carried.
President Nottlemann asked if there was any other business, and if not, entertain a motion to adjourn. Motioned by Bonneau, seconded by Pat Browning to adjourn. RCV: Ayes – 5, Opposed – 0. Motion carried. The special board meeting adjourned at 9:35 p.m.