At its non-voting June meeting, the school board heard reports and continued its debate on the dress code for teachers.
President JoAnn Lundgreen did some research and found in some circles that that jeans are included in the “business casual” category of attire. She said instead of using the term “business comfortable” it might be a better choice to go with “business smart.”
Lundgreen said the term would provide more clarity that the term “comfortable” but still allow jeans, tennis shoes, and tee-shirts, which the teachers say they want.
The discussion ended with the board members agreeing to look through the results of a teacher survey. Any change to the policy will be on the agenda at the July 8 meeting.
TeamMates mentoring
TeamMates mentoring Coordinator Molly Morales gave an update on the program. Established over 30 years ago by former Husker Coach Tom Osborne and his wife, Nancy, TeamMates is currently in 192 schools across Nebraska, South Dakota, Iowa, Kansas, and Wyoming and has served more than 35,000 students.
Morales said the North Platte chapter of TeamMates was one of the first established. The TeamMates’ mission is to positively impact the world by inspiring students to reach their full potential through mentoring.
During the 22-23 school year, mentees showed a 69% increase in academic improvement, a 71% decrease in disciplinary referrals, and 91% fewer unexcused absences. Morales said the program’s most significant need right now is mentors. They currently have 28 kids waiting on a mentor. She described a mentor as a bucket filler, a safe adult, a forever friend, a cheerleader, and someone who shows up.
A mentor is responsible for meeting with the student at school once a week. This meeting could consist of playing a board game, going for a walk, doing a craft or project, shooting hoops, reading together, or simply talking together. For more information or to sign up, visit www.teammates.org.
Special education
Erica Johnson, the director of special education, gave the board a brief report on the department. During the 23-24 school year, NPPSD employed 51 certified staff members. The department serves children from birth through age 21. She said 21% of enrolled students qualify for special education.
Johnson reviewed the services the department provides and highlighted the fact the district has its own physical therapist. She said many larger districts do not have a physical therapist.
The department formulates individualized education plans for each child it serves. These plans include the student’s strengths and needs, their present level, goals for the future, and service times, providers, and accommodations.
Staff
Human Resource Director Kevin Mills gave a staffing update. He said a late resignation was approved since they found a replacement elementary counselor. Mills said the district needs 14-15 additional paraprofessionals for next year. They currently employ 120 paras throughout the district.
Spending
Financial Director Stuart Simpson reminded the board of the budget workshop on July 16. There was no finance report this month.
Simpson also gave the board a copy of the District Expenditure Reimbursement Guidelines. The guidelines can be found at https://meeting.sparqdata.com/Public/Agenda/124?meeting=642498.
Vice-president Emily Garrick had questions about some reimbursements. She said when she looked at claims from May and April she noticed that the amount of purchase card transactions at local restaurants was extremely high. Garrick asked why in May more than $10,000 was spent at local restaurants, compared to about $6,000 in April. Garrick said this is an area that could be looked at to decrease spending without directly affecting student learning.
Simpson said these higher meal costs were from working lunches, people visiting the district, and courtesy lunches for Kids Klub fundraising.
Revising policies
The board also briefly reviewed 21 proposed policy changes. Some of the changes to policy are due to state legislation, while others are due to federal regulation changes.
The proposed policy changes include such things as:
• what appeals the board is responsible for,
• alternate meeting announcement guidelines,
• added public comment time to every meeting,
• change in the number of hours allocated for records pulled for in-state and out-of-state residents,
• reducing the number of people involved in a Title IX investigation,
• several others. The full list of policies and their changes can be found at https://meeting.sparqdata.com/Public/Agenda/124?meeting=642498.
These policies will be voted on at the July 8 meeting.
Board talk
During the engagement portion of the meeting, board members Cynthia O’Connor and Skip Altig discussed a governor’s town hall meeting they attended.
Altig expressed concern about the governor’s proposal to transfer school funding to the state level, as he believes it would eliminate local control over the district.
Also, Lundgreen and Garrick shared their impressions of strategic planning sessions they participated in. Garrick said it was encouraging to see all 28 attendees united around the goal of excellence, despite having different ideas about how to achieve it.
Angela Blaesi, Matt Pederson, and Garrick were full of praise for the summer Kids Klub program, highlighting its excellent organization and positive impact.
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Dress like a professional, act like a professional, get paid like a professional. By the time they get to middle school and high school with some students, you would not be able to tell the students from the teachers by their attire.
Dress code for teachers? Has anyone seen what these kids wear to school? Apparently stores primarily only sell whore clothes. I see middle/high schoolers wearing booty shorts and showing all sorts of skin. How bout them dress codes?
I agree with you Scooter. A professional should dress in the proper attire, Be an example for the students. It’s a shame this is even in consideration.
No one is concerned about the wopping 10 grand at restaurants? You can’t have meetings where you pay your own, pot luck it, something.
Teachers dress code should stay the way it always has been. But 10k on local restaurants?! That is outrageous. That is what should really make people upset. So 16k in the last 2 months on food? Unacceptable.
Time to take away their charge cards and make them pay for their own meals! The school levy better not get raised.That’s all I am saying.As for a dress code, the teachers nowadays are just as disrespectful as the students they teach. Maybe it is time to go back to school uniforms for BOTH the teachers AND the students.