Falls City Public Schools Superintendent’s District Update – May 15, 2018

The Falls City Public Schools held its regular monthly meeting on Monday, May 14, 2018. Here are the highlights of the meeting.

Athletic Director’s Report presented by Don Hogue provided an update on the 2018-2019 extra-duty coaching assignments, changes and new coaching hires. Mr. Hogue discussed scheduling changes for the coming activity seasons and activity travel as it relates to district scheduling. Conference scheduling continues to make it difficult to retain and schedule out-of-state contests. Activity conference affiliation continues to be a discuss as FCPS is now the only public school in the State to not be included in a conference. A formal request for inclusion will again be forwarded the ECNC Conference for consideration. The NSAA proposals and changes approved for 2018-2019 were also reviewed.

Legislature Adjourns - April 18^th saw the end of the 105^th Legislature, 2^nd Session. The three property tax bills, LB 947 (Smith), LB1084 (Briese) and LB 1103 (Friesen), all failed, and the bills are considered Indefinitely Postponed with the end of the Session. Nebraskans United will continue to work on this major issue for the 2019 Legislative Session.

BVH Architecture hired for Phase 1 Master Planning - This initial phase consists of a master plan for renovations and additions at the high school. Anticipated areas of the master plan include instrumental and vocal music, vocational trades, and athletic locker rooms. The agreement with BVH Architecture will include basic professional services required for master planning and phase one project delivery.  The cost for Part A – Master Planning will be $15,820 plus reimbursable expenses.

            Strategic Plan 2018 - As a result of the April 27 Strategic Planning Workshop, the District 56 strategic goals and initiatives have been updated to reflect the input/feedback from the school district’s leadership team. The updated strategic plan provides the future long and short-range direction the school district will take in its endeavor to raise student achievement by analyzing, prioritizing and implementing the initiatives that support and enhance student learning in District 56. The strategic plan will focus on further 1) Developing/refining the District’s Mental Health Program Partnership; 2) Supporting and providing resources for Dual-Credit Certification and Multiple Teaching Endorsements; 3) Researching opportunities to create an Early Childhood Partnership between Sixpence, HeadStart, and Parent-Child Center; 4) Providing professional development opportunities in behavioral/mental health; 5) Creating partnerships and expansion of vocational trades programs; 6) Prioritize timeline and funding options for capital improvement / construction at Falls City High School; 7) Address opportunities and challenges with social media; and 8) IncreaseCommunity Engagement opportunities.

The District 56 Board of Education acted on several items before concluding the regular meeting.

1)    Approved the classified employee base wage schedule for the 2018-2019 school year.

2)    Approved on First Reading 1) Policy 5335 Tuition Reimbursement for College Coursework or Advanced Degrees. This new policy draft reflects the district’s efforts to address the prioritized strategic goal of providing incentive for teachers to complete additional coursework or degrees upon the district's request. The policy allows the reimbursement to qualifying staff that need additional coursework to meet certification requirements and provide the school district and our teachers the flexibility to provide instruction in multiple endorsement areas. 2) Policy 7120 Dispensation of Medication. This policy is being updated to reflect current laws and practice. 

3)    Approved the 2018-2019 Teacher Contracts for 1) Maria Jose Lopez de Merlo, High School Spanish Teacher; 2) Bethany Lampe, Elementary Teacher.

4)    Approved the Student Handbooks for 2018-2019.

5)    Approved the UNL Extension Assistant Educator Partnership Agreement for 2018-2019. The District’s 13% share will be approximately $7,867.

6)    Approved the Phase 1 Master Planning Contract with BVH Architecture.

7)    Adopted the District 56 Strategic Planning Goals

The next regular monthly Board of Education meeting is scheduled for June 11, 2018, at 7:00 P.M. in the Central Office in Falls City Middle School. Regular and special meeting agendas are kept in the Office of the Superintendent, Tim Heckenlively.