[Previous entry: "One candidate for mayor leaves council seat vacant"]
[Next entry: "Crofton graduate is Mount Marty College alumni honoree"]

02/15/2006: "School board sets negotiations process in motion"

The Crofton board of education monthly meeting on Monday, Feb. 13, began with a letter from Susan Stewart, president of the Crofton Education Association (CEA). Superintendent Randy Anderson read Stewart’s letter asking the board to recognize the CEA as the official bargaining entity for the staff teachers. The board approved the request, thus setting the stage for salary negotiations.
Five families with kindergarteners for the 2006-2007 school year submitted option enrollment applications. Three of the families currently have siblings in the district. In a combined motion, the board approved the following families: Candace Crosley, Kelly Keiser, Jamie Olson, Bob Steffen and Jennifer Suing.

Board president Kieth Zimmerman and Anderson attended a legal issues seminar in Kearney last week. Staff negotiations were a seminar topic and this included new options to offer teachers in health insurance such as health savings accounts. No news about insurance costs has everyone sitting back and waiting for an indication of how much - if any - of an increase will be involved.
The seminar also presented a session on board policies and practices. Information Anderson received will have him reviewing the current policies with a suggested guideline to keep things simple and not get too technical.
The two noted that a wellness policy will need to be implemented for school districts by summer. It will be based on federal nutritional guidelines. An example would be removing the pop machines from the school premises as they do not meet nutritional requirements.
Anderson said schools are watching the Unicameral because not much change has been seen yet in legislation for education. Next year will be interesting as 20 new inexperienced legislators will be elected due to term limits.
The state writing assessments have been completed, according to elementary principal Tony Simons. The preliminary external visit meeting with Dr. Scott Swisher of Hartington was a very positive and informative session. The primary visit is April 27.
Teacher observations are going on at the elementary. The staff is also meeting to determine target goals for the next school improvement project. The Title I meeting went very well, according to Simons, and the state reviewer complimented the district on its innovative methods. It was indicated some of the methods would be passed on to others in the state.
At the secondary level, principal Todd Strom said grades eight and eleven also completed the writing assessments. Recent teacher training was directed toward guiding students on improving their writing skills. Future assessment direction will go to social sciences. A major revamping of the current curriculum, how and at what age level it is taught will be needed. The State Board of Education and the Nebraska Dept. of Education will have to comply with criteria set by the No Child Left Behind Act.
Legislation will be a concern at future principal meetings Strom said. The Crofton Invitational speech meet is Saturday, girls’ basketball subdistricts are this week and boys will be next week. One wrestler qualified for state wrestling this week.
Anderson reported the white school van lost the transmission in Norfolk recently while hauling the cheerleading squad. It is being repaired. He is still collecting floor samples, lawn service pricing and air handler agreements.
Anderson is the president-elect for the Northeast Nebraska Superintendents Association. Several legislative speakers are on upcoming meeting agendas.
After closed session the board approved a one-year renewal of both principals’ contracts.
The board approved a motion to offer all the current teaching and extra duty agreements for the 2006-2007 school year to the current staff. All who are currently employed will be offered their contracts back. Two resignations in the Title I area will not be filled at this time. Anderson said the district has decided to be frugal and make use of any services possible from the ESU1. Part-time positions may be created and the district can decide that by May or June when they see what direction enrollment and need takes.