Notes from August 15th School Board meeting

Superintendent Update:

A. Discussion of NEPF report: Dr. Stephens presented the results of the 2019-2020 Nevada Educational Professional Framework (NEPF) evaluation and survey. The evaluation showed Churchill County School District has 73% of their teacher at the Efficiency level and 17% at Highly Efficient. Administration had 100% at Efficiency level. In the area of Educational Practices and Student Performance, the score for the teachers was a 3.36 out of 4 and 3.29 for administration. The complete results for the report are on online at https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1o8O_S5Y_b97v5_Oc1-2ADuXKzZDtj-J_ under the August 15th meeting.

Trustee Shank asked if this tool was effective for teachers to use in their planning and instruction since many of those (over 50%) that responded to the survey indicated that they did not find it helpful. Dr. Stephens explained that this was the State’s survey and not a District choice. There is a task force that looks at the data and is working on revisions. She also noted that the District is utilizing professional trainings for staff to connect NEPF standards and the writing of goals for the students.

Trustee Whitaker asked about the effects of COVID-19 on the scores. Dr. Stephens explained that some of the students were not able to be retested at the end of the year and that no educators were harmed due to the lack of meeting standards. The ultimate goal is for growth and the opportunity to have another set of eyes/opinions available to assist in that growth. Kevin Lords, human resource director,  added that there were guidelines available that provide support as to what types of evidence can be used in evaluations.

B. Update of District-related matters: Dr. Stephens gladly stated that things are up and rolling for opening schools. This year the district theme is ‘Heads up to thrive instead of heads down to survive.’ She talked about how the District had put its head down last spring and survived but now it was time to thrive. With the work done through last week’s trainings and those in the upcoming week, great success will be seen in the District’s Reentry for Success Week Aug. 25-28.

Consent Agenda: Approved. Victoria Leindecker’s name was removed from the Personnel list. Vouchers paid from 7-28 to 8-12 totaled $475,320.78. Payroll for July was $2,487,956.50. The District made a charitable donation to Western Nevada College. A 2003 Freightliner FS365 (valued at approximately $5,000) was donated to help support the CDL program at the college.

Report from Board Members:

Trustee Pinder complimented the EC Best staff for their efforts to start school positively.  He noted the number of teachers at school, working, even before work days started, and the efforts of custodial staff to have things done ‘looks good’.

Trustees Strasdin and Hyde thanked Principal Winters for the opportunity to share a ‘Snack of Appreciation’ with the staff at the high school.

Trustee Hyde was pleased to see the number of retired teachers that have joined the substitute list. At this time of need, it is what makes this district so lucky.

Old Business:

A. Update for Reopening. Dr. Stephens shared a current flyer from the Division of Public and Behavioral Health with the guidelines that will be leading the District in the handling of COVID-19 issues. She shared that there are still some details to be clarified and as things move forward, more arise. These guidelines are available on the District website.

Trustee Whitaker asked if students/families were getting what they needed to know to complete online applications. Dr. Stephens said there were clear guidelines and that staff were now back on to assist with any issues.

Trustee Pinder stated that he wanted the District to know that if anything came up and it looked like reopening wasn’t fully ready for the 25^th to please let the board know. He expressed the need to be flexible and to support what might be needed. Dr. Stephens thanked him but felt like in the next nine days issues would come together enough and opening would be on schedule. She guaranteed to the Board that if she felt issues were not inline, she would ask the reconvene. The first week of school will be one of trials, setups, adjustments but she felt staff would be ready with all the pieces in place for safety.

The number of students applying for online is increasing. There were 10 new applications over one evening. Currently there are six elementary teachers from current staff, assigned to online. Adjustments to this will be done as the need arises.

Families have received their children’s placement in the learning sessions. The District will continue to prioritize having all children in the household in the same session. Teacher assignments for elementary will be out on Monday. The schedule for the beginning and ending of the school day is shown below.

Churchill County School District Fall 2020 Student Start/End Times

FULL BELL SCHEDULE

Kenny Mitchell, Transportation Director, informed the Board that buses, at this time, can have 28-30 students on at one time. A waiver was applied for but denied. Students will ride one to a seat unless they are family members. There will be no transportation for students who live in the city limits and there will be NO transfer busing. Families are encouraged to find ways to work together to get students to school. Any help reducing the numbers needing bussing is greatly appreciated. Masks are required and it is hoped that parents will be helping their child/children adjust to wearing a mask. Schools will hand out two per student during the first week of school and are asking families to keep them washed and switched out.

Trustee Hyde asked about the number of bus driver positions still on the job list. Mr. Mitchell explained that at this time, he feels there are enough drivers to handle the need. After the first couple weeks of school adjustments will be made as needed.

Mr. Mitchell thanked those that have volunteered their time to come in and help with calls and the great job of deep cleaning that has been done during the last six months.

Dr. Stephens reminded everyone that riding the bus is a privilege and following the rules is a necessity for the safety of all.

B. FY21 budget.  With much adjusting and funds changing from time to time, some coming in and others going out, Dr. Stephens informed the Board that, “We’re feeling like we are in an OK space. We are going to be able to retain all our staff and keep some in Carry-Over.” She explained that it gets complicated as there are often strings attached to funds and moving money around is not always feasible.  Christi Fielding, district comptroller, added that funds that are to be reverted to the State have to be in by August 14^th. 

New Business:

A. Participation in Community Eligibility Program (CEP). Christi Feilding presented information on this USDA sponsored program. Participating in this program will allow the District to provide a free breakfast and free lunch to ALL students, PK-12, with no application process. Each schcoo site will have a regular breakfast and lunch available for students (AM students will get a sack meal with their lunch for the day and a breakfast for the next day and PM students will get a sack with their breakfast and lunch for the following day (or on Friday, they will get those meals for Monday). The District will be guaranteed their 85.77% rate for a period of 4 years if they choose to participate. No contract is involved. Participating in this program will not affect the Title I funding. Later in the year if it is safe to do so, CCHS and CCMS may offer ala carte choices. After comments from various board members, the Board voted unanimously to participate in this program. (Trustee Buckmaster was not present.)

Students who are in the Full-Time Remote by Choice path can pick up meals on Monday and Wednesday at the following locations and time schedule. Multiple day meals will be provided:
Drive through locations are: Numa 9:00-10:00 a.m. (near the north side kitchen entrance), NELC 9:00-10:00 a.m. (in the south side parking lot), and CCHS 9:00-9:30 a.m. (north parking lot).

There will be a Community Day sponsored by the Churchill County Social Services and held on Saturday, August 22^nd. Students will have the opportunity to get necessary school supplies for free. This will be done as a drive through event at the Fairgrounds.

B. Exigent circumstances. Dr.  Stephens presented information for the need to have a policy in place that would allow the District to set a policy, with only one hearing, if needed for health standards to help control the spread of COVID-19.

C. Approve Policy 7170.0.  It is the policy of the District that all employees, students, volunteers, independent contractors, and others on District property comply with the practices set forth in Regulation 7170.0, posted below. Administrators must enforce the practices set forth in Regulation 7170.0 with staff by using discipline practices as outlined in Policy and Regulation 4820.0. Administrators must enforce the practices set forth in Regulation 7170.0 with students by using discipline practices outlined in Policy and Regulation 5135.2, except that detention and in-school suspension will not be used. Students who repeatedly refuse to comply must be transferred to remote learning. The Board voted to approve this policy.

The meeting was adjourned at approximately 8:00 PM.

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1o8O_S5Y_b97v5_Oc1-2ADuXKzZDtj-J_

COVID-19 PREVENTION

Churchill County School District is committed to achieving learning for all students while helping

to prevent the spread of COVID-19 during the time of the COVID pandemic. To help prevent the

spread of COVID-19, it is the policy of Churchill County School District to implement and enforce

health and sanitation practices as set forth in the regulation accompanying this policy,

Regulation 7170.0.

It is the policy of the District that all employees, students, volunteers, independent contractors

and others on District property comply with the practices set forth in Regulation 7170.0.

Administrators must enforce the practices set forth in Regulation 7170.0 with staff by using

discipline practices as outlined in Policy and Regulation 4820.0. Administrators must enforce

the practices set forth in Regulation 7170.0 with students by using discipline practices outlined

in Policy and Regulation 5135.2, except that detention and in-school suspension will not be

used. Students who repeatedly refuse to comply must be transferred to remote learning.

Administrators must enforce the practices set forth in Regulation 7170.0 with volunteers,

independent contractors, and all others on District property by providing a verbal warning at

the first violation and further consequences should the individuals fail to follow the practices

set forth in Regulation 7170.0.