8000: Internal Board Policies
8000: Internal Board Policies unanimous Thu, 02/28/2019 - 14:348100: Organization
8100: Organization holly Mon, 07/22/2019 - 11:33The ý Public School District is a duly organized Class III district and a body corporate possessing all the usual powers of a public corporation. The corporate name is Douglas County School District No. 17. It is also known as the ý School District.
The ý School Board, also known as the Board of Education, is the governing body of the ý School District and shall consist of six members who are legal voters of the ý School District. The school Board has and exercises quasi-judicial powers as provided by statute. The school Board may include at least one nonvoting member who is a public high school student in the District. A nonvoting member is excluded from closed or executive session of the school Board.
The six members of the ý School Board shall serve terms of four years. The terms of office are staggered so that three members are elected each year of statewide primary and statewide general elections and shall take office on the first Thursday after the first Tuesday of the January following the election. The terms of three members whose terms expire shall expire on the first Thursday after the first Tuesday in January following the statewide primary and statewide general elections. Each elected member at the beginning of the member’s term shall take the oath of office required by law.
The ý School Board shall select its own officers and make its own rules and regulations not inconsistent with any statute. At the first meeting of the school Board in January of each year and at the meeting when newly elected members take office and annually thereafter the school Board will elect from its members a president, vice-president, secretary and treasurer. No school Board member shall accept or receive any compensation for services performed in discharging the duties of his or her office.
In all meetings of the ý School Board the majority of the members will constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. Regular meetings of the school Board shall be held on the first and third Mondays of each month except when postponed for good cause; provided however, that at least one of the meetings shall be held on or before the third Monday of the month.
Neb. Rev. Stat§§ 79-526, 79-405, 79-407, 79-101, 79-520, 79-543, 79-547, 79-554,79-559,
79-564, 32-543
8110: Purpose and Role of the Board
8110: Purpose and Role of the Board holly Mon, 07/22/2019 - 11:36Responsibilities of Local School Boards
The responsibilities of the ý Board of Education include: a legal responsibility for the control of public schools as the only agency in their community with this responsibility; a civic responsibility as the controlling agency providing a basically essential service to the life of the community; a social responsibility toward all who look to the schools as centers of growth and development for children, youth, and adults; as economic responsibility since there is a direct relationship between good schools and business prosperity; a moral and ethical responsibility to function courageously and impartially to assure the greatest good to the greatest number at all time. In the strong conviction that the American system of public school education will best meet the needs of the citizenry if all local school Boards throughout the United States recognize and meet their full responsibilities, the ý Board of Education supports the following principles:
I. School Boards shall function in a non-partisan, broadly representative, team- spirited manner.Every member of the school Board shall represent open- mindedly the entire school district, and, in consequence, must let his or her consideration for the entire district take precedence over every form of partisan and special interest group-political, racial, religious, geographic, economic, social, civic, or other.
II. School Boards shall adopt clearly defined written policies, based on a thorough understanding of the education process.In formulating the policies they shall consult individuals and groups affected by the policies, and, since changing conditions bring changing needs, shall maintain flexible policies. They shall recognize that while school Boards are policy-making bodies, they properly delegate the execution of policy to employed professional administrators and their staffs.
III. School Boards shall recognize that public schools belong to all the people, are supported by the people, and are designed to carry out the wishes of the people for the education of children and adults.The Board shall conduct Board business in open session and endeavor by every reasonable means to inform the public concerning the schools.
IV. School Boards shall enlist citizen groups as needed to assist and counsel them, making certain that three principles are followed:
A. Citizen groups shall be broadly representative;
B. Recommendations shall be based on research and facts;
C. Recommendations shall be submitted to the school board which alone has the authority to act upon them.
V. School Boards shall plan and maintain a flexible program for the future, based on surveys and studies of population trends, possible economic changes, changing community attitudes, development in education, and all factors, which would affect their school systems.
VI. School Boards shall work to maintain and improve the professional status of the teaching profession, and shall encourage potential candidates for teaching who will exemplify the highest ideals.
VII. School Boards shall employ professional and non-professional personnel with competence and personal qualifications, which command community respect.Appropriate to the importance of their role in their communities, all personnel shall be adequately compensated to assure their economic security and their working conditions shall permit them to effectively exercise their skills and duties.
VIII. School Boards shall establish and use free channels of communication with all of their personnel so that decisions affecting their interests and welfare may be made only after careful Board consideration has been given to their views, recommendations, needs, and grievances.
79-407 Corporate name and powers of school districts
79-501 Responsibility for property and hiring of Superintendent
79-525-526 Duties of school board
79-512 Membership in association of school board
8111: Attendance Areas
8111: Attendance Areas holly Mon, 07/22/2019 - 11:38The Board of Education will direct the Superintendent to establish or alter the geographical attendance area for each school and make assignments for student attendance in such schools for each grade level, Pre-K-5, 6-8 and 9-12, and shall enact such attendance areas upon board approval. Exceptions for students to attend a school other than the assigned attendance area school may be made through the intra-district transfer process on the basis of criteria established by the Board of Education and administered by the Superintendent or his designee.
Neb. Rev. Stat. §79-2110
8210: Orientation of New Board Members
8210: Orientation of New Board Members holly Mon, 07/22/2019 - 11:40The Board of Education shall provide orientation for new incoming Board members of the Board of Education.
8210.1: Orientation of New Board Members
8210.1: Orientation of New Board Members holly Mon, 07/22/2019 - 11:42|
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I. Documentary materials applicable and appropriate for performance of the duties and responsibilities of school board members will be given to each new incoming Board member. The materials shall be supplied by the Superintendent who will review and explain the use and purpose of the documents and materials. The Superintendent shall introduce the new incoming Board members to administrative personnel and the Superintendent and the administrators shall review, explain and discuss the services each performs for the Board. II. Upon election, the newly elected incoming Board members shall be invited and encouraged to attend Board meetings and also the Nebraska Association of School Boards Convention workshops held in November. III. The new incoming Board members shall be advised of the rules of attorney/client communications as those rules apply to the Board and restrictions on the disclosure of such communications. The new incoming members shall be advised as to the care and custody of confidential information received as a Board member and the legal restrictions on the disclosure of the contents of staff and student files. IV. The Board President will be responsible for conducting an informational session with the new incoming Board members before the incoming member takes office. No more than two other Board members shall attend the informal session. The new incoming members, at the informal session, will be advised on the laws which pertain to open and closed or executive sessions and meetings and Robert’s Rules of Order. The new incoming members, shall be given by the Board President, a copy of a current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order. New incoming Board members shall be furnished a computer and be provided Internet access. V. New incoming Board members will be provided with an identification badge, which shall be worn whenever the Board member is on District property and performing duties as a Board member. VI. New incoming Board members and re-elected Board members will be installed by the Board President or designee and take the oath of office at the first meeting of their terms. |
8220: Opportunities for Development
8220: Opportunities for Development holly Mon, 07/22/2019 - 11:43The Board places a high priority on the importance of a planned and continuing program for the education of its members. The ultimate purpose of this program is to enhance the quality and effectiveness of public school governance in the ý School District community and a well informed Board of Education is a key part in accomplishing that purpose.
Funds shall be budgeted annually to support this program. Board members shall be reimbursed for out-of-pocket costs incurred in participation in approved activities in accordance with District policy and State law. Members of the Board may select the method and means for improving the Board member’s ability to perform Board duties and subject to the authority of the Board to approve or disapprove of the Board member’s selection of means and methods of Board development.
The following are types of activities and services, among others, appropriate for implementing this Policy:
1. Participation in school board conferences, workshops, and conventions conducted by the Nebraska and the National School Boards Association.
2. District sponsored training sessions for Board members.
3. Publications provided by the District that address the concerns of Board members.
8225: Use of Public Funds
8225: Use of Public Funds holly Mon, 07/22/2019 - 11:46The Board will follow state and federal laws and regulations governing the expenditures of public funds. The Local Government Miscellaneous Expenditure Act (Neb. Rev. Stat. §13-2201 through 13-2204) provides a legal basis for certain types of expenditures for which there previously had been no statutory authority or for which there had been questionable legal authority.
The Nebraska Accountability and Disclosure Commission has adopted a document entitled Use of Public Funds by Cities and Villages. The Board recognizes the following general guidelines of the Commission:
1. Public funds may be used to purchase plaques, certificates, and similar items of acknowledgement or appreciation for elected or appointed public officials, employees, or volunteers of the local government; provided however, the governing board shall, by official action after a public hearing, establish a uniform policy which sets a dollar limit on the value of any plaque, certificate of achievement, or item of value to be awarded. The policy may not be amended or altered more that once in any twelve-month period.
The Board hereby establishes the following maximum dollar limits of value:
Plaques $25.00
Certificates of achievement $10.00
Retirement gift $75.00
Thirty-year service recognition gift $50.00
2. Public funds may not be expended for the expenses of a spouse of a public employee or public official in connection with attendance at a conference. The Local Government Miscellaneous Expenditure Act specifically prohibits using public funds to pay the expenses of a spouse of an elected or appointed official. The Accountability and Disclosure Act prohibits the use of public funds for the financial benefit of an immediate family member of a public official or public employee.
3. Public funds may not be expended for flowers and memorials for deceased elected officials, employees or their families.
4. Public funds may be expended for a recognition dinner for elected officials and employees. The Local Government Miscellaneous Expenditure Act provides that one recognition dinner each year may be held for elected and appointed officials, employees, or volunteers of the local government. It provides, however, that the maximum cost per person for the dinner must be established by formal action of the governing body and may not exceed $50. The Board hereby establishes the maximum cost per person at $50.
5. Monies received from vending machines on District property are public funds. The use of this money is subject to the same restrictions placed on any other public funds regardless of its source.
6. Monies received from recycling aluminum cans are not subject to restrictions placed on public funds, since the cans are the property of the purchasing consumer. It is permissible to allow the consumer to voluntarily deposit their aluminum cans in a receptacle on District property. The proceeds of the sale of the cans are not restricted.
Neb. Rev. Stat. § 13-2201 through 13-2204, 49-14,101.1, 79-520, 79-546,
A Guideline to the Use of Public Funds by Cities and Villages - Revised, Adopted by the Nebraska Accountability and Disclosure Commission, September 17, 1993
8230: Remuneration and Reimbursement
8230: Remuneration and Reimbursement holly Mon, 07/22/2019 - 11:56Members of the Board shall be reimbursed for all necessary expenses incurred in attending any meetings or in makinganytripsonofficialbusinessfortheSchoolDistrict whensoauthorizedbytheBoard.
Neb. Rev. Stat. § 79-807 Board of Education; compensation, and;
79-546 Association of school boards, membership dues; payment authorized
8230.1: Remuneration and Reimbursement
8230.1: Remuneration and Reimbursement holly Mon, 07/22/2019 - 11:59Reimbursements and remuneration to board members shall be made through the board treasurer in accordance with the following guidelines:
1. Each board member may attend one major convention per fiscal year; provided, however, that the board member has notified the board in a regular or special meeting of the intention to attend the meeting and the identification thereof. Attendance at any additional meetings or events for which the board member wishes to be reimbursed for expenses shall be approved by the board before the expenses are incurred.
2. Car rental expenses related to the board member’s attendance at meetings will be reimbursed.
3. Board members will pay expenses for spouses or family members who might accompany him or her on a trip, if that expense would not have been otherwise incurred by the board member.
4. Lodging, registration, and reservations may be made through the Superintendent’s secretary.
5. Board members will be reimbursed for reasonable and necessary expenses incurred when traveling. Board members will be reimbursed at the current rate established by the Nebraska Department of Administrative Services for use of his or her automobile while on board business and in accordance with rules and opinions of the Nebraska Accountability and Disclosure Commission. A mileage report will be submitted to the District for reimbursement.
6. Board members will be reimbursed for materials purchased, which are deemed necessary by the board for Board purposes, such as books and other publications. Those materials will become property of the District and will become part of the board library.
7. Office supplies will be obtained from the central office. A board member will not be reimbursed for the purchase of any supplies by that board member without prior approval of the board.
8. Actual and necessary expenses for long distance telephone calls and broadband internet access will be reimbursed when approved by the board. Installation and monthly charges for a broadband internet connection that is to be used exclusively for communication with constituents, internet access, and other board business will be reimbursable. Bills are to be submitted to the District.
9. A computer meeting the "district standard" shall be loaned to each requesting board member during his or her term of office to assist in fulfilling their responsibilities as a board member. Upon retiring from the Board of Education, the board member will be offered the opportunity to purchase the loaned computer based on fair market value. Board members will also be offered the opportunity to purchase the computer based on fair market value should the computer be replaced during their term of office. Such sales must be approved by a two-thirds vote of the entire board.
Neb. Rev. Stat. § 13-2201 through 13-2204; 79-546; 81-1174 through 81-1177; and 79-10,114
8240: Retirement - Members of the Board
8240: Retirement - Members of the Board holly Mon, 07/22/2019 - 12:03Upon completion of his or her final term as a member of the Board of Education, the member will be publicly recognized and thanked for his or her service to the District. Public recognition shall be entered into the minutes of the Board.
8240.1: Retirement - Members of the Board
8240.1: Retirement - Members of the Board holly Mon, 07/22/2019 - 12:07When members of the Board of Education complete their final terms, they will receive:
1. A pass to attend, without any charge for attendance or admission, all school activities for as long as the former Board member desires.
2. An invitation to special school and District events.
3. A plaque recognizing their service.
Members of the Board who have completed their terms will be invited to present diplomas to his or her graduating children. The name of the retired Board member shall be added to the past Board plaque.
8250: Conflict of Interest
8250: Conflict of Interest holly Mon, 07/22/2019 - 12:10A.Contracts Exceeding $2,000.00
Unless otherwise provided by law, no Board members, or a member of that individual's immediate family, or business with which the Board member is associated, shall enter into a contract valued at $2,000.00 or more, in any one year, with the District unless the contract is awarded through an open and public process which includes prior public notice and subsequent availability for public inspection during the regular office hours of the District of the proposals considered and the contract awarded. No contract shall be divided for the purpose of evading the requirements of this Policy. This Policy shall not apply to a contract when the Board member does not in any way represent either party in the transaction.
B.Interest in Contracts
Except as provided herein, no Board member may have an interest in any contract to which the Board, or anyone for its benefit, is a party. This prohibition shall apply only when the Board member, his or her parent, spouse, or child (a) has a business association with the business involved in the contract or (b) will receive a direct pecuniary fee or commission as a result of the contract. This prohibition shall not apply if the contract is an agenda item approved at a Board meeting and the Board member:
1. Makes a declaration on the record to the Board regarding the nature and extent of his or her interest prior to official consideration of the contract;
2. Does not vote on the matters of granting the contract, making payments pursuant to the contract, or accepting performance of work under the contract, or similar matters relating to the contract, except that if the number of members of the Board declaring an interest in the contract would prevent the Board with all members present from securing a quorum on the issue, then all members may vote on the matters; and
3. Does not act for the District as to inspection or performance under the contract in which he or she has an interest.
The receiving of deposits, cashing of checks, and buying and selling of warrants and bonds of indebtedness of the District by a financial institution shall not be considered a contract for purposes of this section. The ownership of less than five percent of the outstanding shares of a corporation shall not constitute an interest within the meaning of this section.
C.Employment of Family Members
A Board member may employ, recommend the employment of, or supervise the employment of a member of the Board member's immediate family if he or she does not abuse his or her official position, makes a full disclosure on the record to the Board and a written disclosure to the person in charge of keeping records for the Board, and the Board approves the employment or supervisory position. No Board member shall employ an immediate family member without first having made a reasonable solicitation and consideration of applications for such employment, or an immediate family member who is not qualified for and able to perform the duties of the position, or for any unreasonably high salary, or who is not required to perform the duties of the position. This section shall not apply to an immediate family member of a Board member who (1) was previously employed in a position subject to this section prior to the election or appointment of the Board member, or (2) was employed in a position subject to this section prior to September 1, 2001. Any newly elected or appointed Board member shall make a full disclosure of any immediate family member employed in a position subject to this section prior, upon, to or as soon as reasonably possible after the official date of taking office.
If a Board member's parent, spouse, or child is an employee of the District, the Board member may vote on all issues of any contract which are generally applicable to (a) all employees or (b) all employees within a classification and do not single out his or her parent, spouse, or child for special action.
D.Personal Gain Prohibited
No Board member shall solicit or accept anything of value, including a gift, loan, contribution, reward, or promise of future employment, based on an agreement that the vote, official action, or judgment of the Board member would be influenced thereby.
No Board member shall use or authorize the use of his or her office or any confidential information received through the holding of his or her office to obtain financial gain, other than compensation provided by law, for himself or herself, or a member of his or her immediate family, or a business with which the Board member is associated.
No Board member shall use personnel, resources, property, or funds under his or her official care and control, other than in accordance with prescribed constitutional, statutory and regulatory procedures, or use such items, other than compensation provided by law, for personal financial gain.
E.Definitions
1. "Business with which the individual is associated" or "business association" shall mean a business: (1) in which the individual is a partner, limited liability company member, director, or officer; or (2) in which the individual or a member of the individual's immediate family is a stockholder of closed corporation stock worth one thousand dollars or more at fair market value or which represents more than a five percent equity interest, or is a stockholder of publicly traded stock worth ten thousand dollars or more at fair market value or which represents more than a ten percent equity interest. An individual who occupies a confidential professional relationship protected by law shall be exempt from this section. This section shall not apply to publicly traded stock under a trading account if the filer reports the name and address of the stockholder.
2. "Immediate family" shall mean a child residing in an individual's household, a spouse of an individual, or an individual claimed by that individual or that individual's spouse as a dependent for federal income tax purposes.
Neb. Rev. Stat. §§49-1408, 49-1425, 49-1499.03, 49-1499.04, 49-14,101, 49-14,101.01, 49- 14,102, and 49-14,103.01
8251: A Code of Ethics for School Board Members
8251: A Code of Ethics for School Board Members holly Mon, 07/22/2019 - 12:15I. As a member of my local Board of Education, representing all the citizens of my school district, I recognize
1. That my fellow citizens have entrusted me with the educational development of the children and youth of this community.
2. That the public expects my first and greatest concern to be in the best interest of each and everyone of these young people without distinction as to who they are or what their background may be.
3. That the future welfare of this community, of this State, and of the Nation depends in the largest measure upon the quality of education we provide in the public schools to fit the needs of every learner.
4. That my fellow Board members and I must take the initiative in helping all the people of this community to have all the facts all the time about their schools, to the end that they will readily provide the finest school program, school staff, and school facilities.
5. That legally the authority of the Board is derived from the State which ultimately controls the organization and operation of the school district and which determines the degree of discretionary power left with the Board and the people of this community for the exercise of local autonomy.
6. That I must never neglect my personal obligation to the community and my local obligation to the State, nor surrender these responsibilities to any other person, group, or organization; but that, beyond these, I have a moral and civic obligation to the Nation which can remain strong and free only so long as public schools in the United States of America are kept free and strong.
II. In view of the foregoing consideration, it shall be my constant endeavor:
1. To devote time, thought, and study to the duties and responsibilities of a school board member so that I may render effective and creditable service.
2. To work with my fellow Board members in a spirit of harmony and cooperation in spite of differences of opinion that arise during vigorous debate of points at issue.
3. To base my personal decision upon all available facts in each situation; to vote my honest conviction in every case, unswayed by partisan bias of any kind; thereafter, to abide by and uphold the final majority decision of the Board.
4. To remember at all times that as an individual I have no legal authority outside the meetings of the Board, and to conduct my relationships with the school staff, the local citizenry, and all media of communication on the basis of this fact.
5. To resist every temptation and outside pressure to use my position as a school Board member to benefit either myself or any other individual or agency apart from the total interest of the school district.
6. To recognize that it is as important for the Board to understand and evaluate the educational program of the schools as it is to plan for the business of school operation.
7. To bear in mind under all circumstances that the primary function of the Board is to establish the policies by which the schools are to be administered, but that the administration of the educational program and the conduct of school business shall be left to the employed Superintendent of schools and his professional and non-professional staff.
8. To welcome and encourage active cooperation by citizens, organizations, and the media of communication in the district with respect to establishing policy on current school operation and proposed future development.
9. Finally, to strive step-by-step toward ideal conditions for most effective school board service to my community, in a spirit of teamwork and devotion to public education as the greatest instrument for the preservation and perpetuation of our representative democracy.
8260: Employee Recognition
8260: Employee Recognition holly Mon, 07/22/2019 - 12:18Each year, employees who have served the District for 10 years, 15 years, 20 years, 25 years, 30 years, 35 years and beyond, in five-year increments, will be honored by a Board dinner. A plaque will be given to 10-year honorees. A plaque attachment designating years of service will be given to honorees as the honorees complete the service of each successive five year increment. Beginning with the 30th year, employees will receive a special gift designated by the Board. The budget for this employee recognition shall be set annually by the Board and will comply with expenditure rules established by the Nebraska Accountability and Disclosure Commission
8270: Remembrances and Congratulations
8270: Remembrances and Congratulations holly Mon, 07/22/2019 - 12:20Reasonable and appropriate expressions of sympathy or congratulations in the name of the District may be sent to members of the community, elected officials and employees of the District as directed by the Board President.
8320: Formulation of Bylaws
8320: Formulation of Bylaws holly Mon, 07/22/2019 - 12:22The Board’s bylaws are rules designed to organize and control its internal procedures and operations. Some bylaws are in accordance with requirements of statute. Other bylaws may be formulated and adopted by the Board itself as long as they are not inconsistent with any statutes.
In its deliberations leading to the establishment or amendment of its bylaws, the Board’s concern and objective will be the increased efficiency and effectiveness in carrying out its legally mandated tasks and for the best interests of the District in performing its educational responsibilities.
The Board will formulate and adopt a bylaw safeguarding the right of Board members to be informed of and to participate fully in the discussion of each proposed new or amended bylaw. The Board's bylaws shall be amended, repealed or enacted after two readings. The readings shall be at successive regular meetings unless tabled in accordance with Robert’s Rules of Order.
Neb.Rev. Stat. §79-520
8330: Formulation of Administrative Regulations
8330: Formulation of Administrative Regulations holly Mon, 07/22/2019 - 12:27The Superintendent shall implement the policies of the Board and provide for the District to meet the requirements of law. He or she shall, from time to time, formulate and enact rules and regulations for the operating of the schools of the District and District activities.
The rules and regulations shall be approved by the Board prior to the effective date of the rules and regulations.
The Superintendent may delegate to building principals and other administrators authority to formulate and establish rules and regulations for buildings and activities. The rules and regulations of the building principals and administrators shall be subject to the approval of the Superintendent and Board.
The Superintendent or his or her designee shall select the means of publication to inform persons and organizations to which the rules and regulations apply.
8340: Meetings
8340: Meetings holly Mon, 07/22/2019 - 13:10All Board meetings shall be open to the public unless the majority affirmatively votes for a closed session as provided by law. Board meetings shall be held at a stated time and place.
A quorum consists of the majority of the Board. Unless otherwise provided by law that the item of business requires a majority vote of all the Board members, a majority vote of the quorum shall be sufficient for the passing of the matter presented to the Board.
RRS 79-1408 et seq.
8340.1: Notice of Meetings and Contents of the Agenda
8340.1: Notice of Meetings and Contents of the Agenda holly Mon, 07/22/2019 - 13:22Notice of Meetings and Contents of the Agenda
Reasonable advance publicized notice of the time and place of all meetings shall be transmitted to all Board members and to the public by a method designated by the Board and recorded in the minutes. The notice shall contain an agenda of subjects known at the time of the publicized notice, or a statement that the agenda, which shall be kept continually current, shall be readily available for public inspection at the Don Stroh Administration Center during normal business hours. Except for items of an emergency nature, the agenda shall not be altered later than twenty-four (24) hours before the scheduled commencement of the meeting.
The Board of Education will give advance notice of meetings by publishing such notice in a newspaper of generalcirculation within the District’s jurisdiction and, if available, on such newspaper’s web site. If a newspaper refuses,neglects, or is unable to timely publish such notice, then notice may be given by (1) posting on the newspaper’swebsite, if available, and (2) posting such notice in conspicuous public places within the District. The Board Secretary shall keep a written record of such postings. Notice shall be given a reasonable time in advance of the meeting. Forty-eight (48) hours advance notice shall be considered sufficient.
Board Meetings and Committee Meetings will begin at 6:00 p.m. If there would be any deviation from these times, it will be publicized in an advance notice of the meeting(s).
The Secretary or other designee of the Board shall maintain a list of the news media requesting notification of meetings and shall make reasonable efforts to provide advance notification to them of the time and place of each meeting and the subjects to be discussed at that meeting.
Emergency Meetings
When it is necessary to hold an emergency meeting without reasonable advanced public notice, the nature of the emergency shall be stated in the minutes and any formal action taken in such meeting shall pertain only to the emergency.An “emergency meeting” is a special meeting called to address urgent, unforeseen, and pressing issuesthat require immediate attention. An “emergency” is defined as an urgent, unforeseen event, occurrence, or conditionwhich calls for immediate action or remedy. Such emergency meetings may be held by means of electronic or telecommunication equipment. If any news media have requested notification of Board meetings, the Secretary or other designee shall make reasonable efforts to provide advance notification to them of the time and place of the emergency meeting and the subjects to be discussed at that meeting. Complete minutes of such emergency meetings specifying the nature of the emergency and any formal action taken at the meeting shall be made available to the public by no later than the end of the next regular business day.
RRS 84-1411
LB 43 (2024) and LB 287 (2024)
8340.2: Rights of the Public
8340.2: Rights of the Public holly Mon, 07/22/2019 - 13:28Rights of the Public
The public shall have the right to attend and the right to speak at Board meetings. Except for closed sessions, all or any part of a Board meeting, may be videotaped, televised, photographed, broadcast, or recorded by any person in attendance by means of a tape recorder, camera, video equipment, or any other means of pictorial or sonic reproduction or in writing.
The Board may make and enforce reasonable rules and regulations regarding the conduct of persons attending, speaking at, videotaping, televising, photographing, broadcasting, or recording Board meetings.
The Board encourages the public to share their input on District issues. For those individuals who would like to publicly address the board shall have up to 4 minutes to address the Board at all meetings of the Board. Public comments on agenda items will be heard at the beginning of the meeting. Public comments on non-agenda items will be heard at the end of the meeting. The Presiding Officer may implement other reasonable requirements for
public comment, consistent with the Open Meetings Act, this Rule, and any other legal requirements. The Board may vote to modify time limits or order of public comments when the Board deems appropriate.
No members of the public shall be required to identify themselves as a condition for admission to the meeting. The Board may require any member of the public desiring to address the Board to identify himself/herself including an address.
Upon request, the Board shall make a reasonable effort to accommodate the public’s right to hear the discussion and testimony presented at the meeting.
The Board shall make available at the meeting, for examination or copying by members of the public, at least one copy of all reproducible written material to be discussed at an open meeting.
At least one current copy of the Open Meetings Act shall be made available by posting in the meeting room at a location accessible to members of the public. At the beginning of the meeting, the public shall be informed about the location of the posted information.
Neb. Rev. Stat. §84-1412, LB 43 (2024)
8340.3: Chance Meetings, Conventions, and Workshops
8340.3: Chance Meetings, Conventions, and Workshops holly Mon, 07/22/2019 - 13:42Chance Meetings, Conventions, and Workshops
Policies and rules drafted for the conduct of Board meetings shall not apply to chance meetings or to attendance at or travel to conventions or workshops of Board members at which there is no convened meeting of the Board and provided that there is no vote or other action taken regarding any matter over which the Board has supervision, control, jurisdiction, or advisory power.
RRS 84-1410
8341: Meetings - Types
8341: Meetings - Types holly Mon, 07/22/2019 - 13:47The board of Education will call different types of meetings including but not limited to: regular meetings, special meetings, emergency meetings, adjourned meetings, closed meetings and continued hearings.
79-554, 79-555,
84-1410, 84-1411
8341.1: Reasons for Having Closed Meetings
8341.1: Reasons for Having Closed Meetings holly Mon, 07/22/2019 - 13:49A closed session may be held by the affirmative vote of a majority of the Board, if a closed session is clearly necessary for the protection of the public interest or for the prevention of needless injury to the reputation of an individual and if such individual has not requested a public meeting. Closed sessions may be held for, but shall not be limited to, such reasons as:
A. Strategy sessions with respect to collective bargaining, real estate purchases, or pending litigation or litigation which is imminent;
B. Discussion regarding deployment of security personnel or devices;
C. Investigative proceedings regarding allegations of criminal conduct;
D. Evaluation of the job performance of a person when necessary to prevent needless injury to the reputation of a person and if such person has not requested a public meeting.
Nothing in this Rule shall be construed to require that any meeting or session be closed to the public.
Nothing in this Rule shall permit a closed meeting or session for discussion of the appointment or election of a new member to the Board.
Neb. Rev. Stat. §84-1410
8341.2: Internal Board Policies
8341.2: Internal Board Policies unanimous Thu, 08/01/2019 - 13:57Regular Meetings
Regularly scheduled meetings may be of two kinds: business or educational. The latter type may be held for the purpose of reviewing and evaluating the school program, or the development and discussion of policy.
Special (or Called) Meetings
Special (or called) meetings are to be held to address important matters that may arise between regular meetings and that urgently require action by the Board before the next regular meeting.
Special meetings may be called by the Board president or any two Board members, but all members shall have notice of the time and place of the meeting. Ordinarily, no business shall be transacted except that for which the meeting is called or which is otherwise permitted by law.
Emergency Meetings
Emergency meetings may be called if circumstances exist which require immediate action by the Board. The nature of the emergency shall be stated in the minutes and any formal action taken in such meeting shall pertain only to the emergency. Such emergency meetings may be held by means of electronic or telecommunication equipment.
Adjourned Meetings
Adjourned meetings shall serve as a continuation of a regular meeting, and not as an emergency or called meeting.
Closed Meetings
The Board may hold a closed session by the affirmative vote of a majority of its voting members if a closed session is clearly necessary for the protection of the public interest or for the prevention of needless injury to the reputation of an individual and if such individual has not requested a public meeting. The subject matter and the reason necessitating the closed session shall be identified in the motion to close. The vote to hold a closed session shall be taken in open session. The entire motion, the vote of each member on the question of holding a closed session, the reason for the closed session, and the time when the closed session commenced and concluded shall be recorded in the minutes. If the motion to close passes, the Board president immediately prior to the closed session shall restate on the record the limitation of the subject matter of the closed session. The Board shall restrict its consideration of matters during the closed session to only those purposes set forth in the motion to close as the reason for the closed session. The meeting shall be reconvened in open session before any formal action may be taken on the matters, which were considered in the closed session.
Any Board member shall have the right to challenge the continuation of a closed session if the Board member determines that the session has exceeded the reason stated in the original motion to hold a closed session or if the Board member contends that the closed session is neither necessary for (a) the protection of the public interests or (b) the prevention of needless injury to the reputation of an individual. Such challenge shall be overruled only by a majority vote of the Board. Such challenge and its disposition shall be recorded in the minutes.
Hearings
Hearings by the Board or a committee of the Board will be held as required or otherwise permitted by law.
Any hearing being held, or noticed or ordered to be held, may by motion approved by the members present be continued or recontinued to a subsequent date; provided, however, that all parties to the hearing shall be informed of the date and place of the continued hearing. If a party to the hearing is not present at the hearing, written notice of the date and time of the continued hearing shall be served as soon as reasonably possible on the non-present party at his or her last known address.
79-554, 79-555,84-1410, 84-1411
8342: Determining the Agenda
8342: Determining the Agenda holly Mon, 07/22/2019 - 13:54The Superintendent of Schools and the President of the School Board shall have the responsibility for developing the agenda.
8360: Photo Identification Badges
8360: Photo Identification Badges holly Mon, 07/22/2019 - 13:56Each Board member will be issued a photo identification badge. Each Board member must wear the badge in a clearly visible location on the Board member’s clothing while performing his/her duties while on District property. The badge will admit the Board member and one guest to District sponsored activities.
Neb. Rev. Stat. § 79, 518
8400: Hiring a Superintendent
8400: Hiring a Superintendent holly Mon, 07/22/2019 - 13:57The Board of Education will employ a Superintendent of Schools to administer the educational program of the District in accordance with the policies and directives of the Board of Education.
The following procedure will be used for the selection and employment of the Superintendent:
1. Board acceptance of a resignation or a receipt of a retirement letter from the Superintendent, death of the Superintendent, or cancellation of the Superintendent’s contract pursuant to State law shall cause the process for the employment of a Superintendent to begin.
2. A time line and allocation of funds to conduct the search will be developed and approved by the Board.
3. The Board will develop and approve criteria and procedures for selecting a Superintendent and in the development of such criteria and procedures may request and receive input from staff members, business and community leaders and parents.
4. The Board will determine salary range, fringe benefits, term of office, and terms and conditions relating to contract termination to be included in the contract. The Board will also prescribe the job description and time lines for evaluations.
5. The candidate selected will be contacted by the President and Secretary to confirm the candidate’s acceptance of the position and the contract terms and conditions prior to the presentation of the contract to the Board for approval.
6. The Board of Education will elect the Superintendent at a regular Board meeting by a majority vote of all members of the Board. The Superintendent elect shall be notified as to the date of the Board meeting in order that any public announcement will be coordinated with the Superintendent elect.
7. The Board President will notify all unsuccessful applicants of the election of the Superintendent.
8. All candidate application materials shall be retained and shall be disposed of four years after the date of the applications. All application materials submitted by the applicants, other than finalists, will be withheld and not produced in response to a public records request in accordance with Neb. Rev. Stat. § 84-712.05(15).
Neb. Rev. Stat. §§ 79-501; 79-827; 84-712.05 Schedule 24, Nebraska Records Management Division, 024-004
8410: Evaluating the Superintendent
8410: Evaluating the Superintendent holly Mon, 07/22/2019 - 14:02The Superintendent shall be evaluated twice during the first year of employment and at least once annually thereafter. The evaluation instrument to be used in the evaluation of the Superintendent shall be in the form established by the Board of Education.
Neb. Rev. Stat. §§ 79-824(3), 79-828(2); Title 92, Nebraska Administrative Code, Chapter 10