Second resource officer OK'd

Tuesday, September 10, 2002
School board president Jim Coady swears in MHS student body representative Tyler Bieck during the board's regular meeting Monday.

The McCook school board approved the district's share of funding for a second campus police officer and recommended more research before OK'ing a "Cool the Schools" project to purchase air conditioners for East and North wards.

Meeting Monday night, the board also changed its regular meeting night and time to the second Tuesday of each month at 5:30 p.m., to encourage better public attendance.

Board president Jim Coady swore in MHS senior Tyler Bieck, the son of Bill Bieck and the late Mary Jo Bieck, as the 2002-2003 student body representative on the board.

The new COPS grant will provide funding for a police officer at McCook's elementary schools, and would be financed by the school by budgeting $9,253 each of four years. The grant is a joint venture with the city of McCook, which must also provide matching funds. The funds are not in the city's 2003 budget, but the city council has approved the project.

The current campus resource officer project is in its second year, and costs the school $6,000 each of four years. Each campus officer program must be funded locally if it continues after four years.

Board secretary Greg Larson questioned the need for a second police officer during tight budget times, asking whether the district is "sacrificing education" for a police officer.

Principal Kathy Latta defended the program. "The issue isn't money," she said. "It's the safety of our kids."

Latta said the current campus officer, Jerry Calvin, is very good, "but he can't be everywhere." She said a second officer, designated specifically for the elementaries, would help with traffic control and safety; reports of abuse and neglect and welfare concerns; playground accidents and bullying problems; DARE drug education classes for fifth and sixth graders; bike safety; "Just Say No" and "Red Ribbon Week" activities; and building and playground security issues.

Latta told board members, "You can't put a price on safety." Larson asked "what happens" at the end of the first grant program's four years? "We'll get used to two (officers) and then we're back to one," he said.

"Or back to none, if we don't approve this (second) grant now," said fellow board member Mike Gonzales.

"Cool the Schools" proponents Jay Austin and Mark Sarver explained their proposal, in which they would collect donations for 30-some 18,000-BTU window air conditions for North and East ward schools.

Austin said Sarver was "appalled" by the temperatures in the elementary classrooms when he took his daughter to school this fall.

Sarver said, with commitments already made by individuals, it should be no problem getting air conditioners before hot weather next spring.

Board members, however, told Austin and Sarver they need more information about wiring upgrades, installation and operation costs before approving the project. Gonzales said, "This is a great idea, but we need to have all the costs figured out before we progress with this."

Superintendent Dr. Don Marchant said air conditioners could improve the security of the buildings. "All the doors and windows are open now," he said.

Coady told Austin and Sarver, "It's appreciated. It really is, but we need to get all our ducks in a row."

The board accepted with gratitude the donation of musical instruments and big band music by the son of 1942 MHS graduates Betty Jane (Dutton) and Robert Niccolson.

The cornet, four trombones and CD and vinyl music collection are valued at $11,500, according to the Niccolsons' son, Scott, of Arizona. That figure includes the cost of engraved plaques Niccolson is placing on the instruments and Niccolson's travel to McCook to donate the collection.

Board member Jack Clark and Coady said that determining the value of the collection would have to be left to Niccolson and the IRS.

Latta told board members she would like to find a long-term substitute, at least until semester change, for Karrie Rowan, the third grade teacher at East Ward who asked to be released from her contract to move with her family.

Clark said he was hesitant to release a teacher so quickly after the start of classes. "It's an unfortunate situation," he said, "But we have a third grade class that needs a teacher." Clark said the kids "deserve better" than a string of teachers during the school year.

Coady suggested releasing Rowan from her contract, pending the district's ability to find a suitable replacement, with gratitude for four years of service to the district's children.

Coady directed the board's policy committee to develop a policy allowing the board to implement a "consensus forum" to eliminate discussion of ordinary month-to-month agenda items. Any item may be brought out of the consensus forum and discussed at the request of board members, Coady said. He said the new format is designed to speed up meetings.

During budget discussions, the board approved implementing the authority to exceed the basic allowable growth rate of 2.5 percent, and accessing the applicable allowable growth rate of 2.6165 percent plus 1 percent, for a total of 3.6165 percent.

Datus said this process creates "a savings account for future boards," and does not automatically allow the current board to utilize this additional budget authority.

The board also approved taxing, at 0.02879518 cents, the $112,767.12 the state returned to the McCook school district after reducing the district's state aid by the same amount. The board set a special budget hearing for 5:30 p.m., Monday, Sept. 16.

Datus explained to board members the recently-purchased MCI coach bus has developed wiring problems, which have been fixed, and brake problems, which should be fixed this week. A second coach bus needed $1,100 in freon for the air conditioning unit, he said, and the brand new 2002 bus, which is still under warranty, is in Omaha for repairs. In other action, the board:

- Reviewed revenue and expenditure projections.

- Appointed motor vehicle mechanic authority to Dr. Marchant.

- Heard a short report from MHS Student Council members Jeremiah Herron, Lindsay Dame and Chris Lyons.

- Cast its votes for Nebraska Association of School Boards Region 14 director for Greg Larson. Larson abstained from the voting.

- Discussed contract negotiations and personnel in closed session from 9:45 p.m. until 10:44 p.m.

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