Leyton School Board Addresses Roof Repairs

The Leyton School District board of education met Monday, April 12, at the high school.

The board tabled action on its complaint policy until the May meeting.

The board also further discussed the posting of meeting notices. The issue was legal posting, and how to do all possible to ensure the community knows when a meeting is held and what is on the agenda. The board agreed to change the wording of the policy requiring posting of meeting notices. The meeting notices will also be posted at the entrances of the schools and on the website. The board has recently expressed concern of reports that notices have been removed from public postings.

Superintendent Charles Bunner reported leaks were detected in the elementary school following recent storms. It was recommended the roof be replaced. The contractor has agreed to delay billing the district until the next fiscal year. Estimated cost is $55,933. Bunner recommended an additional almost $6,000 to cap the roof and improve the quality of the work.

“You can do that with the funds from the Depreciation Fund,” Bunner said.

The board approved contracting with Weathercraft for a new roof on the elementary school.

A company was contacted for removal of asbestos in the high school science room. The board approved contracting with Great Plains Asbestos Control , Inc.,at a cost of $14,490 plus $2,500 for testing. Bunner said after meeting with an architect, there is a possibility of using some COVID funds to update the science room.

At the end of the meeting, the board met with attorney John Selzer. Selzer discussed Open Meetings Act issues and how the board should conduct meetings in relation to the Open Meetings Act. He addressed the difference between board members meeting attending an event and conducting business, voting or making decisions impacting the school district, at a public event. He said the definition of meeting does not include the chance meeting at an event where no action is taken.

Selzer said the state legislature is expected to pass LB83, a bill addressing virtual conferencing. Electronic communication between board members becomes public record and defined under the Open Meetings Act when the communication becomes a dialogue and elicits responses, according to Selzer. He said the rule includes text messaging.

Student Council President Zac Henke presented plans to update the the outside concession stand. The plans include a new service window and counter and rerouting outlets.

The board also recognized the District's March K-8 Good Citizens. March Good Citizens are Kindergarten: Whitlynne Boman, First: Brityn Boman, Second: Maddy Mitchell, Third: Lexi Serrato, Fourth: Chase Moore, Fifth: Gracyn Abbott, Sixth: Riley Benish, Seventh: Josette McConnell, and Eighth: Ella Haley.

The board also accepted the resignations of Irma Rios and Juliah Fort, and the hiring of Ryan Plummer as High School Principal/AD for the 2021-2022 school year. The board also approved the Special Education policy as presented.