No public comments were received from Auburn Public Schools patrons Monday, July 16, at two special hearings which preceded the Board of Education regular meeting.

Hearings considered the student fee, and parental involvement and participation policies.
The student fee structure was approved at the regular meeting. The only change was a 10 cent increase in both breakfast and lunch prices.
“We try to help parents out the best way we can as the situation arises,” Superintendent Kevin Reiman said.
The student fee policy is in accordance with the Public Elementary and Secondary Student Fee Authorization Act. The district’s general policy is to provide for the free instruction in school in accordance with the Nebraska Constitution, federal and state law. School officials provide activities, programs and services to children which extend beyond the minimum level of constitutionally required free instruction. The district’s general policy is to continue to encourage and, to the extent permitted by law, to require such student and parent contributions to enhance the educational program provided by district officials.
Some fees or costs are subject to a fee waiver for students who qualify for free or reduced price lunches. Students do not have to participate in free or reduced price lunches. They only need to qualify.
There were no changes to the parental involvement and participation policy. Reiman said no complaints were received. State law required an annual hearing for the policy. Under the policy, school officials provide for and encourage involvement of parents, guardians and/or foster parents through such means as parent-teacher conferences, advisory councils and parent-teacher organizations.
“We try to reach out to parents the best we can,” he said.
Student-Parent Handbooks
Student-parent handbooks for 2012-2013 were approved. Reiman said the only major change was the high school grading scale. The change placed Auburn Public Schools in accordance with other schools in Nebraska and higher education.
Excess Equipment Declared Surplus
Several items were declared excess equipment and will be sold at auction at a date yet to be set, likely in September. Proceeds from the auction will go into the district’s general fund.
The items are: a Chevrolet cargo van, a Ford school bus, an antique speaker and old seating from the Auburn State Theater. The old theater seats will be available in October and may be hauled away as they are removed.
New Policies, Policy Revisions
Revised policies were approved on: option enrollment and regulation and superintendent evaluation. New policies were approved on: deposits and transfers, textbook loan, basic instruction program and assessments-content standards as presented. The policies are in accordance with state statutes and Nebraska Department of Education rules.
Summer Wellness Program Presentation
Michelle Leslie, school nurse, informed the school board and school officials on the Auburn Public Schools Summer Wellness program.
Reiman said Leslie said students wanted to learn about physical activities and healthy nutrition. He said he was pleased with the participation.
Leslie said eight participants meet Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. The students are in grades six through 12 and they wear T-shirts with designs created at Southeast Design Company.
“The kids seem to enjoy it,” she said.
Leslie said she hoped to continue the program in future summers and apply for grants.
Activities have included: water aerobics, aerobics, yoga, bicycle riding, gardening, water balloon fight and circuits, volleyball, healthy snacks, portion control, benefits of a healthy lifestyle, personal hygiene, reading a nutrition label and childhood obesity.
Several participants gave reactions:
“It gives me a reason to get out of bed in the morning and start my day,” Caitlin Dauel said.
“I like water aerobics a lot because it is something we don’t get to do every day!,” Haley Clark said.
“We learned how to make fruit smoothies at school and I went home and made one myself,” Courtney Clark said.
“When we did the aerobics with Katy (Billings) it was fun but she worked us so hard, and I want to continue this through the rest of the year,” Brittany Clark said.
Other Business
The meeting ended with an executive session to discuss personnel matters.
After leaving the session, administrator salaries were approved. They were: $110,250 for Reiman; $92,400 for Nancy Fuller, director of curriculum and school improvement; $85,500 for Vernon Golladay, secondary principal; $73,790 for Kevin Walker, assistant principal/activities director and $86,500 for Sharon Pollard, elementary principal. Reiman said all votes were unanimous except Barb Billesbach voted against the salary for Pollard. Board member JaNay Oestmann was absent from the meeting held at the Brownville Village Hall.
August Meeting
The August regular school board meeting is Monday, Aug. 13, at 5:30 p.m. at the Auburn Public Schools Central Office, 1713 J St., Auburn.