MEETING MINUTES— 1.14.2016
Location: Lincoln, Nebraska – The Pizza Ranch -84th & Lexington | 12pm
Present: Members: Tim Kirkpatrick, Amy Fish, Joanne Bartels, Sydney Stanard, Larry Gadeken, Nga Vu, Carl Tesch, Bill Neeman, Sherri Recker, RJ Lipert, Captain Anthony Butler, Steve Maly, Steve Sheridan, Sean Quigley, Ben Petersen, Barb Tyler, Darlene Boardman, Theresa Thesenvitz, Fred Knight, Dr. Patestas, KolleenMeyer-Krikac
Guests: George Sherry
Introductions/ Member Announcements:
- The October minutes were approved by RJ and Joanne.
- All members introduced themselves.
- Took a vote on the slate, motion approved by Fred and RJ and the group voted to approve the official slate.
- Asked if anyone was interested in serving on social or membership boards, and if so, please see those chairs.
- February will be a NLBA membership meeting to inform members about 2016 speakers and social events.
- Jon Borton informed that the new website is up and running and to please have everybody check their location and logos to ensure accuracy. Please reach out to Diana Schilf or Steve Maly if changes need to be made.
- Big thanks for filling out the survey on SurveyMonkey back in November, over half of the group responded!
- The board will review the survey results at the board meeting next Tuesday, January 19.
Social Chair Update:
- Currently, nothing from the Social Chair
Treasurer’s Report:
- Tim said we have $1,350.12 in the checking account as of January 1, 2016.
- Tim also reminded that dues are due. Remember, it is $85 until Jan 31st and then it increases to $100 after Feb 1.
Police/Fire Update:.
-48% of 911 calls coming in frequently are at the following locations: The Mission, Wal-mart, pump and pantry, U-stop on W “O” and the jail.
-The roundabout at 14th and Superior has reduced the amount of property damage and serious injuries caused by accidents
-In late December there was a rash of commercial burglaries especially out in the Coddington storage facilities. 10 units were entered and minor damage was done. Boss Pizza at 1000 Saunders Ave had a landscaping block thrown through their glass window and had $550 in total loss. All Seasons at 2131 Cornhusker HWY also had a concrete block thrown through their glass door, causing a total loss of $1,600.Police believe that since these thefts were during non-operating hours, it is likely the perpetrators were familiar with the businesses, perhaps ex-employees.
-AAA Roofing on 3641 N 22nd has a security fence protecting their vehicles, however someone had left the keys in an unlocked 2003 Ford Truck and the vehicle was stolen.
-Sunday, January 10th, counterfeit $10 bills were reported at the Dollar General on 2310 N 1st #5 and at the Kwik Shop on 2330 N 1st. Officers located the vehicle, took a suspect into custody and arrested Edward Sims. It turns out Mr. Sims has a long criminal history stretching back as far as 1980 and has gone by several different alias such as James Wood and Matthew Burch.
-The Air Show will be out in Air Park May 7-8th and Summer Sand Jam will be at Oak Park
-Officers moved to different teams January 14th, 2016.
-RJ asked how the teams like the new work hours. Captain Butler stated today is the first day and that several officers were looking forward to leaving 12 hr days and moving toward the 8 hr days. This will give them more time with their families.
Featured Speaker:
Dr. Dan Hohensee – Southeast Community College Career Academy. (TCA)
TCA can help strengthen the connection between kids, academics and real world job experiences. TCA is a joint venture between LPC and SCC. The 25 million dollar building is located on 83rd and O St. 50% was paid for by LPS and 50% was paid for by SCC. The employee benefit structure will stay within their institutions and will not be affected.
Kids leave their main high schools and complete 2 hrs a day, 5 days a week at TCA to study Pathways. Pathways are focused areas of study in different industries. Whether it’s technical training, science and medical, culinary, HVAC, technology, construction, etc., students earn high school and college credits by participating. They even offer CNA and EMT certification.
Each child can earn 5-10 quarter credits each semester or 2-4 college level classes. For example, 30 TCA credits translates into about 20 credits at UNL.
It has also been found that many college students often change their majors. This program works well because it allows students to get involved and experience a particular line of work they may want to pursue. English is taken during senior year, and this is where the students learn professional and technical writing. Not only do they hone useful and real world writing techniques, but they also learn about different kinds of reports that each line of work may require.
TCA uses local leaders in our communities as mentors that can provide internships, they regularly invite speakers to come in, and they take nearly 40-45 field trips per year to obtain real life hands on experiences.
TCA follows the LPS schedule and calendar (Closure days count as well) This is more efficient since the kids are only with them for 2 hrs a day and then back at their home high schools. Transportation is provided by TCA to and from the high school, books and Chrome books are free and 50% of kids are on scholarships.
The purpose of TCA is to give students options. Employers in the technical field are finding it difficult to find good employees with the necessary technical skills or degrees. This program allows for internships that open up opportunities for immediate employment following school.
2015 was the 1st year they were opened. They had 570 applications. 100 students did not get qualified due to attendance, behavioral issues or GPA and 100 students simply changed their minds. Overall they extended 396 offers and about 360 showed up on the first day. By 2nd semester they had about 280 kids so they lost about 80. (UNL 1st year retention rate is 84%, SCC is 55%, national average is 71% and TCA is 75%).
Q&A:
Summer school programs? Looking into it now. Economically, SCC terms/staffing create the issue to be able to have summer school.
Distribution across the Lincoln high schools? LHS has had the lowest response and LSE has had the strongest response with 70-75 kids. There are roughly 40-50 kids per high school.
Possible dorms or living communities down the road? Yes possibly, for the college kids only though. Remote community centers spread out will also help those out in rural areas. Very similar to the Centennial Program which was incepted in 2007 out in southeast Nebraska, named the Career academy program (CAP). Those kids take courses in the high school so they don’t actually have to travel to the centers. This is the main difference between TCA.
Any other pathways in the future? Currently no room, but the pathways will be reviewed every 3 years to assess demand. Health/science pathways are exploding. K12, Engineering and Science are also very popular.
How does this work with block scheduling? Kids lose 2 blocks at Southwest. Problems occur with kids in music/band since they have very regimented programs
Kids attend everyday? Yes 5 days a week
Schedules available to both Juniors and Seniors– This all has to do with logistics and facility. This 1st year we were able to accommodate kids in band etc, next year however we have 150 juniors that have gone through the 1st year curriculum. So we are finding we need more space and more staff. Now the morning is only available for 1st year curriculum
Capacity? 500 give or take. 500 in the morning and 500 in afternoon.
What if a child starts in one pathway but changes their mind? – There is some leeway in the first couple of weeks, however you have to take one class, to take the next and that can make it difficult to change. However, business is the most flexible.
How many students do you need to make it financially sustainable? –We can offer a pathway if there are at least 8 to 12 kids minimum interested
Business owner that wants to mentor? Go to website and you can be on the pathway support team. Quick signup and get on mailing list. On Friday Jan 22nd there will be a pathway summit.
Employers willing to give the students scholarships? Yes. Field trips cost around $200-400 just to take a bus out. Every student has the opportunity to be involved in clubs like FFA, Decca, etc. and any conferences or travel associated with that is about $600 per kid annually.
NLBA Meetings:
- The next Association meeting is THURSDAY, FEB 11TH 2016
- THE PIZZA RANCH – 84th & Lexington | 11:30am – 1:00pm
- No Speaker- NLBA ANNUAL MEETING
- The next Board meeting is TUESDAY, January, 19th 2016 | 11:30am | Lancaster rehab
Meeting Adjourned.
Respectfully submitted by Sydney Stanard NLBA Secretary Sydney.Stanard@mutualofomaha.com
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