July 14, 2025 at 7:00 PM - Board of Education Regular Meeting

Rationale:  Information concerning the Open Meeting Law, Chapter 84, Article 14 of Nebraska State Statutes, is posted in the meeting room at a location accessible to members of the public and attached to the online agenda. 

Mrs. Kari Loseke, Board President, will call the Board of Education Regular meeting to order.

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The Board Secretary will conduct roll call attendance. 

Rationale:  Dr. Gilson will lead the Board in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Rationale:  The Blair Community Schools Board of Education will conduct a public hearing for the purpose of public comments on proposed changes to the Student Fees Schedule for the 2025-26 school year.  Board discussion and consideration for action regarding this policy and hearing comments will take place on agenda item 9.9.

540.20-Student Fees
504.20R1-Student Fees 

Rationale:  Per state statue §79-531 through §79-533, each school district shall develop, adopt, and annually review and reaffirm a policy outlining parental involvement in regard to 1) how the school district will provide access to parents concerning textbooks, tests, and other curriculum materials used in the school district; 2) how the school district will handle requests by parents to attend and monitor courses, assemblies, counseling sessions, and other instructional activities; 3) under what circumstances parents may ask that their children be excused from testing, classroom instruction, and other school experiences the parents may find objectionable; 4) how the school district will provide access to records of students; 5) what the school district's testing policy will be; and 6) how the school district participates in surveys of students and the right of parents to remove their children from such surveys. A public hearing is to be held prior to any revisions or affirmation of this policy on a yearly basis.  Board discussion and consideration of action regarding this policy  will take place during the Policy/Curriculum Committee Meeting Minutes portion of the meeting.

Policy 640.00-Parental Involvement in the Schools  Revised for a first reading. 

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• General Fund
• Building Fund and Savings & Depreciation

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• Activity Fund
• General Fund

Rationale:  The Blair High School Concert Choir has been invited to sing alongside the Omaha Symphony on Sunday, November 9, 2025.  This will be an amazing opportunity for students to perform on the same stage as world-class instrumentalists.  The students will also rehearse with Maestro Earnest Richardson and the renowned staff at the Omaha Symophony.  Blair Choirs have attended this in the past, and it has been one of the most cherished choral experiences for the students involved.  

Rationale:  This is the portion of the meeting when members of the public may address the board about matters of public concern.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO WISH TO SPEAK:

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The Policy Committee met on Monday, June 16, 2025.  Meeting minutes are attached.

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The Buildings, Grounds, and Transportation Committee met on Monday, June 23, 2025.  Meeting minutes are attached.

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The Finance Committee met on Tuesday, July 8, 2025.  Meeting minutes are attached.

Rationale:  Items for proposed Board Action

• Approval of the student Fee Schedule for the 2025-26 school year.
  • Policy 504.20R1-Student Fees

Rationale:  Blair Community Schools conducted a surplus sale to liquidate various old or obsolete items and two buses by sealed bid sale.  Items were available for viewing at the Bus Barn between the hours of 8:00am to 12:00pm, Monday, July 7, 2025, Tuesday, July 8, 2025, Wednesday, July 9, 2025, and Thursday, July 10, 2025, or by appointment by calling 402-426-4509.

Bids had to be submitted to the Office of the Superintendent of Schools, 1326 Park Street, Blair NE 68008 on or before Thursday, July 10, 2025, at 12:00pm.  Bids were opened at that time.  The Board of Education reserves the right to reject any or all bids.  Items will not be available for pickup until the sale is approved by the Board at the Monday, July 14, 2025, Board meeting.

In addition, the administration is requesting permission to seek other options for selling or disposing of the remaining surplus items.