February 9, 2026 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. 

School Board meetings in Nebraska are meetings held in public, not public meetings.  The public comment agenda item is the only opportunity for the public to address the board. 

Please silence your phones and refrain from texting or using electronics (such as computers) during the meeting; if you must use your phone, please step outside the Board Room.

Mr. Bob Schoby, 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:  First grade students from Deerfield Elementary will lead the Board in the Pledge of Allegiance.

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• January 12, 2026, Board of Education Work Session and Regular Meeting Minutes
• February 3, 2026, Board of Education Special Meeting Minutes

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• General Fund
• Building Fund and Savings & Depreciation

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• Activity Fund
• General Fund

Rationale:  Coach Monica Maly and students of the unified sports program will share a presentation with the board.

Rationale:  Cubby's Convenience Store has donated ($1,195) from their "Let's Raise Some Dough" fundraiser.  Cubby's donates $1.00 for every large pizza sold at their Blair location to Blair Community Schools. 

Thank you to Cubby's for their continued support and commitment to Blair Community Schools.

Rationale:  In December, the Board of Education approved $90,500 in Bear-y Merry Grants from the Blair Community Schools Foundation for funding to support STREAM (Science, Technology, Reading, Engineering, Arts, and Math) classroom improvements by providing supplies, admissions, or access to resources that foster creativity and offer innovative ways to engage students.  Unfortunately, South Early Childhood Center was inadvertently left out and the Foundation would like to award them $10,000.

 

Rationale:  The Blair Backers would like to donate $4,760 for the purchase of new middle school track uniforms. 

Rationale:  Balls Out Motors would like to donate a golf cart valued at approximately $5,000. 

Balls Out Motors has been a very generous supporter of Blair Community Schools over the last several years, lending carts for events such as homecoming parades and providing carts for various school activities.  

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, January 19, 2026.  Meeting minutes are attached.

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The Buildings, Grounds, and Transportation Committee met on Monday, January 26, 2026.  Meeting minutes are attached.

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The Finance Committee met on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, Finance Meeting minutes are attached.

Rationale:  Approval of the Negotiated Agreement between the Blair Board of Education and the Blair Education Association for the 2026-27 school year.

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• Kelli Westphal, High School English Teacher 

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• Jennifer Fowler, ACP Teacher at Otte Middle School - 32 Years (Retirement)
• Emily Peatrowsky, English Teacher at Blair High School - 11 Years (Resignation)
• Amanda Melcher, Guidance Counselor at Otte Middle School - 1 Year (Resignation)

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• The March 9, 2026, Board of Education meeting has been rescheduled to March 16, 2026.
• The next Board Retreat is scheduled for Tuesday, February 24, 2026, at 6:00pm. 
• Brew With the Board is Monday, February 16, 2026, at 9:15am at the Blair High School Cafeteria. 

Rationale:  Monthly Board Reports

• Blair High School
• Otte Middle School
• Arbor Park Elementary
• Deerfield Elementary
• South Early Childhood Center

Rationale:  The Board of Education is authorized by state statute to hold closed sessions.  Closed sessions may be held when clearly necessary for the protection of the public interest or for the prevention of needless injury to the reputation of an individual.  Reasons that meet this standard include but are not limited to:  (a) strategy sessions with respect to collective bargaining, real estate matters, pending litigation, or litigation which is imminent as evidenced by communication of a claim or threat of litigation to or by the public body; (b) discussion regarding deployment of security personnel or devices; (c) investigative proceedings regarding allegations of criminal misconduct; (d) evaluation of the job performance of a person when necessary to prevent needless injury to the reputation of a person and if such person has not requested a public meeting; and (e) legal advice.