April 13, 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.

Rationale: 

The Board Secretary will conduct roll call attendance. 

Rationale:  Arbor Park Elementary's Junior Naturalist Club will lead the Board in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Rationale: 

• March 16, 2026 Board of Education Regular Meeting Minutes

Rationale: 

• General Fund
• Building Fund and Savings & Depreciation

Rationale: 

• Activity Fund
• General Fund
• General Fund Checks to be Ratified
• General Fund Payroll to be Ratified
• Other Fund Claims (Lunch Fund, Savings Depreciation, Building Fund, Bond Fund, QCPUF)

Rationale:  The Washington County Cattlemen's Association would like to donate $5,000 to the Blair Schools FFA Chapter to help with the State FFA Convention trip expenses. 

Rationale:  The Blair High School Cheer Team, led by head coach Emily Guenther, received a $2,000 donation from a "Level the Mat" project started by Millard West High School seniors and DECA members to help Nebraska high school cheer programs purchase full-sized competition mats.

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:

Rationale: 

The Policy Committee met on Monday, March 23, 2026.  Meeting minutes are attached.

• Possible motion to approve the first reading of a new Facility Handbook as presented. 

Rationale: 

The Buildings, Grounds, and Transportation Committee met on Monday, March 30, 2026.  Meeting minutes are attached.
 

• Possible motion to approve the purchase of a Hotsy heated pressure washer in the amount of $12,210.00.
• Possible motion to approve the purchase of an intercom system from Electric Sound in the amount of $27,200 for South Early Childhood Center.

Rationale: 

The Finance Committee met on Wednesday, April 8, 2026.  Meeting minutes are attached.

• Possible motion to approve the Apple Lease Agreement as presented.
• Possible motion to approve the adoption of DIBELS 8^th Edition as the district’s reading screener for the 2026-27 school year, at a cost of $85,000 which includes funds for Professional Development for teacher onboarding.
• Possible motion to approve the purchase of a new 71-passenger bus from Cornhusker International in the amount of $162,500.

Rationale: 

• Chase Andersen - Blair High School, Social Studies Teacher
• Baileigh Broder - Blair High School, Science Teacher
• Logan Fiala - Deerfield Elementary, Grade 1 Teacher
• Jodie Green - District Office, Director of Special Education
• Kay Hopfensperger - Blair High School, Science Teacher
• Lance Hume - Blair High School, Math Teacher
• Shae Junck - Blair High School, Special Education Teacher
• Ryan Raabe - Otte Middle School, Special Education Teacher
• Candice Schnedier - South Early Childhood Center, Preschool Teacher
• TJ Swaney - Deerfield Elementary, Grade 5 Teacher

Rationale: 

• Peggy Rutcosky - Deerfield Elementary, Grade 3 Teacher (20 Years)

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.