July 14, 2025 at 6:00 PM - Board of Education Regular Meeting/Business

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Patrons can watch the Ralston Public Schools Board of Education Meeting by following the link below.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCo8VrugRaRJ-0GL1Cg8BlBA

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Please stand and join us in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Nebraska Frameworks Governance and Leadership
Policy 2008, Board of Education Meetings.

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Nebraska Frameworks Governance and Leadership
Policy 2008, Board of Education Meetings.

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A complete copy of the Open Meetings Act is posted on the back wall of the Board of Education meeting room.

Public Comment Sign In Procedure - Anyone wishing to address the Board of Education must submit a written request form, found on the public’s table, prior to Public Comments.

The Board reserves the right to move into closed session to protect the public interest or needless injury to the reputation of an individual for any action item listed on the agenda. The Board may, at its discretion, change the order of the agenda to accommodate unforeseen issues related to an agenda item.

Nebraska Frameworks Stakeholder Communication and Relationships
Policy 2009, Public Participation at Board Meetings.

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The Ralston Board of Education appreciates the public's right to provide public comment.  It is the practice of the Ralston Board to listen to the public comment, without discussion between the public and the Board.  Should you have a question or ask for follow-up from the Board, the Board President will direct the Superintendent to address the requests and provide additional information to you as appropriate.  We ask that you refrain from personal comments about individuals and the use of vulgar or inappropriate language in addressing the Board. 

The board will generally allow a total of 30 minutes for the presentation of all public comments.  Individuals may only speak one time per topic and must limit comments to around three (3) minutes. In the event more than 10 individuals wish to address the board, the 30 minutes will be divided equally between the number of speakers. At the discretion of the Board President or Chair, speakers may be allotted additional time.

At this time the Ralston Public Schools Board of Education will entertain public comment.

Nebraska Frameworks Stakeholder Communication and Relationships
Policy 2009, Public Participation at Board Meetings.

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Consent agenda items include minutes from the June 23rd meeting;  subcommittee agendas for the month of June.  June Financial Report, June bills in the amount of $793,011.80 for the General Fund, and $3,256,591.89  for the Special Building Fund. Prior to the meeting  Mary Roarty and Samantha Willey reviewed the bills. 

Recommend the following teachers to be hired for the 2025-2026 school year.

Jeanne Lackore  - 6^th Grade at KW.  BA from University of Phoenix. Jeanne is currently a Special Ed Para at Westmont Elementary.
Kelley Ryan - 3^rd Grade at KW .  BA from Wayne and MA from UNO.  Kelley is currently a substitute with Papillion La Vista Schools.

Changing Rayden Delawter (4th Grade Blumfield) contract from Step 7, MA to Step 7, MA +9.  The contract was originally approved on April 28th.

Nebraska Frameworks Governance and Leadership
Board Policy 2008, Board of Education Meetings.
Board Policy 3007, Review of Bills.         

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Nebraska Frameworks Governance and Leadership
Board Policy 2008, Board of Education Meetings.

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Board of Education members will discuss items they have recently observed or attended or items they wish to share with the other members of the Board of Education and the public.

Nebraska Frameworks Governance and Leadership
Board Policy 2008, Board of Education Meetings.

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Nebraska Frameworks Governance and Leadership
Board Policy 2022, Reporting to the Public.

Rationale:  Dr. Aaron Bredenkamp will provide an overview of the District Financial Report for the month.  Dr. Bredenkamp will address any questions that the Board of Education members may have about any part of the financial statements.  

 

Nebraska Frameworks Governance and Leadership
Board Policy 2008, Board of Education Meetings.
Board Policy 3001, Budget

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Mr. Buckingham will update the Board regarding Legislative issues. 

Nebraska Frameworks Governance and Leadership
Board Policy 2022, Reporting to the Public.

Rationale:  Mrs. Elizabeth Kumru will update the Board of Education on items and information that is under consideration with the Nebraska Association of School Boards.

Nebraska Frameworks Governance and Leadership
Policy 2022 Reporting to the Public.

Rationale:  Andrew Mather will provide an overview of the school improvement plan for Karen Western Elementary.

Rationale:  Ryan Pivonka will outline proposed changes to the 2025-2026 Staff Handbook and address any questions that may arise during discussion.  

Rationale:  Mr. Buckingham, and members of the administrative team will provide an update to the Board of Education on the progress of various projects in motion with the 2021 Future Ready Ralston Bond Initiative.



 

Rationale:  Dr. Bredenkamp will present the district's submission to the NDEE Clean Diesel Rebate and the mandatory cost share portion of the program. 

AdvancEd Standard 3.8  The system allocates human, material, and fiscal resources in alignment with the system's identified needs and priorities to improve student performance and organizational effectiveness.   
Policy 3004 Purchasing.

Rationale:  Mr. Joe Kohout will be on hand to visit with the Board of Education about renewing the legislative services contract between Kissel, Kohout, ES Associates and Ralston Public Schools.  The proposed arrangement would call for a 0% increase for the next two years, followed by a 3% increase for the third year of the contract.

 

Rationale:  Nebraska Frameworks Governance and Leadership

Rationale:  Prior to the meeting this evening a public hearing was conducted to hear input on the proposed student fees for Ralston Public Schools for the 2025-2026 school year.  The Administration asks that the Board of Education approve the 2025-2026 Student Fees as presented.

Board Policy 5045 Student Fees

Rationale:  Each summer the student handbooks at the elementary, middle school, and high school level are reviewed and adjusted as needed.  Dr. Pivonka will provide has provided an overview, and will discuss any changes made since the intal review.

Rationale:  The staff at RPS has worked the last several months piloting and choosing an EL curriculum for adoption and implementation for the 2025-2026 school year.  This agenda item is a review of the process and a request to approve the purchase of the new curriculum.

Rationale:  The administration would ask the Board of Education approve the renewal of the Arbor Family Counseling Contract.  The proposed 2025-2026 contract is attached.  

Rationale:  Approval of Policies reviewed and updated on 6/23 including policies 4062, 5001, 5015, 5016, 5018, 5031, 6025, 6031, 6034 and 6044.

Rationale:  Seeking approval of a contract to tear out and replace existing concrete in the Central Office parking lot.

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The Board and Administration will review proposed policies.

Nebraska Frameworks Governance and Leadership
Nebraska Frameworks Committment to Continuous Improvement
Board Policy 2001, Role of the Board of Education.

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Supplemental Documents include the following:

Bill Review Schedule - 2024

 

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                  Board of Education Meeting – Mon., _____________ – 6:00 p.m.

                                    Virginia Moon Administrative Center

                       

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Cognia Standard 8:  The governing authority demonstrates a commitment to learners by collaborating with leaders to uphold the institution's priorities and to drive continuous improvement. 
Board Policy 2008, Board of Education Meetings.