January 12, 2026 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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Reorganization of the Board for the 2026 calendar year.

Jason Buckingham will take nominations and conduct the election to name a Board of Education President for 2026.  Once the Board President is selected, that person will then conduct the nominations and elections for the Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer of the Board of Education. 

Nebraska Frameworks Governance and Leadership
Standard Policy 2002 Organization of the Board.

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Consent agenda items include minutes from the December 8, 2025 meeting; December 2025 Financial Report, December 2025 bills in the amount of $561,766.84 for the General Fund, and $166,001.70 for the Special Building Fund. Prior to the meeting Mary Roarty and Samantha Willey reviewed the bills. 
Resignation letters from Jodell Shymkiewicz, Kyleah Schmidt, Dayana Johnson, Paige Todd, Christina Ulrich, Langston Hoover, Kelly Carver-Clemts, Kelly Madison, Sandi Miller, Sue Petersen, Nick Birdsley, and Kyle Young. 

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


Recommend the following teachers to be hired for the 2025-2026 school year on a replacement contract.

Kayleen Kallweit - Meadows.  BA from University of Kearney, currently a Substitute Teacher with Ralston Public Schools.  

Nicole Wells - Psychologist, RHS.  B.S. in Psychology at Ne. Wesleyan, M.A. & Ed.S from UNL.  She will be replacing Kyleigh Schmidt.

Recommend the following teacher to be hired for the 2026-2027 school year:
Kayleen Kallweit- Elementary.  BA from University of Kearney, she is currently on a replacement contract for April Pinkes.

Anna Sitzman- Elementary, Seymour.  BA from Brewton Parker College in Ga.  Currently, she is a Reading Interventionist at Treutlen County Board of Education.





     

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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.

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Sara Zabrowski-Gates will review the enrollment information with the Board.

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

Rationale:  Update from Teaching & Learning and Staffing, Support, and Leadership of our 5 year Strategic Plan.

Rationale:  Nebraska Frameworks Governance and Leadership

Rationale:  Aaron Bredenkamp will outline the various District Service Providers to the Board of Education.  The Board reviews District Service Providers annually in January.  The administration asks that the Board of Education approve the District Service Providers as presented.

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

Rationale:  We are to appoint a Non-Discrimination Compliance Coordinator and a Title IX Coordinator on a yearly basis.  Ryan Pivonka will fill the role of Title IX coordinator for our school district.

Rationale:  There are three BOE subcommittees that meet on a monthly basis.  Teaching and Learning, Finance and Human Resources and Building and Grounds each need two board members to volunteer to serve for the upcoming calendar year.  In addition, per statute we need three Board Members to sit on the Americanism Committee.

Rationale:  Policy 6050, School Year is required in Rule 10 and is not needed as a separate policy.

Rationale:  A public bidding was conducted for the partial roof replacement of the A-wing at Ralston High School.  Advertisements were published, a pre-bid meeting was conducted, and a public opening all occurred. 

Rationale:  A public bidding was conducted for the replacement of the roof at Meadows Elementary.  Advertisements were published, a pre-bid meeting was conducted, and a public opening all occurred. 

Rationale:  A public bidding was conducted for the partial replacement of the roof at Wildewood Elementary.  Advertisements were published, a pre-bid meeting was conducted, and a public opening all occurred. 

Rationale:  A public bidding was conducted for the partial replacement of the roof at Ralston Middle School to cover the lower gym, weight room, and main entrance.  Advertisements were published, a pre-bid meeting was conducted, and a public opening all occurred. 

Rationale:  A public bidding was conducted for the reconditioning of portions of the roof at Ralston Middle and Ralston High School to cover 7th grade wing and mechanical rooms.  Advertisements were published, a pre-bid meeting was conducted, and a public opening all occurred. 

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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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The Board reserves the right to move into closed session to discuss legal issues. The Board may, at its discretion, change the order of the agenda to accommodate unforeseen issues related to an agenda item.

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Nebraska Frameworks Governance and Leadership
Board Policy 2021, Executive Meetings.

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Supplemental Documents include the following:

Bill Review Schedule - 2024

 

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                  Board of Education Meeting - Mon., Jan. 12 - 6:00 p.m.

                                    Virginia Moon Administrative Center

Jan. 5, First day a person may file for office to have their name placed on the ballot as a candidate up for election in 2026.
February 17, 2026 Deadline for incumbents up for election to file.
Next BOE meeting, Jan. 26, 6pm
March 2, 2026 Deadline for non-incumbents to file for office on the primary election.
May 12, 2026 Statewide Primary Election
Oct. 23, 2026 Last day for Write-In Candidates to file notarized affidavit and filing fees.

                       

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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.