March 9, 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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Consent agenda items include minutes from the February 23rd, 2026 meeting; February 2026 Financial Report, February 2026 bills in the amount of $580,103.34 for the General Fund, and $707,360.97 for the Special Building Fund. Prior to the meeting Liz Kumru and Katie Krause reviewed the bills. 

Resignation from Alex Plambeck and Tana Starman. 

Teacher Replacement Contract and Recommendations for the following teachers to be hired for the 2026-2027 school year:

Abigail Rinkol — 2nd Grade - WW.  Abigail is already hired for the 26/27 school year at MB.  She will complete the 25/26 year for H. Calabro.
Danie Brandl- Agriculture- RHS.  Danie has her BA from UNO and her Master’s from UNL.  She is currently the Agriculture Education Teacher at Elm Creek.
Laura Heller- Resource Teacher- Blumfield.  Laura received her BA from Dana College and her Master’s from UNO.  She is currently working as a Special Education Teacher in Papillion -La Vista School District.  She worked for Ralston from 2006-2019. 
Maureen Monson - 4^th Grade - Blumfield.  Maureen received her BA from Saint Mary.  She is currently teaching First grade at St. Cecilia Elementary School.

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:  We would like to proudly recognize the following student/athletes who placed in last month's State Wrestling meet.  Their coach, RHS PE teacher Ed Schmitt, will introduce his wrestlers who recently medaled at the state meet.

Students being recognized for Monday, March 9, 2026 include:

State Runner Up Brody Schmitt
State Runner Up Gage Grandel
4th Place finisher Makayla Dixon

In addition, our Ralston High School Cheer team had a great performance at the State Cheer competition this past month.  Our Cheer team placed third overall.  Our Cheer team is represented by our head coach Lauren Vetter, and her assistant Taylor Moran.  Cheer members in attendance tonight include:  





 

Rationale:  Brian Ferguson and Kyl Gillespie will present Mockingbird Elementary's school improvement plan.
 

Rationale:  Megan Harding and Sara Zabrowski-Gates will provide a detailed update on programming within the American Civics Program at Ralston Public Schools.  During this Board of Education item the public will be invited to provide public testimony if desired on topics that align with American Civics.

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:  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:  Data from our winter assessments will be shared and reviewed.

Rationale:  Megan Harding will present to the BOE the process of option enrollment from application to acceptance to attendance.
 

Rationale:  Nebraska Frameworks Governance and Leadership

Rationale:  The district has a technology update plan in place, and we are entering year 1 of our our new E-rate cycle and we need to update our licensing for our new wireless access points district-wide.

A fair and public bidding process was used, and bids were open publicly on 2/25/2026.  

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The Board and Administration will review proposed policies including:
Policy 5011


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., March 9 2026 - 6:00 p.m.

                                    Virginia Moon Administrative Center

May 12, 2026 Statewide Primary Election
Oct. 23, 2026 Last day for Write-In Candidates to file notarized affidavit and filing fees.

March

• Tuesday, March 10th (7:00 pm) - District Instrumental Music Festival @ RHS gymnasium.  

• Tuesday, March 17 (7:00 pm) - RHS Show Choir Concert @ RHS Theater

• Thursday, March 26th (3:45 pm) - RPS Elementary Intramural Volleyball Showcase @ RHS gymnasium

• Wednesday, March 25 - Friday, March 27 (all day) - State FFA Convention @ Lincoln, Nebraska

 

April 

• Thursday, April 9 - Saturday, April 11 - SkillsUSA NE State Conference @ Heartland Events Center and Fonner Park in Grand Island, NE

• Saturday, April 25 (5 - 8 pm) - RHS Auto Show @ RHS main parking lot.

Vehicle Day

• Saturday, April 18 (8 to 11:00 pm) - RHS Prom @ The Granary

• Saturday, April 18 (12:00 pm to 3:00 am) - RHS Post Prom @ RHS High School gymnasium

• Wednesday, April 22 (9 am to 1:30 pm) - Trailblazer Conference Art Show @ Wahoo High School 

• Tuesday, April 28 (during the school day) - RHS RUSH Elementary School Tour @ All Six RPS Elementaries
Wednesday, April 29, 5:30pm Heart of Learning Awards Liberty First Credit Arena

• Thursday, April 30 (7:00 pm) - RHS Musical @ RHS Theater

 

May

• Friday, May 1 & Saturday, May 2 (7:00 pm) - RHS Musical @ RHS Theater

• Sunday, May 3 (2:00 pm) - RHS Musical @ RHS Theater

• Monday, May 4 (6:00 SY and 7:15 BF pm) - Elementary Vocal Music Concerts @ RHS Theater

• Tuesday, May 5 (6:00 KW and 7:15 MB pm) - Elementary Vocal Music Concerts @ RHS Theater

• Wednesday, May 6 (6:00 WW and 7:15 ME pm) - Elementary Vocal Music Concerts @ RHS Theater

• Wednesday, May 13 (6:30 pm) - RHS Seniors Honors Night @ RHS gymnasium

• Friday, May 15 (9:00 am and then at 1:30 pm) - RHS Graduation Rehearsal (RHS gymnasium) & Elementary Walks (all elementary schools)

• Sunday, May 17 (2:00 pm) - RHS Graduation @ Liberty First Credit Union Arena

• RMS Band Concert @ 6:00pm in RHS Auditorium

• Tuesday, May 19 - RHS Undergrad Awards @ RHS Theater

• Wednesday, May 20 (evening) - RHS FFA Banquet @ RHS Cafeteria

• Thursday, May 21 - RPS Last Day of School

 

June

 

July

• July 8th - July 23rd (8:30 am to 12:00 pm) - RMS Bridge to Middle School program @ RMS

                       

                       

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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.