September 8, 2025 at 6:00 PM - Board of Education Regular Meeting

Rationale: 

Mission Statement:

Gothenburg Public Schools is the cornerstone of a proud, passionate, and progressive community where students and staff thrive in a positive and innovative environment.  We ensure the growth of all individuals by inspiring them to own and maximize their potential.

A copy of the open meetings law is posted on the wall of the Board Room and is available to the public.

Rationale: 

The Board reserves the right to rearrange the order of items as needed.

This meeting was legally advertised in the Gothenburg Leader on [insert date] and was also published on the Nebraska Public Notices website, in accordance with state requirements.  A copy of the Request for Publication and Proof of Publication will be linked in the electronic minutes once the Proof of Publication is available.

Rationale:  Restorative Practices - Mrs. Floyd

Rationale: 

Board Policy 2009 - Opportunity for Public Expression.  
(A copy of the policy is linked here.)

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

INSTRUCTIONS FOR MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO WISH TO SPEAK: This is the portion of the meeting when members of the public may speak to the board about matters of public concern.  

• Getting Started: Before the meeting begins, anyone wishing to address the board must sign in with their name, address, and any organizations they are representing. When recognized, please stand and state your name. 

• Time Limit:  The board will generally allow a total of 30 minutes for the presentation of all public comments.  Individuals may speak only one time, and must limit comments to 5 minutes.  If there are more than 6 individuals who wish to address the board, the 30 minutes will be divided equally between the number of speakers.   These time limits may be changed by a majority vote of the board members in attendance to extend the time for a specific item or speaker. 

• Personnel or Student Topic:  If you are planning to speak about a personnel or a student matter involving an individual, please understand that the district has a complaint policy and/or procedures to resolve such complaints and concerns.  The Board requests that you follow the policy and procedures before addressing these matters with the Board.  Board members will generally not respond to any questions you ask or comments about individual staff members or students.  

• General Rules: This is a public meeting for the conduct of business.  Comments from the audience while others are speaking will not be tolerated.  Lewd, obscene, profane, slanderous, threatening and hostile conduct or statements and fighting words (words whose mere utterance entails a call to violence) will not be tolerated. 

• No Action by the Board:  The board will not act on any matter unless it is on the published agenda. 

Rationale: 

1. Approval of Previous Minutes

2. Approval of the Treasurer's Report

3. Approval of the Warrants / Bills

  a.  Petty Cash

  b.  Student Activity

  c.  Hot Lunch

  d.  Bank Statement

  e.  Summary of Accounts and Receipts

  f.  Monthly Expenditure Report

  g. Check Journal

4. Excuse Absent Board Members

 

Rationale:  School districts periodically identify equipment, furniture, and materials that are no longer functional, safe, cost-effective to repair, or aligned with current instructional or operational needs. Surplusing such items allows the district to responsibly dispose of or repurpose outdated or unneeded property, maintain an efficient use of storage space, and ensure that district resources are directed toward items that support student learning and district operations.

The board is asked to consider the following item(s) as surplus:

• Grasshopper Mower (auction)

Rationale:  State Statute 77-2350 requires that "the treasurer...of any school district... shall deposit the funds received ...[into]... official depositories for such funds."  This resolution specifies the entities to which the school district will deposit funds.

We do have one Conflict of Interest form filed for this item.  Mrs. Jobman will abstain from voting.  

Rationale:  Legislation requires that we establish standards for option enrollment before October 1st of the preceding school year.  While this can be very difficult to guess a full year in advance, there are some generally accepted standards we can adhere to.  The recommended capacity limitations will ensure we can remain committed to providing a high quality education to District 20 students in an economically efficient manner.
 

Rationale:  District #20 has been a STANCE member since the inception of this organization as Dr. Teahon was one of the 'founders'.  The mission of STANCE is Schools Taking Action for Nebraska Children's Education and focuses on tackling legislative issues through the lens of a school superintendent as opposed to a lobbyist.  This organization is important to me as a professional as it provides a wonderful networking opportunity with progressive and innovative superintendents.

Rationale:  Jesse and I met with Joseph Hewgley and Ryan Sterns on Friday to discuss the process toward finalizing our work with their firm.

Phase II (Area B): The Project Management fee for the entire project is $60,000. This payment of $57,000 is 95% of that total which represents the portion of the work that has been completed. We do still have some problem solving that is taking place around HVAC in Area B but we have a clear path forward on how that will be addressed. We will retain the remaining 5% until we are satisfied with the resolution.

Phase III (Area C & D): We engaged in preliminary design work for a secure entryway to obtain cost estimates and begin planning for the project’s completion. This invoice covers conceptual drawings, a preliminary cost estimate, and construction documents for a few smaller projects in Areas C and D that were not pursued this past summer. The total invoiced amount is $41,990, which reflects all services rendered to date. Joseph Hewgley has confirmed that, aside from the remaining 5% obligation on Phase II (Area B), this payment will pay all rendered services in full.

Rationale:  Our current band uniforms, which are more than 20 years old, have exceeded their intended lifespan and are due for replacement. Mr. Johnson and Mr. Mroczek collaborated with Fruhauf’s to design uniforms that are both comfortable and functional. After reviewing multiple options, this proposal was determined to be the most cost-effective solution. The purchase includes 60 uniforms with all necessary components, as well as an updated banner, at a total cost of $56,777.33. This purchase was referred by the Facilities Committee last spring but has taken some time to work through the ordering and design process.

Rationale:  The Gothenburg Education Association (GEA) was certified as the exclusive collective bargaining agent for Gothenburg Public Schools by the Nebraska Commission of Industrial Relations on February 8, 2016.

As a procedural item, no action is required.  However, please let the minutes reflect the Board of Education recognizes the Gothenburg Education Association as the bargaining agent for the certificated staff of District #20 for the 2026-2027 school year.  The certification order and the timeline are attached. 

Rationale:  Annual review of our policy regarding insurance and the board of education is required.  Members of board of education may participate in the school district’s health and life insurance plans which are provided to school district employees. A board member electing to participate in the insurance program of the school district shall pay both the employee and the employer portions of the premiums to the district in advance of any payments being due from the district to the insurance carrier.

There are no current board members that participate in this program. As an annual review, no action is required.

Rationale: 

Committee Reports (Chair in bold)

1.  Personnel Committee (Mr. Fornoff, Mrs. Terrell, Mrs. Brass)
2. Transportation and Facilities (Mr. Dalrymple, Mr. Sukraw, Mrs. Jobman)
3. Finance (Mrs. Jobman, Mr. Dalrymple, Mrs. Brass)
4. Committee on American Civics (Mrs. Terrell, Mr. Fornoff, Mr. Sukraw)
5. Policy Review (Mrs. Brass, Mr. Dalrymple, Mrs. Jobman)

 

Rationale: 

Rationale:  Special Meeting to Adopt the Budget & Set Tax Request
Wednesday, September 24th @ 5:30 PM

Regular Board Meeting
Monday, October 13th

Swede Activities:
8:00-4:00 Elementary Professional Development
Girls State Golf
JH Volleyball @ 4:30PM 
R/JV/V Volleyball @ 5/6/7 in Lexington