June 8, 2026 at 12:00 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 June 4, 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: 

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: 

• Strategy 2 Update - Mr. Ryker

Rationale: 

Nebraska School Districts are required to have annual hearings for each of the following areas:

Budget (September)

Tax Request (September)

Student Fees Policy (June)

Parental Involvement Policy (June)

 

Other Hearings may be scheduled as needed.

Rationale:  Policy 5018 Parental Involvement
Policy 5018 outlines procedures for parents to review curriculum materials, observe instructional activities, access information about assessments, and request that their child be excused from certain instructional activities when appropriate. It also establishes expectations regarding parent notification and consent for student surveys involving sensitive topics and clarifies parental rights related to state assessments, the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), and access to student records.

The requirements outlined in this policy align with practices already in place at Gothenburg Public Schools, where parents have historically had access to educational materials and will continue to do so moving forward.
 

Rationale:  An opportunity for the public to comment on Parental Involvement.

Rationale:  The proposed changes include updated lunch prices that were approved last month and an increase in the student activities pass. This pass will increase from $40 to $50 and will now include multi-team invites. 

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:  Sarah Anderson - Elementary Teacher (5th Grade)
Mrs. Anderson is already a familiar face at Dudley Elementary, having successfully served in several long-term substitute teaching assignments during the past school year. With a bachelor's degree in Human Development & Family Relationships and experience operating an in-home daycare, building positive relationships with children comes naturally to her.

We are excited to welcome Mrs. Anderson to this role and are grateful for recent certification pathway changes that allow schools to consider talented individuals with four-year degrees outside of education while they work toward full teacher certification. These pathways help address teacher shortages while maintaining high expectations for professional growth and development. Mrs. Anderson's experience, dedication to students, and commitment to earning her teaching credentials make her an excellent example of how these opportunities can benefit both students and schools.

Rationale:  This designation is done on an annual basis prior to September of each year.

Rationale: 

Schools have three lids they must observe when setting their budget:
1) $1.05 Levy Limit
2) Budget Authority (Expenditure Limit)
3) Property Tax Request Authority

The funding needed for the School District to meet its obligations to its students may require an increase in the base growth percentage used to determine the School District’s property tax request authority.

Nebraska law authorizes the Board, upon an affirmative vote of at least seventy percent (70%) of the Board, to increase such base growth percentage by up to six percent (6%).  

A motion to approve this increase would increase the base growth percentage used to determine Gothenburg Public School's property tax request authority for the 2026-2027 budget by an amount of up to 6%.

A vote for this motion does not mean that Gothenburg Public Schools will access all six percent.  Instead, it means that a number up to six percent may be used when planning the overall budget. 

The image below shows how the Gothenburg Public School's overall tax request has fluctuated over the past several years compared to the Rate of Inflation (https://www.usinflationcalculator.com/inflation/current-inflation-rates/).

Rationale:  A Student Fees Hearing is required each year.  If public input was given, take into consideration that input and consider this as a first reading.  If no public input, consider a motion to approve the updated policy.  School lunch prices were already approved at a prior meeting.  

Rationale:  Policy 5054 formalizes the district’s expectations regarding bullying prevention, reporting, and response. It clearly prohibits all forms of bullying, including cyberbullying, and aligns district practice with state and national definitions.

The policy reinforces that students should report bullying to a teacher or administrator, outlines the district’s responsibility to promptly investigate reports, and emphasizes that disciplinary consequences will be based on the severity and impact of the behavior. It also clarifies that bullying occurring off campus may still result in school discipline if it substantially disrupts the educational environment.

Additionally, the policy provides requires ongoing student education related to bullying prevention and digital citizenship. The policy will continue to be reviewed annually to ensure compliance and effectiveness.

There are no changes to this policy at this time.  This is a review only.  No action is required.

Rationale:  Policy 6025 outlines the district's expectations for student use of cell phones and other electronic devices while at school. The policy permits students to possess and use electronic devices, provided they do so safely, responsibly, and in accordance with school rules.

At the elementary level, cell phones must be stored during the school day unless required by a student's educational plan.

For students in grades 7-12, cell phones are to be placed in designated classroom storage areas during instructional time and may be retrieved at the end of class.

The policy prohibits the use of electronic devices in areas where privacy is expected and prohibits their use for bullying, harassment, or the creation or sharing of inappropriate content. Additionally, the policy clarifies that students are responsible for their devices, that devices may be searched when permitted by law, and that violations may result in confiscation and disciplinary consequences.

As an annual review, there is no required action.

Rationale:  Each year, KSB provides legally required updates to be made in policy and subsequent handbook references.  A review of those updates can be found here.

Rationale:  After reviewing existing policy, the following proposals for new policy are linked here for consideration of the Board.

As these are a first-reading, no action is required.  Any feedback should be provided to Dr. Jonas before the next board meeting.

Rationale:  The student handbook is a work in progress over the summer. The changes work to align our updated policies with our student handbook.  We are still working on these but are providing an active link for review prior to the July board meeting.  Timing of approval is important to ensure we can get the handbook to students in August.

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:  Monday, July 13th
HS Conference Room

Swede Activities:
none