September 17, 2026 at 6:00 PM - Learning Community Coordinating Council

1. Opening the Meeting:

1.a. Call to order: The regular meeting of the Learning Community Coordinating Council is called to order on September 17, at 6:00 p.m.

1.b. Council Mission Statement: Together with school districts and community organizations as partners, we demonstrate, share, and implement more effective practices to measurably improve educational outcomes for children and families in poverty.

1.c. Public Notice and Compliance Nebraska Open Meetings Law: Public Notice was published in The Daily Record on September 11 and on the Learning Community Website.

1.d. Council Roll Call:

1.e. Pledge of Allegiance: Please stand and face the flag for the Pledge of Allegiance. 

2. Public Comment: Are there any public comments?

3. Good News Report!

4. Reports: 

4.a. Chair Report:

4.b. CEO Report

4.c. Treasurer Report:

4.d. Legal Counsel:

4.e. Foundation:

5. Consent Agenda:

Unless removed from the consent agenda, items identified within the consent agenda will be acted on at one time.

5.a. Minutes of the September 17, 2026, meeting of the Council.

LEVY MEETING
Call meeting to order 5:01pm Sharnelle Shelton

Council Roll call –
Present: Cynthia Johnson, David Preston Jr, Sharnelle Shelton, Carol Hahn, Warren Whitted Jr, Mark Hoeger, Stephen Bloom

Absent: Raquel Rodriguez, Tonya Ward, Doug Brady, Tim Hall, Jason Taylor

Staff: Gerald Kuhn, Andrew Keck, Josue Covarrubias, Juliana Lopez, Kristine Sorenson

Call to meeting – 5:15pm – Sharnell Shelton

No public comment

LEVY EVALUATION
75k increase in tax increase
ELC Levy – 22 million to fund programming
2 million will fund existing programming

5:23 pm closed to the public

• Increase of programming
• New ovens $40k
• Projectors $10k, looking for bids
• Carpet $15k
• Consultant fee $30k
• Decrease in budget for programming
• Evaluating new laptops  

New motion for approval for Bridge Programming
The biggest increase is for the Coordinating Council.
Budget increase of 3%
Funding April and August
The meeting ended at 5:52 pm.

BUDGET MEETING/LCCC
Council Roll call –
Present: Cynthia Johnson, David Preston Jr, Sharnelle Shelton, Carol Hahn, Warren Whitted Jr, Mark Hoeger, Stephen Bloom, Jason Taylor

Absent: Raquel Rodriguez, Tonya Ward, Doug Brady, Tim Hall

Staff: Gerald Kuhn, Andrew Keck, Josue Covarrubias, Juliana Lopez, Kristine Sorenson

Call meeting to order at 6:00 pm — Sharnelle Shelton

Public Comment – none

Good News report – Vala’s fall celebration

Chair Report – Reminder of upcoming CEO evaluation

CEO Report – staff retreat/outings, employee survey results, created a workforce stabilization plan to keep employees staffed. Creating a master calendar so that things don’t change; payroll, family events. Kutak rock – New legal partner, GiGi- very well versed in employee training. One World change in leadership. Nationwide search for a new CEO for One World. Lauritzen Gardens has become a new partnership. Sponsorship policy was presented. Tour is coming up with Senator Lonoski next week (9/22 3:30-5:00 pm) for the North and South location. Senator Ashlei Spivey hearing for October 2^nd. Senator Margo Juarez date request. Working with the team to get ready for October 2^nd. Documentary on the history of the Learning Community. Future Developments.

Treasurer Report – Budget

Agenda – Vote – Whitted voted to approve. Shelton seconded. Motion passed.

Subcommittee Report – No vote

Admin and personnel subcommittee – next meeting as a retention plan, working on a dashboard running metrics. Initial data on a monthly report. CLS change in mindset for on-call service. Made that change in NetSuite.

Center updates – new paint, new signs, paint is not completed, logos are pending to be put up. Classes are resuming and classes are full, focusing on kindergarten readiness. New partnership with CK – onsite programming with onsite classes. Castelar elementary 24 families in attendance, increasing programming even more. Micro business class.

New Business – Bridge one year agreement 35k, general budget, motion to approve, motion passed. No motions to amend, motion passed.

Property tax levy for 2027
Splitting ELC and max
Motion passed for tax

7:04 completed

Keep meeting the same October 15th 6-8pm
 

5.b. Treasurer’s Report – dated August 31, 2026

6. Subcommittee Reports:

6.a. Elementary, Learning, and Diversity (ELD) subcommittee:

6.b. Budget, Finance & Audit Subcommittee:

6.c. Legislative and Policy subcommittee:

6.d. Administration and Personnel subcommittee:

7. Programming Update:

7.a. Center Updates:
I. LCCNO
II. LCCSO

8. New Business:

9. Motion to Approve "The Bridge" partnership agreement

10. Approval of the 2026-2027 Learning Community Budget

11. Property Tax Levy of the Learning Community for 2026-2027

12. Adjournment: Meeting adjourned at: 

13. Next Meeting - October 15, 2026 at 6:00 PM