April 14, 2025 at 5:30 PM - Board of Education Regular Meeting

Rationale:  The Norfolk Public School District's Board of Education meeting is called to order.  

Rationale:  If any board member is absent, there will need to be a  motion to excuse the absence.

Rationale:  This is a legal meeting of the board of education, as advertised by the means specified in board policy. A complete copy of the Open Meetings Act is posted in the board room for your review. A copy of the agenda is available at the desk of the recording secretary.

Rationale:  Please stand and join us in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.

Rationale:  Jefferson Elementary Student Leadership Team

Rationale:  English Language Learner Program Update

Rationale:  Presentation of the District’s proposed budget cut plan for the 2025-2026 school year

Rationale: 

This is the time during the meeting when the public may request to address the Board. According to state law, if you wish to comment you must identify yourself, including your address, the name of the organization you represent and the topic that you wish to address. "Public Comment" cards are located at the Media table, in the back of the room.  Please pick up a card and provide the required information, if you plan to speak.  Each individual’s comments will be limited to five minutes.

Please note that the Board cannot discuss or act upon matters that are not listed on the agenda. Therefore, Board members will not respond to your comments or questions. If you wish to request that an item be placed on a future Board agenda, you may contact the Superintendent or her assistant during normal business hours.

Also note that concerns related to school personnel need to be addressed to the Superintendent using the approved district protocol. Individuals who make false, defamatory,  or slanderous statements during public comments may be held legally liable. Slanderous comments are not protected just because they are made at Board meetings.

Additional procedural guidelines are available at the media table.

Rationale: 

The total amount of claims to be approved on the consent agenda by specific fund are listed below:

General Fund = $348,407.72

Nutrition Fund = $320,862.45

Cooperative Fund = $110.00

Subsidiary Fund = $3,595.79

Depreciation Fund = $46,262.00

Special Building Fund = $661,373.80

Senior High Activity Fund = $43,152.75

Junior High Activity Fund = $1,597.17

Student Fee Fund = $1,098.01

All of these claims were reviewed earlier today by the Finance and Facilities Committee.

Rationale: 

Curriculum, Instruction & Assessment

Spring Testing is beginning to wrap up.  My team, teachers and administrators have all worked very hard to make this process a success.  I especially want to highlight the flexibility and resilience displayed by the Senior High administration, teachers and students.  The state of Nebraska and ACT have encouraged districts to give the test online this year.  The test will only be available online in the near future.  Our senior high gave the test online on April 8th.  The ACT website that hosts the test went down that morning for almost an hour.  Our staff still successfully administered the test when the system came back online.  We were not the only district to experience this challenge, both Omaha and Lincoln Public schools were giving the test last Tuesday online and experienced the same issue. 

Earlier this semester I shared with you about our work with the District Management Group through the Nebraska Department of Education.  On April 2nd we were notified that the funding for this project had been cut off.  We were 7 weeks into our 10 week cycle at that point.  We have decided to finish the process without the support of the coaches DMG.  One of the reasons we participated in this program to begin with was its goal to build capacity within our staff.  Many of our staff were already leading their team meetings so we feel comfortable with their leadership for the rest of the cycle.  The Teaching and Learning Team will also be available to support them as needed. 

Rationale: 

This month we will conclude the state-required special education parent survey. We have shared the link to the survey with our parents through email, at conferences, and IEP meetings.  We will receive the results in September 2025. 

Our special education distinct PLC will be held on April 23 where we will review our TIP data to submit to the state.

The Adult Transition House and Operation "N’ Ployability Completion Ceremony will be held Wednesday, May 14 at 3:00 PM in the Johnny Carson Theater.   

Rationale: 

• On March 28, our Kindergarten classes across the district were able to attend the Baby Animal Farm at the Chuck Pohlman Ag Complex at Northeast Community College.  It was a great experience for our students to interact with horses, pigs, goats, and cows.  They were also able to climb on a tractor, a combine, and a semi trailer.  Mr Anderson’s FFA students from Norfolk High were able to lead the stations.  

• This past Friday, I was able to take multiple members of our Safety Team to Northeast Community College for a presentation by Phil Chalmers on Identifying Threats and Keeping Schools Safe.  Our Safety Team will debrief and discuss what we learned at our next team meeting.

Rationale: 

The search for high quality teachers for the 2025-2026 school year continues.  I am excited about the teachers that have been hired already and will be joining the NPS staff for the 2025-2026 school year.  We are struggling to fill several of our positions, but will continue to advertise, network and talk to colleges to attempt to recruit quality candidates.

Summer school plans and staffing are underway. Staff contracts for Summer School will be sent out next week.

Rationale:  Monthly Enrollment Update
Superintendent Advisory Committees
Special Events in May

Rationale: 

The Facilities & Finance Committee met earlier today. Board members in attendance included:

The committee reviewed claims and financial reports, and held discussions on ongoing projects, including the Middle School construction, the Senior High chiller, and planned summer projects. They also addressed bus purchases and Arrow Stage Lines. Additionally, the committee received a preview of the 2025-2026 budget.
 

Rationale: 

The Policy Committee has not met since the last Board meeting. However, when the Committee met on March 7, 2025, they reviewed Board Policies 3230-3580 (related to Business Operations). These policies were not discussed at the March 10, 2025 Board meeting, as their first reading was held over to tonight's meeting.   

Policy 3240 (Business Operations): Non-substantive (grammatic) changes 

Policy 3560 (Records Management and Disposition): Section C regarding electronic storage limitations was revised to reflect our current practices/limitations

Policy 3570 (ESSA): Revised to remove "emergency" teaching license, as this is no longer an option available from NDE

Policy 3580 (Insufficient Funds):  Revised to reflect our current practice, which does not include charging our patrons a returned check fee

No other changes have been made to these policies. They are recommended for approval on first reading tonight.

Our next Policy Committee meeting will be scheduled after we receive our summer updates from the Perry Law Firm.

Rationale: 

The Government Relations Committee met on March 13th. Brenda Carhart, Patti Gubbels, Tom Stanton, Dr. Jami Jo Thompson, and Tiffany Settles were present.

The Committee focused on reviewing bills which had hearings. Bills that the Committee took action on included:

1. LB 149- which would eliminate the prohibition on suspending a student in prekindergarten through 2nd grade.  Chuck Hughes testified in support of this bill in person. 

2. LB 430- which would provide an additional exception to the prohibition on suspending a student in prekindergarten thru 2nd grade  -  Chuck Hughes testified in support of this bill in person. 

The Government Relations Committee also met on March 20th. Brenda Carhart, Tom Stanton, Dr. Jami Jo Thompson, and Tiffany Settles were present. Dr. Patti Gubbels was in DC on a legislative trip. 

The Committee focused on reviewing bills which had hearings. Bills that the Committee took action on included:

1. LB 492- Which would change juvenile court jurisdiction relating to habitual truancy and provisions relating to compulsory school attendance. Mr.  Hughes wrote a letter in opposition. 

Bill introduction, hearings, and prioritizations are now finalized. At this point in the session, we  watch the daily agenda and contact senators if one of our priority bills is scheduled to be debated.

Future Meetings: TBD

Rationale: 

The Activities Committee met on April 7th, 2025. Teri Bauer, Brenda Carhart, Tom Stanton, Dr. Jami Jo Thompson, Erik Wilson, Jason Settles, John Erwin, Curt Lammers, Jordan Hinrichs, and Callan Collins were present. 

Board members assigned Teri Bauer as Committee Chair.

John Erwin shared a Senior High Update, including State Champions:  Girls Bowling, Girls Wrestling, Unified Cheer, and Individual State Champion: Tori Maxey, Girls Wrestling.  Mr. Erwin also provided an update regarding spring participation numbers, which were up in almost every activity. 

The committee then spent time reviewing the Senior High Activities Handbook. Changes were made to the following sections of the Activities Handbook: Class Officer Nominations, Extracurricular Activity Participation, Royalty Selection, and Student’s Rights and Responsibilities.

No changes to our current practices or procedures were made. The language was simply reworded so that it is clearer and easier to understand.  For example, under Royalty Selection, we specify that the time frame for the violation is "during their senior year or the summer preceding". Previously, this time frame was unclear.

The committee also reviewed Student Fees (Policy 5416). They support the proposed fee changes and recommend presenting them to the Board in May.

Mr. Hinrichs reviewed the Junior High Participation Numbers. They were up in most activities as well. Celebrations included:

• Near undefeated season for 8th Grade Boys Basketball 

• Largest number of participants for girls wrestling this year

• Junior High began using trackwrestling for their wrestling events

• First ever Capitol Concert Series Performance on 2/19 at Lincoln, NE

Mr. Hinrichs asked if he could explore the possibility of increasing Junior High Admission Fees. Currently, fees are $4 for adults and $3 for students. He would like to increase these to help cover rising referee costs. It was decided that Mr. Hinrichs will research pricing at other schools and compile a comparison list to share with the committee. 

There are no Activities Committee meetings scheduled for the rest of the school year.

Rationale: 

The American Civics Committee meeting began at 4:00 pm on Tuesday, March 11. No changes have been made to the K-12 Social Studies Curriculum. The information shared from Jared Oswald, Director of Teaching and Learning, began with a review of the committee roles and responsibilities from Board Policy. The committee then reviewed the minutes from the fall meeting to bring the new members up to speed on what had taken place already this school year.  Time was allowed for any questions the new members had.  Nancy Probasco, PreK-4 Instructional Leader, shared that a decision was made on a K-3 Resource that will be presented to the Curriculum Committee for approval to take to the School Board. 

Rationale: 

The Curriculum Committee met twice in March on the 11th and the 24th.  Members present for both meetings were Dr. Patti Gubbels, Cindy Booth and Steve McNally. 

The first meeting began at 3:45 on March 11th with introductions of the Teaching and Learning team.  Jared Oswald reviewed the committee roles and responsibilities from Board Policy. He shared information with the new members about what a typical year and typical items look like for the Curriculum Committee.  Then the minutes from the fall meeting were reviewed to update new members. Jared also shared a review of the Material Adoption process that teachers go through when looking for new curriculum resources. 

Three proposals for materials were presented to the committee for approval.  First, K-3 Social Studies, after reviewing 3 different products/ companies the teachers chose Studies Weekly.  Sample materials were shared with the committee to look at.  The other two proposals presented were for Senior High Science.  Physical Science for 9th grade and Earth Science for 11th Grade. With the changes that were approved in the Senior High course offerings at the fall Curriculum Committee meeting the teachers were able to find a resource that aligned with their course needs.  Rationale and Motions for the Board to consider will be read later tonight.  

The Teaching and Learning team also shared that they are looking at implementing a Tier 2 Reading Intervention program in the Junior High and Senior High for students that need help based on assessment data but do not qualify for SpEd services. This program will help bridge the gap for the secondary students. Lexia Power Up is a program already used in the lower grades in the district and has shown positive results in nationwide studies. The Junior High will be looking at 15-20 licenses per year and the Senior High will be looking at 30-40 licenses per year. This would be a one year purchase so adjustments could be made as needed each year.  The Teaching and Learning Team will be applying for a grant that would cover the cost of the licenses.  If the grant funding is not secured a proposal will be brought to the full board before a purchase is made.

The meeting adjourned at 5:20 pm.

The Curriculum Committee met again on March 24, 2025 at 12:45 to explore Target Based Grading.  The meeting began with a discussion around the nature of grading in general and its purpose in schools.  Jared Oswald and the Teaching and Learning Team then reviewed the timeline of Target Based grading and reviewed which grade levels and subjects are currently using Target Based Grading across the district.  The meeting continued mostly in a question and answer format with committee members asking questions and discussing topics such as problems with the traditional grading system, what research says about grading, how grading by Target Based Grading seeks to provide clarity, how Target Based grading works for teachers, how Target Based Grading affects students moving to college, what challenges have occurred with implementation of Target Based Grading, what the Teaching and Learning Department is doing to address challenges and what district achievement data currently says.  

The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Curriculum Committee will occur next Fall.  If further meetings are requested they will be scheduled as needed.  The meeting adjourned at 2:15  

Rationale:  The Norfolk Public Schools Foundation meeting on March 17th was called to order by Board President, Jason Busch. The Board reviewed and approved financial reports from November 2024 through January 2025, and committee chairs for 2025 were assigned. A new fund in memory of Beau Robert Morgan was introduced to support NPS student needs. Executive Director, Austin Truex, provided updates on scholarship applications and the selection committee. Additionally, the Board voted to allocate all funds raised during the Big Give to the Inclusive Playground for kids in the LIFE program at Bel Air Elementary. The next Board meeting is scheduled for April.

Rationale:  Minutes from the meetings on March 24th and March 31st, 2025 are attached for review. 
 

Rationale:  Bengston, Ian

• 2025-2026 Special Education Teacher (Co-Teacher), Norfolk Senior High
• Bachelor of Science, History, Wayne State College, Wayne, NE, to be conferred 5/2025
• 1/2025-5/2025, Student Teacher, Norfolk Senior High School, Norfolk, NE

Klein, Carre

• 2025-2026 Teacher for the Deaf/Hard of Hearing, Little Panthers Preschool & Norfolk Senior High
• Master of Science, Curriculum and Instruction, Doane University, Lincoln, NE
• 8/2022-Present, Teacher of the Deaf, O’Neill Public School, O’Neill, NE

Liable, Jordyn

• 2025-2026 6th Grade Classroom Teacher, Norfolk Middle School
• Bachelor of Arts, Elementary Education K-6, University of Nebraska - Kearney, to be conferred 5/2025
• 1/2025-5/2025, Student Teacher, 5th Grade, Norfolk Middle School

Richter, Kristina

• 2025-2026 1st Grade Classroom Teacher, Washington Elementary
• Bachelor of Arts, Elementary Education, Western Governors University, Millcreek, UT
• 9/2024-12/2024, Student Teacher, Plainview Public Schools, Plainview, NE
• 1/2025-Present, Substitute Paraprofessional, Plainview Public Schools, Plainview, NE

Tillotson, Rachel

• 2025-2026 Math Teacher 9-12, Norfolk Senior High
• Master of Education, Curriculum and Instruction, Doane University, Crete, NE
• 1/2018-Present, Adjunct Mathematics Instructor/Tutor, Northeast Community College, Norfolk, NE

Rationale:  Attached are the claims. These claims were reviewed earlier by our Finance and Facilities Committee. 

There is one conflict statement this month that will need to be read before voting. 

Rationale:  I presented to you earlier tonight our plan of budget cuts for the 25/26 school year to help reduce our budget deficit. I would be happy to answer any further questions regarding that presentation.

Rationale:  We received 2 quotes in response to our RFP for a micro bus. Both quotes met our requirements but the micro bus from Thomas Built came in $30,000 less than the competitor. We currently have some Thomas Built buses in our fleet and feel confident this mico bus will meet our needs. This information was reviewed in the Finance and Facilities meeting. I recommend we move forward with this purchase for a price of $103,875. If approved today I will sign documents tomorrow but we will not receive the bus until Nov or Dec. 

Rationale:  We received 6 different route bus proposals from 3 different vendors. All proposals met our requirements presented in the RFP. Cornhusker International's proposal for a 2026, 65 passenger bus did come in the lowest by just a few thousand dollars. I recommend moving forward with the purchase of this bus for $127,940. This information was also reviewed in the Finance and Facilities meeting. These funds have been budgeted for in our maintenance/vehicle depreciation fund. They do have this bus in stock right now and we could have it in our fleet by as early as the end of the month.

Rationale: 

At the elementary level teachers have not had a program to use to teach Social Studies.  This fall teams of teachers began to research different products that were available.  Teams of teachers representing each grade level investigated 3 products beginning this fall as discussed during the Curriculum Committee Report.  The team decided on Studies Weekly based both on the quality of the materials and its cost effectiveness compared to their other top option.  The purchase will be for a 6 year term at a total cost of $76,139.40.  This cost includes all materials and professional development for the program.  This represents a cost of $10.57 per student per year for the life of the contract.  The funds for this purchase will come from the general curriculum budget. 

Rationale:  Physical Science is a required course for all students in 9th Grade at the Senior High.  Physical Science has not purchased a new book since 2004.  This was mainly due to the structure of the course based on the Nebraska State Science Standards.  This fall the teachers made changes to the 9-12 course sequence that was approved by the Curriculum Committee.  These changes allowed the teachers to select a resource that met their needs.  As a part of these changes Earth Science was added as a course option for 11th Grade students.  Those teachers are in need of a resource to implement that course.  Both groups of teachers went through the textbook adoption process and both selected Inspire Science from McGraw Hill.  The purchase has an overall cost of $81,246.34 for both Physical Science and Earth Science programs.  This cost includes the purchase of classroom sets of textbooks for each teacher, online access for teachers and students and professional development for the program.  This represents a cost of $21.99 per student per year for Physical Science and $23.23 per student per year for Earth Science.

Rationale:  These policies were reviewed by the Policy Committee and discussed earlier during the Policy Committee Report. The Committee recommends the approval of their First Reading tonight. 

I would be happy to answer any additional questions you may have.

• 3230 - Security 

• 3231 - Video Surveillance 

• 3240 - Business Operations 

• 3241 - Emergency Response Mapping

• 3250 - Trespassers 

• 3410 - Safe Driving Record Standard for Drivers

• 3520 - Transportation

• 3540 - Procedures - Bidding Construction Projects 

• 3550 - Rebates to School Personnel 

• 3560 - Records Management and Disposition

• 3570 - ESSA

• 3571 - Meal Charge Policy

• 3580 - Insufficient Funds

Rationale:  No changes have been made to this policy since its first reading.

Rationale:  No changes have been made to this policy since its first reading.

Rationale:  No changes have been made to this policy since its first reading.

Rationale:  Resignation - Megan Lovejoy, Special Education Teacher, Norfolk Senior High, effective April 16, 2025

Rationale:  Board to discuss the next steps and finalize the interim superintendent search process with the Nebraska Association of School Boards (NASB). 

Rationale: 

The 2nd monthly meeting of the Board of Education is scheduled for Monday, April 28th, 2025 at Noon. This will be to conduct regular business and to interview Interim Superintendent candidates. 

The following regular meeting of the Board of Education will be held on Monday, May 12th, 2025 at 5:30 PM. 

All components of these meetings will be held at the NPS Central Administration Offices and will be open to the public unless an Executive Session is needed in order to protect the interest of the district or the reputation of an individual.