July 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:  Strategic Action Plan Update

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 his 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 = $780,429.58

Nutrition Fund = $27,442.16

Subsidiary Fund = $14,340.05

Special Building Fund = $300.00

Senior High Activity Fund = $30,975.87

Junior High Activity Fund = $13,397.24

Student Fee Fund = $9,021.55

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

Rationale: 

In June the Teaching and Learning Office continued work to complete all NDE data checks and distribute all curriculum materials to the buildings.  Everything is on track for the start of the school year. 

The other things we have been working on is finalizing our plans for the 2025-26 school year.  The main focus for our professional development next year will be on Professional Learning Communities (PLC).  On August 7th, the "Opening Day" for our staff, we will have a keynote presentation by Dr. Erik Twadell that begins at 9:30 AM.  Dr. Twadell is an expert on the PLC process and is currently the Superintendent at Stevenson High School in Illinois where PLC began.  I encourage Board Members to attend the presentation if they are able.  This will be the first of the three days of professional development that will help our district maximize the effectiveness of PLCs.      

Rationale: 

In compliance with Nebraska State School Law LB 399, the American Civics Bill, all building Americanism Compliance Reports have been submitted to the Director of Teaching and Learning Office. Teacher reports have been submitted to building administrators on American Civics and are filed within the building for review as needed.

Compliance reports confirm that the building’s social studies curriculum stresses the required patriotic themes. Above curriculum requirements, buildings have conducted appropriate patriotic exercises to celebrate holidays such as Veterans Day.  Senior high students are also required to complete the American Civics Assignment.  Samples of these projects are reviewed by the American Civics Committee every fall. 

Rationale: 

In compliance with the State Board of Education Rule 10 and LB 79-719 Norfolk Public Schools has completed the multicultural education requirements for the school year 2024-25.

The philosophy of the multicultural education program is that students will have improved ability to function as productive members of society when  provided with: (a) an understanding of diverse cultures and races, the manner in which the existence of diverse cultures and races have affected the history of our nation and the world, and of the contributions made by diverse cultures and races and (b) the ability and skills to be sensitive toward and to study, work and live successively with persons of diverse cultures and races. The mission of the multicultural education program is to prepare students to: (a) value and respect their own culture and race and cultures and races other than their own and (b) eliminate stereotypes and different treatment of others based on culture and race. The mission shall also include preparing students to eliminate stereotypes and discrimination or harassment of others based on ethnicity, religion, gender, socioeconomic status, age, or disability.

Norfolk Public Schools incorporates lessons that highlight the contributions of African Americans, Hispanic Americans, Native Americans, Asian Americans, and European Americans within its curriculum.  

Rationale: 

• Introduction

• July Tasks

• Administrator Days 2025

Rationale: 

• Administrator, counselor, and teacher teams were able to meet with the Nebraska MTSS Team in June here at Central Office.  Our teams learned about academic and behavioral interventions for students while developing and modifying plans to help students be successful in each building across the district.  

• Amy Brown and I were able to meet with the new Middle School SRO last week.  We look forward to working with him and all of our SROs this school year, as we have an outstanding partnership with the Norfolk Police Department.

  • NHS: Officer Chris Hansen

  • Jr High: Officer Brent Tietz

  • Middle School: Officer Jordan Mason

• We are preparing for fall registration. Online registration for the 25-26 school year will open tomorrow.  We received many positive comments from families a year ago, and we anticipate online registration being an even smoother process this year.  

Rationale: 

The NPS Job Fair was held on July 19 from 4:00 - 6:00 pm at Central Office for our classified positions. We were able to make some hires, but continue to seek applicants for some of our unfilled classified positions.  Applications are now being accepted for substitute teachers and paraprofessionals for the 2025-2026 school year.

The 2025-2026 school year will begin in less than a month for our staff.  New staff will report on July 31 for training and all staff will report on August 6.  The Back To School staff schedule will soon be shared with all staff. 

Rationale: 

• Connecting Meetings
• Budget Conversations with Mr. Wilson
• Planning for opening presentation
• Developing priorities

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

The committee reviewed claims, financial reports, construction projects, and ongoing summer projects. They also discussed a bus grant, van changes, and budget items. This included the budget timeline, depreciation, and revenue. 

Rationale:  The Norfolk Public Schools Foundation met on June 16th. Executive Director Austin Truex reported $5,900 was raised through the Big Give toward the Bel Air Inclusive Playground, with additional fundraising planned by their PTO this fall. A $12,500 grant was awarded by the Norfolk Area United Way for Panther Packs that will help provide food to students on the weekends. The Classroom Grant Committee will be meeting to make grant selections and award grants to teachers. The Foundation plans to meet again in September.

Rationale:  Minutes from the meeting on June 23rd, 2025 are attached for review. 

Rationale:  Zediker, Brielle

• 2025-2026 Special Education Teacher - Adult Transition, Norfolk Senior High
• Bachelor of Arts, Communications/Early Childhood Education, Wayne State College, Wayne, NE
• 8/2021-present, Job Coach Paraprofessional, Norfolk Public Schools, Norfolk, NE

Rationale:  Attached are the claims. These claims were reviewed earlier by our Finance and Facilities Committee. There are no Conflict Statements.

Rationale:  See attached handbook.

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The 2nd monthly meeting of the Board of Education is scheduled for Monday, July 28th, 2025 at Noon. 

The following regular meeting of the Board of Education will be held on Monday, August 11th, 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.