March 6, 2023 at 5:30 PM - Regular Monthly Meeting of the Kearney Public Schools Board of Education

Rationale:  This is an open, public meeting and a copy of the Open Meetings Act is posted in this room.

Rationale:  Superintendent Mundorf will report to the Board of Education on recent legislative activity in the Nebraska Unicameral that affects education.

Rationale:  Board meetings may have on the agenda, a specific time entitled Public Participation/Comment, during which patrons may address the Board on matters of general concern.  No public body shall require members of the public to identify themselves as a condition for admission to the meeting, nor shall such body require that the name of any members of the public be placed on the agenda prior to such meeting in order to speak about items on the agenda.  Patrons wishing to address the Board during the Public Participation/Comment will be allowed up to five (5) minutes per speaker to express their view.  Public Participation/Comment may not exceed sixty (60) total minutes.  The Board-imposed time limits may be extended by a majority vote of the Board, following a motion to do so.  Board action may not be taken on matters discussed during the Public Participation/Comment, unless the matter specifically appears on the prepared agenda.  Board of Education members will refrain from expressing personal opinions during Public Participation/Comment.

Any members of the public desiring to address the body shall be required to sign in with the recording secretary prior to the start of the meeting and identify himself or herself, including an address, phone number, and name of any organization represented by such person, unless the address and phone number requirement is waived to protect the security of the individual.

Rationale:  Drew Blessing will report on the topics the NASB is monitoring in the Nebraska Unicameral that relate to education.

Rationale:  We have received letters of resignation from: Rylee Hill, special education teacher at Kearney High School; and Heather Stukey, Principal at Windy Hills Elementary School; as well as a letter of retirement resignation from Mary Fruhling, counselor at Kenwood Elementary School; effective the end of the 2022-2023 school year.  We will ask the Board to accept these resignations and retirement resignation, with regret.

Rationale:  We will ask the Board of Education to employ the following certificated staff for the 2023-2024 school year:  Laura Beerman, MA, Step 14, 1.00 FTE English/Language Arts teacher at Kearney High School; Dax VanLengen, BA, Step 3, 1.00 FTE 6th grade English/Language Arts teacher at Sunrise Middle School; Brooke Benck, BA, Step 3, 1.00 FTE 6th grade English/Language Arts teacher at Sunrise Middle School;  Emily Brachle, BA+9, Step 3, 1.00 FTE English/Language Arts teacher at Kearney High School (contingent upon her ability to secure Transition to Teach certification); Kevin O'Donnell, MA+27, Step 14, 1.00 FTE FCS teacher at Sunrise Middle School; Trey Schlender, BA, Step 3, 1.00 FTE elementary physical education teacher; Britany Lousberg, MA, Step 8, 1.00 FTE special education PSD teacher at Sunrise Middle School; Kara Fiala, MA, Step 8, 1.00 FTE special education life skills teacher at Meadowlark Elementary School; Corey Farlee, MA+45, Step 15, 1.00 FTE counselor at Kearney High School; Grace Lueders, BA, Step 3, 1.00 FTE elementary music teacher; Halle Stephens, BA, Step 5, 1.00 FTE elementary music teacher; and Timothy Sikes, BA, Step 3, 1.00 FTE 7th grade math teacher at Horizon Middle School.

Rationale:  The elementary math leaders, elementary principals, and Director of K-5 Education are recommending the adoption of Eureka 2.0 for the next math cycle.  Eureka 2.0 was piloted by 2 teachers in each grade level K-5, which also ensured a pilot was happening in each of the elementary schools.  

Rationale:  We will ask the Board of Education to adopt the resolution to set the number of students allowed to option into the Kearney Public Schools for the 2023-2024 school year.

Rationale:  With discussions occurring around the state and nation regarding athletic participation by transgender students, or any student who is competing in athletics outside of their birth gender, the Kearney Public Schools Board of Education will consider additional board policy clarification for athletics and extracurricular activity participation for 6-12 students in our district's extracurricular activity programs.

Rationale:  The Board of Education will require a closed session for the purpose of discussing possible land acquisition.