January 13, 2025 at 5:30 PM - Regular Monthly Meeting of the Kearney Public Schools Board of Education

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

Rationale:  Kearney Public Schools welcomes all guests to our public meetings. It is the intention of the Kearney Public Schools Board of Education that all those present at the Board of Education meetings, whether Board members, KPS staff, or members of the public, act and treat each other with honor and respect. Guests are expected to refrain from speaking during the meeting unless asked to address the Board of Education by the Board President or during their allotted time in public participation. If anyone attending the meeting is determined by the President to be disruptive or a detriment to the procession of the meeting by their words or actions, that person or persons, may be asked by the President to leave the meeting at any time. Anyone who refuses to leave will be escorted from the meeting by either school personnel or a police officer and could be legally barred from attending future meetings. Thank you for helping us to have a respectful meeting forum for everyone to enjoy.

Rationale:  Kearney Public Schools proudly announces that Jeana Peterson has been selected by the Nebraska Chapter of the American String Teachers Association (Nebraska ASTA) as the 2024 Outstanding Orchestra Teacher of the Year. This prestigious award recognizes exceptional string educators who have demonstrated excellence in music education and a commitment to advancing the arts in their communities.

Rationale: 

Kearney Public Schools proudly announces that Ms. Brooke Boroff has been selected by the Nebraska Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) as the Nebraska Teacher of the Year. This award is selected based on citizenship, innovation, resources, and passion. A fellow teacher nominated Boroff for the award. Ms. Boroff will be honored at the Nebraska Veterans of Foreign Wars Mid-Winter Conference banquet in Lincoln on January, 31, 2025.

Rationale:  Reading of Legislative Resolution 37

Rationale:  Board meetings must 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:  Note: Items on the consent agenda are considered routine and will be enacted under one motion. There will be no separate discussion of these items at the meeting unless a Board Member requests an item removed from the agenda for a separate action.

Rationale:  The resignations of Barbara Wegner, special education teacher at Sunrise Middle School; Nate Garringer, science teacher at Kearney High School; Crystal Warner, special education teacher at Sunrise Middle School; and the retirements of Melinda Reid, special education coordinator at Kearney Public Schools and Lori Moore, math intervention teacher at Horizon Middle School, effective at the end of the 2024-2025 school year.

Rationale: 

Eve Edwards, BA, Step 3, 1.0 FTE 6th grade english teacher at Horizon Middle School and Shena Jensen, MA, Step 14, 1.0 FTE 2nd grade teacher at Central Elementary School, for the 2025-2026 school year. 

Rationale:  Approval of Jenn True as PK-5 Education Director, Sheila Sanford as the Director of Nutrition and Food Service, Taylor Peters as Principal at Park Elementary School, and Connor Williams as Principal at Meadowlark Elementary School, starting the 2025-2026 school year. 

Rationale:  The next regular meeting of the Kearney Public Schools Board of Education will be held on February 10, 2025 at 5:30 P.M. in the Staff Development Room in the Administration Building at 320 West 24th St, Kearney, NE 68845.