March 10, 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:  Emma joins an elite group of students recognized for outstanding performance on the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT). Advancing to finalist status requires meeting rigorous academic standards, submitting a detailed scholarship application, and fulfilling multiple criteria set by the NMSC. She will continue in the competition for Merit Scholarships, with approximately half of the finalists expected to be named National Merit Scholars this spring.

Rationale:  Artsonia, the world's largest online student art museum, recognizes young artists by featuring their work on it's platform, helping to foster creativity and appreciation for the arts in schools nationwide. Aaron's artwork was chosen among entries from across the country, and during the contest received an impressive 1,507 votes from website visitors. The winning piece was featured on the Artsonia homepage. Aaron will also receive a special plaque and gift certificates from Blick Art Supplies. 

Rationale:  The Scholastic Art Awards is one of the nation's most prestigious recognition programs for creative students in grades 7-12. The program celebrates emerging artists and provides opportunities for scholarships and national exhibitions. Ayla Hollman's Gold Key winning piece will now advance to the national Scholastic Art Awards competition, where it will compete with top student artwork from across the country. 

Rationale:  This year, an impressive 77 pieces of art and six pieces of writing created by KHS students were selected for recognition, with 11 of these earning the prestigious Gold Key Award. The Gold Key winners are as follows:

• Hannah Betke - Design - Game Day - HoCo
• Eleanor Bokenkamp - Printmaking - Midwestern Migration
• Nellie Clark - Printmaking - Eldritch Pomegranate
• Maddison Martin - Digital Art - If I See You Again Tomorrow Cover
• Maddison Martin - Printmaking - The Hemlock
• Emma Harwood - Printmaking - Life on Reflect
• Emma Harwood - Sculpture - Wild at Nature
• Mia Lindstrom - Drawing & Illustration - Looking
• Giana Mueller - Sculpture - Cat
• Ariah Perez - Printmaking - Lady Justice
• Evangelina Wilterding - Painting - Addiction 

Rationale:  Corey's piece, "Touch of Freedom," and Emma piece, "La Peste Negra," were selected for display at the National K12 Ceramic Exhibition, held in conjunction with the 59th annual conference of the National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts (NCECA).

Rationale:  The Nebraska Young Artist Awards program, now in its 28th year, has honored nearly 2,000 students from across Nebraska. This prestigious award is presented annually by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's Hixson-Lied College of Fine Arts and Performing Arts and recognizes talented Nebraska high school juniors for their exceptional abilities in visual art, music, dance, theater, film and emerging media arts. Addison and Mia, along with other award recipients from more than 40 high schools across Nebraska, will be honored during a special event at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln on April 3, 2025.

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 resignation of Sharon Argueta-Gonzalez, math teacher at Kearney High School, and Julia Peterson, 5th grade teacher at Northeast Elementary School, effective at the end of the 2024-2025 school year. 

Rationale:  Mary Fries, BA, Step 1, 1.0 FTE special education teacher at Sunrise Middle School; Keegan Lindner, BA+9, Step 4, 1.0 FTE 3rd grade teacher at Meadowlark Elementary School; Barbara Gentrup, MA, Step 14, 1.0 FTE special education teacher at Kearney High School; Laura "Abbie" Benson, MA+36, Step 15, 1.0 FTE special education teacher at Kearney High School and Asha Regier, BA, Step 3, 1.0 FTE 4th grade teacher at Northeast Elementary School, for the 2025-2026 school year. 

Rationale:  Approval of Dr. Kent Edwards as associate superintendent, starting the 2025-2026 school year.

Rationale:  The Kearney Public Schools Board of Education has completed negotiations with the Kearney Education Association for contract terms for the 2025-2026 school year. The two sides have agreed to a 4.86% total compensation increase, agreed upon changes to the negotiated agreement, as well as identified extracurricular positions for the 2025-2026 school year. The KEA membership ratified the proposed Negotiated Agreement, so we will ask the Board of Education to ratify the agreement as well. 

Rationale:  Each year, the Board of Education is asked to set compensation for the classified, classified-exempt, and administrative employees of the school district for the next school year. For the 2025-2026 school year, we are recommending an average increase in total compensation of 5% for classified and classified-exempt employees, and an average increase in total compensation of 3.0% for administrative employees in Kearney Public Schools. 

Rationale:  The next regular meeting of the Kearney Public Schools Board of Education will be held on April 14, 2025 at 5:30 P.M. in the Staff Development Room in the Administration Building at 320 West 24th St, Kearney, NE 68845.