April 14, 2025 at 5:30 PM - Public Hearing & 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:  The Dance Catz have made history by bringing home Kearney High School's first-ever State Dance Championship, capturing the Class A High Kick title at the state competition. They also secured 5th place in the Hip-Hop Division and were honored with the Academic Excellence Award, boasting an impressive weighted team GPA of 3.83.

Rationale:  The Kearney Bearcat Cheerleading placed 2nd in the Class A Traditional Routine at the Nebraska State Cheer & Dance Championships. Competing against 11 teams in their division, the Bearcats delivered a standout performance, securing Kearney High Cheer's first-ever state trophy and its top-three finish in any event since 2009 - a time before stunting was permitted in Nebraska public high school cheerleading. 

Rationale:  History has been made at KHS as junior Carsyn McBride captured the school's first-ever Class A State Girls Wrestling Championship. McBride dominated the 115-pound title match. This historic win marks a significant milestone for Kearney High School, as it comes in only the second year of the school's girls wrestling program. McBride's championship run concluded with an impressive 48-2 season record. 

Rationale:  Kearney High School student, Kaedun Goodman earned an impressive second-place finish at the Class A State Boys Wrestling Championships, completing in the 144-pound weight class. He also entered the top 10 in KHS wrestling history for most career wins, ending with 134 wins, placing him 8th on the All-Time career win list. 

Rationale:  The National Football Foundation (NFF) and the College Hall of Fame recognized 63 State Winners of the top academic football teams. Kearney High school stands out as one of only seven schools in Nebraska, spanning all classifications, to receive this distinguished honor. KHS is the only Class A school in the state to be recognized. 

Rationale:  Kearney Public Schools and the Kearney Public Schools Foundation will host the 2025 Celebration of Excellence reception on Thursday, April 24, 2025, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. in the Ballroom at the Kearney Holiday Inn to honor our employees for their years of service, Foundation award winners, and the 2025 retirees. Anyone is welcome to attend, and reservations can be made through the Foundation Office. 

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 Mackenzie Klimek, family and consumer science teacher at Kearney High School; Dax VanLengen, 6th grade ELA teacher at Sunrise Middle School; Cherie Kluender, special education teacher at Kearney High School and Nicole Stoye, 2nd grade teacher at Kenwood Elementary School, effective at the end of the 2024-2025 school year. 

Rationale:  Shana Orr, MA+36, Step 15, 1.0 FTE special education teacher at Kearney High School, for the 2025-2026 school year.

Rationale:  Approval of Steven Woodside as assistant principal for college and career readiness at Kearney High School, starting the 2025-2026 school year. 

Rationale:  The next regular meeting of the Kearney Public Schools Board of Education will be held on May 12, 2025 at 5:30 P.M. in the Staff Development Room in the Administration Building at 320 West 24th St, Kearney, NE 68845.