March 9, 2026 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:  This year, 27 students have been recognized through the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards. The Gold Key works advance to the national level of judging in New York City. Gold Key winners are as follows:

• Ava Porter - Self-Portrait
• Brooke Kisling - Ouroboros
• Kruz Flamig - In My Eyes
• Lydia Smith - Where is Mr. Goose?
• Pamela Alvarado - Shark Attack
• Ariah Perez - Prince of Dreams
• Becca Pobanz - Winter Park
• Landen Tilley - Social Brainwash
• Mariah Kaslon - Self-Portrait
• Rina Heng - She Gave Me That Look
• Josslyn Flood - Coils on Coils
• Josslyn Flood - Sweet Snail
• Bailey Axtell - Shattered Innocence; A Teenager's Realization to Child Abuse (Also an American Visions Nominee)

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:  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 Amber Berger, special education teacher at Hanny Arram Center for Success; Amber Sklenar, preschool teacher at Bright Futures Preschool; Kathryn Peterson, special education teacher at Horizon Middle School; Jordan Hughett, 4th grade teacher at Bufflao Hills Elementary School; Megan Homolka, spanish teacher at Horizon Middle School; Kelli Bauer, 4th grade teacher at Park Elementary School; Jennifer Meinecke, TLC teacher at Kenwood Elementary School, and the retirement resignation of Mark Johnson, principal at Sunrise Middle School, effective at the end of the 2025-2026 school year.

Rationale:  Ashley Palu, MA+36, Step 15, 1.0 FTE, 5th grade teacher at Buffalo Hills Elementary School; Ashley Bush, MA+18, Step 11, 1.0 FTE, family and consumer science teacher at Kearney High School; Hailey Hanneman, BA, Step 3, art teacher at Kenwood Elementary School; Ashtyn Hedlund, BA, Step 3, English teacher at Kearney High School; Emily Hendren, BA, Step 3, 4th grade teacher at Park Elementary School; Isabelle Rich, BA, Step 3, computer teacher at Horizon Middle School; Tracy Roskop, BA, Step 3, preschool teacher at Bright Futures Preschool; McKaylla Christian, BA, Step 5, spanish teacher at Kearney High School; Emily Surmeier, BA, Step 3, 4th grade teacher at Buffalo Hills Elementary School; Lauren Labenz, BA, Step 3, 1.0 FTE, special education teacher; William Shaffer, MA+45, Step 15, science teacher at Hanny Arram Center for Success, and Elizabeth Smith, BA, Step 3, special education teacher at Horizon Middle School, for the 2026-2027 school year. 

Rationale:  The next regular meeting of the Kearney Public Schools Board of Education will be held on April 13, 2026, at 5:30 P.M. in the Staff Development Room in the Administration Building at 320 West 24th St, Kearney, NE 68845.