November 9, 2026 at 5:30 PM - Regular Monthly Meeting of the Kearney Public Schools Board of Education
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1. Routine Business
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1.A. Call to Order
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1.B. Open Meetings Act Announcement
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.
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1.C. Board Meeting Decorum Expectations
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.
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1.D. Pledge of Allegiance
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1.E. Roll Call
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1.E.I. Excuse Absent Board Member
Recommended Motion(s):
Move to excuse absent Board member_______________from the meeting.
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1.F. Approval of the Agenda
Recommended Motion(s):
Move to approve the agenda for the meeting, as presented.
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2. Recognitions
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2.A. Recognition of Kearney High School Senior Andrew Petzet for being named NSAA Believers and Achievers Honoree
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2.B. Recognition of the KHS Boys Soccer Team for Receiving the National United Soccer Coaches Team Academic Award and the Nebraska Coaches Association Team Academic Award
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2.C. Resolution of Support of Military Students and Families
Recommended Motion(s):
Move to adopt the resolution of support for military families in Kearney Public Schools.
Attachments:
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3. Presentations
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3.A. Presentation from Amber Taylor, Principal of Northeast Elementary School, about Building Teacher and Staff Leadership
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3.B. Presentation from Vicky DeWald, Theatre Director at Kearney High School, on the Upgrades to the KHS CHAT
Attachments:
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3.C. Annual Report on Computer Science & Technology Required Course
Links:
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4. Public Participation/Comment
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. |
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5. Board Reports
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6. Consent Agenda
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.
Recommended Motion(s):
Move to approve the items on the Consent Agenda, as presented.
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6.A. Approval of Minutes of the October 12, 2026, Regular Meeting and the November 4, 2026, Board Committee of the Whole Meeting, of the Board of Education
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6.B. Approval of the November 2026 Claims
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6.C. Approval of the November 2026 Financial Reports
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7. Regular Agenda - Personnel
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7.A. Acceptance of Resignations and Retirements
Rationale:
The resignations of Brennan Heelan, 8th grade teacher at Sunrise Middle School; Chris Pocock, social studies teacher at Kearney High School; and Jordyn Boehler, 1st grade teacher at Bryant Elementary School, effective the end of the 2026-2027 school year; and the retirement resignations of Brandon Cool, math teacher at Kearney High School; Thomas Allberry, permanent substitute at Kearney Public Schools; Leisa McConnell, speech language pathologist at Kearney Public Schools; Carol Kreutzer, family and consumer science teacher at Kearney High School; Charles DeWitt, math teacher at Sunrise Middle School; and Steve Cherry, social studies teacher at Kearney High school, effective the end of the 2026-2027 school year.
Recommended Motion(s):
Move to accept, with regret, the resignation and retirements as presented.
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7.B. Approval of the Employment of Certificated Staff
Rationale:
Shauna Talbert, MA, Step 14, .60 FTE speech language pathologist at Park Elementary School, for the 2026-2027 school year.
Recommended Motion(s):
Move to employ the certificated staff at Kearney Public Schools for the 2027-2028 school year
as presented.
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8. Regular Agenda - Business
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9. Regular Agenda - Miscellaneous
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9.A. Conduct a Performance Evaluation of the Superintendent
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10. Closed Session
Rationale:
The closed session is for the performance evaluation of the superintendent and superintendent's contract negotiations.
Recommended Motion(s):
Move to enter closed session for the purpose of conducting a performance evaluation of the
Superintendent, and to prevent needless injury to the reputation of the person, and if the person
has not requested a hearing.
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11. Return to Open Session
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12. Next Meeting
Rationale:
The next regular meeting of the Kearney Public Schools Board of Education will be held on December 14, 2026 at 5:30 P.M. in the Staff Development Room in the Administration Building at 320 West 24th St, Kearney, NE 68845.
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13. Adjournment
Recommended Motion(s):
Move to adjourn the meeting.
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