September 21, 2026 at 5:30 PM - Directly following the Tax Asking/Final Levy - Regular Board of Education Meeting
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1. Call the Meeting to Order
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
LEADERSHIP • SERVICE • SUPPORT Notice of this meeting was given in advance according to State Law 84-1411, by giving notice of the meeting to the public on ESU 7 website www.esu7.org and posted at location of meeting. Notice of this meeting was also given in advance to all members of the Board of Education of Educational Service Unit 7. Availability of the agenda and purpose of the hearing was communicated in the advance notice of the meeting and in the notice to the members of this hearing. All proceedings of the Board of Education of Educational Service Unit 7 were taken while the convened hearing was open to the attendance of the public.
Discussion:
Board President Dawn Lindsley called the meeting to order at 5:30 PM.
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1.1. Notification of Open Meetings Law
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
This meeting has been preceded by reasonable advance notice and is hereby declared to be in open session. A copy of the Open Meetings Act is posted in the meeting room. |
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1.2. Roll Call
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
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1.3. Absent Board Members
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
Board Members Beth Kabes, Amy Blaser and Marni Danhauer notified of their absence prior to the meeting.
Recommended Motion(s):
Discuss, consider and take all necessary action to approve Board member absences as presented Passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
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1.4. Pledge of Allegiance
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
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2. Approval of Agenda
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
The sequence of agenda topics is subject to change at the discretion of the Board.
Recommended Motion(s):
Discuss, consider and take all necessary action to approve the agenda as presented Passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
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3. Welcome Visitors
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
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4. Public Comment
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
The Board has the discretion to limit the amount of time set aside for public participation.
Citizens wishing to address the Board on a certain agenda item must complete the Request to be Heard Document prior to the start of the board meeting. Citizens wishing to present petitions to the Board may do so at this time. However, the Board will only receive the petitions and not act upon them or their contents. |
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5. District 8 Board Application
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
An application has been received for the board vacancy in District 4. NEB. REV. STAT. § Section 79-1217(2) states that the appointee will serve "for the balance of the unexpired term" of the board spot that has been vacated. Applications were submitted by:
Recommended Motion(s):
Discuss, consider, and vote to approve the resolution appointing Stephanie Bell to the Educational Service Unit No. 7 Board position based on a vacancy for a term ending on December 31, 2028 Passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
Discussion:
Stephanie Bell joined the meeting after her application was approved. Stephanie recited the Oath of Office.
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6. Consent Agenda
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
Unless removed from the consent agenda, items identified within the consent agenda will be acted on at one time. If any Board member wishes to discuss an item, it must be removed from the consent agenda at which time the remaining items will be acted upon. Consent Agenda Includes:
Administrator Recommendation: Discuss, consider and take all necessary action to approve the consent agenda as presented.
Recommended Motion(s):
Discuss, consider and take all necessary action to approve the consent agenda as presented Passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
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6.1. Minutes
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
This is a consent item. |
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6.2. Presentation of Bills #82390 through #82592 totaling $1,348,406.98
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
The summary of bills for the current month total:$1,348,406.98 - Bills #82390 through #82592 General Activity Fund total: no activity
This is a consent item. |
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6.3. Reading of Article I, Section 5, E Negotiations
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
This is a consent item. |
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6.4. Reading of Article II, Section 8, B Quorum
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
This is a consent item. |
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6.5. Reading of Article II, Section 6, D Notice to Board Members
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
This is a consent item. |
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6.6. Reading of Article II, Section 6, E Notice to Media
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
This is a consent item. |
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6.7. Reading of Article II, Section 7, A Agenda Construction
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
This is a consent item. |
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6.8. Reading of Article II, Section 7, B Agenda Availability
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
This is a consent item. |
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6.9. Reading of Article II, Section 8, A Personal Presence at Meetings and Telephone Conference or Videoconference Meetings
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
This is a consent item. |
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6.10. Excess Lodging & Meals
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
Excess Lodging:
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7. Treasurer's Report
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
Review the breakdown of the Treasurer's Report.
Administrator Recommendation: Discuss, consider and take all necessary action to accept the Treasurer's Report as presented.
Recommended Motion(s):
Discuss, consider and take all necessary action to accept the Treasurer's Report as presented Passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
Discussion:
Administrator Ostmeyer noted that there is a large amount due to ESU 7 compared to this time last year, which also justifies the need for a cash reserve.
Board Member Clark Lehr - Do we know why? Administrator Ostmeyer - We never really know why until we're told a reason why. Sometimes more documentation is required or they just run further behind on reimbursements. Additionally our print shop runs a little higher in the summer. |
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8. 2026-2027 Resolution for Tax Asking and Final Levy
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
Now be it therefore resolved that the Board of ESU 7 has a tax request of $3,874,484.55 for the 2026-2027 fiscal year and the final levy of the Board of ESU 7 should be, and hereby is set at .015 for the 2026-2027 fiscal year.
Administrator Recommendation: Discuss, consider and take all necessary action to approve the 2026-2027 Tax Asking and Final Levy Resolution as presented.
Recommended Motion(s):
Discuss, consider and take all necessary action to approve the 2026-2027 Tax Asking and Final Levy Resolution as presented Passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
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9. Approval of the 2026-2027 Budget
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
Administrator Recommendation: Discuss, consider and take all necessary action to approve the 2026-2027 Budget as presented.
Recommended Motion(s):
Discuss, consider and take all necessary action to approve the 2026-2027 Budget as presented Passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
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10. Representation at the State Education Conference Delegate Assembly
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
Selection of one Board Member to represent ESU 7 at the Delegate Assembly on Friday, November 20, 2026 from 8:00am-9:30am.
Discussion:
Board President Dawn Lindsley has attended in the past and will be the representative again this year.
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11. NASB Board of Directors ESU Seat
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
The following nominations have been submitted for the NASB ESU seat on the board of directors. A copy of the candidates' nomination background information is attached for the following:
Note: Each ESU has the option to nominate a board member(s) but it's usually only one. Each ESU only can only vote for one person. Administrator's Recommendation: Discuss, consider, and take all action necessary to cast the ESU 7 vote for _____________ for the ESU seat on the NASB Board of Directors.
Recommended Motion(s):
Discuss, consider, and take all action necessary to cast the ESU 7 vote for _____________ for the ESU seat on the NASB Board of Directors Passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
Discussion:
ESUs have always had a seat on the NASB Legislative Committee but have never had a seat on the NASB Board. Official meetings take place quarterly typically before State Education Conference and the Legislative Issues Conference with committee meetings in between. All ESUs in the state are casting a vote for 1 candidate to be the ESU Representative. Whomever receives the highest votes will hold the NASB Board of Directors ESU Seat.
Board Member Clark Lehr - How many years is the term? Board President Dawn Lindsley - Each term is 4 years. |
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12. Administrator's Report General
Speaker(s):
Administrator or Designee
Rationale:
Discussion:
Administrator Ostmeyer reviewed the ESUCC Updates attachment. ESU 7 has three schools participating in the Governor Student Leader Event. They will be zooming in from their own districts.
Board Member Bob Arp - Who is chosen to participate in the Governor Student Leader Event? Administrator Ostmeyer - Any district that wants to participate can do so. |
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12.1. Goal Update
Speaker(s):
Administrator or Designee
Rationale:
Goal 1: By December 2026, the ESU 7 board will formalize a process to mentor and onboard new board members.
Recommended Motion(s):
Discuss, consider, and take all action necessary to approve the Board Governance Excellence Initiative Proposal Passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
Discussion:
Last month, it was voted to extend the mentoring and onboarding goal to the end of the year. There has been a lot of Board Member turnover in the past year and there will be more turnover with the upcoming election. Typically whoever is assigned as a mentor reviews the mentoring document with their mentee (the new board member). Two board members who have recently went through and are currently going through the mentoring process as new board members have appreciated the program, especially since they have not come from educational backgrounds. There has been some difficulty finding time for mentors and mentees to meet due to various schedules.
Board Member Jack Young - Do other ESUs have an onboarding and mentoring process and has it been presented before at a conference? Administrator Ostmeyer - Has been presented before. ESU 7 is one of a few to have this process. The ESU National Organization (AESA) is proposing an in person and virtual learning session. The goal is to understand what it means to be an ESU board member specifically, along with the roles and functions of an ESU board. Some board members raised concern regarding information overload and time constraints. Board Member Joyce Baumert - How much does this cost compared to what NASB charges? Administrator Ostmeyer - NASB has a variety of offerings for boards to attend, at a charge. AESA specializes in ESUs. |
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12.2. Services Update
Speaker(s):
Administrator or Designee
Rationale:
Discussion:
Administrator Ostmeyer visits with each superintendent in the fall of every year and brings the attached document tailored to each district. A one-pager of information regarding their services from the previous year and the current year.
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12.3. Facilities Update
Speaker(s):
Administrator or Designee
Rationale:
The Administrator will provide a facilities update during this item
Discussion:
Administrator Ostmeyer reviewed the Facilities Update attached.
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12.3.1. Parking Lot Concrete Estimates
Rationale:
Platte Valley Precast and Columbus Concrete have submitted estimates to re-do designated areas in the parking lot. Estimates identify 7 specific areas in the parking lot.
Administrator Recommendation: Discuss, consider, and take all action necessary to approve the proposal from ______ in the amount of $______.
Recommended Motion(s):
Discuss, consider, and take all action necessary to approve the proposal from ______ in the amount of $______ Passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
Discussion:
The ESU 7 parking lot has two areas that are becoming a safety concern. Administrator Ostmeyer walked the parking lot with both companies, who provided quotes and identified areas 1 and 3 on the map as the highest priorities. Area 2 is a sidewalk that needs attention. The sidewalk will be scheduled as a separate project next summer. Platte Valley Precast was used previously in 2007.
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12.4. Personnel
Speaker(s):
Administrator or designee
Rationale:
New Hire:
Olivia Danials - Bridges Paraprofessional. Start Date: Pending |
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12.5. Legislative Update
Speaker(s):
Administrator or Designee
Rationale:
During this item, the Administrator will provide a Legislative Update to members of the Board.
Discussion:
The attached document lists the focus of the ESUCC lobbyist for the upcoming legislative session with the first 3 items relating to state statute.
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13. Committee Reports
Speaker(s):
Committee Chair
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13.1. Budget Committee Report
Speaker(s):
Budget Committee Chair
Rationale:
Reports of Budget Committee activities and discussion will take place during this item.
Committee Recommendation:
Discussion:
The Budget Committee met before the hearings today. The last budget meeting for the year will be next month for the joint budget/negotiations meeting.
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13.2. Negotiations Committee Report
Speaker(s):
Negotiations Committee Chair
Rationale:
Reports of activities and discussions from the Negotiations Committee will take place during this item.
Joint Budget and Negotiations Committee meeting to take place in October. Committee Recommendation:
Discussion:
Negotiations meetings begin in October.
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13.2.1. Request to recognize ESUEA as exclusive bargaining agent for 2028-2029
Speaker(s):
Administrator or designee
Rationale:
The ESU 7 Education Association requests that the Board representing the Educational Service Unit 7 take action to recognize ESU 7 Education Association as the exclusive bargaining agent for the non-supervisory certificated staff for the 2028-2029 contract year.
Committee Recommendation: Discuss, consider, and take all necessary action to recognize ESU 7 Education Association as exclusive bargaining agent for the non-supervisory certificated staff for the 2028-2029 contract year.
Recommended Motion(s):
Discuss, consider, and take all necessary action to recognize ESU 7 Education Association as exclusive bargaining agent for the non-supervisory certificated staff for the 2028-2029 contract year Passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
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13.3. Administrator Evaluation Committee Report
Speaker(s):
Administrator Evaluation Committee Chair
Rationale:
A report of activities from the Administrator Evaluation Committee will be given during this item.
Evaluation Timeline: - August: Full Evaluation Committee and Administrator review Evaluation Tool and Evaluation Policy/Procedures. - September: Full Board is provided a paper copy of the evaluation questions. - October: Administrator sends digital evaluation, evaluation resources and completed self-assessment to the Evaluation Committee Chair no later than 5 days prior to the October Board Meeting. The chair then forwards documents on to the full Board for completion by October 31st. - November: The Evaluation Committee compiles results of the full Board completed evaluations prior to the November Board Meeting. No formal report will be given at that time, just an update that the timeline is bein followed. - December: The Evaluation Committee meets prior to the December Board Meeting to review with the Administrator the results of the evaluation. Report to the full Board in December Board Meeting following Closed Session requirements with the Administrator present. - January: Confirm Evaluation Committee members. The Administrator provides the Evaluation Committee with goals and shares with the Board at the January Board Meeting. Committee Recommendation:
Discussion:
A few changes for this cycle. Administrator Ostmeyer will provide the completed self-evaluation no later than five days prior to the October board meeting, before the board fills out their evaluation of the administrator. Board completed evaluations must be filled out by October 31st.
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14. Conference Report
Speaker(s):
Conference Attendees
Rationale:
Conference Attendees will report on their learnings.
Goals:
Discussion:
No reports
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15. Board Announcements
Rationale:
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16. Adjournment
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Discussion:
Board President Dawn Lindsley adjourned the meeting at 6:56 PM.
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