Public Meeting Minutes: May 12, 2025 at 7:00 PM - Board of Education Regular Meeting

1. Call to Order and Pledge of Allegiance

Discussion:

Board President Desh called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m.
Board President Desh led the board members and patrons in attendance at the meeting in the Pledge of Allegiance.

2. Announcement of the Open Meetings Act Posting

Discussion:

Board President Desh identified the location of the Open Meetings Act Poster on the wall in the meeting room.
- The changes are reflected in the currently posted materials: revised April 2024.

3. Staff and Student Presentations

Discussion:

Mr. Johnson discussed this year's high school graduation which was held on Saturday, May 10th.
Mr. Hart played a video compilation of the 2024-2025 school year!
- Special thanks to all the staff and students who attended the board meetings and/or presented information at the meetings this past school year! Great job!
- The staff and student presentations for the 2025-2026 school year will resume at our Monday, August 11th, 2025, regular board meeting.

4. Consent Agenda

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Motion to approve the consent agenda as presented. This motion, made by Tim Cheney and seconded by Josh Penterman, Passed.

Busch: Yea
Calfee: Yea
Cheney : Yea
Desh: Yea
Moore: Yea
Penterman: Yea

No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.

Discussion:

No further comment.

4.1. Approval of Board Agenda

4.2. Approval of minutes of previous meetings

Attachments: (2)

4.3. Approval of Claims/Payment of Bills and Payroll

Attachments: (2)

4.4. Certificated/Classified Hire(s)/Reassignment(s)/Resignation(s)

4.5. Financial Report

Attachments: (2)

5. Public Comment

Discussion:

No public comment was presented during the meeting.

6. Administrative Reports

6.1. Superintendent's Report

Discussion: Superintendent Hart discussed the following subjects:

Curriculum Cycle Review:
- The current curriculum review cycle document is attached to this agenda item.
"Community Unity" Panel Update:
- The board members were shown pictures of the recently completed project, which is now displayed in the north commons area at Palmyra High School.
- This student and community display is the culmination of a collaborative project between our students and community members intended to recognize and honor our school communities' rich and storied histories.
- Patrons are encouraged to come and visit the project. Please come to the north main entrance during regular school hours.
- Pictures of the project's installation process are included with this agenda item.
Social Media:
- In our district's continued effort to effectively manage the challenges of technology and social media, a parent information letter was sent home regarding a disturbing trend being circulated on the social media app TikTok.
  - The letter is attached to this agenda item.
Proactive Coaching Presentation
- This presentation will focus on the role of parents in education-related activities. All parents and students involved in activities are strongly encouraged to attend this event. Sunday, August 24th, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. at PHS
  - Please see the attached document for more information.
Baseball /Olson Complex Update:
- Superintendent Hart provided an update on the following topics:
  - Olson Complex Baseball Update
    - Field Improvements
    - Introduction of high school coaches
    - Summary of past baseball meetings.
  - Olson Complex:
    - Additional seating capacity at the complex was discussed.
Location Change for the Monday, June 9th, 2025, Regular Board of Education Meeting.
- The next regular Board of Education meeting is scheduled for Monday, June 9th, 2025.
- The meeting will take place at Bennet Elementary School beginning at 7:00 p.m. in the main commons area.
  - The relocation of this meeting is intended to provide an alternate location for community patrons to attend a board meeting who may not normally be able to make it to Palmyra.
Summer Board ff Education "Retreat":
- The 2025 District OR-1 Board Retreat is scheduled for Monday, June 23rd, 2025.
- The board retreat will be held at the Transformation Marketing building located in Panama, Nebraska. The address is 208 Locust St, Panama, NE 68419
- The board retreat will begin at 5:30 p.m.
Staffing Update:
- Superintendent Hart presented a staffing update on the following employee areas:.
  - Coaches/ Sponsors
  - Bus Drivers
  - Food Service
  - Certified Staff
  - Support Staff
Student and Staff Kudos
- Egg Hatching Cycle of Life: As a class project, some third-grade classrooms are showing through time-lapse video the amazing process of chicks hatching from their eggs.
- Check out one of our teachers' live streams. It's easy to "scrub" to the hatching times. The link is listed below:
  - https://youtube.com/live/P8Jtag2dbCM?feature=share
Aspire Academy Update:
- We are excited to celebrate our first group of students graduating from Aspire Academy on Friday, May 16th, at Bennet Elementary School.
- Please see the attached document for more information.
Legislative Update
- Please see the attached document for more information.
Wellness Committee Activity:
Wednesday, April 30th: Wellness Event
- For this activity, all staff members were encouraged to complete a timed walk and then send a "selfie" to document their exercise.
Each participating staff member's name was put into a drawing for Husker baseball tickets.
Fitness Center Application Sample:
- See the attached document.
Digital Student Information Form:
- See the attached document.

Attachments: (7)

6.2. Administrative Team Report

Discussion:

The admin report contained information on the following topics:

High School Graduation:
- Graduation was Saturday, May 10th, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. at PHS.
State Testing:
- All NSCAS and MAPS testing has been completed for both the Elementary and High School.
- Next year, there will be changes to state testing.
- MAPS make-up testing will occur over the last couple of weeks of school for K-2 and 9th grade.
Elementary Activities:
- On Wednesday, May 14th, fifth-grade students are heading to the Omaha Zoo.
- Track Day at the Olsen Complex will be Thursday, May 15th, and Friday, May 16th, for the Elementary students.
- 5th grade graduation will be at PHS on Monday, May 19th, at 2:00 pm.
End of School Year Activities:
- The last student day for Elementary students will be Tuesday, May 20th, and the last student day for JH/HS will be Wednesday, May 21st.
- The AR Awards ceremony for 1st- 4th grade will be on Track Day.
- Elementary teachers will be participating in CKLA Launch Training on May 21st and 22nd.
Summer Enrichment:
- Summer Enrichment for incoming KDG-5th grade students will be held at Bennet Elementary from June 9th-26th.
Bennet After-School Rec Program:
- The Bennet after-school REC program went well this year.
- This year, high school students were allowed to work with students in the rec program. This was a great success.
- This year, we had two high school students working in the program, and we are currently completing interviews for next year.

Special Education:
- Special Education staff have been meeting with me to work on caseloads and schedules for next year.
Aspire Academy Update:
- Aspire Graduation will take place on Friday, May 16th, from 3:45-5:30 at Bennet Elementary.
Credit Recovery:
- Mrs. Ferretti will be leading our Credit Recovery program at the high school this summer.
- This program is intended to help students at the high school recover "credits" from classes they didn't pass during the school year.

Additional Upcoming events:

Bennet 5th Grade Graduation "Tunnel Walk":
- Monday, May 19, 2025, at 1:15 p.m.
Facility and Maintenance Summer Tasks:
- East & West Gym Floor Refinishing:
  - Mon Jun 30, 2025
  - Please note: All gyms will be closed all week.
- Olson Complex Field Turf Grooming
  - Tuesday, June 24, 2025

Attachments: (4)

7. Discussion Items- Committee Reports and Updates

7.1. Budget Committee Update

Discussion:

The meeting scheduled for Monday, May 12th, 2025, was moved to a different time.
Budget Committee members will meet again as a Budget Committee on Monday, June 9th, 2025, at the high school.
Additional documents are attached regarding education funding and budget processes.

Attachments: (2)

7.2. Transportation and Facilities Committee

Discussion:

Committee members summarized the contractors' bid opening meeting on Thursday, May 8th, at Palmyra High School.
The bid opening meeting was to accomplish the remainder of the facility projects aligned with the 2022 bond.
- A recommendation for the selection of a contractor to finish these projects is listed as an action item later in the meeting.
- A summary of the projects left to complete is listed below:
  - Locker Room Improvements at PHS
  - Trophy Case relocation at PHS.
  - Restroom Improvements at PHS
  - Media Center Renovation at Bennet
  - Media Center: HVAC Repair at PHS.
  - Bus Safety Improvements at Bennet
The next Facilities Committee meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, June 4th at 8:30 a.m. at Palmyra High School.

Attachments: (4)

7.3. Legislative Update

Discussion:

Superintendent Hart presented updated summaries in alignment with information from the three entities listed below.
- NRSCA Update:
- NASB Update
- NCSA Update
Superintendent Hart also provided a summary of the meeting with area superintendents and Senator Dorn and Senator Hallstrom, which occurred on Friday, May 2nd, 2025.

7.4. Wellness Committee Update

Discussion:

The District Wellness Committee meeting scheduled for Friday, May 9th at 9:00 a.m. at Palmyra Junior/Senior High School was canceled due to "end of the school year" scheduling conflicts.
The next District Wellness Committee meeting will be scheduled for the week of August 4th, 2025.
- The specific date and time for this meeting will be communicated before the meeting.

7.5. Negotiations Committee Update

Discussion:

The Negotiations Committee will begin meeting again in the fall as we reach the second year of the current two-year Certified Staff Negotiated Agreement.

7.6. Strategic Planning Update

Discussion:

Superintendent Hart will contact the Nebraska Association of School Boards (NASB) about specifics regarding the next round of strategic planning.
Superintendent Hart presented a summary of the NASB discussion at the meeting.
- Highlights of the discussion included:
  - Staff surveys
  - Feedback from the last Strategic Planning
  - Potential Updated Strategic Plan
  - Other logistical items

8. Policy Review

Attachments: (3)

8.1. Policy Committee Update

Discussion:

Revised documents from the Monday, April 14th, 2025, regular board meeting were attached to this agenda item.
- Minor changes were made to the following policies:
  - Policy #1000
  - Policy #1102
  - Policy # 1130
  - Policy #1300
  - Policy #5001
    - These updated changes are attached.
The next Policy Committee meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, June 18th, at 4:00 p.m. at Bennet Elementary School.

Attachments: (6)

9. Action Items

9.1. Presentation, discussion, and or official action to accept recommended contractor bids for designated facilities expansion and improvement building projects.

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Motion to approve BIC for project bid award. This motion, made by Tim Cheney and seconded by Dean Busch, Passed.

Busch: Yea
Calfee: Yea
Cheney : Yea
Desh: Yea
Moore: Yea
Penterman: Yea

No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.

Discussion:

This proposal encompasses projected costs for the final bond-related projects, including renovations of the PHS locker rooms, designated restrooms, trophy case area, and the completion of the north bus lane at Bennet Elementary School.
Please note: The seating expansion project at the Olson Complex will be a Special Building fund expenditure.
The majority of these projects are scheduled for completion by the fall of 2025.
After a review of the submitted bids and additional discussion, the Board of Education decided to select BIC Construction as the contractor for these projects.
For more information, please refer to the Bid Tablulation document attached to this agenda item.

Attachments: (1)

Bid Tabulation Sheet for Completion of Building Expansion and Improvement Projects. for May 12.2025 Board Approval.

9.2. Presentation, discussion, and or official action to approve the second and final reading of the Community Usage Policy # 1130 for HS Fitness Center.

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Motion to approve the second reading of the Community Usage document as discussed. This motion, made by Jaimi Calfee and seconded by Dee Moore, Passed.

Busch: Yea
Calfee: Yea
Cheney : Yea
Desh: Yea
Moore: Yea
Penterman: Yea

No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.

Discussion:

No further discussion as this document was reviewed earlier in the meeting.

Attachments: (1)

Community Use of School Fitness Center. Policy #1130. District OR-1. Updated May 12. 2025 .docx

9.3. Presentation, discussion, and or official action to approve the final reading of the District OR.1 Schedule of Rates for Facility Usage Fees document.

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Motion to approve the second reading of the Schedule of Rates for Facility Usage document as discussed. This motion, made by Dee Moore and seconded by Josh Penterman, Passed.

Busch: Yea
Calfee: Yea
Cheney : Yea
Desh: Yea
Moore: Yea
Penterman: Yea

No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.

Discussion:

See the attached document.
Changes were added in alignment with the discussion from the Monday, April 14th, 2025, regular board meeting

Attachments: (1)

Schedule of Rates For Facilities. District OR-1 Public Schools Draft. May 12, 2025.updated May 12.2025 (1)

9.4. Presentation, discussion, and or official action to approve the PHS Fitness Center Membership Application.

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Motion to approve as discussed. This motion, made by Tim Cheney and seconded by Dee Moore, Passed.

Busch: Yea
Calfee: Yea
Cheney : Yea
Desh: Yea
Moore: Yea
Penterman: Yea

No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.

Discussion:

To open the PHS Fitness Center to the public, an application form was developed.
- See the attached document for more details.
Limited public use of the fitness room area at PHS is scheduled to begin sometime this summer.

Attachments: (1)

FITNESS CENTER MEMBERSHIP CONTRACT. District OR.1.Updated May 12.2025

10. Board of Education Development

Discussion:

No further discussion.

Attachments: (2)

11. Closed Session

12. Topics for Next Month’s Agenda

13. Adjournment

Discussion:

The meeting was adjourned at: 8:28 p.m.

May 12, 2025 at 7:00 PM - Board of Education Regular Meeting

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