Public Meeting Minutes: June 9, 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.

Attachments: (1)

Open Meetings Act Information. Updated April 2024 (1)

3. Staff and Student Presentations

Discussion:

Special Note: There are no staff or student presentations scheduled for the regular Board of Education meetings on Monday, June 9th, 2025, or Monday, July 14th, 2025.
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

Discussion:

No further comment

4.1. Approval of Board Agenda

4.2. Approval of minutes of previous meetings

Discussion:

The board summary for Monday, May 12th 2025, was not attached to this agenda item.

Attachments: (1)

Board of Education Regular Meeting Minutes. District OR.1. Monday.May 12.2025. Final

4.3. Approval of Claims/Payment of Bills and Payroll

Attachments: (2)

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

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Motion to accept the consent agenda as discussed. This motion, made by Dee Moore and seconded by Tim Cheney, Passed.

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

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

4.5. Financial Reports

Attachments: (2)

5. Public Comment

Discussion:

No public comment was presented during the meeting.

6. Administrative Reports

6.1. Superintendent's Report

Discussion: A summary of topics from the Superintendent's Report is listed below:

Discussion occurred about changing the regular Board of Education monthly meeting start time to 6:00 p.m. rather than 7:00 p.m.
- Policy #9300: See the attached document for more information.
Discussion occurred about the board meeting location change for Monday, July 14th, 2025:
- The Monday, July 14h, 2025, regular Board of Education meeting will be held at Bennet Elementary School.
  - The meeting will take place in the main commons area.
- This relocation is intended to provide an alternate location for community patrons to attend a board meeting who may not normally be able to attend at Palmyra.
  - The regular meeting start time will be 6:00 p.m.
  - There will be two public hearings scheduled to occur prior to the regular board meeting.
    - The public hearing on parental involvement will begin at 5:50 p.m. and the public hearing on student fees will begin at approximately 5:55 p.m. (or immediately following the earlier public hearing).
Curriculum Update:
- The current Curriculum Cycle Review document is attached to this agenda item:
- The High School Language Arts curriculum is still in the process of being ordered and finalized for delivery.
  - More information about the High School LA curriculum will be discussed at the July 14th regular board meeting.
"Community Unity" Project Update at PHS:
- The recently completed project is now displayed in the north commons area at Palmyra High School.
- This student and community display is intended to recognize and honor the rich and storied histories of our school communities.
- Patrons are encouraged to come and visit the project. Please call the PHS main office at (402) 780-5327 to see the completed project.
- Please see the attached pictures of the installation process and the completed project.
Proactive Coaching Presentation Reminder:
- All parents and students involved in activities are strongly encouraged to attend this event, which is scheduled for Sunday, August 24th, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. at PHS.
  - This presentation will focus on the role of parents in education-related activities.
    - Please see the attached document for more information.
Olson Complex Update:
- Superintendent Hart provided an update on the following topics:
  - Baseball Field:
    - The possibility of adding a grass infield is being studied for implementation.
  - Additional Seating Capacity: Additional seating is currently being produced to meet the increased attendance numbers at the Olson Complex. Bleachers will be added to the south side of the football field.
Summer Board of Education "Retreat":
- The annual Board Retreat is scheduled for Monday, June 23rd, 2025, beginning at 5:30 p.m. at Transformation Marketing in Panama, Nebraska.
  - A detailed agenda for this event will be posted the week before the meeting.
  - A light dinner and refreshments will be provided.
- This "Board Retreat" meeting notice will be posted publicly in the Voice Newspaper before the meeting.
Student and Staff Kudos:
- State Track
- Summer Weights and Activity Camps
- Summer Enrichment
- Credit Recovery
- Aspire Academy Graduation
- NEE Evaluation Training
- Curriculum and Literacy Professional Development
- CTE
- Dual Credit
- ACT Scores Highlight
Strategic Planning Update:
- Brandon Desh and Superintendent Hart updated the other board members regarding recent discussions with representatives from the Nebraska Association of School Boards (NASB).
Legislative Summary Update:
- See the attached document for a summary of the most recent legislative bills and requirements.
Staffing Update
- We are still in the process of hiring paraprofessionals and vehicle drivers at Bennet and PHS.
"Summer Projects" Progress Meeting Schedule at PHS:
- Wednesday, June 11th at 2:00 p.m.
- Wednesday, June 25th at 2:00 p.m.
- Wednesday, July 9th at 2:00 p.m.
- Wednesday, July 23rd at 2:00 p.m.
- Wednesday, August 6th at 2:00 p.m.
- *(If needed) Wednesday, August 13th at 2:00 p.m.
Summer Projects Update:
- Bennet Elementary School
  - Dedication Plaques
  - North Playground Tree Trimming
  - East Side Irrigation
  - North Bus Lane Enhancement
  - Playground Sod
  - Additional playground "swing bay"
  - "Gaga Pit" matting
Palmyra Junior / Senior High School
- Dedication Plaques
- "Gaga Pit" matting
- 60 Ton Unit over Media Center
- West Lot Parking
- 2nd Floor Cabinet Repairs
- Locker Rooms
- Restrooms
- Olson Complex:
  - Baseball Dugouts
  - Grass Infield
    - Reuse of the "skinned material" to reuse on the softball field.
  - Irrigation
  - South Side Bleachers:
    - The dirt that is removed from this area can be used in the discus area for grading.
  - Recycled Rubber Grant:
    - Opens mid-June.
  - Legion Meeting Summary
  - Power to the southeast side garage:
  - Additional Discus Area:
    - This will be built to the west of the Olson Complex.
Additional Summer Projects:
- Trees have been cleared from the south lot at PHS
- Extension of the southwest culvert in the PHS south bus lot (safety issue)
- Connex Box Removal at PHS
- CTE Equipment Garage Sale
Vehicle Replacement
- SPED Mini Bus
- Passenger Car
Adjunct Technology Meeting Follow-Up from May 13th.
Community Early Childhood Initiative Update
Committee Meetings:
- Budget Committee Meeting:
  - Monday, June 9th at 6:15 p.m.
- Policy Committee Meeting:
  - Wednesday, June 18th at 4:00 p.m. at Bennet Elementary School
  - Transportation and Facilities Committee Meeting:
    - Tuesday, July 15th from 9:00-11:00 a.m. at PHS.

Attachments: (4)

6.2. Administrative Team Report

Discussion:

Due to summer work requirements and professional absences approved for summer administrative professional development opportunities, the administrative report was shared by Superintendent Hart and Mr. Johnson. A summary of the highlighted topics is listed below.
- Electronic Devices at PHS
- Summer Enrichment and Credit Recovery
- Power of ICU:
  - Homework completion initiative at the high school.
- PHS Master Class Schedule at PHS:
  - Middle Level Teaming
  - Additional class offerings
- Other items

7. Discussion Items- Committee Reports and Updates

Discussion:

No further discussion

Attachments: (1)

2025 Board Committee Assignments_ District OR.1. Updated and Approved. January 13.2025 (2)

7.1. Legislative Update

Discussion: The discussion focused on more specific topics and areas of interest from recent legislative session, which ended Monday, June 2nd, 2025.

Kudos:
- Superintendent Hart and board members acknowledged the hard work and dedication of Mr. Bryce Wilson, Nebraska Department of Education Finance Director, Mr. Michael Dulaney (NCSA Director), and Mr. Jack Moles (NCRSA Executive Director) for their extensive efforts to assist all school districts and state senators in their work to understand and communicate solutions to school finance and policy-related challenges.
Superintendent Hart presented updated legislative summaries in alignment with information from the three entities listed below.
- NRSCA Update:
- NASB Update
- NCSA Update
Additional Note:
- A Special Session of the Legislature may be scheduled later this summer. More information on the possibility of this happening will be communicated as more details are known.

Attachments: (1)

NCSA-Final-Legislative-Report2025

7.2. Budget Committee Update

Discussion:

The District Budget Committee is scheduled to meet again on Monday, July 14th, at 5:15 p.m. at Bennet Elementary School in the main conference room.

Attachments: (2)

7.3. 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.

7.4. Strategic Planning Update

Discussion:

Superintendent Hart and Board President Desh provided a summary of the discussion with representatives from the Nebraska Association of School Boards (NASB) held on Tuesday, June 3rd.
More discussion on future strategic planning will be shared at the Monday, June 23rd Board Retreat.

7.5. Transportation and Facilities Committee

Discussion:

The next meeting of the Transportation Committee is scheduled for Tuesday, July 15th, 2025.

Attachments: (4)

7.6. Discuss Technology Committee Update

Discussion:

Discussion focused on current and proposed technology policies related to student use of (and access to) personal electronic devices during the regular school day.
This discussion also included technology integration in the classroom and the instructional uses of Chromebooks at various grade levels.
This topic will be discussed again at the June 23rd Board Retreat.

Attachments: (1)

Policy 5101. For Discussion

7.7. Wellness Committee Update

Discussion:

The next District Wellness Committee meeting will be scheduled for the week of August 4th, 2025,

8. Policy Review

8.1. Discuss Policy #9300 Board Meetings

Discussion:

No further discussion.

Attachments: (1)

9300 Policy.Regular Meetings Time and Date. Reviewed. June 9.2025 .docx

8.2. Discuss Current Legislative Issues and Decisions Affecting Future School District Policies.

Discussion:

Superintendent Hart discussed future district policy implications stemming from the most recent Nebraska State Legislative Session which ended on Monday, June 2nd, 2025.
- Highlights of the discussion included the following topics.
- Transgender Rights
- School Psychologist Interstate Licensure
- Student Use of Electronic Devices at School and at School Activities
- Student Enrollment
  - Part-time, home school, and option enrollment
- State Retirement Contribution Rates
- School Finance Commission
- Parental Notification
- Social Media
- Student Grade Retention
- Parental Involvement in Schools
- Open Meetings Notification
- Upcoming "Interim" Studies

Due to the timing of these legislative requirements, staff and student handbooks for the 2025-2026 school year have been delayed for approval until the Monday, July 14th, 2025 regular board meeting.

8.3. Discuss the addition of Policy # 6113: Student Use of Electronic Communication Devices and Cell Phones

Discussion: Board members discussed options for Policy Number 6113:Student Use of Electronic Communication Devices and Cell Phones. Updated June 12, 2025 :

Please note: three different options are being presented for discussion:
This policy is a result of the Legislative Policy directive (LB 140) which was signed into law after the last Legislative session.

Attachments: (3)

9. Action Items

9.1. Presentation, discussion, and or official action to approve a new starting time for regular Board of Education meetings.

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Motion to approve moving the start time of the monthly regular board of education meetings to 6:00 p.m. This motion, made by Jaimi Calfee and seconded by Tim Cheney, 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.

Attachments: (1)

9300 Policy.Regular Meetings Time and Date. Reviewed. June 9.2025 .docx

9.2. Presentation, discussion, and or official action to approve proposal for Dugout Covers at the Olson Complex

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Motion to approve proposal as discussed. This motion, made by Dean Busch and seconded by Jaimi Calfee, Passed.

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

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

Discussion:

Discussion included the timing of the project, the value of local businesses, and project completion.

10. Board of Education Development

Discussion:

NASB Board Quicks for June 2025 is attached to this agenda item.
NCSA Final Legislative Report

Attachments: (3)

11. Closed Session

Discussion:

No closed session occurred during the meeting.

12. Topics for Next Month’s Agenda

Discussion:

No further discussion.

13. Adjournment

Discussion:

The meeting was adjourned at: 8:44 p.m.

June 9, 2025 at 7:00 PM - Board of Education Regular Meeting

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