Public Meeting Minutes: August 11, 2025 at 6:00 PM - Board of Education Regular Meeting

1. Call to Order and Pledge of Allegiance

Discussion:

Board President Desh called the meeting to order at 6:01 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 June 2025.
  - Special note: The Open Meetings Act Poster was being updated with a new picture frame, and copies of the newly updated (2025) Open Meetings Act documents were available at the meeting.

Attachments: (1)

Open Meetings Act Poster. Updated. June 2025

3. Staff and Student Presentations

Discussion:

Mr. Brad Buller from the Southeast Community College (SECC) SENCAP program presented information about "dual credit" academic class offerings for high school students. Mr. Buller shared specific details about the benefits our students have experienced through participation in the program. Specifically, last year we had 66 students complete 165 courses with a 96% pass rate and an average 3.6 GPA. Our students have performed exceedingly well, and we are extremely proud of their collective efforts.
District administrative staff also summarized the beginning of the school year staff training, and "debriefed" the first day of school for students.
No changes were made to the posted staff and student board presentation schedule at this time.
The board expressed appreciation for having the opportunity to suggest future presentation topics.

4. Consent Agenda

Discussion:

Special note: The following district transfers from the General Fund were included in the consent agenda.
- Depreciation: $125,000
- Lunch Fund: $22,500.00
- Activities: $35,000
- Student Yearbook: $6,000
- Total Transfers: $188,500
No further discussion.

4.1. Approval of Board Agenda

4.2. Approval of minutes of previous meetings

Attachments: (4)

4.3. Approval of Claims/Payment of Bills and Payroll

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Motion to approve as discussed. This motion, made by Josh Penterman and seconded by Jaimi Calfee, Passed.

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

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

Attachments: (2)

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

4.5. Financial Reports

Attachments: (2)

5. Public Comment

Discussion:

No public comment was presented at the meeting.
Special thanks to the social studies students in attendance at the meeting, learning about civic engagement as part of a class requirement.

6. Administrative Reports

6.1. Superintendent's Report

Discussion: The following topics were discussed during the Superintendent's Report

"Beginning of School" Review
- Week of August 4th
- First Day: Monday, August 11th, 2025
Upcoming District Calendar Changes for September:
- Due to our district now being approved to host several district-level activities this school year, the 2025 -2026 master calendar will need to be adjusted in September.
- The reason for the upcoming calendar changes is because of the late notification of approval for some of the events.
2025-2026 Budget Update:
- Superintendent Hart provided an update on the projected 2025-2026 district budget and the projected need to attend the Otoe County Joint Public Hearing in September.
"Campus Clean Out" Sale at PHS: Sunday, August 24, 2025
- Our district will be hosting a "Campus Clean-Out" event near the end of August to liquidate items from both district buildings that are outdated or incompatible with current classroom curriculum materials, computer hardware, and building design.
  - This event is tentatively scheduled for Sunday, August 24th, 2025, from 4:00-6:00 p.m.at PHS.
  - The sale will take place in the FFA shop area located on the east side of the high school.
Community Kudos:
- Special thanks to everyone at Country Bible Church for sponsoring a fabulous luncheon for all district staff on Monday, August 4th.
"Open House" Feedback:
- Building principals received suggestions for improvement and lots of positive feedback about the Open House events.
Board Group and Individual Pictures:
- Individual board member pictures and a Board of Education group picture will be scheduled for the Wednesday, September 17th, 2025, regular board meeting.
Proactive Coaching Event:
- Our district will be hosting this event on Sunday, August 24th, at 6:00 p.m. at PHS in the west main gym. The event is strongly encouraged for parents and student athletes, and the topics presented that night will focus on positive sportsmanship, team building, and "knowing your role" as a parent, coach, athlete, or spectator.
Waste and Litter Grant Application Update:
- This grant is currently in process and will help offset costs associated with playground equipment.
Negotiations for 2025-2026:
- The Negotiations Committee will begin meeting in the fall as we are in the last year of a two-year Negotiated Agreement.
Staffing Update:
- We are still in need of paraprofessionals and bus drivers, and we are currently accepting applications for each position.
Summer Projects" Update:
- Bennet Elementary
  - Playground Sod
  - Additional swing bay
  - Gaga Pits
  - Recycled Rubber Grant
  - North Bus Lane
  - Media Center
- PHS:
  - HVAC
  - 2nd Floor Cabinets
  - Locker Rooms
  - Restrooms

Olson Complex Update:
- Power to the Shed
- South Side Bleachers
- Baseball Dugouts
- Grass Infield
- Baseball infield Irrigation
- Discus area to the west of the complex.
- Repurpose"skinned material" to reuse on the softball field.
Technology Committee Follow-Up:
- Cell Phones
- Policy
- Chromebooks
- The Technology Committee is expected to meet in September, October, and November, and a board summary on technology integration will be presented at the December Board meeting.
Budget Committee Meeting:
- The last scheduled Budget Committee was Monday, August 11th, at 5:00 p.m.

2025-2026 School District Budget Timeline:
- Wednesday, August 20th:
  - County property valuations are finalized for calculation.
- Thursday, September 4th:
  - Final date to notify County Assessors if the District will need to attend the designated Joint Public Hearing (Pink Postcard) Meetings. See below for specific county "Joint Public Hearing" dates and times:
- Wednesday, September 17th:
  - 5:45 p.m. District OR-1 Board of Education Public Hearing on the 2025-2026 District Budget
- Wednesday, September 17th:
  - 5:55 p.m. District OR-1 Board of Education 2025-2026 Tax Request Hearing.
- Wednesday, September 17th:
  - District OR-1 Board of Education Regular Meeting, beginning at 6:00 p.m. at Palmyra High School in the media center.

Joint Public Hearings:

Thursday, Sept. 18^th:
- Otoe County "Joint Public Hearing":
- The Otoe County "JPH" Joint Public Hearing is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. at the Fair Center Building located at 135 Plum Street in Syracuse, Nebraska.
  - Please note: Because Palmyra is the central office address for our school district, we would need to attend the Otoe County JPH.
Lancaster County Joint Public Hearing:
- The Lancaster County "JPH" Joint Public Hearing is tentatively scheduled for Friday, September 19, 2025, at 6:30 PM in Room 112 at the County-City Building, 555 S. 10^th Street.
  - District OR-1 will not have to physically attend this JPH, but budget information is due for the meeting by September 1st.
Wednesday, September 24th:
- District OR-1 Special Board Meeting beginning at 8:00 p.m.at Palmyra Junior / Senior High School in the media center.
  - This meeting is scheduled to approve the district budget and tax request for 2025-2026.
Tuesday, September 30th, 2025:
- All school district budgets are due to the state auditor's office and the Nebraska Department of Education.
Wednesday, October 15th, 2025
- Deadline to submit final tax requests.
Wednesday, November 5th, 2025:
- All tax requests become final.

Board Meeting Time Change for September Board Meeting:

Just a reminder that the regular Board of Education meeting for September will be on Wednesday, September 17th, 2025. The meeting will begin at 6:00 p.m. (or immediately following the Tax Request and Budget Hearings).
- This change is due to the timing of the Labor Day holiday and the challenges associated with the timeliness of board bill submissions from various vendors.

Attachments: (1)

Campus Clean Up Sale Information. August 24 2025

6.1.1. Discussion regarding a potential board resolution to increase the district's base growth percentage by up to an additional six percent or another maximum amount as permitted by law.

Discussion:

This item was discussed and will be an action item at the board meeting in September.
- Notice of this resolution will be posted in the newspaper at least one week before the September 17th, 2025, regular board meeting.

Attachments: (1)

File_ LB 243 Resolution 2025-2026.docx

6.1.2. Discussion relating to our District 2025-26 Insurance Policy through Alicap

Discussion:

The district insurance carrier for the 2025-2026 school year is Alicap.

6.2. Administrative Team Report

Discussion: Topics discussed during the admin report are listed below:

First Day of School and Preschool
Open House Summary
Staff Development Activities the week of August 4th - 8th.
Updated Teacher Evaluation System (NEE)
Student Behavior, Enrollment, MTSS, Special Programming, Transportation, and MTSS.
Curriculum Update
State Trainings
Upcoming Beginning of School Events

Attachments: (4)

7. Discussion Items- Committee Reports

7.1. Budget Committee Update

Discussion:

The Monday, August 11th, 2025, at Palmyra Junior/ Senior High School was rescheduled to Friday, August 22nd, 2025, at PHS
Additional documents are attached regarding education funding and budget processes.

Attachments: (2)

7.2. Curriculum, Committee on American Civics

Discussion:

The next meeting of this committee is scheduled for Wednesday, October 15th, 2025, at noon at Palmyra High School.

Please note that this will be a public meeting as required by NDE, and public notice of this meeting will be posted and will be advertised in the Voice News.

7.3. Negotiations Committee Update

Discussion:

The Negotiations Committee meeting schedule will be discussed in more detail at the September board meeting.

7.4. Transportation and Facilities Committee

Discussion:

Transportation and Facilities Committee members shared a short summary from the meeting that occurred on Wednesday, July 16th, at Palmyra High School.

7.5. Technology Committee Update

Discussion:

Additional Technology Committee meetings will be scheduled for this fall to discuss progress in this area.
- Upcoming meeting dates will be scheduled for the months of September, October, and November, with a summary board report presented in December.

7.6. Strategic Planning Update

Discussion:

Discussion focused on a new District Strategic Planning process beginning in the spring of 2026.
More information and discussions are scheduled for future board meetings.
Our current District Goals are listed at the beginning of this board meeting agenda and on our school website at www.districtor1.org

8. Policy Review

Discussion:

Some 4000 and 5000 Series policies were reviewed and approved during the Monday, July 14th, 2025, regular board meeting.
Another Policy Committee meeting will be scheduled before the September board meeting.

9. Action Items

9.1. Presentation, discussion, and or official action to approve the second and final reading of Policy # 4150. Certified Staff Educator Effectiveness Evaluation.

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Motion to approve the second and final reading of Policy #4150 and supporting documentation as discussed. This motion, made by Dee Moore and seconded by Jaimi Calfee, Passed.

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

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

Discussion:

No further discussion.

Attachments: (3)

9.2. Presentation, discussion, and or official action appointing the Superintendent as the official representative responsible for State and Federal forms and applications for the 2025–2026 school year.

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Motion to have the Superintendent be the official representative for Federal and State forms and applications. This motion, made by Jaimi Calfee and seconded by Dean Busch, Passed.

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

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

Discussion:

No further discussion.

9.3. Presentation, discussion, and or official action to approve the "Campus Clean Up" Event at PHS.

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Motion to approve the event as discussed. This motion, made by Dean Busch and seconded by Josh Penterman, Passed.

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

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

Discussion:

Discussion included contacting local area community service agencies (libraries, families in need, etc.) to assess their current needs and provide assistance with equipment and furnishings.

Attachments: (1)

Campus Clean Up Sale Information. August 24 2025

10. Board of Education Development

Discussion:

Discussion centered on Option Enrollment, how to find information on student enrollment, early childhood programming, possible resources for Strategic Planning, and budget planning.
Designated board members will be receiving NASB Service Awards at the September Area Membership meetings in September. Level Awards are listed below:
- Tim Cheney: Level II Service Award
- Dee Moore: Level II Service Award
- Dean Bush: Levek III Service Award
- Josh Penterman: Level IV Service Award
Special thanks to all of our board members for their continued service and dedication to making our school even better!

Attachments: (1)

August-2025-Board-Quicks-e-update

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 8:06 p.m.

August 11, 2025 at 6:00 PM - Board of Education Regular Meeting

Web Viewer