October 13, 2025 at 6:00 PM - Scottsbluff Board of Education Regular Meeting

Discussion:  The October 13, 2025 Regular Board Meeting was called to order at 6:00 PM by Board President Scott Reisig.

Discussion:  This meeting was held in accordance to the Open Meetings Act. Notice of this meeting was published in the Star-Herald on Thursday, October 9, 2025, and on the Scottsbluff Public Schools website on Wednesday, October 8, 2025.

Discussion:  Board President Scott Reisig noted the Awards and Recognitions item would be removed from the agenda.

Discussion:  Scottsbluff High School senior Ava Reed provided the Student Report for October 2025, sharing SHS students have had a busy month. She highlighted the recent week-long celebration during Homecoming Week which included a super rally, dress-up days, a Friday night football game, and the Homecoming Dance. She congratulated Homecoming King and Queen Landen Heine and Allison Baer. Along with celebrating Homecoming, Ava stated there was much more to celebrate this month.

She reported the recent Childhood Cancer Awareness night, in partnership with the Team Ashtyn Foundation, was well-supported. Students attended a variety of events over the past few weeks, including the Multicultural Youth Summit at the Gering Civic Center, the American Legion Scotts Bluff County Government Day, the Panhandle High School Leadership Day, and Aulick Industries' annual Vo-tech competition. Mu Alpha Theta students completed the Probe 2 competition and Ava also recognized Kaidenz McDaniel for being named a National Merit Commended Awardee, as well as Logan Polk for being named a National Merit Semi-Finalist. 

Looking forward, Ava shared that students will be finishing their fall seasons with district and possibly state competitions. She wished good luck to the Girls' Golf Team as they compete at state. She also noted that in the coming weeks SHS will be hosting the Old West Band and Choir Festivals, a large eSports competition, and Parent-Teacher Conferences. Ava concluded by thanking the Board for their continued support.

Discussion:  Executive Director of Curriculum and Instruction Mike Mason, Math Content Area Specialist Mandy Hadenfeldt, ELA Content Area Specialist Jadie Beam, Westmoor teachers Julie Lemmon and Erin Shaul, Longfellow teacher Megan Burda, and Lincoln Heights teacher Morgan Wentz presented an Elementary Curriculum Continuous Improvement Overview.

Discussion:  There was one member of the public present who wished to address the Board of Education:

• Karli Knaub, Student

Discussion:  Board Vice President Beth Merrigan stated she is looking forward to sitting down with her students' teachers next week during Parent-Teacher Conferences.

Board President Scott Reisig congratulated SBPS staff members and remarked that there is a lot of "great stuff" happening throughout the District. He added that it is hard to believe the first quarter of the school year is almost done. 
 

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Discussion:  Executive Director of Finance Marianne Carlson updated the Board of Education on two approved change orders, one for Westmoor Elementary and one for the SHS Auditorium Project, per Board Policy 3133.

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Discussion: 

Superintendent Dr. Andrew Dick began by thanking the three students who addressed the Board for their leadership and advocacy, and for their support and passion for the great programs and opportunities at Scottsbluff High School.

Dr. Dick stated that a number of district staff members were recognized in the Star-Herald's 2025 Best of the West competition. He shared that Lincoln Heights Elementary was named the Best Elementary School, with Westmoor Elementary and Longfellow Elementary also recognized as favorites. Bear Cub Preschool received the award for Best Preschool, and Scottsbluff Public Schools was named a favorite in the Best Place to Work category. Lincoln Heights Elementary staff received recognition in several categories, with Brooke Fults being named Best School Teacher, Principal Jeremy Behnke recognized as a favorite in the Best Boss category, and secretary Lana Greene winning Best Administrative Assistant. Longfellow Elementary secretary Casie Delgado was named a favorite in the Best Administrative Assistant category, SHS Coach Jud Hall was named a favorite in the Best Coach category, and SHS Resource Officer Ron Wilson was named a favorite in the Best Police Officer category. Dr. Dick congratulated all staff members on their recognitions.

Dr. Dick congratulated Executive Director of Curriculum and Instruction Mike Mason, whose retirement was approved by the Board earlier in the evening, on a very accomplished career. Dr. Dick thanked Mr. Mason for the outstanding job he has done leading and overseeing the Curriculum and Instruction Department. Dr. Dick stated that on a personal level, Mr. Mason has been a very good mentor, noting that he worked under Mr. Mason's leadership at Bluffs Middle School, and then alongside him for a number of years. He also extended his appreciation to Mr. Mason for providing advance notice of his retirement to the District and stated he believes that anytime you have a position of this nature open up that it provides an opportunity to examine roles and responsibilities within the organizational structure. Dr. Dick stated that research on the organizational structure of other districts comparable in size to SBPS has been done, and one thing that has been noticed is that many of these districts have a district level administrator dedicated to human resources. He stated this information is still being reviewed, and next steps will be determined in conjunction with the SBPS Strategic Plan and the needs of the District.

Lastly, Dr. Dick shared that last week, SBPS received the STOP School Violence Grant and extended thanks and congratulations to Executive Director of Student Services, Dr. Wendy Kemling, for her grant writing skills and efforts. He noted the amount of the grant was just over $400,000, which provides the District with the opportunity to improve infrastructure within multiple buildings.

Discussion:  The October 13, 2025 Regular Board of Education Meeting was adjourned at 6:41 PM.