March 9, 2026 at 6:00 PM - Scottsbluff Board of Education Regular Meeting

Discussion:  The Scottsbluff Public Schools Board of Education Regular 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 Saturday, March 7, 2026, and on the Scottsbluff Public Schools website on Wednesday, March 4, 2026.

Discussion:  Scottsbluff High School Girls Wrestling Coach Shaide Bowthorpe spoke.

Discussion:  Scottsbluff High School Boys Wrestling Coach Dustin Stodola spoke.

Discussion:  Scottsbluff High School Girls Basketball Coach Hattie Burford spoke.

Discussion:  Scottsbluff High School Swim Coach Vanessa Woolsey spoke.

Discussion:  Scottsbluff High School Drill Team Sponsor Angie Hinze spoke.

Discussion:  Scottsbluff High School Educators Rising Sponsor Anne Schmall spoke. 

Discussion:  Scottsbluff High School Assistant Principal Kelli Jensen spoke.

Discussion:  Scottsbluff High School Senior Ava Reed provided an update to the Board of Education. Ava stated the end of the third quarter at Scottsbluff High School is quickly approaching and that SHS students had much to celebrate in February. Ava stated Winter Royalty Week was filled with school spirit and a memorable dance. She congratulated the 2026 Winter Royalty King Keon Delgado and Queen Sheridan Ferguson. Ava noted the National Honor Society Induction was held on February 5 during which 50 students were inducted. The SHS Girls Wrestling Program had historic success with a first-ever SHS state champion, Jazymn Garcia, with Marcela Colin earning a notable fourth-place finish. Boys Wrestling also celebrated Daylon Adams becoming a state champion, as well as Oscar Brown and Anthony Shifflet bringing home a third place finish. Both Boys Basketball and Girls Basketball won their district championship, with the Lady Bearcats finishing their season at state with a gritty game against Bennington. The Bearcat Boys will travel to state basketball this week to play a first-round game against Gretna East. The Swim Team qualified three relay teams and four individuals in a combined 12 events for the state swim meet. The ProStart team had a great state competition, with one team finishing as state champions and another with a top-three finish. The SHS Choir hosted the Panhandle Choral Festival, bringing in students from around the region to train with Eph Ehly, a nationally recognized composer and former SHS teacher. The SHS Educators Rising chapter attended the State Leadership Conference in Kearney and SHS Teacher Mrs. Anne Schmall, was named Nebraska’s Teacher Leader of the Year. The SHS Cheer and Drill teams competed at their respective state competitions, with the Drill Team capturing another state championship in the High Kick Division. Ava noted that over the next month, the SHS Career and Technical Student Organizations will travel east for their respective state competitions. College registration will take place later in the month, and ACT and PreACT testing are scheduled for March 24. To finish out the month, Prom will take place on March 28. Ava thanked the Board of Education for their continued partnership and support of our students and school community.

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

• Reginald Preston, Scottsbluff

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Dr. Andrew Dick congratulated Director of Communications Melissa Price for another outstanding annual report. He stated he had received a number of compliments from community members on the high-quality publication which does an outstanding job of telling the District's story and successes over the past school year. Dr. Dick noted this publication was done by Melissa Price in-house.

Dr. Dick thanked Scottsbluff High School teacher Anne Schmall for her leadership of the SEA Negotiations Team. Dr. Dick noted it was a very cordial process and thanked the Board for their role in the process as well.

Dr. Dick provided a timeline and context regarding the Lake Minatare well issue. On February 26, 2026, the maintenance team discovered the pump that feeds the RO/chemical system at Lake Minatare was leaking. A new mechanical seal to repair the pump was ordered as the leak had been increasing in volume every day since discovery. When the pump was dismantled to make the repair, it was discovered that sand/debris had chewed up the shaft on the pump and ruined the other seals within the pump itself. This pump is now obsolete since it was first installed over 15 years ago. Within an hour, Director of Facilities Travis Rickey and his team provided bottled water on-site for students and staff. Mr. Rickey then contacted the District's Certified Water Operator, Mike Davies, and set the earliest possible appointment for Tuesday, March 3. During this appointment on-site, they were able to determine that the well that feeds water to the building is approximately 80 feet deep, and they were able to reach water at 30 feet. Right inside the building, they took a water sample in a bucket from where the well water enters. In the sample of water they found a lot of black debris of various sizes. This black debris was deemed to come from either the pipe of the pump, or most likely the well casing itself. The repair for this issue would be to replace the pipe of the pump or the well casing. The Certified Water Operator believes the black debris is iron, but it has not been verified through a chemical test. After the District received these findings, a message was sent to the families of Lake Minatare students on March 4. Also on March 4, the District received an estimate from Fisher Well Service in the amount of $15,564 to repair the well. The District was told it would take two to three weeks to complete the work due to paperwork and materials. In addition to Fisher’s Well Service work, the chemical injector pump would need to be replaced. Mr. Rickey provided an estimated cost of between $3,000 - $4,000 to complete the work in-house. Dr. Dick noted the maintenance team frequently takes care of projects in-house in order to maximize taxpayer dollars. Mr. Rickey estimated it would take four to six weeks to receive those parts and complete the work, taking into consideration there are 45.5 student days remaining in the school year. On March 9, Mr. Rickey accompanied Dr. Dick to Lake Minatare Elementary to observe the issue first-hand. During this time, Dr. Dick spoke to the head custodian and the food service provider, and both indicated the well issue had not caused an inconvenience to their work. The head custodian stated that he had not seen any deposits in any sink or toilets. Dr. Dick stated he also visited classrooms, and noted approximately half of the students were using their own personal water bottle, not the plastic bottles provided. He stated Lake Minatare Elementary Principal Dr. Ashlen Schaneman reports that teachers do not feel the current set-up is inconvenient, and Dr. Dick offered Board Members an opportunity to ask questions of Dr. Schaneman or Mr. Rickey. Dr. Dick stated Mike Davies, Certified Water Operator, confirmed with the State of Nebraska the District's current plan to provide bottled water to students through the end of the 2026-2027 school year. Board Vice President Beth Merrigan addressed Dr. Schaneman, asking if she could comment on the daily operations at Lake Minatare. Dr. Schaneman responded that the situation had not been much of an issue, especially as the administration and Mr. Rickey were able to provide water bottles almost immediately. Dr. Schaneman also acknowledged the students can fill up their own water bottles from a five-gallon jug, which minimizes distractions caused by plastic water bottles, as well as trash. She stated their day-to-day functions have not been altered. Dr. Schaneman stated as soon as the issue was identified, signs were placed above sinks and fountains, and she then visited each classroom to ensure students understood not to drink the water.

Discussion:  The Regular Board of Education Meeting adjourned at 7:29 PM.