Public Meeting Minutes: January 22, 2024 at 5:30 PM - Special Meeting

1. Call to Order

Discussion: President Gaasch called the meeting to order at 5:30 PM

2. Open Meetings Act Announcement

Discussion: This is an open, public meeting of the Kearney Public Schools Board of Education, and a copy of the Open Meetings Act is posted in this room.

3. Roll Call

4. Approval of Agenda

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Move to approve the agenda of the meeting, as presented. This motion, made by Dave Brandt and seconded by Kathy Gifford, Passed.

John Icenogle: Yea
Paul Hazard: Yea
Steve Gaasch: Yea
Drew Blessing: Yea
Kathy Gifford: Yea
Dave Brandt: Yea

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

5. Agenda

5.A. Approval of the Employment of Certificated Staff

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Move to approve the employment of Dave Brandt, MA+36, Step 7, 1.0 FTE science teacher at Kearney High School for the 2024-2025 school year. This motion, made by Kathy Gifford and seconded by Drew Blessing, Passed.

John Icenogle: Yea
Paul Hazard: Yea
Steve Gaasch: Yea
Drew Blessing: Yea
Kathy Gifford: Yea
Dave Brandt: Abstain (With Conflict)

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

5.B. Acceptance of the Resignation of Board of Education Member Dave Brandt

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Move to accept the resignation of Board of Education Member Dave Brandt, with regret, effective January 22, 2024 and thank him for his years of service to the school district. This motion, made by Kathy Gifford and seconded by John Icenogle, Passed.

John Icenogle: Yea
Paul Hazard: Yea
Steve Gaasch: Yea
Drew Blessing: Yea
Kathy Gifford: Yea
Dave Brandt: Abstain (With Conflict)

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

5.C. Special Recognition of Board of Education Member Dave Brandt for His Years of Dedication and Service to the Staff, Students, Families, and the Community

Discussion:

Mr. Gaasch thanked Dave Brandt for his service to the Board of Education and expressed his appreciation for serving with him.
Mr. Mundorf thanked Dave Brandt for his service and expressed his appreciation for his honest and up-front input as well as his support through the years.

5.D. Election of Secretary of the Board of Education

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Drew Blessing moved that nominations cease and that a unanimous ballot be cast for Kathy Gifford. Paul Hazard seconded the motion. This motion, made by Drew Blessing and seconded by Paul Hazard, Passed.

John Icenogle: Yea
Paul Hazard: Yea
Steve Gaasch: Yea
Drew Blessing: Yea
Kathy Gifford: Abstain (With Conflict)
Dave Brandt: Abstain (With Conflict)

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

Discussion:

Steve Gaasch nominated Kathy Gifford for the office of Secretary of the Board of Education for 2024. Drew Blessing seconded the motion. There were no other nominations.

5.E. Amendment to the Check Signing Authority for 2024 for the Kearney Public Schools at Nebraskaland Bank as President and Secretary of the Board of Education, and Dr. Chris Loofe and Jenae Dahlstedt

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Move to amend the check signing authority for 2024, to reflect the appointment of the newly elected Board of Education Secretary. This motion, made by Drew Blessing and seconded by Paul Hazard, Passed.

John Icenogle: Yea
Paul Hazard: Yea
Steve Gaasch: Yea
Drew Blessing: Yea
Kathy Gifford: Yea
Dave Brandt: Abstain (With Conflict)

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

5.F. Appointment to the Committee on American Civics

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Move to appoint Kathy Gifford, to the Committee on American Civics, to fill the vacancy left on this committee due to the resignation of Dave Brandt. This motion, made by Steve Gaasch and seconded by Drew Blessing, Passed.

John Icenogle: Yea
Paul Hazard: Yea
Steve Gaasch: Yea
Drew Blessing: Yea
Kathy Gifford: Yea
Dave Brandt: Abstain (With Conflict)

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

5.G. Appointment to the Kearney Public Schools Foundation Board

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Move to appoint Steve Gaasch, as an exofficio member on the KPS Foundation Board, to fill the vacancy left by the resignation of Dave Brandt. This motion, made by Steve Gaasch and seconded by Kathy Gifford, Passed.

John Icenogle: Yea
Paul Hazard: Yea
Steve Gaasch: Yea
Drew Blessing: Yea
Kathy Gifford: Yea
Dave Brandt: Abstain (With Conflict)

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

5.H. Announcement and Appointment of a Board Personnel Committee, to Serve as the Ad Hoc Committee to Work on the Appointment of a New Board of Education Member to Replace Mr. Dave Brandt.

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Move to appoint Drew Blessing, Paul Hazard and Steve Gaasch to the Board Personnel Committee, to serve as the ad hoc committee to work on the appointment of a new Board of Education member to replace Mr. Dave Brandt. This motion, made by Steve Gaasch and seconded by Paul Hazard, Passed.

John Icenogle: Yea
Paul Hazard: Yea
Steve Gaasch: Yea
Drew Blessing: Yea
Kathy Gifford: Yea
Dave Brandt: Abstain (With Conflict)

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

Discussion:

Mr. Mundorf discussed that the Board vacancy documents have been shared with Board members in the Board of Education shared drive. He informed the Board that they have 45 days to fill the vacancy, and if they don't, then the Election Commissioner, Lisa Poff, could call for a special election to fill this seat. He clarified that the Board could choose to appoint any registered voter, whether they applied for the seat or not. He stated that the application and other documents can be modified to the Board's liking, but noted that he added a question in regard to whether the applicants would like to just complete the remainder of the term, February 21, 2024 through December 31, 2024, or if they would have an interest in election for another term. Per the Election Commissioner, since the appointment of this Board member will occur before March 1, 2024, the appointee will have the ability to file for re-election as an incumbent in the November 2024 election. Mr. Mundorf felt that this added question could be important for the Board to consider when making their decision, but the question can also be removed. He stated that a notice of the Board vacancy will be sent to the Election Commissioner and the Kearney Hub tomorrow. The application will be available on the Kearney Public Schools website and in the KPS Administration office on January 31, 2024, and the deadline to apply is February 14 at 12 noon. February 15 and 16 have been designated for the committee to review the applications and consider candidates; February 19 and 20 for the possibility of interviewing and making an offer; and February 21, 2024, for a special meeting to approve the appointment of the new Board member.
Mrs. Gifford suggested that the committee make some sort of score sheet or rubric to evaluate the candidates, noting that in her experience it was helpful to have this.
Mr. Mundorf stated his willingness to help and support the Board in any way needed throughout this process.

6. Adjournment

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Move to adjourn the meeting. This motion, made by Kathy Gifford and seconded by John Icenogle, Passed.

John Icenogle: Yea
Paul Hazard: Yea
Steve Gaasch: Yea
Drew Blessing: Yea
Kathy Gifford: Yea
Dave Brandt: Abstain (With Conflict)

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

Regular Board
Attendance Taken on 1/22/2024 at 5:30 PM
Drew Blessing	Present
Dave Brandt	Present
Steve Gaasch	Present
Kathy Gifford	Present
Paul Hazard	Present
John Icenogle	Present
Present: 6, Absent: 0

January 22, 2024 at 5:30 PM - Special Meeting

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