Public Meeting Minutes: August 12, 2024 at 5:30 PM - Public Hearing and Regular Meeting

1. Public Hearing for Additional Property Tax Request Authority

1.A. Convene Hearing

Discussion:

Hearing convened at 5:30 PM.

1.B. Presentation, Discussion, Public Input

Discussion:

Dr. Chis Loofe, Associate Superintendent and Finance Director, presented information requesting access to the district's additional property tax request authority by up to an additional 5%, or other maximum as permitted by law, above the base growth percentage.

1.C. Close Hearing

2. Routine Business

2.A. Call to Order

Discussion: President Gaasch called the meeting to order at 5:35 PM.

2.B. 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.

2.C. Board Meeting Decorum Expectations

2.D. Pledge of Allegiance

2.E. Roll Call

2.E.I. Excuse Absent Board Member

2.F. Approval of the Agenda

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Move to approve the agenda for the meeting, as presented. This motion, made by Kathy Gifford and seconded by Amy Barth, Passed.

John Icenogle: Yea
Paul Hazard: Yea
Steve Gaasch: Yea
Drew Blessing: Yea
Kathy Gifford: Yea
Amy Barth: Yea

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

3. Recognitions

3.A. Recognition of Mrs. Tori Glandon, Vocal Music Teacher at Horizon Middle School, as the 2024 Outstanding Young Director of the Year

Discussion:

HMS Principal Amber Lewis praised Mrs. Glandon's work ethic and energy stating that this award was very well deserved and that HMS is very lucky to have her.

3.B. Recognition of Mr. Rick Mitchell, Band Teacher, and Kearney High School's Tri-M Chapter 4101 as the 2023-2024 Nebraska State Chapter of the Year

Discussion:

KHS Principal Jeff Ganz acknowledged all the efforts of Mr. Mitchell in making the KHS music program so successful and the members of the KHS Tri-M (Modern Music Masters) for their drive to be excellent, academically, musically, and in community service. Mr. Mitchell thanked the Board and administration for all of their support in making this award possible.

3.C. Recognition of Kearney Public Schools for Receiving Diamond Badge Certification in Nebraska School Safety and Security

Discussion:

Mr. Mundorf acknowledged the efforts of the previous Director of Student Services and Safety, Dr. Dan Endorf, as well as the quick application process completed by the newly seated director, Jeff Schwartz, in making it possible for KPS to earn this award. Mr. Schwartz spoke about different parts of the application as well as the implementation of the new Safe2Help app, the anonymous reporting system for students, staff, and parents.

4. Presentations

4.A. Construction Update

Discussion:

Kent Cordes of BD Construction gave an update on all the construction projects, finishing up and continuing throughout the district.

5. Public Participation/Comment

6. Board Reports

6.A. Kearney Public Schools Foundation Report

Discussion:

Mr. Gaasch reported various KPS Foundation achievements throughout the year. (The summary is attached to the agenda.)

7. Consent Agenda

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Move to approve the items on the Consent Agenda, as presented. 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
Amy Barth: Yea

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

7.A. Approval of Minutes of the July 8, 2024 Regular Meeting, and the August 7, 2024 Board Committee of the Whole Meeting, of the Board of Education

7.B. Approval of the August 2024 Claims

7.C. Approval of the August 2024 Financial Reports

7.D. Acceptance of the Windy Hills Elementary School PTO Annual Self-Audit Report for the 2023-2024 School Year

7.E. Acceptance of the Kenwood Elementary School PTO Annual Self-Audit Report for the 2023-2024 School Year

7.F. Acceptance of the Park Elementary School PTO Annual Self-Audit Report for the 2023-2024 School Year

7.G. Approval of the Kearney Public Schools 2024–2025 Facilities Handbook

7.H. Recognition of the Kearney Education Association as the Exclusive Bargaining Agent for All Non-Supervisory Certificated Staff in the Kearney Public Schools for the 2026-2027 Contract Year

7.I. Approval of the KPS Board Negotiations Team of John Icenogle, Paul Hazard and Drew Blessing for the 2025-2026 Contract Year

8. Regular Agenda - Personnel

9. Regular Agenda - Business

9.A. Discuss, Consider and Take Possible Action to Increase the District's Overall Property Tax Request Authority Up to an Additional 5% or Other Maximum as Permitted by Law, Above the Base Growth Percentage

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Move to adopt the resolution to increase the school district's overall property tax request authority by up to an additional 5% above the base growth percentage, and authorize and direct the Superintendent or designee to take any action to ensure that the school district's overall property tax request complies with LB243. This motion, made by John Icenogle and seconded by Kathy Gifford, Passed.

John Icenogle: Yea
Paul Hazard: Yea
Steve Gaasch: Yea
Drew Blessing: Yea
Kathy Gifford: Yea
Amy Barth: Yea

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

Discussion:

It was noted that the approval of the additional property tax request authority is essential due to the unknown status of legislative negotiations at this time, so that the district will have access to the funds should they be required in building the 2024-2025 budget.

10. Regular Agenda - Miscellaneous

10.A. Approval of the Memorandum of Understanding with UNK for Dual Credit Classes

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Move to approve the MOU with UNK for dual credit classes as presented. This motion, made by John Icenogle and seconded by Amy Barth, Passed.

John Icenogle: Yea
Paul Hazard: Yea
Steve Gaasch: Yea
Drew Blessing: Yea
Kathy Gifford: Yea
Amy Barth: Yea

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

Discussion:

A list of dual credit classes offered by UNK was reviewed. It was noted that these courses are offered to students at a significantly reduced rate.

10.B. Approval of the Memorandum of Understanding with Central Community College for Dual Credit Classes

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Move to approve the MOU with CCC for dual credit classes as presented. 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
Amy Barth: Yea

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

Discussion:

It was noted that these dual credit classes are transferable within the university and state college systems. Courses are offered at a reduced rate and scholarship money is also available through the KPS Foundation.

10.C. Approval of Kearney Public Schools Emergency Operations Plan

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Move to approve the KPS Emergency Operations Plan as presented. This motion, made by Drew Blessing and seconded by Kathy Gifford, Passed.

John Icenogle: Yea
Paul Hazard: Yea
Steve Gaasch: Yea
Drew Blessing: Yea
Kathy Gifford: Yea
Amy Barth: Yea

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

Discussion:

This is the third year that the Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) has been in place at KPS. Each school has an individual EOP specific to their building and training is done at each site.

10.D. Set the Date for the Special Budget Retreat Meeting

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Move to set Wednesday, August 28, 2024 at 12:00 noon in the first floor conference room in the Administration Building at 320 West 24th Street, Kearney, NE, for a special budget retreat meeting of the Board of Education. This motion, made by Kathy Gifford and seconded by Paul Hazard, Passed.

John Icenogle: Yea
Paul Hazard: Yea
Steve Gaasch: Yea
Drew Blessing: Yea
Kathy Gifford: Yea
Amy Barth: Yea

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

10.E. Set the date for the Annual Budget Hearing and Special September Board Meeting

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Move to set Monday, September 16, 2024 at 5:30 PM in the staff development room in the Administration Building at 320 West 24th Street, Kearney, NE, for the annual budget hearing and special meeting to adopt the various budgets for the 2024-2025 school year. 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
Amy Barth: Yea

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

10.F. Suspend Board Policy 1130(a-b) Addressing the Board

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Move to suspend Board Policy 1130(a-b) Addressing the Board for reasons presented. This motion, made by Amy Barth and seconded by Paul Hazard, Passed.

John Icenogle: Yea
Paul Hazard: Yea
Steve Gaasch: Yea
Drew Blessing: Yea
Kathy Gifford: Yea
Amy Barth: Yea

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

Discussion:

Suspended Board Policy 1130(a-b) Addressing the Board as the expected procedures are outlined in board policies in Board Meetings, "Methods of Operation," Section 9300. Board Policy 1130(a-b) also does not contain accurate information as it was not updated to reflect changes over the years. Clarification was given as to suspending a policy as opposed to rescinding the policy. Suspending this policy means that during the policy review, this policy may be reworded and brought back, whereas a rescinded policy is removed.

10.G. Rescission of Policy 6225 High Ability Learners

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Move to rescind Policy 6225 for reasons presented. 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
Amy Barth: Yea

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

Discussion:

Rescinding (removing) Policy 6225 as it is a duplicate of policy 5412 which is already Board approved and up to date.

10.H. Approval of the First Reading of Revised Board Policy 5006 Option Enrollment

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Move to approve the first reading of revised Board Policy 5006 Option Enrollment as presented. 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
Amy Barth: Yea

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

Discussion:

This policy is being updated to include additional standards for acceptance or rejection of option enrollment applications.

11. Next Meeting

Discussion:

The next regular meeting of the Kearney Public Schools Board of Education will be held on September 9, 2024 at 5:30 P.M. in the Staff Development Room in the Administration Building at 320 West 24th St, Kearney, NE 68845.

12. Adjournment

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

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

John Icenogle: Yea
Paul Hazard: Yea
Steve Gaasch: Yea
Drew Blessing: Yea
Kathy Gifford: Yea
Amy Barth: Yea

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

Discussion:

Meeting was adjourned at 6:33 PM.

Regular Board
Attendance Taken on 8/12/2024 at 5:36 PM
Amy Barth	Present
Drew Blessing	Present
Steve Gaasch	Present
Kathy Gifford	Present
Paul Hazard	Present
John Icenogle	Present
Present: 6, Absent: 0

August 12, 2024 at 5:30 PM - Public Hearing and Regular Meeting

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