Public Meeting Minutes: September 9, 2024 at 5:30 PM - Regular Monthly Meeting of the Kearney Public Schools Board of Education

1. Routine Business

1.A. Call to Order

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

1.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.

1.C. Board Meeting Decorum Expectations

1.D. Pledge of Allegiance

1.E. Roll Call

1.E.I. Excuse Absent Board Member

1.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 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.

2. Recognitions

2.A. Recognition of Coach Scott Steinbrook and the KHS Boys Soccer Team for Team Academic Award

Discussion:

Mr. Jeff Ganz, Kearney High School Principal, thanked the Board for the invitation to recognize Coach Scott Steinbrook, his coaching staff, and the KHS boys soccer team for the time and effort that they put into earning this award.
Coach Steinbrook thanked his coaching staff and acknowledged their collective diligence in checking in on the soccer team to make sure that they were keeping up with their school work. He noted that last year's team was made up of 40 student athletes, stating that they were good kids and that 36 will be returning for this season.

2.B. Recognition of Amber Taylor, Assistant Principal at Northeast Elementary, for Being Named the Region IV Outstanding New Principal of the Year by the Nebraska Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP)

Discussion:

Mrs. Sara Paider, Director of PK-5 Education, introduced Amber Taylor, stating that she is a great assistant principal, leader, and person who is very deserving of this award.
Amber Taylor, whose career began in Kearney, thanked those who nominated her and noted that she loves her job and doing what she does every day.

2.C. Recognition of Chance Waggoner, Principal at Park Elementary, for Being Named the Region IV Distinguished Principal of the Year by the Nebraska Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP)

Discussion:

Mrs. Sara Paider, Director of PK-5 Education, introduced Chance Waggoner, stating that he is a fantastic principal for Kearney Public Schools and is very deserving of this award. This nomination will qualify him for possible selection as the principal of the year for the state of Nebraska, and from there, if chosen, he will represent Nebraska in Washington, DC.
Mr. Waggoner noted that he has had the privilege of working with many great people throughout his career, which began in Kearney, and stated their collective efforts in helping him win this award.

3. Presentations

3.A. SRO Annual Report

Discussion:

Sergeant JC Small presented the Annual School Safety/SRO Report.

3.B. Presentation by Jason Calahan, Windy Hills Principal, on the Transition of Windy Hills to Buffalo Hills for the 2024-2025 School Year

Discussion:

Mr. Jason Calahan did a presentation on how school is going for both Windy Hills and Buffalo Hills, as two schools inhabit the same building for the 2023-2024 school year. He reviewed drop-off/pickup procedures, bussing, and lunch schedules and showed pictures of various rooms throughout the building. Overall, it's going very well.

3.C. Presentation of District Transportation Update

Discussion:

Dr. Jason Sutton presented transportation requirements by state statute, current registration procedures, and some challenges and recommendations as KPS moves forward to fulfill district transportation needs.

3.D. Construction Update

Discussion:

Kent Cordes of BD Construction gave a presentation on various construction projects throughout the district, noting that overall, things are trending under budget.

3.E. Presentation of Proposed 2024-2025 Construction Projects at KHS and Central Elementary

Discussion:

Mr. Mundorf spoke about the implementation of the JROTC program, which brought with it various facility requirements. One being storage, another an air rifle range, and finally a space for drill practice. In addition to this, there is an existing need for a girls wrestling room and more practice space for various activities.
Mr. Jacob Sertich, Architect of Wilkins Architecture Design Planning, presented the design proposal for the Central Elementary entrance and the KHS addition, with projected completion dates of August 2025 for the Central project and April 2026 for the KHS project.

4. Public Participation/Comment

5. Board Reports

6. 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 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:

6.A. Approval of Minutes of the August 12, 2024 Regular Meeting, the August 28, 2024 Special Budget Retreat Meeting, and the September 4, 2024 Board Committee of the Whole Meeting, of the Board of Education

6.B. Approval of the September 2024 Claims

6.C. Approval of the September 2024 Financial Reports

6.D. Approval of Professional Advancements for Teaching Staff for the 2024-2025 School Year

6.E. Acceptance of the Glenwood Community Organization Annual Self-Audit Report for the 2023-2024 School Year

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

6.G. Approval of the FBLA National Fall Leadership Conference Trip, November 7-10, 2024 to Columbus, Ohio (with no direct costs incurred by the school district)

6.H. Approval of the FCCLA National Leadership Conference Trip, July 4-10, 2025 to Orlando, Florida (with no direct costs incurred by the school district)

6.I. Approval of the Quad State Marching Band Contest Trip, October 19, 2024 to Vermillion, South Dakota (with no direct costs incurred by the school district)

6.J. Approval of the National FFA Convention Trip, October 22-27, 2024 to Indianapolis, Indiana (with no direct costs incurred by the school district)

6.K. Approval of the National DECA Power Trip, November 14-17, 2024 to Charlotte, North Carolina (with no direct costs incurred by the school district)

6.L. Approval of the Memorandum of Understanding Between Kearney Public Schools and Kearney Catholic High School for a Swimming/Diving & Baseball Co-op Agreement

6.M. Second and Final Reading and Approval of Rescission of Board Policy 6225 High Ability Learners

6.N. Second and Final Reading and Approval of the Suspension of Board Policy 1130 (a-b) Addressing the Board

6.O. Approval of the Second and Final Reading of Revised Board Policy 5006 Option Enrollment

7. Regular Agenda - Personnel

8. Regular Agenda - Business

8.A. Consider a Resolution to Approve One or More Lease-Purchase Agreements with a Bank or Banks Related to a New Addition to the High School Facility

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Move to approve the resolution for one or more lease-purchase agreements with a bank or banks related to a new addition to the high school facility as presented. 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:

Mr. Mundorf reviewed the resolution and documents related to the lease-purchase agreement for the funding of the KHS addition, which would be paid off in seven years or less with no penalty.
Considerations about this project and the planning behind it were discussed. Some highlights included:
- Need for facilities for the JROTC program, which have been known since the approval of implementation and before.
- Existing needs for other programs and activities at KHS, providing more space and a safer environment for practices.
- As more opportunities are provided to get students involved, the need for appropriate facilities grows.
- Building now is essential as costs will only increase.
- KPS Administration has done their homework to ensure that this project will not put undue stress on the budget and can be handled in the short term, in seven years or less.
The Central Elementary project will be financed through the KPS special building fund.

8.B. Approve Trent Bosard, KPS Director of Facilities, to Initiate a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) Process to Identify a Construction Manager at Risk (CM@R) for Both the KHS South Addition and Central Elementary South Entrance Construction Projects

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Move to approve Trent Bosard, KPS Director of Facilities, to initiate a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) process to identify a Construction Manager at Risk (CM@R) for both the KHS south addition and Central Elementary south entrance construction projects. This motion, made by Amy Barth 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:

Mr. Mundorf discussed the benefit of having a CM@R to oversee both projects in identifying the best subcontractors and getting the best rates.

8.C. Approval of the Purchase of Two Passenger Vans to be Added to the KPS Transportation Fleet in the Amount of $122,260

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Move to approve the purchase of two passenger vans to be added to the KPS Transportation Fleet in the amount of $122,260 as presented. 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:

Funding was previously allocated and approved for the purchase of these two vans, just moving forward with the purchase.

9. Regular Agenda - Miscellaneous

9.A. Approval of the First Reading of Revised Board Policy 7300 Naming Facilities, for Fundraising/Naming Rights of Facilities

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Move to approve the first reading of revised Board Policy 7300 Naming Facilities 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:

Mr. Mundorf discussed the possible need for the revision of this policy due in part to pending construction projects in the district. The importance of having this policy with guidelines for future Boards as well as to acknowledge donors was discussed.

10. Next Meeting

Discussion:

The next regular meeting of the Kearney Public Schools Board of Education will be held on October 14, 2024 at 5:30 P.M. in the Staff Development Room in the Administration Building at 320 West 24th St, Kearney, NE 68845.
There will be a public hearing and special budget meeting of the Kearney Public Schools Board of Education on Monday, September 16, 2024 at 5:30 P.M. in the Staff Development Room in the Administration Building at 320 West 24th St, Kearney, NE 68845.

11. 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 7:37 PM.

Regular Board
Attendance Taken on 9/9/2024 at 5:32 PM
Amy Barth	Present
Drew Blessing	Present
Steve Gaasch	Present
Kathy Gifford	Present
Paul Hazard	Present
John Icenogle	Present
Present: 6, Absent: 0

September 9, 2024 at 5:30 PM - Regular Monthly Meeting of the Kearney Public Schools Board of Education

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