Public Meeting Minutes: October 14, 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 Amber Lewis, Principal at Horizon Middle School, for being Named the Region IV Principal of the Year and the Outstanding New Principal of the Year by the Nebraska Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP)

Discussion:

Mr. Clint Edwards, Director of 6-12 Education, introduced Amber Lewis, highlighting her dedication as one of the reasons Horizon Middle School received an excellent rating in the state accreditation system last year. He noted that it was nice to see the state and Region IV recognizing Amber for the work that she is doing in our school system.
Mrs. Lewis thanked the Board and administration for the opportunity to work for KPS and expressed her gratitude for her children being able to grow up in the Kearney Public School system as well.

3. Presentations

3.A. Presentation by Dustin Mitchell, Bryant Elementary Principal, on the "Top Dog" Program

Discussion:

Mr. Mitchell gave a presentation on the "Top Dog" Program at Bryant Elementary School. It is a positive behavior incentive program that awards students for regularly doing the right thing. Students can apply at each quarter, and, if approved, they are able to take advantage of the privileges that go along with the title, such as use of the computer lab before school, first in line for lunch and helper in the cafeteria, to name a few.

3.B. Construction Update

Discussion:

Kent Cordes of BD Construction gave a presentation on various construction projects throughout the district. Projects continue to trend under budget.

3.C. K-12 Financial Literacy Presentation

Discussion:

Sara Paider, PK-5 Education Director, and Clint Edwards, 6-12 Education Director, gave their annual K-12 financial literacy status report. Finance is taught primarily through Junior Achievement in the elementary and middle schools. At the high school, a 5 credit personal finance course is required for graduation.
It was noted that even though Nebraska ranks at the top for financial literacy education, maybe KPS should consider raising the personal finance requirement to 10 credits, citing the importance of this information for students after high school.

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 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.

6.A. Approval of Minutes of the September 9, 2024 Regular Meeting, the September 16, 2024 Public Hearing and Special Budget Meeting, and the October 9, 2024 Board Committee of the Whole Meeting, of the Board of Education

6.B. Approval of the October 2024 Claims

6.C. Approval of the October 2024 Financial Reports

6.D. Acceptance of the Bryant Elementary Parent Advisory Committee Annual Self-Audit Report for the 2023-2024 School Year

6.E. Acceptance of the Meadowlark Elementary Parent Advisory Committee Annual Self-Audit Report for the 2023-2024 School Year

6.F. Acceptance of the Kearney High School Theater Boosters Annual Self-Audit Report for the 2023-2024 School Year

6.G. Approval of the FFA LCCC Steel Days Welding Scholarship Contest Trip, October 16-18, 2024 to Cheyenne, Wyoming (with no direct costs incurred by the school district)

6.H. Approval of the KHS Orchestra Trip, May 29–June 1, 2025 to Denver, Colorado (with no direct costs incurred by the school district)

6.I. Approval of the KHS DECA International Career and Development Conference Trip, April 26-30, 2025 to Orlando, Florida (with no direct costs incurred by the school district)

6.J. Approval of the Kearney Public Schools Substitute Handbook for the 2024-2025 School Year

6.K. Second and Final Reading and Approval of Revised Board Policy 7300 Naming Facilities, for Fundraising/Naming Rights of Facilities

6.L. Approval of Paul Hazard to Serve as the Kearney Public Schools NASB Voting Delegate for the 2024 State Education Conference

7. Regular Agenda - Personnel

7.A. Acceptance of Retirement Resignations

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Move to accept, with regret, the retirement resignation of Teresa Schnoor 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:

Teresa Schoor's dedication to education, KPS, and most specifically, Central Elementary, was acknowledged and appreciated by all.

7.B. Approval of the Employment of Certificated Staff

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Move to employ the certificated staff at Kearney Public Schools, as presented. This motion, made by Amy Barth 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 this student teacher is being hired to fill a late vacancy from last spring, and will start in January 2025.

8. Regular Agenda - Business

8.A. Approval of the Request to Purchase Two Ford F150 Trucks as Maintenance/Facilities Vehicles Through the State Purchasing Contract at a Total Cost of $84,720

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Move to approve the purchase of two Ford F150 trucks as presented. 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.

Discussion:

It was noted that purchasing these vehicles through the state purchasing contract will save the district money. The typical savings are in the range of $10,000 to $12,000.

9. Regular Agenda - Miscellaneous

9.A. Adoption of the Kearney Public Schools Option Enrollment Resolution for the 2025-2026 School Year

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Move to adopt the KPS Option Enrollment Resolution for the 2025-2026 school year 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:

Jeff Schwartz, Director of Student Services and Safety, reviewed current and projected enrollment numbers.

10. Closed Session

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Move to closed session for negotiation and strategy discussion with respect to the 2025-2026 collective bargaining. 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:

The Board moved to closed session for negotiation and strategy discussion with respect to the 2025-2026 collective bargaining at 6:20 PM.

11. Return to Open Session

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Move to return to open session. 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:

The Board returned to open session at 7:12 PM.

12. Next Meeting

Discussion:

The next regular meeting of the Kearney Public Schools Board of Education will be held on November 11, 2024 at 5:30 P.M. in the Staff Development Room in the Administration Building at 320 West 24th St, Kearney, NE 68845.

13. Adjournment

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Move to adjourn the meeting. 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:

Meeting was adjourned at 7:15 PM.

Regular Board
Attendance Taken on 10/14/2024 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

October 14, 2024 at 5:30 PM - Regular Monthly Meeting of the Kearney Public Schools Board of Education

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