Public Meeting Minutes: October 13, 2025 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 Icenogle 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

2. Recognitions

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Move to approve the agenda for the meeting, as presented. This motion, made by John Icenogle and seconded by Amanda Smallcomb, Passed.

Niki Deeds: Yea
Amanda Smallcomb: Yea
John Icenogle: Yea
Paul Hazard: Yea
Drew Blessing: Yea
Amy Barth: Yea

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

2.A. Recognition of Kearney High School's Production of Seussical Earning Top Honors at Nebraska Theater Academy

Discussion:

Mrs. Vicky DeWald, Kearney High School Director of Theater, reported that their production of Seussical earned Outstanding Musical Theater Production at the 2025 Nebraska Theater Academy Showcase on May 31, 2025, at the Orpheum Theater in Omaha.
Kearney High School also received the Outstanding Ensemble award, and Zane Holoubeck and Ava Gensler received the Outstanding Performance in a Lead Role awards.

3. Presentations

3.A. Presentation by Emily Davidson, Horizon Middle School Teacher, about LEAP, a Student Organization at HMS

Discussion:

Due to the KPS network disturbance, Mrs. Davidson will present at the November 10, 2025, Regular Meeting of the Board of Education.

3.B. Construction Update

Discussion:

Kent Cordes with BD Construction gave an update on the construction projects continuing throughout the district.

4. Public Participation/Comment

Discussion:

Patrons addressed the Board.

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 Drew Blessing and seconded by Niki Deeds, Passed.

Niki Deeds: Yea
Amanda Smallcomb: Abstain (With Conflict)
John Icenogle: Yea
Paul Hazard: Yea
Drew Blessing: Yea
Amy Barth: Yea

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

6.A. Approval of Minutes of the September 8, 2025 Regular Meeting and the October 8, 2025 Committee of the Whole Meeting, of the Board of Education

6.B. Approval of the October 2025 Claims

6.C. Approval of the October 2025 Financial Reports

6.D. Approval of Kearney High School Welding & FFA Trip to LCCC Steel Days Welding Scholarship Contest, October 22-24, 2025 in Cheyenne, Wyoming

6.E. Approval of Kearney High School FFA National Convention Trip, October 27–November 1, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana

6.F. Approval of Kearney High School DECA Power Trip, November 21-23, 2025 in Arlington, Virginia

6.G. Approval of the Kearney High School College & Career Readiness Trip to Iowa Western Community College, March 4, 2026, in Council Bluffs, Iowa

6.H. Approval of Kearney High School DECA Trip to the International Career and Development Conference, April 25-28, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia

6.I. Approval of the Kearney High School Band Trip, May 22-28, 2026 in San Antonio, Texas

6.J. Second and Final Reading Approval of Revised Board Policy 3290 Internal Controls

6.K. Approval of Paul Hazard to Serve as the Kearney Public Schools NASB Voting Delegate for the 2025 State Education Conference

6.L. Approval of the Kearney Public Schools Substitute Handbook for the 2025-2026 School Year

7. Regular Agenda - Personnel

7.A. Acceptance of Resignations and Retirements

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Move to accept, with regret, the resignation and retirement, as presented. This motion, made by Amy Barth and seconded by Amanda Smallcomb, Passed.

Niki Deeds: Yea
Amanda Smallcomb: Yea
John Icenogle: Yea
Paul Hazard: Yea
Drew Blessing: Yea
Amy Barth: Yea

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

8. Regular Agenda - Business

8.A. Approval of the Sunrise Middle School Traffic Flow and Parking Lot Renovation Project for an Estimated $2,000,000 to be Paid from the Special Building Fund

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Move to approve the Sunrise Middle School traffic flow and parking lot renovation project, as presented. This motion, made by John Icenogle and seconded by Amy Barth, Passed.

Niki Deeds: Yea
Amanda Smallcomb: Yea
John Icenogle: Yea
Paul Hazard: Yea
Drew Blessing: Yea
Amy Barth: Yea

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

Discussion:

Superintendent Mundorf, reported that this project would include moving the entry point further east on 45th Street with three lanes instead of two, installing traffic lights on N Avenue, and creating a new parking area with 116 stalls on the west side of the building, which will include visitor and handicap parking. Currently, there are 140 parking stalls, and upon completion of the project, there will be 211 parking stalls. The current Northwest entry/exit will become an entry-only lane, and the bus lane and loading area will be moved.
This project aims to improve traffic flow, parking, and safety for students and staff and will be completed by the start of the 2026-2027 school year.

8.B. Approval of the 2025-2026 Transportation Request Proposal, submitted by Dr. Sutton, for an Estimated Amount of $398,330

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Move to approve the 2025-2026 Transportation Request Proposal, as presented. This motion, made by Paul Hazard and seconded by Drew Blessing, Passed.

Niki Deeds: Yea
Amanda Smallcomb: Yea
John Icenogle: Yea
Paul Hazard: Yea
Drew Blessing: Yea
Amy Barth: Yea

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

Discussion:

Dr. Jason Sutton, Transportation Director, presented the transportation request proposal for $398,330, which would include the purchase of two special education buses, a work truck, and a Ford Transit passenger van, which addresses the need for additional vehicles due to increased routes and breakdowns of existing vehicles.

8.C. Approval of the Solar Array Installation at Kearney High School to be Completed by Nebraska Solar Professionals for the Estimated Amount of $205,000, minus Applied Federal Credits

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Move to approve the solar array installation at Kearney High School, as presented. This motion, made by Drew Blessing and seconded by Amanda Smallcomb, Passed.

Niki Deeds: Yea
Amanda Smallcomb: Yea
John Icenogle: Nay
Paul Hazard: Nay
Drew Blessing: Yea
Amy Barth: Yea

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

Discussion:

Dr. Mundorf presented information about the solar array installation project at Kearney High School, which would include installing six panels on the roof and connecting them to the current control systems. These panels are incredibly resistant to wind and hail, and there would be a minimal increase in our insurance premium. The federal credits are in the range of $50,000 and are good until the end of this calendar year, and then they are going away. Using these credits would cut about 25% of the cost of the project. The cost savings would allow us to have a return on investment in the next ten years. These solar panels would generate enough energy to potentially power the new Performance and Activity Wing and are expected to last approximately 30 years.
The Board discussed the lack of communication from the company's representative and the transition to Nebraska Solar Professionals.
Dr. Mundorf added that if the Board is in support of this project, he would ask Mr. Eric Moyer with Nebraska Solar Professionals to attend a meeting in November. Some next steps may begin sooner, either shared at a meeting or by email, depending on the timing and information he provides after approval.

8.D. Approval of the Purchase Agreement for the Sale of the Construction Technology Class House Project

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Move to approve the Purchase Agreement for the Construction Technology Class house project received from Andrew and Sara Cannia, in the amount of $492,500.00 located at 5305 18th Ave Place (Lot 12, Northridge Estates, City of Kearney, Buffalo County, Nebraska, 68845); and authorize Dr. Kent Edwards and/or Dr. Jason Mundorf to sign all forms and contracts to execute said sale. This motion, made by Drew Blessing and seconded by Niki Deeds, Passed.

Niki Deeds: Yea
Amanda Smallcomb: Yea
John Icenogle: Yea
Paul Hazard: Yea
Drew Blessing: Yea
Amy Barth: Yea

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

Discussion:

Associate Superintendent Dr. Kent Edwards presented the purchase agreement for the house built by the construction technology class, which sold for $492,500. The sale is anticipated to close on October 21, 2025, and the proceeds will cover the costs of the next home project.

9. Regular Agenda - Miscellaneous

9.A. First Reading Approval of Revised and Rescinded Board Policies

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Move to approve the first reading of the revised and rescinded board policies, as presented. This motion, made by John Icenogle and seconded by Paul Hazard, Passed.

Niki Deeds: Yea
Amanda Smallcomb: Yea
John Icenogle: Yea
Paul Hazard: Yea
Drew Blessing: Yea
Amy Barth: Yea

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

Discussion:

Dr. Mundorf reviewed the changes to the 1000 section of Board policy and the importance of aligning the numeration system with Perry Law Firm's policies for better consistency and clarity.

9.B. Adoption of the Kearney Public Schools Option Enrollment Resolution for the 2026-2027 School Year

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Move to adopt the KPS Option Enrollment Resolution for the 2026-2027 school year, as presented. This motion, made by Paul Hazard and seconded by Drew Blessing, Passed.

Niki Deeds: Yea
Amanda Smallcomb: Yea
John Icenogle: Yea
Paul Hazard: Yea
Drew Blessing: Yea
Amy Barth: Yea

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

Discussion:

Mr. Jeff Schwartz, Student Services & Safety Director, presented the option enrollment resolution for the 2026-2027 school year, projecting a large incoming kindergarten class.
The Board discussed the challenges of balancing special education capacity and the need to serve all Kearney district students.

9.C. Approval of the Kearney High School Choral Department Performance Tour

Discussion:

Due to the KPS network disturbance, Mr. Moyer will present this trip for approval at the November 10, 2025, Regular Meeting of the Board of Education.

9.D. Approval of Rezoning the Kenwood Elementary OR Buffalo Hills Elementary Students from Horizon Middle School to Sunrise Middle School, Effective the 2026–2027 School Year

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Move to approve the rezoning of Kenwood Elementary students from Horizon Middle School to Sunrise Middle School, effective the 2026-2027 school year. This motion, made by Paul Hazard and seconded by John Icenogle, Passed.

Niki Deeds: Yea
Amanda Smallcomb: Nay
John Icenogle: Yea
Paul Hazard: Yea
Drew Blessing: Nay
Amy Barth: Yea

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

Discussion:

Dr. Mundorf presented the rezoning proposal, which aims to balance enrollment between Horizon and Sunrise Middle Schools. The Board discussed the impact on students from Buffalo Hills and Kenwood Elementary, considering factors like proximity and previous commitments. Traffic concerns were addressed with reassurance from city officials that impacts would be manageable. Board members agreed that we are so lucky that both of these middle schools are awesome and students are going to get a great education no matter where they go.

9.E. Approval of Rezoning the Emerson Elementary Students from Sunrise Middle School to Horizon Middle School, Effective the 2026–2027 School Year

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Move to approval the rezoning the Emerson Elementary students from Sunrise Middle School to Horizon Middle School, effective the 2026-2027 school year. This motion, made by John Icenogle and seconded by Paul Hazard, Passed.

Niki Deeds: Yea
Amanda Smallcomb: Yea
John Icenogle: Yea
Paul Hazard: Yea
Drew Blessing: Yea
Amy Barth: Yea

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

Discussion:

Board members discussed and acknowledged the challenges Emerson Elementary families will face in transporting their children to Horizon—particularly those living on the east side of town—but agreed that there are no other viable options to achieve the necessary balance among the middle schools.

10. Closed Session

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Move to closed session for negotiation and strategy discussion with respect to the 2026-2027 collective bargaining. This motion, made by John Icenogle and seconded by Drew Blessing, Passed.

Niki Deeds: Yea
Amanda Smallcomb: Yea
John Icenogle: Yea
Paul Hazard: Yea
Drew Blessing: Yea
Amy Barth: Yea

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

Discussion:

The Board moved to closed session at 7:02 PM.

11. Return to Open Session

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Move to return to open session. This motion, made by Amy Barth and seconded by Amanda Smallcomb, Passed.

Niki Deeds: Yea
Amanda Smallcomb: Yea
John Icenogle: Yea
Paul Hazard: Yea
Drew Blessing: Yea
Amy Barth: Yea

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

Discussion:

The Board returned to open session at 7:55 pm

12. Next Meeting

13. Adjournment

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

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

Niki Deeds: Yea
Amanda Smallcomb: Yea
John Icenogle: Yea
Paul Hazard: Yea
Drew Blessing: Yea
Amy Barth: Yea

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

Discussion:

Meeting was adjourned at 7:56 PM.

Regular Board
Attendance Taken on 10/13/2025 at 5:32 PM
Amy Barth	Present
Drew Blessing	Present
Niki Deeds	Present
Paul Hazard	Present
John Icenogle	Present
Amanda Smallcomb	Present
Present: 6, Absent: 0

October 13, 2025 at 5:30 PM - Regular Monthly Meeting of the Kearney Public Schools Board of Education

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