Public Meeting Minutes: January 12, 2026 at 5:30 PM - Regular Monthly Meeting of the Kearney Public Schools Board of Education

1. Routine Business

1.A. Call to Order

Discussion: Superintendent Mundorf 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 Amanda Smallcomb and seconded by Drew Blessing, Passed.

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

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

2. Reorganization of the Kearney Public Schools Board of Education for 2026

2.A. Election of the President of the Board of Education for 2026

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

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

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

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

Discussion:

Dr. Mundorf announced that we will entertain nominations for the office of President of the Board of Education for 2026.
John Icenogle nominated Paul Hazard for the office of President of the Board of Education for 2026. Amy Barth seconded the motion.
There were no other nominations.

2.B. Election of the Vice President of the Board of Education for 2026

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Move to nominate Amanda Smallcomb for the office of Vice President of the Board of Education for 2026. This motion, made by Drew Blessing and seconded by Niki Deeds, Passed.

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

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

Discussion:

President Hazard called for nominations for the office of Vice President of the Board of Education for 2026.
Drew Blessing nominated Amanda Smallcomb for the office of Vice President of the Board of Education for 2026. Niki Deeds seconded the motion.
There were no other nominations.

2.C. Election of the Secretary of the Board of Education for 2026

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Move to nominate Niki Deeds for the office of Secretary of the Board of Education for 2026. This motion, made by Amanda Smallcomb and seconded by John Icenogle, Passed.

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

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

Discussion:

Mr. Hazard called for nominations for the office of Secretary of the Board of Education for 2026.
Amanda Smallcomb nominated Niki Deeds for the office of Secretary of the Board of Education for 2026. John Icenogle seconded the motion.
There were no other nominations.

3. Recognitions

3.A. Recognition of Kearney High School Students who were Selected to Participate in the 2025 Nebraska All-State Band, Choir and Orchestra, sponsored by the Nebraska Music Education Association

Discussion:

Mr. Rick Mitchell, Kearney High School band teacher, reported that there were 15 Kearney High School students selected for the All-State ensemble this year. Each year, they audition over 2,000 students for these ensembles and seat anywhere between 500 and 600 students for four ensembles. This year, Kearney High School had seven in band, four in choir, and four in orchestra.
Antonio Guerrero was the very first student at KHS who was selected to All-State all four years.
In addition, the All-State Event is also a convention for educators, and the Kearney High School band and orchestra were both selected to perform at this convention, which is a huge honor.

3.B. Recognition of Alison Klein, Kearney High School Science Teacher, for Earning National Board Certification in Adolescent and Young Adult Science (Chemistry) from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards

Discussion:

Mr. Jeff Ganz, principal of Kearney High School, introduced Mrs. Allison Klein, Kearney High School science teacher. Mrs. Klein has earned the National Board Certification in adolescent and young adult science from the National Board of Professional Teaching Standards. Mr. Ganz explained that this is an extraordinary achievement, and it's widely regarded as the highest credential in the teaching profession. Mrs. Klein has worked diligently on this distinguished recognition, and it sets that high standard that we're looking for at Kearney High School. Mrs. Klein's students benefit greatly from her deep expertise, and this certification is a testament to her commitment to exceptional teaching.
Mrs. Klein thanked the board for acknowledging this accomplishment and added that it takes a lot of dedication and support from administration and her students and families.
Mrs. Klein explained that the process takes 3 to 5 years and involves an action research project in her classroom. It includes four components—an intensive content exam and three performance-based sections using student work and classroom video—designed to demonstrate high-quality instruction. Submissions are scored with rubrics, and results are returned after six months. She added that only about 40% of teachers pass on their first attempt, so she is very proud of her accomplishment.

3.C. Announcement and Recognition of "Nebraska School Board Member Week," January 25-31, 2026

Discussion:

Dr. Mundorf read Resolution 37, which was passed by the 107th session of the Nebraska Unicameral. He thanked the Board of Education on behalf of all of Kearney Public Schools for their tireless efforts, talents, and dedication to the Kearney Public School district. A gift of KPS cell phone chargers with the KPS logo was given to each board member as a token of appreciation.

4. Presentations

4.A. Presentation by Troy Saulsbury and Caryn Saulsbury, 4th Grade Teachers at Central Elementary School on their Oregon Trail Unit

Discussion:

Mr. Troy Saulsbury and Mrs. Caryn Saulsbury, 4th Grade Teachers at Central Elementary, shared information about their Oregon Trail unit at Central Elementary School, detailing the preparation, activities, and community involvement. This unit brings education to life. The year starts by creating Nebraska dough maps, making Nebraska birthday cakes or cookies, and then writing a speech and report about Nebraska history.
The most notable event is the Oregon Trail reenactment, which has gotten a lot of attention in the news. Students are put into families, receive a packing list, and then build their wagons out of shopping carts and supplies. The students then start their journey with their wagon through parts of the community, including the rock garden at Harmon Park. Mr. Saulsbury and Mrs. Saulsbury try to make it as real as possible and give the students opportunities throughout the day to stop and write in their journals.
This is a great learning experience and teaches students about Nebraska and the Oregon Trail but also how to adapt and problem-solve.

4.B. Presentation by Erikka Rhodes, Hanny Arram Center for Success JAG Teacher, Mid-Year JAG Program Update

Discussion:

Ms. Erikka Rhodes, JAG teacher at Hanny Arram Center for Success, along with Devin Clark, JAG President, provided an update on the program’s activities and progress during its second year.
The group has visited colleges and participated in career fairs and leadership conferences. Students have also engaged with professionals through employee presentations and job shadowing experiences. In addition, students take part in service-learning projects that allow them to collaborate with community members while giving back to the community. Several students are developing an app designed to help youth ages 13-16 find employment opportunities, such as mowing lawns and grocery shopping. They are currently working on coding the app, which is an exciting development.

4.C. Construction Update

Discussion:

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

5. Public Participation/Comment

Discussion:

Patrons addressed the Board.

6. Board Reports

7. Consent Agenda

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Move to approve the items on the Consent Agenda, as presented. This motion, made by John Icenogle and seconded by Amanda Smallcomb, Passed.

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

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

7.A. Approval of Minutes of the December 8, 2025 Regular Meeting, and the January 7, 2026 Committee of the Whole Meeting

7.B. Approval of the January 2026 Claims

7.C. Approval of the January 2026 Financial Reports

7.D. Second and Final Reading Approval of Revised 3000 Section of Board Policies

7.E. Second and Final Reading Approval of Revised Board Policy 5204 Student Graduation

7.F. Approval of the Check Signing Authority for 2026 for the Kearney Public Schools at Nebraskaland Bank as President and Secretary of the Board of Education, and Meagan Kershner and Jenae Dahlstedt

8. Regular Agenda - Personnel

8.A. Acceptance of Resignations and Retirements

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

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

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

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

8.B. Approval of the Employment of Certificated Staff

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Move to employ the certificated staff at Kearney Public Schools for the 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 school years as presented. This motion, made by Drew Blessing and seconded by Niki Deeds, Passed.

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

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

9. Regular Agenda - Business

10. Regular Agenda - Miscellaneous

10.A. Approval of Naming the Track at Kearney High School "Mathiesen Track" and Authorizing the Superintendent to Develop a Naming Rights Agreement in Conjunction with Coach Mathiesen for Future Approval

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Move to approve the name of the track at Kearney High School, "Mathiesen Track," and to authorize the superintendent to develop a naming rights agreement in conjunction with Coach Mathiesen for future approval. This motion, made by John Icenogle and seconded by Amy Barth, Passed.

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

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

Discussion:

Dr. Mundorf explained that a proposal has been brought to the Board to consider naming the Kearney High School track after legendary and Hall of Fame KHS track coach Roger Mathiesen. If the Board chooses to move forward, Board Policy 7300 requires the establishment of a naming rights agreement, which would be developed with legal counsel in coordination with, and subject to the approval of, Mr. Mathiesen.
Board members discussed their views on naming the track after Coach Mathiesen, and all were supportive of moving forward.

11. Next Meeting

12. Adjournment

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

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

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

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

Discussion:

Meeting was adjourned at 6:29 PM

Regular Board
Attendance Taken on 1/12/2026 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

January 12, 2026 at 5:30 PM - Regular Monthly Meeting of the Kearney Public Schools Board of Education

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