Public Meeting Minutes: March 9, 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: President Hazard 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

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Move to excuse absent Board member Niki Deeds from the meeting. This motion, made by John Icenogle and seconded by Amanda Smallcomb, Passed.

Niki Deeds: Absent
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.

1.F. Approval of the Agenda

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Move to approve the agenda for the meeting, as presented. This motion, made by John Icenogle 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. Recognitions

2.A. Recognition of the Kearney High School Dance Catz for their Runner-Up Finish in Class A High Kick at the Nebraska State Dance Championships and for Earning the Academic Excellence Award

Discussion:

Kearney High School principal Jeff Ganz introduced KHS Dance Catz coach, Meggie Rusher.
Coach Rusher detailed the team's achievements, including a runner-up finish in the high kick division, which marks the second runner-up trophy in school history, and the third straight year the program has finished in the top two at the state competition. The team also earned the Academic Excellence Award this year, with a weighted GPA of 3.8. Mrs. Rusher recognized all 17 team members and their dedication to both dance and academics. She also thanked the Board for taking time to recognize the team's accomplishments.

2.B. Recognition of the Kearney High School Boys Wrestling Team for their Runner-Up Finish at the NSAA Class A State Dual Championships

Discussion:

Kearney High School principal Jeff Ganz introduced KHS boys' wrestling coach, Ryan Bauer.
Coach Bauer thanked the Board members for attending several of the team’s events and discussed the team’s performance at the NSAA Class A State Dual Championships. Of the 14 varsity wrestlers, nine are seniors who have provided outstanding leadership for the team. Mr. Bauer highlighted the team’s resilience, leadership, and academic success. He also noted the team’s strong showing at the state tournament, where all 14 wrestlers qualified. KHS was the only team in the state to qualify all 14 wrestlers for the state tournament for the second consecutive year, and each wrestler won at least one match—an accomplishment achieved for the first time in program history.

2.C. Recognition of Kearney High School Social Studies Teacher, Kevin Witte for Being Selected as the Nebraska 3rd Congressional District Recipient of the Bertolas, Gildersleeve, Stoddard, Stone Award Presented by the Geographic Educators of Nebraska

Discussion:

Kearney High School principal Jeff Ganz introduced KHS social studies teacher, Kevin Witte.
Mr. Witte shared information about the award he received and how it was established. The Geographic Educators of Nebraska is a statewide organization that promotes the teaching of geography. Mr. Witte expressed his gratitude for the support he has received from the school and the community. He noted that during his 26 years with Kearney Public Schools, he has had many opportunities to explore and learn, thanks to the support of numerous individuals who helped make those experiences possible. He said those journeys led him down a path he never would have anticipated and helped clarify what he strives to accomplish in the classroom.

2.D. Recognition of Kearney High School Student Fulton Moyer for Winning the NSAA Class A State Bowling Championship

Discussion:

Kearney High School principal Jeff Ganz introduced KHS bowling coach Chuck Brisbin and KHS student Fulton Moyer.
Coach Brisbin discussed Fulton's achievements and the growth in the bowling program. This year the bowling team consisted of 27 boys and 19 girls who love bowling and are giving it their all. Fulton's performance at the state tournament, including qualifying for the singles portion and winning the state championship, was amazing. Fulton has a generational talent, and he has a very legitimate chance of repeating his success the next two years. Coach Brisbin expressed pride in Fulton's accomplishments and the program's success.

2.E. Recognition of the Kearney High School Girls Wrestling Team for their Runner-Up Finish at the NSAA Class A State Wrestling Championship, including State Champions Sloane Abbey and Stella Harbols

Discussion:

Kearney High School principal Jeff Ganz introduced KHS girls wrestling coach Trey Schlender.
Coach Schlender highlighted the team’s growth and the positive impact the program has had on the community. He shared the names of the team’s state qualifiers and medalists, including state champions Sloane Abbey and Stella Harbols. The team had nine state qualifiers and earned five state medals, setting a program record. Coach Schlender noted that the team has 11 seniors this year, which will be difficult to replace, but there are younger athletes ready to step in. He added that the team’s success this season sets a strong foundation for the future of the program.

2.F. Recognition of Kearney High School Students as State Scholastic Art Award Winners and National Qualifiers

Discussion:

Kearney High School principal Jeff Ganz introduced KHS art teachers Charlotte Dvorak and Katrina Olmstead.
Mrs. Dvorak explained that the Scholastic Art competition begins at the regional level in Omaha. Students who earn Gold Key awards advance to the national level to compete. Mrs. Olmstead added that one of their students, Bailey Axtell, was also nominated for the American Visions Award. They only select five out of our region and only one is chosen. Mrs. Dvorak invited the students to introduce themselves and share information about their artwork. She noted how impressive it is to see how hard the students work on their art and how much passion they have for it. She also shared that these students take many art classes and said the school is very proud of their dedication and accomplishments. There were other students who received silver key awards and honorable mention, for a total of 28 students receiving high honors in their work.

2.G. Recognition of Kearney High School Student Josslyn Flood for her Selection to Participate in the Annual National K-12 Ceramic Exhibition

Discussion:

Mrs. Olmstead introduced Josslyn Flood and recognized her for her selection to participate in the Annual National K-12 Ceramic Exhibition, with her Sweet Snail. There were over 1000 entries, and they only selected 150, which is a huge honor. Her artwork is in Detroit, Michigan now, so a lot of people will get to see it on display.

3. Presentations

3.A. Presentation from Kearney High School Band Teacher Nathan LeFeber and KHS Fine Arts Students Expressing Appreciation to Superintendent Mundorf and the Board of Education for Their Support

Discussion:

Kearney High School band teacher Nathan LeFeber presented a poster signed by all the students to the Board and Superintendent Mundorf. The teachers also shared with the students how meaningful the Board’s support is to their program.

3.B. Construction Update

Discussion:

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

4. Legislative Update

Discussion:

Drew Blessing provided an update on several legislative bills:
Today marked day 40 of the session. As expected, most time is spent on budget discussions, with only 10 days remaining to reach consensus. The budget is due by day 50, so these talks will dominate the coming days.
Education Committee Priority - LB 937: This "Christmas tree" bill will likely include several other bills.
- LB 1146 (Sen. Conrad): Increases the threshold for reporting student absences to 20 days; allows parents to excuse students for nearly any reason.
- LB 1164 (Linowsky): Prior Learning Act — lets students test out of classes where they already have proficiency.
- LB 1224 (Sen. Hunt): Prevents parents from transferring students during child abuse/neglect investigations.
- LB 1241 (Sen. Murman): Requires background checks for school hires.
- LB 1243 (Sen. Murman): Allows homeschool students to participate in non-NSAA activities without enrolling in classes.
Other Bills of Interest:
- LB 1219 (Sen. Brandt): Property tax growth limit (2% + real growth); unlikely to pass as-is, but parts may be folded into Bill 803.
- LB 468 (Clements): Inheritance tax repeal; reallocates motor vehicle tax from schools to counties; under close watch due to opposition.
- LB 765: Would require 50.1% voter turnout to approve school bonds; currently considered unlikely to advance.
- Overall: The focus remains on budget negotiations, while LB 937 and other education-related bills are being closely monitored for amendments and additions.
Superintendent Mundorf provided the additional updates:
- Budget (LB 1071): The biennium budget bill is the top priority, driving discussions over the coming days. A February 27 forecast shows a $626M shortfall, largely due to required state reserve allocations.
- Retirement Bills: LB 824 (hard 120-day retirement) and LB 1166 (changing retirement contribution date to align with school budgets) are progressing, likely part of a Retirement Committee package. Supportive, though Governor Pillin has expressed opposition to "package bills," which are still likely to move.
- Reading Proficiency (LB 1050): Originally mandated retention for 3rd grade reading failures; amendments now allow parents to override retention. Significant changes are causing loss of support, making the bill unstable.
Other Education Bills:
- LB 940: Ban on certain food dyes in school meals starting Aug 2027 - likely to pass.
- LB 384: Requires at least one board member to attend public hearings if a political subdivision seeks property tax increases above allowable growth - now law.
- LB 653: Option enrollment changes: siblings must be automatically accepted; K-2 suspensions revised to include exceptions for violent behavior - now law.??

Property Tax Bills:
- LB 1219: Limits property tax growth to 2% + real growth; some momentum but opposition exists.
- LB 1038: Largely stalled.
- LB 803: Being monitored as parts may be incorporated into other revenue measures.

5. Public Participation/Comment

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 Drew Blessing 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 February 9, 2026, Regular Meeting and the March 3, 2026 Committee of the Whole Meeting

7.B. Approval of the March 2026 Claims

7.C. Approval of the March 2026 Financial Reports

7.D. Second and Final Reading Approval of Revised 4000 Section of Board Policies

7.E. Approval of the Kearney High School Girls Basketball Trip to the Midwest Showcase, June 18– 20, 2026 in Kansas City, Missouri

7.F. Approval of the Kearney High School JROTC Trip to the Knight Raider Meet, March 27–29, 2026 in Rockford, Illinois

8. Regular Agenda - Personnel

8.A. Acceptance of Resignations and Retirements

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Move to accept, with regret, the resignations and retirement, as presented. This motion, made by John Icenogle 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.

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 2026-2027 school year as presented. This motion, made by Amy Barth 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.

9. Regular Agenda - Business

10. Regular Agenda - Miscellaneous

11. Next Meeting

12. Adjournment

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Move to adjourn the meeting. This motion, made by John Icenogle 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:

The meeting was adjourned at 6:31 PM.

Regular Board
Attendance Taken on 3/9/2026 at 5:32 PM
Amy Barth	Present
Drew Blessing	Present
Niki Deeds	Absent
Paul Hazard	Present
John Icenogle	Present
Amanda Smallcomb	Present
Present: 5, Absent: 1

Regular Board
Attendance Taken on 3/9/2026 at 5:40 PM
Amy Barth	Present
Drew Blessing	Present
Niki Deeds	Present
Paul Hazard	Present
John Icenogle	Present
Amanda Smallcomb	Present
Present: 6, Absent: 0

March 9, 2026 at 5:30 PM - Regular Monthly Meeting of the Kearney Public Schools Board of Education

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