Public Meeting Minutes: May 11, 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 5:29 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 Amanda Smallcomb from the meeting. This motion, made by John Icenogle and seconded by Drew Blessing, Passed.

Amanda Smallcomb: Absent
Niki Deeds: Yea
Paul Hazard: Yea
John Icenogle: Yea
Drew Blessing: 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 Amy Barth, Passed.

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

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

2. Recognitions

2.A. Recognition of Kearney High School Student Tessa Buescher for Qualifying for the National SkillsUSA Leadership & Skills Conference in Atlanta, Georgia

Discussion:

Mr. Thomas Harling, Kearney High School industrial technology teacher, introduced Tessa Buescher. Mr. Harling recognized Tessa for her exceptional achievement in the Basic Health Care Skills competition at the Nebraska State Leadership & Skills Conference in April. Tessa will be the only student representing the state of Nebraska in her category at the 2026 SkillsUSA National Championships in Atlanta, Georgia.
Mr. Harling emphasized that SkillsUSA works to close the "skills gap" by preparing students for high-demand careers in fields like healthcare, construction, and manufacturing.
Tessa provided a breakdown of her experience competing in the Basic Healthcare Skills event, which involved a comprehensive three-part evaluation. Tessa noted that her current pursuit of a CNA certification gave her a competitive edge. After placing first among 30 competitors at state, she will now advance to compete against 50 of the top students in the nation.

2.B. Recognition of Kearney High School Student Ingrid Bovey for Qualifying for the National FCCLA Leadership Conference in Washington, DC

Discussion:

Mrs. Kathy Gifford, FCCLA volunteer, addressed the Board to highlight the success of the Kearney High School chapter and advocate for the value of Career and Technical Student Organizations (CTSOs). Mrs. Gifford reported that Kearney High School is the only school in Nebraska to host all seven CTSOs, including FFA, SkillsUSA, HOSA, DECA, FBLA, Educators Rising, and FCCLA.
Mrs. Gifford explained that FCCLA focuses on the family unit and community service. This year, the chapter completed monthly service projects benefiting local organizations like The S.A.F.E. Center and CASA. Mrs. Gifford introduced Ingrid Bovey, who successfully navigated this path using the "FCCLA Planning Process," a project management tool so effective that former students have used it for college level senior projects.
Ingrid shared that for her FCCLA Career Investigation project, she explored the field of Social Work through a comprehensive research and job shadowing process.
Mrs. Gifford explained that Ingrid qualified for the National Leadership Conference in Washington, D.C. However, Ingrid will not be attending the national competition this year, primarily due to the high costs associated with the trip.
Mrs. Gifford concluded by praising Ingrid's hard work.

3. Presentations

3.A. Presentation from Sheridan Swotek, Kearney High School FFA Advisor, and Hudson Dellevoet, FFA President about the Recent Success of the KHS FFA Chapter at the State FFA Convention

Discussion:

Ms. Sheridan Swotek, Kearney High School FFA advisor, one of the three advisors for the Kearney FFA Chapter, addressed the Board to celebrate a historic milestone for the chapter and to introduce outgoing chapter president, Hudson Dellevoet. Ms. Swotek shared that Hudson was recently selected to serve as a Nebraska FFA State Officer, a prestigious role achieved through a rigorous interview process. Hudson is only the 12th student in the chapter's long history to hold a state office. His appointment marks a significant return to this level of leadership, as the chapter’s most recent state officer served in 1959-1960.
Hudson shared highlights and successes from the Kearney FFA chapter over the past year. With 94 active members, the Kearney FFA chapter stands as one of the largest and most robust programs in the state of Nebraska. Recruitment of new members and community involvement is a big part of what they do. Hudson also spoke about what will be expected of him as a State Officer while he is attending his first year of college.

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

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.

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

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

6.A. Approval of Minutes of the April 13, 2026, Regular Meeting and the May 6, 2026 Committee of the Whole Meeting

6.B. Approval of the May 2026 Claims

6.C. Approval of the May 2026 Financial Reports

6.D. Second and Final Reading Approval of the Revised 5000 and 6000 Sections of Board Policies

6.E. Approval of Kearney High School SkillsUSA National Qualifier, Tessa Buescher and one advisor, to attend the SkillsUSA National Leadership Conference, June 1-5, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia

6.F. Approval of the Kearney High School Boys Basketball Trip to the Midwest Classic, June 11–14, 2026 in Columbia, Missouri

6.G. Approval of the Kearney High School Boys Basketball Trip to the Border Brawl, June 25, 2026, in Council Bluffs, Iowa

6.H. Approval of the Kearney High School Girls Basketball Trip to the Northern Colorado Team Camp, June 11–13, 2026 in Greeley, Colorado

7. Regular Agenda - Personnel

7.A. Acceptance of Resignations and Retirements

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

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

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

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

7.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 Niki Deeds and seconded by Drew Blessing, Passed.

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

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

Discussion:

Board member, Mrs. Amy Barth, praised the HR Department for filling open positions as soon as possible. Dr. Herrmann reported that there are still a few openings, primarily in the special education department, but Mrs. Paider, special education director, has been working hard to get those positions filled.

8. Regular Agenda - Business

8.A. Approval of the Bid for Milk Products in the Kearney Public Schools for the 2026-2027 School Year

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Move to accept the bid from Hiland Dairy for milk products in the Kearney Public School for the 2026-2027 school year, as presented. This motion, made by John Icenogle and seconded by Niki Deeds, Passed.

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

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

Discussion:

Superintendent, Dr. Jason Mundorf, shared that Mrs. Shelia Sanford, food service director, solicited bids from two vendors and only one, Hiland Dairy, submitted a bid. Mrs. Sanford feels that Hiland Dairy's pricing is reasonable and fair.

8.B. Approval of the Bid for Bread Products in the Kearney Public Schools for the 2026-2027 School Year

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Move to approve the bid from Pan-O-Gold for bread products in the Kearney Public Schools for the 2026-2027 school year, as presented. This motion, made by Drew Blessing and seconded by Amy Barth, Passed.

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

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

Discussion:

Dr. Mundorf shared that Mrs. Sanford solicited bids from two companies and only one, Pan-O-Gold, submitted a bid. Mrs. Sanford feels that Pan-O-Gold's pricing is reasonable and fair.

9. Regular Agenda - Miscellaneous

9.A. First Reading Approval of the Revised 7000 and 9000 Sections of Board Policies, including a new 8000 Section

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Move to approve the first reading of the revised 7000 and 9000 Sections of Board Policies, including a new 8000 Section, as presented. This motion, made by John Icenogle and seconded by Niki Deeds, Passed.

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

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

Discussion:

Dr. Mundorf provided an update on the comprehensive review and reorganization of the board policies, noting that the committee, which included Amanda Smallcomb, Niki Deeds, and other KPS leaders, has now completed the final sections. The 7000 section, which covers Construction Policies, has been reviewed. The previous 9000 section, Internal Board Policies, has largely been moved to a new 8000 section and a significantly reduced 9000 section will remain, specifically housing the Bylaws of the Board.
Dr. Mundorf stated that next month, there will be one more series of policy changes due to this year's legislative session and statutory recommended changes.

10. Next Meeting

11. Adjournment

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

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

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

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

Discussion:

The meeting was adjourned at 6:04 PM.

Regular Board
Attendance Taken on 5/12/2026 at 5:31 PM
Amy Barth	Present
Drew Blessing	Present
Niki Deeds	Present
Paul Hazard	Present
John Icenogle	Present
Amanda Smallcomb	Absent
Present: 5, Absent: 1

May 11, 2026 at 5:30 PM - Regular Monthly Meeting of the Kearney Public Schools Board of Education

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