Public Meeting Minutes: August 10, 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

1.F. Approval of the Agenda

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Move to approve the agenda for the meeting, as presented. 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.

2. Recognitions

3. Presentations

3.A. Construction Update

Discussion:

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

3.B. Triennial Assessment Wellness Report

Discussion:

Shelia Sanford, Director of Food Service, and Jeff Schwartz, Director of Student Services and Safety, gave an update on the Triennial Assessment Wellness Report which was completed and submitted to NDE. The assessment found the policy to be in compliance with all requirements. The district continues to strengthen wellness efforts through partnerships with UNK, the YMCA, SportsPlex, and Kearney Park and Recreation, including support for elementary field days. The district will explore ways to make field-day activities more efficient while respecting schools’ traditions and preferences.

3.C. Summer Feeding Program Recap

Discussion:

Mrs. Sanford reported that the district’s summer feeding program served more than 60,000 reimbursable meals at six sites during June and July, providing free meals to children from the community. The program employed 24 staff members and fostered community engagement through partnerships with families, daycares, and neighborhood parks. The district hopes to expand the program next summer, particularly to underserved areas on the east side of Kearney. The program is federally funded and operates at no cost to KPS taxpayers.

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 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.

6.A. Approval of Minutes of the July 13, 2026, Public Hearing and Regular Meeting and the August 5, 2026, Committee of the Whole Meeting

6.B. Approval of the August 2026 Claims

6.C. Approval of the August 2026 Financial Reports

6.D. Approval of the Kearney High School Dance Catz Trip to the National Dance Team Championships, February 3–8, 2027 in Orlando, Florida

6.E. Acceptance of the Northeast Elementary Parent Advisory Committee Annual Self-Audit Report for the 2025-2026 School Year

6.F. Acceptance of the Park Elementary Parent Advisory Committee Annual Self-Audit Report for the 2025-2026 School Year

6.G. Recognition of the Kearney Education Association as the Exclusive Bargaining Agent for All Non-Supervisory Certificated Staff in the Kearney Public Schools for the 2028-2029 Contract Year

6.H. Approval of the 2026-2027 Kearney Public Schools Certified and Classified Staff Handbooks, the K-12 Student Guidebook, the KHS Activities Handbook, the KHS Student Handbook, and the Facilities Handbook

7. Regular Agenda - Personnel

7.A. Acceptance of Resignations

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 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:

Dr. Melissa Herrmann, Director of Human Resources, reported that KPS will begin the school year with several unfilled SLP positions but will use contracted services to maintain student support. Dr. Herrmann is optimistic about future SLP staffing as a larger group of candidates is expected from UNK. One additional special education position at Kearney High School also remains unfilled and will be reconsidered next year.

8. Regular Agenda - Business

9. Regular Agenda - Miscellaneous

9.A. Approval of a Resolution for required Kearney Public Schools 2026-2027 Staff Trainings

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Move to approve the 2026-2027 Staff Training Resolution, as presented. This motion, made by Amy Barth 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.

Discussion:

Dr. Herrmann explained the 26-27 Staff Training Resolution, which outlines the district’s required staff trainings to meet various state statutory requirements. Most trainings will be completed through Vector, an online platform, with some conducted in person or provided to specialized staff groups.

9.B. Approval of Kearney Public Schools 2026-2027 Emergency Operations Plan

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Move to approve of the Kearney Public Schools 2026-2027 Emergency Operations Plan, 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.

Discussion:

Mr. Schwartz reported that the district’s Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) is reviewed and updated annually to meet state requirements. This year’s updates primarily involve routine and clerical changes, with no significant changes to procedures or response protocols. The EOP is now maintained through Canvas, making it more accessible for future administrators and staff. The district will continue to update the plan as needed for new facilities, such as Cottonwood, and any changes in state requirements.

9.C. Set the Date for the Special Budget Retreat Meeting

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Move to set Wednesday, August 26, 2026 at 12:00 p.m., in the first floor conference room of the Administration Building, 320 West 24th St., Kearney NE, for a special budget retreat meeting of the Board of Education. 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.

Discussion:

Superintendent Mundorf stated that, as discussed by the Board at last week’s Committee of the Whole meeting, we would like to schedule the Special Budget Retreat Meeting for Wednesday, August 26, 2026, at noon in the first-floor conference room of the KPS Administration Building.

9.D. Approval of the Memorandum of Understanding with UNK for Dual Credit Classes

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Move to approve the MOU with UNK for Dual Credit Classes, 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.

Discussion:

Dr. Mundorf reported that the district annually renews its Memorandum of Understanding with UNK for dual-credit courses offered at Kearney High School. Qualified KHS instructors are compensated by UNK for teaching courses that meet university credit standards. Course offerings are based on student interest, and AP courses are reviewed annually by the College Board to ensure curriculum alignment and instructor training requirements are met. The program provides students with an opportunity to earn college credit while in high school.

10. Next Meeting

11. Adjournment

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Move to adjourn the meeting. 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.

Discussion:

The meeting was adjourned at 5:54 PM.

Regular Board
Attendance Taken on 8/10/2026 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

August 10, 2026 at 5:30 PM - Regular Monthly Meeting of the Kearney Public Schools Board of Education

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