Public Meeting Minutes: September 14, 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 5:00 PM.

1.B. Open Meetings Act Announcement

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 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

2.A. Recognition of Kearney High School Students who competed at the National FBLA Conference in San Antonio, Texas

Discussion:

Dr. Trenton Steele introduced Kearney High School FBLA Advisor Jackie Kalkwarf and commended the high school's Career and Technical Student Organizations for their strong student engagement and leadership. He noted that these vibrant programs play a vital role in connecting students directly to future academic and career pathways.
Ms. Kalkwarf highlighted the accomplishments of three senior FBLA members, Dax Vance, Katherine Steele, and Gradyn Pearson. The students competed at the Nebraska state competition in April, where all three placed in the top eight in their respective events among hundreds of participants. Graydon competed in accounting, Dax in advanced accounting, and Catherine in business communications. Following their success at the state competition, the three students attended the National FBLA Conference in San Antonio, Texas, in June. All three serve as FBLA officers and have been longtime members of the program.

2.B. Recognition of Meredith Johnson, Principal at Emerson Elementary School, for Being Named the Region IV Distinguished Principal by the Nebraska Association of Elementary School Principals

Discussion:

Jenn True, KPS Director of PK-5 Education, introduced Meredith Johnson, principal of Emerson Elementary School. Mrs. True highlighted Mrs. Johnson’s exceptional leadership, dedication, and servant-leadership approach. Mrs. Johnson began her career as a special education resource teacher before becoming the district’s first elementary assistant principal, serving at both Emerson and Bryant for three years. She has served as principal of Emerson Elementary for nearly four years.
Meredith Johnson expressed gratitude for the recognition and reflected on being a product of KPS’s commitment to developing leaders. Special education has always been her passion, and she embraced leadership opportunities throughout her career. She shared that Emerson has been her "home away from home" and credited her supportive staff and the many people who have encouraged her throughout her time as an administrator.

2.C. Recognition of Connor Williams, Principal at Meadowlark Elementary School, for Being Named the Region IV Outstanding New Principal by the Nebraska Association of Elementary School Principals

Discussion:

Mrs. True introduced Connor Williams, Meadowlark Elementary principal and recipient of the NAESP Region Four Outstanding New Principal of the Year award. Mrs. True recognized Mr. Williams' leadership, strong background in curriculum and instruction, and commitment to continuous improvement at Meadowlark.
Mr. Williams expressed gratitude for the recognition and acknowledged the many mentors, colleagues, and teams who have influenced his leadership journey. He credited his Meadowlark staff for their dedication, hard work, and commitment to keeping students at the center of everything they do. Mr. Williams shared that he is grateful for the opportunity to serve students and staff at KPS and to be part of a team committed to helping kids succeed.

2.D. Recognition of Angela Wright, Elementary Music Teacher, for Receiving the UNK Gary Thompson Distinguished Music Alumna Award

Discussion:

Mr. Williams introduced Angela Wright, Meadowlark Elementary music teacher, recognizing her 24 years of service, exceptional music instruction, and contributions to performances, event planning, and district and state leadership.
Mrs. Wright reflected on her 24 years with KPS, expressing her love for teaching elementary students and gratitude for the opportunities KPS has provided. She also highlighted her work mentoring future music educators and serving in leadership roles at the district and state levels.

3. Presentations

3.A. Presentation from Connor Williams, Meadowlark Elementary Principal on Student Leadership Teams

Discussion:

Mr. Williams shared Meadowlark’s focus on developing student leaders from an early age through the new Voyager Ships student leadership groups. The initiative emphasizes student ownership, leadership skills, goal setting, and accountability while giving students opportunities to contribute to and improve their school. Board members praised the focus on student leadership and ownership.

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 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.

6.A. Approval of Minutes of the August 10, 2026, Regular Meeting; the August 26, 2026, Special Budget Retreat Meeting and the September 9, 2026, Board Committee of the Whole Meeting, of the Board of Education

6.B. Approval of the September 2026 Claims

6.C. Approval of the September 2026 Financial Reports

6.D. Approval of Kearney High School JROTC Trip to the Ozark HS Raider Meet, September 25–27, 2026 in Marshfield, Missouri

6.E. Approval of Kearney High School JROTC Trip to the Waynesville HS Raider Meet, October 2–4, 2026 in Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri

6.F. Approval of Kearney High School FFA & Welding Students to attend the LCCC Steel Days Welding Scholarship Contest, October 21-23, 2026 in Cheyenne, Wyoming

6.G. Approval of the Kearney High School FCCLA National Leadership Conference Trip, June 22–27, 2027 in San Antonio, Texas

7. Regular Agenda - Personnel

7.A. Acceptance of Resignations

7.B. Approval of the Employment of Certificated Staff

8. Regular Agenda - Business

8.A. Approval of the infrastructure and road project near Kearney High School connecting 27th Avenue South to 6th Street. 6th Street will be taken from its current stopping point near KRMC west to 27th Avenue South. The project will be coordinated by Craig Bennett of Miller & Associates at an estimated total cost of $5.08 million with costs to the district estimated at $3.56 million paid from the special building fund.

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Move to approve Phase I of the infrastructure and road project near Kearney High School, 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.

Discussion:

Superintendent Mundorf spoke briefly about the infrastructure and road project near Kearney High School and introduced Craig Bennett with Miller & Associates.
Craig Bennett outlined the proposed infrastructure improvements near Kearney High School, including extensions of 27th Avenue and 6th Street, along with water, sewer, paving, and stormwater improvements. Craig outlined options to complete the work in phases. He discussed the Phase I project being an extension of 27th Avenue going south to connect with 6th Street coming west as Phase I and Phase II being the continuation of 27th Street west to connect with 30th Avenue going south to the high school. The full project of Phases I and II are estimated at a total cost of approximately $7.4 million, with the school district obligated with both phases (70%) of land ownership to cost approximately $5.7 million. The Phase I project cost was estimated at $5.08 million total cost with the school district's cost (70%) being estimated at $3.55 million. To initiate the project, Craig further explained that the district would have to provide half of the total cost of the project (estimated in the presentation) and also explained the assessment district process, which would require KPS to pay 50% of the project costs upfront ($2.504 million), with the remaining costs assessed through 5 and 10 year bonds with the City. The other 30% of the project costs would be covered by the other two landowners. After discussion, the Board decided to move forward with only Phase I of the project at the current time (an estimated $5.08 million project) with authorization of an estimated $2.504 to the City to initiate the project and establish an infrastructure district.

9. Regular Agenda - Miscellaneous

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

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Move to approve the first reading of new and revised board polices, 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.

Discussion:

Dr. Mundorf explained that there are several new or amended policies recommended by the district’s school attorney to reflect legislation passed during the most recent Unicameral session. The changes primarily involve straightforward language updates to comply with new statutory requirements.

9.B. Approval of the Special Meeting Date for the 2026–2027 Budget Hearing and Budget Approval, Scheduled for Monday, September 21, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. in the 2nd Floor Conference Room of the KPS Administration Building

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Move to approve the Special Meeting Date for the 2026-2027 Budget Hearing and Budget Approval, 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:

Dr. Mundorf explained that due to proposed tax rate changes, the district must attend a mandatory public ("pink postcard") hearing at the Buffalo County Extension Building on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, at 6:30 PM. The special meeting scheduled for September 21 allows the Board adequate time to incorporate public feedback from the hearing and make any necessary budget amendments prior to final 2026-2027 budget approval.

9.C. Adoption of the Kearney Public Schools Option Enrollment Resolution for the 2027-2028 School Year

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Move to adopt the KPS Option Enrollment Resolution for the 2027-2028 school year, as presented. This motion, made by Drew Blessing 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:

Jeff Schwartz, Director of Student Services and Safety, reported that option enrollment figures and maximum capacities remain within standard parameters, with special education capacity continuing on a case-by-case basis. The key policy update highlights mandatory sibling acceptance, which requires automatic enrollment for incoming siblings regardless of other capacity factors. While current projections show a potential rise in the 2027-2028 kindergarten class to 485 students, administration noted that a similar high forecast last year did not materialize, so the numbers will simply be monitored without current concern.

9.D. Approval of the Board Negotiations Team for the 2027–2028 Negotiations with KEA

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Move to approve Paul Hazard, Drew Blessing and Amy Barth as the 2027-2028 Board negotiations team. This motion, made by John Icenogle and seconded by Paul Hazard, 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.

10. Next Meeting

11. Adjournment

Discussion:

The meeting was adjourned at 6:55 PM.

Regular Board
Attendance Taken on 9/14/2026 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

September 14, 2026 at 5:30 PM - Regular Monthly Meeting of the Kearney Public Schools Board of Education

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