April 13, 2026 at 6:00 PM - Regular Board of Education Meeting
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1. GPS Board of Education Information
More Information:
The meeting agenda will be kept current and available for public inspection in the office of the Secretary of the Board of Education at the Central Office during regular working hours.
District Vision: Gering Public Schools provides a collaborative community, inspiring excellence and innovation in teaching and learning to empower student growth and leadership in school and life. District Mission: Gering Public Schools exists to equip today's learners with the skills necessary to be tomorrow's leaders. The Open Meetings Act requires and the intention of the Board is that agenda items be sufficiently descriptive to give the public reasonable notice of matters to be considered at the meeting. The Board of Education releases its agenda well in advance of most meetings and desires that all interested persons are fully informed. Any interested person who has a question or needs clarification about the sufficiency of a descriptive item should contact the Office of the Superintendent of Schools. If anyone in attendance is interested in addressing our Board, you are welcome to do so. We simply request that you complete the appropriate form and turn it in to us now, so that you may be recognized during the 'Patron Comment' section of our meeting. These forms are located by the entry doors of the meeting room. Agenda items are subject to reordering at the discretion of the board president. Board members may request specific agenda item(s) be moved to a different place on the agenda. Please attend the entire meeting to ensure you hear discussion on a particular agenda item. |
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2. Opening Procedures
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2.1. Call to Order
More Information:
The Board of Education reserves the right to enter into Executive Session for the protection of the public interest, or the prevention of needless injury to the reputation of an individual, and if the individual has not requested a public meeting.
Discussion:
This meeting was called to order by Board President, Greg Trautman, at 6:00 p.m.
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2.2. Roll Call
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2.3. Pledge of Allegiance
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2.4. Open Meetings Act
More Information:
Pursuant to Section 84-1412 of the Nebraska Statutes, the public is hereby informed that a current copy of the Nebraska Open Meetings Act is posted in the Board meeting room on the north wall.
Notice of this meeting was published in the Star Herald on Thursday, April 9th, 2026. |
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3. Consent Agenda
More Information:
At this time, any Board member may request that any item in the consent agenda be removed from the consent agenda and be considered and voted on separately.
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3.1. Minutes from the previous month's board meeting(s)
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3.2. Approval of Claims/Bills
Fund Amount 01 General $408,571.75 03 Employee Benefit $209.00 05 Activity $110,823.77 06 School Nutrition $20,167.54 12 Student Fee $69,049.76 Fund Totals: $608,821.82
Attachments:
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3.3. Board Policy Adoption
Attachments:
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3.3.i. First Reading of Board Policies
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3.3.ii. Second Reading of Board Policies
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3.4. Personnel Items
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3.4.i. Certified Staff Contract(s):
Jamie Hutchison - Geil, SPED Teacher
Paige Lackey - Northfield, 4th Grade Teacher Summer Hulbert - GMS, ELA Teacher |
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3.4.ii. Certified Staff Resignations/Retirements:
Pam Engstrom - Geil, SPED Teacher
Deanna Ysac - Lincoln, Preschool Teacher Rachel Harper - Northfield, 5th Grade Teacher Drew Zwieg - GMS, Industrial Arts Teacher Jennifer Green - GHS, Art Teacher Emily Stegman - GHS, Band Teacher Broc Brown - GHS, Business Teacher |
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3.4.iii. Early Graduation Request -
Izayah Cruz
Attachments:
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4. Celebration of Excellence
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4.1. Student Success - Jennifer Sibal
Swimming
Discussion:
Jennifer Sibal presented to the board. She gave an overview of our swimming team's season and our state qualifiers were recognized.
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4.2. Gering High School - Mario Chavez
Discussion:
Mario Chavez presented to the Board, providing an overview of the district’s dual credit program. He highlighted that two students will graduate this year having earned both their high school diplomas and an Associate’s Degree. These dual credit courses are offered at no cost to students enrolled at GHS. Over the past five years, the program has maintained a passing rate of over 97%, with more than 1,855 courses completed and four students successfully graduating with dual credit degrees. The district continues to benefit from strong partnerships with Western Nebraska Community College, Mid-Plains Community College, University of Nebraska Medical Center, and University of Nebraska at Kearney. Jennifer Pederson, a Director at WNCC, also addressed the Board regarding their partnership with the district. She shared that WNCC is working to streamline processes for students and families to ensure coursework aligns with specific career pathways and transfers effectively. Efforts are also being made to ensure general education courses align with the college curriculum and to increase opportunities for instructors to teach on the GHS campus when possible. Mr. Chavez then introduced two students, Frost and Bridger Wallace, who will graduate this spring with dual diplomas. He asked them to share their perspectives on the program and their future plans; both students described their experiences as highly positive. He also recognized another student, Porter Kelly, currently a junior in the Links Alternative program, who is on track to graduate with similar accomplishments. Mr. Chavez ended by outlining two key areas of focus for the upcoming school year. First, with High Ability Learners (HAL) programming and plans include expanding opportunities at the elementary level, particularly in math, engineering, and aviation. Second with the Seal of Biliteracy. This initiative would recognize students who demonstrate proficiency in a second language, allowing them to potentially waive related coursework at the college level. |
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5. Reports & Discussions
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5.1. Board Committee Report: Curriculum & Personnel
Discussion:
John Maser presented to the board. He went over the current vacancies we have for our certified staff. Also, that we are still in the process of obtaining quotes for our new Science curriculum. He also touched on that this is testing season for most of our students and that we have 100% of our 11th graders taking the ACT. Perceptual surveys came back and there were lots of positives about what we are doing at GPS!
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5.2. Board Committee Report: Business & Facilities
Discussion:
Bryan Barrett presented to the Board. He gave an overview of the track project bid process. The project was reopened for bids, resulting in three submissions during the second round. He also reported that construction of the auditorium is progressing well and is anticipated to be completed this summer. Additionally, INAlert conducted an assessment of Gering Middle School to support the development of a bid for installing a safety alert system within the building. Lastly, he addressed changes to special education (SPED) funding. He noted that reimbursement receipts have recently decreased from approximately up to 80% to 40%. While the district’s current cash flow remains stable, this reduction will need to be taken into consideration during the development of next year’s budget. |
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5.3. Superintendent's Report
Discussion:
Dr. Regan presented to the board: "Out of a public school grows the greatness of a nation" is a famous quote from Mark Twain. Every single astronaut who went to the moon and back on Artemis II was educated at a public school. Thinking of the teachers who poured into our 3 astronauts who helped send them to the moon. Also, the Star Herald recently featured an article on a former student who had a hand in the successful programming functions on Artemis II. I would like to personally thank our educators in the room who are deep into the assessment season with our students and who are building greatness for every student and their future. |
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6. Public Comments: 204.12
Discussion:
Robert Rahmig addressed the board, inviting them to the FFA banquet.
Attachments:
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7. Action Items
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7.1. Discuss, consider, and take action to enter into Interim Superintendent Contract of Employment with Dr. Kory Knight.
Discussion:
*The contract attachment has been updated to correct the signing date previously attached in the board agenda action item. It now reflects the accurate signing date by the Interim Superintendent and includes the Board of Education president and secretary's signatures following the board’s vote to execute the contract.
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7.2. Discuss, consider, and take action to approve Mid-America Sports Construction for the Track Replacement Project, in the amount of $2,002,923.99.
Attachments:
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8. Board Comments
Discussion:
Josh Lacy - Thanks to GHS and Congrats to Kory!
John Maser - Excited for Kory and thanks to GHS! Tracy Wiese - Congrats to Kory! Thanks to GHS! Good things happening with dual credit, and it's nice to see we are still partnering with our current teachers. The STUCO safe driving video was great! Bryan Barrett - Congrats to Kory! Thanks to GHS and the swimming team! Greg Trautman - Great to see the team work together when it comes to all these projects happening within GPS! Thanks to Bill Bauer and opening up his facility for this year's track season. |
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8.1. Tentative Upcoming Board Meeting/Event Dates
More Information:
Future Board MeetingsSpecial Meeting: Tues, April 28th, 2026 @ 12:00 p.m. (Central Office)Regular Meeting: Mon, May 11th, 2026 @ 6:00 p.m. (Freshmen Academy) Tentative Committee Meeting Dates:Personnel & Curriculum Committee: Tues, May 5th, 2026 @ 7:00 a.m. (Central Office)Middle School Improvement Committee: Wed, May 6th, 2026 @ 4:30 p.m. (Central Office) Policy Review Committee: Thurs, May 7th, 2026 @ 4:00 p.m. (Central Office) Finance & Facilities Committee: Thurs, May 7th, 2026 @ 4:30 p.m. (Central Office) Upcoming Event Highlights:NASBO Conference - April 23rd-24th |
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9. Adjourn
Discussion:
The meeting was adjourned at 7:04 p.m.
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