Public Meeting Minutes: July 13, 2026 at 6:00 PM - Will begin immediately following the hearings-Board of Education Regular Meeting

1. Call to Order

1.1. Roll Call

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Motion to excuse Jesse Juenemann was created by Charlie McPherson and seconded by Mike Langan. Passed with a motion by Charlie McPherson and a second by Mike Langan.

Jesse Juenemann: Absent
Mike Langan: Yea
Charlie McPherson: Yea
Brad Hays: Yea
Scott Barger: Yea
Amanda Buhr: Yea

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

Discussion:

Previous Attendance Records	Present	Absent
Attendance Taken on 7/13/2026 at 6:06 PM Agenda Item: Call to Order	Regular Board Scott Barger Amanda Buhr Brad Hays Mike Langan Charlie McPherson	Regular Board Jesse Juenemann

1.2. Recognition of Open Meeting Law

1.3. Pledge of Allegiance

2. Public Participation, Presentations, and Reports

2.1. Board accepts public comments

Discussion: No Public Comments.

2.2. Recognize Abigail Schneider as a member of the 2026 World-Herald All State All Academic Team

Discussion: Jeff Gross presented a plaque congratulating Abigail on all of her accomplishments but specifically being named 1st Team All Academic Team from the Omaha World Herald. BOE congratulated Abigail and asked her a few questions on her future. We believe this is the first student to receive this award from MHS.

3. Approve the consent agenda which includes the minutes and financials

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Charlie motioned to approve the consent agenda. Mike Langan seconded motion. Passed with a motion by Charlie McPherson and a second by Mike Langan.

Jesse Juenemann: Absent
Amanda Buhr: Yea
Mike Langan: Yea
Charlie McPherson: Yea
Brad Hays: Yea
Scott Barger: Yea

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

Discussion: Motion to approve consent agenda by Charlie. Passed with a motion by Charlie McPherson and a second by Amanda Buhr.

Attachments: (3)

McCook Public Schools - Board of Education Regular Meeting (35)

7/6/2026 at 6:45 AM
Financial reports June 26 for July 26 Board Meeting

7/6/2026 at 9:06 AM
Financial reports June 26 for July 26 Board Meeting

7/6/2026 at 1:50 PM

3.1. Approval of Expenditures/Payroll for June

Attachments: (5)

Activity Account-June Revenue

7/6/2026 at 6:57 AM
Activity Account-June Expenditures

7/6/2026 at 6:57 AM
Activity Account June Adjustments

7/6/2026 at 6:57 AM
Accounts Payable-June

7/6/2026 at 9:02 AM
Accounts Payable-June Receipts

7/6/2026 at 9:02 AM

4. Reports from Staff Members and Committees

Attachments: (5)

JH-July-Mr. Lyons

7/6/2026 at 2:49 PM
CE-July-Mrs. Sharp

7/6/2026 at 2:49 PM
SPED-July-Mr. Hanson

7/7/2026 at 8:18 AM
ME-July-Mr. Borland

7/7/2026 at 8:18 AM
HS-July-Mr. Dickes

7/9/2026 at 11:21 AM

5. Board and Administrative Comments

5.1. Written Principal Comments — Please review prior to the regular Board of Education Meeting.

5.2. College and Career readiness presentations

Discussion:

Career and College Readiness (CCR) continues to focus on opening doors for students through both college and career opportunities. Mr. Dickes shared that McCook High School is working to remain flexible as workforce and student needs evolve. Recent examples include the development of a nursing pathway and the addition of a construction pathway through Mr. Tanner Unger's program.

Students complete career interest inventories to help guide their future planning, and seniors participate in an industrial tour to learn about local career opportunities available immediately after graduation. Mr. Dickes also recognized Mr. Jordan Lewis for her outstanding work helping students identify and apply for scholarships, ensuring they have access to available funding for their postsecondary goals. Mr. Gross brought up the JAG program as career readiness is at it's core purpose.

Attachments: (3)

ME Career Board Presentation (US Letter) (2)

7/7/2026 at 8:11 AM
CE-College & Career Readiness - July 2026

7/7/2026 at 8:19 AM
JH-July-Mr. Lyons

7/9/2026 at 12:55 PM

5.3.

Executive Summary: Superintendent’s Monthly Report

Reporting Period: June 2026 (For the July 2026 Board Meeting)

Financial Performance & Project Management

The district remains in a strong, highly stable financial position as we approach the conclusion of the fiscal year.

General Fund: With 83% of the fiscal year elapsed, General Fund revenue has outpaced projections at 101.27% YTD, while expenses remain tightly controlled and on-track at 83.93% YTD.
All Funds: Combined district funds show total revenue at 99.41% YTD and total expenditures well under budget at 76% YTD.
Current Focus: The business office is actively engaged in budget preparation for the upcoming 2026–2027 fiscal year, alongside processing the 2026–2027 Food Services applications.
MPS Foundation: Perry Law firm has filed the revised articles of incorporation with the secretary of state on our behalf.

Facilities & Infrastructure Updates
(Picture Presentation) https://canva.link/yg2wi4y66aeacnk

Progress continues across multiple scheduled campus improvements:

Senior High School: Main hallway renovations are currently ongoing.
Junior High School:
- The roofing project is underway.
- Gym renovations are progressing smoothly, with new bleacher installation scheduled for July.
- HVAC front-end upgrades are advancing, with control installations currently underway for classroom reheat coils, boilers, and chillers.

Compliance & Operations

Food Services: The district successfully launched its Summer Food Services rural non-congregate June program, serving 20,643 meals to community youth.
State & Federal Reporting: Full compliance has been maintained with two major June filings successfully completed:
- The 2026–2027 IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) Grants have been submitted.
- The Nebraska Department of Education (NDE) State Reporting for the 2025–2026 school year has been officially signed off and finalized.

Key Dates

MPS Administration Retreat: Monday, July 27th 9:00am- 1:30 pm
NDE/NCSA: 2026 Administrators Days are July 29-31st in Kearney
New Teacher Orientation:August 4th-6th
August Board of Education Meeting: August 10th, 2026 6:00 pm
All-staff Inservice: August 11th-12
1st Day of School: August 13th
- Freshman only @ HS, 6th Grade Only @ JH, 1-5th Grade (no K)
1st Day of School for everyone: August 14th
NASB Area Membership meeting @ North Platte for Board of Education: Wednesday, September 2nd, 4:30pm-8:30pm

5.4. Monthly Chief of K-12 Education Report

MPS Hub

Created the MPS Hub as a one stop shop for internal communication and instructional resources and develop coherence in what we're doing as a sytem.
One location for:
- Weekly announcements
- Administrative highlights
- PLC supports
- Instructional Playbook
- Textbook Adoption Cycle
- Forms and templates
- District documents
- Safety & Security
- Much more
Designed to be practical, useable for admin and the rest of the staff.

New Teacher Orientation

August 4-6: 10 new teachers will be here for 3 full days
- Technology
- ITIP Lesson Design
- De-Escelation Training
- I Love You Guys Training (Raptor)
- More.
August 10: Mike Schmoker is not able to make it to McCook due to some health issues/overbooking. I'm working to potentially have him remotely in January.
I'm currently working on our Mentorship program to rejuvenate it and make it a meaningful process for new staff.

5.5. Board Comments

Discussion: There were no board comments.

6. New Business

Discussion: No New Business.

7. Positive Comments

Discussion:

Board Member and Administrative Comments

Amanda Buhr

Thanked the district for partnering with the YMCA by providing the LIFT building.

Mike Langan

Highlighted the impressive facility improvements completed over the summer.
Commented that the district's financial position remains strong and noted that McCook Public Schools has a great system in place.

Scott Barger

Expressed appreciation for all of the coaches who invested their time with students throughout the summer, including weights, MFL, tennis camps, and other activities.
Complimented the facility upgrades.

Charlie McPherson

Shared that the photos of the facility improvements were very impressive.
Thanked the maintenance crew for completing so much work within a short summer window.
Recognized OPAA staff for serving more than 20,000 meals during June.

Brad Hays

Commented on the success of the Bison Alumni Football Tournament, calling it a very impressive event.
Welcomed Superintendent Jeff Gross and expressed appreciation for the thoughtful, positive changes already taking place across the district.

Jeff Gross, Superintendent

Highlighted the many summer construction and improvement projects across the district.
Thanked local contractors for their outstanding partnership and timely work, including Weathercraft, Heads Up Sprinkler, W Design, Primetime Painting, Parde Heating, Volz, and Kent Gerih Concrete.
Noted how fortunate McCook Public Schools is to have dependable local businesses that consistently support the district.

Joel Bednar, Chief of K-12 Education

Thanked Mrs. Molly Sharp and the summer school staff for providing an engaging and successful summer learning experience for students.
Expressed appreciation to Jeff Gross, Erin, Bobbi, and Trisha for their support and assistance during the transition. Everyone has been very helpful.

8. Adjournment

Discussion: The meeting was adjourned at 6:52pm.

9. Items for Review

July 13, 2026 at 6:00 PM - Will begin immediately following the hearings-Board of Education Regular Meeting

Executive Summary: Superintendent’s Monthly Report

Financial Performance & Project Management

Facilities & Infrastructure Updates (Picture Presentation) https://canva.link/yg2wi4y66aeacnk

Compliance & Operations

Key Dates

Board Member and Administrative Comments

Web Viewer

Facilities & Infrastructure Updates
(Picture Presentation) https://canva.link/yg2wi4y66aeacnk