Public Meeting Minutes: October 12, 2026 at 5:30 PM - Board of Education Regular Meeting

1. Call to Order

1.1. Roll Call

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 comment.

2.2. Industrial Technology Instructors Tom Sughroue, Tyler Jedlecki, and Tanner Unger will give a presentation on the updates to the Bison Construction Project.

Discussion:

Construction Project — Tanner Unger: Students spend two class periods in the block schedule renovating a house from the ground up. They have stripped the house to the studs and are rebuilding it, gaining hands-on experience with plumbing, electrical work, and eventually finish work. Although this is a substantial project, students have been enthusiastic and engaged.
Cabinet Design — Tyler Jedlicki: Students will use Mosaic 3D design software to design kitchen cabinets for the house renovation, connecting technology and design skills with the construction project.
Perkins Grant Purchases: Perkins grant funds supported the purchase of a new 3D printer and new cameras for basketball. Students shared chess pieces created with the printer as examples of their work.

2.3. Student Board Member Report

Discussion:

Girls State Golf: Hailey Smalley and Payvn Terry traveled to Scottsbluff to compete in Girls State Golf on October 12. Results and placements were not yet available at the time of this report.
Football: The Bison earned a strong road win against Hastings on October 9. They will host Scottsbluff on October 16, with a "Pink Out" theme supporting breast cancer awareness. The team looks to finish strong as the season winds down.
Boys State Tennis: The varsity boys tennis team will travel to Lincoln on October 14 for the state tournament. The No. 1 doubles team has had a strong season and hopes to earn a state placement.
Seasonal Transition: Fall sports are nearing completion, with winter sports beginning toward the end of November.
Student Events: The high school will host a talent show on October 28 and a costume contest on October 30 to close out the month.
Mock Trial: The team’s first competition is scheduled for October 26, followed by additional rounds on November 4 and November 16.
FFA and Student Council: No major updates were reported at this time.

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

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

I motion to approve consent agenda which includes the minutes and financials. Passed with a motion by Mike Langan and a second by Charlie McPherson.

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

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

Attachments: (5)

McCook Public Schools - Board of Education Regular Meeting (42)

10/5/2026 at 12:04 PM
McCook Public Schools - Budget Hearing (5)

10/5/2026 at 12:04 PM
McCook Public Schools - Will begin immediately following the budget hearing - Board of Education Public Hearing _ Tax Request Resolution (3)

10/5/2026 at 12:04 PM
McCook Public Schools - Board of Education Public Hearing _ Tax Request Resolution (7)

10/5/2026 at 12:04 PM
Financial reports Sept 26 for Oct 26 Board Meeting

10/5/2026 at 12:56 PM

3.1. Approval of Expenditures/Payroll for Septmber

Attachments: (4)

Activity Account-September Expenditures

10/5/2026 at 12:05 PM
Activity Account-September Revenue

10/5/2026 at 12:05 PM
Accounts Payable-September

10/5/2026 at 12:05 PM
Accounts Payable-September Receipts

10/5/2026 at 12:05 PM

4. Reports from Staff Members and Committees

Attachments: (5)

ME-October-Mr. Borland

10/7/2026 at 10:08 AM
SPED-October-Mr. Hanson

10/7/2026 at 10:08 AM
JH-October-Mr. Lyons

10/7/2026 at 10:23 AM
CE-October-Mrs. Sharp

10/7/2026 at 10:27 AM
HS-October-Mr. Dickes

10/8/2026 at 9:53 AM

5. Board and Administrative Comments

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

5.2.

Executive Summary: Superintendent’s Monthly Report

Reporting Period: September 2026 (For the October 2026 Board Meeting)

Financial Performance & Project Management

The district remains in a strong, highly stable financial position as we begin the new fiscal year.

General Fund: With 8.3% of the fiscal year elapsed, General Fund revenue is 12.69% YTD, while expenses ended at 10.24% YTD.
All Funds: Combined district funds show total revenue at 12.36% YTD and total expenditures at 10.0% YTD.
2027-2028 and 2028-2029 School Calendars have been attached for your review.
Current Focus:
- The business office is actively engaged in the Annual Financial Review of the 2025–2026 fiscal year.
- We are actively engaged in the 2025-2026 audit with CLA, Inc and KSO, Inc.
- 2025-2026 SPED Final Financial Review
- NASB: Mr. Bednar and I attended the NASB Labor Relations conference. Key takeaways include:
  - Nebraska has introduced stricter, mandatory hiring background check requirements for school staff under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 79-880. Designed to prevent schools from hiring individuals with past records of child abuse, neglect, or sexual misconduct, these strict guidelines apply to anyone seeking employment in a position that involves regular contact with students.
  - EHA Rates will be released later this month with a large percentage increase expected.
  - Negotiation Timelines and requirements were covered. (1st meeting prior to ONovember 1st)

Facilities & Infrastructure Updates

Progress continues across multiple scheduled campus improvements:

Senior High School:
- Carpeting the Music wing of the building during Parent teacher conferences.
Junior High School:
- Installing new steam tables in the cafeteria.
Central Elementary School:
- Installing new Reach in Freezer
McCook Elementary School:
- Installing new Washing machine

Compliance & Operations

Food Services: The District Food Services Management company OPPA served 15,460 meals.
State & Federal Reporting: Full compliance has been maintained with Several September filings successfully completed:
- 2026–2027 Student Census Report
- 2026-2027 School budget (LC-2) to NDE/State auditors and the counties
- 2026-2027 Staff Reporting to the NDE
- TEEOSA Documents
  - Summer School Units
  - Student Growth
  - Estimated Poverty and LEP Expenditures
  - Assessed Values and Levies
  - Option Enrollment Report

Key Dates

End of 1st Quarter - No School K-5: October 16th, 2026
Election Day: November 3rd, 2026
November Board of Education Meeting: November 9th, 2026 @ 5:30 pm.
NASB State Convention in Omaha: November 19th and 20th, 2026

Attachments: (1)

MPS 27-28, 28-29 Calendar (1)

10/12/2026 at 9:24 AM

5.3.

Executive Summary: Chief of K-12 Education and Instruction

Curriculum and Vertical Alignment

Curriculum and Vertical Alignment days are planned for the next two Wednesdays. This year’s theme is Strengthening Our
Foundation: PLC Question #1 — What do we want students to know?

• A clear, shared answer to Question #1 provides the foundation for meaningful PLC conversations. Question #1 sets the foundation; Questions #2-4 guide what we do with it through assessment, intervention, and extension.
• Teams will clarify and refine essential learnings and examine alignment across grade levels to identify gaps, unnecessary
overlap, and the skills students need for the next level.
• Curriculum CARDS will replace offset targets. Each card will break down an essential standard into specific learning targets
and "I can" statements, explain why it is essential, identify instructional resources, outline when and how long it is taught, and
connect it to the corresponding CRT assessment.
• The goal is a shared, usable curriculum that strengthens teacher clarity, instructional consistency, and the work of every PLC.

Online District Policies

• Our district policies have been updated in the SparkData online policy system. The public link will go live on the district website next week.
• Mr. Gross, Trisha Willis, and I participated in training last week to support use of the updated system

6. New Business

6.1. Accept Resignations

6.1.1. Accept the resignation from Cindy Larson, McCook Elementary Kindergarten Teacher

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

I move to accept the resignation of Cindy Larson, Kindergarten teacher at McCook Elementary. Passed with a motion by Jesse Juenemann and a second by Scott Barger.

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

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

Attachments: (1)

larson

10/5/2026 at 11:31 AM

6.2. Accept a gift from Graff Charitable Foundation in the amount of $1,000.00 for the Boys Tennis program.

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

I move to accept a financial gift from Graff Charitable Foundation in the amount of $1,000.00 for the Boys Tennis program. Passed with a motion by Jesse Juenemann and a second by Amanda Buhr.

Jesse Juenemann: Yea
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.

Attachments: (1)

Graff Charitable Foundation-Tennis

10/5/2026 at 11:26 AM

6.3. Accept a donation from MNB bank from the Bison debit card program in the amount of $1,765.65

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

I make a motion to accept a donation from MNB bank from the Bison debit card program in the amount of $1,765.65 Passed with a motion by Charlie McPherson and a second by Scott Barger.

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

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

Attachments: (1)

MNB-Bison debit card program

10/5/2026 at 11:27 AM

7. Positive Comments

Discussion:

Mike Langan: Commended Mr. Gross for the Pink Postcard meeting, highlighting the district’s transparency and plans to keep taxes as low as possible. Emphasized strong performance in Nebraska and McCook and the district’s commitment to being responsible stewards of taxpayer dollars.
Charlie McPherson: Recognized staff for efficient and productive parent-teacher conferences and expressed appreciation for the time and effort involved.
Jesse Juenneman.: Expressed gratitude for community donations and support, noting their collective impact. Thanked Mr. Unger and Mr. Jedlicki for their work.
Brad Hays: Commended Mr. Gross for his thorough preparation for the successful Pink Postcard meeting. Thanked all staff involved in the budget process.
Scott Barger: Recognized Jon Graff for encouraging students to explore career opportunities, particularly careers in law.
Amanda Buhr: Expressed appreciation for the work to make district policies easily accessible online. Also recognized Mr. Unger and Mr. Jedlicki for their work with Career and Technical Education courses.
Jeff Gross: Thanked Erin Ruppert, Bobbi Bortner, and Tricia Willis for their expertise and contributions, describing them as valuable assets to the district.
Joel Bednar: Thanked staff for the additional time devoted to parent-teacher conferences, including listening to families, building relationships, and navigating difficult conversations. Recognized district nurse Tyra Barger for her communication, professionalism, and ability to manage stressful situations.
Kreighton Barger: Commended Mr. Graff for his leadership of Mock Trial, recognizing his passion and the considerable time he invests in students and the program.

8. Adjournment

Discussion: Meeting was adjourned at 6:22 PM

9. Items for Review

Attachments: (1)

MPS 27-28, 28-29 Calendar

10/5/2026 at 2:20 PM

October 12, 2026 at 5:30 PM - Board of Education Regular Meeting

Executive Summary: Superintendent’s Monthly Report

Financial Performance & Project Management

Facilities & Infrastructure Updates

Compliance & Operations

Key Dates

Executive Summary: Chief of K-12 Education and Instruction

Curriculum and Vertical Alignment

Online District Policies

Web Viewer