June 23, 2025 at 6:00 PM - Board of Education Regular Meeting/Business

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Patrons can watch the Ralston Public Schools Board of Education Meeting by following the link below.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCo8VrugRaRJ-0GL1Cg8BlBA

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Please stand and join us in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Nebraska Frameworks Governance and Leadership
Policy 2008, Board of Education Meetings.

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Nebraska Frameworks Governance and Leadership
Policy 2008, Board of Education Meetings.

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A complete copy of the Open Meetings Act is posted on the back wall of the Board of Education meeting room.

Public Comment Sign In Procedure - Anyone wishing to address the Board of Education must submit a written request form, found on the public’s table, prior to Public Comments.

The Board reserves the right to move into closed session to protect the public interest or needless injury to the reputation of an individual for any action item listed on the agenda. The Board may, at its discretion, change the order of the agenda to accommodate unforeseen issues related to an agenda item.

Nebraska Frameworks Stakeholder Communication and Relationships
Policy 2009, Public Participation at Board Meetings.

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The Ralston Board of Education appreciates the public's right to provide public comment.  It is the practice of the Ralston Board to listen to the public comment, without discussion between the public and the Board.  Should you have a question or ask for follow-up from the Board, the Board President will direct the Superintendent to address the requests and provide additional information to you as appropriate.  We ask that you refrain from personal comments about individuals and the use of vulgar or inappropriate language in addressing the Board. 

The board will generally allow a total of 30 minutes for the presentation of all public comments.  Individuals may only speak one time per topic and must limit comments to around three (3) minutes. In the event more than 10 individuals wish to address the board, the 30 minutes will be divided equally between the number of speakers. At the discretion of the Board President or Chair, speakers may be allotted additional time.

At this time the Ralston Public Schools Board of Education will entertain public comment.

Nebraska Frameworks Stakeholder Communication and Relationships
Policy 2009, Public Participation at Board Meetings.

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Consent agenda items include minutes from the June 9th, 2025 meeting;  

Resignation from Kiera Cummings

Recommend the following teacher to be hired for the 2025-2026 school year.

Sarah Wenberg  - KW Reading Specialist.  BA from UNL & Augustana College in South Dakota. Sarah has been with RPS as a substitute teacher since 2014.

Donovan Warren - HS Health HS Family Life Teacher.  Undergraduate from Northwest MO.  Donovan has been with RPS as a substitute teacher since 2023.

 

Nebraska Frameworks Governance and Leadership
Board Policy 2008, Board of Education Meetings.
Board Policy 3007, Review of Bills.         

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Nebraska Frameworks Governance and Leadership
Board Policy 2008, Board of Education Meetings.

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Board of Education members will discuss items they have recently observed or attended or items they wish to share with the other members of the Board of Education and the public.

Nebraska Frameworks Governance and Leadership
Board Policy 2008, Board of Education Meetings.

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Nebraska Frameworks Governance and Leadership
Board Policy 2022, Reporting to the Public.

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Mr. Buckingham will update the Board regarding Legislative issues. 

Nebraska Frameworks Governance and Leadership
Board Policy 2022, Reporting to the Public.

Rationale:  Mrs. Elizabeth Kumru will update the Board of Education on items and information that is under consideration with the Nebraska Association of School Boards.

Nebraska Frameworks Governance and Leadership
Policy 2022 Reporting to the Public.

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Anne Harley will review the enrollment information with the Board.

Nebraska Frameworks Governance and Leadership
Board Policy 2022, Reporting to the Public.

Rationale:  Sara will share the tentative schedule of events for staff to start the 2025-2026 school year.

Rationale:  Aaron Bredenkamp, and other members of the administrative team will provide the Board of Education with a preliminary look at the DRAFT 2025-2026 District Budget.  Aaron will share factors that will impact the District Budget and address and questions that the Board may have.  The Budget Adoption Calendar will be shared again and reviewed outlining the steps that will be taken over the next few months to gather feedback on the budget and communicate appropriately.  

Rationale:  Each summer the student handbooks at the elementary, middle school, and high school level are reviewed and adjusted as needed.  Dr. Pivonnka will provide an overview of the suggested changes to the handbooks at each level.  After discussion any suggested changes will be considered.  Once all the appropriate adjustments are made the administration would ask that the Board of Education approve the 2025-2026 Students Handbooks at the July 14th meeting of the Board of Education.

Rationale:  Andy Parizek and Jon Taylor will provide an overview of the school improvement plan for Ralston Middle School.

Rationale:  Ryan Pivonka will provide an update to the Board of Education on the current status of recruitment and retention across all employee groups. 

Rationale:  Nebraska Frameworks Governance and Leadership

Rationale:  Policy 5031, amended to meet state statutory requirements for student appearance.

Rationale:  Approval of Policies reviewed and updated on 6/9 including policies 1002, 2006, 2008, 3003, 3004.1, 3023, 3026, 3036, 3043, 3047, 3057, 4051, 4057, 4059, 6005 and 6045.

Rationale:  SLI Contract up for review and approval.

Rationale:  Due to unforeseen circumstances, Mrs. Mindy Podraza asks for her resignation in January to be rescinded and to be reinstated as a employee for the Ralston Public Schools

Rationale:  The staff at RPS has worked the last several month piloting and choosing a math curriculum for adoption and implementation for the 2025-2026 school year.  This agenda item is a review of the process and a request to approve the purchase of the new curriculum.

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Review of policies 4062, 5001, 5015, 5016, 5018, 6025, 6031, 6034 and 6044.

The Board and Administration will review proposed policies.

Nebraska Frameworks Governance and Leadership
Nebraska Frameworks Committment to Continuous Improvement
Board Policy 2001, Role of the Board of Education.

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Supplemental Documents include the following:

Bill Review Schedule - 2024

 

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Board of Education Meeting - Monday, June 23- 6:00 p.m.

                                    Virginia Moon Administrative Center
 
June 23 5:45 Student Fee Hearing
June 23 6pm BOE meeting
July 4   12pm Ralston 4th of July Parade
August 1 All teachers return
August 4 New Teacher/Chamber Luncheon @The Post 11:00 am
August 8 Back to School Kickoff/Luncheon 10:30-1pm
August 11 First Day K, 7 and 9
August 12 All students return!
          

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Cognia Standard 8:  The governing authority demonstrates a commitment to learners by collaborating with leaders to uphold the institution's priorities and to drive continuous improvement. 
Board Policy 2008, Board of Education Meetings.