November 17, 2025 at 5:30 PM - Regular Board of Education Meeting
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1. Call the Meeting to Order
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
LEADERSHIP • SERVICE • SUPPORT Notice of this meeting was given in advance according to State Law 84-1411, by giving notice of the meeting to the public on ESU 7 website www.esu7.org and posted at location of meeting. Notice of this meeting was also given in advance to all members of the Board of Education of Educational Service Unit 7. Availability of the agenda and purpose of the hearing was communicated in the advance notice of the meeting and in the notice to the members of this hearing. All proceedings of the Board of Education of Educational Service Unit 7 were taken while the convened hearing was open to the attendance of the public.
Discussion:
Board President Doug Pauley called the meeting to order at 5:35pm.
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1.1. Notification of Open Meetings Law
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
This meeting has been preceded by reasonable advance notice and is hereby declared to be in open session. A copy of the Open Meetings Act is posted in the meeting room.
Attachments:
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1.2. Roll Call
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
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1.3. Absent Board Members
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
Marni Danhauer notified of her absence prior to the meeting.
Recommended Motion(s):
Discuss, consider and take all necessary action to approve Board member absences as presented Passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
Discussion:
Karen Gomez notified of her absence prior to the meeting.
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1.4. Pledge of Allegiance
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
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2. Approval of Agenda
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
The sequence of agenda topics is subject to change at the discretion of the Board.
Recommended Motion(s):
Discuss, consider and take all necessary action to approve the agenda as presented Passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
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3. Virtual Conferencing Option
Rationale:
Nebraska Revised Statute § 84-1411 authorizes virtual meetings for educational service units if the requirements of subdivision (2)(b) are met.
Administrator Recommendation: Discuss, consider and take all necessary action to approve a virtual conferencing option for the December 2025, January 2026, February 2026 and March 2026 board meetings.
Recommended Motion(s):
Discuss, consider and take all necessary action to approve a virtual conferencing option for the December 2025, January 2026, February 2026 and March 2026 board meetings Passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
Discussion:
Months were specifically chosen in preparation for winter conditions. Meetings published as virtual meetings allow board members to vote while attending virtually.
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4. Welcome Visitors
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
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5. Public Comment
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
The Board has the discretion to limit the amount of time set aside for public participation.
Citizens wishing to address the Board on a certain agenda item must complete the Request to be Heard Document prior to the start of the board meeting. Citizens wishing to present petitions to the Board may do so at this time. However, the Board will only receive the petitions and not act upon them or their contents. |
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6. Board Vacancy - District 7
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
Board Member Karen Gomez, submitted her resignation on October 20, 2025. NEB. REV. STAT. § Section 32-562 requires the vacancy to be accepted by the rest of the board. Further, Section 32-574 states, "Unless otherwise provided by law, all vacancies shall be filled within 45 days after the vacancy occurs unless good cause is shown that the requirement imposes an undue burden."
District 7 includes the following school districts, Columbus, David City, Lakeview, Schuyler. The term will expire December 31, 2026. Administrator Recommendation: Discuss, consider and take all action necessary to accept the resignation of District 7 Board Member Karen Gomez, and adopt a procedure for the appointment of a new member to the Educational Service Unit 7 Board of Education to fill the vacancy thereon created by the resignation of Karen Gomez.
Recommended Motion(s):
Discuss, consider and take all action necessary to accept the resignation of District 7 Board Member Karen Gomez, and adopt a procedure for the appointment of a new member to the Educational Service Unit 7 Board of Education to fill the vacancy thereon created by the resignation of Karen Gomez Passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
Attachments:
()
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
Discussion:
Within the 45-day time frame, appointment is expected to happen at the December meeting with the Oath of Office taking place in January.
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7. Consent Agenda
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
Unless removed from the consent agenda, items identified within the consent agenda will be acted on at one time. If any Board member wishes to discuss an item, it must be removed from the consent agenda at which time the remaining items will be acted upon. Consent Agenda Includes:
Administrator Recommendation: Discuss, consider and take all necessary action to approve the consent agenda as presented.
Recommended Motion(s):
Discuss, consider and take all necessary action to approve the consent agenda as presented Passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
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7.1. Minutes
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
This is a consent item.
Attachments:
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7.2. Presentation of Bills #80733 through #80894 totaling $1,277,137.34
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
The summary of bills for the current month total: $1,277,137.34 - Bills #80733 through #80894 General Activity Fund total: $1,515.00
This is a consent item.
Attachments:
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7.3. Reading of Article III, Section 3, F Audits
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
This is a consent item.
Attachments:
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8. Board Spotlight - Mental Health
Rationale:
Licensed Mental Health Practitioner Department Coordinator, Sonya Sukup, will present the Mental Health Spotlight.
Attachments:
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Discussion:
Sonya Sukup provided an overview of the Mental Health team, reviewed the slides, and answered questions.
Questions from the board and Answers: - How many students are served a year? Around 200. - What age of children are served? Pre-kindergarten all the way through 12th grade. - Who are referring the students to receive Mental Health support? The school districts, mainly counselors and teachers. - If a teacher/staff member in the school system says they are having issues, does the Mental Health team handle that too? No, schools have not asked to utilize our services in that way. Additionally, there's a professional boundary to consider due to the collaboration that happens between staff members and students receiving services. - What is the Mental Health Team's short-term psychotherapy definition? It is not a 12-month program. If kids need services, they're provided those services through May. As school approaches the end of the year, the conversation shifts to how services should be provided through the break. Additionally, school-based therapy may not be meeting the needs of the children so there is potential for outsourcing. - What has helped with parent communication? Personal numbers are not given out due to safety reasons, so the implementation of Zoom phones has been extremely helpful to avoid timing issues since parents are not always available to communicate while they are working and their student is in school. Communication has been more frequent and fluid since texting is now available. |
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9. Treasurer's Report
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
Review the breakdown of the Treasurer's Report.
Administrator Recommendation: Discuss, consider and take all necessary action to accept the Treasurer's Report as presented.
Recommended Motion(s):
Discuss, consider and take all necessary action to accept the Treasurer's Report as presented Passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
Attachments:
()
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
Discussion:
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10. Excess Lodging
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
Excess Lodging:
Article III, Section 4, D Coffee Act Policy (Reimbursable Expenses)
For employees and volunteers, the ESU will pay costs and make reimbursements in the same manner as provided above for Board member attendance, unless otherwise established by policy, Board action, contract, or negotiated agreement.
Recommended Motion(s):
Discuss, consider and take all necessary action to accept the excess lodging as presented Passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
Attachments:
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Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
Discussion:
Discussion was had regarding changing the policy. The decision was made not to do it at this time.
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11. New Hire: Mary Jo Reynolds, Regional Literacy Coach for July 1, 2026-August 31, 2026 and school year 2026-2027
Rationale:
Mary Jo Reynolds, Regional Literacy Coach for July 1, 2026-August 31, 2026 and school year 2026-2027.
Administrator Recommendation: Discuss, consider, and take any necessary action to approve the contract for Mary Jo Reynolds, Regional Literacy Coach for July 1, 2026-August 31, 2026 and school year 2026-2027 as presented.
Recommended Motion(s):
Discuss, consider, and take any necessary action to approve the contract for Mary Jo Reynolds, Regional Literacy Coach for July 1, 2026-August 31, 2026 and school year 2026-2027 as presented Passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
Attachments:
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Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
Discussion:
ESU 7 is required to have this position by state statute. The first year, the position is funded by state funds. After the year ESU's are still required to have this position, with or without funding. Salaries are determined by ESU statewide salary comparability.
What is the ESU 7 staff retention rate? 10-15% Board member Clark Lehr asked if it was hard to find people to hire. Depends on the position & location. Paraprofessional turnover is greater but we also have incredible longevity. It's not uncommon to have 1 applicant for some positions. |
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12. Administrator's Report General
Speaker(s):
Administrator or Designee
Rationale:
Attachments:
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Discussion:
Administrator Ostmeyer reviewed the attachments.
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12.1. Goal Update
Speaker(s):
Administrator or Designee
Rationale:
Goal 1: By July 2026, the ESU 7 board will formalize a process to mentor and onboard new board members.
Goal 2: By July 2026, the ESU 7 board will attend at least two professional/personal learning events annually.
Attachments:
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12.2. Services Update
Speaker(s):
Administrator or Designee
Rationale:
Discussion:
The Joint Superintendent & Principal Data Dig is scheduled for December 9, 2025 to plan for the services ESU 7 offers to Districts in 2026-20207. Board members are invited to attend.
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12.3. Facilities Update
Speaker(s):
Administrator or Designee
Rationale:
The Administrator will provide a facilities update during this item
Goals:
Discussion:
Administrator Ostmeyer provided an update on all 3 buildings. Rutt's has been in the North Building installing the Emergency Heat system. It should be done by Thanksgiving break or shortly after. The playground is complete and the students and staff are thoroughly enjoying the equipment. Proposals for the Learning Academy humidity issues are being gathered and the dehumidifiers have been removed from the classrooms.
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12.4. Personnel
Speaker(s):
Administrator or designee
Rationale:
New Hires
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12.5. Legislative Update
Speaker(s):
Administrator or Designee
Rationale:
During this item, the Administrator will provide a Legislative Update to members of the Board.
Discussion:
Administrator Ostmeyer provided an update on the school retirement program.
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13. Committee Reports
Speaker(s):
Committee Chair
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13.1. Budget Committee Report
Speaker(s):
Budget Committee Chair
Rationale:
Reports of Budget Committee activities and discussion will take place during this item.
Committee Recommendation:
Discussion:
Joint Budget & Negotiations Meeting will be held immediately following the Board Meeting.
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13.2. Negotiations Committee Report
Speaker(s):
Negotiations Committee Chair
Rationale:
Reports of activities and discussions from the Negotiations Committee will take place during this item.
Committee Recommendation:
Discussion:
Joint Budget & Negotiations Meeting will be held immediately following the Board Meeting. Negotiations must be completed with ESUEA by February 8, 2026. ESUEA has provided a proposal and the Negotiations Committee will meet again.
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13.3. Administrator Evaluation Committee Report
Speaker(s):
Administrator Evaluation Committee Chair
Rationale:
A report of activities from the Administrator Evaluation Committee will be given during this item.
Evaluation Timeline: - August: Evaluation Committee Chair and Administrator review Evaluation Tool and Evaluation Policy/Procedures. - September: Full Board is provided a paper copy of the evaluation questions. - October: Administrator sends digital evaluation and evaluation resources to the Evaluation Committee Chair in the first week of October. The chair then forwards on to the full Board for completion by the October Board Meeting. The Board will send their completed evaluation tool to the Evaluation Committee prior to the October Board Meeting. The Administrator completes the Evaluation Tool as a self-assessment and sends it to the Evaluation Committee Chair on or before October 31. - November: Committee Chair will send the completed Administrator self-assessment to the full Board after November 1. The Evaluation Committee compiles results of the full Board's completed evaluations prior to the November Board Meeting. - December: The Evaluation Committee meets prior to the December Board Meeting to review with the Administrator the results of the evaluation. Report to the full Board in December Board Meeting following Closed Session requirements with the Administrator present. - January: Confirm Evaluation Committee members. The Administrator provides the Evaluation Committee with goals and shares with the Board at the January Board Meeting. Committee Recommendation:
Attachments:
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14. Conference Report
Speaker(s):
Conference Attendees
Rationale:
Conference Attendees will report on their learnings.
Goals:
Discussion:
No conference reports
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15. Adjournment
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Discussion:
Board President adjourned the meeting at 6:47 pm.
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