September 14, 2026 at 6:00 PM - Board of Education Regular Meeting

Rationale: 

Mission Statement:

Gothenburg Public Schools is the cornerstone of a proud, passionate, and progressive community where students and staff thrive in a positive and innovative environment.  We ensure the growth of all individuals by inspiring them to own and maximize their potential.

A copy of the open meetings law is posted on the wall of the Board Room and is available to the public.

Rationale: 

The Board reserves the right to rearrange the order of items as needed.

This meeting was legally advertised in the Gothenburg Leader on 9/10/2026 and is posted on the Gothenburg Schools Website, in accordance with state requirements.  A copy of the Request for Publication and Proof of Publication will be linked in the electronic minutes once the Proof of Publication is available.

Rationale:  This month’s Celebration of Excellence comes to us from Dudley Elementary! Our team will provide an update on the literacy initiatives underway to improve literacy outcomes for our K-6 students.

Rationale: 

Board Policy 2009 - Opportunity for Public Expression.  
(A copy of the policy is linked here.)

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

INSTRUCTIONS FOR MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO WISH TO SPEAK: This is the portion of the meeting when members of the public may speak to the board about matters of public concern.  

• Getting Started: Before the meeting begins, anyone wishing to address the board must sign in with their name, address, and any organizations they are representing. When recognized, please stand and state your name. 

• Time Limit:  The board will generally allow a total of 30 minutes for the presentation of all public comments.  Individuals may speak only one time, and must limit comments to 5 minutes.  If there are more than 6 individuals who wish to address the board, the 30 minutes will be divided equally between the number of speakers.   These time limits may be changed by a majority vote of the board members in attendance to extend the time for a specific item or speaker. 

• Personnel or Student Topic:  If you are planning to speak about a personnel or a student matter involving an individual, please understand that the district has a complaint policy and/or procedures to resolve such complaints and concerns.  The Board requests that you follow the policy and procedures before addressing these matters with the Board.  Board members will generally not respond to any questions you ask or comments about individual staff members or students.  

• General Rules: This is a public meeting for the conduct of business.  Comments from the audience while others are speaking will not be tolerated.  Lewd, obscene, profane, slanderous, threatening and hostile conduct or statements and fighting words (words whose mere utterance entails a call to violence) will not be tolerated. 

• No Action by the Board:  The board will not act on any matter unless it is on the published agenda. 

Rationale: 

1. Approval of Previous Minutes

2. Approval of the Treasurer's Report

3. Approval of the Warrants / Bills

  a.  Petty Cash

  b.  Student Activity

  c.  Hot Lunch

  d.  Bank Statement

  e.  Summary of Accounts and Receipts

  f.  Monthly Expenditure Report

  g. Check Journal

4. Excuse Absent Board Members

 

Rationale: 

• Justine Kurpgeweit (Ag Education) - Miss Kurpgeweit (kurp-gEE-white) is currently student teaching at Auburn Public Schools and will graduate with her B.S.E. in Agriculture Education from Northwest Missouri State University in December of 2026. Miss Kurgeweit will bring great energy to our Ag Education program and has a passion for horticulture and plant science. Our current class sizes allow us to evaluate course offerings and determine where our greatest needs are for students during the second semester. The proposed contract is for January 2027 - May 2028.

Rationale:  State Statute 77-2350 requires that "the treasurer...of any school district... shall deposit the funds received ...[into]... official depositories for such funds."  This resolution specifies the entities to which the school district will deposit funds.

We do have two Conflict of Interest forms filed for this item.  Mrs. Jobman and Mrs. Brass will abstain from voting.  

Rationale:  Consider approval to establish a separate General Fund savings account to receive grant awards and other deposits from outside entities, providing a separate account for sharing banking information while protecting the district’s primary General Fund account information.

Rationale:  District #20 has been a STANCE member since the inception of this organization as Dr. Teahon was one of the 'founders'.  The mission of STANCE is Schools Taking Action for Nebraska Children's Education and focuses on tackling legislative issues through the lens of a school superintendent as opposed to a lobbyist.  This organization is important to me as a professional as it provides a wonderful networking opportunity with progressive and innovative superintendents.

Rationale:  Annual review of our policy regarding insurance and the board of education is required.  Members of board of education may participate in the school district’s health and life insurance plans which are provided to school district employees. A board member electing to participate in the insurance program of the school district shall pay both the employee and the employer portions of the premiums to the district in advance of any payments being due from the district to the insurance carrier.

There are no current board members that participate in this program. As an annual review, no action is required.

Rationale:  The Gothenburg Education Association (GEA) was certified as the exclusive collective bargaining agent for Gothenburg Public Schools by the Nebraska Commission of Industrial Relations on February 8, 2016.

As a procedural item, no action is required.  However, please let the minutes reflect the Board of Education recognizes the Gothenburg Education Association as the bargaining agent for the certificated staff of District #20 for the 2027-2028 school year.  The certification order and the timeline are attached. 

Rationale: 

Committee Reports (Chair in bold)

1.  Personnel Committee (Mr. Fornoff, Mrs. Terrell, Mrs. Brass)
2. Transportation and Facilities (Mr. Dalrymple, Mr. Sukraw, Mrs. Jobman)
3. Finance (Mrs. Jobman, Mr. Dalrymple, Mrs. Brass)
4. Committee on American Civics (Mrs. Terrell, Mr. Fornoff, Mr. Sukraw)
5. Policy Review (Mrs. Brass, Mr. Dalrymple, Mrs. Jobman)

 

Rationale: 

Rationale:  Monday, October 12th

Swede Activities:
JH Volleyball @ Broken Bow
R/JV/V Volleyball @ 5/6/7 (home)
JH Football @ 6PM (home)

Note: Special Meeting to Adopt the Budget and Set the Tax Request will take place on Monday, September 28th at 6PM.