October 12, 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 on the school website and calendar 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:  Mrs. McKenna and Ms. Mullen will provide an overview of the work being done across the district to support MANDT training, including efforts to equip staff with the knowledge and skills needed to respond safely and effectively to challenging situations and support positive outcomes for 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: 

Area C & D Visual Display

Deter, Detect, Delay: Since 2016, district safety audits have identified a secure entryway as a critical safety strategy missing from the GPS campus. While the district has achieved five of six recommended safety measures, controlled single-point visitor access remains the final outstanding recommendation.

The project goal is not the creation of a "fortress," but the orchestration of time. By implementing a "Deter, Detect, Delay" framework, the facility will be optimized to:

• Deter: Communicate that the building is not freely accessible.

• Detect: Provide staff with full visibility of visitors.

• Delay: Create a physical buffer to delay entrance until help can arrive.

Operational Execution The district has selected "Option 4B," a design that encapsulates existing space to avoid expanding the building footprint. Key adjustments include:

• Repurposing: Relocating counseling and administrative offices into existing classrooms to maximize the use of space while maintaining critical workflow.

• Phasing: A four-phase construction schedule designed to minimize academic disruption, beginning Christmas break and concluding by August 1, 2027.

Fiscal Commitment Following a competitive procurement process, RMV Construction was identified as the lowest responsible bidder.

• Funding Structure: Primary funding via QCPUP, supplemented by $650,000 from depreciation.

• Bid Selection: The selection followed a two-step evaluation of vendor responsibility and price, ensuring a balance of competence and cost-efficiency.

Bid Tabulation Form

Rationale: 

Discussion and consideration of a proposal from TK Elevator (TKE) to complete an overhaul of the district’s elevator. The elevator, which is nearly 25 years old, has experienced recurring mechanical issues requiring frequent resets and repairs. Continued reliability is necessary to ensure students and staff with mobility needs have consistent access to classrooms and other areas of the building.

The proposed cost of the elevator overhaul is $100,368, with the expense to be paid from the district’s Depreciation Fund.

Rationale: 

In alignment with Board Policy 4057, the Board must review and select the criteria and evaluation system to be used for assessing the superintendent’s performance. The Board must vote to adopt the criteria they select which is outlined in the attached document as the official superintendent evaluation tool. The superintendent is directed to submit a copy of these minutes, along with the approved evaluation criteria, to the Nebraska Department of Education (NDE) for review and approval.

The proposed evaluation timeline includes:

1. Wednesday, November 11^th: Superintendent completes the self-evaluation.

2. Monday, November 16th: System sends board the evaluation link.

3. Saturday, November 21st: Deadline for Board members complete their evaluations.

Board members will receive an email asking them each to complete the evaluation individually and then the personnel committee will meet to review the complied PDF and review performance with Dr. Jonas prior to Christmas break.

This action item also serves as a reminder of the Superintendent Evaluation Requirement pursuant to Section 15 of the Superintendent’s contract. In accordance with the contract, the Superintendent is required to provide a written reminder to the Board—no later than the regular November meeting—regarding the obligation to conduct the annual performance evaluation. The evaluation must be completed no later than the regular December meeting.

Rationale:  After review of the submitted applications and supporting materials, Principal Seth Ryker recommends that the Board approve the early graduation requests for the following students in accordance with Board Policy 5066. This recommendation is based on the determination that the following students are best served by being permitted to graduate early, provided that each student will have successfully completed all graduation requirements outlined in Board Policy 6005 and all early graduation requirements outlined in Policy 5066 by the end of the Fall 2026 semester.

• Amelia Flesner

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, November 9th

Swede Activities:
none