October 15, 2026 at 5:00 PM - Regular Meeting

Rationale:  Note: The Board of Education may take action or go into Executive Session on any item listed.   

Rationale: 

Rationale:  The board of education shall conduct its meetings in accordance with the Nebraska Open Meetings Act. The board shall make reasonable efforts to accommodate the public’s right to speak on agenda items. The board may make and enforce reasonable rules and regulations regarding the conduct of persons attending, speaking at, videotaping, photographing, or recording its meetings. The board shall not require members of the public to identify themselves as a condition for admission to the meeting, nor shall such body require that the name of any member of the public be placed on the agenda prior to such meeting in order to speak about items on the agenda. However, the board may require members of the public desiring to address the board to identify themselves. Speakers will be permitted to address the Board in a manner consistent with free speech rights. However, offensive language, defamatory remarks, and hostile conduct will not be tolerated.

Rationale:  Verdigre Public School currently owns three buses that are no longer needed for district transportation operations. Maintaining these vehicles creates unnecessary storage, maintenance, and potential insurance expenses. Declaring them surplus would allow the district to sell the vehicles through an appropriate process and potentially recover funds that could be used for other district needs.

Bus 11 2011 Blue Bird/ BB CV 2807S. Miles 127,120
Bus 8 1999 Freightliner/ Chassis FS65 Miles 96,867
Bus 14 2014 International/ Integrated CE S Bus Miles 94,845 (aka The Lemon) 

Rationale: 

Verdigre Public School contracts with ESU 1 to provide various special education and related services to meet student needs and fulfill district obligations.

Recent changes in school psychologist services require an adjustment to the existing contract and associated fees. Approval of the revised agreement will ensure that services, responsibilities, and costs are accurately reflected in the district's contractual arrangements.

Rationale: 

Providing access to appropriate mental health services is an important component of the district's efforts to support student well-being, improve student success, and strengthen its Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS).

The proposed agreement with Core Therapeutic Services would provide access to a licensed mental health professional who could offer direct student services, consult with school personnel, and assist in identifying appropriate interventions and supports.

The district is exploring funding options that may include adjustments to its ESU 1 special education services agreement, where allowable, or the use of federal Title IV-A funds. These funding sources could help offset the cost of providing these important services.

The proposed rate is $115 per hour, with services scheduled according to district needs and available funding.

Rationale: 

The district's existing security camera system is currently experiencing software issues that prevent school personnel from reliably accessing and viewing security camera footage.

A functioning security camera system is an important component of maintaining a safe and secure school environment for students, staff, and visitors. The current software is in need of updating to restore functionality and improve reliability.

Approval of the proposed upgrade would allow the district to address these deficiencies and restore access to its security camera system.

Rationale: 

The existing gymnasium scoreboards have served the district for many years and are becoming outdated. The north scoreboard is experiencing operational problems, including malfunctioning display lights that affect its visibility and functionality.

Replacing both scoreboards would improve the gymnasium facilities, provide more reliable equipment for athletic contests and school activities, and represent a long-term investment in district facilities.

Rationale: 

The district continues to experience challenges in securing substitute teachers when certified staff members are absent. As a result, existing teachers are sometimes asked to provide coverage during their scheduled preparation periods or assume additional instructional responsibilities.

The proposed amendment would increase compensation for teachers who give up their preparation periods to cover another teacher's class and establish a compensation provision for situations in which classes are combined due to substitute shortages or other staffing needs.

The combined-class provision would be particularly relevant in grades four, five, and six, where combining classes may be a practical solution when substitutes are unavailable.

These adjustments recognize the additional responsibilities assumed by teachers, provide fair compensation, and allow the district greater flexibility in maintaining instructional continuity.

 

Rationale: 

The district has an opportunity to improve its interest income by placing available funds that are not immediately needed for operational expenses into interest-bearing certificates of deposit.

This authorization would provide the superintendent and business manager flexibility to evaluate competitive interest rates, determine appropriate investment amounts and maturity dates, and manage district funds responsibly.

The superintendent and business manager would communicate with the Board Finance Committee regarding proposed investments and ensure that sufficient liquidity remains available to meet district financial obligations.

All investments would comply with Nebraska law and applicable district policies governing public funds.

Rationale: 

The district has an opportunity to increase interest income by utilizing money market accounts that offer competitive interest rates while maintaining access to funds needed for district operations.

Unlike certificates of deposit, money market deposit accounts generally provide greater liquidity, allowing the district to earn additional interest while retaining flexibility to access funds as necessary.

The superintendent and business manager would evaluate available rates and account terms, determine appropriate balances, and communicate with the Board Finance Committee regarding the establishment and management of these accounts.

This authorization would help the district maximize returns on available cash balances while maintaining responsible financial management and compliance with applicable requirements.

 

Rationale: 

In accordance with the superintendent's employment contract and applicable Nebraska requirements, the Board of Education is responsible for conducting a formal evaluation of the superintendent's performance.

As a first-year superintendent, the superintendent is to be evaluated twice during the school year, once during the first semester and again during the second semester. This evaluation fulfills the first-semester evaluation requirement for the 2026-2027 school year.

The evaluation process provides the Board an opportunity to assess the superintendent's performance, recognize areas of strength, identify opportunities for professional growth, and establish expectations for continued leadership of the district.

Additionally, the Board may wish to discuss its intentions regarding the superintendent's continued employment for the 2027-2028 school year. This discussion would allow the Board to determine whether it wishes to pursue continued employment with the current superintendent rather than initiate a search for other candidates. Any subsequent employment agreement, including compensation, benefits, and other contractual terms, would be subject to further negotiation and formal Board approval.