May 12, 2025 at 6:00 PM - Board of Education Regular Meeting

1. Call to Order

1.1. Roll Call

1.2. Recognition of Open Meeting Law

1.3. Pledge of Allegiance

2. Reports, Communications & Public Participation

2.1. Presentation from State eSports team - Dylan Rouse

2.2. Central Kids Poster winners - Digital Citizenship - Tina Williams

2.3. Board accepts public comments

3. Approve the consent agenda, which includes the minutes and financials

3.1. Approval of Expenditures/Payroll for April 2025

4. Reports from Staff Members and Committees

4.1. Committee on American Civics

4.2. Programs Committee

4.3. Administrator's written reports

4.4. Superintendent's report

End of the School Year and Summer School Start Dates

• The last day of the school year for students is Friday, May 16.
• High school and Jr. High summer school will start on Tuesday, May 27th
• The elementary's summer school will start on Monday, June 2
  • Elementary summer school will end on June 26

Career and Technical Education (CTE) Expansion

• McCook Public Schools is expanding Career and Technical Education (CTE) through the addition of a new instructor and a proposed bond-funded industrial arts facility.
• The new teacher will offer hands-on construction, welding in partnership with the local college, and small engine repair. The new facility will provide a modern, collaborative, industry-aligned workspace designed to meet 21st-century workforce needs.
• This initiative aims to build a skilled local workforce, close opportunity gaps through innovative partnerships, and drive economic and community development by engaging students in real-world projects.
• Ultimately, this investment modernizes education, strengthens community ties, and signals strong support for CTE and the professionals who lead it.

• Expands student access to high-demand trade skills and real-world learning opportunities.
• Attracts and retains qualified CTE instructors with modern, professional-grade facilities.
• Supports local industries by aligning education with workforce needs.
• Promotes student pride, responsibility, and connection to the McCook community.

LB 390 School Library Transparency

• LB 390 mandates that, starting with the 2026-2027 school year, each school district must: 
  • Publish an online catalog of all books available in school libraries, organized by school building.
  • Parent notifications be made available.
    • We have some capacity for this already in place. 
    • Our platform company has a method of allowing parents to receive notifications, but will require some additional work on our end and our parents will need to take some steps to gain access. 
• We will be working through this during the next school year. 

NDE Strategic Planning Session

• The planning session is scheduled for May 15, at 1:00 p.m., at the MPCC's East Campus Building in conference room 1.
• Provide input to NDE concerning the vision and direction of the NDE under the new strategic plan.
• Focus group sessions are scheduled for 90 minutes.
• Reference 

The Nebraska Department of Education’s 2017 plan and reflective summary

1. Leadership – Restructure NDE to better support schools, enhance educator development, and improve data systems and interagency collaboration.
2. Positive Partnerships & Student Success – Foster engagement with families and communities, reduce dropout and absenteeism, and implement personal learning plans for grades 7–12.
3. Transitions – Support smooth student transitions across grade levels and into careers or college, with attention to graduation rates and mobility challenges.
4. Educational Opportunities & Access – Expand equitable access to early childhood education, dual credit, digital resources, and career certification.
5. College, Career & Civic Readiness – Prepare students for life beyond high school through civic education, early interventions, and postsecondary success tracking.
6. Assessment – Use assessments strategically to inform instruction and improve student proficiency in reading, math, and science.
7. Educator Effectiveness – Ensure qualified teachers through performance-based evaluations, proper endorsements, and alignment with Rule 10.

Part 2: Condensed Commentary and Recommendations:

1. Focus on What Matters Most
   1. The plan’s broad scope limits effectiveness. NDE should prioritize PK–12 student learning and teacher development, reducing distractions from less central goals.
2. Insist on Clear Metrics and Accountability
   1. Initiatives must include concrete action steps and measurable outcomes. Aspirational goals without defined criteria undermine progress.
3. Choose Goals Based on Impact, Not Appeal
   1. Strategic goals should be selected for their educational value and feasibility, not political or trend-driven appeal. Overcommitting risks accomplishing nothing.

4.5. Business Manager Report

4.6. Board member comments

5. New Business

5.1. Accept resignations

5.2. Approve contract for Allison Hislop - SH Science

5.3. Approve contract for Tanner Unger - CTE (Career & Technical Education) Teacher

5.4. Accept with gratitude, a donation from Optimist Club of McCook in the amount of $2,400 for the NORE group trip.

5.5. Accept with gratitude a donation from the McCook Foundation in the amount of $3,000 for the NORE group trip.

5.6. Accept with gratitude a gift from the McCook Education Foundation in the amount of $1,000.00 for the 4th Grade field trip to the Kearney Archway

5.7. Approve Cooperative Agreement between Southwest and McCook Schools for Boys and Girls Swimming for 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 school years

5.8. Approve to pay Professional Engineering Services for new parking lot to W Design using special building fund

6. Positive Comments

7. Adjournment

8. Items for Review