October 16, 2026 at 8:30 AM - ESUCC Regular Board Meeting
| Regular Board | |
| Attendance Taken on 10/16/2026 at 8:30 AM | |
| Dr. Laura Barrett | Absent |
| Dr. Kanyon Chism | Present |
| Corey Dahl | Present |
| Geraldine Erickson | Present |
| Drew Harris | Present |
| Dr. Bill Heimann | Present |
| Mitch Hoffer | Present |
| Dr. Brian Maschmann | Present |
| James McGown | Absent |
| Dr. Brenda McNiff | Absent |
| Dr. Takako Olson | Absent |
| Marci Ostmeyer | Present |
| Phillip Picquet | Present |
| John Poppert | Present |
| Gregg Robke | Absent |
| Dr. Dan Schnoes (NE) | Present |
| Dr. Melissa Wheelock | Present |
| Present: 12, Absent: 5 | |
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Comments:
Gerald Kuhn not in attendance.
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| Regular Board | |
| Attendance Taken on 10/16/2026 at 8:32 AM | |
| Dr. Laura Barrett | Absent |
| Dr. Kanyon Chism | Present |
| Corey Dahl | Present |
| Geraldine Erickson | Present |
| Drew Harris | Present |
| Dr. Bill Heimann | Present |
| Mitch Hoffer | Present |
| Dr. Brian Maschmann | Present |
| James McGown | Absent |
| Dr. Brenda McNiff | Absent |
| Dr. Takako Olson | Absent |
| Marci Ostmeyer | Present |
| Phillip Picquet | Present |
| John Poppert | Present |
| Gregg Robke | Absent |
| Dr. Dan Schnoes (NE) | Present |
| Dr. Melissa Wheelock | Present |
| Present: 12, Absent: 5 | |
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Comments:
Gerald Kuhn not in attendance.
Gerald Kuhn arrived at 8:32am. |
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| Minutes | |
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1. Call to Order
Speaker(s):
Board President
Agenda Item Type:
Procedural Item
Discussion:
The Board Meeting was called to order at 8:30am.
Attachments:
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1.1. Roll Call
Speaker(s):
Board President
Agenda Item Type:
Procedural Item
Discussion:
Dr. Laura Barrett will be absent. Dr. Brenda McNiff will be absent.
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2. Welcome Visitors
Speaker(s):
Board President
Agenda Item Type:
Information Item
Discussion:
No visitors present.
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3. Public Comment
Speaker(s):
Board President
Agenda Item Type:
Information Item
Discussion:
No public comments provided.
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4. Consent Agenda Items
Speaker(s):
Board President
Agenda Item Type:
Action Item
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
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4.1. Approval of Minutes
Speaker(s):
Board President
Agenda Item Type:
Consent Item
Attachments:
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4.2. Travel Expenses Exceeding Per Diem
Speaker(s):
Board President
Agenda Item Type:
Consent Item
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4.3. Policy 3003. Financial Report
Speaker(s):
Board President
Agenda Item Type:
Consent Item
Attachments:
()
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4.4. Policy 3005. Annual Financial Report
Speaker(s):
Board President
Agenda Item Type:
Consent Item
Attachments:
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4.5. Policy 3006. Periodic Audit
Speaker(s):
Board President
Agenda Item Type:
Consent Item
Attachments:
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4.6. Policy 3028. Computer Acceptable Use Policy
Speaker(s):
Board President
Agenda Item Type:
Consent Item
Attachments:
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4.7. Policy 4018. Staff Social Media Use
Speaker(s):
Board President
Agenda Item Type:
Consent Item
Attachments:
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4.8. Cooperative Purchasing Contracts
Speaker(s):
Board President
Agenda Item Type:
Consent Item
Attachments:
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5. Project Profile - Canvas
Speaker(s):
Project Leaders
Agenda Item Type:
Information Item
Discussion:
Shara Johnson and William (Bill) Schroeder, Canvas Specialists, reviewed the attached ESUCC Board Presentation 2026 slideshow. Board discussion included questions regarding course certifications, the potential use of Canvas in distance learning, and access for districts that do not currently use Canvas. The presenters clarified that certifications are provided by subject-matter experts from the Nebraska Department of Education (NDE) or other contracted subject-matter experts. They also noted that the professional learning modules in Canvas are designed for educators and are not configured for student use at this time. Districts that do not currently use Canvas can still access the courses by registering for a Canvas account through the Nebraska Department of Education (NDE).
Attachments:
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6. Petitions and Communications to the Board
Speaker(s):
Board President
Agenda Item Type:
Information Item
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6.1. Learning Community Update
Speaker(s):
Gerald Kuhn
Agenda Item Type:
Information Item
Discussion:
Gerald Kuhn, Learning Community, reviewed the attached Gerald Kuhn Learning Community Report 10.6.2026 document.
Attachments:
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Goals:
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6.2. NCSA - Ambassador Program Updates
Speaker(s):
Kevin Wingard, NCSA
Agenda Item Type:
Information Item
Discussion:
Kevin Wingard, NCSA Ambassador, reviewed the attached NCSA Ambassador ESUCC Report - October 2026 document.
Attachments:
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6.3. State Board of Education and Nebraska Department of Education Report
Speaker(s):
Brad Dirksen, NDE
Agenda Item Type:
Information Item
Discussion:
Brad Dirksen, NDE Educational Effectiveness Officer, provided an update on the Canvas Science of Reading Awareness course and draft designation reports. He noted that the designation reports are currently in draft form, with public release expected at the end of November.
Links:
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6.4. Association of Education Service Agency (AESA) Report
Speaker(s):
AESA Representative
Agenda Item Type:
Information Item
Discussion:
ESU 1 Administrator, Dr. Heimann, and ESU 3 Administrator, Dr. Schnoes, attended an AESA event in Fargo, North Dakota. Discussion focused on continuing to educate partners, strengthening collaborative relationships, and advancing legislative efforts. Cybersecurity was also discussed. The event was described as a symposium rather than a traditional conference, providing CEOs with opportunities for intentional discussion and the exchange of perspectives with leaders from educational agencies in other states. Regional partnerships were emphasized as an important component of this work. Next year’s event is expected to be held in Illinois around the same time. ESUCC CEO, Dr. Polk, ESU 3 Administrator, Dr. Schnoes, ESU 13 Administrator, Dr. Barrett, and several ESU 3 staff members traveled to Washington, D.C., to meet with Nebraska’s congressional representatives. The group discussed federal grant funding received by Nebraska and encouraged continued communication with congressional representatives, including expressing appreciation for the federal grants that support Nebraska’s educational programs. It was noted that participation by at least three, and preferably four or more, administrators is important to support these advocacy meetings. The AESA Annual Conference will be held in Orlando, Florida, in early December. ESUCC CLO, Andrew Easton, will host a podcast during the conference.
Goals:
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7. Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Report
Speaker(s):
CEO Polk
Agenda Item Type:
Information Item
Discussion:
ESUCC CEO, Dr. Polk, reviewed the attached CEO Report to the Board - October 2026 document.
Attachments:
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8. SMART Committee Report
Speaker(s):
Committee Chair
Agenda Item Type:
Information Item
Discussion:
Phillip Picquet, ESU 15 Administrator, and ESUCC CEO Dr. Larianne Polk provided an update from the SMART Admin Workgroup meeting. An update to SMART is expected to roll out next week and will include a modernized interface and appearance. |
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9. Committee Reports
Speaker(s):
Board President
Agenda Item Type:
Information Item
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9.1. Executive Committee Report
Speaker(s):
Board President
Agenda Item Type:
Information Item
Discussion:
ESUCC Board President, Dr. Heimann, reviewed the draft Cash Reserve document at a high level. Dr. Heimann encouraged the board to take time to review the attachment. The Cash Reserve document will be discussed again in the November Board Meeting.
Dr. Heimann sent out the CEO Evaluation Google Document to the ESUCC Board members and encouraged them to respond by the deadline indicated in the email.
Attachments:
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9.1.1. Claims, Financial Statements, and Assets for the Month of September
Speaker(s):
ESUCC Treasurer
Agenda Item Type:
Action Item
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
Discussion:
ESUCC CEO, Dr. Polk, reviewed the attached Budget Summary Sept 2026 Updated document.
Attachments:
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9.1.2. September Expenses to be Paid in October
Speaker(s):
ESUCC Treasurer
Agenda Item Type:
Action Item
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
Attachments:
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9.2. Education Resources
Speaker(s):
Committee Chair(s)
Agenda Item Type:
Information Item
Discussion:
Marci Ostmeyer, ESU 7 Administrator, provided the Educational Resources Committee Meeting update. The ESU Special Populations Directors (ESPD) and Teaching and Learning through Innovation (TLI) affiliates provided an update at the Educational Resources Committee meeting. The EDGAR Academy was held in Lincoln, Nebraska on October 14, 2026. Reports reviewed at the Educational Resources Committee meeting are linked and attached below.
Attachments:
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Links:
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9.3. Legal Committee
Speaker(s):
Committee Chair(s)
Agenda Item Type:
Information Item
Discussion:
Dr. Wheelock, ESU 10 Administrator, provided the update for the Legal Committee meeting. Craig Peterson, Coop Director, reviewed his attached 2026-10 Coop Peterson Report document.
Jason Bromm and Payton Coulter from Bromm & Associates attended to provide a legislative update to the Board.
Attachments:
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9.4. Information Services Committee
Speaker(s):
Committee Chair(s)
Agenda Item Type:
Information Item
Discussion:
Dr. Maschmann provided the Information Services committee meeting update to the board meeting.
Attachments:
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10. ESU Share Out and New Chief Administrator Topics
Speaker(s):
Board President
Agenda Item Type:
Information Item
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11. Take Aways
Speaker(s):
CEO Polk
Agenda Item Type:
Information Item
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12. Adjournment
Speaker(s):
Board President
Agenda Item Type:
Procedural Item
Discussion:
The Board Meeting adjourned at 11:45am.
Minutes respectfully submitted by Mindy Reed, Executive Secretary to the ESUCC CEO. |
