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

1. Call to Order and Pledge of Allegiance

Discussion:

Board President Desh called the meeting to order at 6:15 p.m. (immediately following the Public Hearing on the 2026-2027 District Tax Request).
Please note that the District Goals on the Sparq Agenda platform have been updated in alignment with our current Strategic Plan (2026-2031).

2. Announcement of the Open Meetings Act Posting

Discussion:

Board President Desh identified the location of the Open Meetings Act Poster on the meeting room wall.
- Special note: Copies of the updated (2026) Open Meetings Act documents were made available at the meeting.
  - A copy of the Open Meetings Act is also attached to this agenda item.

Attachments: (1)

OpenMeetingsAct.Updated July 2026

3. Staff and Student Presentations

Discussion:
The following is a list of staff and student presentations for September 14, 2026:

Community Kudos:
- Nima and Lucinda Faunce of Palmyra were recognized for their outstanding contributions through their collaboration and assistance with reorganizing and enhancing the media center at PHS.
Technology Integration in Kindergarten:
- The kindergarten teachers at Bennet Elementary presented information regarding technology and the use of Chromebooks in the classroom.
  - Discussion also included questions about student engagement and screen time.
Activities Update:
- Mr. Hart presented information relating to high school softball.
Additional discussion focused on communication of information through our district social media and website regarding non-school-sponsored activities.
Discussion also focused on ways to assist with post-game cleanup after activity events.

Attachments: (1)

Kindergarten Tech Integration.Board Presentation.September 14.2026

4. Consent Agenda

Discussion:

No further discussion.

4.1. Approval of Board Agenda

4.2. Approval of minutes of previous meetings

Attachments: (1)

Palmyra District OR-1 - Board of Education Regular Meeting Minutes for Monday.August 10. 2026

4.3. Approval of Claims/Payment of Bills and Payroll

Attachments: (3)

4.4. Certificated/Classified Hire(s)/Reassignment(s)/Resignation(s)

4.5. Financial Reports

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Motion to approve as discussed. This motion, made by Dee Moore and seconded by Josh Penterman, Passed.

Cheney : Absent
Busch: Yea
Calfee: Yea
Desh: Yea
Moore: Yea
Penterman: Yea

No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.

Attachments: (2)

5. Public Comment

Discussion:

No public comment occurred at the meeting,

6. Administrative Reports

6.1. Superintendent's Report

Discussion: Special Note:

Due to heavy rain and numerous severe weather warnings throughout the evening, the board meeting was temporarily interrupted during this agenda item to move all the meeting attendees to a "safe shelter" within the high school building.
- The meeting was moved to a first-floor classroom with no outside windows for the remainder of the meeting.
Once all attendees were safely relocated within the "safe shelter", the meeting resumed in alignment with the information listed below.

Superintendent Hart presented information on the following topics:

Student, Staff, and Community Kudos:
- Power Outage: Staff and Student Response at Bennet
- Homecoming Coin Exchange for Seniors and Kindergartners
- "High Five Fridays" at Bennet
- Homecoming Royalty
- Lauren Johnson: National Champion
- North Bend Central positive phone call
- Casey's: delivering food for staff at both buildings
- Fall Activities Update
FCCLA Newsletter
Flu shots on 10/7 PD Day
Facilities and Transportation Update:
- Olson Complex: "S" Gate
- District Vehicles
- Taggart Park Update
- Mower Update /Trade-In
Notice of "Closed Session"
Highway #2 Construction Update
"Beginning of School" Feedback
Facility Access Update
- S Gate at Olson
- Fitness Center
- Gym Usage
Capital Conference Update
Building Projects Update
2027-2028 Calendar Committee
Community Early Childhood Initiative Update
Palmyra Board: Street Repair Reimbursement
"Champions" Program Update
Option Enrollment Update

Attachments: (3)

6.1.1. Discussion regarding a potential board resolution to increase the district's base growth percentage by 6%.

Discussion:

Discussion included a review of the resolution to increase the district's base growth percentage by up to an additional six percent or another maximum amount as permitted by law.
In the past, the board voted to approve this additional percentage, but the district has not needed to utilize the capability to do so.
This resolution is an action item later in the board meeting.

Attachments: (1)

Resolution of the Board of Education to Increase Base Growth Percentage to Determine Its Property Tax Request Authority for the 2026-2027 School Year.

6.1.2. 2026-2027 District Budget and Tax Request Presentation

Discussion:

Superintendent Hart presented information on the 2026-2027 projected district budget and tax request.
The budget presentation document is also attached to this agenda item.

Attachments: (3)

6.2. Administrative Team Report

Discussion:
The following topics were covered during the administrative board report section of the meeting:

Parent-Teacher Conferences
No school on September 24th or 25th
"Senior Highlight" at PHS
Student Graduation Regalia Walk Idea
"Return to Learn" Protocol
Special thanks to Mr. Kotik and Mr. Baumert for their extra assistance with 504 plans and student attendance at the high school
PHS Professional Leadership Team (PLT)
Fifth Grade Legacy Project
Bennet Fun Run
LETRS / AIM Pathways Professional Development
NEE evaluation cycle and Staff Growth Plans
September 4th power outage update
MAPS and NSCAS Assessments
Special Education Update
Science and Spanish Curriculum Update

Attachments: (4)

7. Discussion Items- Committee Reports

Attachments: (1)

2026 Board Committee Assignments_ District OR.1. Updated and Approved. January 12. 2026 (2)

7.1. Curriculum: Committee on American Civics Update

Discussion:

The next committee meeting will be on Wednesday, October 14th, 2026, at Palmyra High School from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m.
- This meeting is a public meeting.

7.2. Facilities and Transportation Committee

Discussion:

Superintendent Hart summarized information from the latest meeting held on Wednesday, August 12th.

7.3. Negotiations Committee Update

Discussion:

The Insurance Task Force Committee is scheduled to meet on Wednesday, September 30th, at 3:30 p.m. at PHS.

7.4. Strategic Planning Update

Discussion:

Superintendent Hart provided an update on the work and planning aligned with our updated district Strategic Plan (2026-2031).
- "Rooms" and Website Update
- PHS Eligibility Discussion
- PHS Tardy Policy Update
- PHS Student Attendance Update
- Upcoming Professional Development

Attachments: (2)

7.5. Technology Committee Update

Discussion:

The next Technology Committee meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, September 30th, beginning at 4:00 p.m. at PHS.
Additional topics that will be discussed at the meeting include:
- Artificial Intelligence (AI)
- Chromebook Usage
- Classroom Assignments and Assessments
- Digital Communication: Procedures and Resources
- Social Media and Cybersecurity:
- Free Play

Attachments: (2)

7.6. Wellness Committee Update

Discussion:

The next District Wellness Committee meeting is scheduled for Thursday, September 24th, 2026, beginning at 2:00 p.m. at Bennet Elementary School.

Attachments: (1)

Policy #5417-Wellness-Policy.District OR.1.Reviewed.1.23.24.docx

8. Policy Review

Discussion:

The next Policy Committee Meeting is scheduled for Thursday, November 5th, 2026, beginning at 3:30 p.m. at PHS.

9. Action Items

9.1. Discuss, consider, and take all necessary action to approve the Resolution to increase in the district's base growth percentage by up to an additional six percent or other maximum amount as permitted by law

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Motion to approve as discussed. This motion, made by Josh Penterman and seconded by Jaimi Calfee, Passed.

Cheney : Absent
Busch: Yea
Calfee: Yea
Desh: Yea
Moore: Nay
Penterman: Yea

No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.

Discussion:

No further discussion.

Attachments: (1)

Resolution of the Board of Education to Increase Base Growth Percentage to Determine Its Property Tax Request Authority for the 2026-2027 School Year.

9.2. Discuss, consider, and take action on the update of the Option Enrollment Appendix for the 2026-2027 school year.

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Motion to approve the option enrollment Appendix update for the 2026-2027 school year as discussed. This motion, made by Dean Busch and seconded by Dee Moore, Passed.

Cheney : Absent
Busch: Yea
Calfee: Yea
Desh: Yea
Moore: Yea
Penterman: Yea

No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.

Discussion:

No further discussion, as this item was discussed earlier in the meeting.

Attachments: (1)

Option Enrollment. Policy 5006--Resolution & Appendix 1. Updated.9.14.2026.Final (1)

10. Board of Education Development

Discussion:
Highlights discussed at the meeting regarding board member professional development:

NASB Area Membership Meeting Summary
NASB August "Board Notes" document is attached.
State Education Conference: November 18-20 in Omaha.
- Board members should let Mr. Hart know if they are interested in attending the State Conference in November or any other professional development opportunity.

Attachments: (1)

NASB. Board Notes for August-2026

11. Topics for Next Month’s Agenda

Discussion:

Superintendent Evaluation
Policy Updates
Curriculum Reports
District Annual Audit
Strategic Planning
Personnel
Activities
Staff and Student Kudos
Committee Updates:
- Technology
- Policy
- Negotiations
- Transportation
Staff and Student Presentations
Other items as needed.

12. Closed Session

Discussion:

A closed session is tentatively scheduled for the meeting.

12.1. Convene Closed Session

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

"Motion to go into closed session regarding a discussion of personnel matters, which such closed session is clearly necessary for the prevention of needless injury to the reputation of an individual, and if such an individual has not requested a public meeting.". This motion, made by Josh Penterman and seconded by Jaimi Calfee, Passed.

Cheney : Absent
Busch: Yea
Calfee: Yea
Desh: Yea
Moore: Yea
Penterman: Yea

No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.

Discussion:

The closed session began at 7:55 p.m.
The motion to enter closed session was stated again:
- "Motion to go into closed session regarding a discussion of personnel matters, which such closed session is clearly necessary for the prevention of needless injury to the reputation of an individual, and if such an individual has not requested a public meeting."

12.2. Reconvene Meeting from Closed Session

Discussion:

No board action was taken during the closed session.
- The closed session ended at 8:49 p.m.

13. Adjournment

Discussion:

The meeting was adjourned at 8:49 p.m.

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

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