January 12, 2026 at 7:30 PM - Regular Meeting

Discussion:  President T. Tegeler called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.  Members present were:  Broberg, Johnsen, Negus, Schutt, R. Tegeler and T. Tyler.  Absent:  none.

Discussion:  President T. Tegeler stated that notice of the meeting was published in the January 7, 2026 issues of the Tilden Citizen/Meadow Grove News and the Antelope County News.

Discussion:  Johnsen nominated R. Tegeler for board president.  Negus nominated T. Tegeler for president.  Using a paper vote, T. Tegeler was elected as board president for 2026 by a 4-2 vote.  Negus nominated R. Tegeler for vice president.  Nominations ceased.  R. Tegeler will serve as vice president for 2026.  President T. Tegeler then appointed Darin Hahne as board secretary and Janice Remmereid as district treasurer.

Discussion:  Discussion was held about board committee assignments.  Board members would like to keep their 2025 assignments for 2026, especially the building committee for continuity during the construction of the sports complex. 

Discussion:  President T. Tegeler referred to the open meetings law and welcomed visitors.   There was no public comment.

Discussion:  This item was not needed as all board members were in attendance.

Discussion:  President T. Tegeler asked if there were any questions about the minutes of the December 8, 2025 meeting.  There were none.  The minutes stand approved.

Discussion:  President T. Tegeler asked if there were any questions about the December, 2025 financial report.  There were none.  The report stands approved.

Discussion:  Mr. Hahne explained that the negotiations committee met a couple of times with the EVEA negotiations committee.  The two committees agreed to raise base salary by $800 to $41,350 and to remove the professional growth requirement to have 30 points during a teacher's 6 year period come from college classes.

Discussion:  Mr. Hahne told the board about meeting with both principals to develop a proposed calendar for 26-27.  There were questions about the time off for Christmas, state wrestling and spring break as well as moving some of those days to other places during the year.  

Discussion:  NPPD needs payment up front to do some of the infrastructure work at the sports complex, including ordering the transformer.  This expense is part of the interlocal agreement between the school, the city and Jerry Dittrich.  

Discussion:  Mr. Hahne spoke to the board about hiring our own speech language pathologist instead of contracting with ESU 8.  The ESU contract for 26-27 will include an increase in time we have a pathologist in the building.  Having our own pathologist should save approximately $20,000 each year.

Discussion:  Mr. Black told the board about updates to the safety plan.  There will be meetings with parents January 21 and January 26 to review the standard protocols so parents understand the process before we have a trial run with students.  JH and HS will be trained February 4th.  He is collecting data to help rescue personnel such as the fire department, EMT's and police understand our procedures.  The kindergarten teaching position has been filled as of January 12th.  Mrs. Novicki mentioned a report she received from John Baylor.  Of the 10 states that require students to take the ACT test, Nebraska has the highest average score.  Eighth grade students will take the NAEP test.  She is training on the Lexia Aspire reading program through an ESU 8 grant before our teachers receive training.  There are several upcoming dates for teachers: workshop (1/19), Inservice (2//4), parent teacher conferences (2/11) as well as many student activities.

Discussion:  R. Tegeler asked for clarification of the classified staff negotiations/raises process. Mr. Hahne explained that raises are left up to the board and are usually handled in the spring. R. Tegeler also asked about results from the superintendent evaluation.  The results have not been sent to the board president so Mr. Hahne will reach out to see when the results are expected to be sent. R. Tegeler brought up early retirement payments.  Mr. Hahne said there have been no requests for this year.

Discussion:  Mr. Hahne reminded board members of the incumbent filing deadline.

Discussion:  Hotel reservations have been made for all board members so Mr. Hahne needs to know who is going and who isn't.  

Discussion:  Footings for the concession stand and bleachers have been poured.  Plumbing is in place.  Throwing pits are poured. Pit covers will be green & grey. Light poles are up.  It will take 6-8 weeks for the transformer to arrive after NPPD orders it.  Speaker bids are within $1700 of each other so the board decided to go with the Kidwell bid. The NoSwet Fencing bid is $4000 more for black vinyl coating around the pit practice area.  Sprinklers will be installed in the spring.

Discussion:  TeamMates hired Anne Dexter as co-coordinator.  Last month the board decided to only pay the wage of Dave Rittscher.  Rittscher has since decided to retire effective February 20, 2026.  The TeamMates board has now asked if the district would pay the wage of Dexter.  The board is willing to do so.  

Discussion:  There being no further business, President T. Tegeler adjourned the meeting at 8:48 p.m.