August 18, 2026 at 7:00 PM - Regular Meeting

Discussion:  President Sinner referenced the Nebraska Open Meetings Act as posted and noted that the Board reserves the right to rearrange the order of the agenda and to convene an executive session in accordance with § 84-1410. 

Discussion: 

Discussion: 

 

July 21, 2026  Approved Claims
Salaries, Benefits	$1,022,369.08
Prof. & Tech. Services; Staff Mileage	$   340,470.09
Leases, Utilities & Maintenance	$     19,573.35
Copies, Postage, Telephone & Travel	$      67,087.89
Supplies, Materials, Software & Other Utilities	$      94,047.22
Capital Assets	$    147,880.45
Dues, Fees & Indirect Costs	$       (4,382.73)
Total	$ 1,687,045.35

August 18, 2026
Salaries, Benefits	$  999,002.62
Prof. & Tech. Services; Staff Mileage	$  131,379.74
Leases, Utilities & Maintenance	$    29,149.59
Copies, Postage, Telephone & Travel	$     (1,832.21)
Supplies, Materials, Software & Other Utilities	$   115,214.61
Capital Assets	$   250,409.67
Dues & Fees & Indirect Costs	$       2,024.67
Total	$1,525,348.76

Discussion:  Calendar:

• August 19, 2026 - ESU 13 Administrative Advisory Council - Conference Room B/C - 2:00 PM
• August 19, 2026 - NASB Area Membership Meeting - Gering Civic Center - 5:00 PM (Sinner, Plog, Millette, Richards, Jones, Winchester, Marx, Barrett)
• September 3, 2026 - Finance Committee preview of 2026-2027 ESU 13 Budget - 12:00 PM
• September 7, 2026 - ESU 13 closed for Labor Day
• September 15, 2026 - Proposed Budget Hearing - 7:00 PM; Tax Hearing to follow and regular meeting to follow Tax Request Hearing
• September 29-30, 2026 - Labor Relations Conference - Lincoln
• November 18-20, 2026 - State Education Conference CHI Health Center, Omaha
• December 2-4, 2026 - AESA Annual Conference, Orlando, Florida - (Please let Stephanie know by September 15th if you plan on attending)

Discussion:  No Public Forum.

Discussion:  Reports: 

Discussion:  Head Start Director's Report, Policy Council, and Financial Reports: No discussion.

Discussion:  Dr. Carrizales provided the Board with updates on Psychological and Behavioral Health Services. She introduced two new Mental Health Grants: Grant #1, NURTURE, which focuses on preparing and training the future workforce, and Grant #2, NESBMH, which focuses on recruiting, respecializing, and retaining the workforce. Together, the grants will bring 16 school psychologists to the ESU 13 service area and Panhandle. The mission both grants is to implement on rural workforce strategy focused on preparing, recruiting, and retaining school psychologists to expand student access to school-based mental health services.

Discussion:  Administrator's Report:

• The Board received an update on the Meridian Addition Project. The project crews worked diligently to ensure students could begin school on August 19. A few issues outside the contractor’s control, including city permit and door delivery delays, contributed to a delayed start. For the first few weeks, lunch will be served in Conference Rooms B/C until the kitchen and multipurpose rooms are available.
• Dr. Barrett shared that we will have vacancies for the board members representing districts 5, 7, 9 in the General Election.
• Dr. Barrett reviewed the ESU 13 goals for 2026–27.
• Dr. Barrett recognized board members who have moved up a level in our Awards of Achievement: Eric Packer and Mandy Plog- Level I, Ronda Kinsey - Level II, Caroline Winchester and Scott Marsh - Level V, Mark Sinner, Patricia Jones and Tom Millette - Level VII
• Dr. Barrett shared that ESU 13 was included in the 2025-2026 Alicap Safety Honor Roll Schools/ESUs.
• State and Federal legislative updates were presented.
• Dr. Barrett gave recognition to Dr. Derek Peil, Director of VALTS Ed, who has been selected as the inaugural chair of the Nebraska Chapter of Alternative Education Program Supervisors and Nici Johnson, Director of Early Childhood, who has been selected to serve on the Nebraska Child Care Coalition Steering Committee.

Discussion:  Board Commitee Reports: No discussion.

Discussion:  Board Member Comments: No discussion.

Discussion:  Business: 

Discussion:  President Sinner adjourned the meeting @ 7:53 PM. The next regular meeting will be held on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, at the ESU 13 Main Office, 4215 Avenue I, Scottsbluff.