January 13, 2025 at 6:00 PM - Scottsbluff Board of Education Regular Meeting
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1. Opening Procedures
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1.a. Call to Order by Dr. Andrew Dick, Superintendent
Discussion:
The Regular Board of Education meeting was called to order by Superintendent Dr. Andrew Dick at 6:00 PM.
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1.b. Roll Call
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1.c. Excuse Absent Member(s)
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2. Pledge of Allegiance
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3. Open Meetings Law
Discussion:
This meeting was held in accordance to the Open Meetings Act. Notice of this meeting was published in the Star-Herald and on the Scottsbluff Public Schools website.
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4. Annual Reorganizational Meeting
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4.a. Election of Officers
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4.a.1. President
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
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4.a.2. New President Presiding - Elections Continue
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4.a.3. Vice President
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
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4.a.4. Treasurer
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
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4.a.5. Secretary
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
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4.b. Approval of Committees, Positions, & Delegations
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4.b.1. Consider, discuss, and take action to elect Secretary to the Board of Education
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
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4.b.2. Consider, discuss, and take action to select legal counsel
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
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4.b.3. Consider, discuss, and take action to select architect
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
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4.b.4. Consider, discuss, and take action to elect Committees and Special Appointments as determined by the Board of Education
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
Discussion:
There were no changes made to the Board Committee assignments or appointments.
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4.b.4.A. Curriculum and Instruction/Americanism Committee (Facilitator: Mike Mason)
Current Members: Beth Merrigan, Scott Reisig, Paul Snyder |
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4.b.4.B. Facility Committee (Facilitator: Marianne Carlson)
Current Members: Mark Lang, Rob Polk, Scott Reisig |
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4.b.4.C. Finance Committee (Facilitator: Marianne Carlson)
Current Members: Beth Merrigan, Tory Schwartz, Paul Snyder |
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4.b.4.D. Student Services Committee (Facilitator: Dr. Wendy Kemling)
Current Members: Rob Polk, Tory Schwartz, Paul Snyder |
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4.b.4.E. Policy Committee (Facilitator: Dr. Andrew Dick)
Current Members: Rob Polk, Tory Schwartz, Paul Snyder |
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4.b.4.F. Classified Salaried Representative
Current Appointee: Mark Lang |
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4.b.4.G. SBPS Foundation Representative
Current Appointee: Tory Schwartz |
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4.b.5. Consider, discuss, and take action on select Depository Bank(s)
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
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4.b.5.A. Platte Valley Bank
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4.b.5.B. Riverstone Bank
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4.b.5.C. Nebraska Liquid Asset Fund
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4.b.6. Consider, discuss, and take action to select the District newspaper(s) of record
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
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4.c. Consent Appointments and Designations
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
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4.c.1. Auditor: Dana F. Cole & Company
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4.c.2. Title IX Coordinator: Dr. Wendy Kemling
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4.c.3. School Physician: Regional West Physicians Clinic
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4.c.4. Federal Authorized Representative: Dr. Andrew Dick
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4.d. Approval of Current Board Policies and Regulations
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
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4.e. Dissemination to each Board Member of Conflict of Interest Statutes
Discussion:
Each Board member received a copy of the Nebraska Conflict of Interest Statutes.
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5. Consent Agenda
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
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5.a. Adopt Agenda
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5.b. Approval of Certified Staff Hire
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5.b.1. Ashley Jackson, Vocal Music Teacher, Bluffs Middle School
Attachments:
()
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5.c. Approval of Certified Staff Resignation
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5.c.1. Tracy Henderson, German Teacher, Scottsbluff High School
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5.c.2. Taylor Luedke, Special Education, Scottsbluff High School
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5.d. Approval of Certified Staff Retirement
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5.d.1. Dave Hoxworth, Activities Director/Assistant Principal, Scottsbluff High School
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5.e. Approve Minutes as follows:
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5.e.1. December 9, 2024
Attachments:
()
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6. Expenditures
Attachments:
()
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6.a. Expenditures, without Douglas, Kelly, Ostdiek, Snyder, Ossian and Vogl, P.C., Rob Polk, and Tory Schwartz: $1,985,737.64
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
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6.b. Expenditures for Douglas, Kelly, Ostdiek, Snyder, Ossian and Vogl, P.C.: $1,236.25.
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
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6.c. Expenditures for Rob Polk: $32.42
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
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6.d. Expenditure for Tory Schwartz: $870.00
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
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7. Awards and Recognitions
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7.a. NMEA All-State Middle Level String Orchestra
Speaker(s):
Ashley Hillman
Discussion:
Bluffs Middle School Principal Jana Mason spoke.
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8. Student Report
Speaker(s):
Ava Reed
Discussion:
Scottsbluff High School student Ava Reed gave an update to the Board of Education. Ava stated Scottsbluff High School students had a great finish to the first semester and December was full of student highlights. Junior Allison Baer was selected to attend the AFJROTC Flight Academy for the summer of 2025. Scottsbluff High School had 17 students earn their Basic Nursing Certification. The Drill Team won their division at the UDA Regionals held at Gretna East. Seven students were selected to the Oregon Trail Honor Band and four students were selected to the Underclassman Kearney Honor Band. The SHS Choir had ten students selected for the Hastings Honor Choir. Both local and state news agencies published All-State and All-Region Teams for the fall, featuring many Bearcat athletes. SHS hosted the first Border Brawl basketball tournament during finals week, which attracted a wide range of teams from throughout the region. The tournament was very successful and was a great event for students and the community. The Fine Arts Departments put on numerous outstanding concerts and theater performances throughout the month of December, and many Career Student Organizations participated in volunteer opportunities serving within the community through the holidays. Ava stated the SHS students are looking forward to building on the success of the fall semester, and on behalf of all SHS students, wished the Board members an early Happy Board Appreciation Week. Ava thanked the Board members for their hard work and dedication, and the continued opportunities provided to Scottsbluff High School students.
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9. Public Comment - a total of 120 minutes will be allotted (no more than 5 minutes per speaker).
Discussion:
There were no members of the public present who wished to the address the Board of Education.
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10. Update
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10.a. Strategic Priority #1 - Recruit and Retain
Speaker(s):
Marianne Carlson
Discussion:
Executive Director of Finance Marianne Carlson provided an update to the Board of Education on Strategic Priority #1 - "Scottsbluff Public Schools Commits to Attracting, Developing, and Retaining Highly Qualified Staff."
Attachments:
()
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11. Unfinished Business
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11.a. Board Policy Review & Revision - 7000 Series - “New Construction” - Second Reading
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
Attachments:
()
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11.b. Board Policy Review, Revision, and Consolidation of the 8000 Series - “Internal Board Policies” and the 9000 Series - “Bylaws of the Board” - Second Reading
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
Attachments:
()
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12. New Business
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12.a. Approval of the District’s Asbestos Designee
Speaker(s):
Travis Rickey
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
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12.b. Scottsbluff Public Schools District Boundary Map
Speaker(s):
Melissa Price
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
Links:
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12.c. Teacher Laptop Bid
Speaker(s):
David Davis
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
Attachments:
()
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12.d. DALI Chromebooks
Speaker(s):
David Davis
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
Attachments:
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12.e. Tuition for Non-Resident Students
Speaker(s):
Marianne Carlson
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
Attachments:
()
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12.f. Bear Cub Preschool Playground
Speaker(s):
Marianne Carlson
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
Attachments:
()
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12.g. Scottsbluff Public Schools Education Center Surplus Disposal
Speaker(s):
Marianne Carlson
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
Attachments:
()
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13. Reports and Proposals
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13.a. Board Members
Discussion:
Board Member Tory Schwartz stated he was glad to see everyone back from Winter Break and wished students and staff well as the Spring semester begins.
Board Member Paul Snyder addressed his fellow Board members, noting this particular group of members has been the most enjoyable to work with during his time on the Board of Education. He stated the intuition of the group as a whole far surpasses any other Board he has been a part of, and all members take a unique approach to problem-solving. Mr. Snyder stated the different histories and vocations that each member brings to the table makes for wonderful discussions. He noted that the background each member comes from has helped the Board to arrive where they are currently at. |
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13.b. Board Committee Reports
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13.b.1. Curriculum & Instruction/Americanism Committee - Next Meeting: January 17, 2025 @ 11:30 AM
Speaker(s):
Mike Mason
Discussion:
No report.
Attachments:
()
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13.b.2. Facility Committee - Next Meeting: February 4, 2025 @ 12:00 PM
Speaker(s):
Marianne Carlson
Discussion:
No report.
Attachments:
()
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13.b.3. Finance Committee - Next Meeting: February 3, 2025 @ 11:30 AM
Speaker(s):
Marianne Carlson
Discussion:
No report.
Attachments:
()
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13.b.4. Student Services Committee - Next Meeting: January 16, 2025 @ 11:30 AM
Speaker(s):
Dr. Wendy Kemling
Discussion:
No report.
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13.c. From the Administrative Staff
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13.c.1. Executive Director of Finance
Speaker(s):
Marianne Carlson
Discussion:
Executive Director of Finance updated the Board of Education on an approved change order for the Early Childhood project as per Board Policy 3133.
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13.c.2. Executive Director of Student Services
Speaker(s):
Dr. Wendy Kemling
Discussion:
No report.
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13.c.3. Executive Director of Curriculum and Instruction
Speaker(s):
Mike Mason
Discussion:
No report.
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13.c.4. Superintendent
Speaker(s):
Dr. Andrew Dick
Discussion:
Superintendent Dr. Andrew Dick congratulated Scott Reisig on his election to another term as Board President. Dr. Dick also congratulated Beth Merrigan on her election to another term as Board Vice President.
Dr. Dick gave a special recognition to Scottsbluff High School Assistant Principal/Activities Director Dave Hoxworth, who has served SBPS in a number of different roles over the last 31 years, with the last 10 being in the position of Activities Director, a position that demands a significant amount of time. Dr. Dick noted Mr. Hoxworth has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to the students and staff of SBPS, and he will certainly be missed and leaves huge shoes to fill. Dr. Dick stated Mr. Hoxworth is very well-respected by his peers, as evidenced by him receiving the Nebraska Activities Director of the Year award last year. Dr. Dick gave a special thanks to Mr. Hoxworth for his dedication to SBPS students and staff for his coordination of a significant number of events, which he did in a highly professional, well-organized manner. Dr. Dick stated Mr. Hoxworth always treated our guests, officials, and spectators with the highest level of respect. Dr. Dick recognized School Board Appreciation Week, January 26 through February 1. Dr. Dick addressed the Board, extending his deepest appreciation to all six members for dedicated service to SBPS. Dr. Dick stated the Board asks great questions, thinks very thoughtfully and thoroughly about each level of consideration that must be taken into account when making decisions, none of which the Board takes lightly. Dr. Dick stated each member dedicates many more hours each month, well beyond the regular meetings, and again thanked the Board members for their service to SBPS. Dr. Dick noted since the last Board meeting, taxpayers in the SBPS district should have received their 2025 tax statement, which should reflect an approximate 20% reduction in the amount paid to SBPS, which does not include the now front-loaded tax credit. Dr. Dick recognized that the historic decrease would not have been possible without the long-standing fiscal responsibility and forward-thinking of the Board of Education, as well as the work of Executive Director of Finance Marianne Carlson. |
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14. Future Meetings and Dates to Remember
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14.a. January 31, 2025 - PD Day - No School for Students
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14.b. February 10, 2025 - Regular Board Meeting
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15. Adjournment
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
Discussion:
The Regular Board of Education Meeting was adjourned at 7:27 PM.
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