October 12, 2026 at 6:00 PM - Scottsbluff Board of Education Regular Meeting
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1. Opening Procedures
Discussion:
The Regular Board of Education meeting was called to order at 6:00 PM by Board President Scott Reisig.
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1.a. Call to Order
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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 on October 8, 2026, and on the Scottsbluff Public Schools website on October 7, 2026.
Attachments:
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4. Consent Agenda
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
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4.a. Adopt Agenda
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4.b. Approval of Certified Staff Retirement
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4.b.1. Michael Scanlon, Special Education, Bluffs Middle School
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4.c. Approve Minutes as follows:
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4.c.1. September 14, 2026 - Regular Meeting
Attachments:
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4.c.2. September 28, 2026 - Budget Hearing
Attachments:
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4.c.3. September 28, 2026 - Tax Request Hearing
Attachments:
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4.c.4. September 28, 2026 - Special Meeting
Attachments:
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5. Expenditures
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5.a. Expenditures, without Douglas, Kelly, Ostdiek, Snyder, Ossian and Vogl, P.C. and Tory Schwartz: $2,836,928.87
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
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5.b. Expenditures for Douglas, Kelly, Ostdiek, Snyder, Ossian and Vogl, P.C.: $837.50
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
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5.c. Expenditures for Tory Schwartz: $740.00
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
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6. Student Report
Speaker(s):
Sophia Schmall
Discussion:
Scottsbluff High School sophomore Sophia Schmall provided an update to the Board of Education. Sophia stated it has been another busy and exciting month at Scottsbluff High School. The students celebrated Homecoming week with a "Back to the '80s" theme, which included spirit dress-up days, a super rally, the Homecoming Football Game, and the Homecoming Dance. Sophia stated it was a great week filled with school spirit and Bearcat pride, and she extended congratulations to the 2026 Homecoming King Cameron Figg and Queen Tea Hill. Sophia stated SHS students have had many opportunities over the past month to learn, grow, and represent SBPS, including participating in the recent Childhood Cancer Awareness Night in partnership with the Team Ashtyn Foundation. SHS students recently attended multiple events, including the Multicultural Youth Summit at Gering Civic Center, the American Legion Scotts Bluff County Government Day, and the Panhandle High School Leadership Day. Students also participated in various competitions, including the SHS Ag and Construction Trades students competing in the annual Vo-tech competition with Aulick Industries, over 70 students participating in HOSA’s Fall Summit, and Mu Alpha Theta students completing the Probe 2 competition. Sophia also extended congratulations to Mrs. Stacy Moore for being named the Freda Battey Distinguished Educator of the Year and to Athaliah Nhira for being selected for the NSAA Believers & Achievers program. Sophia noted SHS fall activities and athletic seasons will begin wrapping up with district competitions and, hopefully, state appearances. She wished best of luck to the SHS girls’ golf team as they compete in the state competition. She stated Scottsbluff High School will also be hosting the Old West Band and Choir Festivals, and that parent-teacher conferences are just around the corner. Sophia thanked the Board for its continued support of SHS students and stated she looks forward to sharing more great Bearcat highlights with the Board next month. |
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7. Awards and Recognitions
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7.a. Freda Battey Distinguished Educator Award - Stacy Moore
Speaker(s):
Dr. Wendy Kemling
Discussion:
Executive Director of Student Services Dr. Wendy Kemling spoke.
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7.b. SBPS Foundation Auditorium Check Presentation
Speaker(s):
Beth Rohrer
Discussion:
Scottsbluff Public Schools Foundation Director Beth Rohrer spoke.
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7.c. SBPS Foundation Grow Your Own Check Presentation - Ethan Gion
Speaker(s):
Beth Rohrer
Discussion:
Scottsbluff Public Schools Foundation Director Beth Rohrer spoke.
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8. Update
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8.a. Strategic Priority #1 - Recruit and Retain
Speaker(s):
Jana Mason
Discussion:
Executive Director of Human Resources Jana Mason, Lincoln Heights student teacher CeCeilia Skiles, and Lincoln Heights 5th grade teacher Rebecca Wenger provided an update to the Board on Strategic Priority #1 - Recruit and Retain.
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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 address the Board of Education.
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10. New Business
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10.a. Board Policy 5006.1 - Option Enrollment Capacity Resolution
Speaker(s):
Dr. Wendy Kemling
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
Attachments:
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11. Reports and Proposals
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11.a. Board Members
Discussion:
Board Vice President Beth Merrigan reflected on the recent State Board of Education visit, stating she was able to accompany the State Board on their tour through Longfellow Elementary and Bear Cub Preschool. Beth stated it is always wonderful to be in the schools and see our teachers and students in action. She stated that it is also wonderful to watch others from outside our community be able to see the awesome things that are happening in our schools, and that she was very proud to be part of the tour. Beth noted she was also able to watch the State Board of Education meeting that was held at the Scottsbluff Public Schools Education Center, and that it was interesting to watch "from the other side." She stated watching other boards work together makes her appreciate the SBPS Board of Education, the members' working relationship, and their ability to discuss and question items respectfully.
Board member Paul Snyder remarked that the school year is nearly one quarter complete. Board member Rob Polk thanked the administrators and their building team members for all that they do. |
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11.b. Board Committee Reports
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11.b.1. Curriculum & Instruction/Americanism Committee — Next Meeting: October 16, 2026 @ 11:30 AM
Speaker(s):
Mike Mason
Discussion:
No report.
Attachments:
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11.b.2. Facility Committee — Next Meeting: November 3, 2026 @ 12:00 PM
Speaker(s):
Marianne Carlson
Discussion:
No report.
Attachments:
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11.b.3. Finance Committee — Next Meeting: November 2, 2026 @ 11:30 AM
Speaker(s):
Marianne Carlson
Discussion:
No report.
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11.b.4. Policy Committee — Next Meeting: December 7, 2026 @ 1:30 PM
Speaker(s):
Dr. Andrew Dick
Discussion:
No report.
Attachments:
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11.b.5. Student Services Committee - Next Meeting: October 15, 2026 @ 11:30 AM
Speaker(s):
Dr. Wendy Kemling
Discussion:
Executive Director of Student Services Dr. Wendy Kemling noted the upcoming Student Services Committee Meeting scheduled for October 15 was canceled.
Attachments:
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11.c. From the Administrative Staff:
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11.c.1. Executive Director of Curriculum and Instruction
Speaker(s):
Mike Mason
Discussion:
No report.
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11.c.2. Executive Director of Finance
Speaker(s):
Marianne Carlson
Discussion:
No report.
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11.c.3. Executive Director of Human Resources
Speaker(s):
Jana Mason
Discussion:
No report.
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11.c.4. Executive Director of Student Services
Speaker(s):
Dr. Wendy Kemling
Discussion:
No report.
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11.c.5. Superintendent
Speaker(s):
Dr. Andrew Dick
Discussion:
Superintendent Dr. Andrew Dick stated the highlight of the first quarter was the awarding of the Sherwood Grant to Scottsbluff Public Schools. Dr. Dick stated that SBPS received a five-year Literacy Advancement Initiative Grant from the Sherwood Foundation totaling over $2.9 million. He stated this investment will strengthen literacy instruction from preschool through 5th grade by supporting intervention resources, instructional materials, and staff training. He stated that the District is deeply grateful to the Sherwood Foundation for its commitment to our students, educators, and community. Dr. Dick also recognized Jadie Beam, ELA Content Area Specialist, for leading the grant-writing efforts and serving as the primary point of contact with the Sherwood Foundation throughout the process. He stated the District is very excited to begin the implementation phase of the grant. Dr. Dick touched on the State Board of Education's recent visit and recognized the staff members who played a key role in its success. He noted that Commissioner Maher also acknowledged the time staff devoted, both before and during the Board's visit, which took them away from their daily responsibilities. Dr. Dick stated that, with humility and sincere appreciation, he believed the visit could not have gone any better. He thanked the staff again, including classified and certified staff members and administrators, for creating a positive experience for the State Board of Education and NDE staff, noting that he had received numerous anecdotal reports from State Board members and NDE staff about how much they enjoyed their visit to SBPS. Dr. Dick thanked Mike Scanlon for his years of dedicated service to Scottsbluff Public Schools and wished him well in his retirement. Dr. Dick extended condolences to the family of Ron Asmus, who tragically lost his life on October 9 as he left Bearcat Stadium. He stated he is keeping Ron's family in his thoughts during this difficult time. |
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12. Future Meetings and Dates to Remember
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12.a. October 15, 2026 - End of 1st Quarter - No School for PK-5 Students
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12.b. October 16, 2026 - ½ PD Day & ½ Work Day - No School for Students
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12.c. October 21, 2026 - PK-12 Parent-Teacher Conferences (4:00-8:00 PM)
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12.d. October 22, 2026 - PK-12 Parent-Teacher Conferences (8:00 AM-8:00 PM) - No School for Students
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12.e. October 23, 2026 - No School for Students & Staff
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12.f. November 9, 2026 - Board of Education Meeting
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13. Move Into Closed Session
Discussion:
This item was removed from the agenda during the Consent Agenda; the Board did not move into Closed Session.
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13.a. Move pursuant to §84-1410 of the Nebraska Revised Statutes, also known as the Nebraska Open Meetings Law, that the Board of Education for Scottsbluff Public Schools move into Closed Session to include district leadership and Deputy Anthony Osborn for the purpose of a discussion regarding security and for the protection of the public interest.
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14. Exit Closed Session
Discussion:
This item was removed from the agenda during the Consent Agenda.
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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 6:44 PM.
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