Public Meeting Minutes: April 8, 2024 at 5:30 PM - Public Hearing & Regular Monthly Meeting of the Kearney Public Schools Board of Education

1. Public Hearing & Review of American Civics Education Policy & Requirements

1.A. Convene Hearing

1.B. Policy Review, Public Input & Discussion

Discussion:

Dr. Loofe, along with Natalie Madsen, 7th grade geography teacher at Sunrise Middle School, presented the annual American civics update. Changes in the types of maps allowed for use in the classroom (per LB962) were highlighted.

1.C. Close Hearing

2. Routine Business

2.A. Call to Order

Discussion: President Gaasch called the meeting to order at 5:40 PM.

2.B. Open Meetings Act Announcement

Discussion: This is an open, public meeting of the Kearney Public Schools Board of Education, and a copy of the Open Meetings Act is posted in this room.

2.C. Pledge of Allegiance

2.D. Roll Call

Discussion:

Kathy Gifford joined the meeting via zoom.

2.D.I. Excuse Absent Board Member

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Move to excuse absent Board member Kathy Gifford from the meeting. This motion, made by Drew Blessing and seconded by John Icenogle, Passed.

Kathy Gifford: Absent
John Icenogle: Yea
Paul Hazard: Yea
Steve Gaasch: Yea
Drew Blessing: Yea
Amy Barth: Yea

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

2.E. Approval of the Agenda

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Move to approve the agenda for the meeting, as presented. This motion, made by Amy Barth and seconded by Paul Hazard, Passed.

Kathy Gifford: Absent
John Icenogle: Yea
Paul Hazard: Yea
Steve Gaasch: Yea
Drew Blessing: Yea
Amy Barth: Yea

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

3. Recognitions

3.A. Recognition of Head Coach Nate Garringer and the KHS eSports Team as 2024 State Champions

Discussion:

Coach Garringer spoke about his pride in the eSports team and their journey to earning the state championship. They will continue to compete at the national level, and in doing so, the team can qualify for many scholarship opportunities.

3.B. Recognition of Art Teacher Katrina Olmstead and KHS Students Kally Ostermeyer and Shayne Brown for their Selection to Participate in the 27th Annual National K-12 Ceramic Exhibition

Discussion:

Katrina Olmstead spoke about the high level of competition at the National Ceramic Exhibition and her pride in the work that her students did.

3.C. Recognition of Art Teachers Natasha Hahn, Katrina Olmstead, and Charlotte Dvorak, and KHS Students, Abbie Bausch, Vivianne Beck, Edith Hall, Quinn Peralta Trejo, Evangelina Wilterding, and Myka Otten, as State Scholastic Art Award Winners and National Qualifiers

Discussion:

Charlotte Dvorak and Katrina Olmstead spoke about the qualification process and recognized those students who earned the Gold Key Award for their work, which qualified them for the national competition.

4. Presentations

4.A. Presentation by the Buffalo County Youth Advisory Board and Recognition of Resolution 02.14.2023 - Youth Mental Health Resources and Coordination

Discussion:

Genesis Acosta spoke to the Board about the Buffalo County Youth Advisory Board and their efforts to advocate for LB929 which promotes the coordination of 911 and 988 services. A video of YAB members making their presentation was shown.

4.B. Presentation by the Hanny Arram Center on the Real World Academy

Discussion:

The Board heard a presentation from principal Jason Owens and Hanny Arram Center teachers on the Real World Academy which offers opportunities for students to learn about careers and participate in everyday activities that some students have never experienced, such as how to do laundry and sew buttons. Students are able to visit various local businesses to learn about different jobs within that organization. The UNK Safety Center came to HACS to talk to the students about the importance of safe driving and spoke about how to sign up for drivers' education classes. Students are evaluated before these experiences and after, as well, to see what they feel they have learned.

4.C. Legislative Update

Discussion:

Superintendent Mundorf gave an update on the current standing of bills in the Nebraska Legislature as it comes to a close very soon.

4.D. Announcement of the 2024 Kearney Public Schools/Kearney Public Schools Foundation "Celebration of Excellence" Reception

4.E. Update on KPS Library Book Selection, De-selection, and Reconsideration Processes and Other District Action Steps

Discussion:

Mr. Mundorf gave an update on the KPS process of book selection, de-selection, and reconsideration in reflection of recent changes and revisions at the State Board level in regard to Rule 10 and in light of LB441 in the Nebraska Legislature, as well as the historical removal of KPS Policy 1310. New methods of identifying and labeling books with mature content and suicide help information (if applicable) are being put in place.

5. Public Participation/Comment

Discussion:

Patrons addressed the Board.

6. Board Reports

6.A. NASB Legislative Committee Report

Discussion:

Mr. Blessing gave his update on bills that the NASB Legislative Committee is tracking.

7. Consent Agenda

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Move to approve the items on the Consent Agenda, as presented. This motion, made by Paul Hazard and seconded by John Icenogle, Passed.

Kathy Gifford: Absent
John Icenogle: Yea
Paul Hazard: Yea
Steve Gaasch: Yea
Drew Blessing: Yea
Amy Barth: Yea

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

7.A. Approval of Minutes of the March 11, 2024 Regular Meeting; and the April 3, 2024 Board Committee of the Whole Meeting, of the Board of Education

7.B. Approval of the April 2024 Claims

7.C. Approval of the April 2024 Financial Reports

7.D. Approval of the KHS Wrestling Team Summer Camp Trip to Brookings, South Dakota, June 8-12, 2024 (with no direct costs incurred by the school district)

8. Regular Agenda - Personnel

8.A. Acceptance of Resignations and Retirements

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Move to accept, with regret, the resignations of Hallie Snyder, art teacher at Kenwood and Glenwood Elementary Schools; Ashley Mostek, 4th grade teacher at Meadowlark Elementary School; Amber McKay, science teacher at Kearney High School; Tennille Allison, assistant principal at Kearney High School; Keaton Klimek, math teacher at Kearney High School; Emily Ripp, speech-language pathologist at Kearney High School; Kinzy Dibbern, preschool teacher at Bright Futures Preschool; Terah Maaske, 1st grade teacher at Northeast Elementary School; Jacqueline Arens, school psychologist at Kearney High School; Sara DeMers, 3rd grade teacher at Emerson Elementary School; and Erin Willrich, 3rd grade teacher at Meadowlark Elementary School, effective the end of the 2023-2024 school year. Accept with regret, the retirement resignation of Mary Dubas, 1st grade teacher at Meadowlark Elementary School, effective the end of the 2023-2024 school year. This motion, made by John Icenogle and seconded by Drew Blessing, Passed.

Kathy Gifford: Absent
John Icenogle: Yea
Paul Hazard: Yea
Steve Gaasch: Yea
Drew Blessing: Yea
Amy Barth: Yea

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

8.B. Approval of the Employment of Certificated Staff

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Move to approve the employment of certificated staff; Nicole Lopez, MA, Step 14, 1.0 FTE 1st grade teacher at Northeast Elementary School; Rebekah Andersen, MA+18, Step 4, 1.0 FTE 1st grade teacher at Meadowlark Elementary School; Shannon Blaschko, MA+45, Step 15, 1.0 FTE 4th grade teacher at Meadowlark Elementary School; Megan Spicka, BA, Step 3, 1.0 FTE 3rd grade teacher at Emerson Elementary School; Halle Nachtigal, BA, Step 3, 1.0 FTE kindergarten teacher at Emerson Elementary School; Sydney Weiler, BA, Step 3, 1.0 FTE 8th grade science teacher at Horizon Middle School; Jennifer Meinecke, MA, Step 14, 1.0 FTE special education teacher at Kenwood Elementary School; Amy Schroder, MA+45, Step 15, 1.0 FTE ELL teacher at Northeast Elementary School; Lydia Behnk, BA, Step 3, 1.0 FTE business/computer teacher at Horizon Middle School; Julian Beltran-Dorado, BA, Step 3, 1.0 FTE art teacher at Kenwood and Glenwood Elementary Schools; Zachary Werner, BA, Step 3, 1.0 FTE ELA/reading teacher at Kearney High School; and Jordan Lawn, BA, Step 3, 1.0 FTE preschool teacher at Bright Futures Preschool, for the 2024-2025 school year. This motion, made by Drew Blessing and seconded by Amy Barth, Passed.

Kathy Gifford: Absent
John Icenogle: Yea
Paul Hazard: Yea
Steve Gaasch: Yea
Drew Blessing: Yea
Amy Barth: Yea

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

8.C. Approval of the Employment of Administrative Staff

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Move to employ as administrative staff, Haley Mentzer as assistant principal at Kearney High School, Jeff Schwartz as director of student services and safety at Kearney Public Schools, and Chelsey Jacobitz, as assistant principal for college and career readiness at Kearney High School, in accordance with the Kearney Public Schools Performance-Based Administrator Supervision and Evaluation Model. This motion, made by Paul Hazard and seconded by John Icenogle, Passed.

Kathy Gifford: Absent
John Icenogle: Yea
Paul Hazard: Yea
Steve Gaasch: Yea
Drew Blessing: Yea
Amy Barth: Yea

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

Discussion:

The Board voiced their appreciation for the work done in filling these positions, especially the position of assistant principal for college and career readiness at Kearney High School.

9. Regular Agenda - Business

9.A. Approve the Renovation of a Common Space at Kenwood Elementary at an Estimated Cost of $124,890

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Move to approve the renovation of a common space at Kenwood Elementary at an estimated cost of $124,890, as presented. This motion, made by Amy Barth and seconded by Drew Blessing, Passed.

Kathy Gifford: Absent
John Icenogle: Yea
Paul Hazard: Yea
Steve Gaasch: Yea
Drew Blessing: Yea
Amy Barth: Yea

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

Discussion:

Due to the growing enrollment (exceeding 10 students to one teacher) at Kenwood Elementary in the TLC or autism program, existing space within the building is being remodeled to add a classroom to accommodate the growth.

9.B. Approval of the Purchase of Two Passenger Vans to be Added to the KPS Transportation Fleet

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Move to approve the purchase of two passenger vans to be added to the KPS transportation fleet in the amount of $111,230, as presented. This motion, made by Drew Blessing and seconded by Paul Hazard, Passed.

Kathy Gifford: Absent
John Icenogle: Yea
Paul Hazard: Yea
Steve Gaasch: Yea
Drew Blessing: Yea
Amy Barth: Yea

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

Discussion:

Dr. Sutton reviewed the KPS transportation needs as well as the driver training requirements for these additional passenger vans.
It was noted that Mr. Gaasch's suggestion of the state purchasing contract was a benefit to the district in purchasing these vans. In addition, it was also noted that buying locally will promote ease of maintenance and repair.

10. Regular Agenda - Miscellaneous

10.A. Approval of the Second and Final Reading of New Board Policy 6288 - Artificial Intelligence

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Move to give second and final reading approval to Board Policy 6288 - Artificial Intelligence, as presented. This motion, made by John Icenogle and seconded by Amy Barth, Passed.

Kathy Gifford: Absent
John Icenogle: Yea
Paul Hazard: Yea
Steve Gaasch: Yea
Drew Blessing: Yea
Amy Barth: Yea

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

10.B. Approval of the First Reading of Revised Policy 3350 - Staff Travel and Reimbursement (replacing previous Board Policies 3350 & 3360)

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Move to approve the first reading of revised Board Policy 3350 - Staff Travel & Reimbursement (replacing previous Board Policies 3350 & 3360), as presented. This motion, made by John Icenogle and seconded by Drew Blessing, Passed.

Kathy Gifford: Absent
John Icenogle: Yea
Paul Hazard: Yea
Steve Gaasch: Yea
Drew Blessing: Yea
Amy Barth: Yea

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

Discussion:

Dr. Loofe reviewed the need for revisions to Board Policies 3350 and 3360 due to their being outdated. These policies will be replaced with the new Board Policy 3350, which will clearly define who is eligible for reimbursement for in-district travel, among other things. A mileage chart has been added so that the distances between buildings are defined. It was noted that district and building administrators do not qualify for reimbursement.

11. Next Meeting

12. Adjournment

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Move to adjourn the meeting. This motion, made by Drew Blessing and seconded by Amy Barth, Passed.

Kathy Gifford: Absent
John Icenogle: Yea
Paul Hazard: Yea
Steve Gaasch: Yea
Drew Blessing: Yea
Amy Barth: Yea

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

Discussion:

Meeting was adjourned at 7:12 PM.

Regular Board
Attendance Taken on 4/8/2024 at 5:40 PM
Amy Barth	Present
Drew Blessing	Present
Steve Gaasch	Present
Kathy Gifford	Absent
Paul Hazard	Present
John Icenogle	Present
Present: 5, Absent: 1

April 8, 2024 at 5:30 PM - Public Hearing & Regular Monthly Meeting of the Kearney Public Schools Board of Education

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