Public Meeting Minutes: December 9, 2024 at 5:30 PM - Regular Monthly Meeting of the Kearney Public Schools Board of Education

1. Routine Business

1.A. Holiday Music Provided by Sunrise Middle School Under the Direction of Stacie Blackmore

Discussion:

Board members, KPS Administration and guests listened to holiday music provided by Sunrise Middle School.

1.B. Call to Order

Discussion: President Gaasch called the meeting to order at 5:39 PM.

1.C. 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.

1.D. Board Meeting Decorum Expectations

1.E. Pledge of Allegiance

1.F. Roll Call

1.F.I. Excuse Absent Board Member

1.G. Approval of the Agenda

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Move to approve the agenda for the meeting, as presented. This motion, made by Kathy Gifford and seconded by Drew Blessing, Passed.

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

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

2. Recognitions

2.A. Special Recognitions

Discussion:

Mr. Mundorf thanked Steve Gaasch and Kathy Gifford for their dedication to Kearney Public Schools and mentioned that their efforts to make our school system better day by day have been very much appreciated. Mr. Mundorf presented an outgoing board member plaque to Steve Gaasch for his four years of service and to Kathy Gifford for her eight years of service to the Kearney Board of Education and the promotion of educational excellence in Kearney Public Schools.

3. Presentations

3.A. Annual "State of the Schools" Report

Discussion:

Jeff Schwartz, Student Services & Safety Director, Sara Paider, PK-5 Education Director, and Clint Edwards, 6-12 Education Director, gave their annual "State of the Schools" report. Mr. Schwartz explained that in the early 90's, federal mandates required schools to have an accountability system. AQuESTT (Nebraska’s Accountability for a Quality Education System, Today and Tomorrow) which began in 2017, provides a framework for school support and improvement. Mrs. Paider and Mr. Edwards reported how Kearney Public Schools ranked in the Tiered System of School Support.
Board members were impressed by how Kearney Public Schools have improved from the previous year and how we are ranked compared to other districts in the state.

4. Public Participation/Comment

Discussion:

Patrons addressed the Board.

5. Board Reports

5.A. Follow-up Report from the NASB Annual Education Conference

Discussion:

Mr. Mundorf reported that Mr. Hazard, Dr. Loofe and himself were able to hear from some fantastic speakers at the NASB Annual Education Conference in Omaha, November 20-22, 2024.
Mr. Hazard added that he attended a workshop about AI, which was eye-opening to learn how this technology is advancing so quickly.
Dr. Loofe mentioned that he had the opportunity to moderate a panel of students from across the state. It was interesting to hear from the students about their favorite experiences at school, their challenging times and what they think school will look like in the future.

6. Consent Agenda

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

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

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

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

6.A. Approval of Minutes of the November 11, 2024 Regular Meeting, the November 18, 2024 Special Town Hall Meeting, and the December 4, 2024 Committee of the Whole Meeting

6.B. Approval of the December 2024 Claims

6.C. Approval of the December 2024 Financial Reports

6.D. Set the Date for the January Winter Retreat Meeting of the Board of Education as January 27, 2025, 6:00-9:00pm.

6.E. Approval of the Second and Final Reading of Revised Board Policy 5415 School Wellness

7. Regular Agenda - Personnel

7.A. Acceptance of Resignations and Retirements

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Move to accept, with regret, the resignations and retirements as presented. This motion, made by John Icenogle and seconded by Paul Hazard, Passed.

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

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

Discussion:

The Board expressed their gratitude to Mr. Stute and Mrs. Policky for their years of service to KPS. Mrs. Gifford commended Mr. Stute for his dedication to KPS for 19 years and 30 plus years in education.

7.B. Approval of the Employment of Certificated Staff

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Move to employ the certificated staff at Kearney Public Schools for the 2025-2026 school year as presented. This motion, made by Paul Hazard and seconded by Kathy Gifford, Passed.

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

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

Discussion:

Mrs. Gifford clarified that the Board does not interview these teachers, they only approve the pay for these positions. She also thanked KPS staff for starting to secure teachers for next year.

7.C. Approval of the Employment of Administrative Staff

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Move to employ as administrative staff, Ashley Palu as assistant principal at Northeast Elementary School for the 2024-2025 school year, and Natalie Madsen as principal of Bryant Elementary School for the 2025-2026 school year, in accordance with the Kearney Public Schools Performance-Based Administrator Supervision and Evaluation Model. This motion, made by Kathy Gifford and seconded by Drew Blessing, Passed.

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

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

Discussion:

Mr. Blessing asked for clarification on the selection process for the Bryant Elementary School principal position. Mr. Mundorf explained that applications were accepted, and four candidates were chosen for the interview process, which consisted of a district administration team and a teacher team. After their interviews, Mr. Mitchell gave the candidates tours of Bryant Elementary. Both of the interview teams then met to discuss the candidates and were very impressed with Mrs. Madsen's leadership.

8. Regular Agenda - Business

9. Regular Agenda - Miscellaneous

9.A. Approval of the First Reading of Revised Board Policy 3290 Internal Controls

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Move to approve the first reading of revised Board Policy 3290 Internal Controls, as presented. This motion, made by John Icenogle and seconded by Amy Barth, Passed.

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

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

Discussion:

Mr. Mundorf reported that these revisions are recommendations from our legal team through a federal audit across the state and are fairly standard updates.

9.B. Approval of the Superintendent's Contract Commencing July 1, 2025

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Move to approve the Superintendent's contract commencing July 1, 2025. This motion, made by Kathy Gifford and seconded by John Icenogle, Passed.

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

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

Discussion:

Board members explained the reasoning for approving Mr. Mundorf's three-year contract.
Kearney Public is moving in the right direction and a large part of it is due to Mr. Mundorf and his team.
A three-year contract allows for consistency in the budget.
Board members commended Mr. Mundorf on his vision, leadership and determination to obtain his doctorate degree.

9.C. Approve Drew Blessing, Jason Mundorf, and One Other Board Member to Attend the NASB Federal Advocacy Conference in Washington D.C. March 16-19, 2025

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Move to approve Drew Blessing, Jason Mundorf, and one other board member to attend the NASB Federal Advocacy Conference in Washington D.C. March 16-19, 2025. This motion, made by John Icenogle and seconded by Kathy Gifford, Passed.

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

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

Discussion:

Mr. Blessing mentioned that the other Board members would need to decide soon if they can attend the conference. Mr. Gaasch mentioned that it will be critical to hear about the changes within the Department of Education this year and encouraged board members to consider attending the conference.

9.D. Approve a New K-5 Alternative Program School on the Current Site of Glenwood Elementary School to Open in August 2026

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Move to approve a new K-5 Alternative Program School on the current site of Glenwood Elementary School to Open in August 2026. This motion, made by Kathy Gifford and seconded by Drew Blessing, Passed.

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

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

Discussion:

Board members voiced their thoughts on implementing a K-5 alternative school at Glenwood Elementary School. The K-5 Alternative School concept has been under consideration for several years. This alternative school would be designed to meet the unique needs of students requiring non-traditional educational programming and support.
Mrs. Gifford added that highly volatile behavior has increased in classrooms in recent years. The social and emotional well-being of our students, teachers and staff is so important. Teacher recruitment and retention is part of our strategic plan, and we need to keep classroom teachers in the classroom.
KPS officials have researched and visited other state programs to ensure the best solution for Kearney families. After exploring other potential sites for the alternative school, it was determined that those options came with high costs that exceeded our current and future budgets. This project will be funded through QCPUF and building funds, avoiding additional taxes on the community.
Mr. Gaasch addressed concerns about the building change for Glenwood families and mentioned that Buffalo Hills provides a suitable alternative. The size of the Glenwood building is ideal for the needs of an alternative school, and alternative school students will benefit from the additional resources and attention.

10. Closed Session

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Moved to closed session for the purpose of conducting a strategy session in regard to negotiations for the 2025-2026 school year. This motion, made by Kathy Gifford and seconded by Paul Hazard, Passed.

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

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

11. Return to Open Session

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Move to return to open session. This motion, made by Kathy Gifford and seconded by John Icenogle, Passed.

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

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

12. Next Meeting

13. Adjournment

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Move to adjourn the meeting. This motion, made by John Icenogle and seconded by Paul Hazard, Passed.

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

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

Discussion:

Meeting was adjourned at 9:11pm.

Regular Board
Attendance Taken on 12/9/2024 at 5:41 PM
Amy Barth	Present
Drew Blessing	Present
Steve Gaasch	Present
Kathy Gifford	Present
Paul Hazard	Present
John Icenogle	Present
Present: 6, Absent: 0

December 9, 2024 at 5:30 PM - Regular Monthly Meeting of the Kearney Public Schools Board of Education

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