Public Meeting Minutes: February 10, 2025 at 5:30 PM - Regular Monthly Meeting of the Kearney Public Schools Board of Education

1. Routine Business

1.A. Call to Order

Discussion: President Icenogle called the meeting to order at 5:31 p.m.

1.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.

1.C. Board Meeting Decorum Expectations

1.D. Pledge of Allegiance

1.E. Roll Call

1.E.I. Excuse Absent Board Member

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

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

Amy Barth: Absent
Niki Deeds: Yea
Amanda Smallcomb: Yea
John Icenogle: Yea
Paul Hazard: Yea
Drew Blessing: Yea

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

1.F. Approval of the Agenda

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

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

Amy Barth: Absent
Niki Deeds: Yea
Amanda Smallcomb: Yea
John Icenogle: Yea
Paul Hazard: Yea
Drew Blessing: Yea

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

2. Recognitions

2.A. Recognition of Central Elementary School Being Named a National Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) Distinguished School By the State Education Agency in Nebraska

Discussion:

Mrs. Teresa Schnoor, Central Elementary School Principal, thanked the Board for recognizing their award from the ESEA. Mrs. Schnoor reported that they would be receiving this award in Austin, Texas, at the National ESEA Conference, February 19-21, 2025. Many Central Elementary School staff were in attendance, many of whom will be going to Austin to accept this award along with Mr. Mundorf and Mrs. Paider.
Mrs. Schnoor mentioned that they are earning this award for exhibiting exceptional student performance and academic growth. Central Elementary School is one of two schools in Nebraska selected for this award.
Mr. Icenogle congratulated Mrs. Schnoor and all teachers and staff at Central Elementary School. He added that only 69 schools were selected nationwide, which is proof of what an achievement this is.

2.B. Recognition of Kearney High School Senior Drew Welch For Achieving a Perfect Score on the ACT

Discussion:

Mr. Jeff Ganz, Kearney High School Principal, addressed the Board and said that he is extremely honored to be here to highlight one of the truest examples of excellence at Kearney High School. Drew Welsh achieved a perfect score on the ACT and was awarded the Presidential Scholar's Award by Dr. Jeffrey P. Gold, M.D., president of the University of Nebraska System, at a formal recognition ceremony at Kearney High School on January 22, 2025.
The Presidential Scholars program provides a full-ride academic scholarship, along with a $5,000 annual stipend to every high school senior graduating from a Nebraska high school who earns a perfect 36 on the ACT and attends college at the University of Nebraska.
Drew Welsh addressed the Board, and when asked by Mr. Icenogle what his plans are for his field of study, he reported that he is going into pre-medicine and will hopefully go to medical school. Mrs. Smallcomb congratulated Drew and added that she admires his drive.

3. Presentations

3.A. Presentation by Chance Waggoner, Park Elementary School Principal on Student Leadership

Discussion:

Mr. Chance Waggoner, Park Elementary School Principal, presented information about their Student Leadership Program that begins in 5th grade. Research has shown that when schools provide these opportunities to students, they are more empowered, they take more ownership in their school and their community. They work on collaboration skills, and their academic growth is outstanding. The benefits are exponential.
The process of becoming a student leader is quite extensive. Students are required to fill out an application and explain why they would make a great leader and provide examples of when they were kind, respectful and responsible. Their parents sign the application along with two different Park staff members. Once accepted, they need to work hard every day to maintain their leadership position, by getting good grades and no office referrals.
Panther Packs are mixed grade level groups with the goal of fostering relationships and building a community at Park Elementary.
Students addressed the Board and spoke about their favorite things to do as a Student Leader. Board members asked the students a few questions and congratulated them on being selected.

3.B. Construction Update

Discussion:

Kent Cordes, with BD Construction, updated the Board on progress made at Horizon Middle School and Windy Hills Elementary School.
The Horizon Middle School project is on budget, and all work is complete except for installing partitions in the showers, which will be completed when schools are closed on February 20-21, 2025. The Windy Hills Elementary project is on schedule to be mostly complete by the middle of June and is trending under budget.
Jacob Sertich, Architect with Wilkins Architecture Design Planning, gave an update on the Kearney High School South Addition and Central Elementary School entrance. Close to 200 bids have been submitted between the two projects.

4. Legislative Update

Discussion:

Mr. Mundorf reported that a total of 733 bills were introduced this year, with about 100 of those bills being education related.
- LB 135 - restricts the ability of a school district or ESU to have a bond election outside the general election cycle every two years. This is problematic because when you have construction condensed into one work schedule there will be supply chain and work force challenges. We are in opposition of this bill.
- LB 149 - would allow suspensions for students in kindergarten through second grade. We support this bill because there are times students kindergarten through second grade have a situation significant enough that would warrant an out of school suspension, at least for a period of time.
- LB 624 - would appropriate funds from the state treasurer directly to educational scholarships and private school funding. We are opposed to any allocation of educational funding and public dollars going to private school funding.
- LB 645 - the state would eliminate their 2% contribution to the Teacher Retirement System. We are in opposition of this bill.
Mr. Blessing gave an update on a few additional bills.
- LB 303 - would lower the local effort rate by 3 cents and increase state aid. This wouldn't impact us positively or negatively in a huge way.
- LB 390 - would require schools to provide card catalog access and an opportunity to receive email notifications of checked-out books. KPS has a policy in place now, where parents can opt in to receive a phone call to give permission for their student to check out a particular book. Parents can decide if they do not want notifications or if they want a phone call. Mr. Blessing stated that he likes the option of an email letting the parent know what books were checked out.
- LB 140 - would ban cell phones during the school day. This bill gives local school boards some discretion about how it's enacted, which is already the case. The NASB opposes this bill due to local control issues and feels it does not need to be a state law.
- LB 161 - would increase the state aid factor for pre-kindergarten students from 0.6% to 1.0%.
- LB 500 - would re-establish a Finance Review Commission to interface with the legislature on school finance issues. This commission would be made up of school finance directors, superintendents and legislative representatives. The NASB would like to request that at least one board member be included on that commission also.
- LB 428 - relates to student surveys and would require school districts to notify parents before any non-anonymous survey is given to students specifically about risky behaviors, including smoking, drinking, sexual orientation, religion, and political affiliation. KPS already notifies parents before all surveys.

5. Public Participation/Comment

6. Board Reports

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 Amanda Smallcomb, Passed.

Amy Barth: Absent
Niki Deeds: Yea
Amanda Smallcomb: Yea
John Icenogle: Yea
Paul Hazard: Yea
Drew Blessing: Yea

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

7.A. Approval of Minutes of the January 13, 2025 Regular Meeting, the January 27, 2025 Special Winter Retreat Meeting, and the February 5, 2025 Board Committee of the Whole Meeting, of the Board of Education

7.B. Approval of the January Claims

7.C. Approval of the January Financial Reports

7.D. Approval of the JROTC Truman Raider Meet Trip, April 18-19, 2025, to Independence, Missouri (with no direct costs incurred by the school district)

7.E. Approval of the JROTC Black Hills Raider Meet Trip, April 25-26, 2025 to Rapid City, South Dakota (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 and retirement as presented. This motion, made by Drew Blessing and seconded by Niki Deeds, Passed.

Amy Barth: Absent
Niki Deeds: Yea
Amanda Smallcomb: Yea
John Icenogle: Yea
Paul Hazard: Yea
Drew Blessing: Yea

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

Discussion:

Mr. Blessing thanked Dr. Loofe for his leadership in our district and for his time here. He added that he's sad to see him leave, but wishes him well in his new position. Mrs. Smallcomb and Mr. Icenogle also thanked Dr. Loofe and both mentioned how much they have enjoyed working with him.

8.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 Drew Blessing, Passed.

Amy Barth: Absent
Niki Deeds: Yea
Amanda Smallcomb: Yea
John Icenogle: Yea
Paul Hazard: Yea
Drew Blessing: Yea

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

Discussion:

Mr. Hazard mentioned he's heard people question the number of retirements and new hires. He asked Dr. Herrmann if this year is typical compared to previous years. Dr. Herrmann replied that last year at this time we had 31 resignations, and we have had 21 so far this year. She added that we always provide a couple of opportunities for exit interviews for staff that are leaving KPS.

8.C. Approval of the Employment of Administrative Staff

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Move to employ as administrative staff, Kyle Heilbrun as principal of the K-5 Alternative School; Alyssa Clay and Cassie Houser as special education supervisors for Kearney Public Schools, for the 2025-2026 school year. This motion, made by Amanda Smallcomb and seconded by Paul Hazard, Passed.

Amy Barth: Absent
Niki Deeds: Yea
Amanda Smallcomb: Yea
John Icenogle: Yea
Paul Hazard: Yea
Drew Blessing: Yea

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

9. Regular Agenda - Business

9.A. Approval of Bid for Chromebooks

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Move to accept the bid from Connection for Chromebooks for 5th and 9th grades and upgrades to Kenwood technology, in the amount of $300,195.00. This motion, made by John Icenogle and seconded by Amanda Smallcomb, Passed.

Amy Barth: Absent
Niki Deeds: Yea
Amanda Smallcomb: Yea
John Icenogle: Yea
Paul Hazard: Yea
Drew Blessing: Yea

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

Discussion:

Mr. DeHaven discussed his recommendation to go with Connection for the purchase of Chromebooks.
Mr. Icenogle clarified with Mr. DeHaven that even though this is not the cheapest option, it is the best option. Mr. DeHaven confirmed that the lowest bid was for an older model of Chromebook and that the bid from Connection was the only one that included a two-year warranty.
Mr. Blessing thanked local vendors for submitting bids, and he hopes that we get an opportunity to do business with them in the future.

10. Regular Agenda - Miscellaneous

10.A. Approval of the First Reading of Revised Board Policy 5004 Dual Credit Enrollment

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Move to approve the first reading of revised Board Policy 5004 Dual Credit Enrollment, as presented. This motion, made by Paul Hazard and seconded by Niki Deeds, Passed.

Amy Barth: Absent
Niki Deeds: Yea
Amanda Smallcomb: Yea
John Icenogle: Yea
Paul Hazard: Yea
Drew Blessing: Yea

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

Discussion:

Mr. Schwartz stated that there are a few minor changes to the current Dual Credit Enrollment policy, which states that students may not enroll in more than two middle school or high school courses during any one semester. That is difficult at the high school level with term classes. The change would be that students may not enroll in more than 24 credit hours in high school per semester. A few other changes in the policy are some deadline dates and all the counselors are in favor of these changes.

10.B. Approval of the Naming of the KHS South Building as "The Paw," Kearney High School Performance and Activity Wing

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Move to approve the naming of the KHS South Building as "The Paw," Kearney High School Performance and Activity Wing. This motion, made by Paul Hazard and seconded by Niki Deeds, Passed.

Amy Barth: Absent
Niki Deeds: Yea
Amanda Smallcomb: Yea
John Icenogle: Yea
Paul Hazard: Yea
Drew Blessing: Yea

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

Discussion:

Mr. Mundorf stated that the Kearney High School south addition will be a district facility, and it's the Board's responsibility to name the facility. He gave credit to the Board for the foresight of initiating the high school students and staff for their thoughts on what the building should be named. Two rounds of surveys were sent out for suggestions of the name. We had 458 respondents, and of those, 324 people, or 70.7%, were supportive of "The Paw," Performance and Activity Wing.

11. Next Meeting

12. Adjournment

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

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

Amy Barth: Absent
Niki Deeds: Yea
Amanda Smallcomb: Yea
John Icenogle: Yea
Paul Hazard: Yea
Drew Blessing: Yea

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

Discussion:

Meeting was adjourned at 6:35 p.m.

Regular Board
Attendance Taken on 2/10/2025 at 5:33 PM
Amy Barth	Absent
Drew Blessing	Present
Niki Deeds	Present
Paul Hazard	Present
John Icenogle	Present
Amanda Smallcomb	Present
Present: 5, Absent: 1

February 10, 2025 at 5:30 PM - Regular Monthly Meeting of the Kearney Public Schools Board of Education

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