Public Meeting Minutes: June 8, 2026 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 Hazard called the meeting to order at 5:29 PM.

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 Drew Blessing from the meeting. This motion, made by John Icenogle and seconded by Amanda Smallcomb, Passed.

Paul Hazard: Yea
Niki Deeds: Yea
John Icenogle: Yea
Drew Blessing: Absent
Amanda Smallcomb: Yea
Amy Barth: 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 Amanda Smallcomb and seconded by Amy Barth, Passed.

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

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

2. Recognitions

2.A. Recognition of 2026 Kearney High School Graduate, Ava Benner, for Achieving a Perfect Score on the ACT

Discussion:

Mrs. Amber Lewis, Kearney High School Principal, introduced Ava Benner, who achieved a perfect score of 36 on her ACT as a junior.
Ava shared her plans to attend Georgia Tech's new first-year abroad program, spending her first semester in London and her second in Seville, Spain. She plans to study environmental engineering at Georgia Tech. Ava discussed her experience taking the ACT, mentioning she took it twice and improved her score from a 32 to a 36. Ava listed her academic and extracurricular activities, including theater, one-act, speech, marching band, show choir, treasurer of the Thespian troupe, National Honor Society, and quiz bowl.
A plaque was presented to Ava and a photo was taken to honor her achievement.

2.B. Recognition of the Kearney High School Girls Track Team and Head Coach Nate Polacek as the 2026 Class A State Track and Field Runner-Up and Alexa Jacobsen as the Class A State Shot-put Champion

Discussion:

KHS Girls Head Coach Nate Polacek recognized the coaches and athletes for a historic season that included an undefeated regular season, four meet championships, and a Heartland Athletic Conference title. The team finished as district and state runners-up and set four new school records, including three records in one day by Addison Garringer.
Coach Polacek also highlighted Alexa Jacobsen, a two-time state champion in shot put, who won the event with a throw of 43'1". Team members Blaire May, Kamryn Benson, Greeley Cargill, Jordan Felker, Bella Philippi, and Dawson Kreycik shared their future plans with the Board.

2.C. Recognition of the Arram Center's STEM Team for Qualifying for the NEED Conference and National Competition, Including a Presentation and Demonstration from Trane Educator and Consultant Dan Whisler

Discussion:

Dan Whisler, Trane Educator in Residence, and Colton Cornwell, Trane Energy Services Leader, recognized Hanny Arram Center for Success as a Trane BTU Crew School, one of only three schools in the Midwest to receive the distinction. Plaques were presented to Principal Jason Owens, teacher Talisha Sorenson, Superintendent Dr. Jason Mundorf, and Facilities Director Trent Bosard for their leadership and support of the energy education initiative.
HACS was also named Nebraska Junior Level School of the Year and a national finalist through the NEED Project for its student-led energy awareness project. Students conducted research, analyzed data, and presented their findings to educators and industry professionals. The student team will represent Kearney Public Schools at a national event in Washington, D.C., later this month. Principal Owens also plans to introduce a new science elective for next school year that will expand on energy and data analytics concepts.

3. Presentations

3.A. Presentation and Review of the Annual SRO Report and Associated Student Data

Discussion:

Lt. JC Small with Kearney Police Department presented the Annual SRO report. Lt. Small announced that he is now transitioning to patrol lieutenant, which means he will no longer be in the schools. Sargeant Logan Miller will be the new supervisor of the SRO's.
Kearney Police Department and KPS continue to work closely on school safety through threat assessments, safety audits, emergency response protocols, and the Centegix alert system.
The addition of a fourth SRO has improved coverage across the district and enhanced support for schools.
During the 2025-26 school year, SRO incident reports and juvenile referrals decreased, while most incidents were resolved without criminal consequences.
SROs continue to serve as educators, mentors, and counselors while supporting programs such as DARE, the Youth Citizens Police Academy, and student engagement activities.
School and law enforcement leaders expressed appreciation for the Board’s continued support of school safety initiatives.

3.B. Construction Update

Discussion:

Kent Cordes with BD Construction gave an update on the construction projects continuing throughout the district.

4. Public Participation/Comment

5. Board Reports

6. Consent Agenda

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

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

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

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

6.A. Approval of Minutes of the May 11, 2026, Regular Meeting and the June 3, 2026, Committee of the Whole Meeting

6.B. Approval of the June 2026 Claims

6.C. Approval of the June 2026 Financial Reports

6.D. Second and Final Reading Approval of the Revised 7000 and 9000 Sections of Board Policies, including a new 8000 Section

7. Regular Agenda - Personnel

7.A. Acceptance of Resignations

7.B. Approval of the Employment of Certificated Staff

8. Regular Agenda - Business

8.A. Approval of the Purchase Agreement for the Sale of the KHS Construction Technology Class House Project

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Move to approve the Purchase Agreement for the Construction Technology Class house project received from Spencer J. Anderson & Jeanine A. Anderson Trustees of the Spencer & Jeanine Anderson Living Trust, in the amount of $499,000.00 located at 5207 18th Avenue Place, Kearney NE 68845 (Lot 13, Northridge Estate of Kearney, Buffalo County, NE); and authorize Dr. Kent Edwards and/or Mr. Clint Edwards to sign all forms and contracts to execute said sale. This motion, made by John Icenogle and seconded by Amanda Smallcomb, Passed.

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

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

Discussion:

Dr. Kent Edwards, Associate Superintendent, asked the Board to consider approving the purchase agreement for the sale of the Construction Technology house located at 5207 18th Avenue Place. The home is being sold for $499,000, with a scheduled closing date of July 6. Due to an injury to Construction Technology teacher Erik Sutterfield, additional subcontractor assistance will be needed to complete remaining work. However, all projects remain on schedule for completion by June 15, 2026.

9. Regular Agenda - Miscellaneous

9.A. First Reading Approval of Revised Board Policies

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Move to approve the first reading of revised board policies, as presented. This motion, made by Amy Barth and seconded by Niki Deeds, Passed.

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

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

Discussion:

Superintendent Mundorf explained that the Board has reviewed seven policy updates recommended by the Nebraska Association of School Boards to align with recent statutory changes. Revisions include annual reporting requirements for technology and computer science education, increased bidding thresholds for construction projects, adjustments to compensation and extra-duty contract payments, updates to school library materials procedures, minor revisions regarding high-ability learners, new protocols for anaphylaxis response, and additional changes related to bidding, contracts, and architectural services. Administration recommended approval of the policies.

10. Next Meeting

11. Adjournment

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

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

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

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

Discussion:

The meeting was adjourned at 6:29 PM.

Regular Board
Attendance Taken on 6/8/2026 at 5:31 PM
Amy Barth	Present
Drew Blessing	Absent
Niki Deeds	Present
Paul Hazard	Present
John Icenogle	Present
Amanda Smallcomb	Present
Present: 5, Absent: 1

June 8, 2026 at 5:30 PM - Regular Monthly Meeting of the Kearney Public Schools Board of Education

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