February 10, 2025 at 6:00 PM - February Board Meeting

Discussion:  President Stearns called the meeting to order at 6:00 PM. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited and roll call was taken. 

Discussion:  We, at Brady Public Schools, strive to create a positive culture in which all learners reach their fullest potential as EAGLES!

Discussion:  A thank you note from Andy Seamann and Family
Thank you note ESU 16
Thank you notes on Facebook from the Senior Citizens 

Discussion:  Superintendent Foster gave Tina Golter's report. Tina continued to help set up and take down for basketball games. Also, she is making contact with Heartland Sprinklers about the changes that will happen this Spring with the Learning Center. 

Discussion:  Superintendent Foster gave Dan Robison's report. Bus 04 is in for service to figure out why the transmission won't start in cold weather. The new suburban was in for an oil change and tire rotation. The snow plow is fixed and ready to work. DMV performed an audit for the driver's education program. All went smoothly and Dan and Mrs. Foster are looking at dates for this Summer. Mrs. Foster mentioned they will start with only one session of Driver's Education this summer, as it does take away a lot of time from Dan's original job. 

Discussion:  Superintendent Foster gave Ryan Sanger's report. The elevator was having issues with not closing the door properly on the second floor. Otis came and cleaned the belts and sensors and now it is working properly. Ryan and Dan Robison fixed the wrestling bathroom by completing the drywall and new toilet, soap dispenser, paper towel dispenser and toilet paper holder. A new heater was put in by the room at the end of the hallway by the gym where the water heater is. Everything is working properly on the playground. Ryan also mentioned about replacing the lights in the High School locker room to LED lights. Mrs. Foster mentioned the district will wait and see about doing it this summer if the budget is in a good place to purchase those. Marge Spencer asked about more handicapped parking and needing more ice salts in those spots. 

Discussion:  Superintendent Foster gave Andy Seamann's report. Mr. Seamann recognized the girls' basketball team for earning a 3rd place finish in the MNAC tournament. The revenue for gate in January was $3,621 with the official's cost of $3,170. Sara Gentry mentioned she would like to see more student academic activities and not just sports included in the A.D. report. 

Discussion:  Mr. Larson gave his report. ACT test date will be March 25th with nineteen junior students signed up. Spring testing is coming up for all students and will take place starting March 24th. The class of 2025 business lunch was held on February 3rd to discuss commencement. They talked about decorating caps and decorating the gym. Nothing is final, but it looks like the students will submit a picture of what the cap will look like to double-check it is appropriate. An FFA cord will be added this year. Every Friday, the downslist comes out of students that have failing grades. Those on the downslist have to turn their phones in at the office in the morning. There were four students on the downslist on January 31st and February 6th. Only having four students on the list is a huge success. The Sweetheart Dance was a great time for all. Seventeen students submitted a request for out-of town dates. The community center was a huge success. A fun photo booth was involved and having the kitchen and bathrooms right in the area helped with keeping everyone in one place. No problems came about. 

Discussion:  Mrs. Foster gave her report. Mrs. Foster gave a short summary of the Community Engagement Feedback. A. Suggestions for Facility Improvements: i. Football Bleachers ii. More classroom space iii. Bus Barn iv. FFA Greenhouse B. Suggestions to Improve Student Success: i. Improve School Attendance ii. Project Based Learning iii. Teammates iv. Access to AP Curriculum C. Suggestions to Improve Communication: i. Clarifying time zone for activities ii. Increase community gatherings iii. Improve communication to senior citizens iv. Text Reminders of Board Meetings D. Ways Patrons Want to Help Out: i. Reading to Students ii. Teammates/Mentoring Program iii. Volunteering in classrooms. Currently, still waiting to hear back on the Mapping Grant of $5,000. Will be applying for three community based grants to benefit the school and Brady Learning Center. Mrs. Foster has had the huge honor of being selected to be a part of Governor Pillen's Finance Task Force and has had three meetings so far to discuss the perspective on small rural schools and the importance of local control and role valuations in setting the levy. Mrs. Foster was also appointed to a seat on the Board of Directors for NASCD- Nebraska Assocation for Supervision and Curriculum Development, which will start July 1st, 2025. Mrs. Foster was also called up by Commissioner Mahr to serve on the interview committee to select the next Deputy Commissioner. Mrs. Foster loves to be able to be a strong advocate of the great things that Brady Public Schools is doing. 

Discussion:  The Board would like to recognize individuals who assisted with the 15th annual Senior Citizen Luncheon: NHS and 5& 6 grade students for serving, Molly Miller, Maren McKim, and Patsy Shores for cooking, Sam Mann for sending out invitations, Marge Spencer & Superintendent Foster for tracking down addresses and ensuring all Senior Citizens in the Brady area were invited. Jayden Tillman, Marlee Seamann, Violet Gentry for the music program.

Discussion:  Superintendent Foster read Alexis's report. The sweetheart dance was February 9th with pictures starting at 7:00. The breathalyzing took place right before 8:00 and the dance concluded at 11:00. Queen Candidates were Preslee Bartels, Taryn Stearns, Jocelyn Franzen. King Candidates were Dylan Norby, Jayden Tillman, Kellin Nelson. The crowned King and Queen were Jayden Tillman and Jocelyn Franzen. On February 10th - MNAC Instrumental Music Clinic will be at Mcpherson County High School. Some upcoming events involve FFA event on Feb 12th, a 1:00 pm early dismissal on Thursday February 13th for parent-teacher conferences, and No school Friday Feb 14th, Happy Valentine's Day! There is Basketball VS Medicine Valley and District Wrestling at Sutherland on Friday Feb 14th and Speech at North Platte High School on Feb 15th. There will be no school Monday Feb 17 for Teacher PLC in Hershey. 

Discussion:  The General Fund is under budget by 11.51% and the Lunch Fund is under budget by 8.31%. Two CD's will be coming up for renewal in February and March. Another CD will be coming up in August. 

Discussion:  NA

Discussion:  Bryce Wilson from NDE recommends that we use our General Fund CD's to pay for the Learning Center. It would be a loan to the Special Building Fund and it would have to be paid back within two years. 
Bids were received on Thursday, February 6th. The committee will meet on Wednesday, February 12th to pick which bid. The bids came a little higher than expected. The foundation and school will continue to work on grants to help cover the cost. 

Discussion:  NA

Discussion:  Marge Spencer gave a Village update. They passed the resolution to purchase the Brady Community Church. Also, approved, Mapping-Hill bid of $12,978 from Subsurface Solutions to complete mapping of our water and sewer system.

Discussion:  Superintendent Foster gave a table of the bills that were being talked about. Some important ones include wanting to reduce the levy from 1.05 and superintendent transparency act to tighten the regulations of how much a superintendent makes. All bills can be read in full detail at www.nebraskalegislature.gov. 

Discussion:  Ryan Stearns will attend the President's Retreat and Mrs. Foster and Molly Most will attend a finance workshop this coming spring/summer. 

Discussion:  Superintendent Foster gave a district report card for 2023-2024.  This included our levy rates, expenditures and receipts as well as 3 year assessment data. This is a requirement by the State of Nebraska to fulfill Rule 10. 

Discussion:  Superintendent Foster presented 3 calendar options to the BEA.  After careful review and consideration, "Version 1" was selected. A couple of scheduling anomalies. This coming year we host both MNAC Speech and Music both in March. The calendar includes 173 student days (1,298 hours. Required hours by Rule 10 is 1032 for elementary and 1080 for high school). The calendar also includes 186 contracted teacher days. 

Discussion:  The board reviewed Superintendent's Foster evaluation with her at the Board Retreat on January 19, 2025. The Board is pleased with Superintendent's performance and encourages her to continue to advocate for Brady Public Schools on the legislative front, to seek grant opportunities for the school, and to continue to improve communication and build the culture and climate of the staff, students, and families. 

Discussion:  Attached is Superintendent Foster's current contract. Each year the board reviews the salary and benefits of the contract. Currently, her pay is 12% under the average. Ryan Stearns suggests doing at least a 4% increase and extend the contract one year. Bryan Franzen suggests doing a flat $5,000 increase. 

Discussion:  Superintendent Foster suggests a 4% increase for Principal Larson and Business Manager Molly Most. 

Discussion:  Ryan Stearns presented about purchasing new bleachers for the football field. Aluminum bleachers with an access ramp, storage building and press box. The press box will extend the whole length of the bleachers. There will be six handicapped spots in the bleachers. The price for only the bleachers will be $63,000. The total cost will be around $130,000. A proposal was provided from CBS Constructors. 

Discussion:  The total NASB dues will be $3,563.

Discussion:  Molly Most received information from Flatwater Bank on current rates. There are currently three CD's at Flatwater Bank. The first CD will mature the end of February and the second CD will mature in March. Superintendent Foster suggests having the February CD be renewed at the best 18 month  rate, and having the March CD be renewed into a 13 month Flex CD. 

Discussion:  NA

Discussion: 

General Fund
Check Number	Check Date	Entity Name	Amount
4600	01/15/2025	Flatwater Bank	22.80
7195	01/14/2025	Amplify Education Inc	12,869.38
7197	01/30/2025	Cowan's Custom Cabinets	5,499.60
7198	02/03/2025	Follett Software Company	1,370.44
7213	02/10/2025	Activate Learning	191.00
7214	02/10/2025	Amazon Capital Services	262.36
7215	02/10/2025	Black Hills Energy	4,524.05
7216	02/10/2025	Blue Cross Blue Shield Of Ne	166.90
7217	02/10/2025	Brady Get 'N Go	3,595.88
7218	02/10/2025	Brady School Hot Lunch	1,000.00
7219	02/10/2025	Capital Business Systems Inc	1,049.28
7220	02/10/2025	Capital Business Systems, Inc - Wyoming	0.55
7221	02/10/2025	Capital One	87.20
7222	02/10/2025	Clearfly	483.28
7223	02/10/2025	Colonial Life	8.00
7224	02/10/2025	Computer Hardware	1,115.60
7225	02/10/2025	Consolidated Telecom, Inc.	116.86
7226	02/10/2025	Dawson County Public Power District	5,391.77
7227	02/10/2025	Educational Service Unit #16	23,797.46
7228	02/10/2025	First National Bank	3,280.36
7229	02/10/2025	Fresh Seasons Market	120.46
7230	02/10/2025	Ideal/Bluffs Facility Solutions	2,664.33
7231	02/10/2025	Jaymar	307.80
7232	02/10/2025	KSB School Law	1,040.00
7233	02/10/2025	Menards	75.72
7234	02/10/2025	Mid-American Research Chemical	300.47
7235	02/10/2025	NASB	365.00
7236	02/10/2025	NASB Alicap	6,949.00
7237	02/10/2025	Nebraska Schoolmasters Club	50.00
7238	02/10/2025	Otis Elevator Company	192.18
7239	02/10/2025	Paper Tiger Shredding	45.00
7240	02/10/2025	Platte Valley Electric	1,727.36
7241	02/10/2025	Pony Express Chevrolet	92.03
7242	02/10/2025	Red Arrow Truck Wash LLC	45.00
7243	02/10/2025	Reliable Pest Control Service	71.00
7244	02/10/2025	Daniel Robison	31.00
7245	02/10/2025	Rochester Midland	1,490.00
7246	02/10/2025	S & S Auto Parts, Inc.	67.43
7247	02/10/2025	Andy Seamann	252.00
7248	02/10/2025	Syndicate Publishing	260.57
7249	02/10/2025	Village Of Brady	968.62
7250	02/10/2025	Volt Athletics Inc	2,400.00
7251	02/10/2025	The Waldinger Corporation	854.50
7252	02/10/2025	Yandas Music & Pro Audio	300.66
	TOTAL:		$      85,502.90

____________________________________ Ryan Stearns President, Board of Education
____________________________________ Marge Spencer Secretary, Board of Education

The time and date of the Brady Public School’s regular meeting was advertised in Gothenburg Leader and posted at the Brady Get-N-Go, Post Office, and Flatwater Bank-Brady Branch. The next regular meeting will be March 10th, 2025 at 6:00 PM.