August 10, 2026 at 6:00 PM - Regular Board of Education Meeting

Discussion:  The meeting was called to order by Board President, Greg Trautman, at 6:00 p.m.

Discussion:  Dr. Knight presented the new certified staff to the board. She loved getting to know each of them a little last week during the new teacher orientation. She is excited to welcome them all to be a part of Gering Public Schools.

Lisa Blanco and John Einfalt both addressed the board and thanked them for this opportunity. 

Discussion: 

Jon Hutchison and John Wiedeman presented an update on the Middle School Improvement Project and the district’s efforts to reimagine the proposed project. The district gathered extensive feedback from community members, staff, and students through focus groups and surveys. Key concerns identified included the financial impact, trust gaps, and the overall scope of the project. The district has considered this feedback and developed a revised plan.

The overall construction cost has been reduced, which will lower the tax impact on Gering voters. The district will also contribute funding from the Special Building Fund, with no additional tax increase, further reducing the tax burden.

Project reductions include eliminating the walking track and cafetorium and reducing the overall square footage. However, the revised plan allows for the addition of a wrestling room and music/band room, while preserving the west lawn area for physical education and sports practices.

Key improvements include a single entry point to enhance student safety, as well as a new parking lot and designated walking areas to improve student drop-off. The presenters also reviewed the proposed two-story design, with sixth-grade classrooms and administrative offices located on the main floor and seventh- and eighth-grade classrooms on the second floor.

The project will also include significant renovations and rebuilding of existing spaces, including the Career and Technical Education classrooms. A new competition gymnasium and locker rooms are also included in the revised plans.

Discussion:  Tracy Wiese presented to the Board. The Middle School Project has an official launch date of August 7th. State aid increased to $9.9 million, with certified valuations expected by August 20th. A budget review is planned for the August 25th Special Board Meeting. The proposed 2026-27 budget is approximately $29 million, including grant funding. The district has spent 90% of the current year's budget. The State Conference is scheduled for November 18-20, with registration opening in September. The NASB Area Meeting will be held August 19 at the Civic Center. A Board Retreat will be scheduled in September to discuss the strategic plan, superintendent goals, evaluation tool, and other priorities. Fourteen new teachers have been hired and a part-time SLP at GMS.  Science curriculum adoption training begins this week. The 6-12 Social Studies curriculum review is scheduled to begin in October and conclude by January. Preschool enrollment is nearly full for 2026-27 school year. 

Discussion: 

 Bryan Barrett presented to the board. State Aid is expected to increase by approximately $1 million from last year. The QCPUF budget will need to be amended due to the track project. A special board meeting and budget workshop is scheduled for August 25 at noon at the Civic Center. The official MSI project launch was held with staff and the public on August 7. Ballot language will be considered for approval at tonight’s meeting. The track has temporary construction fencing in place and the track is curing. Goal posts are installed and the bleacher slab has been poured. Auditorium work is nearing completion. An RFP for transportation services will be issued jointly with Scottsbluff for next school year, with both districts working together on the language. 

Discussion:  Dr. Kory Night presented to the board.
 

It’s officially August, and school year preparations are in full swing! This past week was a busy one, but it was also a week filled with excitement, energy, and a lot of heart.

Monday: We welcomed our new certified staff, and what a talented group they are! They fit right in with our current staff, and I have no doubt they are going to knock it out of the ballpark this year in their respective areas. Throughout the week, they’ve been supported by our amazing mentor coordinators, Jen Bohnsack and Keisa Garder, their building-level mentors, and Crystal Palser, our mentor coordinator. They are certainly set up for success this year!

Wednesday: We welcomed all of our new classified staff, including a new group of substitutes, a new building custodian, a new building secretary, and many important paraprofessionals. I was so pleased to get to know them and learn more about the roles they will serve and, most importantly, the passion they have for students. I told them that we often talk about the "engine" of a school district, but they are the fuel that keeps that engine running. Each of their roles is essential to the success of our schools.

Friday: I’m a little biased, but I think our all-staff opening was epic! The Midwest Theater brings a familiar and comfortable feeling the minute you walk through the doors. I’m guessing that also has something to do with the wonderful staff at the Midwest. Krista Baird and her team greeted us with open arms—and bags of popcorn!

Our own CO team greeted staff at various stations with new lanyards, a new lanyard pin, and other small tokens of appreciation. During our program, we introduced our theme for the school year: "Heart of Gering Schools."

We also had a fantastic presenter, Devin Siebold from the Bored Teachers Comedy Tour, who reminded us all to lead with laughter because, in doing so, we create a safe space for students and adults alike. And PS...we LAUGHED!

The Jo(h)n’s did a fantastic job with their MSI presentation, and we were joined by JEO, Sampson, D.A. Davidson, and members of our supportive community group. In the afternoon, we headed to the high school for several breakout sessions aligned to the goals in our strategic plan. We ended the day with ice cream sundaes and root beer floats in the commons.

But we weren’t quite finished! That evening, we gathered at the Gering Plaza for a movie in the park and were available to answer questions from community members about the middle school bond.

As I reflect on the week, two words really stick out to me: Heart. And laughter.

There is a lot of heart that goes into preparing for a new school year, and we are certainly pouring our hearts into the MSI work and into preparing our schools for students. At the same time, laughter is something I never want to take for granted. It’s important to us as humans, and it’s part of who we are in Gering.

Without laughter, life would be pretty terrible. So, as we head into a new school year, I hope we continue to bring both heart and laughter to the work we do each day for our students, our staff, and our community.

It’s going to be a great year to be a Gering Bulldog!

Discussion:  Curt Richter addressed the board. He appreciated all the time and effort Gering has put in for the new Middle School Improvement project.

Discussion:  Matt Kautz - Thanks to John and Jon for their presentation. Thanks to Andy Forney for all the work on the GMS project. Great to see new staff!
John Maser - Wonderful job on the GMS project. Hopeful we can get this new bond passed. Appreciate all the time spent!
Bryan Barrett - Loved seeing new staff at the New Teacher Orientation luncheon. Love all the work that has been done on the GMS project!
Tracy Wiese - Summer looks different with no kids in the house, but loved seeing all the new staff tonight and is looking forward to seeing the kids back in buildings! Anxious about the new bond. Hope the community sees that we are being transparent. We have lots of new updates happening around the district. 
Greg Trautman - You get what you plant! This is true of our district. We have great things that kids can be proud of now, and hopefully that will continue with the Middle School. We are planting pride!

Discussion:  The meeting was adjourned at 7:20 p.m.