August 18, 2025 at 5:30 PM - Regular Board of Education Meeting
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1. Call the Meeting to Order
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
LEADERSHIP • SERVICE • SUPPORT Notice of this meeting was given in advance according to State Law 84-1411, by giving notice of the meeting to the public on ESU 7 website www.esu7.org and posted at location of meeting. Notice of this meeting was also given in advance to all members of the Board of Education of Educational Service Unit 7. Availability of the agenda and purpose of the hearing was communicated in the advance notice of the meeting and in the notice to the members of this hearing. All proceedings of the Board of Education of Educational Service Unit 7 were taken while the convened hearing was open to the attendance of the public.
Discussion:
Board President Doug Pauley called the meeting to order at 5:31 pm.
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1.1. Notification of Open Meetings Law
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
This meeting has been preceded by reasonable advance notice and is hereby declared to be in open session. A copy of the Open Meetings Act is posted in the meeting room.
Attachments:
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1.2. Roll Call
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
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1.3. Absent Board Members
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
Administrator Recommendation: Discuss, consider and take all necessary action to approve Board member absences.
Recommended Motion(s):
Discuss, consider and take all necessary action to approve Board member absences as presented Passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
Discussion:
No absent board members.
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1.4. Pledge of Allegiance
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
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2. Approval of Agenda
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
The sequence of agenda topics is subject to change at the discretion of the Board.
Recommended Motion(s):
Discuss, consider and take all necessary action to approve the agenda as presented Passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
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3. Welcome Visitors
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
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4. Public Comment
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
The Board has the discretion to limit the amount of time set aside for public participation.
Citizens wishing to address the Board on a certain agenda item must complete the Request to be Heard Document prior to the start of the board meeting. Citizens wishing to present petitions to the Board may do so at this time. However, the Board will only receive the petitions and not act upon them or their contents. |
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5. Consent Agenda
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
Unless removed from the consent agenda, items identified within the consent agenda will be acted on at one time. If any Board member wishes to discuss an item, it must be removed from the consent agenda at which time the remaining items will be acted upon. Consent Agenda Includes:
Administrator Recommendation: Discuss, consider and take all necessary action to approve the consent agenda as presented.
Recommended Motion(s):
Discuss, consider and take all necessary action to approve the consent agenda as presented Passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
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5.1. Minutes
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
This is a consent item.
Attachments:
()
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5.2. Presentation of Bills #80034 through #80175 totaling $1,074,216.43
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
The summary of bills for the current month total: $1,074,216.43 - Bills #80034 through #80175 General Activity Fund total: No Activity
This is a consent item.
Attachments:
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5.3. Presentation of Bills #80176 through #80343 totaling $1,052,776.96
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
The summary of bills for the current month total: $1,052,776.96 - Bills #80176 through #80343 General Activity Fund total: $7,772.58
Attachments:
()
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5.4. Reading of Article IV, Section 10, G Professional Evaluations
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
This is a consent item.
Attachments:
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5.5. Reading of Article IV, Section 10, I Reduction in Force
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
This is a consent item.
Attachments:
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5.6. Reading of Article IV, Section 10, J Request for Release
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
This is a consent item.
Attachments:
()
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5.7. Reading of Article IV, Section 11, A Classified and non-Certificated Employees Defined
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
This is a consent item.
Attachments:
()
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5.8. Reading of Article IV, Section 11, B "At Will" Status
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
This is a consent item.
Attachments:
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5.9. Mileage Reimbursement Rate
Speaker(s):
Board President or designee
Rationale:
There has been no change to the IRS mileage rate as of August 1, 2025. The current rate set in January is $0.70 a mile.
Article III, Section 4, D: Coffee Act Policy (Reimbursable Expenses) Reimbursement of Expenses. The ESU will pay the registration costs, tuition costs, fees or charges for attendance by Board members at such approved functions. The ESU will pay mileage at the rate allowed by law (that is, the rate established by the Department of Administrative Services) or actual travel expense if travel is authorized by commercial or charter means. The ESU will pay meals and lodging at a rate not exceeding the applicable federal rate unless a fully itemized claim is submitted substantiating the costs actually incurred in excess of such rate and such additional expenses are expressly approved by the Board. For employees and volunteers, the ESU will pay costs and make reimbursements in the same manner as provided above for Board member attendance, unless otherwise established by policy, Board action, contract, or negotiated agreement. This is a consent item. |
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5.10. Disposal of Inventory
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
This is a consent item.
Attachments:
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5.11. Excess Lodging and Meals
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
Excess Lodging and Meals:
This is a consent item. |
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5.12. 2025-2026 Nebraska Rural Community Schools Association (NRCSA) Dues
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
The Nebraska Rural Community Schools Association is a non-profit organization dedicated to serving the needs of rural schools and communities. Since 1981, NRCSA has been committed to protecting the well-being of public education and implementing its mission of providing quality education for all children. NRCSA is an Association consisting of 195 school districts and ESU's in Nebraska working together to support and promote quality educational programs for students in rural Nebraska. Through its members NRCSA serves the interests of over 75,000 children in 88 counties and 24 legislative districts.
Attachments:
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5.13. 2025-2026 Contract for Amy Richards, Professional Development Coordinator - Early Childhood Specialist
Speaker(s):
Board President or designee
Rationale:
This is a consent item.
Attachments:
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5.14. 2025-2026 Contract for Brandy Thompson, Professional Development Career Academy Coordinator
Speaker(s):
Board President or designee
Rationale:
This is a consent item.
Attachments:
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5.15. 2025-2026 Contract for Brooke Kavan, Professional Development Coordinator
Speaker(s):
Board President or designee
Rationale:
This is a consent item.
Attachments:
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5.16. 2025-2026 Contract for Brooke Koliha, Professional Development Coordinator
Speaker(s):
Board President or designee
Rationale:
This is a consent item.
Attachments:
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5.17. 2025-2026 Contract for Cynthia Alarcon, Grant Coordinator
Speaker(s):
Board President or designee
Rationale:
This is a consent item.
Attachments:
()
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5.18. 2025-2026 Contract for Dan Ellsworth, Network Operations Director
Speaker(s):
Board President or designee
Rationale:
This is a consent item.
Attachments:
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5.19. 2025-2026 Contract for Ernie Valentine, Professional Development Coordinator
Speaker(s):
Board President or designee
Rationale:
This is a consent item.
Attachments:
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5.20. 2025-2026 Contract for Kendra Gustafson, Professional Development Coordinator
Speaker(s):
Board President or designee
Rationale:
This is a consent item.
Attachments:
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5.21. 2025-2026 Contract for Marci Haight, Grant Coordinator
Speaker(s):
Board President or designee
Rationale:
This is a consent item.
Attachments:
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5.22. 2025-2026 Contract for Mark Brady, Professional Development Coordinator
Speaker(s):
Board President or designee
Rationale:
This is a consent item.
Attachments:
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5.23. 2025-2026 Contract for Martha (Vanessa) Gascon-Guarcas, MEP Education Liaison
Speaker(s):
Board President or designee
Rationale:
This is a consent item.
Attachments:
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5.24. 2025-2026 Contract for Michelle Olson, Grant Writer
Speaker(s):
Board President or designee
Rationale:
This is a consent item.
Attachments:
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5.25. 2025-2026 Contract for Otis Pierce, Professional Development Coordinator
Speaker(s):
Board President or designee
Rationale:
This is a consent item.
Attachments:
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5.26. 2025-2026 Contract for Richard Stuart, Information Technology Specialist
Speaker(s):
Board President or designee
Rationale:
This is a consent item.
Attachments:
()
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5.27. 2025-2026 Contract for Stephanie Johnson, ASD Behavior Specialist
Speaker(s):
Board President or designee
Rationale:
This is a consent item.
Attachments:
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5.28. 2025-2026 Contract for Travis Kassing, Network & Computer Systems Engineer
Speaker(s):
Board President or designee
Rationale:
This is a consent item.
Attachments:
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6. August 2025 Board Spotlight - ESU 7 101
Speaker(s):
Chief Administrator
Rationale:
Chief Administrator Marci Ostmeyer will give the board a short overview of ESU 7.
Attachments:
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Discussion:
Administrator Ostmeyer reviewed the slides attached.
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7. June and July 2025 Treasurer's Report
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
Review the breakdown of the Treasurer's Report.
Administrator Recommendation: Discuss, consider and take all necessary action to accept the Treasurer's Report as presented.
Recommended Motion(s):
Discuss, consider and take all necessary action to accept the Treasurer's Report as presented Passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
Attachments:
()
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
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8. Budgeting for additional 1% Budget Authority
Speaker(s):
Board President or designee
Rationale:
Nebraska Statute allows an additional 1% in budgeted property tax asking requiring an affirmative vote of 75% of the governing body for approval. These additional budget authority dollars remain critical as we continue to operate with the one and a half cent levy, no state aid funding for 2025-2026, and spending restrictions for the upcoming years. In the event valuations change or additional funding becomes available, this action will allow ESU 7 additional budget authority to access those dollars. Administrator Recommendation: Discuss, consider and take all necessary action to approve the additional 1% in budgeted tax asking.
Recommended Motion(s):
Discuss, consider and take all necessary action to approve the additional 1% in budgeted tax asking Passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
Discussion:
Administrator Ostmeyer explained the additional 1% budget authority is approved every year but has not been accessed. If there is a need for additional dollars after the initial budget hearing and tax asking in September, there will not have to be another budget hearing and tax asking.
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9. Administrator's Report General
Speaker(s):
Administrator or Designee
Rationale:
Attachments:
()
Discussion:
ESUCC Update
Each Educational Service Unit Administrator serves on the Educational Service Unit Coordinating Council board. The main purpose of ESUCC is to coordinate statewide initiatives and to provide support on a larger scale. Rule 84 states administrators must participate in 2 joint meetings between ESUCC and NDE. Administrator Days in July serves as one of these joint meetings. During this meeting, 10 priority areas were identified. ESUCC is also going through their budgeting process. Board Member Emails Administrator Ostmeyer reached out to attorney Justin Knight regarding Board Member emails being forwarded to personal email accounts. This was highly advised against. However, members can set up a separate inbox on their devices for their ESU 7 email accounts. Transition Plan Update Administrator Ostmeyer reviewed the attachment containing her Transition Plan presented in her interview. Everything is completed, in-progress or postponed. Items have been postponed due to schedule changes and facility needs. Director's Report Outs Report outs from directors are written due to board meeting space. |
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9.1. Goal Update
Speaker(s):
Administrator or Designee
Rationale:
Goals - Attached for your Review
Attachments:
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Discussion:
Nebraska Association of School Boards has an optional goal setting process that was included in hiring a new Administrator. Administrator Ostmeyer will inquire regarding available dates and other ESUs or schools who have accessed this to hear their experience.
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9.2. Services Update
Speaker(s):
Administrator or Designee
Rationale:
Attachments:
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Discussion:
Data reporting with SMART has had some bugs which are still being fixed. Dollars saved through efficient service delivery is the cost of ESU services to school districts that school districts do not have to pay for. Dollars saved through cooperative purchasing is the dollars schools save when purchasing items through cooperative purchasing. Service Participants is the number of adults receiving training. For example, if a Professional Development Coordinator is presenting to 5 people, then 5 people get recorded. ESU Hours is the number of hours ESU personnel are training and working with the districts. For example, if 5 Professional Development Coordinators are presenting for 1 hour, then 5 hours are recorded. Only data for adults is recorded, anything student related is represented elsewhere through SMART. Every year during Annual Consultations, the ESU 7 service plan is customized for each district. ESU personnel meet with the districts to determine which ESU 7 services will fill their gaps then plans are made for the following year.
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9.3. Facilities Update
Speaker(s):
Administrator or Designee
Rationale:
The Administrator will provide a facilities update during this item
No Goals have been added to the system (or to this Agenda Item).
Discussion:
Administrator Ostmeyer provided updates on all buildings and projects.
North building There were several cold days throughout the winter where the North Building had temperatures in the 50s. During the Buildings & Grounds Committee Meeting with Rutt's, it was proposed to install an Emergency Heat system on 11 of the 33 units. The recommendation is to include the proposed amount in the 2025-2026 budget next month in case the board chooses to move forward with the installation. Learning Academy Student programs are set up in conference rooms for an August 19th start date. On July 28th, visible mold was reported on different surfaces throughout the building, carpet, desks, bulletin boards, etc. On August 4th, humidity levels were reported around 80% and the levels should be around 60%. Items in the Learning Academy are being cleaned and disinfected. There has been another report of mold in another part of the building. This is continuing to be an ongoing project due to the nature of the problem. Water damage was reported the morning of August 18th (today) with water coming in and around a window and vent. South Building: Sidewalk for the Bridges program has been complete. Water in the playground area has been pumped however progress has been slow due to the weather. |
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9.4. Personnel
Speaker(s):
Administrator or designee
Rationale:
Retiring: Darlene Rodriguez, Title IC Education Program Recruiter. Last Day, August 31, 2025 Resignations: Nathalie Vargas, Title IC Education Program Service Provider. Last Day, August 20, 2025 Adi Perez, Title IC Education Program Recruiter. Last Day, August 22, 2025 Kim Ruger, Print Shop Personnel. Last Day, August 29, 2025 New Hires: Abby Wurdeman, Bridges Paraprofessional. First Day, August 11, 2025 Kinsey Staab Cavalli, Bridges Paraprofessional. First Day, August 11, 2025 Meagan Stiffler, Vision Paraprofessional. First Day, August 11, 2025 Tanley Miller, Bridges Paraprofessional. First Day, August 11, 2025 Maria (Luz Duran) Pierce, Print Shop Personnel. First Day, August 18, 2025
Discussion:
Retirees and resignations in Title IC are attributed to the uncertainty regarding funding for 2025-2026 and 2026-2027.
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9.4.1. Personnel - 2025-2026 Contracts
Speaker(s):
Administrator or designee
Rationale:
2025-2026 Contracts offered and authorized by the Chief Administrator for the following staff:
- Abel (Josh) Arias, Title IC Education Program Service Provider - Alexus Hitz, District Technology Coordinator - Ana Garcia, Title IC Education Program Service Provider - Angie Arndt, Department Secretary - Angie Olson, Print Shop Personnel - Carolyn Koch, Bookkeeper - Chris Chvala, Computer Support Specialist - Cindy Wieser, Department Secretary - Devon Gronenthal, District Technology Coordinator - Elizabeth Lawrence, Department Secretary - Emma Moore, District Technology Coordinator - Jan Marie Locket, Receptionist/Administrative Secretary - Janet Ciboron, Print Shop Personnel - Jason Trotter, District Technology Coordinator - Jeremiah Salyard, District Technology Coordinator - Kris Johnson, Brailist - Larry Shefcyk, Custodian/Maintenance - Linda Shefcyk, Business Manager - Maria Rodriguez-Borquez, Title IC Education Program Recruiter - Mayra Garcia, Title IC Education Program Department Secretary - Morgan Morsett, Executive Secretary - Susan Olmer, Bookkeeper - Yaribey Rodriguez, Title IC Education Program Service Provider - The Title IC Education Program Department will hire school tutors throughout the year as necessary as classified following the Title IC Education Grant regulations |
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9.5. Legislative Update
Speaker(s):
Administrator or Designee
Rationale:
During this item, the Administrator will provide a Legislative Update to members of the Board.
Discussion:
Title IC Education Program and Title III grant money has not been released by the state yet. They have been released at the federal level for the 2025-2026 year. Administrator Ostmeyer listened to the School Financing Commission and a report will be given to the legislature by December 1.
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10. Committee Reports
Speaker(s):
Committee Chair
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10.1. Budget Committee Report
Speaker(s):
Budget Committee Chair
Rationale:
The Budget Committee Chairperson will provide an update.
Committee Recommendation:
Discussion:
Budget Committee Chair Dawn Lindsley provided an update. The 2025-2026 budget is looking similar to last year, however because we were awarded over $1 million in grants that offsets the amount that was in the budget for HVAC. Property tax estimate is up 12% as well. Title II and Title IV grants have been released at the federal and state levels. Title IC and Title III grant funds have not been released yet. Title III is due to public consultation not being completed by all schools. There is no explanation for the delay in the release of Title IC funds.
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10.2. Buildings and Grounds Committee Report
Speaker(s):
Buildings and Grounds Committee Chair
Rationale:
The Buildings and Grounds Committee Chairperson will provide an update.
Committee Recommendation:
Discussion:
No update.
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10.3. Administrator Evaluation Committee Report
Speaker(s):
Administrator Evaluation Committee Chair
Rationale:
Evaluation Committee Chair Marni Danhauer met with Chief Administrator Ostmeyer on August 7, 2025 to review the Evaluation Tool and Evaluation Policy/Procedures.
Evaluation Timeline Proposal: - August: Evaluation Committee Chair and Administrator review Evaluation Tool and Evaluation Policy/Procedures. - September: Full Board is provided a paper copy of the evaluation questions. - October: Administrator sends digital evaluation and evaluation resources to the Evaluation Committee Chair in the first week of October. The chair then forwards on to the full Board for completion by the October Board Meeting. The Board will send their completed evaluation tool to the Evaluation Committee prior to the October Board Meeting. The Administrator completes the Evaluation Tool as a self-assessment and sends it to the Evaluation Committee Chair on or before October 31. - November: Committee Chair will send the completed Administrator self-assessment to the full Board after November 1. The Evaluation Committee compiles results of the full Board's completed evaluations prior to the November Board Meeting. - December: The Evaluation Committee meets prior to the December Board Meeting to review with the Administrator the results of the evaluation. Report to the full Board in December Board Meeting following Closed Session requirements with the Administrator present. - January: Confirm Evaluation Committee members. The Administrator provides the Evaluation Committee with goals and shares with the Board at the January Board Meeting. Committee Recommendation:
Attachments:
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Discussion:
Evaluation Committee Chair Marni Danhauer stated the evaluation timeline proposal listed in the rationale will be used for the 2025-2026 year.
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11. Conference Report
Speaker(s):
Conference Attendees
Rationale:
Conference Attendees will report on their learnings.
Discussion:
Administrator Ostmeyer attended the AESA Leadership Conference and Administrator Days in July. Board Members Doug Pauley, Jack Young and Amy Blaser attended the NASB Leadership Workshop. The main focus of the workshop was Administrator evaluations.
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12. Adjournment
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Discussion:
Board President Doug Pauley adjourned the meeting at 7:12 pm.
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