May 12, 2025 at 5:00 PM - Board of Education Regular Meeting

Rationale: 

Mission Statement:

Gothenburg Public Schools is the cornerstone of a proud, passionate, and progressive community where students and staff thrive in a positive and innovative environment.  We ensure the growth of all individuals by inspiring them to own and maximize their potential.

A copy of the open meetings law is posted on the wall of the Board Room and is available to the public.

Rationale: 

The Board reserves the right to rearrange the order of items as needed.

Rationale:  As part of our ongoing effort to highlight the achievements of our students and staff, Mr. Mroczek will present our monthly Celebration of Excellence, recognizing outstanding student performances across academics, fine arts, and activities. This presentation serves as a reflection on the many successes of the 2024-2025 school year and a celebration of what has truly been a great year to be a Swede. It's a moment to honor student dedication, staff commitment, and the strong support of our school community.

Taylor Burge - Believers and Achievers Award

Rationale: 

Board Policy 2009 - Opportunity for Public Expression.  
(A copy of the policy is linked here.)

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

INSTRUCTIONS FOR MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO WISH TO SPEAK: This is the portion of the meeting when members of the public may speak to the board about matters of public concern.  

• Getting Started: Before the meeting begins, anyone wishing to address the board must sign in with their name, address, and any organizations they are representing. When recognized, please stand and state your name. 

• Time Limit:  The board will generally allow a total of 30 minutes for the presentation of all public comments.  Individuals may speak only one time, and must limit comments to 5 minutes.  If there are more than 6 individuals who wish to address the board, the 30 minutes will be divided equally between the number of speakers.   These time limits may be changed by a majority vote of the board members in attendance to extend the time for a specific item or speaker. 

• Personnel or Student Topic:  If you are planning to speak about a personnel or a student matter involving an individual, please understand that the district has a complaint policy and/or procedures to resolve such complaints and concerns.  The Board requests that you follow the policy and procedures before addressing these matters with the Board.  Board members will generally not respond to any questions you ask or comments about individual staff members or students.  

• General Rules: This is a public meeting for the conduct of business.  Comments from the audience while others are speaking will not be tolerated.  Lewd, obscene, profane, slanderous, threatening and hostile conduct or statements and fighting words (words whose mere utterance entails a call to violence) will not be tolerated. 

• No Action by the Board:  The board will not act on any matter unless it is on the published agenda. 

Rationale: 

1. Approval of Previous Minutes

2. Approval of the Treasurer's Report

3. Approval of the Warrants / Bills

  a.  Petty Cash

  b.  Student Activity

  c.  Hot Lunch

  d.  Bank Statement

  e.  Summary of Accounts and Receipts

  f.  Monthly Expenditure Report

  g. Check Journal

4. Excuse Absent Board Members

 

Rationale:  Ackerman General Contracting has completed their work in Area B including the controlled entry vestibule on the east side of Dudley. This payment of $49,370.92 is within-budget and will be the final payment to Ackerman General Contracting for this project.

This expenditure has been approved by Bond Council for use of QCPUF funds for this purpose as they are addressing air quality and life safety issues within the building. 

Board Action is utilized for QCPUF expenditures to ensure transparency regarding the use of funds.

Rationale:  The USDA (Federal) lunch program requires districts to eventually raise the price of their meals to an amount equivalent to a reimbursable meal.  For 25-26, the reimbursable meal price is $4.899.  

A comparison of where our prices are within our array is listed below.  For brunch, our prices are right in the middle of our array and for lunch, we are the 3rd cheapest out of the schools that had readily available information.





It is recommended that we increase our prices as follows:

	2025-2026
Elementary Breakfast	1.95
Jr/Sr High Breakfast	1.95
Elementary Lunch	3.00
Jr/Sr High Lunch	3.30
Adult Lunch	4.90

Rationale: 

• Mr. Jeramy Bartels is requesting approval to surplus the following items from our shop program: a drum sander, scroll saw, wood lathe, 3D printer, and table saw. These pieces of equipment have outgrown their usefulness in our instructional setting due to age, limited functionality, and the evolving needs of our curriculum and safety standards.

  Their continued use is no longer practical, and replacement or updated tools have been identified to better support current student learning objectives. Surplusing these items will allow for more efficient use of space and resources within the shop program while maintaining a safe and up-to-date learning environment.

  (Link to items and descriptions) 
   

How to submit your bid for each individual item:

• Drop off a sealed envelope at the District Office by
  Thursday, May 15th @ 4PM that includes:

  • Your name

  • Phone number

  • Email address

  • Item Name & Your Bid Amount

Rationale:  State Statute 79-724 requires an annual update on American Civics. 

In accordance with Nebraska Revised Statute 79-724, which requires public schools to provide instruction in American civics, social studies, and government, we are providing this annual update to the Board of Education. This report outlines how Gothenburg Public Schools is meeting the statutory requirements. This ensures our continued compliance with state law and our commitment to preparing students to be informed, active participants in our democracy.

Our building principals will provide an overview.

As an informational item, there is no action required.
 

Rationale:  State Statute 79-304 requires an annual update on how we address Financial Literacy.  Our building principals will provide an overview.

Personal Finance Essential Learnings 
 

Rationale:  State Statute 79-760.01 requires Computer Science Standards as part of our graduation requirements.  Our secondary principal will provide an overview.

As an informational item, there is no action required.
 

Rationale:  In accordance with Nebraska Revised Statute § 79-729, which requires school districts to provide information on financial aid opportunities and encourage FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) completion, this update provides the Board with current data on our senior class FAFSA completion rates. Ensuring students complete the FAFSA is an essential step in promoting postsecondary access and affordability. This update reflects our efforts to inform students and families, track completion rates, and support all graduates in pursuing education or training beyond high school.

60 Students were provided instructions for filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) in accordance with SS-79-729.

• 12 students competed the FAFSA opt-out form
• 48 students completed the FAFSA

 
As an informational item, there is no action required.

Rationale: 

We began advertising open extra-duty positions to all current staff members in February. As part of our hiring process, we ask potential new teachers during their interviews about any extra-duty assignments they are interested in. Once new teachers are hired, Mr. Mroczek follows up with them to share which extra-duty positions are available. Based on their experience and qualifications, they are offered opportunities that align with their interests and Mr. Mroczek keeps them informed about any future openings. After assigning roles to new hires, we continue promoting any remaining opportunities internally and encourage current staff to apply. Occasionally, we receive applications from community members.

We continue to be committed to ensuring that we identify the best individuals to support our student-athletes and uphold the standards of our athletic program.  Their knowledge and fit for the position is very important for our programs and we work hard to ensure our student athletes can have the best possible experience.

This is an informational item. No action is required.

Rationale: 

Committee Reports (Chair in bold)

1.  Personnel Committee (Mr. Fornoff, Mrs. Terrell, Mrs. Brass)
2. Transportation and Facilities (Mr. Wyatt, Mr. Dalrymple, Mrs. Jobman)
3. Finance (Mrs. Jobman, Mr. Wyatt, Mrs. Brass)
4. Committee on American Civics (Mrs. Terrell, Mr. Fornoff, Mr. Dalrymple)
5. Policy Review (Mrs. Terrell, Mr. Dalrymple, Mrs. Jobman)

Rationale: 

Rationale:  Monday, June 9th @ TBD

Swede Activities:
None