September 15, 2025 Directly following the Tax Asking/Final Levy - 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 Vice President Jack Young called the meeting to order at 5:28 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:
Board President Doug Pauley notified he would be absent prior to the meeting.
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.
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
Discussion:
Marni Danhauer and Doug Pauley notified they would be absent prior to the meeting. Richard Stephens did not notify of his absence prior to the meeting.
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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
Discussion:
N/A
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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.
Discussion:
N/A
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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 #80344 through #80530 totaling $1,180,513.80
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
The summary of bills for the current month total: $1,180,513.80 - Bills #80344 through #80530 General Activity Fund total: No Activity
This is a consent item.
Attachments:
()
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5.3. Reading of Article I, Section 5, E Negotiations
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
This is a consent item.
Attachments:
()
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5.4. Reading of Article IV, Section 11, C Hiring, Assignment and Dismissal
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
This is a consent item.
Attachments:
()
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5.5. Reading of Article IV, Section 11, E Classified Evaluations
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
This is a consent item.
Attachments:
()
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5.6. Reading of Article V, Section 2, A Section 504 Compliance
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
This is a consent item.
Attachments:
()
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6. 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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7. 2025-2026 Resolution for Tax Asking and Final Levy
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
Now be it therefore resolved that the Board of ESU 7 has a tax request of $3,672,339.40 for the 2025-2026 fiscal year and the final levy of the Board of ESU 7 should be, and hereby is set at .015 for the 2025-2026 fiscal year.
Administrator Recommendation: Discuss, consider and take all necessary action to approve the 2025-2026 Tax Asking and Final Levy Resolution as presented.
Recommended Motion(s):
Discuss, consider and take all necessary action to approve the 2025-2026 Tax Asking and Final Levy Resolution 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.
Discussion:
Board Member Bob Arp asked how ESU 7's tax asking compares to the districts' tax asking. Administrator Ostmeyer stated the advice ESUs have been receiving advice to keep the levy where it's at due to uncertainty in the legislature. Districts are likely receiving the same advice.
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8. Approval of the 2025-2026 Budget
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
Administrator Recommendation: Discuss, consider and take all necessary action to approve the 2025-2026 Budget as presented.
Recommended Motion(s):
Discuss, consider and take all necessary action to approve the 2025-2026 Budget 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.
Discussion:
Administrator Ostmeyer explained the budget creation process and reviewed the most recent changes.
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9. Reading of Article III, Section 4, F Internal Controls
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
From Attorney Justin Knight: "If your ESU holds (or will hold) a federal grant, this policy update will be required if you are subject to a federal desk review audit."
Recommended Motion(s):
Discuss, consider and take all necessary action to approve Article III, Section 4, F 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.
Discussion:
Administrator Ostmeyer explained the addition to the policy. According to the GSA (U.S. General Services Administration), there are certain per diem rates that must be followed. If these are unable to be met, there needs to be an explanation provided.
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10. North Building Backup Heat
Speaker(s):
Administrator or Designee
Rationale:
The North Building HVAC Backup Heat System installation can begin as soon as materials arrive, the current lead time is 5 to 6 weeks on material shipping. The presented proposal will be honored until the end of September, 2025.
Administrator Recommendation: Discuss, consider and take all action necessary to approve the installation of the Backup Heat System by Rutt's and not to exceed $33,980.00.
Recommended Motion(s):
Discuss, consider and take all action necessary to approve the installation of the Backup Heat System by Rutt's and not to exceed $33,980.00 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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11. Committee Member Appointments
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
Review committee member assignments and appoint Clark Lehr to the Budget Committee and Amy Blaser to the Negotiations Committee.
Administrator Recommendation: According to Board Policy, committee member appointment or replacement member can be approved by President appointment or majority vote of the entire Board.
Recommended Motion(s):
Discuss, consider and take all action necessary to appoint Clark Lehr to the Budget Committee and Amy Blaser to the Negotiations Committee 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.
Discussion:
Committee appointments typically happen in January. According to Board Policy, new members need to be voted onto the committee in order to participate.
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12. Representation at the State Education Conference Delegate Assembly
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
Selection of one Board Member to represent ESU 7 at the Delegate Assembly on Friday, November 21, 2025 from 8:00am-9:30am.
Discussion:
Dawn Lindsley will be the representative at the Delegate Assembly.
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13. Administrator's Report General
Speaker(s):
Administrator or Designee
Rationale:
Attachments:
()
Discussion:
Administrator Ostmeyer reviewed the ESUCC update. The ESUCC 25-26 budget was previewed last month and approved last week. Administrator Ostmeyer is on the Educational Resources Committee, one of several committees.
Director Ericson reviewed the Professional Development and Print Shop report provided in the attachments. Director Clay and Director Ellsworth were absent, their reports attached below. |
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13.1. Goal Update
Speaker(s):
Administrator or Designee
Rationale:
NASB Board Goal Retreat Date: Tuesday, September 30, 2025. Time: TBD
2025-2026 District Board Visit Scheduling
Attachments:
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Discussion:
The NASB Goal Setting Retreat will begin at 4:00 pm on September 20th with a run time of 90-minutes.
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13.2. Services Update
Speaker(s):
Administrator or Designee
Rationale:
Attachments:
()
Discussion:
Administrator Ostmeyer explained how the SMART data is calculated on the website.
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13.3. Facilities Update
Speaker(s):
Administrator or Designee
Rationale:
Administrator Ostmeyer will give an update on the Learning Academy and Playground.
Discussion:
Playground installation is to begin this week and roofers are coming on Wednesday to assess the North Building roof.
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13.4. Personnel
Speaker(s):
Administrator or designee
Rationale:
Resignations:
Tanley Miller, Bridges Paraprofessional. Last day, August 31, 2025. Iriana Medel, Bridges Paraprofessional. Last day, September 17, 2025. Retirements: Larry Shefcyk, Custodian/Maintenance. Last day, December 22, 2025.
Discussion:
Board Secretary Dawn Lindsley asked if ESU 7 is able to hire Bridges paras. Administrator Ostmeyer confirmed the position is being advertised.
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13.5. Legislative Update
Speaker(s):
Administrator or Designee
Rationale:
During this item, the Administrator will provide a Legislative Update to members of the Board.
Discussion:
Administrator Ostmeyer stated that ESUs are being discussed at the legislative level.
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14. Committee Reports
Speaker(s):
Committee Chair
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14.1. Budget Committee Report
Speaker(s):
Budget Committee Chair
Rationale:
Reports of Budget Committee activities and discussion will take place during this item.
Committee Recommendation:
Discussion:
No update
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14.2. Buildings and Grounds Committee Report
Speaker(s):
Buildings and Grounds Committee Chair
Rationale:
The Buildings and Grounds Committee Chairperson will provide an update.
Discussion:
No update
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14.3. Negotiations Committee Report
Speaker(s):
Negotiations Committee Chair
Rationale:
Reports of activities and discussions from the Negotiations Committee will take place during this item.
Joint Budget and Negotiations Committee meeting to take place in October. Committee Recommendation:
Discussion:
Joint Budget and Negotiations Committee meeting to take place in October.
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14.3.1. Request to recognize ESUEA as exclusive bargaining agent for 2027-2028
Speaker(s):
Administrator or designee
Rationale:
The ESU 7 Education Association requests that the Board representing the Educational Service Unit 7 take action to recognize ESU 7 Education Association as the exclusive bargaining agent for the non-supervisory certificated staff for the 2027-2028 contract year.
Committee Recommendation: Discuss, consider, and take all necessary action to recognize ESU 7 Education Association as exclusive bargaining agent for the non-supervisory certificated staff for the 2027-2028 contract year.
Recommended Motion(s):
Discuss, consider, and take all necessary action to recognize ESU 7 Education Association as exclusive bargaining agent for the non-supervisory certificated staff for the 2027-2028 contract year 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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14.4. Administrator Evaluation Committee Report
Speaker(s):
Administrator Evaluation Committee Chair
Rationale:
A report of activities from the Administrator Evaluation Committee will be given during this item.
Evaluation Timeline: - 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:
()
Discussion:
Paper copies of evaluation questions were provided along with an evaluation timeline graphic.
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15. Conference Report
Speaker(s):
Conference Attendees
Rationale:
Conference Attendees will report on their learnings.
Discussion:
Board Members Don Graff, Clark Lehr and Beth Kabes attended the NASB Area Membership Meeting in York.
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16. Adjournment
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Discussion:
Meeting adjourned at 6:45pm.
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