Public Meeting Minutes: September 17, 2025 at 6:00 PM - Board of Education Regular Meeting

1. Call to Order and Pledge of Allegiance

Discussion:

Board President Desh called the meeting to order at 6:02 p.m.
Board President Desh led the board members and patrons in attendance at the meeting in the Pledge of Allegiance.

2. Announcement of the Open Meetings Act Posting

Discussion:

Board President Desh identified the location of the Open Meetings Act Poster on the wall in the meeting room.
- The changes are reflected in the currently posted materials: revised June 2025.
  - Special note: Copies of the updated (2025) Open Meetings Act documents were available at the meeting.

Attachments: (1)

Open Meetings Act Poster. Updated. June 2025

3. Staff and Student Presentations

Discussion:

The Board of Education group (and individual board members) had their pictures taken after the board meeting. These will be updated on the district website.
Mr. John Furrow, District Instrumental Music Teacher, presented all board members with invitations to the Music Educators Conference coming up later this fall.
Career Technical Education (CTE Programs Update)
- Mr. Heath Johnson: High School Building Principal
- Mrs. Elizabeth Beach: Not available to attend the meeting, but provided information.
- Mr. Grant Fritsch: Industrial Technology at PHS.
- Mrs. Michelle Paxton: Family Consumer Science and FCCLA Sponsor at PHS.
  - Highlights were provided on CTE Programs, Career Pathways, Curriculum, Local Business Partnerships, and student class offerings and activities.
ALIGN: Strategic Planning Presentation:
- Dr. Matt Dominy from Seward Public Schools was in attendance to provide information on a possible Strategic Planning process to be used in the future.
  - See the document attached below for more information.

Attachments: (2)

4. Consent Agenda

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Motion to approve the consent agenda as presented. This motion, made by Dee Moore and seconded by Josh Penterman, Passed.

Busch: Yea
Calfee: Yea
Cheney : Yea
Desh: Yea
Moore: Yea
Penterman: Yea

No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.

Discussion:

No further discussion.

4.1. Approval of Board Agenda

4.2. Approval of minutes of previous meetings

Attachments: (2)

4.3. Approval of Claims/Payment of Bills and Payroll

Attachments: (5)

4.4. Certificated/Classified Hire(s)/Reassignment(s)/Resignation(s)

4.5. Financial Reports

Attachments: (2)

5. Public Comment

Discussion:

Susan Royal from Palmyra provided Public Comment.

6. Administrative Reports

6.1. Superintendent's Report

Discussion: Superintendent Hart shared information relative to the following topics:

Highway #2 Traffic Safety Project Update:
- Design has been completed on the Palmyra RCUTs, and the project is on track to begin construction in the spring.
Community Open Houses:
- Discussed additional opportunities for our community patrons to visit our schools and see the additions and renovations at both buildings.
- Possible dates for Open Houses will be shared with the public in the near future.
Trophy Case Artifacts
- Discussion took place regarding the rotation of trophies in the various trophy cases at the high school and procedures for where awards are displayed and for how long. This topic is scheduled to be discussed again at the October 13th regular board meeting.
2025-2026 Calendar Changes Discussion:
- An adjusted 2025-2025 school calendar was recommended with some minor changes reflective of our district hosting NSAA district events at the high school.
Superintendent Evaluation Timeline:
- Friday, October 31st—Thursday, November 6^th:Superintendent completes the self-evaluation
- Monday, November 10^th: NASB sends the board the superintendent's self-evaluation results.
- Monday, November 10th — Wednesday, November 19^th: Board members complete their evaluations
- Monday, December 1st: Final Report & Executive Summary will be emailed and mailed to the board president.
Panther Den Update:
Option Enrollment:
School Lunch Update:
Bennet Safety Action Planning:
- The City of Bennet is underway with its first-ever Safety Action Plan, a proactive initiative supported by the Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) grant.
- This plan is designed to enhance roadway safety for all users by identifying risks and creating projects that reflect the community’s needs.
- An Open House for this plan will be held on Tuesday, October 14th, from 4:30–6:30 p.m. at Bennet Elementary School.
2025-2026 Beginning of School Update:
- The NDE District Student Membership Report is due on October 15.
Strategic Planning:
- Discussion from the presentation shown earlier in the meeting.
Review Collective Bargaining Timeline:
High School Guidance Information:
Student and Staff Kudos:
Proactive Coaching Assembly Feedback:
Douglas Fire and Rescue: Thank You Note:
District's Base Growth Percentage Resolution:

Attachments: (7)

6.1.1. Strategic Planning Update

Discussion:

More information was discussed regarding the possibility of considering a new strategic planning process to begin in the spring of 2026.

Attachments: (1)

Strategic Planning Presentation. ALIGN Model. for the OR-1 Board.September 17.2025 (1)

6.1.2. 2025 -2026: District Budget Presentation

Discussion:

Superintendent Hart presented a summary of this year's proposed budget and tax request.
More details about the 2025-2026 budget are listed on our school website.

Attachments: (2)

6.2. Administrative Team Report

Discussion:

Bennet Elementary had a two-week fundraiser to raise funds for purchasing books for our library.
Parent-Teacher conferences are scheduled for Wednesday, September 24th, from 2-8 PM.
Bennet completed MAPS testing for 1st-5th grades. Data will be shared with parents at elementary parent-teacher conferences.
NSCAS results from the spring of 2025 will also be provided to parents at parent-teacher conferences.
The ACT and Pre-ACT will be given on March 24th, 2026 at PHS for sophomores and juniors.
The Elementary High Ability Learner (HAL) program will look different moving forward due to new scheduling options and curriculum.
The new Language Arts curriculum has been implemented in K-12, and students and teachers are doing well with it.

Attachments: (4)

7. Discussion Items- Committee Reports

Attachments: (1)

2025 Board Committee Assignments_ District OR.1. Updated and Approved. January 13.2025 (2)

7.1. Budget Committee Update

Discussion:

No further discussion.

Attachments: (2)

7.2. Curriculum, Committee on American Civics

Discussion:

The next meeting of this committee is scheduled for Wednesday, October 15th, 2025.

7.3. Negotiations Committee Update

Discussion:

The first Negotiations Committee meeting is scheduled for Monday, October 13th, 2025.

7.4. Transportation and Facilities Committee

Discussion:

The next Facilities Committee meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, October 22nd, 2025.

Attachments: (2)

7.5. Technology Committee Update

Discussion:

The next Technology Committee meeting is Thursday, September 25th, 2025.

8. Policy Review

Discussion:

Policy # 3132 (Internal Controls) was reviewed for additional clarification on "reasonable" travel expenses.
The 6000 Series (Instruction) and 7000 Series (New Construction) policies will be reviewed on Monday, November 10th, 2025.

Attachments: (1)

Policy # 3132.Internal Controls.District OR.1. for Board approval and Review. July 14.2025. Updated September 17

8.1. Review and Update Policy #3132 Internal Controls

Discussion:

Policy # 3132 (Internal Controls) was reviewed for additional clarification on "reasonable" travel expenses.

Attachments: (1)

Policy # 3132.Internal Controls.District OR.1. for Board approval and Review. July 14.2025. Updated September 17

9. Action Items

9.1. Presentation, discussion, and or official action to approve the revision update to Policy # 3132 Internal Controls

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Motion to approve the NDE update to Policy #3132: Internal Controls. This motion, made by Tim Cheney and seconded by Dee Moore, Passed.

Busch: Yea
Calfee: Yea
Cheney : Yea
Desh: Yea
Moore: Yea
Penterman: Yea

No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.

Discussion:

No further discussion as this topic was covered earlier in the meeting.

Attachments: (1)

Policy # 3132.Internal Controls.District OR.1. for Board approval and Review. July 14.2025. Updated September 17

9.2. Discuss, consider, and take all necessary action to approve the Resolution to increase in the district's base growth percentage by up to an additional six percent or other maximum amount as permitted by law

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Motion to approve as discussed. This motion, made by Dean Busch and seconded by Tim Cheney, Passed.

Busch: Yea
Calfee: Yea
Cheney : Yea
Desh: Yea
Moore: Yea
Penterman: Yea

No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.

Discussion:

No further discussion as this topic was covered earlier in the meeting.

Attachments: (2)

9.3. Discuss, consider, and take action on the update of the Option Enrollment Appendix for the 2025-2026 school year.

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Motion to approve the option enrollment Appendix for the 2025-2026 school year as discussed. This motion, made by Dee Moore and seconded by Tim Cheney, Passed.

Busch: Yea
Calfee: Yea
Cheney : Yea
Desh: Yea
Moore: Yea
Penterman: Yea

No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.

Discussion:

Discussion included capacity for special education programs, option enrollment costs and numbers, and current legislative guidelines regarding option enrollment for students.

Attachments: (2)

9.4. Discuss, consider, and take action on changes to the 2025-2026 Master Calendar.

Action(s):

Motion 1 Passed:

Motion to approve the changes to the 2025-2026 school district calendar as discussed. This motion, made by Tim Cheney and seconded by Josh Penterman, Passed.

Busch: Yea
Calfee: Yea
Cheney : Yea
Desh: Yea
Moore: Yea
Penterman: Yea

Motion 2 Passed:

Motion to approve changes as discussed. This motion, made by Tim Cheney and seconded by Josh Penterman, Passed.

Busch: Yea
Calfee: Yea
Cheney : Yea
Desh: Yea
Moore: Yea
Penterman: Yea

No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.

Discussion:

Please note that the calendar changes mostly impact the high school due to our district now hosting NSAA district-level events.
The updated calendar will be posted on the school website and social media channels as soon as possible.

Attachments: (1)

2025-2026 Calendar.Updated September 17th, 2025. Activity Revisions. Board Approved September 17.2025 - Calenda

9.5. Presentation, discussion, and or official action to approve the purchase of two handicap accessible mini buses.

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Motion to approve the purchase of two mini buses as discussed. This motion, made by Dean Busch and seconded by Tim Cheney, Passed.

Busch: Yea
Calfee: Yea
Cheney : Yea
Desh: Yea
Moore: Yea
Penterman: Yea

No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.

Discussion:

These vehicles allow added flexibility to transport students with accessibility needs and utilize more options for drivers as needed.

Attachments: (2)

10. Board of Education Development

Discussion:

Board President Desh discussed upcoming board member professional development opportunities, provided a summary of the recent Area Membership meeting in Nebraska City, and congratulated current board members for earning NASB service awards.

Attachments: (4)

11. Closed Session

Discussion:

No closed session occurred during the meeting.

12. Topics for Next Month’s Agenda

Discussion:

The next board meeting is a Special Board meeting scheduled for Wednesday, September 24th, beginning at 8:00 p.m. at Palmyra High School in the media center.
- The purpose of this meeting will be to approve the 2025-2026 District Tax Request and District Budget.
The next regular board meeting is scheduled for Monday, October 13th, 2025, at Palmyra High School, beginning at 6:00 p.m. in the media center.

13. Adjournment

Discussion:

The meeting was adjourned at 7:44 p.m.

September 17, 2025 at 6:00 PM - Board of Education Regular Meeting

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