August 11, 2025 at 6:00 PM - Regular Board of Education Meeting
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1. GPS Board of Education Information
More Information:
The meeting agenda will be kept current and available for public inspection in the office of the Secretary of the Board of Education at the Central Office during regular working hours.
District Vision: Gering Public Schools provides a collaborative community, inspiring excellence and innovation in teaching and learning to empower student growth and leadership in school and life. District Mission: Gering Public Schools exists to equip today's learners with the skills necessary to be tomorrow's leaders. The Open Meetings Act requires and the intention of the Board is that agenda items be sufficiently descriptive to give the public reasonable notice of matters to be considered at the meeting. The Board of Education releases its agenda well in advance of most meetings and desires that all interested persons are fully informed. Any interested person who has a question or needs clarification about the sufficiency of a descriptive item should contact the Office of the Superintendent of Schools. If anyone in attendance is interested in addressing our Board, you are welcome to do so. We simply request that you complete the appropriate form and turn it in to us now, so that you may be recognized during the 'Patron Comment' section of our meeting. These forms are located by the entry doors of the meeting room. Agenda items are subject to reordering at the discretion of the board president. Board members may request specific agenda item(s) be moved to a different place on the agenda. Please attend the entire meeting to ensure you hear discussion on a particular agenda item. |
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2. Opening Procedures
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2.1. Call to Order
More Information:
The Board of Education reserves the right to enter into Executive Session for the protection of the public interest, or the prevention of needless injury to the reputation of an individual, and if the individual has not requested a public meeting.
Discussion:
The meeting was called to order by board president, Greg Trautman, at 6:03 p.m.
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2.2. Roll Call
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2.3. Pledge of Allegiance
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2.4. Open Meetings Act
More Information:
Pursuant to Section 84-1412 of the Nebraska Statutes, the public is hereby informed that a current copy of the Nebraska Open Meetings Act is posted in the Board meeting room on the north wall.
Notice of this meeting was published in the Star Herald on Thursday, August 7th, 2025. |
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3. Consent Agenda
More Information:
At this time, any Board member may request that any item in the consent agenda be removed from the consent agenda and be considered and voted on separately.
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3.1. Minutes from the previous month's board meeting(s)
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3.2. Approval of Claims/Bills
More Information:
Fund Amount 01 General $476,386.18 03 Employee$269.50 05 Activity $44,846.83 06 School Nutrition $55,029.05 12 Student Fee Fund $35,000.00 Fund Totals: $611,531.56
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3.3. Board Policy Adoption
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3.3.i. First Reading of Board Policies
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3.3.ii. Second Reading of Board Policies
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3.4. Personnel Items
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3.4.i. Certified Staff Contract(s)
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3.4.ii. Certified Staff Resignation(s)
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4. Celebration of Excellence
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4.1. Introduce New Teachers - Dr. Regan
Discussion:
Dr. Regan presented to the board. She welcomed several of our new teachers to introduce themselves to the board. They talked about their background and why they chose Gering.
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4.2. Building Report - Stacy Rodriguez Tax Authority Presentation
Discussion:
Stacy Rodriguez presented to the board. She went over the budget process for schools and went over the differences between the joint public hearing and the property tax authority. These two things are not the same. She also talked about the special building fund. We will have our evaluation on August 20th.
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5. Reports & Discussions
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5.1. Board Committee Report: Curriculum & Personnel
Discussion:
Greg Trautman presented to the board. He talked about the policy updates and the new teacher orientation. There was a PLC conference for new staff this summer that went very well. The enrollment trends for preschool and kindergarten. We have 10 preschool classrooms this year, with a 95% conversion rate into kindergarten. He also gave a LINKS update and dual enrollment. Students can enroll in WNCC and this is free for students through a grant we received.
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5.2. Board Committee Report: Business & Facilities
Discussion:
Matt Kautz presented to the board. He went over some of the policy changes and gave an update on the HVAC units at the high school. He also talked about how our custodial staff had training with Eakes to be more efficient. We still need a new auditor. The summer meal program served over 25,000 meals to kids in the area.
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5.3. Superintendent's Report
Discussion:
Dr. Regan presented to the board.
Today was a proud day to be a bulldog. We launched our Kick-off session with 247 employees. Our staff listened to our keynote speaker, Dr. Jim Sutfin spoke to our Theme: "Watching Gering Rise". We are rising in enrollment, academics and a culture of excellence in every facet that has to do with our students. Dr. Sutfin spoke about our North Star—our mission and purpose in serving our community. Beginning my 5th year as superintendent, I understand we will have challenges: a middle school that is in desperate need of improvement, a track that was badly damaged by a windstorm, and the evolving needs we need to overcome for the betterment of our students. Every year, we get to build on our community where students experience a high-quality education and feel valued and respected every day.
Dr. Sutfin stated, if you want to go fast-go alone. If you want to go far-go together. These results have been accomplished by a team of leaders and educators who believe in the power of teamwork, collaboration and solving problems. So, as the tide rises, so do we this school year. We are ready. |
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6. Public Comments: 204.12
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7. Action Items
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7.1. 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.
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8. Board Comments
Discussion:
Bryan Barrett - Excited about school starting and meeting some of the new teachers. Thanks to Stacy for her presentation.
Tracy Wiese - Excited for football to start. Excited to see all the years of teaching experience our new staff is bringing. John Maser - Thanks to the new teachers for coming. Excited about the growth in preschool and is very appreciated of all our staff. Matt Kautz - Thanks to new teachers for coming. Thanks to Stacy for her presentation and to our maintenance staff for all their summer work. Greg Trautman - Excited for fall sports to start and the new year to get going. Thanks to our admin for getting things ready. |
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8.1. Tentative Upcoming Board Meeting/Event Dates
More Information:
Future Board MeetingsSpecial Meeting: Tues, Aug. 26th, 2025 @ 12:00 p.m. (Central Office)Regular Meeting: Mon, Sept. 8th, 2025 @ 6:00 p.m. (Freshmen Academy) Special Meeting: Tues, Sept. 23rd, 2025 @ 12:00 p.m. (Central Office) Tentative Committee Meeting Dates:Personnel & Curriculum Committee: Tues, Sept. 2nd, 2025 @ 7:00 a.m. (Central Office)Middle School Improvement Committee: Wed, Sept. 3rd, 2025 @ 4:30 p.m. (Central Office) Policy Review Committee: Thurs, Sept. 4th, 2025 @ 4:00 p.m. (Central Office) Finance & Facilities Committee: Thurs, Sept. 4th, 2025 @ 4:30 p.m. (Central Office) Upcoming Event Highlights:NASB Area Meeting - August 20th @ Gering Civic Center |
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9. Adjourn
Discussion:
The meeting was adjourned at 6:46 p.m.
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