January 12, 2026 at 7:00 PM - Board of Education Regular Meeting

Rationale:  Information concerning the Open Meeting Law, Chapter 84, Article 14 of Nebraska State Statutes, is posted in the meeting room at a location accessible to members of the public and attached to the online agenda. 

School Board meetings in Nebraska are meetings held in public, not public meetings.  The public comment agenda item is the only opportunity for the public to address the board. 

Please silence your phones and refrain from texting or using electronics (such as computers) during the meeting; if you must use your phone, please step outside the Board Room.

Dr. Don Johnson, Superintendent, will call the Board of Education Regular meeting to order.

Rationale: 

The Board Secretary will conduct roll call attendance. 

Rationale:  5th grade students from the school musical will lead the Board in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Rationale: 

All members of the Blair Community Schools Board of Education will be administered the Oath of Office

The following board leadership positions will be voted upon at this time:

• President
• Vice-President

Approval of Offices and Appointments:

• Secretary - Angie Conety
• Treasurer - Leslie Watts
• Official Newspaper - Blair Enterprise and Omaha World-Herald 
• Bank Depository - Washington County Bank and RVR Bank
• Truant Officer - Blair Police Department and Washington County Sheriff

Rationale: 

• December 8, 2025 Board of Education Work Session and Regular Meeting Minutes
• December 18, 2025 Board of Education Special Meeting Minutes
• December 22, 2025 Board of Education Special Meeting Minutes
• January 2, 2026 Board of Education Special Meeting Minutes

Rationale: 

• General Fund
• Building Fund and Savings & Depreciation

Rationale: 

• Activity Fund
• General Fund

Rationale:  Chief Jeremy Kinsey will introduce himself and discuss collaboration between the school district and the city. 

Rationale:  A letter has been received from Christine Ross, Blair High School Counselor/Local Scholarship Chair, to request permission to host a Local Community Scholarship Ceremony at Blair High School in the Auditorium/Cafeteria on Sunday, April 26, 2026.  Holding this on a Sunday allows for the greatest level of participation. 

Rationale:  This is the portion of the meeting when members of the public may address the board about matters of public concern.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO WISH TO SPEAK:

Rationale:  Mrs. Erin Field, Director of Curriculum and Instruction, and Mr. Scott Macholan, Director of Technology, will present a proposal for a new Student Information System (SIMS).  

Rationale:  A proposed 2026-27 District School Calendar will be presented for approval.

Rationale:  The board committee has spent the past couple of months evaluating a move from the district's current accounting software, eFinance, to Software Unlimited, exploring different options to determine the long-term solution that will best improve transparency and budget oversight. 

Software Unlimited is widely used in Nebraska (about 65% of districts) and offers a 60-day implementation, free annual training, strong regional support, user-friendly tools for small districts, user remote access, and assigns a personal coordinator during conversation.  Overall, it is flexible, easy to use, and cost-effective. 

EFinance has been used by the district since 2002 and currently holds a contract with ESU#3 through July 1, 2027.  A key concern with eFinance is that it appears to lack integration with limited visibility for principals.  Cost comparisons initially showed eFinance at $30,000/year and Software Unlimited at $12,000—$15,000/year.  However, ESU#3 informed that the district's share has risen drastically due to other school districts no longer using eFinance, increasing the cost for the remaining districts.  The district's new portion is $51,225.  

Rationale: 

The Policy Committee met on Monday, December 15, 2025.  Meeting minutes are attached.

Rationale: 

The Buildings, Grounds, and Transportation Committee met on Monday, January 5, 2026.  Meeting minutes are attached.

Rationale: 

The Finance Committee met on Tuesday, January 6, 2026.  Meeting minutes are attached.

Rationale:  Hailey Baker - Middle School Exploratory Teacher (Computer Technology & Agriculture) 

Rationale: 

• Julie Miller, 6th Grade Math Teacher - Otte Blair Middle School

Rationale:  Monthly Board Reports

• Blair High School
• Otte Middle School
• Arbor Park Elementary
• Deerfield Elementary

Rationale:  The Board of Education is authorized by state statute to hold closed sessions.  Closed sessions may be held when clearly necessary for the protection of the public interest or for the prevention of needless injury to the reputation of an individual.  Reasons that meet this standard include but are not limited to:  (a) strategy sessions with respect to collective bargaining, real estate matters, pending litigation, or litigation which is imminent as evidenced by communication of a claim or threat of litigation to or by the public body; (b) discussion regarding deployment of security personnel or devices; (c) investigative proceedings regarding allegations of criminal misconduct; (d) evaluation of the job performance of a person when necessary to prevent needless injury to the reputation of a person and if such person has not requested a public meeting; and (e) legal advice.