February 23, 2026 at 6:00 PM - Board of Education Regular Meeting/Business

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Patrons can watch the Ralston Public Schools Board of Education Meeting by following the link below.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCo8VrugRaRJ-0GL1Cg8BlBA

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Please stand and join us in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Nebraska Frameworks Governance and Leadership
Policy 2008, Board of Education Meetings.

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Nebraska Frameworks Governance and Leadership
Policy 2008, Board of Education Meetings.

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A complete copy of the Open Meetings Act is posted on the back wall of the Board of Education meeting room.

Public Comment Sign In Procedure - Anyone wishing to address the Board of Education must submit a written request form, found on the public’s table, prior to Public Comments.

The Board reserves the right to move into closed session to protect the public interest or needless injury to the reputation of an individual for any action item listed on the agenda. The Board may, at its discretion, change the order of the agenda to accommodate unforeseen issues related to an agenda item.

Nebraska Frameworks Stakeholder Communication and Relationships
Policy 2009, Public Participation at Board Meetings.

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The Ralston Board of Education appreciates the public's right to provide public comment.  It is the practice of the Ralston Board to listen to the public comment, without discussion between the public and the Board.  Should you have a question or ask for follow-up from the Board, the Board President will direct the Superintendent to address the requests and provide additional information to you as appropriate.  We ask that you refrain from personal comments about individuals and the use of vulgar or inappropriate language in addressing the Board. 

The board will generally allow a total of 30 minutes for the presentation of all public comments.  Individuals may only speak one time per topic and must limit comments to around three (3) minutes. In the event more than 10 individuals wish to address the board, the 30 minutes will be divided equally between the number of speakers. At the discretion of the Board President or Chair, speakers may be allotted additional time.

At this time the Ralston Public Schools Board of Education will entertain public comment.

Nebraska Frameworks Stakeholder Communication and Relationships
Policy 2009, Public Participation at Board Meetings.

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Consent agenda items include minutes from the February 9th meeting.

Subcommittee minutes from February are included.  Resignations from Sawyer Sterud, Jean Marie Krebsbach, Lakesha Aerni and Richard Painter.

Recommend the following teachers to be hired for the 2026-2027 school year:

Adam Sempek- School Psychologist.  Adam did his undergraduate at UNL and got his Doctorate of Education from UNO in 2014. He is currently  a School Psychologist with Bennington Public Schools.
Andrea Bertrang- Special Education Resource - Blumfield.  Andrea will graduate from Midland University with her BA in May 2026.  Andrea is a substitute teacher with Ralston and is currently a student teacher with Ralston. 
Brenda Walz - Wildewood - 2^nd Grade.  Brenda has her BA from UNO and is currently teaching First Grade with Omaha Public Schools—Boyd Elementary. 
Emma Soppe - KW- 1^st Grade.  Emma has her BA from UNO.  Emma was a substitute teacher and a Para with Ralston from 2022-2024.  She is currently a Special Education Preschool Teacher with Bellevue Public Schools.
Cindy Friese - MB-1^st Grade.  Cindy has her BA from Wayne State College and her Master’s from Concordia.  Cindy is currently a substitute teacher with Ralston.
Diana Estrada- MB- 6^th Grade.  Diana received her BA from Bellevue University on 12/2025. 
Elizabeth Krance- MB- 2^nd Grade.  Elizabeth will receive her BA from the University of Kearney on 5/206.  She is currently a student teacher assistant with Plambeck Early Childhood Education Center in Kearney.
 

Nebraska Frameworks Governance and Leadership
Board Policy 2008, Board of Education Meetings.
Board Policy 3007, Review of Bills.         

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Nebraska Frameworks Governance and Leadership
Board Policy 2008, Board of Education Meetings.

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Board of Education members will discuss items they have recently observed or attended or items they wish to share with the other members of the Board of Education and the public.

Nebraska Frameworks Governance and Leadership
Board Policy 2008, Board of Education Meetings.

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Nebraska Frameworks Governance and Leadership
Board Policy 2022, Reporting to the Public.

Rationale:  In appreciation of the tremendous amount of time and effort our Board of Education puts in to help make our district the best it can be, we present an expression of thanks from multiple student groups.

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Mr. Buckingham will update the Board regarding Legislative issues. 

Nebraska Frameworks Governance and Leadership
Board Policy 2022, Reporting to the Public.

Rationale:  Mrs. Elizabeth Kumru will update the Board of Education on items and information that is under consideration with the Nebraska Association of School Boards.

Nebraska Frameworks Governance and Leadership
Policy 2022 Reporting to the Public.

Rationale:  Update of our most recent Ralston Schools Foundation (RSF) meeting.

Rationale:  Ryan Pivonka will provide an update to the Board of Education on the current status of recruitment and retention across all employee groups. 

Rationale:  The Board has requested an update from each of the subcommittee meetings to be presented by the BOE members in attendance at the meeting.  Each subcommittee shall report on the agenda, what was discussed and any relevant information presented.  Additionally, our Communications Department will report as well.

Rationale:  Nebraska Frameworks Governance and Leadership

Rationale:  Policy 3017, Official Communications with the Public is recommended for approval from our policy service.

Rationale:  Policy 5047, Press Releases will be included in Policy 3017 Official Communication with the Public

Rationale:  Policy 3064, Temporary School Facilities is not required by statute and is recommended for removal by our Policy Service.

Rationale:  Policy 4019, Safety Committee to be amended to Policy 4019, Workplace Injury Prevention and Safety Committee

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The Board and Administration will review proposed policies.

Nebraska Frameworks Governance and Leadership
Nebraska Frameworks Committment to Continuous Improvement
Board Policy 2001, Role of the Board of Education.

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Supplemental Documents include the following:

Bill Review Schedule - 2024

 

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Board of Education Meeting - Mon., Feb 24, 2026 - 6:00 p.m.

                                    Virginia Moon Administrative Center

March 2, 2026 Deadline for non-incumbents to file for office in the primary election.
May 12, 2026 Statewide Primary Election
Oct. 23, 2026 Last day for Write-In Candidates to file notarized affidavit and filing fees.

March

• Tuesday, March 3rd (7:00 pm) - District Vocal Music Festival @ RHS gymnasium.

• Thursday, March 5th (Kids cooking @ 3:45 pm, Judging & Tasting 5 - 6 pm) - Kids Can Cook Competition @ RHS Cafeteria

• Tuesday, March 10th (7:00 pm) - District Instrumental Music Festival @ RHS gymnasium.  

• Tuesday, March 17 (7:00 pm) - RHS Show Choir Concert @ RHS Theater

• Thursday, March 26th (3:45 pm) - RPS Elementary Intramural Volleyball Showcase @ RHS gymnasium

• Wednesday, March 25 - Friday, March 27 (all day) - State FFA Convention @ Lincoln, Nebraska

 

April 

• Thursday, April 9 - Saturday, April 11 - SkillsUSA NE State Conference @ Heartland Events Center and Fonner Park in Grand Island, NE

• Saturday, April 25 (5 - 8 pm) - RHS Auto Show @ RHS main parking lot.

Vehicle Day

• Saturday, April 18 (8 to 11:00 pm) - RHS Prom @ The Granary

• Saturday, April 18 (12:00 pm to 3:00 am) - RHS Post Prom @ RHS High School gymnasium

• Wednesday, April 22 (9 am to 1:30 pm) - Trailblazer Conference Art Show @ Wahoo High School 

• Tuesday, April 28 (during the school day) - RHS RUSH Elementary School Tour @ All Six RPS Elementaries

• Thursday, April 30 (7:00 pm) - RHS Musical @ RHS Theater

 

May

• Friday, May 1 & Saturday, May 2 (7:00 pm) - RHS Musical @ RHS Theater

• Sunday, May 3 (2:00 pm) - RHS Musical @ RHS Theater

• Monday, May 4 (6:00 SY and 7:15 BF pm) - Elementary Vocal Music Concerts @ RHS Theater

• Tuesday, May 5 (6:00 KW and 7:15 MB pm) - Elementary Vocal Music Concerts @ RHS Theater

• Wednesday, May 6 (6:00 WW and 7:15 ME pm) - Elementary Vocal Music Concerts @ RHS Theater

• Wednesday, May 13 (6:30 pm) - RHS Seniors Honors Night @ RHS gymnasium

• Friday, May 15 (9:00 am and then at 1:30 pm) - RHS Graduation Rehearsal (RHS gymnasium) & Elementary Walks (all elementary schools)

• Sunday, May 17 (2:00 pm) - RHS Graduation @ Liberty First Credit Union Arena

• RMS Band Concert @ 6:00pm in RHS Auditorium

• Tuesday, May 19 - RHS Undergrad Awards @ RHS Theater

• Wednesday, May 20 (evening) - RHS FFA Banquet @ RHS Cafeteria

• Thursday, May 21 - RPS Last Day of School

 

June

 

July

• July 8th - July 23rd (8:30 am to 12:00 pm) - RMS Bridge to Middle School program @ RMS

                       

                       

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Cognia Standard 8:  The governing authority demonstrates a commitment to learners by collaborating with leaders to uphold the institution's priorities and to drive continuous improvement. 
Board Policy 2008, Board of Education Meetings.