August 10, 2026 at 5:00 PM - Board of Education Regular Meeting

Rationale: 

Mission Statement:

Gothenburg Public Schools is the cornerstone of a proud, passionate, and progressive community where students and staff thrive in a positive and innovative environment.  We ensure the growth of all individuals by inspiring them to own and maximize their potential.

A copy of the open meetings law is posted on the wall of the Board Room and is available to the public.

Rationale: 

The Board reserves the right to rearrange the order of items as needed.

This meeting was legally advertised in the Gothenburg Leader on August 6, 2026, in accordance with state requirements.  A copy of the Request for Publication and Proof of Publication will be linked in the electronic minutes once the Proof of Publication is available.

Rationale: 

Board Policy 2009 - Opportunity for Public Expression.  
(A copy of the policy is linked here.)

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

INSTRUCTIONS FOR MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO WISH TO SPEAK: This is the portion of the meeting when members of the public may speak to the board about matters of public concern.  

• Getting Started: Before the meeting begins, anyone wishing to address the board must sign in with their name, address, and any organizations they are representing. When recognized, please stand and state your name. 

• Time Limit:  The board will generally allow a total of 30 minutes for the presentation of all public comments.  Individuals may speak only one time, and must limit comments to 5 minutes.  If there are more than 6 individuals who wish to address the board, the 30 minutes will be divided equally between the number of speakers.   These time limits may be changed by a majority vote of the board members in attendance to extend the time for a specific item or speaker. 

• Personnel or Student Topic:  If you are planning to speak about a personnel or a student matter involving an individual, please understand that the district has a complaint policy and/or procedures to resolve such complaints and concerns.  The Board requests that you follow the policy and procedures before addressing these matters with the Board.  Board members will generally not respond to any questions you ask or comments about individual staff members or students.  

• General Rules: This is a public meeting for the conduct of business.  Comments from the audience while others are speaking will not be tolerated.  Lewd, obscene, profane, slanderous, threatening and hostile conduct or statements and fighting words (words whose mere utterance entails a call to violence) will not be tolerated. 

• No Action by the Board:  The board will not act on any matter unless it is on the published agenda. 

Rationale: 

1. Approval of Previous Minutes

2. Approval of the Treasurer's Report

3. Approval of the Warrants / Bills

  a.  Petty Cash

  b.  Student Activity

  c.  Hot Lunch

  d.  Bank Statement

  e.  Summary of Accounts and Receipts

  f.  Monthly Expenditure Report

  g. Check Journal

4. Excuse Absent Board Members

 

Rationale:  This is the second reading of our activity handbook.  No additional feedback was provided after the July board meeting and there have been no additional updates. The handbook has been aligned with new and updated board policies.  

Rationale:  This is the second reading of our staff handbook.  It has been aligned with new board policies.  No additional feedback was provided after the July board meeting, therefore, there are no changes since the July meeting.

Rationale:  Annually, the board of education is asked to review and approve annually the Pandemic Preparedness Plan.  This plan is kept on our school website and has had no changes since last year.

Also included here is the "Exclusion and Re-Admittance" operating procedure we will utilize again this school year.  This does not require board approval.
 

Rationale:  Money was budgeted in the Depreciation Fund and is reserved for the repair and replacement of items such as the purchase of vehicles, a roof, or instructional equipment.  The Superintendent recommends a transfer of $400,000 at this time.  

Money is budgeted for general operating expenses in the Activities Fund. The activities director determines the short-term and long-term needs of the activities program in collaboration with the Superintendent.  The superintendent recommends a transfer of $60,000 at this time.

The Cooperative Fund is utilized for interlocal agreements where the school district is acting as the fiscal agent for any cooperative activity between one or more public agencies.  This payment is for operational support of The Impact Center per our interlocal agreement.  The superintendent recommends a transfer of $95,000 at this time.

The School Nutrition Fund is used to support expenses associated with providing student breakfast and lunch services. We are currently awaiting approximately $100,000 in federal reimbursement, which has temporarily reduced the fund balance while we continue to make monthly payments to Lunchtime Solutions for meal services.  To ensure adequate cash flow until the federal reimbursement is received, it is recommended that $50,000 be transferred into the School Nutrition Fund.

The Employee Benefit Fund is utilized as reserve General Fund money for employee benefits such as early retirement, health insurance, and unemployment.  It is recommended that we transfer $0 into the Employee Benefit fund as this fund has a sufficient balance at this time.

There are sufficient resources in the budget to allow for these transfers, totaling $605,000 at this time.

Rationale:  State statute requires annual review of our Attendance and Excessive Absenteeism Policy 5001.  This policy was updated in June in accordance with updated state statute.

As an annual notice, this is an informational item only.  No action is required.

Rationale: 

Committee Reports (Chair in bold)

1.  Personnel Committee (Mr. Fornoff, Mrs. Terrell, Mrs. Brass)
2. Transportation and Facilities (Mr. Dalrymple, Mr. Sukraw, Mrs. Jobman)
3. Finance (Mrs. Jobman, Mr. Dalrymple, Mrs. Brass)
4. Committee on American Civics (Mrs. Terrell, Mr. Fornoff, Mr. Sukraw)
5. Policy Review (Mrs. Brass, Mr. Dalrymple, Mrs. Jobman)

 

Rationale: 

Rationale:  Monday, September 14th

Swede Activities:
JV Football in Gothenburg @ 6
Freshman Volleyball in Lexington @ 5