January 12, 2026 at 5:30 PM - Board of Education Regular Meeting

Rationale:  The Norfolk Public School District's Board of Education meeting is called to order.  

Rationale:  If any board member is absent, there will need to be a  motion to excuse the absence.

Rationale:  This is a legal meeting of the board of education, as advertised by the means specified in board policy. A complete copy of the Open Meetings Act is posted in the board room for your review. A copy of the agenda is available at the desk of the recording secretary.

Rationale:  Please stand and join us in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.

Rationale:  Per Policy 8272, members of the Board of Education will exercise their responsibilities in accordance with the following Code of Ethics, see attached. Board members, please review the policy and sign the copy on your desk.

Rationale: 

According to Board Policy 9121, the Board President:

* Presides at all meetings of the School Board

* Countersigns all orders upon the school treasury for funds to be dispersed by the district

* Countersigns all warrants of the Secretary of the County Treasurer

* Maintains order at public meetings of the School Board

* Appears for and on behalf of the district in all suits brought by or against the District

* Appoints or provides for the election of committees of the Board and stays apprised of the work of all such committees

* Calls special meetings of the Board when warranted

* Will have authority to sign on all bank accounts

The Superintendent will call for nominations for the office of Board President.  Once nominations have ceased, one of the following procedures will be utilized:

If only one person is nominated: 

The superintendent will ask for a motion to approve that person as Board President and proceed with an electronic vote.

If more than one person is nominated:

The Superintendent will provide Board members with a ballot on which they will write the name of the person that they want to vote for. 

Callan Collins will count the votes and read the tally for the record.

The candidate with the most votes will serve as our 2026 Board President, beginning immediately.

Board Policy 8130 specifies that the motion to elect officers should state:  I move that _________ be elected as Board President to serve a term of one year, or until the person's successor is elected and qualified.

Rationale: 

According to Board Policy 9122, the Vice President shall perform the duties of the President in case of the absence of the President.

* Will have authority to sign on all bank accounts

The Board President will call for nominations for the office of Vice President.  Once nominations have ceased, one of the following procedures will be utilized:

If only one person is nominated: 

The Board President will ask for a motion to approve that person as Vice President and proceed with an electronic vote.

If more than one person is nominated:

The President will provide Board members with a ballot on which they will write the name of the person that they want to vote for. 

Callan Collins will count the votes and read the tally for the record.

The candidate with the most votes will serve as our 2026 Vice President, beginning immediately.

Board Policy 8130 specifies that the motion to elect officers should state:  I move that _________ be elected as Vice President to serve a term of one year, or until the person's successor is elected and qualified.

Rationale: 

It is customary for the District's Director of Business Services to serve as Board Treasurer. Therefore, it is recommend that you appoint Mr. Erik Wilson to serve as the 2026 Board Treasurer. 

Board Policy 8130 specifies that the motion to elect officers should state: I move that _________ be elected as Board Treasurer to serve a term of one year, or until the person's successor is elected and qualified.

Rationale: 

It is customary for the district's Superintendent to serve as the Board's Secretary. Therefore, it is recommended that you appoint the Superintendent as your 2026 Board Secretary.

Board Policy 8130 specifies that the motion to elect officers should state:  I move that the Superintendent of Norfolk Public Schools be elected as Board Secretary to serve a term of one year, or until the person's successor is elected and qualified.

Rationale:  One of the duties assigned to the Administrative Assistant to the Superintendent & Board of Education is to serve as the Recording Secretary of the Board of Education. Therefore, it is recommended that Callan Collins be appointed as the Recording Secretary for the Board of Education. 

Rationale:  For numerous years, the district's primary legal counsel has been provided via the attorneys at Perry Law Firm.  We continue to be satisfied with their advice and performance. Therefore, it is recommended that we continue to use their services on an as needed basis.

Other legal firms may be used from time to time for special cases that require specialized expertise.

Rationale:  Committee assignments are to be discussed and determined by the Board. 

• Negotiations Committee
• Curriculum Committee
• American Civics Committee
• Finance and Facilities Committee
• Policy Committee
• Government Relations Committee
• Superintendent Evaluation Committee
• Activities Committee
• Award for Excellence
• NPS Foundation Board
• District Wellness Committee

Rationale:  Resolution regarding the District's depository banks:

RESOLVED, that the official depository of school funds for Madison County School District 59-0002 is hereby designated to be at BankFirst, Elkhorn Valley Bank & Trust, Midwest Bank and Nebraska Liquid Asset Fund, and that the designation of any other institution as the depository of school funds is hereby withdrawn.  BankFirst will be the primary depository for the General Fund. Midwest Bank will be the primary depository for the Bond Fund, Special Building Fund and Depreciation Fund. Elkhorn Valley Bank & Trust will be the primary depository for all other Funds and Nebraska Liquid Asset Fund will serve as a depository for cash reserves in the General, Bond, QCPUF, Special Building, and Depreciation Funds.

Rationale:  Historically, we have used the Norfolk Daily News as our newspaper of record. This is where we publish public notices, RFPs, etc.

Rationale:  According to Policy 3130 the Board of Education shall be presented annually the list of recommended card assignments that have authority to use school district issued credit cards and purchasing cards.  The credit cards are issued through BankFirst.  All credit cards have the school district's name and card number on them, as well as the individual name. The district Voyager fleet cards for fuel can only be used by organizations that qualify for the state fuel rate. These cards are also numbered with the school district name on them.  All cards are initially checked out through the Business Office and returned to the Business Office when they expire or a listed assignment is no longer needed in the district.

Rationale: 

State statutes require that School Board members disclose any Conflicts of Interest that they may have related to contracts and employment issues, as well as any other matters that may have a financial impact on the Board member or his/her family. The procedures for conflict disclosure and reporting have been provided to all Board members for their review. 

All Board members understand their duty to disclose potential conflicts of interest and refrain from voting on such items. The Finance Office will notify Board members if such items appear on the monthly claims and assist them in preparing a conflict of interest disclosure statement.

Rationale: 

This is the time during the meeting when the public may request to address the Board. According to state law, if you wish to comment you must identify yourself, including your address, the name of the organization you represent and the topic that you wish to address. "Public Comment" cards are located at the Media table, in the back of the room.  Please pick up a card and provide the required information, if you plan to speak.  Each individual’s comments will be limited to five minutes.

Please note that the Board cannot discuss or act upon matters that are not listed on the agenda. Therefore, Board members will not respond to your comments or questions. If you wish to request that an item be placed on a future Board agenda, you may contact the Superintendent or his assistant during normal business hours.

Also note that concerns related to school personnel need to be addressed to the Superintendent using the approved district protocol. Individuals who make false, defamatory,  or slanderous statements during public comments may be held legally liable. Slanderous comments are not protected just because they are made at Board meetings.

Additional procedural guidelines are available at the media table.

Rationale: 

The total amount of claims to be approved on the consent agenda by specific fund are listed below:

General Fund = $509,721.55

Nutrition Fund = $291,938.82

Subsidiary Fund = $11,178.54

Depreciation Fund = $5,924.00

Senior High Activity Fund = $69,124.70

           December Senior High Activity Fund Checks =$25,300.00

Junior High Activity Fund = $10,011.81

           December Junior High Activity Fund Checks =$1,355.00

Student Fee Fund = $2,573.37

All of these claims were reviewed earlier today by the Finance and Facilities Committee.

Rationale: 

CURRICULUM, INSTRUCTION AND ASSESSMENT

• PLC Professional Development 

• Winter Assessment and Data

Rationale: 

• District special education meeting 

• Nurses Updates

• ELPA-21 assessment

• Native American Liaison update

Rationale: 

• Kindergarten Round-Up 

• Lincoln/Montessori application window and drawing

• Little Panthers registration

• Parent/Teacher Conferences are scheduled for the second week in February:

  • February 9: Elem, MS, and JH from 4:00-7:00

  • February 10: Elem and HS from 4:00-7:00

  • February 11: MS, JH, and HS from 4:00-7:00

  • February 12: School dismissed at 11:30... Elem, MS, JH, and HS from 1:00-4:00

• Junior High Cell Phone Report

Rationale: 

• ESU 8 Winter Workshop, NHS, January 19

• Retirements/Resignations

• Upcoming Job Fairs

Rationale: 

1.      It has been a fulfilling month:

• Teacher advisory meeting
• Support Staff Advisory committee meeting
• Policy Committee meeting
• American Civic Meeting
• Curriculum Committee Meeting
• Negotiations Meeting
• SPED Leadership Meeting

2.      Site visits

• Including all buildings and Alt. Education and Life skills building.

3.      Legislation will begin soon.

4.      Attendance Matters

5.       NE School Board Member Recognition Week - Jan 25-31, 2026

• Thank you Board Members! 

Rationale:  Review of the Special Board of Education Meeting held on Monday, January 12th at 3:00 PM and an update on the Superintendent search

Rationale:  The Finance and Facilities Committee met on January 12th. The committee discussed and reviewed:

• Claims/Board Bills
• RFP's
• Facilities Update

Rationale:  Review of the Policy Committee meeting held on December 15, 2025. 

Rationale: 

The Committee on American Civics met on December 16th.  Members present were Dr. Patti Gubbels, Cindy Booth and Steve McNally. 

The meeting began with a review of Revised State Statute 79-724, the American Civics Act.  NPS meets the requirements of the Act by requiring a Project during our students’ Government Course at the Senior High.  Jared Oswald and the Teaching and Learning team discussed with the committee that there have been no changes to the NPS Social Studies curriculum since the committee last met.  The Nebraska Department of Education will be adopting new state Social Studies Standards in the Fall of 2026.  At that time the district will review its curriculum to ensure it aligns with the new standards.  Grades K-3 adopted a new curriculum resource this school year called Studies Weekly.   PK-4 Instructional Leader Probasco shared with the Committee that the adoption has been smooth so far.  Teaching and Learning will be gathering more feedback from teachers during the second semester.

Rationale: 

The Committee on Curriculum met on December 16th.  Members present were Dr. Patti Gubbels, Cindy Booth and Steve McNally. 

The first item of business was approving three new elective courses at the Senior High.  The first is a Social Studies elective course called the Global History of Sports.  This course replaces another elective that the teachers felt was no longer the best fit for the students.  The last two course approvals were for Journalism I and Yearbook Productions.  These two courses together replace two sections of Yearbook that are currently offered.  These courses will better serve the needs of students and allow learning to be tailored to student interests.  This sequence could also open more opportunities for students in the future.  No material purchases are needed for these new courses.  The courses will make use of current resources or free resources that are available.  

Jared Oswald also and the Teaching and Learning team gave the committee updates on curriculum work and training that is being done this year.  To meet the new requirements of Science of Reading training, NPS is providing all PK-3 teachers with training in an approved program called LETRS.  The Committee on Curriculum will meet again in the spring.

Rationale:  Minutes from the meeting on December 8, 2025 are attached for review. 

Rationale:  Brummels, Crystal

• 2026 - 2027 K - 4 Special Education - Behavior Teacher, Westside Elementary
• Bachelor of Arts, Elementary Education from Concordia University
• Masters of Science, Curriculum Instruction, University of Nebraska at Kearney
• 2/2022 - Present: Laurel-Concord-Coleridge Schools, Elementary Special Education Teacher

Cook, Morgan

• 2026 - 2027 Special Education - Vocational Programs Teacher, Senior High
• Bachelors of Arts, Social Sciences - Secondary Education, Wayne State College
• Masters of Science, Educational Leadership & K - 12 Special Education
• 8/2016 - Present: Lincoln Public Schools, Special Education Teacher

Gaspers, Sandra

• Special Education Teacher, serving Parochial Schools
• Bachelor of Science, K - 12 Special Education, Wayne State College
• Norfolk Public Schools: 12/2009 - 4/2025: Special Education Teacher, serving parochial schools; 9/2025 - 10/2025: Paraprofessional, Junior High

 Van Fleet, Rhiannon

• Spring Term 2026 K - 4 Special Education Behavior Teacher, Westside
• Bachelor of Arts, Secondary English Education, Wayne State College
• Student Teaching at Norfolk Junior High; Norfolk Public Schools Substitute Teacher

Rationale:  Roberto Acuna - Spanish Teacher, Senior High - resigning at the end of the 2025-2026 school year

Lexi Bacon - Special Education Teacher, Senior High - resigning at the end of the 2025-2026 school year

Kimberly LaMie - Early Childhood Special Education Teacher, Little Panthers Preschool - resigning at the end of the 2025-2026 school year

Maria Moje - Guidance Counselor, Junior High - resigning at the end of the 2025-2026 school year

Jennifer Schick - 4th Grade Teacher, Bel Air - resigning at the end of the 2025-2026 school year

Rhiannon Van Fleet - Behavior Teacher, Westside - resigning at the end of the 2025-2026 school year

Robert Beeson - Social Studies Teacher, Junior High - retiring at the end of the 2025-2026 school year

Mark Claussen - School Psychologist - retiring at the end of the 2025-2026 school year

Dawn Reedy - Physical Education Teacher, Middle School - retiring at the end of the 2025-2026 school year

Rationale:  Attached are the claims. These claims were reviewed earlier by our Finance and Facilities Committee. There are 5 conflict statements that will need to be read prior to voting. 

Rationale:  See attached Parent and Staff Calendars for 2026-2027
*Contingent upon Negotiations (will not impact parent or student days). 

Rationale:  There have been no additional changes to this policy since the first reading on 12/8.

Rationale:  There have been no additional changes to this policy since the first reading on 12/8.

Rationale:  The Policy Committee has reviewed this policy and is recommending revisions.

Rationale:  The Policy Committee has reviewed this policy and is recommending revisions.

Rationale:  As discussed in the facilities presentation last month, there are lots of projects we plan to accomplish this summer which require the formal RFP process be followed in accordance with Board Policy. I am requesting permission to release RFP information to complete the Middle School Cooling Tower Replacement, Junior High Auditorium Repainting, Senior High Roof Replacement, and Replacing 1 Route and 1 Mini Bus. This is just permission to put out information and receive bids. I will bring recommendations to the Board for approval, once bids have been evaluated, to determine if we move forward with projects or not. 

Rationale: 

A special meeting of the Board of Education is scheduled for Tuesday, January 20, 2026 at 9:00 AM. This will be to conduct Superintendent interviews.

An additional special meeting of the Board of Education is scheduled for Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at 9:00 AM. This will be to discuss, select, and negotiate a contract with the selected candidate. 

The following regular meeting of the Board of Education will be held on Monday, February 9th, 2026 at 5:30 PM. 

All components of these meetings will be held at the NPS Central Administration Offices and will be open to the public unless a Closed Session is needed in order to protect the interest of the district or the reputation of an individual.