July 13, 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:  Strategic Action Plan Update

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 = $871,616.78

Nutrition Fund = $239,273.20

Subsidiary Fund = $17,763.78

Senior High Activity Fund = $48,184.97

Junior High Activity Fund = $14,199.91

Student Fee Fund = $337,308.82

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

Rationale: 

• June Principal Training
  • Instructional Leadership
  • LETRS for Admin
  • Secondary Science of Reading
• Science Materials Pilot
• Encouraging Initial Data from 25-26

Rationale: 

Nebraska State Statute 79-724 created requirements of the district and the School Board for the teaching of American Civics.  The requirements include:

• Appoint members of the Board to a committee on Americanism to ensure the district:

  • Has appropriate Social Studies curriculum

  • Requires graduates to complete a project that fits the requirements of the statute 

  • The district holds appropriate patriotic exercises

The district has met these requirements.

Rationale:  Nebraska State Statutes 79-720 to 79-723 established requirements for school districts to integrate multicultural education into their education program.  Districts are required to collect information on how schools are fulfilling this requirement.  Those reports have been filed with the Teaching and Learning Department.

Rationale: 

The Computer Science and Technology Act, Nebraska State Statutes 79-3301 to 79-3305, outlines requirements for instruction in computer science and technology.  Those requirements are:

• Integration of computer science and technology standards into the instructional program in elementary, middle and high school

• Requirement of at least 5 credit hours in computer science and technology education prior to graduation

The district has met these requirements. 

Rationale: 

The Financial Literacy Act, State Statute 79-3001 to 79-3004, was passed by the State Legislature in May of 2021.  This Act requires the following things of school districts:

• 5 credits of personal finance are required to graduate

• financial literacy is part of instruction in grades K-8

The district has met these requirements.

Rationale: 

• Leadership Team meeting

• Assistive Technology Partnership

Rationale: 

• State Personnel Development Grant (SPDG) Day with K-12 Building Leadership Teams on June 17

  • Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA)

  • Behavior Intervention Plans (BIP)

• Active Shooter Tabletop Exercise with PK-12 Principals Central Office Leadership Team on June 18 at Westside

  • Bobbi Risor, Emergency Management Director

  • Norfolk Police

  • Norfolk Fire and Rescue

  • Madison County Sheriff

• Attended the ALICAP Safety Workshop in Lincoln on July 9

• Online Registration for fall will open on July 15

Rationale: 

• New Staff Training

• Now hiring classified staff

• Substitute Teachers & Paras

Rationale: 

• June - Admin PD and end of year wrap up.
• July - Finish summer projects and get ready for next year.
• Reduced Priced Meals
• State Budget Document 
• Budget Update

Rationale:  The Finance and Facilities Committee met on July 13th. The committee discussed and reviewed:

• Claims/Board Bills
• Junior High HVAC
• Facilities update

Rationale:  The Norfolk Public Schools Foundation Board met on June 15th and approved the meeting minutes and financial statements while receiving reports from the President, Treasurer, Executive Director, and Superintendent. Members discussed upcoming committee meetings, the classroom grant selection process, and were asked to complete a Board Self-Assessment Questionnaire. The next board meeting is scheduled for July.

Rationale:  Minutes from the Board of Education Meeting, Parental Involvement Hearing, and Student Fees Hearing on June 8, 2026 are attached for review. 

Rationale:  Duerst, Emily

• 2026 - 2027 Special Education Co-Teacher, Senior High
• Wayne State College, Bachelors of Arts
• Wayne State College, Master of Science
• University of Nebraska at Kearney, Masker of Arts
• 2025 - 2026: Spanish Teacher - Laurel-Concord-Coleridge Schools

Blam, Stephen

• 2026 - 2027 Science Teacher, Senior High
• Kwame Nkrumah University - Ghana, Africa, Bachelor of Science
• CUNY School of Public Health - New York - Master of Public Health
• University of The Witwatersrand - Johannesburg, South Africa - Master of Science
• 2023 - 2026: Hitchcock High School, Hitchock TX - Math./Science Teacher

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

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, Erik Wilson, as your 2026 Board Secretary.

 

Rationale:  We reviewed 2 bids to replace the HVAC Roof Top Unit of the 3 story part of the Junior High building. Rasmussen Mechanical provided the low bid of $493,230.  If approved this evening we can get equipment ordered asap but it will still be about an 11 week production wait. We hope to get it installed in October.  

Rationale:  See attached handbook.

Rationale:  See attached handbook.

Rationale:  See attached handbook.

Rationale:  See attached handbook.

Rationale:  See attached handbook.

Rationale:  See attached handbook.

Rationale:  See attached handbook.

Rationale:  See attached handbook.

Rationale:  There have been no additional changes to these policies since the first reading on June 8th. The revisions reflect updates recommended by our attorney in response to the legislative session.

• Policy 1110 - Bulletin Boards
• Policy 3560 - Records Management and Disposition
• Policy 5004 - Full-time and Part-time Enrollment
• Policy 5005 - Student Residence, Admission and Contracting for Educational Services
• Policy 5006 - Option Enrollment
• Appendix to Policy 5006 - Option Resolution
• Policy 5101 - Student Discipline
• Policy 5205 - Graduation
• Policy 8130 - Annual Organizational Meeting
• Policy 8342 - Designated Method of Giving Notice of Meetings

Rationale:  There have been no additional changes to these policies since the first reading on June 8th.

1. 6211 - Curriculum Assessments
2. 6270 - Field Trips
3. 6282 - School Colors
4. 6300 - Selection and Review of Instructional and Media Materials
5. 6370 - Multicultural Education
6. 6380 - Equal Opportunity: Instruction Program
7. 6390 - Controversial Issues
8. 6700 - Firearm Policy
9. 6800 - Computer—Internet Safety and Acceptable Use Policy

Rationale:  This is updated language from our attorney in response to LB 937, which amended the student attendance laws to provide that a documented absence from a credentialed health professional shall excuse a student’s absence for that day and not count toward a student’s truancy accumulation. The language in item #3 was added following the first reading on June 8.

Rationale: 

The following regular meeting of the Board of Education will be held on Monday, August 10th, 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.