October 20, 2025 at 5:30 PM - Regular Board of Education Meeting
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1. Call the Meeting to Order
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
LEADERSHIP • SERVICE • SUPPORT Notice of this meeting was given in advance according to State Law 84-1411, by giving notice of the meeting to the public on ESU 7 website www.esu7.org and posted at location of meeting. Notice of this meeting was also given in advance to all members of the Board of Education of Educational Service Unit 7. Availability of the agenda and purpose of the hearing was communicated in the advance notice of the meeting and in the notice to the members of this hearing. All proceedings of the Board of Education of Educational Service Unit 7 were taken while the convened hearing was open to the attendance of the public.
Discussion:
Board President Doug Pauley called the meeting to order at 5:30 pm.
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1.1. Notification of Open Meetings Law
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
This meeting has been preceded by reasonable advance notice and is hereby declared to be in open session. A copy of the Open Meetings Act is posted in the meeting room.
Attachments:
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1.2. Roll Call
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
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1.3. Absent Board Members
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
Board Members Amy Blaser, Dawn Lindsley, Richard Stephens and Don Graff provided notice of their absence prior to the meeting.
Recommended Motion(s):
Discuss, consider and take all necessary action to approve Board member absences as presented Passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
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1.4. Pledge of Allegiance
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
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2. Approval of Agenda
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
The sequence of agenda topics is subject to change at the discretion of the Board.
Recommended Motion(s):
Discuss, consider and take all necessary action to approve the agenda as presented Passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
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3. Welcome Visitors
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
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4. Public Comment
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
The Board has the discretion to limit the amount of time set aside for public participation.
Citizens wishing to address the Board on a certain agenda item must complete the Request to be Heard Document prior to the start of the board meeting. Citizens wishing to present petitions to the Board may do so at this time. However, the Board will only receive the petitions and not act upon them or their contents. |
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5. Consent Agenda
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
Unless removed from the consent agenda, items identified within the consent agenda will be acted on at one time. If any Board member wishes to discuss an item, it must be removed from the consent agenda at which time the remaining items will be acted upon. Consent Agenda Includes:
Administrator Recommendation: Discuss, consider and take all necessary action to approve the consent agenda as presented.
Recommended Motion(s):
Discuss, consider and take all necessary action to approve the consent agenda as presented Passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
Discussion:
Item 5.7, Excess Lodging has been removed from the consent agenda.
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5.1. Minutes
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
This is a consent item.
Attachments:
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5.2. Presentation of Bills #80531 through #80732 totaling $1,278,374.00
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
The summary of bills for the current month total: $1,278,374.00 - Bills #80531 through #80732 General Activity Fund total: $68.62
This is a consent item.
Attachments:
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5.3. Reading of Article I, Section 2, C Chief Administrator Evaluation
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
This is a consent item.
Attachments:
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5.4. Reading of Article V, Section 3, A Special Education
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
This is a consent item.
Attachments:
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5.5. Reading of Article V, Section 5, A Child Abuse and Neglect
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
This is a consent item.
Attachments:
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5.6. Reading of Article V, Section 5, B Corporal Punishment
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
This is a consent item.
Attachments:
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6. Excess Lodging
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
Excess Lodging:
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
Discussion:
This item was removed from the consent agenda. Board Member Bob Arp asked how the per diem amount is set. The per diem amount is set federally by the GSA, and the per diem rates are found on GSA.gov.
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7. Spotlight: Bridges
Speaker(s):
Bridges Principal
Rationale:
Bridges Principal, Jenna Mattox, will present the Bridges spotlight.
Attachments:
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Discussion:
Bridges Principal Jenna Mattox presented the Bridges slides and shared testimonials from students' parents and outside teachers.
Questions and Answers: What happens to students on the wait list? Districts can reach out to other supports offered by ESU 7. What determines if a student does not qualify for services? Special Education is required by law to place students in their Least Restrictive Environment (LRE). Is there documentation for students who do not qualify on how to help/support the student? Yes, their Individualized Educational Plan (IEP). What is the age range of the students currently enrolled in the program? Ages second grade to seventh grade. What happens if the transition back into the home district doesn't work? If their spot is still open, they could return but since there are 7 students on the wait list, the spot may be filled. |
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8. Treasurer's Report
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
Review the breakdown of the Treasurer's Report.
Administrator Recommendation: Discuss, consider and take all necessary action to accept the Treasurer's Report as presented.
Recommended Motion(s):
Discuss, consider and take all necessary action to accept the Treasurer's Report as presented Passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
Attachments:
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Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
Discussion:
ESU 7 now has 17 vehicles in the fleet. It is less expensive to own the vehicle than it is to pay the staff mileage. Insurance on vehicles is blanket coverage, so it neither increases nor decreases with the number of vehicles. August expenses are increased due to the Playground, HVAC and being towards the end of the budget year.
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9. Administrator's Report General
Speaker(s):
Administrator or Designee
Rationale:
Attachments:
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Discussion:
Administrator Ostmeyer reviewed the attachments. Her goals for this year are intertwined with the Board of Education Goals. The themes are mentoring & onboarding, budget, and facilities. Director Ericson is beginning the advertising for the Regional Literacy Coach along with the Strategic Planning Process in 2 of the ESU 7 districts. Print Shop has been receiving professional development and will be acquiring two new copiers by the end of the year. Director Clay is working on Special Education Financials for the districts and only two schools this year have a Needs Improvement determination.
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9.1. Goal Update
Speaker(s):
Administrator or Designee
Rationale:
Goal 1: By July 2026, the ESU 7 board will formalize a process to mentor and onboard new board members.
Goal 2: By July 2026, the ESU 7 board will attend at least two professional/personal learning events annually.
Goal 3: By July 2026, the ESU 7 board will attend the corresponding school district board meetings at least once every two years to report the tailored services provided by ESU 7 and the outcomes measured.
Goal 4: By July 2026, the ESU 7 board will continue to use the operationalized communication materials detailing tailored services and outcomes at scheduled visits to each district and train board members on the meaning of the data.
Attachments:
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Discussion:
Board Member Joyce Baumert and Administrator Ostmeyer attended Schuyler. Board Member Don Graff and Director Ericson attended Cross County.
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9.2. Services Update
Speaker(s):
Administrator or Designee
Rationale:
Attachments:
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Discussion:
Administrator Ostmeyer explained the SMART service planning process for the 2026-2027 school year. Current needs being communicated are more Level III Programs, English Learner Supports, Literacy Supports, MTSS Supports and Instructional Materials. Senators and Deputy Commissioner will be invited to attend the data dig in December when the Superintendents solidify the 2026-2027 Service Plan.
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9.3. Facilities Update
Speaker(s):
Administrator or Designee
Rationale:
The Administrator will provide a facilities update during this item
Goals:
Discussion:
Administrator Ostmeyer provided updates on the Playground, Learning Academy, North Building and South Building.
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9.4. Personnel
Speaker(s):
Administrator or designee
Rationale:
Three open positions:
Discussion:
Custodian/Maintenance Technician applications closed on Friday, October 17, 2025. Tier II Helpdesk Technician has been hired and starting October 27, 2025.
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10. Committee Reports
Speaker(s):
Committee Chair
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10.1. Budget Committee Report
Speaker(s):
Budget Committee Chair
Rationale:
Reports of Budget Committee activities and discussion will take place during this item.
Committee Recommendation:
Discussion:
Did not meet.
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10.2. Negotiations Committee Report
Speaker(s):
Negotiations Committee Chair
Rationale:
Reports of activities and discussions from the Negotiations Committee will take place during this item.
Committee Recommendation:
Discussion:
Meeting was postponed. According to state statute, we must begin the process by November 1st.
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10.3. Administrator Evaluation Committee Report
Speaker(s):
Administrator Evaluation Committee Chair
Rationale:
A report of activities from the Administrator Evaluation Committee will be given during this item.
Evaluation Timeline: - August: Evaluation Committee Chair and Administrator review Evaluation Tool and Evaluation Policy/Procedures. - September: Full Board is provided a paper copy of the evaluation questions. - October: Administrator sends digital evaluation and evaluation resources to the Evaluation Committee Chair in the first week of October. The chair then forwards on to the full Board for completion by the October Board Meeting. The Board will send their completed evaluation tool to the Evaluation Committee prior to the October Board Meeting. The Administrator completes the Evaluation Tool as a self-assessment and sends it to the Evaluation Committee Chair on or before October 31. - November: Committee Chair will send the completed Administrator self-assessment to the full Board after November 1. The Evaluation Committee compiles results of the full Board's completed evaluations prior to the November Board Meeting. - December: The Evaluation Committee meets prior to the December Board Meeting to review with the Administrator the results of the evaluation. Report to the full Board in December Board Meeting following Closed Session requirements with the Administrator present. - January: Confirm Evaluation Committee members. The Administrator provides the Evaluation Committee with goals and shares with the Board at the January Board Meeting. Committee Recommendation:
Attachments:
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Discussion:
Committee Chair Marni Danhauer reported the process is on track and results will be reported to the board at next month's meeting.
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11. Conference Report
Speaker(s):
Conference Attendees
Rationale:
Conference Attendees will report on their learnings.
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12. Adjournment
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Discussion:
Board President Doug Pauley adjourned the meeting at 6:36 pm.
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