January 13, 2025 at 7:00 PM - Board of Education Regular Meeting

• Board President Desh called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
• Board President Desh led the board members and patrons in attendance at the meeting in the Pledge of Allegiance. 

• Board President Desh identified the location of the Open Meetings Act Poster on the wall in the meeting room.
  • The changes are reflected in the currently posted materials: revised April 2024.

• Superintendent Hart provided official information on the verification of votes for each board member by county. 
• The newly reelected board members all actively participated in reciting the Oath of Office. 
• Copies of the Oath of Office for each new board member are attached to this agenda item.

• Board reorganization took place following standard policies and protocols.
• Additional board reorganization specifics are listed in the subsequent agenda topics.

• Superintendent Hart temporarily assumed the chairperson's role and solicited nominations for the election of board officers in alignment with the board reorganization process.  

•   Nominated to serve as the 2025 Board President: Mr. Brandon Desh 

• Nominated to serve as the 2025 Board Vice-President: Mrs. Jaimi Calfee 

Recommended 2025 Board Officers:

• Please note that these names and assignments are subject to change at the discretion of the Board of Education members. 
• Committee assignments were discussed and determined by the board members. 
  • Board President: Mr. Brandon Desh 
  • Board Vice-President: Mrs. Jaimi Calfee 
  • Board Treasurer: Mrs. Lisa Phillips (District Business Manager)
    • It is customary for the district's business manager to serve as the board treasurer.
  • Board Secretary: Mr. Michael Hart (Superintendent) 
    • It is customary for the district's Superintendent to serve as the board secretary.
• Recommended 2025 Board Committee Assignments / Representatives:
  • Please also see the attached committee assignment document.
• Negotiations Committee:
  • Members: Calfee, Busch, Penterman 
• Curriculum, Committee on American Civics:
  • Members: Calfee, Busch, Moore
• Transportation/Facilities Committee:
  • Members: Busch and Cheney
• Budget Committee: 
  • Members: Penterman and Cheney 
• Policy and Government Relations Committee
  • Members: Desh, Moore, Penterman 
• Strategic Planning Committee:
  • Members: Desh and Moore 
• School Improvement Steering Committee:
  • Members: Calfee and Moore 
• Administration Review Committee: 
  • Member: Board President: Desh 
• Foundation for Knowledge: 
  • Member: Calfee 
• Proposed Adjunct Committees: As needed

Recommended District Designations:

• District Newspaper of Record: The Voice News
• District Depository Banks: Farmers & Merchants of Palmyra and Riverstone Bank. 
• District Legal Counsel: Perry Law Firm
• Designate date for the internal evaluation of the Board of Education:
  • Please note: The specific date and process will be determined later this spring or summer.
• Designate the dates for the annual review of board policies:
  • The recommended 2025 Policy Review Schedule is now attached.
• Resolution to reaffirm current policies
  • It was recommended that the board reaffirm all existing district policies, regulations, and handbooks for the governance of the district, pending any further actions of the Board.

• Community Child Care Update: Superintendent Hart provided information on this subject. 
• First Semester Review: Mr. Johnson and Mr. Haag provided information on this subject. 

• No further discussion. 

• Certified Staff Retirements:
  • Mrs. Karen Redd: Special Education Teacher at PHS (effective at the end of the 2024-2025 school year). 

• No public comment occurred during the meeting.

• "Community Unity" Display Panels at PHS Update.
  • See the attached document.
• Hwy #2 Palmyra Safety Project: 
  • The Nebraska Department of Transportation (NDOT) will host a public information open house on the Palmyra East & West highway safety project on Thursday, April 3, 2025, from 5-7 p.m. at Palmyra High School. All patrons are encouraged to attend!
• PHS Band Performance Opportunity:
  • The Palmyra Jazz Band will perform on Friday, March 21, 2025, from 10:30-11:00 a.m. for the annual NRCSA Spring Conference in Kearney.
• Courage Retreat for 7th graders:
  • Youth Frontiers will host a Courage Retreat for all of our 7th-grade students on Thursday, January 16th, 2025 at PHS. 
    • Visit youthfrontiers.org/courage-retreat for more information on Youth Frontiers and to watch a video about the Courage Retreat.
• State Senator Visit
  • Our area Superintendent discussion group has scheduled a meeting with Senator Bob Hallstrom and Senator Myron Dorn at Palmyra High School on Friday, February 14th, 2025.
  • The purpose of the meeting is to provide a tour of our district facilities, tell our district stories, ask questions about current education-related legislative and legal issues, and promote collaborative solutions to various school-related matters. 
• School Board Member Appreciation Week: 
  • The week of January 26, 2025, will serve as School Board Recognition Week in Nebraska.
  • Special thanks to the 1,700 locally elected volunteers who make up the Board of Education for Nebraska's Public Schools and ESUs. Through their leadership, innovation, vision, and engagement, they make Nebraska a better place to live!
• Panther Country Mural at PHS:
  • See the attached picture. Our students are amazing!
• Legislative Update: Superintendent Hart provided a brief preview of the current legislative session.
• Staffing Discussion for 2025-2026: Superintendent Hart provided a "draft" overview of next year's certified staffing projections. 
• Superintendent Contract Update
  • The contract is expected to be finalized at the Monday, February 10th, 2025 regular board meeting.
• Negotiations Update:
  • Administrative and classified staff compensation increases were considered by the Negotiations Committee members. These compensation recommendations are expected to be finalized at the Monday, February 10th, 2025 regular board meeting.
• Policy Review:
  • The 8000 and 9000 series policies will be reviewed at the February 10th, 2025 regular board meeting. 
• Rule 10 Report:
  • A finalized version of the 2024-2024 Rule 10 report for our district will be discussed and approved at the February, 10th 2025 regular board meeting. 
• Student and Staff Kudos:
  • Superintendent Hart reported on several student and staff accomplishments during the meeting. 
• Other items as requested

• Monday, January 20th, 2025: Martin Luther King Jr. Day:
  • No school for staff or students
• Sunday, January 26th - Saturday, February 1st, 2025 
  • School Board Appreciation Week
• Tuesday, February 4th, 2025: 
  • P/T Conferences: 1:00 p.m. early dismissal and conferences from 2:00 - 8:00 p.m.
• Wednesday, February 5th, 2025: 
  • Staff Development Day for Staff: No school for students
• Friday, February 14th, and Monday, February 17th: 
  • No school for students or staff. 

• This item is also listed as an action item later in the agenda. 
• Committee members and our admin staff discussed the intricacies of creating a quality and practical master calendar. 

• Superintendent Hart previewed legislative priorities and potential bills that may impact our district.
• The 2025 Legislative Advocacy Handbook and Legislative Calendar are attached to this agenda item.
• Superintendent Hart discussed the potential for a collaborative meeting with local senators and area school leaders sometime in February. This meeting will take place at PHS.
• A Legislative Issues conference is scheduled for January 26th and 27th in Lincoln.
  • Board members were encouraged to notify Superintendent Hart if they wanted to attend the conference. 

• Staff Development Day Review from Monday, January 6th
• Reading Committee Curriculum Review 
• Parent-Teacher Conferences: The conferences are scheduled for February 6th from 2:00-8:00 PM. There will be an early dismissal at 1:00 PM on that day.
• Teacher Evaluation Systems
• Report Cards
• Aspire Academy Update
• NSCAS and MAPS Reading and Math Standardized Assessments
• Special Education Staff Training
• Little Panther Preschool Sign-up 

• The updated Committee Assignments for January 2025 are attached to this agenda item.

• Negotiations Committee members summarized the discussions from previous committee meetings relative to negotiations for certified staff.
• Compensation for classified and administrative staff was also discussed and highlighted. The committee recommendations are scheduled to be on the board agenda for further review and approval at the February 10th, 2025 regular board meeting.

• The next Transportation and Facilities committee meeting will be held on Wednesday, February 5th, 2025 at PHS beginning at 8:30 a.m. 

• The next District Wellness Committee meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, February 5th, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. at Bennet Elementary School. 

• The 8000 and 9000 Series Policies will be discussed and reviewed at the Monday, February 10th, 2025 regular board meeting. 
• A copy of the 2025 Policy Review Schedule is attached to this agenda item.

• No further discussion. 

• A summary of recommended changes was presented and discussed with staff and board members.
• No further discussion. 

• No further discussion. 

• No further discussion. 

• Board members wanting to attend any training events listed on the agenda should contact Mr. Hart as soon as possible to register.
• NASB "Board Quicks" and "Board Notes" documents are attached to this agenda item.

• Board members voted to enter a closed session at 8:07 p.m. as clearly necessary for the protection of the public interest to discuss classified and certified administrative staff negotiations, and property interests.
• Before the commencement of the closed session, Board President Desh restated the reason for the closed session.
• The closed session began at 8:08 p.m. 

• The closed session ended at 9:21 p.m. 

• The public meeting was reconvened at 9:21 p.m. 
• No board action was taken as a result of the closed session. 

• No action occurred as a result of the closed session.

• Topics for next month are listed below:
  • 2025-2026 Compensation 
    • Classified Staff
    • Admin Staff 
    • Superintendent Contract 
  • Construction Update
  • Rule 10 Report 
  • 2025-2026 Staffing Proposal
  • Policy Review
  • Other items as needed

• The meeting was adjourned at: 9:21 p.m.