Public Meeting Minutes: June 8, 2026 at 6:00 PM - Board of Education Regular Meeting

1. Call to Order and Pledge of Allegiance

Discussion:

Board President Desh called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
Board President Desh led the board members and patrons in attendance at the meeting in the Pledge of Allegiance.

2. Announcement of the Open Meetings Act Posting

Discussion:

Board President Desh identified the location of the Open Meetings Act Poster on the wall in the meeting room.
- Special note: Copies of the updated (2025) Open Meetings Act documents were made available at the meeting.
  - A copy of the Open Meetings Act is also attached to this agenda item.

Attachments: (1)

Open Meetings Act Poster. Updated. June 2025

3. Staff and Student Presentations

Discussion:

Carter Herrington (a current PHS student and member of the FCCLA organization) came and spoke with the board about policies and procedures related to expenses for school activity events above the state level.
- Specifically, the FCCLA convention each year.
Board members were able to listen to Carter's request, and Carter was provided with contact information to assist with his request and potential future planning ideas.

4. Consent Agenda

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Motion to approve the consent agenda as presented. This motion, made by Tim Cheney and seconded by Dee Moore, Passed.

Busch: Yea
Calfee: Yea
Cheney : Yea
Desh: Yea
Moore: Yea
Penterman: Yea

No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.

Discussion:

No additional discussion.

4.1. Approval of Board Agenda

4.2. Approval of minutes of previous meetings

Attachments: (1)

Board of Education.District OR.1. Regular Meeting Minutes for Monday, May 11th.2026. Final

4.3. Approval of Claims/Payment of Bills and Payroll

Attachments: (2)

4.4. Certificated/Classified Hire(s)/Reassignment(s)/Resignation(s)

4.5. Financial Reports

Attachments: (2)

5. Public Comment

Discussion:

No public comment was presented during the meeting.

6. Administrative Reports

Attachments: (1)

Director of Student Services and Programs. June 8th, 2026 Board Report

6.1. Superintendent's Report

Discussion: Superintendent Hart provided information on the following topics:

Capital Conference Update:
- Discussion on the NCC May meeting vote results and the September meeting vote were shared at the meeting.
Olson Complex Article:
- Please use the attached link to access the article: https://nemahasports.com/project/palmyra-sports-complex/
PHS Leader's Retreat Summary:
- A summary of the meeting with ESU #4 on Thursday, June 4th at PHS was shared.
Activities Handbook:
- Please see the attached document.
PHS Locker Room Project Update:
- Tile in Boys and Girls Locker Rooms
5th Grade Transition Night Feedback:
- Please see the attached document for more information.
Important Reminders:
- A Board of Education Special Work session and board retreat is scheduled for Wednesday, June 24th, 2026, beginning at 6:00 p.m. at PHS.
- A Public Hearing on Parental Involvement (Policy #6400) will be held at 5:50 p.m. on Monday, July 13th, 2026.
- A Public Hearing on Student Fees (Policy #5416) for the 2026-2027 School Year will be held at 5:55 p.m. on Monday, July 13th, 2026.
- The next regular board meeting will be held at 6:00 p.m. on Monday, July 13th, 2026.
Community Early Childhood Initiative Update:
- Please see the attached web link for more information.
  - https://bpcfoundation.com/
Palmyra Village Board Update
5th Street Repairs Update
Preschool Update
District OR-1 Strategic Plan Update
Summer Programming Update
Champions After School Rec Program Update
Beginning of the School Year Planning Update
Student and Staff Kudos
Option Enrollment Update
Legislative Update
2026-2027 Budget Update

Attachments: (1)

Welcome to 6th Grade

6.1.1. Highway # 2 Construction Update:

Discussion:

Superintendent Hart provided an update on the current progress of the project.

6.2. Administrative Team Report

Discussion:

Please note that the High School Activities Director's report will not be contained in the admin report section again until August 2026.
The following topics were discussed during this portion of the meeting:
- ELL Program Review
- Curriculum Update
- Middle School Summer Programming Update:
- Professional Development
- Update High Ability Plan
- Preschool Update
- ACT Testing

Attachments: (1)

Director of Student Services and Programs. June 8th, 2026 Board Report

7. Discussion Items- Committee Reports

Attachments: (1)

2026 Board Committee Assignments_ District OR.1. Updated and Approved. January 12. 2026

7.1. Curriculum: Committee on American Civics Update

Discussion:

The next committee meeting will be on Wednesday, October 14th, 2026, at Palmyra High School from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m.
- FYI: This meeting is scheduled to be a public meeting.

7.2. Strategic Planning Update

Discussion:

Superintendent Hart reviewed upcoming work and plans aligned to our new district Strategic Plan.
Additional conversation on the Strategic Plan will be part of our annual Board Retreat scheduled for Wednesday, June 24th at PHS.

Attachments: (2)

7.3. Technology Committee Update

Discussion:

Discussion was related to website updates, district communication, Chromebook usage, artificial intelligence, professional development opportunities for staff, and the use of personal digital devices for students at the junior/ senior high school.
This topic will also be discussed during our annual Board Retreat.

7.4. Wellness Committee Update

Discussion:

Current updates to our school wellness policy are "in progress," and we will need to update and approve our wellness policy before the start of the 2026-2027 school year to meet triennial assessment requirements mandated by the Nebraska Department of Education.

Attachments: (1)

Policy #5417-Wellness-Policy.District OR.1.Reviewed.1.23.24.docx

7.5. Facilities and Transportation Committee

Discussion:

The next meeting of this committee is scheduled for Wednesday, June 24th at 8:30 am at PHS.

8. Policy Review

8.1. Discussion of activity programs that compete at levels above the state level.

Discussion:

Board members discussed options for students and programs that qualify for competitions beyond the state level.
Our current procedures follow the guidelines contained in the excerpt included in the agenda item.

8.2. Discuss current legislative issues and decisions that may impact future school district policies.

Discussion:

Superintendent Hart provided a summary of the bills included in the attached document.
Due to the timing of these legislative requirements, staff and student handbooks for the 2026–2027 school year have been delayed for approval until the Monday, July 13th, 2026 regular board meeting.

Attachments: (1)

NRCSA Legislative Bill Summaries. June 2026

8.3. Review Policy # 6113: Student Use of Electronic Communication Devices and Cell Phones

Discussion:

Mr. Johnson (high school principal) discussed feedback from the high school for the 2025-2026 school year related to this topic.

Attachments: (1)

Policy #6113.Electronic Communication Devices and Cell Phones. For Board Review. July 14.2025 .docx

8.4. Review Policy # 6288. Artificial Intelligence and Student Use of Artificial Intelligence

Discussion:

More feedback on this policy will be discussed during the upcoming board retreat on Wednesday, June 24th.

Attachments: (1)

Policy # 6288. Artificial Intelligence and Student Use of Artificial Intelligence. Updated and Board Approval. 12.8.2025 (1)

9. Action Items

9.1. Presentation, discussion, and / or official action to approve the 2026 Nemaha NRD Hazard Mitigation Plan

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

motion to approve as discussed. This motion, made by Tim Cheney and seconded by Josh Penterman, Passed.

Busch: Yea
Calfee: Yea
Cheney : Yea
Desh: Yea
Moore: Yea
Penterman: Yea

No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.

Discussion:

No further discussion.

Attachments: (2)

9.2. Presentation, discussion, and/or official action to approve the Little Panthers Preschool Calendar for 2026-2027

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Motion to approve asd discussed. This motion, made by Jaimi Calfee and seconded by Dee Moore, Passed.

Busch: Yea
Calfee: Yea
Cheney : Yea
Desh: Yea
Moore: Yea
Penterman: Yea

No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.

Discussion:

No further discussion.

10. Board of Education Development

Discussion:

No further discussion.

Attachments: (2)

11. Closed Session

Discussion:

No closed session occurred during the meeting.

12. Topics for Next Month’s Agenda

Discussion:

No further discussion.

13. Adjournment

Discussion:

The board meeting was adjourned at 7:43 p.m.
The next regular board meeting is scheduled for Monday, July 13th, 2026, beginning at 6:00 p.m. at Palmyra Junior / Senior High School in the media center.
Added reminder: There are also additional meetings next month in accordance with state requirements. These meetings are listed below:
- Public Hearing on Parental Involvement (Policy #6400): 5:50 p.m. on Monday, July 13th, 2026.
- Public Hearing on Student Fees (Policy #5416) for the 2026-2027 School Year: 5:55 p.m. on Monday, July 13th, 2026.

June 8, 2026 at 6:00 PM - Board of Education Regular Meeting

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