May 14, 2025 at 6:00 PM - Board of Education Regular Meeting
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1. Call to Order and Pledge of Allegiance
Discussion:
President Burklund called the meeting to order at 6:00 PM and the Pledge of Allegiance was said.
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2. Nebraska Open Meetings Law
Discussion:
The audience was reminded that the Nebraska Open Meetings Law would be followed.
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3. Motion to Excuse Board Member's Absence
Discussion:
Motion by Heyen, second by Lange to approve the absence of Derek Matulka and Jason Wiig. RCV 4-0. Motion carried.
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4. District Mission Statement
The Raymond Central community is committed to providing a positive, challenging learning environment which prepares each individual to be a responsible citizen in an ever-changing society. |
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5. Consent Agenda
Discussion:
Motion by Benes, second by Heyen to approve the consent agenda as presented including the regular meeting minutes of April 16, 2025; April financial statement; monthly bills; and new hire Paxton McClamen-1st Grade. RCV 4-0. Motion carried.
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5.1. Minutes of April 16, 2025 Meeting
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5.2. Financial Statement/Report
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5.3. Monthly Bills
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5.4. Policy Review
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5.5. Certificated Staff Hire(s)/Reassignment(s)/Resignation(s)
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6. Correspondence/Recognition
Discussion:
The Addams Family spring musical was fantastic and the kids did a great job.
The band concert was also a success. The final piece with all band students in grades 5-12 was very impressive. Congratulations to all the 2025 graduates. |
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7. Public Forum
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8. Reports
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8.1. Administrative Reports
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Discussion:
Submitted by Troy Lurz, Jr-Sr High School Principal
Professional Development/Learning: There has not been any additional district professional development with respect to the 6 Phase Professional Learning Model since April. The staff, however, continues to employ the previously learned principles. As of May 8, there have been 306 forms activated at the high school level. These include Formal Evaluations, Informal Evaluations, and Walkthroughs. We are averaging 8-10 walkthroughs a week. During these observations, staff is being offered feedback reflective of and including principles of the learning model. We continue to develop systems that help our teacher’s growth as educational professionals and ramping up the observations is one piece. The 6-8 Math teachers will be joining the elementary staff for some training with the i-Ready program resources on May 22. This will help get things aligned as we move into the summer months. Achievement Scores and Testing: Achievement tests have been completed and early indicators are that our students did very well. When comparing fall to spring data on the MAP growth, our JH students performed exceedingly well. Math appears to have been an area of huge advancement. Other indicators are that the achievement tests were successful in moving the academic needle moving forward as a school as well. Accurate reporting will be shared in the coming months. Cell Phones/Technology Use in the Classroom: Staff feedback to the survey regarding cell phones was heavily in support of doing something different. They are recommending that we use phone pouches or something similar to what Mr. Karel and several other teachers have employed as a management strategy. Please note that the handbook currently does not allow for the use of cell phones in the classroom. We have been operating under a RED Zone/GREEN zone process for the last several years. Bookbags and A Question of Classroom Safety: One of the subcommittees recommended a survey to see how the students were using their bookbags. It was also being used to gather information about whether or not bookbags were needed in the classrooms or even needed. The survey was offered to both students and staff. It has generated some interesting responses (for and against). Although not completely ready to make a recommendation, the Structures Committee continues to collect the information with the intent to make a recommendation to the Corral and then the Leadership Team using the decision making matrix. Graduation: We graduated 62 students on Saturday. Sixty students actively participated in the graduation ceremony. This was a talented class and they leave behind a wonderful legacy. Onward and upward class of 2025. You will do great things. Go be EPIC! Summer School: Mr. Placke has agreed to run the summer school program. We will run summer sessions June 2 and through June 26. Sessions will be Monday through Thursday from 9:00AM to 12:00PM and we will be using the PLP platform for credit recovery at the high school and skill development for middle school. There are currently thirty invitations/letters being sent out to students that require credit recovery or could benefit from skill enhancement services. Counseling/ACT/Senior Experience/Scholarships (Mrs. Osten): Seniors finished out the year strong. Graduation rehearsal, elementary walkthroughs, and signing day were a blast. Check out the pictures the elementaries posted on facebook- they did a kindergarten photo recreation! Scholarships were awarded. Our seniors did a fantastic job of applying for scholarships and we had seniors this year receive awards that we don’t often see. Be sure to read the graduation insert and congratulate our amazing graduates. Schedules are out and updates have begun. We offer a wide variety of electives as well as core college credit courses. It could not do that without our teachers pursuing additional degrees, a huge thank you to them for the advantages they offer to our students. 5th grade Transition day went well. Both elementaries brought students up and other students who plan to attend next year also came and met some classmates. It was a great experience for all. Evaluation Update: Completed and in compliance with Rule 10 (certification) and Rule 24 (certifications) with the completion of two final conversations with staff. Staffing: We are happy to report that we have hired all certified staff positions at the JH/HS building. Mr. Hanson and Celia Newman were profiled on Channel 8 news several weeks ago in a piece they did on Raymond Central. Both shared why we are able to hire and retain good people at here. We are excited about next year. High School Student Council: Congratulations to the 2025-2026 Student Council members: Student Body President - Emma Dukeshearer Seniors - Julianne Tvrdy (Pres); Taylor Kopecky (VP); Grace Ehlers (Sec); Kinsley Seuferer (Treas); Izabella Thornburg(Rep); Taylor Kopecky(Rep) Juniors - Isaac Zobel (Pres); Tess Roubal (VP); Josie Kohl (Sec); Macy Serrano (Treas); Deacon Christensen (Rep); Marissa Tvrdy (Rep); Owen Virgil (Rep) Sophomores - Connor Tice (Pres); Julia Schultz (VP); Mitchell Hellerich (Sec); Lydia Donahue (Treas); Michael Williams (Rep); Emory Burch (Rep) Freshmen - Eli Zobel (Pres); Allyson Tvrdy (VP); Lily Hudson (Sec); Sam Dukesherer (Treas); Ray Dickey (Rep); Zoe Becker (Rep) JH Student Council: Congratulations to the 2025-26 Junior High Student Council members: President: Kate Field; Vice President: Charlie Trumble; Secretary: Lauren Hellerich; Treasurer: Stella Backer; 8th Grade Class Reps: Coleman Field, Preston Zugmier, Izzy Matulka, Kennedy Wright, Harper Trumble; 7th Grade Class Reps: Charlotte Wolf, Sarah Fisher, Eden Brase, Evelyn Stenka, Tyler Scheinost; and 6th Grade Class Reps: Laramie Wills, Molly Shanahan, Ruby Bussard, Benson Rockemann, Gage Mueller It has been an epic school year. We have told our story. We have been loud. We have been proud. We are looking forward to next year and thank the Board of Education for allowing us to offer a very diverse and rich educational experience for our students. Your guidance and leadership is greatly appreciated. Submitted by Tony Kobza, Asst Jr-Sr High School Principal/Athletic Director Facilities Pole Vault pit has been added as a temporary solution at the North end of the track. This was used at both of our home meets. This was so much better than utilizing Malcolm’s facility just for pole vault. Special thanks to Shawn Pebley for helping coach, install and loan the pole vault equipment for us to get this event started at RC. We obtained a free backstop/hitting shell. Athletics Track hosted their JH and HS meets and they went very well. School record High Jump was set by Alexa Otto. Districts are in Crete on Tuesday, May 13. Unified Track will run on that day as well. Baseball and Soccer completed their seasons in district play. Summer workouts will begin on Monday, June 2. We will have running and lifting workouts for the students three days a week throughout the Summer. Activities FBLA: We had a great State Leadership Conference. We are sending seven members to the National Leadership Conference in Anaheim, CA this summer. FBLA also elected chapter officers for the 2025-2026 school year. Officers include: President - Marissa Jensen Secretary - Kayla Behn VP - Public Relations - Cortni Lovell, Elizabeth Pytlik VP - Community Service - Elizabeth Sklenar VP - Fundraising - Grace Schulte VP - Membership - Sam Goodro-Schell MS Leader - Kate Field, Coleman Field, Perrin McMann SLC Award Winners: Middle School Coleman Field - LEAD Award Finalist 1st Place - MS Career Exploration - Perrin McMann 1st Place - Exploring Business Ethics - Lizzy Pytlik 2nd Place - FBLA Concepts Perrin McMann 2nd Place - MS Exploring Computer Science - Coleman Field 2nd Place - MS Exploring Parliamentary Procedure - Coleman Field 3rd Place - MS Exploring Computer Science - Perrin McMann 4th Place - Middle School - Exploring Technology - Coleman Field 6th Place - FBLA Mission & Pledge - Perrin McMann 6th Place - MS Digital Citizenship - Brooklyn Temple 3rd Place - Exploring Website - Lizzy Pytlik & Cooper Huck 3rd Place - Business Etiquette - Lizzy Pytlik 8th Place - MS Career Research - Brooklyn Temple 8th Place - MS Exploring Computer Science - Lizzy Pytlik High School Nebraska's Who's Who in FBLA- Sarah Lange 1st Place - Introduction to Public Speaking - Marissa Jensen 1st Place - Job Interview - Sarah Lange 2nd Place - Introduction to Business Presentation - Sophia Burt & Marissa Jensen 2nd Place - Future Business Leader - Sarah Lange 3rd Place - Business Communication - Sarah Lange 3rd Place - Impromptu Speaking - Sophia Burt 5th Place - Local Chapter Annual Chapter Business Report - Ariana Ceja, Sarah Lange, & Sophia Burt 8th Place - Public Policy & Advocacy - James Liu Band: We finished up the year with concerts and contests! The students worked hard and did very well at these contests. The results are as follows: Bishop Neumann Middle School Solo / Small Group Contest - April 5 Thomas Schulte/Elliott Kalin, Saxophone Duet - I- Kate Field, Alto Saxophone - I+ Will Bartels, Drums - I+ Jayden Dishman, Alto Saxophone - II Perrin McMann, Trombone - I Aliya Chapman, Clarinet - I+ Ray Dickey, Alto Saxophone - I District Music Contest - April 25 Concert Band: II Excellent Jazz Band: I Superior Marissa Tvrdy, Trombone - I Superior and Outstanding Performance Award Connor Tice, Trumpet - II Excellent Marissa Tvrdy/Grace Reed, Brass Duet - I Superior The band ended their year with a wonderful concert on May 6. It was a lot of fun, the kids did very well, and the megaband was a blast and a cool experience for kids at the end. Thank you to everyone for their help! The band room will be open about 3-4 hours Monday thru Thursday over the summer for lessons and students to come in and practice on their own. I have sent out a schedule to families for this. The HS band will also perform in Ceresco Days, hopefully the Lancaster County Parade, and band camp in July. FFA: Great success at State with a team and individual National Qualifier! Quiz Bowl: Quiz Bowl finished the season with a strong performance at State Quiz Bowl. They earned 4th place in the tournament and overcame some tough deficits to defeat strong opponents. The State Quiz Bowl team was: Sarah Lange, James Liu, Liam Tvrdy, Drew Tice, Marissa Tvrdy, Mitchell Hellerich, and Connor Tice. Submitted by Elementary Principals Steve Rose and Deb Kruse Staffing for Next Year: We are excited to welcome Paxton McClarnen to Raymond Central as a 1st grade teacher and Ashlynn Lukasiewicz as a 3rd grade teacher! Below are the grade level teams.
MTSS Framework: As we move to grade alikes, we want to harness the power of collaboration and collective efficacy. To do this we have been working on our systems and supports for students through our MTSS framework. In our latest meeting, administration, along with Monica Blank, Shelly Hlavaty, Caitlin Roussan worked recently with Caryn Ziettlow to create decision rules. This ensures we have a common language, common understanding of the framework and criteria used to make decisions about who needs what support, when, for how long, and what those supports are. Decision rules create a clearly articulated path for delivering intensified instruction for reading. Our next steps are to create the expectations, process and forms for our Professional Learning Communities (PLCs). The Teacher Leadership Team (TLT) met on Monday. As we build our MTSS framework, we are working to make sure our teams are clearly defined. We discussed the roles and responsibilities of both The TLT and the Grade Alike Teams (PLC Teams). Teacher Leadership Team:
Submitted by Breanne Poston, Asst Jr-Sr High School Principal/Preschool Director PK3 has loved talking about plants and bugs these past few weeks! Our preschool students were able to "plant" seeds (via ziplock bags) and then watch and learn while beans and radishes sprouted. Students also spent time playing in the Garden Center and pretending to plant earthly life such as flowers, trees, and vegetables. Preschoolers even got to test their taste buds with different vegetables after reading the book, Vegetable Soup, and unanimously agreed that they do not want radishes for snack or school lunch anytime soon! Our PK3 students have also loved singing a lot of new songs this spring with some of their favorites including "Willabee Willabee", "Friends, Friends, 1, 2, 3" and "Happy and You Know It". While Ms. Megan has been away, Ms. Dianne has truly enjoyed her time stepping in as the preschool teacher and working with Raymond Central’s youngest learners. What fun it’s been! PK4 celebrated BIG GRADUATION days last week! Each class started with a rockin’ entrance featuring the Guns N’ Roses classic, Sweet Child O’ Mine, and closed their ceremonies by rapping positive affirmations with the one and only Snoop Dogg!! Both classes had an amazing turn out and show of support. Families had wonderful things to say about the RC Preschool program and how pleased they are with the growth of their most treasured gifts, their preschool students. The PK4 team of Ms. Ariel, Ms. Cindra, Ms. Kristy, Ms. Linda, Ms. Brittany, and more have spent the year with a magnificent group of tiny humans and are sad to see them go, but know that they are ready to rock and roll or even c-walk into their upcoming Kindergarten days!!!! The PK4 team would LOVE to acknowledge and thank Ms. Mary Benes for her very sweet and thoughtful gift of coffee from the Brewed Awakening during teacher appreciation week. HAPPY SUMMER 2025!!!!! |
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8.2. Student Board Member Report
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8.3. Superintendent's Report
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8.3.1. Classified Staff Hire(s)/Reassignment(s)/Resignation(s)
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8.3.2. NASB Monthly Update
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8.3.3. NRCSA Monthly Report
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8.3.4. Update on Superintendent Goals
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8.3.5. Safety Report
Discussion:
An additional camera will be added to the southwest corner of the Valparaiso Building. This will increase the coverage of the front of the building and the playground.
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8.3.6. Facilities Report
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Discussion:
Summer Projects Per Jared:
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8.3.7. Important Upcoming Dates
Discussion:
Elementary Last Day - May 16 - Full Day
Secondary Last Day - May 21 - 1/2 Day June Board Meeting - June 11 NASB School Law Conference in Kearney - June 12 |
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8.4. Board Committee Reports
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8.4.1. Curriculum & American Civics Committee (Burklund-chair, Lange, Matulka)
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8.4.2. Facilities & Transportation Committee (Matulka-chair, Burklund, Lange)
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8.4.3. Finance Committee (Burklund-chair, Heyen, Lange)
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8.4.4. Negotiations Committee (Benes-chair, Heyen, Matulka)
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8.4.5. Policy Committee (Benes-chair, Heyen, Wiig)
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9. Old Business
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9.1. Discuss, Consider, and Take Necessary Action to approve the superintendent contract.
Discussion:
Motion by Benes, second by Lange to extend the contract of Bryon Hanson, Superintendent by one year to include 2026-2027. RCV 4-0. Motion carried.
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10. New Business
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10.1. Discuss, Consider, and Take Necessary Action to approve the purchase of Chromebooks and laptops on our yearly computer rotation.
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Discussion:
Motion by Lange, second by Heyen to approve the bid from Computer Hardware for the purchase of chromebooks and laptops (on yearly computer rotation) at a cost of $82,962.50. RCV 4-0. Motion carried.
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10.2. Discuss, Consider and Take Necessary Action to approve the substitute teacher pay rates for the 2025-2026 school year as presented
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Discussion:
Motion by Heyen, second by Burklund to approve 2025-2026 substitute teacher pay rates at $170.00/day for daily subs and $200.00/day for long term subs. RCV 4-0. Motion carried.
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10.3. Discuss, Consider, and Take Necessary Action to approve the purchase of Newline Classroom Boards.
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Discussion:
Motion by Benes, second by Lange to approve the purchase of 15 Newline Classroom Boards from Pine Cove at a cost of $37,875.00. RCV 4-0. Motion carried.
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10.4. Discuss, Consider, and Take Necessary Action to Approve to provide and install new controls for 12 furnaces in the classroom area, and integrate them into the existing Building Automation System.
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Discussion:
Motion by Lange, second by Heyen to approve the bid from Integrated Controls to install new controls for 12 furnaces in the Valparaiso building classroom areas and integrate them into the existing Building Automation System at a cost of $41,800.00. RCV 3-0, Abstained-Benes. Motion carried.
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11. Next Regular Board Meeting
Discussion:
The next regular Board of Education Meeting will be held Wednesday, June 11, 2025.
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12. Adjournment
Discussion:
Motion by Benes, second by Heyen to adjourn the meeting at 6:34 PM. RCV 4-0. Motion carried.
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