August 13, 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. Swear in New Board Member
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Discussion:
Bernadette Brase recited the Oath of Office and was sworn in as a new Board member.
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4. Motion to Excuse Board Member's Absence
Discussion:
Motion by Matulka, second by Lange to excuse the absence of Larry Heyen. RCV 5-0. Motion carried.
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5. 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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6. Consent Agenda
Discussion:
Motion by Matulka, second by Lange to approve the consent agenda as presented including the regular meeting minutes of July 16, 2025; July financial statement; monthly bills; substitute teachers-Britany Shaw, Dana Singsaas, Grace Van Metre and Claire Wiegert. RCV 5-0. Motion carried.
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6.1. Minutes of July 16, 2025 Meeting
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6.2. Financial Statement/Report
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6.3. Monthly Bills
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6.4. Policy Review
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6.5. Certificated Staff Hire(s)/Reassignment(s)/Resignation(s)
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7. Correspondence/Recognition
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8. Public Forum
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9. Reports
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9.1. Administrative Reports
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Discussion:
Submitted by Troy Lurz, Jr-Sr High School Principal
Summer Work: I would like to once again thank Jared and the maintenance crew for their efforts to get our school ready for us. They have been nothing short of miraculous. Stop by and see the Science Lab or the Library, or the old computer lab for quick examples. This work was happening all over this district. Once again, we are lucky to have such a dedicated, organized, and hardworking crew. Staffing: We have a great staff in place as we open the doors for the 2025-26 school year. We have the right people in the right places to make this an epic school year. Thank you to the Raymond Central Board of Education for allowing the administration to make informed decisions on the best fits for our buildings. We have been able to recruit and secure a phenomenal group of individuals this year to help us grow. Achievement Scores and Testing: We will be using achievement scores more and more often as we work with our staff this year. As I reported in July, we also continue to look through our data as an administrative team and will be working with the staff this fall to discuss our strengths and opportunities. This will be an area of focus this school year. An additional reminder that student achievement scores are tethered to our district strategic goals, were and will continue to be linked to the high school growth goal, as well as administrative goals. Handbook Revisions (Repeat): We are completed with our revisions of the handbooks for this year. Major points for consideration were the discipline matrix addition and the cell phone policy. These have been a point of emphasis during our open house/orientation conversations with students and our staff development time with our staff. Although they certainly are not the only items to be considered, they are predictably the ones that will likely receive the most traffic and interest in the coming weeks. Counseling/ACT/Senior Experience/Scholarships (Tasha/Celia): Apply to College Day with EducationQuest September 24; PSAT October 7; ASVAB November 12; Junior Job Shadow Day November 20; Mini College/Career/Military Fair dates September 24, October 22, November 19, February 4, March 11 - We would love to have local businesses come set up a booth for our career fairs. Please spread the word and have people contact tasha.osten@rcentral.org. FBLA: We will have our first meeting on August 18. The Fall Craft Fair is scheduled for October 18. Assistant Principal/Ms:Horbach: We are actively working with the elementary school to streamline our Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) process, ensuring that every student receives individualized support based on their needs. This is an extensive process that will require time, collaboration, and consistency, but we believe it will greatly enhance our ability to meet students where they are and help them succeed academically, socially, and emotionally. In addition, at the junior/senior high school, I want to focus on building a positive and engaging school culture. We are looking at partnering with the Social Committee to establish a Culture Team dedicated to planning monthly activities, fun games, and gestures of appreciation for staff. These efforts are designed to foster connection, boost morale, and create an environment where both students and staff feel valued and supported. I am looking forward to seeing the positive impact these initiatives will bring to our school community. Open House at the Jr-Sr High School was August 5-6. We also held the 6th grade and 9th orientation at 6:30 PM separately on those evenings. Everything seemed to go smoothly and we are primed and ready to get our students started on the right foot this year. Laura and Markie did a phenomenal job of getting everything organized. Mr. Placke was available for technology issues, questions, and concerns, while Mrs. Newman and Mrs. Osten handled the schedules. As always, the intention is to set the stage for the upcoming school year and help facilitate student and family questions before we start up. I believe our efforts with these events helped accomplish that. See you in the halls, at the school events, and out and about. Go Mustangs! Fall Professional Development: We were intentional about focusing our energies on preparations for the school year. We were able to afford additional time to the teachers in preparation for the arrival of their students and I believe that has been appreciated. August 8 was highlighted with another session of professional learning model. Our focus on Student Goal Setting continues to leverage earlier work accomplished last year as we established our purpose with Learning Targets and Success Criteria. This layered approach and rollout as designed by the Professional Learning Team being organized by Deb Kruse is working well. Our next session will be on October 10 where we begin to Focus on New Learning. Submitted by Tony Kobza, Asst Jr-Sr High School Principal/Athletic Director Facilities We have a Cross Country Course mapped and mowed on the field South of the school. This will allow our students to practice here with a goal that we host a cross country meet at the school in the 2026 school year. Outdoor Concessions has added a Blackstone Grill to help provide a safer and more efficient grilling process for football games and track meets. Athletics High School Fall Sports begin on Monday, August 11 for Cross Country, Football, Softball and Volleyball. Junior High Sports will begin at a later date once signup is complete. Activities FBLA - Marissa Jensen placed 7th at the National FBLA Convention this Summer. Band - Participated in multiple parades and will attend the State Fair later in August. Submitted by Elementary Principals Steve Rose and Deb Kruse As we launch into a new school year, the K-5 administrative team is proud to share the tremendous effort and energy that has gone into preparing our buildings, staff, and students for a successful start. The summer months were anything but quiet--our teachers and staff were deeply engaged in meaningful work to ensure that every child walks into a classroom that is welcoming, well-prepared, and ready to inspire learning. Teacher Preparation and Professional Development - Our dedicated teachers spent countless hours this summer setting up their classrooms with care and intention. From organizing materials to designing engaging learning environments, their commitment to creating spaces that support student success was evident in every detail.In addition to classroom setup, many teachers participated in a wide range of professional development opportunities. These included district-led sessions, state-level workshops, and self-directed learning focused on curriculum, instructional strategies, and student engagement. Their investment in continuous growth reflects a deep commitment to excellence and innovation in teaching.Administrative Leadership and Statewide Collaboration - Our administrative team also remained active throughout the summer, attending Administrator Days to stay informed on statewide educational initiatives, legislative updates, and best practices in school leadership. These sessions provided valuable insights that will guide our decision-making and support our staff throughout the year. Welcoming New Staff and Strengthening Instructional Practices - We were thrilled to welcome new teachers to our district through a comprehensive onboarding process. Our training sessions introduced them to our instructional model, school culture, and support systems, ensuring a smooth transition into their roles.Additionally, we delivered targeted professional development to all staff focused on our instructional framework. These sessions reinforced our shared vision for high-quality teaching and learning, and helped align practices across classrooms and grade levels.Open House Success and Community Excitement - Both elementary buildings hosted highly successful open house events prior to the first day of school. The turnout was outstanding, with families and students eager to reconnect, meet their teachers, and explore their classrooms. The energy and enthusiasm from parents and students alike reaffirmed the strong partnership between home and school, and set a joyful tone for the year ahead.We are incredibly proud of the work that has been done and grateful for the dedication of our staff. The foundation laid this summer positions us for a year filled with growth, achievement, and meaningful learning experiences for every student.Upcoming Dates:
Submitted by Amanda Coufal, Director of Special Education
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9.2. Superintendent's Report
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Discussion:
Superintendent Hanson reported on the start of school, Rule 10 checklist and Open Houses. He will host a Grade Alike Presentation/Listening Session at Ceresco on August 19 and Valparaiso on August 20.
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9.2.1. Classified Staff Hire(s)/Reassignment(s)/Resignation(s)
Discussion:
Classified staff resignation: Elayna Furasek-Paraeducator. New hires: Amanda Collman-Paraeducator; Mary Hornung-Preschool Paraeducator; and Cathy Metcalf-Jr/Sr High Assistant Cook.
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9.2.2. NASB Monthly Update
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9.2.3. NRCSA Monthly Report
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9.2.4. Update on Superintendent Goals
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9.2.5. Safety Report
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9.2.6. Facilities Report
Discussion:
General maintenance has been done at all three sites and they look great. Major projects completed over the summer were: heat pumps and carpet at Valparaiso; and the office space in the Library, Science Room lab stations, and concrete work on entryway steps at the high school.
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9.2.7. Important Upcoming Dates
Discussion:
August 19 - Grade Alike Presentation at Ceresco
August 20 - Grade Alike Presentation at Valparaiso August 27 - Budget Workshop- End of Year Closeout September 10 - Levy and Budget Hearings and Board Meeting September 24 - NASB Area Meeting in Fremont |
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9.3. Board Committee Reports
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9.3.1. Curriculum & American Civics Committee (Burklund-chair, Lange, Matulka)
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9.3.2. Facilities & Transportation Committee (Matulka-chair, Burklund, Lange)
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9.3.3. Finance Committee (Burklund-chair, Heyen, Lange)
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9.3.4. Negotiations Committee (Benes-chair, Heyen, Matulka)
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9.3.5. Policy Committee (Benes-chair, Heyen, Brase)
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10. Old Business
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11. New Business
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11.1. 10.1. Discuss,Consider, and take Necessary action for the approval of the additional property tax authority of 6%, which is afforded as a consideration through legislation.
Discussion:
Motion by Matulka, second by Benes to approve the additional property tax authority of 6% which is afforded as a consideration through legislation. RCV 5-0. Motion carried.
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12. Next Regular Board Meeting
Discussion:
The next regular Board of Education Meeting will be held Wednesday, September 10, 2025.
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13. Adjournment
Discussion:
Motion by Matulka, second by Benes to adjourn the meeting at 6:16 PM. RCV 5-0. Motion carried.
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