Public Meeting Minutes: May 13, 2024 at 5:30 PM - Regular Monthly Meeting of the Kearney Public Schools Board of Education

1. Routine Business

1.A. Call to Order

Discussion: President Gaasch called the meeting to order at 5:31 PM.

1.B. Open Meetings Act Announcement

Discussion: This is an open, public meeting of the Kearney Public Schools Board of Education, and a copy of the Open Meetings Act is posted in this room.

1.C. Board Meeting Decorum Expectations

1.D. Pledge of Allegiance

1.E. Roll Call

1.E.I. Excuse Absent Board Member

1.F. Approval of the Agenda

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Move to approve the agenda for the meeting, as presented. This motion, made by Kathy Gifford and seconded by Drew Blessing, Passed.

John Icenogle: Yea
Paul Hazard: Yea
Steve Gaasch: Yea
Drew Blessing: Yea
Kathy Gifford: Yea
Amy Barth: Yea

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

2. Recognitions

2.A. Recognition of the KHS Music Program for Receiving the Exemplary Program Award from the Nebraska Music Education Association (NMEA)

Discussion:

KHS principal Jeff Ganz and the KHS music staff spoke about the rigorous process of applying for this award, including letters of recommendation, concert recordings, and interviews with students, staff, parents, board members, and administration. KPS music staff (those present were asked to stand) across the district were acknowledged for their collective efforts in the achievement of this award.

2.B. Recognition of KHS FBLA Advisor Kaylei Becker and State Winners and National Qualifiers, Brodie McConville and Lincoln Sanny

Discussion:

KHS assistant principal and former FBLA advisor Tennille Allison stood in for Kaylei Becker in recognizing Brodie McConville and Lincoln Sanny for their achievements at state FBLA which, qualified them for national competition.

3. Presentations

3.A. KHS Report on the Class of 2024 Academic and Scholarship Achievements

Discussion:

KHS principal Jeff Ganz voiced his appreciation for the work of the KHS Counseling Office and all KHS staff in making the 2024 graduation ceremony such a success. Mr. Ganz highlighted that the class of 2024 completed over 8,000 hours of community service, 26 students scored a 30 or better on the ACT, 67 students earned a 4.0 or better GPA, and the class earned $5.4 million in scholarship money.

3.B. Legislative Update

Discussion:

Superintendent Mundorf gave an update on bills in the Nebraska Legislature up to the session closing.

3.C. Update on the KPS Library Book Selection, De-selection, Reconsideration Processes and Other District Action Steps for the 2024-2025 School Year

Discussion:

KPS media specialist Tracy Schall and school librarians Stefanie Green and Lynn Stewart presented the current library selection, de-selection, and reconsideration process, as well as some revisions that are being made to the process.

4. Public Participation/Comment

Discussion:

Patrons addressed the Board.

5. Board Reports

5.A. NASB Legislative Committee Report

Discussion:

Mr. Blessing gave his update as a member of the NASB Legislative Committee.

5.B. 2024 Federal Advocacy Washington DC Report

Discussion:

Mr. Gaasch and Mr. Mundorf gave a report on the 2024 Federal Advocacy trip to Washington, DC.

6. Consent Agenda

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Move to approve the items on the Consent Agenda, as presented. This motion, made by John Icenogle and seconded by Kathy Gifford, Passed.

John Icenogle: Yea
Paul Hazard: Yea
Steve Gaasch: Yea
Drew Blessing: Yea
Kathy Gifford: Yea
Amy Barth: Yea

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

6.A. Approval of Minutes of the April 8, 2024 Regular Meeting; and the May 8, 2024 Board Committee of the Whole Meeting, of the Board of Education

6.B. Approval of the May Claims

6.C. Approval of the May Financial Reports

6.D. Approval of the KHS Boys Basketball Trip to the Gold Crown Tournament, in Denver, Colorado, June 12-16, 2024 (with no direct costs incurred by the district)

6.E. Approval of the KHS Boys Basketball Trip to the Midwest Showcase Tournament, in Kansas City, Missouri, June 21-23, 2024 (with no direct costs incurred by the district)

6.F. Approval of the KHS Girls Basketball Trip to the Midwest Showcase Tournament, in Kansas City, Missouri, June 13-15, 2024 (with no direct costs incurred by the district)

7. Regular Agenda - Personnel

7.A. Acceptance of the Resignations

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Move to accept the resignation of JD Carson, as presented. This motion, made by Drew Blessing and seconded by Paul Hazard, Passed.

John Icenogle: Abstain (With Conflict)
Paul Hazard: Yea
Steve Gaasch: Yea
Drew Blessing: Yea
Kathy Gifford: Yea
Amy Barth: Yea

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

7.B. Approval of the Employment of Certificated Staff

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Move to employ the certificated staff at Kearney Public Schools for the 2024-2025 school year, as presented. This motion, made by Drew Blessing and seconded by Kathy Gifford, Passed.

John Icenogle: Yea
Paul Hazard: Yea
Steve Gaasch: Yea
Drew Blessing: Yea
Kathy Gifford: Yea
Amy Barth: Yea

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

8. Regular Agenda - Business

8.A. Approval of Student Fees for the 2024-2025 School Year

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Move to approve the proposed student fees and facility use fees for the the Kearney Public Schools for the 2024-2025 school year, as presented. This motion, made by Kathy Gifford and seconded by John Icenogle, Passed.

John Icenogle: Yea
Paul Hazard: Yea
Steve Gaasch: Yea
Drew Blessing: Yea
Kathy Gifford: Yea
Amy Barth: Yea

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

Discussion:

Dr. Loofe presented his recommendation of no changes in student fees for the 2024-2025 school year. Families are encouraged to complete free and reduced lunch applications and to check with their building principal to see if they would qualify for a fee waiver on other student fees.

8.B. Approval of the Purchase Agreement for the Sale of the Construction Technology Class Project House

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Move to approve the Purchase Agreement for the Construction Technology Class project house received from Drew and Kasey Danielson, in the amount of $460,000.00, located at 5307 18th Avenue Place (Lot 11, Northridge Estates, City of Kearney, Buffalo County, Nebraska, 68845); and authorize Dr. Chris Loofe and Mr. Jason Mundorf to sign all forms and contracts to execute said sale. This motion, made by Paul Hazard and seconded by Amy Barth, Passed.

John Icenogle: Yea
Paul Hazard: Yea
Steve Gaasch: Yea
Drew Blessing: Yea
Kathy Gifford: Yea
Amy Barth: Yea

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

Discussion:

Dr. Loofe presented some photos along with the purchase agreement for the project house. It was noted that the project house is self-sustaining. Proceeds from the sale of the house each year are recycled back into the next house for the continuation of the class each year.

8.C. Approval of the Three-Year Contract with Imagine Learning for the Purchase of Edgenuity 6-12 On-line Coursework, in the Amount of $113,700

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Move to approve the three-year contract (start date of 7/1/2024 and end date of 6/30/2027) with Imagine Learning for the purchase of Edgenuity 6-12 on-line coursework, in the amount of $113,700, as presented. This motion, made by Kathy Gifford and seconded by John Icenogle, Passed.

John Icenogle: Yea
Paul Hazard: Yea
Steve Gaasch: Yea
Drew Blessing: Yea
Kathy Gifford: Yea
Amy Barth: Yea

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

Discussion:

Mr. Edwards noted that the contract has been extended to include grades 6-12 (9-12 previously) at no additional cost, and the 40 licenses operate much like a parking lot in that, when a student is not online anymore, another student is allowed to get on. KPS is not limited to the total number of users collectively but rather a maximum at one single time.

8.D. Approval of the Six-Year Contract with McGraw Hill for the Purchase of Reveal Math Curriculum, in the Amount of $163,093.42

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Move to approve the six-year contract with McGraw Hill for the purchase of Reveal Math curriculum, in the Amount of $163,093.42, as presented. This motion, made by Kathy Gifford and seconded by Drew Blessing, Passed.

John Icenogle: Yea
Paul Hazard: Yea
Steve Gaasch: Yea
Drew Blessing: Yea
Kathy Gifford: Yea
Amy Barth: Yea

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

Discussion:

Mr. Edwards stated that this math curriculum will be for 8-12 Algebra I and 9-12 Geometry and Algebra II.

8.E. Approval of the One-Year Contract with Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for the Purchase of Math 180 and Read 180, Digital and Printed Materials, in the Amount of $47,902

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Move to approve the one-year contract with Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for the purchase of Math 180 and Read 180, digital and printed materials, in the amount of $47,902, as presented. This motion, made by Drew Blessing and seconded by Amy Barth, Passed.

John Icenogle: Yea
Paul Hazard: Yea
Steve Gaasch: Yea
Drew Blessing: Yea
Kathy Gifford: Yea
Amy Barth: Yea

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

Discussion:

This is a renewal of the current curriculum, which includes updated digital and printed materials as well as staff training.

9. Regular Agenda - Miscellaneous

9.A. Approval of the Second and Final Reading of Revised Policy 3350 - Staff Travel and Reimbursement (replacing previous Board Policies 3350 & 3360)

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Move to give second and final reading approval of revised Board Policy 3350 - Staff Travel and Reimbursement (replacing previous Board Policies 3350 & 3360), as presented. This motion, made by John Icenogle and seconded by Paul Hazard, Passed.

John Icenogle: Yea
Paul Hazard: Yea
Steve Gaasch: Yea
Drew Blessing: Yea
Kathy Gifford: Yea
Amy Barth: Yea

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

9.B. Set the Date for the Summer Special Retreat Meeting of the Board of Education

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Move to set Monday, June 17, 2024 at 6:00 PM in the Staff Development Room in the Administration Building at 320 W 24th St, Kearney, NE, for a special, public meeting of the Board of Education. This motion, made by Drew Blessing and seconded by Kathy Gifford, Passed.

John Icenogle: Yea
Paul Hazard: Yea
Steve Gaasch: Yea
Drew Blessing: Yea
Kathy Gifford: Yea
Amy Barth: Yea

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

10. Next Meeting

Discussion:

The next regular meeting of the Kearney Public Schools Board of Education will be held on June 10, 2024 at 5:30 P.M. in the Staff Development Room in the Administration Building at 320 West 24th St, Kearney, NE 68845.

11. Adjournment

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Move to adjourn the meeting. This motion, made by Drew Blessing and seconded by Kathy Gifford, Passed.

John Icenogle: Yea
Paul Hazard: Yea
Steve Gaasch: Yea
Drew Blessing: Yea
Kathy Gifford: Yea
Amy Barth: Yea

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

Discussion:

Meeting was adjourned at 7:19 PM.

Regular Board
Attendance Taken on 5/13/2024 at 5:32 PM
Amy Barth	Present
Drew Blessing	Present
Steve Gaasch	Present
Kathy Gifford	Present
Paul Hazard	Present
John Icenogle	Present
Present: 6, Absent: 0

May 13, 2024 at 5:30 PM - Regular Monthly Meeting of the Kearney Public Schools Board of Education

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