Public Meeting Minutes: October 12, 2026 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 Hazard called the meeting to order at 5:29 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 John Icenogle and seconded by Drew Blessing, Passed.

Niki Deeds: Yea
Paul Hazard: Yea
John Icenogle: Yea
Drew Blessing: Yea
Amanda Smallcomb: Yea
Amy Barth: Yea

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

2. Recognitions

3. Presentations

3.A. Presentation from Taylor Peters, Principal of Park Elementary School, about Leader in Me and Panther Power Days

Discussion:

Taylor Peters, Principal of Park Elementary, reported that Park Elementary has expanded its Leader in Me program this year by implementing Panther Power Fridays, modeled after a program observed at Wood River. The initiative focuses on student leadership, goal setting, personal growth, and school wide recognition. The school introduced 14 student action teams, facilitated by teachers and para-educators, with students helping develop team goals known as Wildly Important Goals (WIGs). Students also maintain leadership portfolios documenting their personal goals, progress, leadership experiences, service, and achievements.
Each Panther Power Day concludes with a Paw Rally, where students are recognized for demonstrating respect, responsibility, safety, and kindness, as well as for perfect attendance. Classroom and individual WIGs align with grade-level learning goals, while school wide reading and math goals aim for at least 77% proficiency on MAP assessments by the end of the 2026-2027 school year.
Student feedback indicates that Leader in Me is helping build confidence, responsibility, kindness, and leadership skills, with some students sharing these lessons at home. Park Elementary has also expanded leadership signage throughout the building to reinforce its mission, expectations, action teams, and goals.

4. Public Participation/Comment

5. Board Reports

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 Niki Deeds, Passed.

Niki Deeds: Yea
Paul Hazard: Yea
John Icenogle: Yea
Drew Blessing: Yea
Amanda Smallcomb: Yea
Amy Barth: Yea

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

6.A. Approval of Minutes of the September 14, 2026, Regular Meeting; the September 21, 2026, Public Hearing and Special Meeting and the October 7, 2026, Board Committee of the Whole Meeting, of the Board of Education

6.B. Approval of the October 2026 Claims

6.C. Approval of the October 2026 Financial Reports

6.D. Approval of Amanda Smallcomb to Serve as the Kearney Public Schools NASB Voting Delegate for the 2026 State Education Conference

6.E. Second and Final Reading Approval of New and Revised Board Policies

6.F. Approval of the Kearney Public Schools Substitute Handbook for the 2026-2027 School Year

6.G. Acceptance of the Bryant Elementary Parent Advisory Committee Annual Self-Audit Report for the 2025-2026 School Year

6.H. Acceptance of the Kearney Band Parent Association Annual Self-Audit Report for the 2025-2026 School Year

6.I. Approval of Kearney High School DECA National Power Trip, November 19–22, 2026 in Louisville, Kentucky

6.J. Approval of Kearney High School DECA International Career Development Conference, April 16–20, 2027 in Anaheim, California

7. Regular Agenda - Personnel

7.A. Acceptance of Resignations

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Move to accept, with regret, the resignation as presented. This motion, made by John Icenogle and seconded by Amanda Smallcomb, Passed.

Niki Deeds: Yea
Paul Hazard: Yea
John Icenogle: Yea
Drew Blessing: Yea
Amanda Smallcomb: Yea
Amy Barth: Yea

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

7.B. Approval of the Employment of Certificated Staff

8. Regular Agenda - Business

8.A. Approval of the District Five-Year Facility Master Plan

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Move to approve the district five-year Facility Master Plan, as presented. This motion, made by Drew Blessing and seconded by Amy Barth, Passed.

Niki Deeds: Yea
Paul Hazard: Yea
John Icenogle: Yea
Drew Blessing: Yea
Amanda Smallcomb: Yea
Amy Barth: Yea

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

Discussion:

Superintendent Mundorf explained that the district is presenting its five-year facilities master plan for approval following discussions at the September and October committee meetings. The plan was developed by Trent Bosard, Director of Facilities; Jacob Sertich of Wilkins Architecture Design Planning; Dr. Edwards, Associate Superintendent; and Superintendent Mundorf. It documents facility projects completed over the past 20–25 years and outlines potential future projects and timelines. The plan includes both anticipated projects and longer-term possibilities that could be pursued if community support or outside funding becomes available. Dr. Mundorf noted that there are no immediate critical facility needs, as recent projects have addressed current priorities. If approved, the plan will be published online.

9. Regular Agenda - Miscellaneous

10. Next Meeting

11. Adjournment

Discussion:

The meeting was adjourned at 5:49 PM.

Regular Board
Attendance Taken on 10/12/2026 at 5:31 PM
Amy Barth	Present
Drew Blessing	Present
Niki Deeds	Present
Paul Hazard	Present
John Icenogle	Present
Amanda Smallcomb	Present
Present: 6, Absent: 0

October 12, 2026 at 5:30 PM - Regular Monthly Meeting of the Kearney Public Schools Board of Education

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