February 24, 2026 at 12:00 PM - Special Board of Education Meeting
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1. GPS Board of Education Information
More Information:
The meeting agenda will be kept current and available for public inspection in the office of the Secretary of the Board of Education at the Central Office during regular working hours.
District Vision: Gering Public Schools provides a collaborative community, inspiring excellence and innovation in teaching and learning to empower student growth and leadership in school and life. District Mission: Gering Public Schools exists to equip today's learners with the skills necessary to be tomorrow's leaders. The Open Meetings Act requires and the intention of the Board is that agenda items be sufficiently descriptive to give the public reasonable notice of matters to be considered at the meeting. The Board of Education releases its agenda well in advance of most meetings and desires that all interested persons are fully informed. Any interested person who has a question or needs clarification about the sufficiency of a descriptive item should contact the office of the Superintendent of Schools. Agenda items are subject to reordering at the discretion of the board president. Board members may request specific agenda item(s) be moved to a different place on the agenda. Please attend the entire meeting to ensure you hear discussion on a particular agenda item. |
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2. Opening Procedures
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2.1. Call to Order
More Information:
The Board of Education reserves the right to enter into Executive Session for the protection of the public interest; or the prevention of needless injury to the reputation of an individual, and if the individual has not requested a public meeting.
Discussion:
The meeting was called to order by Board Vice President, Tracy Wiese, at 12:00 p.m.
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2.2. Roll Call
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2.3. Open Meetings Act
More Information:
Pursuant to Section 84-1412 of the Nebraska Statutes, the public is hereby informed that a current copy of the Nebraska Open Meetings Act is posted in the Board meeting room on the north wall.
Notice of this meeting was published in the Star Herald on February 19th, 2026. |
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3. Reports and Discussions
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3.1. Two-Year Strategic Plan Update - Dr. Nicole Regan, Jennifer Sibal, Julie Siebke, Kory Knight, & Stacy Rodriguez
Discussion:
Dr. Regan and her team presented an update to the Board regarding the district’s five-year strategic plan, developed in 2024 for Gering Public Schools. The plan was created through extensive collaboration with community members, staff, and students. Now two years into implementation, the district is demonstrating measurable and positive progress. Kory Knight and Julie Siebke provided an overview of Priority #1: Academic Excellence. The district recently completed a successful accreditation visit and has strengthened its Continuous Improvement and Professional Learning Community (PLC) processes. Several schools earned Excellent and Great ratings, and the district maintains a 98% graduation rate—among the highest in the state. Academic performance has improved across multiple indicators, including ACT scores, state assessments, and SPED proficiency rates. Additionally, the district continues to expand opportunities for students through dual credit offerings and enhanced preschool programming. Under Priority #2: Investing in Staff, the district has cultivated a strong "Grow Your Own" culture, with approximately one-third of staff members being Gering alumni. PLC time has been expanded to include all staff groups, including secretaries, paraprofessionals, and custodians. Professional development has evolved to provide more personalized learning opportunities, allowing staff to select sessions aligned with their individual needs. The district also maintains a high retention rate, with over 60% of teachers holding a master’s degree. Stacy Rodriguez addressed Priority #3: Modernizing Infrastructure and Priority #4: Operational Excellence. The district has assembled a highly skilled maintenance team representing multiple trades, reducing the need for outside contractors. A primary focus remains ensuring the safety of students and staff through proactive facility maintenance. Ongoing projects include technology upgrades such as audio enhancements, as well as improvements to several roofs, the auditorium, and the track. Budget decisions are data-driven and transparent, with a continued emphasis on right-sizing and responsible spending. Jennifer Sibal concluded with Priority #5: Community Engagement. The district has implemented staff forums, staff and family newsletters, bond surveys, annual reports, school day surveys, and a career advisory committee to strengthen communication and stakeholder involvement. These efforts continue to foster a strong sense of pride and engagement within the Gering community. As a district, we get better when we listen. |
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3.2. Strategic Priority #3: Modernizing Infrastructure, Measure of Success - Rich Evans
Discussion:
Rich Evans provided an overview of the district’s current camera systems across school buildings. He noted that updates are needed to enhance the safety and security of students and staff. The district is exploring a cloud-based solution that would modernize the system and potentially generate long-term cost savings.
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3.3. Track Bid Update - Stacy Rodriguez
Discussion:
Stacy Rodriguez provided an update on the track bidding process. The district received one bid; however, it exceeded budget expectations. As a result, the district plans to rebid the project to encourage more competitive pricing and to ensure the work is completed by a company with demonstrated experience in track installation.
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4. Action Items
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4.1. Discuss, consider, and take action regarding the approval of the 2026-27 and 2027-28 school calendars.
Attachments:
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5. Public Comment: Policy 204.12
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6. Adjourn
Discussion:
The meeting was adjourned at 1:26 p.m.
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