Meeting Agenda
1. CALL TO ORDER - Becky Sullivan
2. Roll Call
3. Pledge Allegiance to the Flag
4. ANNOUNCEMENT - Becky Sullivan
5. RECURRENT - Becky Sullivan
5.1. Minutes of Previous Meeting(s)
5.2. Payment of Expenditures
6. RECEIVE CORRESPONDENCE - Becky Sullivan
7. Spotlight on Learning and Good News — John Hauser
8. FIRST OPPORTUNITY FOR PUBLIC TO BE HEARD - Becky Sullivan
9. SPECIAL BOARD FUNCTIONS - Becky Sullivan
9.1. Approve Contract Addendum to Acting Superintendent  — Becky Sullivan 
9.2. Approve Appointment of Board Recording Secretary — John Hauser
9.3. Approve proposed High School graduation requirements — Kristen Slechta 
9.4. Approve Policy 4032 : Professional Growth — Kristen Slechta 
9.5. Policy Review: First Half of the 6000 Series Policies - John Hauser 
9.6. Approve purchase of computers — Lawrence Tunks 
9.7. Approve purchase of HVAC system at Hawthorne -Lawrence Tunks 
9.8. Approve Addition of 1.0 FTE School Psychologist Assistant  for 2026-2027 school year — Dr. Tom Szlanda 
9.9. Approve 2026-27 YMCA facility usage agreement — Dr. Thomas Szlanda 
9.10. CONSENT AGENDA - Dr. Thomas Szlanda
10. SECOND OPPORTUNITY FOR PUBLIC TO BE HEARD - Becky Sullivan
11. DATES OF FUTURE BOARD MEETINGS - Becky Sullivan
12. MEDIA SPOKESPERSON - Becky Sullivan
13. Executive Session - Becky Sullivan
14. The Board of Education returns to Open Session - Becky Sullivan
15. ADJOURNMENT - Becky Sullivan
Agenda Item Details Reload Your Meeting

Regular Board Meeting

The meeting was advertised in the Hastings Tribune on Tuesday, 

 

Meeting: May 18, 2026 at 6:00 PM - Regular Board Meeting
Subject:
1. CALL TO ORDER - Becky Sullivan
Subject:
2. Roll Call
Action(s):
Motion passed:
Motion to excuse Board member Erick Espinoza from the meeting. Motion made by Jodi Graves, Seconded by Andrew McCarty. Motion passed
  • Erick Espinoza: Absent
  • Becky Sullivan: Yea
  • Stacie Widhelm: Yea
  • Jim Boeve: Yea
  • Sharon Brooks: Yea
  • Jodi Graves: Yea
  • Andrew McCarty: Yea
  • Tamisha Rose Osgood: Yea
  • Christopher Shade: Yea
Subject:
3. Pledge Allegiance to the Flag
Subject:
4. ANNOUNCEMENT - Becky Sullivan
Rationale:

As required by Nebraska law, the public is advised that the Open Meetings Act is posted and copies of the Open Meetings Act are available for the public.

Subject:
5. RECURRENT - Becky Sullivan
Subject:
5.1. Minutes of Previous Meeting(s)
Action(s):
Motion passed:
Motion to approve the minutes as presented. Motion made by Jim Boeve, Seconded by Jodi Graves. Motion passed
  • Erick Espinoza: Absent
  • Jodi Graves: Yea
  • Andrew McCarty: Yea
  • Tamisha Rose Osgood: Yea
  • Christopher Shade: Yea
  • Becky Sullivan: Yea
  • Stacie Widhelm: Yea
  • Jim Boeve: Yea
  • Sharon Brooks: Yea
Attachments:
Subject:
5.2. Payment of Expenditures
Action(s):
Motion passed:
Motion to approve the payment of expenditures in the amount of $5,502,215.81. Motion made by Sharon Brooks, Seconded by Stacie Widhelm. Motion passed
  • Erick Espinoza: Absent
  • Andrew McCarty: Yea
  • Tamisha Rose Osgood: Yea
  • Christopher Shade: Yea
  • Becky Sullivan: Yea
  • Stacie Widhelm: Yea
  • Jim Boeve: Yea
  • Sharon Brooks: Yea
  • Jodi Graves: Yea
Attachments:
Rationale:
01-GENERAL FUND  $               930,717.87
02-DEPRECIATION FUND  $                                 -  
03-UNEMPLOYMENT FUND  $                       327.00
05-ACTIVITY FUND  $               101,803.97
06-LUNCH FUND  $               259,363.79
07-BOND FUND  $               477,277.70
08-SPECIAL BUILDING FUND  $                                 -  
09-QUALIFIED CAPITAL FUND  $                  39,647.24
10-COOPERATIVE FUND  $                                 -  
11-CONSTRUCTION FUND  $                                 -  
   
TOTAL Vendors  $            1,809,137.57
Payroll ( April )   $            3,693,078.24
   
GRAND TOTAL  $            5,502,215.81
Subject:
6. RECEIVE CORRESPONDENCE - Becky Sullivan
Subject:
7. Spotlight on Learning and Good News — John Hauser
Rationale:

a.  Good News

b.  Spotlight on Learning

Board members will recognize years of service and honor the retirees tonight. 

Subject:
8. FIRST OPPORTUNITY FOR PUBLIC TO BE HEARD - Becky Sullivan
Rationale:

Any resident or employee of Hastings Public School District #18 is welcome to address the Board of Education at this time on items pertaining to the agenda.  Any person wishing to address the Board is requested to come to the podium and, on being recognized, give his/her name and address.  Questions relating to employees of the District will not be permitted; such questions should be referred to the Superintendent at another time.  It is requested that comments be limited to five (5) minutes. Citizens who wish to present petitions to the Board regarding agenda items may do so at this time; however, the Board will only receive the petitions and will not act upon them or their contents.

Subject:
9. SPECIAL BOARD FUNCTIONS - Becky Sullivan
Subject:
9.1. Approve Contract Addendum to Acting Superintendent  — Becky Sullivan 
Action(s):
Motion passed:
Motion to approve contract addendum for acting Superintendent as presented. Motion made by Jodi Graves, Seconded by Sharon Brooks. Motion passed
  • Erick Espinoza: Abstain
  • Tamisha Rose Osgood: Yea
  • Christopher Shade: Yea
  • Becky Sullivan: Yea
  • Stacie Widhelm: Yea
  • Jim Boeve: Yea
  • Sharon Brooks: Yea
  • Jodi Graves: Yea
  • Andrew McCarty: Yea
Attachments:
Rationale:
Consider approval of the contract addendum for acting Superintendent.  
Subject:
9.2. Approve Appointment of Board Recording Secretary — John Hauser
Action(s):
Motion passed:
Motion to approve appointment of Laura Hargis as Board Recording Secretary. Motion made by Jim Boeve, Seconded by Andrew McCarty. Motion passed
  • Erick Espinoza: Abstain
  • Christopher Shade: Yea
  • Becky Sullivan: Yea
  • Stacie Widhelm: Yea
  • Jim Boeve: Yea
  • Sharon Brooks: Yea
  • Jodi Graves: Yea
  • Andrew McCarty: Yea
  • Tamisha Rose Osgood: Yea
Rationale:
Consider the Appointment of Laura Hargis as Board Recording Secretary to replace Denise Behrends 
Subject:
9.3. Approve proposed High School graduation requirements — Kristen Slechta 
Action(s):
Motion passed:
Motion to approve proposed high school graduation requirements as presented. Motion made by Sharon Brooks, Seconded by Christopher Shade. Motion passed
  • Erick Espinoza: Absent
  • Becky Sullivan: Yea
  • Stacie Widhelm: Yea
  • Jim Boeve: Nay
  • Sharon Brooks: Yea
  • Jodi Graves: Yea
  • Andrew McCarty: Yea
  • Tamisha Rose Osgood: Yea
  • Christopher Shade: Yea
Attachments:
Rationale:
Consider approval of proposed high school graduation requirements.
Subject:
9.4. Approve Policy 4032 : Professional Growth — Kristen Slechta 
Action(s):
Motion passed:
Motion to Approve policy 4032 professional growth as presented. Motion made by Sharon Brooks, Seconded by Tamisha Rose Osgood. Motion passed
  • Erick Espinoza: Absent
  • Stacie Widhelm: Yea
  • Jim Boeve: Yea
  • Sharon Brooks: Yea
  • Jodi Graves: Yea
  • Andrew McCarty: Yea
  • Tamisha Rose Osgood: Yea
  • Christopher Shade: Yea
  • Becky Sullivan: Yea
Attachments:
Rationale:
Approve Policy 4032 : Professional Growth 
Subject:
9.5. Policy Review: First Half of the 6000 Series Policies - John Hauser 
Action(s):
Motion passed:
Motion to Approve a resolution to adopt a more current and revised first half set of the 6000 series policies, excluding 6005. 6005 will be tabled until June's meeting. Motion made by Jodi Graves, Seconded by Andrew McCarty. Motion passed
  • Erick Espinoza: Absent
  • Jim Boeve: Yea
  • Sharon Brooks: Yea
  • Jodi Graves: Yea
  • Andrew McCarty: Yea
  • Tamisha Rose Osgood: Yea
  • Christopher Shade: Yea
  • Becky Sullivan: Yea
  • Stacie Widhelm: Yea
Attachments:
Rationale:
Consider the revised first half of the 6000 series Policies.
Subject:
9.6. Approve purchase of computers — Lawrence Tunks 
Action(s):
Motion passed:
Motion to approve the computer bid from Computer Hardware in the amount of $ 309,375.00 as presented. Motion made by Stacie Widhelm, Seconded by Jodi Graves. Motion passed
  • Erick Espinoza: Absent
  • Sharon Brooks: Yea
  • Jodi Graves: Yea
  • Andrew McCarty: Yea
  • Tamisha Rose Osgood: Yea
  • Christopher Shade: Yea
  • Becky Sullivan: Yea
  • Stacie Widhelm: Yea
  • Jim Boeve: Yea
Attachments:
Rationale:
Consider approval of the purchase of computers. 
Subject:
9.7. Approve purchase of HVAC system at Hawthorne -Lawrence Tunks 
Action(s):
Motion passed:
Motion to approve the HVAC bid from Rutts, in the amount of $ 64,000 as presented . Motion made by Stacie Widhelm, Seconded by Tamisha Rose Osgood. Motion passed
  • Erick Espinoza: Absent
  • Jodi Graves: Yea
  • Andrew McCarty: Yea
  • Tamisha Rose Osgood: Yea
  • Christopher Shade: Yea
  • Becky Sullivan: Yea
  • Stacie Widhelm: Yea
  • Jim Boeve: Yea
  • Sharon Brooks: Yea
Attachments:
Rationale:
Consider Approval for the purchase of the Hvac System for Hawthorne .
Subject:
9.8. Approve Addition of 1.0 FTE School Psychologist Assistant  for 2026-2027 school year — Dr. Tom Szlanda 
Action(s):
Motion passed:
Motion to Approve Addition of 1.0 FTE School Psychologist Assistant. Motion made by Jim Boeve, Seconded by Sharon Brooks. Motion passed
  • Erick Espinoza: Absent
  • Andrew McCarty: Yea
  • Tamisha Rose Osgood: Yea
  • Christopher Shade: Yea
  • Becky Sullivan: Yea
  • Stacie Widhelm: Yea
  • Jim Boeve: Yea
  • Sharon Brooks: Yea
  • Jodi Graves: Yea
Rationale:
Consider approval of the addition of 1.0 FTE School Psychologist Assistant for school years 2026–2027.  
Subject:
9.9. Approve 2026-27 YMCA facility usage agreement — Dr. Thomas Szlanda 
Action(s):
Motion passed:
Motion to Approve 2026-27 YMCA facility usage agreement as presented. Motion made by Tamisha Rose Osgood, Seconded by Christopher Shade. Motion passed
  • Erick Espinoza: Absent
  • Tamisha Rose Osgood: Yea
  • Christopher Shade: Yea
  • Becky Sullivan: Yea
  • Stacie Widhelm: Yea
  • Jim Boeve: Yea
  • Sharon Brooks: Yea
  • Jodi Graves: Yea
  • Andrew McCarty: Yea
Attachments:
Rationale:
Consider approval of the 2026-27 YMCA facility usage agreement. 
Subject:
9.10. CONSENT AGENDA - Dr. Thomas Szlanda
Action(s):
Motion passed:
Motion to approve consent agenda as presented. Motion made by Jodi Graves, Seconded by Stacie Widhelm. Motion passed
  • Erick Espinoza: Absent
  • Christopher Shade: Yea
  • Becky Sullivan: Yea
  • Stacie Widhelm: Yea
  • Jim Boeve: Yea
  • Sharon Brooks: Yea
  • Jodi Graves: Yea
  • Andrew McCarty: Yea
  • Tamisha Rose Osgood: Yea
Attachments:
Subject:
10. SECOND OPPORTUNITY FOR PUBLIC TO BE HEARD - Becky Sullivan
Rationale:

Any resident or employee of Hastings Public Schools District #18 is welcome to address the Board of Education at this time on items pertaining to education and/or the operation of the District.  Any person wishing to address the Board is requested to come to the podium and, on being recognized, give his/her name and address. Questions relating to employees of the District will not be permitted; such questions should be referred to the Superintendent at another time.  It is requested that comments be limited to five (5) minutes.  Citizens who wish to present petitions to the Board may do so at this time; however, the Board will only receive the petitions and will not act upon them or their contents.  

Subject:
11. DATES OF FUTURE BOARD MEETINGS - Becky Sullivan
Rationale:

Work Session — Thursday, June 11th ,2026 at 6:00 p.m. - Board Room at HPS District Offices

Regular Board Meeting — Monday, June 15th ,2026 at  6:00 p.m. - Board Room at HPS District Offices

Subject:
12. MEDIA SPOKESPERSON - Becky Sullivan
Rationale:

Becky Sullivan will serve as the KHAS Radio spokesperson to review the Board Meeting.

Subject:
13. Executive Session - Becky Sullivan
Rationale:

The Board will go into Closed Session to discuss personnel issues.  Discussion shall be confined to these issues.  The action is consistent with applicable state law; i.e., Nebraska Revised Statute 84-1410, Reissue 1981, and with Board Policy 204.06 and is clearly necessary for the protection of the public interest and for the prevention of needless injury to the reputation of an individual and such individual has not requested a public meeting.

 

Subject:
14. The Board of Education returns to Open Session - Becky Sullivan
Rationale:

The Board President verifies that discussion was confined to personel issues and no action was taken.

Subject:
15. ADJOURNMENT - Becky Sullivan

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