001Good evening. I call to order the December 8th, 2025 regular board meeting of the Blair Community School Board. Schoolboard meetings in Nebraska are meetings held in the public, not public meetings. Uh that means if you're here to participate, there is one designated time in our agenda for public comments this evening and rules for public comment um are explained in the agenda. Um we have the agenda displayed tonight. Okay. >> Uh you can follow along with the online agenda on your personal devices devices tonight. Um we do ask however that you silence your phones and refrain from talking or texting on your phones during the meeting. If you need to use your phone, please step outside of the meeting room. Information concerning the opening meeting law, chapter 84, article 14 of the Nebraska State Statute is
002posted in the back of this room and is also on the online agenda. Sorry, bear with me. My agenda doesn't show up as normal tonight for some reason. Okay, roll call. >> here. >> Stern >> here. >> Var >> here. >> All members are present. Um, if we could all stand al to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Oh, just in case it goes down. Thank you. Um, I have no emergency additions to the agenda tonight. Is there anything any board member would like to remove from the consent agenda? And if not, is there a motion? I move to approve the consent agenda as presented. >> We have a motion from Taber and a second from Scot. Any discussion? Yes. >> Yes. >>
003Motion carries. Um I thought we had I thought we had communication. Okay. >> I guess we don't have >> recognition. Hold on. Oh, so there were no recognitions um on here. We did have that Chief Kinsey was supposed to be here tonight to uh just say hi, introduce himself to the community. He was called away. So move on. He's going to try to join us then in January. So then we have acceptance of gifts and the first one is from the FFA. Sorry Dr. Gilson usually speaks about all of these. Um is there anyone here from the FFA? I want to make sure we acknowledge them if they are. Okay. If not, um, the FFA Alumni Association would like to donate $1,500 to the Blair FFA chapter to support meetings and other events in appreciation
004for their help at the county fair. >> I move to accept the donation from the Blair FFA alumni in the amount of $1,500. >> Second. >> We have a motion from Frederickson and a second from Callahan. Any discussion? Yes. >> Yes. >> Stern, >> yes. >> Taber, >> yes. >> Motion carries. >> The next um gift is from the Blair from the foundation. Um but are you Wyatt? >> Would you like to speak? We would love to hear about you. >> Sure. Would you like me to stand? >> Yeah, please. >> Yeah. Uh, I'm W. So, I'm the president of the Blair Community Schools Foundation. Um, super pumped to be here tonight. Uh, this is the first hopefully annual Berry Mary grant program that the the foundation put on. Uh, the the the program is
005very simple and I put some materials on on your desk there. So, you should have a couple grant application examples. Those are real applications we received from teachers and principles. And then you have a summary, a spreadsheet of all the grants that we received. Uh the the goal that the foundation put out for this program is pretty simple really. I mean it's to provide Blair educators with additional resources that they need to bring stream alive in their classrooms. So stream being science, technology, reading, engineering, arts, and math. Uh we have grants up to $500 for teachers, $10,000 for principles. And they can really do anything with those funds with classroom supplies, materials, equipment, uh subscriptions, or you know, interactive experiences, anything really to foster creativity and engagement uh with their students in their classrooms and
006in the school. Uh so this year, our first year of doing this, we received 101 teacher applications and we received four principal applications. So it was $50,500 in teacher grants and $40,000 in principal grants. Uh the total amount being $90,500 that we would like to award to all the teachers and the principles next week is what we're shooting. Uh >> real quickly on Yeah. And really on behalf of the the foundation, I would say thanks to the schools and everyone else for their support of the program and especially for the support of the foundation family fun night. We have that we hold that every August on on the gate race scrimmage and the volleyball scrimmage and uh the cross country running under the lights. That is our primary fundraising mechanism for the foundation. And so
007uh a big shout out to the schools, but also a really really special thank you to the community. Uh every dollar in this program are from donations from members of the community, big and small, anything in between. this is this is how we're making those funds real and and getting direct in the hands of our educators. So, big shout out to the community. So, I'd be happy to answer any questions. Otherwise, thank you very much. >> Thank you. [Applause] >> Somebody like to offer a motion. I move to accept the grant donation in the amount of $90,000 from the Blair Community School Foundation as part of the Barry Mary grant program for teachers and administrators. Second, >> I think you might have this says 90,500. >> My she was goofed. It's 90,500. >> Okay, correct
008that then. I move to accept a grant donation in the amount of 90,500 from the Blair Community School Foundation as part of the Blair Ear Grant Program for teachers and administrators. Second. >> Okay, we have a motion from Callahan and a second from Larson to accept this very generous gift. Any discussion? >> It's just awesome. >> This is like I think by far and way the best and largest gift that we've received in this um setting. So, I I I'm just also so impressed that so many teachers um took the time to fill it out and they're going to use it right in their classrooms. So, >> yeah, >> I think it was neat to see that it was K through 12 also. It wasn't just one area that so many elementary people were doing
009cool things with this money as well as the high school and middle school. and thank your organization. It really is >> big help. >> Thank you. Any other discussion? >> Roll call. >> Yes. >> Motion carries. Um then we have another gift tonight from CF Industries. Anybody industry is here. Let me speak if you are. Anybody like to offer a motion? I move to accept the CF Industries mini grant awards totaling 2,900, excuse me, $2,319. And there are um we have a motion from Frederickson and a second from Taber. And it looks like those um there's a list here. Nicole Clout and Cray Ashley McCoy Deerfield kindergarten Winters are the kindergarten that last >> Oh, I'm sorry. Thank you. are where those funds are going to go. So, thanks to those educators for filling out
010those grants as well and thanks to CF Industries. >> Any other discussions? >> A lot of really cool hands-on things the kids will be doing which is is fun and they learn a lot from doing those type of things. >> Roll. >> Yes. Yes. Tab. >> Yes. >> Motion carries. So, thanks again to everyone for the gifts that have been coming to Blair Community Schools. We have quite a lot this year. Um the next thing on the agenda are consideration of communications and it looks like there is one the Blair High Sparks Dance Team. Is there a motion? I move to approve the Blair High Sparks dance team to attend a dance competition on Sunday, January 18th, 2026 located at Midland University in Fremont, Nebraska. Second. We have a motion from Ferson and a second
011from Taber for the dance team to attend that event. Any discussion? because they're busy cheering and and dancing at other teams and stuff. About the only time they can have any kind of competition is on Sunday. So, I would hopefully would approve this. >> Any other discussion? Roll call. >> Yes. >> Barson, >> yes. >> Stern, >> yes. >> Motion carries. The next ation is acappella ensemble. I move for the Blair High School AC capella ensemble to attend the annual SNJ Singers Acappella Festival on Sunday, April 12th, 2026. >> Is there a second? >> Second. >> We have a motion from a second for the Capella Ensemble to attend this Sunday event. Any discussion? Mr. Hay is out here. >> Yes. >> Stern, >> Yes. Motion carries. Uh the next one to consider is um
012the cheer squad competition. I move to approve high school competition cheer squad to attend two upcoming cheer competitions on Sunday January 25th 2026 Millard West jam the gym and at on February 1st 2026 excuse me um and the pre and dome collaboration competition we have a motion from Frederickson and second from Taber for the to attend those events. Any discussion? >> Yes. >> Tab. >> Yes. Motion carries. Um up next in the agenda is time for public comment. So, if you're here to speak, we would ask you to stand and state your name and your address. You would have five minutes to um address the board of education. We're here to listen. Um we will typically not respond, but um listen, and if you fill out um if you do public comment, we would ask
013you to fill out your little comment sheets on your chairs and leave them at our Secretary Angie Cony's table. at the end of the night if there's something specific that you um are asking or we can follow up with you that way. So yeah, Courtney's going to be our time keeper. Give you a minute notice. So anyone have public and I was I'm here to say thank you for serving as a volunteer at the Bl Board of Education. I'm sure there are seasons when your time spent on board meetings and committee meetings are only a few hours per week. And in their time such as now when there's controversy that you are dedicating a lot of time, probably comparable to a part-time job. And now that you're about to start the tedious process of recruiting,
014interviewing, and hiring a new superintendent, you will be investing a lot of your personal time and So again, I want to thank you because I know that you are a true volunteer making Z while serving in your elected position. As a reminder for others in the room, our Blair mayor makes approximately $9,000 per year serving in a part-time capacity. Our city council representatives make $7,000 serving part time. Our county board representatives make over $26,000. And even members of our volunteer fire rescue paid through a generous pension. You are serving in a job that few people want and you get paid nothing for it. I'm aware of many of the comments that are being made on social media and I overhear town gossip while some of the frustrations andor concerns expressed are justified. I am disheartened
015in the delivery of some of the comments. Some of them are just professional in class and some comments are just mean, cruel and hurtful. I've read several letters to the editor. pieces in the newspaper as well as column pieces and I'm sure that you are reading and hearing the same criticisms and complaints too. I hope that the people making these criticisms and complaints about you personally or the district have since reached out to you wanting to work together. They offer suggestions and want to move forward with solutions. If any of those people have reached out to you, I hope that you have responded to them, bridging the communication and transparency gap that has been high. In the past few years, I have reached out to board members asking for information or clarification to various topics.
016Whether that be transitioning south from elementary school to preschool facility, closing your school, converting it into admin, or voting on budget or property tax initiatives. In the past few months, I have contacted many of you about concerns, and I appreciated you listening to my concerns, answering my questions, giving me more information. and just talking through possible solutions. I did not always agree with how you may have voted, but I was glad that you were open to discuss why you voted the way you did. So, thank you for acknowledging some of your deficiencies and even some of your failures. No one is perfect and no 100% correct in how they conduct their business. I applaud you for not quitting when this volunteer job gets tough when you thought this is what I signed up for. This
017is not what I thought the school board position was. You are still sitting here serving out your term trying to do better. After talking with several of you, I know you want what is best for the district, for our taxpayers, and especially for our children. When I hear others complain about the board of education, whether it's a personal attack on your intelligence, lack of experience, or if you're messing something up, I suggest that they run for school board in the next election. Many respond no. I challenge anyone in our community who freely criticizes whether it's the board of education, your mayor, your city council. If you have answers and you think you can do better, channel that into good for our community. I challenge you to run for office. I did that many, many years
018ago. I served two terms on this board. I've read and heard lots of criticism. I've really got to thank you. So, to summarize, a thank you for your time. Thank you. contin [Music] zero monetary compensation. I understand sometimes you get a school lunch complain about that too. I thank you for serving on the Blair Board of Education and being a true volunteer. [Applause] Next comment from the public. June 9th, 6230 North 11 Street. Um, I'm here tonight because I'm deeply concerned about the lack of transparency in this district. Too many decisions are made behind closed doors. Too many issues get quietly pushed aside and families are left in the dark. When community members raise concerns, we deserve honest answers, not vague statements, not silence, and definitely not sarcasm. Recently, the phrase be brave was used
019in a sarcastic way toward people speaking up and speaking out. That's unacceptable. Asking questions and advocating for our children and our staff does not require sarcasm. It requires respect. We shouldn't have to be brave to get straightforward information from our own school district. Transparency shouldn't be treated um as an inconvenience and the people who care enough to show up shouldn't be mocked or dismissed. I'm asking the board to do better. Communicate openly, address issues directly, and stop sweeping things under the rug. Our kids, our staff, and our community deserve honesty, accountability, not attitudes, not jokes, and not deflect. [Applause] Next comment from the public. There's no other comments. We will move on with the agenda. Thank you. for your public comments tonight. Um reports policy. Okay. Monday, November 17th meeting. I was present along with
020Melanie and Ginger Courtney and Angie. We presented the facility use handbook. I think we've all had a take a look at that. Um like turn that forward tonight for approval on first reading. So a motion tonight on December 8th, 2025 board of education meeting to approve on first reading facility use handbook. >> Second. >> We have a motion from a second from Tab on the handbook. Any discussion? >> Question rate. There's two numbers >> just a quick public comment too that thank you to the policy committee for for all the time spent on Um, you know, this is something that I think was well needed. Uh, for those of you that don't know, it's the facility usage, you know, for for youth sports for different activities and so forth. And to have something that's that's
021in writing that makes sure that everything is set in stone ahead of time. Um, and you know, I know you you went through many many meetings and turned a lot of stones. Thank you for the first read. Yeah, it's still work in progress. >> You want to go through it? I don't think >> Okay. No, it's fine. You'll find it. You'll find it. >> Okay. I misread. I thought >> Yeah. So, any >> Yeah, I'll leave. >> You're bringing up anything that you That's a great start. >> It is. >> Any other discussion? >> Call. >> Yes. Yes. >> Yes. >> Larson. >> Yes. >> Stern. >> Motion carries. >> We talked about accounting software eance. Last month, Dr. Gillson recommended the district either adopt a new accounting system or investigate forward use of the
022current eance system. Dr. Gillson has been in discussions with Software Unlimited, which provided a Zoom presentation to the district staff. software is widely used in Nebraska with about 65% of districts training strong support user friendly tools user remote access and assigns a personal coordinator during conversion a key concern with eance is it lack of integration and limited visibility principles cost comparisons initially showed e finance at 30,000 a year and software unlimited at 12 to 15,000 however informed Dr. Gilson district share has risen drastically because are no longer using finance increasing the cost for their remaining districts. The district's new portion is 51,225 the second payment for your contract through July 27. The committee questioned how those districts could exit their contract early if the district was told the contract must run through 2027. Dr. Gilson
023will investigate this and report back to finance in their December meeting. Next, we talked about the Pioneer Learning Center. Dr. Gillson reviewed the 18 to 21 transition program and discussed future opportunities for students districts to strengthen services. has expanded the amount of time the 18 to 21 students attend the Pioneer Learning Center. In addition, Dr. Gilson and Mr. Gut met with Tammy Huff, a retired Blair High School ACP teacher who now works at AGI in Omaha to better understand available opportunities and transitional supports. Mrs. Huff invited them to school to tour transition program sites AGI and Emanuel Hospital to gain firsthand insight into program operations and sports. And then we also talked about building improvement tours which are happening tomorrow morning. New business, we had some great news. Dr. Gillson reported the PAL instructors took
024an amazing group of fourth and fifth graders to the ESU quiz bowl competition. After eight rounds, one of our Blair Elementary teams was crowned champions, defeating all sixth grade team championship. International Day of Women in Science will be held February 11th. We had a high school job fair on Thursday, November 15th. Our high school hosted a career fair expo organized by the Washington Chamber of Commerce, get development construction. Students were able to have the opportunity to network, explore different career options, and get to know local businesses. Um, talk about eye observation. finance report later on that discussion and then also ever presentation presented that which also appears in the finance report later on tonight our next meeting will be Monday December 15 policy committee We'll move on to Mr. BG&T. >> All right. We met
025Monday, October 1st, uh from 12 to um about 1:00, um president, myself, Denise Chada, Nate Larson, Dr. Gillson, Tyler Sigi, and Angie Conny. Whole business building improvement tours. We're going to start those at 7:30 at the high school tomorrow morning and then progress on to the middle school uh Arbor South and uh your field. Hopefully we'll be able to get them all in and we're meeting with uh the people in the building uh administrators and u also Eileen Court who has been working with us on looking at some of the buildings. Uh facility use handbook. Dr. son presented a draft facility use handbook. We went over it and passed it back to policy. Uh bus barn internet update board approved Dix to bore a line from a middle school to the bus barn to provide
026a more stable internet connection. The boring and cable installation cost of $16,385 and the work was completed on November 20th. D Electric also provided a bid to run the same fiber and conduit from the bus barn to the BCAP building in the amount of $12,472. The BCAP building currently serves over 100 students in small engines, ATV and automat automotive programs, collision repair, um with potential for program expansion. installing the fiber and conduit would support its connectivity needs, especially as we grow more programs in that building. Uh, I move to approve a quote for Dixs Electric for $12,472 to complete the work of boring and cable installation from the bus barn to the BCAP building for more stable internet connection. >> Second. We have a motion from Kellyan and a second from Ferguson on the electrical
027quote from Dix Electric. Is there any connectivity in that building right now? >> It's weak. It goes in and out because they bounce it back >> from from the bus bar now and it is not strong. So it's in and out is what I've been told >> and as they get more students over there using the oneon one connection >> discussion >> I'm hoping that they can uh get it I haven't talked to Mr. Steinbeck uh about it, but uh they thought that we could still get it in this year. The ground hasn't frozen yet. >> It's getting there, but not quite. >> How excit It takes a little while longer for it to really freeze hard. So, I think they can still get it accomplished this year. >> That's our goal. Anyway, >> yes.
028Yes. >> Yes. >> Stern, >> yes. >> Larson, >> yes. >> Motion carries. >> Mr. Steinbeck, uh, shared and director of operations report, which you have in your report. Um, Harbor Park custodian. Mike Jenny retired after 46 years of service to Blair Community Schools, having missed only two non bereavement days. Mr. Steinbeck has uh hired a replacement. Okay. Ground crew. The district grounds crew is preparing for winter and changing and changing weather. It's here by uh mowing when conditions permit, which isn't right now. Uh readying snow removal equipment and stocking or stocking buildings and with ice milk. And I know the uh deerfield principles were happy that they uh could get out on the playground that they did a a good job of of getting their building ready for the teachers to be able to
029go outside and have snowball fight. All right. Nebraska statewide arboritum. Mr. Callahan and Mr. Steinbeck met with two Nebraska statewide arboritum representatives on November 12th to tour Arbor Park elementary grounds. The representatives were able to give us some insight on the arboritum at Arbor Park and they suggested the school become a landscape steward site by purchasing $150 annual membership which would provide benefits such as discounts and free trees for Arbor Park, updated tree information placards at a reduced cost, and access to workshops and events. The committee supports pursuing the landscape steward site membership. Uh vans purch Last month, the board approved buying two passenger Ford Transit vans from Woodhouse Ford for $128,582. Woodhouse reached out to Mr. Sigi and informed because another school canled an order, two vans were available immediately, awarding the previously expected
0308 to 10 month wait. The interior height of the van is higher and increases the price by 9 $950 each, making each van $64,241. The committee supports Mr. Siki moving forward with purchasing the instock van for the additional cost. Um, I will say Mr. He had bus drivers and faculty members that drive test them because the vans are a little bit taller and neither one of them it was a windy day when they went out and they said that was fine. They are all-wheel drive so they they work very well and uh they need them now. So we would strongly suggest that we do that. Also running lights which provide additional safety Okay, next schedule BG&T committee meeting Monday, December 22nd at 12:00 and we have switched that. It will actually be January 5th, 2026
031at 12:00. >> We have anything for BGT? >> Thank you. Uh, finance next Courtney. Finance met on December 2nd at 12. Present were myself, Carrie Loski, Bob Scoi, Dr. Gillson, Tom Sheer, Aaron Field, and we talked about the 18 to 21 Pioneer Learning uh program. Dr. Gilson reviewed the 18 through 21 transition program and discussed the future opportunities. Beginning on Monday, November 17th, students were to be picked up from PLC in Fort Pton at 3 p.m. Monday through Thursday. And for families who requested Friday attendance, Friday programming at PLC will also begin that also begin that week. In addition, Dr. Gillson and Mr. Gau met with Tammy as mentioned and she invited everyone to tour the AGI and Emanuel Hospital also Pioneer Learning and our we would like to tour. So, we're going to set
032those up for January. We will be going on building improvement tours tomorrow. We also talked about the swim team fees for the 25 26 swim team that we partner with Fremont with. And then we did talk about an agenda 2526 negotiated agreement robotics coach junior high FFA reserve 9th grade and reserve nth grade coaches. Last month, the committee discussed adding a robotics coach to the co-curricular salary schedule in the 2526 negotiated agreement. Mr. Shear is requesting an addendum to the 2526 negotiated agreement to add the robotics coach, junior high FFA head position and adjust the language for the 9th grade and reserve team coaches to be ninth reserve. The committee supports this recommendation. So I bring forward a motion to approve and add the recommended addendum to the 2526 negotiated agreement as presented. >> Second.
033>> We have a motion from Taber and a second from Scobby on uh the addendum to the negotiated agreement. Any discussion? Do we have to get any approval from is this approval from the >> reached out because I had shared with her last meeting last week. >> Thank you. Any other discussion or questions? Roll call. >> Larson, >> yes. >> Stern, >> yes. >> Motion carries. >> Okay. Regarding extended contract days, a request from the education in October. Request was made to extend contract days with middle school agricultural teacher to support the summer FFA and agricultural program including travel outside the normal school year. Since then, school teacher somebody the middle school a teacher has been reassigned to the high school and her contract has been adjusted for the additional 10 contract days the high
034school agriculture teacher the committee was supportive to include days school agriculture teacher position we also talked about an interotal agreement for the 256 year the district received an interlocal agreement from Rston public schools for additional services for students who are hearing impaired. Rston has been providing these services in prior years. So I bring for a motion to enter into interlocal agreement with Boston public schools for servicing students who are impaired for the 256 school year as presented. >> Second. >> We have a motion from Tor second from Callahan for the interlocal agreement with Rston. in discussion. >> It seems like the big it's more than just RS by looking at what the information they sent us. It's Pilian L Vista. It's uh it's about 10 schools and it's really known. It's housed at RS but
035it's really a whole suburban consortium and we all pay just what we use of the service and it is fairly expensive but those specialists are fairly expensive to bring an educator to our district. >> Yeah. >> Any other discussion? >> Roll call. >> Cher, >> yes. >> Larson, >> Yes. Motion carries. >> All right. We also talked about the accounting called software unlimited and continued the discussion of when to make the transition. We talked about the 2425 audit. Dana F. Cole completed and submitted the district audit report to the Nebraska Department of Education on November 5th, 2025 for the year end August 31st, 2025. The report issues an unqualified plain opinion on the district's financial statements and includes notes to the financial statements and audited supplemental information. The report also declares that auditors did not
036identify any internal control deficiencies that they considered to be a material weakness and did not report any findings with the financial statements. So I bring forward a motion to approve the year end August 31st, 2025 audit report from Jana F. Co dated November 4th, 2025 as presented. >> Second. >> We have a motion from Taber and a second from Scobby to accept the um you're audit any discussion >> I just want to clarify that this is the state required audit more of a business audit you guys have probably heard us talking about the audit that we have Carl Deets performing and that is more of a comparison audit compares us to other districts or >> this one pretty well just says that we're doing everything legally that we're supposed to be all the funds are
037in the right places and they match up. Um, yeah, it's a very long report. It's there for you to read. It's 51 pages long. Just for reference, how many days does it take for you to work with the auditors? Um, >> they come out days. >> Okay. >> Thank you for taking the time to do that. Is the full audit not on public in terms of >> stimulating reading. >> I enjoyed my Sunday. Um, any other discussion? >> Roll call. >> Yes. >> Frederickson, >> yes. >> Stern, >> yes. >> Motion carries. >> All right. Mr. also shared at the November meeting our credit card statements and Amazon invoice for review as part of our we talked about labor negotiations that began on August 30th and we met on November 17th and tonight we will
038enter into close session to uh discuss the under new business we uh coach professional development proposal field presented a proposal to provide coach professional development Bears coach exchange that was established in July 2024 to foster a collaborative environment among coaches within the 7 to 12 athletic system. The BBC have held quarterly meetings addressing membership collaboration theater programs multiport participation summer scheduling and continuous education. The first year BBC program coaches survey results were 90% of coaches felt purpose, 100% had topic input, 90% found it valuable, 80% implemented ideas, and 90% satisfied with the frequency. Mrs. Field is requesting a $5,000 annual line item to be added to the district budget for the BBCE to cover costs of outside speakers and scheduled sessions. The committee requested additional information regarding the program and the current professional development offered
039to coaches. Mrs. Field will report back to the committee. Uh we also talked about Erie's presentation. Erin also presented at this meeting. She a proposal to hire Everrise for a January professional development day focused on teacher efficacy and an estimated cost of 7,500 to cover two speakers and travel. Ever brings recent relevant data Similar to districts towards the end of the calendar year, educators often experience a natural dip in energy and motivation, making it a crucial time to le staff on their sense of purpose and impact they make every day. Session aligns with accreditation and professional development goals. I move to approve the hiring of Everrise for a January professional development day for an estimated amount of 7,500. >> Second. >> We have a motion from Taber and a second from Scobby on the hiring
040of for meeting in January. Any discussion? >> I was just going to point out that um Mrs. Field said this actually would come from budget, but because it was over $5,000, it's why we're approving it. But it's it's something that that's budgeted for. Any other discussion? >> She put together what would happen. >> She's done a lot of research. >> We'll call those Yes. >> Yes. >> Motion carries. All right. We also talked about eye observations. I observation is an electronic tool used by the district to support administrators in evaluating teachers. Annual fee is $5,000 and requires board approval. The district started using this a couple of years ago on the Marzano teacher evaluation model, a researchbased framework for evaluating improving teacher effectiveness by focusing on specific instructional strategies and behaviors that correlate with student
041academic achievement. So I move to approve the annual fee of $5,000 for eye observation and electronic tool used to support administrators and evaluation. >> We have a motion from Taber and a second from on eye observation any discussion um how were how were evaluations done prior to observation I'm just curious how we get to the 21st century >> can we can we ask um >> yeah previously previously was just paper and pencil like yeah >> and that's not working for you right now I like it both ways. >> I know that we have to find something else and she I think there was because it really is best for Yeah. Right now it's my understanding. >> Any other questions discussion? >> Larson. >> Yes. Yes. >> Yes. >> Motion carries. >> All right. We also
042Mr. Shear shared minutes from their food service advisory committee. They met on November 20th. We also talked about a Chromebook buyback. Since the district switched from Chromebook Chromebooks to iPads for its 101 technology initiative, Scott Mlin has been looking to salvage the Chromebooks. He contacted Julie with parts who quoted $30,660 to purchase $898 machines ranging conditions from grade A which is like new to not fully functional and motion to approve the sale of 898 used Chromebooks to add parts in the amount of $30,660. Is there a second? >> Second. >> We have a motion from Taber and a second from Scobby on the sale of uh Chromebooks. Any discussion? >> Really can't get much out of those. The way I understand it as they don't hold up very well. I'm glad we moved away from
043watching the kids do something they really didn't like. >> No, but at the same time, I'm appreciative that we get kudos to Scott. >> I was afraid we would not get much of anything. That's a whole lot more than I thought we were going to get. That's all ones that are pristine to the ones that don't even work. >> Any other discussion? Roll call. >> Yes. Yes. >> Yes. >> Motion carries. >> We also talked about retirement contribution rates for the 26.7 school year. Nebraska Council school administrators announced the state actuary reports that the school plan will have a funded ration of sorry of 102.1% for fiscal year 2026. By virtue of LB 645, the new employee rate will be 7.5%. July 1st, 2026. The new employer rate will be 7.32% which is 7.25% multiplied
044by 101% beginning January 1st, 2026. Since the funded ratio will be over 100%, the state will not be required to make a contribution. The current rates for 25.6 are 8% for employees and 8.08% for the district. Mr. projects this change will save the district around 125,000 from July 1st 2026 to June 30th 2027. We tabled the discussion of Emma filings and our Mr. Shear provided a financial recap of the monthly financials includes general fund tax collections analysis and cash flow forecast. Our next scheduled meeting is January 6th at 12 p.m. and we at >> Thanks. And do you have anything else for >> Yeah. Um when you look at the coach uh personal development or professional development? Um I would strongly think that we would want to do that. Here's why. We used to get
045it through the conference and the conference no longer does. At least I don't think they do. I went back one year to coach, it was no longer going. I was kind of surprised because that was a wonderful time for us to get together of light coaches and talk and they used to bring in people like from the Boytown uh coaching football and other things and it really does help those young coaches. So I really think that we need to do that and this sign it's like looking at the the presentation that coach Field I call that she was one of my coaches um Ms. put together. Uh it looks like they've got a really good program that really is a way of mentoring them for the new coaches and and getting out and teaching about
046how they really influence kids because a coach does influence more kids than about any of us do, you know. So I I think it's a wise move down the road and the amount seems like that's $5,000, but if you were to go to anything of those things put on by NSA far more so I think it might be wise move >> anything else finance >> I think I'd like to address the software question that came up in terms of finances our software. So they put out years ago and the two soft ended they decided to stay on eance for one year while they were transitioning over So that's why >> thank you. >> Okay, we'll move on in the agenda at this point. I don't see any new teachers to approve, but we do have
047um couple resations and one motion. I think we need >> we need two. >> I think that we >> separate the retirement. Uh, I move to accept the resignations of certified staff members Aaron Hemi effective December 31st, 2025 and Christian Dens upon the conclusion of the 2526 school year from Callahan and a second on two resations. Any discussion? Roll call. >> Yes. >> Taber, >> yes. >> Frederickson, >> yes. >> Barson, >> yes. >> Motion carries. And then retirement. >> I would like to move to accept the retirement um resignation. I guess on resation >> retirement of certified staff member Linda Harmon upon the conclusion 26 school year. >> We have a motion from and a second from Taber on Mrs. Harmon's welldeserved retirement. Any discussion? >> I will miss Mrs. Harmon. She was somebody
048that I always went to to get an opinion. I can remember when she came and we shared office at the high school before the middle school was built and uh she has been with the district for a long time always doing everything working with the plays as well as her English class and we will definitely miss Mrs. Harmon. >> She's one of my girls long as well. So she's a gem. Any other discussion? >> Yes. >> Taper. >> Yes. >> Stern. >> Yes. >> Motion carries. >> Yes. >> Um that leads us to a superintendent report. And I guess um on behalf of Dr. Just a reminder that tomorrow morning we are meeting at 7:30 at the high school. Um, and I guess there's no we're just going to go through the buildings with with
049the architect. >> There's no schedule, no rush. And any of the building administrators and that that want to meet and spend time with us, they can. And so it may we can't give that we'll be at the middle school such time and at Arbor and then at South and then at Deerfield. So, we're going to try to make them all tomorrow. Hopefully, we can. >> Will there be a for like an hour lunch or 30 minute lunch or having lunch somewhere? >> Yeah, I because we don't know exactly where we're going to be. I think Angie is going to give us a call at some point tomorrow and say, "Where are you going to be?" and um send us some Jimmy. We will we'll get her a list. We'll talk. >> Okay. So then we
050do have on here um reportsform informationational items from all of the school buildings and I as have to tell you these are the most enjoyable things that we read um as we go through these agendas every week and so I just want to say thank you to the principles for for doing that. I just have to highlight a couple things. November is such a great month because Um, so much happens. The Veterans Day programs are just fantastic in Blair. Thank you for doing those. Um, there's a career fair, lots of Thanksgiving celebrations, um, donation drives, um, celebrating a janitor that been in our buildings for 46 years. Fantastic. Um, Um, I just thought it was a a great month of of exciting things happening and I like that a couple of you are putting the
051things that your culture and climate are doing in your building and um, Dr. Frankenberg, what a funny thing when your not a cup day. I love that picture of how creative some of your teachers were in what they brought their water to work in that day. And um the student that got their kick through the basket that was awesome. So so glad you also got that on camera because I had even have my husband watch that as I was reading the minutes. So we were pretty excited. I wish that video had sound. >> I feel like it would make >> ESPN that only happened one other time in her career. So, >> really, >> that was awesome. So, thank you to the staff that's here for everything that you do in uh your classrooms every
052day with students. >> Yeah, >> Monica and Crystal Crystal's working with you on that, too, isn't she? on the the uh uh raising money for the prom. Uh I know that's got to be fun for the teachers. I used to love stuff like that when kudos to you guys for doing that. It's an original way to raise money instead of having the teachers buy something they really don't want. >> So I think that's it. those. >> Um, we're gonna we're going to have a motion to go into close session. After we have that motion, uh, we're going to just take a couple minute recess. Um, seniors can come up and get your, uh, forms signed for being here this evening. And, um, I will just note that I there's no plan for anything to come
053out of close session after we're done. Okay. >> I move to enter into close session to discuss legal advice and for the protection of public interest on the discussion of collective bargaining and invite Mr. Tom Sheer, business manager to attend. >> Second. We have a motion from Skillby and a second from Taber to enter a new closed session. Any discussion? >> Yes. >> Motion carries 101.