001Good evening everyone. Like to call to order the Pavilion Le Vista Community Schools Board of Education meeting for January 26, 2026. Section one, call to order. Item A. Please rise for the pledge of allegiance. To the flag of the stands nation indivisibley and justice for all. >> Thank you all. Roll call, please. >> Miss Butler, >> here. >> Mr. Madler, >> here. >> Mr. Lotus, >> here. >> Miss Wood, >> here. >> Mr. Bailey, >> here. >> Miss Wit, >> here. All present. All right, moving quickly into section two, communications. Item A is our military advisory. I'll welcome up Colonel Mark Russell. >> Welcome, Colonel. >> Good to see you all again. Been a long time. Um, and I know it's the end of January, but happy new year. Uh, good to be back, and
002I hopefully we don't go on another temporary pause here this week. Um, but it is good to be back and do appreciate it. the slows continue to do a lot of great work in the coordination with your team specifically they met with Dr. Via Rial here recently um to talk about uh impact aid um which was was a big topic um obviously uh I think the furlow may have impacted some of our communication on that um so looking they're potentially looking to partner with Belleview I know to get after that even more next time and maybe even educate folks on on the importance a little bit more of why we do that and how it benefits both the military members and the school systems. Um so look forward to their work on that. Uh on
003top of that uh month of military child's coming up fast right that'll be in in April and I know the slows have uh provided some ideas to the schools on on how we can we can do that and celebrate that. So looking forward to see what comes of that. And then another new idea uh for military signing day. So you know how we do the sports signing days. Most schools do that. Um, so something that's more a little more military military oriented and I know they've got some ideas on that, but I would imagine folks who are enlisting or or even those who may be going to a military school or military academy um do something like that. Uh, so I'm excited about that. Be pretty cool. And then we have a number of um
004events for our military connected family. So anybody that's a Department of War ID holder um can come attend these events on base. Uh, so I'll share three of those real quick. One's a kindergarten connection fair and that'll be on February 12th from 1,600,800 or or 4 to 6 p.m. Uh the intent with for that is to make connections both with our uh community partners as well as base support agencies and of course um the schools will be there too. I know Pilia Le Vista schools will be at that event. Um great opportunity for our our members to be able to find out what's available to them and help navigate um as their kids get ready to go into kindergarten. Um all right. Uh also the autism awareness workshop that'll be a Saturday event on the
00521st of February uh in the morning 10 to 11. It's it's exactly that. It's introduction to autism. So everything from the facts and characteristics associated uh with ASD um appreciating the the strengths and unique challenges that folks with autism have, individuals autism have um and how to interact with them and their families. So, a great thing that our team uh continues to work on at the MFRC uh military and family readiness center. So, looking forward to that event. The third one is a seizure safety workshop. That'll be on Wednesday, February 25th in the afternoon. That's a 2:00 to 3:00 event. Um and that one is also pretty much what it says. It's a focus on um uh understanding how to one uh bring their first aid in the event of a seizure. obviously extremely important,
006but also just having increased knowledge and awareness of epilepsy and and what that looks like and what that means for those who live with that. So, um some some incredible opportunities for our our members. Um and we look forward to continue to partner with you throughout the year as we move into 2026 here. So, any questions for me? >> Uh no questions, Colonel. Uh thank you for being here. Appreciate you bringing up the military signing date. We haven't had an opportunity to to discuss that internally. It's certainly something we'll do. Um, one of the things just so, uh, any of our military families or dependents that may be watching, one of the things that we are currently doing already is at both honors night at the end of the year as well as the graduation
007ceremony, we single out not only those individuals who are listing in the armed services, but those who have an appointment to one of our nation servicemies. So, I I think anything we can do to continue to profile uh and highlight those kids that are going to defend our nation's country is a really wonderful thing. So, we appreciate the idea and we'll certainly keep you posted as we continue that dialogue. >> Yes, sir. Appreciate you very much. Thank you. >> All right. Thank you, Colon. >> Have a great night. >> Thank you, Colonel. Moving on to item B of section two communications, our report section. I'll turn it over to Dr. Ricky for his superintendent report. >> Thank you very much, Mr. Lotus, members of the board. Happy cold Monday, everyone. Uh for both the members
008of the community that are joining us this evening as well as those that may be watching online, thank you for engaging with the POV Vista Community Schools and your board of education. Uh glad everybody made it to school today. I know Friday was obviously an off day for cold weather day. We talk we talk about this every single year uh with both snow days and cold weather days being fairly frequent and most frequently in January February. We don't have hard and fast business rules uh other than we do consult a number of sources every one from area school districts the national weather service uh off its weather wing. We have a number of professionals that we bring to bear when we make decisions. As a general rule, on cold weather days, generally we're looking for
009sustained windchills of negative - 255 or less. Uh, but the timing depends a great deal. If that's at midnight, that's probably going to be less impactful with our decision-m than if it's at 7 to 8:00 drop off time. The other things that we take a look at is there snowfall on the ground? Is there ice on the ground? Uh, and frankly, one of the biggest drivers with our decision-making when it comes to cold weather days is the availability of our fleet. Our buses are all diesel. They're all stored outside. And for those of you that may have a diesel truck uh or equipment or have operated those in the past, you know that diesel, even when treated with additives, just doesn't work really well when it reaches certain thresholds. So, we'll continue to monitor. We'll
010do our best. More often than not, uh we'll air on the side of safety. Often your superintendent blows that and I'll fully own that. Uh but, uh above all, we just want to make sure people are safe. Uh wanted to talk a little bit about a really cool event we had last Thursday night at Papoleon La Vista High School. Uh head of the Monarch Nation, Jason Ryan is here with us this evening. Thank you for playing host to our title one event. So this is a federally required event for our five title one buildings. Uh we've just done an incredible job of marketing it to our families. Uh it was 6 to 7:30 at Monarch High last Thursday night. Uh we had a free dinner. We had some learning stations set up. I don't know
011how many people we had there, but I bet we had 500. Uh, we ran out of 500 hot dogs, I believe. Nine. 900 was the tally. Okay, so I'm pretty awful at estimating. That is absolutely incredible. >> I think we had 500 hot dogs and we ran out of hot dogs early, at which point we raided Mr. Ryan's concession stand. I think we owe you probably a few Kit Kats, Mr. Ryan. So, thank you for stepping up. Uh, okay. So, don't ask, don't tell. Apparently, when it comes to the concession stand, it was an incredible event. It it really showcased the best of what made this community and this school district such a special place. Parents, kids, family members, staff members showing up to be supportive for a great event. Also wanted to provide an
012update to the board. We've been busy in advisory season. Our business elected official advisory, our teacher advisory, and our classified staff advisory met last week. We've talked about a variety of topics, everything from the legislature to strategic planning to school safety. So, we're really having some fruitful conversations around that. And also wanted to highlight for the board. Uh, a couple of individuals, they don't quite rise to the level of board recognition, which to be on the board agenda for board recognition, really the parameters are this. You need to have received some type of state level designation or a national level designation. And we try to do at least one of those a month. But we had two individuals that don't strictly speaking meet those criteria, but did some really cool things that in my opinion
013are worthy of a shout out in the superintendence report. The first is Arturo Diosis who's from Pavilion Vista South High School. He's a Titan NJOTC cadet who was selected for the commander of the Naval Air Force's Flight Academy. He was one of only 14 cadetses nationwide. There were 300 applicants, so he's running with some very select company. Arturo will participate in an 8-week immersive program that includes college level coursework, and it is funded through a Navy scholarship that's valued at approximately $30,000. Arturo, I don't know if you and your family are watching this evening, but your school district is very proud of you. The second individual that I wanted to highlight really pretty touching story from Maya Wazac who's at PO Vista High School. She attends our health systems academy which is a partnership with
014CHI Midlands. She's a Monarch student in our health systems academy. She was also recognized by Pavilion Fire Chief Rod Gotch for her lifesaving efforts. When an HVAC technician experienced a medical emergency while he was working in Maya's home, this was on December 31st, so this was just a few weeks ago. My and her mother Christy immediately provided lifegiving CPR to the HVAC tech who collapsed in their home. As I said, she was recognized at the Pilion City Council. But what a powerful example not only of the training that Maya received with health systems who receive among other things CPR certifications, but just a quality individual stepping up and saving another human being's life. What a tremendous honor. Maya, same thing. If you, your mom, your family are watching, uh, thank you on support of the
015school district. We are very, very proud of your efforts. And with that, Mr. Lotus, I will turn it over to you. With one last exception, one last exception. We're here to celebrate a really important thing. For those of you that are here tonight, you may have noticed some bags. You may have noticed some treats. Uh, we're here to celebrate National School Board Recognition Week. Now, I know I say this every single year, but for those of you that may not be aware, uh these six individuals dedicate countless, and I mean countless hours, to this community, to our families, to our students, and there is no remuneration of any kind. It is one of the few elected official positions in the state of Nebraska. It might be about the only one where there is no compensation
016provided. They do it because they love kids, they love families, and they love this community quite dearly. Sometimes the decisions they make uh create division. Sometimes the decisions we all make create division. Uh you cannot be a leader and make decisions of any import without sometimes creating bad feelings. That is what they do and they do it because they love this district even though they are not getting any compensation whatsoever for their efforts. So I want to thank these six individuals. You will not find a better group of elected officials anywhere in the state of Nebraska and for my money probably anywhere in the country. So for my six bosses, I just want to say thank you on behalf of the entire school district. And I believe with that before I turn it over to
017Mr. Lotus, I believe we have a brief video we would like to share. My favorite things about school is that I get to be with my friends. I get to see my teacher and I get to play football at recess with my friends. >> Um I like my teacher because um she's really nice and I like math because it's my favorite subject. >> What I like about school is all the fun activities that you can do and you always have something to do. Plus, all the teachers are really nice and helpful. >> Some things I love about our district is that we have uh opportunities to go to Metro classes, and I love how friendly our staff is here. And that we are still able to have our phones, but also they have to be
018put away because it helps us stay focused, but also have that environment where we can have a little break from class. I like how you can how basically you can meet new friends and just spend time with with others and cuz if it weren't if I didn't go to school, I probably wouldn't have any much of any friends. >> What I like about YTP is the cooking activities and that we can cook and learn how to live on our own and cook. What I like about school is that you get to learn and do fun things and you get to run and play at recess. >> I really like uh school because it's really easy to make friends and everyone is so nice and kind. Um, another reason I like uh school is because of
019recess because it's so fun to uh be able to socialize and uh have fun with your friends. Uh, and another reason why I love school is library. There's so many options to read and uh, the classrooms are also the best part because uh, of our the amazing teachers that I've had. >> I like doing the trades classes cuz I get to use my hands and build stuff that I like, be creative. I also like working with the team of my friends because I can talk with them but also still be productive. Something I like about school is recess and the teachers are nice. >> I like the teachers teachers cuz they're nice and they help me out and I also like recess cuz of my friends. This school is a happy place of mine because
020the teachers, the staff, the parents, my friends are much more comforting around me because they are my go-to persons. So, on behalf of a grateful school district, uh, Mr. Lotus, members of the board, I just want to say thank you for everything you do to make this such a special place. Can we have a round of applause from our board of education, please? And with that, I'll turn it back to the board. Well, thank you, Dr. Rickley, for those kind words, as well as Dr. for Billy Allen, your communications team for putting together such a fantastic, heartwarming video of why we do what we do. All right, moving on to item C under section two, communications, committee reports. >> Oh, I skipped right over board member reports. Jumping. I'm rusty. I'm rusty. >> Any board
021member reports? >> Yeah, I can go ahead and start. So I had the opportunity to go to Walnut Creek for a liaison lunch um in mid January and a lot of positive discussions with principal Bisel and her uh team there. Uh they talked about um the successful implementation of the math um maths that we're piloting and how that's going well. uh they talked about the number of devices that they have and how um they feel that they have a good system in place, sufficient numbers and they appreciate the devices that they have that we they think what they have is what they need. Um we spent a lot of time talking about how they're using planning effectively and they really appreciate the elementary plan days to help them carry that out. Um they felt there
022have been some positive changes in outdoor ed um and that really enjoyed that. Um and uh they talked a little bit about the importance of relationships at Walnut Creek and how that's a priority to all of them. One of the comments that uh Principal Bisel made was that they want to teach to the edges. So they want to reach all of their kids and um two of their staff members are currently working on the hell program review and uh they think that's important. and they've also um done some things uh to review um their instructional practices as a whole and um are continuing to grow and meet the needs of their kids. Um I also had the opportunity to attend the title one night um on January 22nd as Dr. Rickley said, such a fun
023night, so well attended, lots of smiles and positive family interactions. Just want to re you know uh give kudos to the title one teachers. I know that the teachers in the building do a lot of the planning. Uh the assistant principles and lead teachers at our title one buildings. This is kind of one of the things that they spearhead under the guidance of all the principles um to meet some of the requirements but also to have a lot of fun. They do use this as an opportunity to gather input from parents and um look at how they might improve their compact and and this processes and procedures that they have in place in their buildings. But it was a tremendous success this year. And then today I had the opportunity to attend uh the NASB
024legislative issue conference. Um here are some of the current legislation that's being discussed in Lincoln. Um and um just to continue to develop my understanding of the process and procedures of our legislatures and uh um should be the next uh couple weeks should be very exciting down there. I'll just did that I attended the legislative conference today and we we reviewed many of the bills that are upcoming that will impact the schools and so it's really important for the school board to stay aware of that and be prepared for any changes that may be coming our way. So I appreciate the state schoolboard association for putting that on for us. >> Yeah, I was able to make it up to the uh title night as well. I mean 900 people. Great turnout. great to see
025the community come out and those families come out and the activities that we were able to put together for those families. I appreciate all the time and effort everyone put in to make sure that that was an event um that our our families enjoyed and and hopefully we can continue that on uh with the the strong turnout. Uh I also we started for the NASB legislative committee. We had our first weekly call last Monday uh starting to discuss the bills that were introduced. Uh and then yesterday we met in person in Lincoln for about five hours to discuss about 50 bills uh talking through the position the NASB is going to take on them. Uh I think they've updated the site today. So I'll send out the link to the the board members uh from
026NASB of what those bills are and then the position that NASB is taking uh or the ones that we were just continuing to track and and waiting for more information on. And then uh last night after the bill discussion, we had a uh kind of a panel discussion with some members, you know, six members of the governor's school finance review commission talking through um they finished up phase one at the I think end of December or in December. So they're moving on to phase two. They have to meet quarterly and just talking through kind of their findings. Um in that initial report, I think it was a 100page initial report. they kind of gave us a a watered down version of it and then what they're going to be continuing on this next quarter and
027and the following meetings and then today's meeting with uh Miss Wit and um Miss Wood, we had I think it was five or six senators came and spoke to us today about mainly it was education relevant bills that they have either in their committees or that they are uh they're um they've introduced uh and and just talking through and and um being there for uh questions. Uh so it was great to hear from them and kind of what they're thinking for either their committees or for their individual bills. Then we were fortunate enough to have Speaker Arch and Senator Roundtree have lunch with us uh today um with just those from Pelling Vista and a handful of folks from ESU3 and again just chat through um the education related bills and seeing what questions they
028had for us and it gave us the opportunity to share our thoughts on them. And this was I mean I probably been doing this five years going to this event. I mean, Speaker Arch has been there every year for lunch. And this Senator Roundtree second year being in the Senate, he's been there both years as well, been great in at least showing up and having the discussions with us and being involved. And I told Speaker Arch as he left his last one. You know, he's this will be his his final one as he is done after this session. So, uh, again, I appreciate his support for the district and being willing to show up and and have those conversations with us. So, I thought it was a great event as always. Uh, and I look
029forward to the continued discussion. Um, the NASB legislative committee, we continue to have the weekly calls in every Monday to track what's advancing, uh, and as we get more information on bills potentially changing, uh, which ones we were will support or which ones we'll try to slow down potentially. So, uh, but I'll send those updates out to you all um, probably tomorrow. >> Um, let's see. I had a liaison breakfast uh at Carriage Hill on the 14th. Uh that was fantastic. Um Tracy McShane and Michaela Overby the principal and assistant principal put together a great program and you can see this this was all everything that they uh gave to us and all their a lot of celebrations both district and staff celebrations. Um they great group um that we spoke with. I have to
030give a shout out to uh to Tracy and Michaela because um this is something that my wife had and this was 15 days before winter break and they gave this to all the teachers and there's there's something for and I meant to bring this out at the breakfast and I forgot to grab it. It was in my car but uh like the second be like Buddy the Elf, enjoy the four food groups, candy, candy canes, candy corn, and syrup. Wear sweatpants too. Um yeah, there's uh I mean they had just it was just fantastic. Um they had one grow your heart three sizes. It was Grinch day. Uh write a kind note to a colleague and wear green. I mean just just little things like that that kept the spirits up of everybody during obviously
031a crazy month but you know the right before winter break. So it was it was uh it was pretty neat. Um couple of the things like I said they of course they talked about the as a celebration the CK CKLA uh roll out and how much they appreciated that. Um, couple of things I thought was interesting is they they spoke about how testing and I think how they want to, I guess, maybe I'd say revise it, but maybe uh look at, you know, ways to to make it more effective um so that we're getting the right kids in the how program that that need and and want to be there. Um I thought that was interesting. The other thing they have a very um a fantastic parah and she's an eel parah Stephen and um
032I know Sherry speaks highly of her. Sherry teaches at carriage show. I'm sure you guys all know that by now. I've only mentioned that about two million times. But um they spoke about having it's really nice to have uh Miss Marquin there, but they spoke about possibly trying to find a way to have like an e translator um for when they have conferences. It's not so much with the kids, but with parents and trying to help out. And I thought that was an interesting idea. um since we have, you know, so many obviously we're not going to be able to hit every uh language that we have in all of our schools, but in some of those title buildings, obviously a lot of Spanish-sp speakaking families. Um so I just thought that was um very
033interesting. But they did a fantastic job. It was great to have breakfast. Great way to start out my day. Um I also had um last Wednesday a maybe meeting, excuse me. Um so we had a few people there. We had Matt Belela there. He did a great job of uh talking through some of the bills that they are looking at and I know we we have uh uh Tim here and we'll talk about all those um things but did a really good job talking about the bills that were being carried over and some of the things that they are um looking at and um positions that they they have on on those bills. Um also got a really interesting uh update from ESU3. I guess uh the learning community they have an issue with their
034community action plan. I guess uh they one of the partners that the ESU3 works with is called One World. And One World I guess um they have uh I guess they support um hormone treatments um and I guess that goes against um some of what the uh the state school board members agree with and so they are um you know trying to get them to rewrite that and possibly drop one world. And one of the things that um you know that the ESU three and I I can't think of his name that was there for the maybe meeting but he said that one of the things about it is that they're trying to fight that because one world is a partner but receives no state or taxpayer dollars from the learning community. So it's you
035know although they may not agree necessarily with everything that One World does, it's not as if it's being funded by the state or um you know any federal dollars as part of that uh as being a partner. But a lot of good updates from those who were there from uh you know from the metro area. Um I know Bennington's working hard to get their um high school built. They're they're it's going well there. Um and I think um was it Rston I think was uh they're working on um a bunch of um school u I'm trying updates and everything as well. So I think everything's going good. So it was a very productive meeting. Um you know gave them a rundown of everything that we've got going on and excuse me frog in my throat.
036Um but a fantastic meeting. Thank you. >> Great. Well, I'll uh wrap it up with another liaison lunch. I had the the privilege to kind of step in uh uh last minute uh to go back to my alma mater uh which is always a exciting for me at G. Stanley Hall. Uh love being a proud product of of G Stanley Hall in a title one building. Um, and so and and just to to start off my my story, they're all some of them were remotely there shortly after I would have moved on. Uh, but I was explaining to them, those of you who've been around the district a long time, G. Stanley Hall used to have like a fourtory tire tower >> in the back of the playground. >> Just amazingly how much fun we
037had with it. And then shockingly now in a role like this where you're like, "Wow, what a liability we had. No wonder no wonder it came down before we we got so I was trying I'm going to try to find some pictures so they can they can have an archive of of what the tire tower was." >> Proof of the tire. >> We do. So, Miss Boyer and Miss Thompson, the principal and assistant principal, uh, again, as most board members have said, they put together a fantastic uh, agenda. Uh and and I know I've said it before, but I I really like that we pivoted last couple years ago uh with the format of our LEA liaison lunches instead of rotating a lot of staff through about every seven eight minutes. Um and then we
038just ended up talking about the same things and repeating. uh we now you know they they put together a good group of staff uh that's a good cross-section uh of the the teachers paras special education primary you know kindergarten uh preschool um so really engaging conversation uh that hits all areas um as many have said tonight uh they they really celebrated uh the CK CKLA I learned something new with the sixth grade group. They do something now that is called HMH. I had not heard that uh term or acronym. Uh so that was definitely something new. Uh their fourth and fifth grade are piloting the new math curriculum. Uh and one of the the bigger celebrations um is some plans they have around unified sports. uh they've got a great group and a great leader
039uh that's kind of organizing uh their uni unified sports activities uh and they're really excited for how they can grow that program in the future. uh they gave a great thank you to the uh the board as well as the the HR team for continuing the elementary planning days uh as well as that kind of day back uh at the start of the new semester to kind of get raring to go and uh and and have time to breathe before the students return. Uh one thing unique uh maybe not unique to every school but uh definitely different is their PTO. They call it the the hawk nest. Uh and it's primarily driven by the staff themselves. Uh when they have uh parent volunteers needed, there's plenty to to volunteer. Uh but with so many different
040kind of committees and projects and different things that they want to do. Um the staff really uh engage and jump in and and uh they have great things going from from their PTO uh the Hawk Nest. some challenges as we uh hear you know at most of our liaison lunches is uh you know open positions especially para positions uh I I'll steal Miss Wit's thunder and give the shout out to if uh you're looking for a position within the district do we have any walk-in Wednesdays coming up Dr. settles. >> Perfect. Um, so the the struggle with that, especially if you're having some some behavior issues. Um, we talked a little bit about the the curriculum uh with some >> one to five this week. So, if you're looking for a position, I want to
041recommend somebody to come look for a mission pro a position uh open interviews, walk-in interviews on Wednesday here at the central office. Um, but just the the new SEAL curriculum in the software just um struggling to find things but also uh learning how to kind of supplement and find that due to just some some pacing issues and how engaging it is to certain uh groups versus others. And then uh to kind of wrap it up, uh Dr. Siri uh walked them through kind of where we were at in the strategic planning process. They were all very very curious about that. So overall a great uh great lunch. Thank you, Miss Bolier, for uh uh Jimmy John's. It was fantastic. Thank you to Stephanie for uh last minute. I said, "Well, I'll take whatever I was
042gonna whatever Suanne was going to have." And uh she pulled another order. So I really appreciate that that detail. So any other board reports? All right. Now moving on properly to item C, committee reports, building ground and finance. Uh we have not met human resources and student services. Yes, we have not met yet either. And curriculum Americanism, >> we did meet on the 13th. Um we had a very good meeting. Uh we talked about um u Dr. Siri led us through some of the state of the schools report, gave us an update. We will have a full update. I think it's still uh next meeting, the first meeting in February is what she had reported. Um so we'll look forward to that. Um we talked some about the strategic plan as well. And I'm sure
043you got a more current update than we had here because I'm sure it's it's it's been moving forward. But um at the time then seems like all the groups I think but one had their goals and objectives written and in. So that may be updated by now. Um and then I think they were working on uh the community advisory meeting and then um we're sound like we're right on the verge of the implementation phase of the strategic plan. So um looking forward to to that. Uh and then of course we went into some of the the rule 10 audit again. You know just one more shout out Dr. Siri and her team because that was amazing and we did very well. Uh no further actions I think was what I had written down in quotes.
044So that's pretty amazing uh to to do that. So again um they just did a fantastic job and I think the final word on that was hopefully in another 40 years none of us will be here for the next uh rule 10 audit. So um that was it. Good meeting. >> Great. Thank you. And as far as uh subcommittees go, I heard from uh all. It didn't seem like there was any one that wanted to make any uh changes. So subcommittees continue on as they were uh at the beginning of the of the year. Only change would be uh Miss Wood is taking over as the chairperson of the HR student services subcommittee uh in rotation from me. So, thank you for that. All right, moving on to section three action items. Item A, action
045by consent. >> I can make a motion to approve the uh action or the Yeah, action by consent items as listed. >> Second. >> All right. I have a motion by Mr. Bailey and a second by Miss Wit. Roll call, please. >> Mr. Madler. >> Yes. >> Mr. Lotus. >> Yes. Miss Wood, >> yes. >> Mr. Bailey, >> yes. >> Miss Wit, >> yes. >> Mr. Miss Butler, >> yes. >> Motion carried. >> All right, moving on to item B, our teacher contract agreement. This is part of goal number three. I'll turn it over to Dr. Settle. >> Yep. Thank you so much. Uh, I am noticing I think this is not the correct summary sheet that is in here. um because this was to be on approval for tonight. So, I I'm afraid we
046might have got that switched around in the wrong one in there. Um but nothing has changed since we last discussed this. It's a two-year agreement um with the uh taking the base um an increase of a total of $800 over two years. Um that would mean in year one it's a 3.5% um package increase $41,325 and in year two another $225 base increase at 41,550 um meaning the um at 3.49% as of what we know right now for year two. So I'm not sure how if what we want to do with that. Um if you have any discussion. Okay. Thank you. Yeah, I'll make the motion to approve the teacher master contract for 2026 27 and 202728 as presented. >> Second. >> All right, I have a motion by Mr. Madler and a second by
047Miss Wit. Any discussion, comments, questions? >> If I can add one thing. Um I did want to recognize that uh besides our three board members that took part in negotiations um Mr. Lotus, Miss Wood, and Miss Wit, um we also have joining tonight a couple of members of the PLA negotiating team. So Gail Cheryl is back there. Thank you, Gail. Um our president for PLA, Lindseay Wilson, is here tonight and our vice president and lead negotiator, Austin Bolton. So besides the fact that they spent a lot of time in this boardroom throughout November and December, um we're very grateful that they also um are regular attendees of the board meeting. >> All right. Uh roll call, please. >> Mr. Lotus, >> yes. >> Miss Wood, >> yes. >> Mr. Bailey, >> yes. >> Miss Wit,
048>> yes. >> Miss Butler? >> Yes. >> Mr. Madler? >> Yes. >> Motion carried. All right. Item C under section three action items, the policy review 8000 series board organization and operation. Dr. SS. >> Thank you. Uh this is one that you've seen a couple of times including dating back to your board retreat uh back in the fall when you discussed that a group was going to work on some revisions um that needed to be made. So that's happened. Um it's gone before subcommittee. It came back before you in August and November. And then um we also had KSB review it um with the policy service that we subscribe to. So any and all recommended changes are um redlined in here along with the clean copy um included for you. >> Yeah, thanks for I
049mean this is a a large um number of policies that need needed to be reworked. So I appreciate the team uh working on it while going I do have one question that I I I wonder if we need to change the language uh and it's 8004. or so it's just on page it's like the next page individual members it says a board member of Ping Vista Community Schools of Education is anyone duly elected according to the state law who is taking the oath of office on the designated day I mean I read that and like Lisa Wood would not be a board member with how that is written because we're she didn't get elected we appointed her in her role so I wonder if there's a way to adjust that language Yeah, I don't know.
050You can make a motion. I don't know the best way to adjust the language. I guess I'm I'm saying >> it. It might be to strike the pieces after the comma after the law. >> I would strike it after office taking office. >> Yeah. I didn't know if that would be duly if the term duly elected means like in the election or if we elected a board member to it. It could mean >> appointed >> duly elected or appointed and has taken the oath of office. >> So can we read >> I I will do that. Yeah. >> Yeah. I can can we read that back so we have that reflected in the minutes and then I think unless there's other changes we could just simply accept the 8,000 as amended but again that's at
051the discretion of the board. >> Yes. So, I would a Yeah, I'll make the motion to amend the presented 8000 series. Um, the 804 policies to be a board member of the Fulfilling OSA Community Schools Board of Education is anyone duly elected or appointed according to Nebraska state law and who has taken the oath of office. >> I'll second. Any further discussion? >> I just want to thank Dr. Settles and KSAB for your review. I know you put in a lot of work on it, so thank you. >> Well, and a special thanks to to you two as well. I know how much time Miss Wit and >> Eliza put into it. Um, very very detailed, thorough review. uh we we've kind of wanted to make some reorganization and some changes for for a while
052now and to just find the time and and put in the effort. So, Miss Butler, Miss Wit, much appreciated. >> Thank you. >> And with no further >> So, I think we got a vote on the amendment first. Correct. Then we do the motion. >> Yeah. >> Roll call on the amendment, please. >> M Miss Wood. >> Yes. >> Mr. Bailey. >> Yes. Miss Wit, >> yes. >> Miss Butler, >> yes. >> Mr. Matler, >> yes. >> Mr. Lotus, >> yes. >> Motion carried. >> Uh, now I'll make a motion to approve the recommended changes to the 8,000 policy series as described and as amended. >> Second. >> Okay. I have a motion by Miss Wit, a second by Miss Butler on approving the recommended changes to the 8,000 policies as amended. Roll call. >>
053Mr. Bailey. Yes, >> Miss Wit. >> Yes, >> Miss Butler. >> Yes, >> Mr. Madler. >> Yes, >> Mr. Lotus. >> Yes, >> Miss Wood. >> Yes. >> Motion carried. >> All right. Thank you all for the discussion and thorough review. Uh item D under section 3 action items, the Springfield Platview interlocal boundary agreement. Over to you, Mr. Richards. >> Thank you, Mr. Lotus. Good evening, everyone. Um tonight we'll uh have for action the recommended uh continuation really of a boundary agreement with Springfield Platview Community Schools. Um, we've had a similar agreement in place for the last 10 years, uh, that allows the transfer of district boundaries between 60th Street and 128th Street and then north of Kart Road, uh, for undeveloped land that a developer is um, developing um, and would like to have
054it go into the Pilion Le Vista Community Schools District. Um, I kind we kind of went over that on the last meeting with the maps and and all. and I'd be happy to answer any questions you might have since the last meeting. Otherwise, we'd recommend approval of this agreement as um presented. >> I know we've talked about uh this a number of times in this meeting and and the um building drowns um committee meetings. I was wondering with some of the bills that are out there and the the the larger school finance um bills like the one from Senator Hughes that we talked through today if that would gain any traction and would go into effect where it drastically does change the levy and the and the state funding would would it affect this agreement
055at all on would we want like would the like the dollar amount still make sense with the new levies? Um I would say that the agreement would stay intact unless both boards would want to um revisit it um and make any changes to that. But um yeah, because really the cost that Springfield Platview is charging for the transfer of land comes from loss taxes on that particular land. So it's more based on that than any tax levy. Um if that makes any sense. So any they get basically they're back before the learning community um when Pilion Lista would take over somebody's land in Springfield um you get about 10 years of taxes that spring Pilion would pay Springfield. So with the common levy and the learning community coming in uh they changed the law to
056where the boards had to agree on the swapping of land. Um, so Springfield Plat B came up with that price based on loss taxes for the future. If that makes any sense. >> And if that does drastically change, you don't think these you think these numbers would still be relevant in here that >> I think they would be because that would be a um, you know, the property taxes lost in an 80 acre parcel, for example, um, are going to be similar to what they're charging back uh, for us to transfer it over. >> Gotcha. So, it really wouldn't have much effect on the overall funding of what they um get through the levy of the general fund, for example. >> Okay. And I know we don't pay it. The developers pay it. >> Yes.
057Correct. >> Thanks. >> Let me get back to the sheet. I can make the motion to approve the interlocal boundary agreement with Springfield Plat View Community Schools as presented. >> Second. I have a motion by Mr. Madler and a second by Mr. Bailey. Any further discussion? >> Roll call, please. >> Miss Wit, >> yes. >> Miss Butler, >> yes. >> Mr. Madler, >> yes. >> Mr. Lotus, >> yes. >> Miss Wood, >> yes. >> Mr. Bailey, >> yes. >> Motion carried. >> All right, staying with Mr. Richards. Uh the last item under section 3 action items, the 202425 audit report. Uh acknowledgement discussion. >> Thank you, Mr. Lotus. Once again, um just kind of some highlights of the audit report for 2024-25. Um there's a lot of good news in this report. I think all
058spending uh came less than the amount budgeted for each fund. Uh which is always a positive. um general fund spending um stayed below 2% uh for 2425 from the previous year, mostly because of the stipens uh that we were given out the year before, $1,000 stipens to finish those up from the previous year. Um so, but that's good news. I think on the spending front, we were hoping to stay under that 2% uh for spending based on those stipens the year before, and we did. Um, I I think when you look at the general fund, there's there's probably a little bit of a discrepancy between expenditures and revenue. And I kind of want to give you a highlight of that and why that's happened two years in a row really now. Um, the state fiscal
059year is from September 1st to August 31st. And the federal fiscal year um for us starts October 1st. Um, so reimbursements aren't due, you know, for the federal uh for that year until in October. So, we've been sending them in in October. Um, so that's not going to show up in this uh report. So, basically what we have is a expenditures of 150,669,13 and revenue of $147,557,99. And that's a $3.1 million difference in what we're bringing in versus spending, which is never a good thing. But the thing that I just want to continue to point out is the federal money is not included for 2425 in that amount. So when you include that um we had $4.7 million in federal money in 2425 that was asked for reimbursement in September. Um we just started getting
060it last week actually. Uh some of that federal money from 2425. So when you look at that we're we're probably pretty close to a million dollars uh in the positive uh for 2425. Um, we are going to correct that this year and try to do at least three of our reimbursements, quarterly reimbursements in the 2526 school year. Um, so we'll have a lot more federal money showing up in the revenue pot uh in 2526 than we ever really have. Um, and that should get us back in the black uh for the fiscal year and get us closer to that um cash reserve that we're looking to try to uh get back up to 20% since we need those stipens. Um in 2425 we only had one audit finding uh which was due to monthly reconcili
061reconciliations not being correct with our uh new finance system over the summer. Uh we did have an unexpected death of our coordinator of purchasing and accounting which you know greatly uh led to that happening. Uh real proud of our staff uh for picking up the slack and and jumping in during a tough time. Um, and just so you know in this report that you have all those reconciliations were corrected uh with the auditor's help and with our extra staff time. Uh, so everything you see in the booklet is accurate for 2425. Um, the audit booklet will also be published online this week under info about our district. Uh, so we'll have a we'll have a link there that you can click on and and the public can access the report. um and I can answer
062any questions you have um about the report at this time or if you want to review it some more. And uh I know we've talked a lot about it in our committees as well. Um so want to thank everybody involved from our staff to the our uh buildings grounds finance committee as well for all the work uh during 2425 and making sure that we have a good fiscally responsible uh district at this point. I want to thank you and the team for uh when working with the auditors uh you know making when there's that much money going through the system and you're dealing with government accounting and the complexities with reporting and how you have to to handle the different systems. I appreciate the time and the effort that you and the team have put
063into it to ensure uh you know that we can have a clean audit. the um I also understand the issues of working through a new system. Hopefully those bugs continue to get worked out and we can either move forward with it or move back to the old one if needed so it's less pain for you and the team. I did have a question on that federal funding. So we will expect to have then the two years of federal funding show up in 2526 our 2526 fiscal year. So this fiscal year will look much better than in reality what it is because we'll have the missing from last year and this year's on top of that. >> Correct. We we and really we'll have one and three4s uh of our money in the federal money in
064this fiscal year. So I don't know if we'll get that last reimbursement in before the end of uh August to count towards 2526, but uh we'll at least have three reimbursement installments in during this fiscal year. So that'll really help. >> Yeah. Okay. Thanks. >> Any further questions? I can make a motion to acknowledge receipt of the audit report for fiscal year 2024 2025. >> Second. >> All right. I have a motion to acknowledge from Mr. Bailey and a second by Mr. Madler. Roll call, please. >> Miss Butler? >> Yes. >> Miss Mr. Madler? >> Yes. >> Mr. Lotus? >> Yes. >> Miss Wood? >> Yes. >> Mr. Bailey? >> Yes. >> Miss Whit? >> Yes. >> Motion carried. >> All right. Thank you all and thanks again to uh Mr. Richards and and his
065team. uh as someone that goes through many audits myself uh every year, I know how how much time and effort and and pain and misery it it takes to produce all the required documents uh to meet the uh the uh the federal standards uh for completing the audit and I know how complicated government accounting can be. So, it's a heavy lifting. So, I'm I know you're glad and your team's glad it's done. And I appreciate the auditors being willing to have thoughtful conversations on a couple other uh what they thought were findings uh which I would have as the former auditor in the room, I would have had a little further discussions if if needed on uh on their interpretation of that standard, but I'm glad we got to the the right place. So, again,
066thanks again. All right, that concludes section three action items. Moving on to section four, discussion and information items. Uh our legislative update, the first of the session, Mr. Tim Gay. Welcome, sir. >> And as Mr. Gay is approaching the podium, uh I was remiss during the recognition section of the superintendence report and not calling out our own Tim and Tony Gay who were recently honored for their significant contributions to the state, to the community when they were honored by the Midlands Community Foundation as their couple of the year. So Tim, just can't think of anybody better than you and Tony. So congratulations. >> Thank you. Thank you. Appreciate that. Um, and I'll pass that on to my better half because that's Anyway, um, first of all, I was um, our office is in the corn
067husker and I was went to the back of the NASB conference today for about an hour listening in. So I might bore you with some of the stuff I've got too, but you've already heard. But, uh, earlier you said it's schoolboard week. Uh that was very impressive. I think 250 300 people, school board members were there from all across the state. So um I wondered what's going on this morning here because it was packed at the parking lot. But anyway, thank you all for going and that is quite a testament to to all the school board members and and I know we had a good turnout on that, too. So um if I covered some of the things that have been covered, I apologize, but we all have different takes and spins on these things,
068right? It takes a village to kind of figure out these bills. But I want to talk start out a little bit with the legislator session. It's a short session and and we're going to end, you know, maybe April 17th, maybe earlier. Just depends on what the speaker wants to do. They've got a huge budget problem that I'm sure you probably all heard about today. Um anywhere from 471 million to could be up to 500 and some million by the end of February. So um they're just going like crazy all through February. between now and all through February is going to be hearings going on. Education only meets Mondays and Tuesdays, so they have a lot of hearings uh every day. Um five, six. This is nothing normal, but um that should probably be a three-day
069committee, but whatever. Uh so they're they're going to be grinding through it all all through the 27th. And the speaker said, "Let's be done with it." Right after that, they're going to go into March. The appropriations committee is meeting. So March 6, the appropriations committee has to come out with a budget as well. They take the governor's budget and their own budget and they say, "Here's what we want to do." It may look exactly like the governor's budget. It may look different, but anyway, that'd be March 6th. So then for two weeks, they've got that they need to get done by day 50, which my eyes aren't that great, but it's uh close to the middle of end of March. But anyway, they need to get this budget done. So there's going to be a
070lot of talk on that. I'm sure you've heard about today. So, um, those are just, you know, standard things they have to get done and that's just takes a lot of time. So, I should have just went ahead. 545 bills been introduced. 12 constitutional amendments, which we'll talk about some of those. We have the elections going on. So, some of these bills, 14 of our incumbents, including Speaker Arch, who's done a great job. He's in his last year. Um, so, uh, and then 10 districts for reelection. and I don't know how many are going to have opponents or whatever. So, there's a lot of anxiety on those kind of things too going on with some of the the bills and the votes and and th those kind of things. So, um do want to get
071into the committee. The committee has stayed the same. Um this is no change from last year. Uh which is probably a good thing uh because there's just a lot of changes. uh the senator that had to leave. He wasn't on the committee. The new one is a is a great guy coming in. But anyway, Senator Murman's in his last year. I know Senator Hughes spoke to you today at the school board conference. Um she most likely will be reelected and I don't even know if she has a but most likely get reelected and could be the education chair. She's got a lot of things going on. Senator Hunt will be gone. Um and uh the rest are all should be cons as as last year as well. So they should all be coming back. U
072the rest of them whether they stay on that committee or not who knows but we'll see next year. So some of the bills we've been following and again if we're repetitive on this apologize 653 was just heard on the floor. It's carryover from last year. It like they probably told you there was an amendment 1071 that kind of loosened this thing up. Um, so it it won't be as bad uh going into there's it's going on to select file. There's a big filibuster on it. They moved it to select file. Second round of debate. There's still going to be people pushing back on this bill, I think. Um, coming up on select file. They said it's like the old let's work it out, move it ahead and we'll talk about it later. It's to save
073time. So anyway, that that will be happening here um probably in a couple weeks when they get to that. So on that bill, the amendment, let me pull that up. The amendment passed 30 to to uh six. So those six, Senator McKenna, Senator Spivey, and a few others are will come back. Um has some option enrollment things on their suspension issues, uh things like that. So there's still a fight ahead on that. I've talked to Brett and Andy all the time on this bill. So, we are following that. Um 937 is just a regular committee bill. We're looking through that to make sure, you know, it's nothing. Sometimes they say, "Oh, this is just a regular committee bill, cleanup bill." But when you look at it, it's not. There's could be big changes. So, we're
074looking at that. Tomorrow is actually tomorrow. You got to have Merman. You got some different things on um special services. Uh you've got on the communism coming that's going to be an interesting one. So that's coming up here soon. Um this this one 1050 uh retention is going to be I assume you talked about this that if you're not reading by fourth grade you cannot go to fifth grade what general looks like or yeah but either way that one is going to be at the request of the governor usually that does that sounds like oh man it's big deal uh it kind of is you'll have the governor support but you still got to get it through committee and all the things. So to me, um, you know, unless it's a budget thing, I respect
075the governor, of course, we all do, but it it it doesn't mean that much. There's another one, uh, the suspension one, uh, that was, if you watch the governor's speech, that's that's another one at the request to the governor, how they'll be handled or however I think they're handling it. Um, that's one, just so you know, two years ago, I think we had a ton of discussion on that, Brett, with the suspension bill and why it's not great idea. The only white part of that's coming back a lot of people in rural Nebraska started saying, "Hey, wait, what's this is wrong." So, this is really was kind of a it's an interesting turnaround, I guess. Um, transpar transparency rules um ted this is one I've got a copy for you. Uh, this is Butler, you
076probably want to look at that one. I got a copy I'll give to you. It's about an idea. It's how you how you're hiring. uh you've got to disclose any kind of bad actions in the prior sexual misconduct, things like that. So, that's coming up again. And when they say referred, it's just sent to the committee. That's not they're having a hearing. Um 1243 we pointed out because it's you can be part-time, no hours, and participate in extracurricular activities is why we're reading that. Um so, that one is probably draws attention. uh whereas like how does that work? You know, if if they're not really going to the the school, how's how's that going to work? So, that one um is is interesting. Tim, before you move on, um 1050, I know, is one that
077caught a lot of people's attention. Uh ask Dr. Siri to put together a letter outlining some of the concerns that we have. Uh we'll share that not only with Tim. I don't think I've sent that over to you yet, but we'll share that with the board of education so you can kind of see the the school district's concerns about 1050 specifically. It's modeled after several other states have have gone down this road in the past. Most recently the the great state of Mississippi. Um not sure that's a a model that we want to be emulating at this point, which is why we're going to outline some concerns and share that. >> Yep. >> Which happens a lot. They go to a conference, come back with a bill. Um, some of those are good and bad.
078But, um, this one here we put on here, of course, is bonding. This is, uh, the Senator Holcraftoft again on bonding. They don't like special elections. They don't like bonding elections in general. Um, this this is an odd one I've never seen before. 55% majority vote or people voting to get out and has to pass by a certain percent. Anyway, the the Associated General Contractors are heavily opposed to this, which helped last time, too, because Senator Von Gillerin is like, "This makes no sense." I don't know if it goes anywhere, but it's super important that it doesn't probably. So, um, the learning community one that they talked about that was just allowed the learning community some more flexibility with their funding that they have. Um, Senator Anderson, I was when when I saw that one,
079I don't know how he got that bill, but it's a support of people are supporting that. Um, this one, LB990 is coming. This is signed on by 14 senators. Dover's bill and just we're kind of watching it. Um, instead of this school, it has 14 senators. And of those senators, Senator Roundtree, Senator Sanders, Anderson, and Holcraftoft, all in this Zarby County area signed on to this bill. Speaker Arch doesn't sign on to hardly any bills just because he has to kind of be the referee. But I thought that was kind of interesting. It takes away money uh from the school property tax relief fund, and it creates the uh live here, thrive here bill. So I I don't know how this is going to work. I I think if you you got to live here
080and have a residence, maybe not a business, and who knows, which I agree. So we're not sending tax money to somebody who's an absent land owner. I don't even know legally if you could do this, but whatever. It has, like I say, has a lot of senators signed on to it. Sounds interesting. Uh and then Senator Hughes's bill, you probably had a lot of discussion on this. Maybe you didn't. I know she spoke to you today, so I don't want to screw this up too much, but the way I'm reading it is, you know, she this is her funding bill. She's been kind of going there um a little bit with the education future fund they call it. The thing I the end of the bill how they fund it, there's just a bunch of
081blanks in there like this is supposed to come from the property from their general funds. Well, the general funds are the things that are 500 million in the hole right now. So, and going on next two years, one billion dollars in the in the red. So, I just don't see how this comes, but they have the the you know, the funding program that they're looking at. So, I don't know if this is just for discussion. I can't see them doing this heavy lift um this year. But, um these are some classic ones that always come just an awareness thing. Reducing the t reducing the egg valuation. It's already 75% you know is what a pays. They want to lower it to half that. So the fiscal note on this is going to be 500700 million
082they're going to lose out. So that won't go anywhere. Same thing with brand. This is an awareness thing. Um it's a lid on all political subdivisions to 2% plus the growth your real growth. Um so again I thought there'd be more lid bills but that's what I saw. Senator Clemens is an interesting one we're looking at. Um it I don't know if it raises these taxes. We're looking at it raises motor vehicle taxes, but to me it looks like it shifts taxes and gives some to the county, city, schools, whatever. But on that one, I think you already you get most of these taxes the schools. So you could lose money on this is the way I'm kind of reading it. But we'll that's will be coming down the road too. And then a big
083one here, LR292CA is constitutional amendment to limit all valuations. And it's this was put in last year by Senator Clemens and Senator Cal. This is his priority bill, which I'll talk about that in one second. Um, again, it means something, but this would be a big cap for all political subdivisions. It's like a Prop 13 out in California. Um he does have some it's better written than the last time. Um but still this would be a massive massive change. So these are ones I noticed today too when it when I was I picked up a copy of the I like this threading a moving needle was their theme. But uh I kind of looked through their bills that they kind of ran by and they had 65 bills and I always wondered are we like
084opposed? Are we too negative or whatever? But I don't think we are because of those 65 bills they're saying they opposed so far 21% or 32% of them. They only supported 10 which is like 15% and the rest are just monitoring or no position. So 52%. So yeah most of these bills again we pose pose pose and it sounds like a you know you're beating the drum and negative and all that but that's unfortunately the way it is. people introduce a lot of bills just because they can introduce the bills. There's no limits. So, and then our our summaries that we send to Dr. Rickley and Richards are are a little boring, but they got the same thing, all the bills in there. We then kind of look at I talked to Kobe and John
085Spats and others and then we kind of all kind of get together and say, "Is that way?" Yeah, that way we're reading it. And it's just by the time you get to the hearing, most people have it worked out, but um I mean I know this is hard to say, but this is how it's working. Everyone looks at these things. Uh people get people to testify in favor or opposed. Then there'll be some public people coming in as well. And then when I was there on um Senator Roundtree 653 deals with uh individual education plans and it's very complex ability introduced um who was it from Pilion came in your special ed >> huh? >> Yes. She did a phenomenal job just so you know she uh it's a tough subject. I mean it's very
086complex tough subject. handled it very professionally and I gotta say I was faith in government. Senator Roundry turned around and thanked her for being so professional and we'll work on it. There's we agreed we don't disagree but he wants to work on it too. There's a lot of work it needs but I thought that was pretty cool to see that that professional people were handling a very tough issue. So kudos to her and your staff. Um with that they're probably oh Dr. settles and I are working on a uh some of your future administrators going to go down to the capital. We'll set that up. Um have them have a a good day to kind of do the legislative thing. Um yeah, other than that, I think, you know, I'm happy to come back on
087the 9th or something too because I know it's short and we're there. And then the other thing too is any of you I know you follow this closely and I I love it. if there's some things, you know, my my deal is uh I can help you talk to whoever you want just because it's not from a senator from our district or on the education committee who we want to talk to, right? Most time before it gets to too far down the road here. But there are also other senators that we could go talk to that I know that you build relationships with them and I know, oh, they won't like this at all. Let's go talk about this. And that helps, too. They don't have to be on the committee. A lot of times
088what happens is these bills get kicked out of committee. They do a little compromise thing, whatever, and then now it's on the full floor and they're so busy no one had any time to like really talk about it. So, so that we'd like to talk to it before then. But even if it gets to that point, like I say, there's other people who will raise their hand and say, "Wait a minute, how does this work?" So, um, it's what I'm saying. I love the involvement. Stay involved if you can. And it still goes a long ways to hear from a school board member about an issue and it and it doesn't necessarily I know it's going to say how does it affect us but a lot of times these are going to affect everybody and
089like the bonding and some of those things. So you just never know who's going to be your hero when they stand up and speak and they'll say oh you know I had a great conversation with the school board member Mrs. Wood and here's what she's saying and there's a long ways. So um but yeah with that that's It's early still. Um we're grinding away and um you know if any like I said we have our meetings all the time too but uh do you have anything am I missing anything any questions from any >> nothing for me Tim just wanted to highlight for the board and for the community. Um first thanks thanks for your leadership. You're super easy to work with. Um in addition to Tim kind of being our eyes and ears on
090the ground. Uh we have started our weekly uh telephone conversations. Brett and I sit in with Tim every Tuesday uh Tuesday morning. Uh in addition to that, Brett and I typically attend the GNSA legislative briefings. Those are once a month in Lincoln. In addition to those face-to-face meetings, there's a every Friday GNSA legislative briefing too. U in addition to all the work that many of you are doing, including Marcus Madler as our legislative liaison. So, lots of us are having conversations to stay ahead of this, but at the same time, stuff moves moves very quickly. So, uh, please keep us posted. Uh, board members, if there's something specifically that catches your eye and Tim, I think typically what we've done, obviously, bill introduction is over. I think we've tried to have you come back once
091bills have been prioritized and we start to kind of get a sense of, okay, 540 bills isn't probably what we need to be tracking, but maybe 20 or 30 bills, for example. So maybe once we get those bills winnowed down a little bit more, maybe we can have you back in a month or so. >> Absolutely. And not to ramble on, but two things I did forget. One is Senator priority bill. Speaker Arch said we're only going to listen to priority bills. Now we're at a I call it a scary time because they're talking about issues a little carryover. They got to keep themselves busy in the morning, you know, and they're hearing all these bills. Now, the bills will start coming out sooner or later and they'll go to this year's kind of hot
092topics, but of 49 senators all having a priority bill, 49 bills won't even you're not going to get heard if your priority bill is some fantastical idea. It may not even get scheduled, may not even get out of committee. So, when this budget is going to go on and on, I think and because there's $500 million worth of cuts is suggested. So that's a big big deal that it it won't all get heard. Um so >> say sometimes we hear all these things and it's like oh I heard this I heard that and it's like yeah don't panic. It all kind of narrows down to >> smaller numbers much smaller. >> I know speaker archer saying at lunch today he's a little frustrated that more bills haven't been kicked out of committee yet and it's
093they're still in that process. So you know which affects what he is scheduling for the floor. Um but I appreciate the updates. I appreciate the information. I know you do a great job of keeping us updated and like you said there's just so many bills to track and so the difficult part is where do you put the effort and the either the opposition or or the support for it and you know you having the relationships with the senators I think helps and it would help us to understand like if if you know someone is potentially swayable or interested in getting more information from those it affects you know let us know on some of these key bills because, you know, I would love to reach out. I just don't want to reach out to everyone
094on everything. No, exactly. >> You know, it kind of, you know, it kind of uh doesn't hit as as hard as, you know, if you minimize it. So, um just keep us posted on who you think we should be reaching out to to potentially on these issues. >> Great point. Because it's very nebulous now and then as your targets start to come into focus, you'll see what's going to go through. And and that's a great point. and and we don't either because if you're well unfortunately they have to be opposed to a lot of this stuff because if no one shows up no one knows that's why they had of all those bills they probably could up that to oppose a lot more quite honestly but they're picking their targets and sometimes you know somebody's
095going to introduce a bill and it's like it's not really going anywhere we don't want to say why but there's sometimes they just aren't going anywhere and we have so yeah good point and then um we'll keep you posted and then whoever. But yeah, that's but happy to come. We'll come back for sure whenever you want. So, all right. Thank you all for your time. Appreciate it. >> Can you clarify, Dr. Rickley? So, on 1050, are we going to be testifying or is there uh what what will our process be because I do think that 1050 is very much one that we want to be on top of. >> Yeah, thank you very much for that, Ms. Wood. Uh could I defer to Dr. Siri? Uh she presented a letter to us. I think the
096plan is to submit a letter rather than to provide testimony, but Dr. Siri, I don't want to put any words in your mouth. Could you >> So, I worked on a letter over the weekend that includes um >> Sorry, can you just say what 1050 is for people? >> Oh, I apologize. Sorry. It's the addition to the uh current reading literacy law with the addition that um third graders would be retained if they were not proficient at the end of their third grade year. So um yeah, I wrote a letter that captures what best practice and the research says about retention and um it I also included what we are currently doing, what our process is and basically how it's already being done through the reading law. Um our kindergarten through third grades taking an
097assessment three times a year. um if they're not proficient at any one of those points, we are putting them on a individual intervention plan and providing interventions and we're monitoring that. Um so today in cabinet I shared the letter, we talked through it and Brett's going to take it down tomorrow and present it. Um I also have been in contact with several of my curriculum friends across the state and I think there will be lots of letters that are being submitted. So, as of right now, that's the plan. And I shared that with you just a few minutes ago when Dr. Rickley said so. >> Yep. Thank you. >> All right. Moving on to our final item under discussion and information items. Uh the policy 1000 series public relations and communications. uh for the public
098uh to be aware, we review uh our entire set of board policies uh every year uh starting with obviously January with the 1000 series going all the way through to the end of the year. Uh so uh board members, please review the um 1000 series and send any suggested changes to Dr. Billy Rial and I know he'll be presenting uh to subcommittee uh any potential changes that the uh administrative team and the communications team have. Uh we had no uh public comment for items not on tonight's agenda. Uh section six, future board calendar, February 6, 2026, uh no school elementary students only. It is one of the elementary teacher staff development days that they so enjoy. Uh and then on February 9th, 2026, the next board of education meeting at 6 p.m. here at the
099central office. Seeing no business uh before this uh board, I'll adjourn the meeting for January 26, 20126 at 7:18 Yep.