March 16, 2026 at 5:30 PM - Regular Board of Education Meeting
| Agenda | |
|---|---|
|
1. Call the Meeting to Order
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
LEADERSHIP • SERVICE • SUPPORT Notice of this meeting was given in advance according to State Law 84-1411, by giving notice of the meeting to the public on ESU 7 website www.esu7.org and posted at location of meeting. Notice of this meeting was also given in advance to all members of the Board of Education of Educational Service Unit 7. Availability of the agenda and purpose of the hearing was communicated in the advance notice of the meeting and in the notice to the members of this hearing. All proceedings of the Board of Education of Educational Service Unit 7 were taken while the convened hearing was open to the attendance of the public.
Discussion:
Vice President, Beth Kabes called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m.
|
|
|
1.1. Notification of Open Meetings Law
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
This meeting has been preceded by reasonable advance notice and is hereby declared to be in open session. A copy of the Open Meetings Act is posted in the meeting room.
Attachments:
()
|
|
|
1.2. Roll Call
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
|
|
|
1.3. Absent Board Members
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
Administrator Recommendation: Discuss, consider and take all necessary action to approve Board member absences.
Recommended Motion(s):
Discuss, consider and take all necessary action to approve Board member absences as presented Passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
Discussion:
Board Members, Richard Stephens will be absent and Dawn Lindsley will be late. They notified prior to the meeting.
|
|
|
1.4. Pledge of Allegiance
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
|
|
|
2. Approval of Agenda
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
The sequence of agenda topics is subject to change at the discretion of the Board.
Recommended Motion(s):
Discuss, consider and take all necessary action to approve the agenda as presented Passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
|
|
|
3. Virtual Conferencing for December 2025-March 2026
Speaker(s):
Board President or designee
Rationale:
Nebraska Revised Statute § 84-1411 authorizes virtual meetings for educational service units if the requirements of subdivision (2)(b) are met.
The Board voted to have a virtual conferencing option for the following board meetings: December 2025, January 2026, February 2026, and March 2026. |
|
|
4. Welcome Visitors
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
|
|
|
5. Public Comment
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
The Board has the discretion to limit the amount of time set aside for public participation.
Citizens wishing to address the Board on a certain agenda item must complete the Request to be Heard Document prior to the start of the board meeting. Citizens wishing to present petitions to the Board may do so at this time. However, the Board will only receive the petitions and not act upon them or their contents. |
|
|
6. Consent Agenda
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
Unless removed from the consent agenda, items identified within the consent agenda will be acted on at one time. If any Board member wishes to discuss an item, it must be removed from the consent agenda at which time the remaining items will be acted upon. Consent Agenda Includes:
Administrator Recommendation: Discuss, consider and take all necessary action to approve the consent agenda as presented.
Recommended Motion(s):
Discuss, consider and take all necessary action to approve the consent agenda as presented Passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
|
|
|
6.1. Minutes
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
This is a consent item.
Attachments:
()
|
|
|
6.2. Presentation of Bills #81346 through #81514 totaling $1,023,844.89
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
The summary of bills for the current month total: $1,023,844.89 - Bills #81346 through #81514 General Activity Fund total: $15.00
Attachments:
()
|
|
|
6.3. Reading of Article I, Section 2, A Board's Name and Role
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
This is a consent item.
Attachments:
()
|
|
|
6.4. Reading of Article I, Section 3, A Election Districts
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
This is a consent item.
Attachments:
()
|
|
|
6.5. Reading of Article I, Section 7, A Consultants
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
This is a consent item.
Attachments:
()
|
|
|
6.6. Reading of Article I, Section 7, B Legal Counsel
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
This is a consent item.
Attachments:
()
|
|
|
6.7. Reading of Article I, Section 8, A Membership in Association
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
This is a consent item.
Attachments:
()
|
|
|
6.8. Reading of Article II, Section 1, A Location of Meetings
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
This is a consent item.
Attachments:
()
|
|
|
6.9. Reading of Article II, Section 2, A Regular Meetings
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
This is a consent item.
Attachments:
()
|
|
|
6.10. Resignations
Speaker(s):
Board President or designee
Rationale:
Olivia Bell - Speech Language Pathologist. Last day will be May 20, 2026.
This is a consent item.
Attachments:
()
|
|
|
7. Board Spotlight - Learning Academy (LA)
Rationale:
Level III Programs Principal, Cara Neesen, will present the Learning Academy Spotlight.
Attachments:
()
Discussion:
Cara Neesen gave a presentation on the Learning Academy. She noted that we do get visitors from other agencies to come and observe what we do. Districts get live data on the students' progress. Twelve students over a seven-year period have graduated from their program and transitioned back to their districts. Nine students obtained their high school diploma. The playground is very much loved by all students. The partnership with Central Community College to obtain Paraprofessionals has been a success.
What is the average length of a student in the Learning Academy? Varies depending on the student. How do you help the student transition back to their home district? We invite the home district to the Learning Academy to learn about their schedule and the ways we help the students. What is the capacity of students? Each classroom stays at a certain rubric percentage. Facility capacity is 40 students. |
|
|
8. Treasurer's Report
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
Review the breakdown of the Treasurer's Report.
Administrator Recommendation: Discuss, consider and take all necessary action to accept the Treasurer's Report as presented.
Recommended Motion(s):
Discuss, consider and take all necessary action to accept the Treasurer's Report as presented Passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
Attachments:
()
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
|
|
|
9. Facilities Update
Speaker(s):
Administrator or Designee
Rationale:
The Administrator will provide a facilities update during this item
Attachments:
()
Discussion:
Administrator Ostmeyer gave a report on the facilities. Learning Academy installed some insulation in February. Three possible solutions to the Learning Academy high humidity issues were presented. Director Ellsworth talked through the differences of each proposal. A recommendation from our ALICAP insurance adjuster was discussed.
|
|
|
10. HVAC Learning Academy
Rationale:
After a review from an independent engineer (Engineered Technologies), 2 proposals have been received from Tim Warren and Engineered Controls. This is in addition to an earlier proposal from Rutt's, which was based on their engineer's (Strategic Design) assessment.
Recommended Motion(s):
Discuss, consider, and take all action necessary to approve the proposal from ______ in the amount of $______. Passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
Attachments:
()
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
Discussion:
|
|
|
11. New Hire: Tracie Chochon, School Psychologist for 2026-2027 school year
Rationale:
Tracie Chochon, School Psychologist for 2026-2027 school year.
Administrator Recommendation: Discuss, consider, and take any necessary action to approve the contract for Tracie Chochon, School Psychologist for 2026-2027school year as presented.
Recommended Motion(s):
Discuss, consider, and take any necessary action to approve the contract for Tracie Chochon, School Psychologist for 2026-2027 school year as presented Passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
Attachments:
()
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
Discussion:
Board member asked where she is currently working. She is currently at Norfolk Public Schools.
|
|
|
12. Article I, Section 3, C Role of Individual Board Members
Rationale:
Based on discussion during the February board meeting, and following consultation with ESU 7 Board Attorney, Justin Knight, the following sentence from this policy is being moved to Article I, Section 2, B Duties and Function of the Board
The Board of ESU 7 functions only when it takes official action at a duly called meeting of the Board.
Recommended Motion(s):
Discuss, consider and take all necessary action to approve Article I, Section 3, C Role of Individual Board Members as presented. Passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
Attachments:
()
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
Discussion:
|
|
|
13. Article I, Section 2, B Duties and Function of the Board
Rationale:
Based on discussion during the February board meeting, and following consultation with ESU 7 Board Attorney, Justin Knight, the following sentence from this policy is being moved from this policy to Article I, Section 3, C Role of Individual Board Members
The Board of ESU 7 functions only when it takes official action at a duly called meeting of the Board.
Recommended Motion(s):
Discuss, consider and take all necessary action to approve Article I, Section 2, B Duties and Function of the Board as presented. Passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
Attachments:
()
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
Discussion:
|
|
|
14. Reading of Article I, Section 6, D Line of Responsibility
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
On Matters Involving Special Education (non-
Recommended Motion(s):
Discuss, consider and take all necessary action to approve Article 1, Section 6, D as presented Passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
Attachments:
()
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
|
|
|
15. ESU 7 Administrator Contract Amendment
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
The Board Negotiations Committee has proposed the salary amount for the ESU 7 Administrator for the 2026-2028 term as detailed in the attached contract.
Recommended Motion(s):
Discuss, consider and take all necessary action to approve the amended ESU 7 Administrator Contract as presented Passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
Attachments:
()
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
Discussion:
Negotiations Chair, Don Graff shared the process.
|
|
|
16. Board Vacancy - District 8
Speaker(s):
Board President
Rationale:
Applications have not been received for the board vacancy in District 8. NEB. REV. STAT. § Section 32-574 states, "Unless otherwise provided by law, all vacancies shall be filled within forty-five days after the vacancy occurs unless good cause is shown that the requirement imposes an undue burden."
District 8 includes the following school districts, Clarkson, Columbus, David City, Lakeview, Schuyler. The term will expire December 31, 2028.
Attachments:
()
Discussion:
Administrator Ostmeyer shared what she has done thus far in trying to find a person to fill this vacancy.
|
|
|
17. Administrator's Report General
Speaker(s):
Administrator or Designee
Rationale:
Attachments:
()
Discussion:
Learning Academy is funded by our school districts who participate. There was no ESUCC update. Administrator Ostmeyer continues to work on her goals.
Director Ericson shared that her department has finished up our district's annual consultations. She also shared a Strategic Roadmap generated by AI. This roadmap shows what our school districts' needs are. Director Ericson shared that we are getting ready to pilot our new drop-off system process in our Print shop. Director Clay shared the school's maintenance of effort process. Special Education is continuing to assess IEP's for school districts. We are waiting to hear if our special education grants will be funded for next year. Director Ellsworth gave a report on server reconstruction. Director Ellsworth developed a server infrastructure plan to offer schools which includes maintenance and updates. Administrator Ostmeyer reminded the Board about the Board Recognition Dinner after April's board meeting and the change in start time to 4:00 p.m. |
|
|
17.1. Goal Update
Speaker(s):
Administrator or Designee
Rationale:
Goals - Attached for your Review
Goal 2: By July 2026, the ESU 7 board will attend at least two professional/personal learning events annually.
Attachments:
()
|
|
|
17.2. Services Update
Speaker(s):
Administrator or Designee
Rationale:
Attachments:
()
Discussion:
Administrator Ostmeyer gave a SMART Update and explained how to read the graphs.
|
|
|
17.3. Legislative Update
Speaker(s):
Administrator or Designee
Rationale:
During this item, the Administrator will provide a Legislative Update to members of the Board.
Attachments:
()
Discussion:
Administrator Ostmeyer gave a legislative session update.
Administrator Ostmeyer explained how LB1219 would affect ESU's. |
|
|
18. Conference Report
Speaker(s):
Conference Attendees
Rationale:
Conference Attendees will report on their learnings.
Discussion:
Administrator Ostmeyer and Board member, Clark Lehr, shared with the Board what they learned from the NASB's School finance and budget workshop they attended.
Board President, Dawn Lindsley and Administrator Ostmeyer attended the NRCSA Legislative conference. Board President Dawn Lindsley reminded the Board that they can reach out to our area Senators regarding legislative issues anytime. |
|
|
19. Board Announcements
Rationale:
Attachments:
()
Discussion:
Board Member, Bob Arp shared his experience with students on his recent trip to Africa. Board President, Dawn Lindsley noted the Board NASB standards are attached.
|
|
|
20. Adjournment
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Discussion:
Vice President, Beth Kabes adjourned the meeting at 7:04 p.m.
|
