BOARD OF EDUCATION REGULAR MEETING MONDAY, MARCH 10, 2025 7:00 PM PUBLIC SCHOOL LIBRARY 506 W. 9TH STREET DORCHESTER, NE 68343-0007 Notice of the time and place of the Dorchester Board of Education meeting was published in a newspaper of general circulation within the district. Newspapers of general circulation in the district include, but are not necessarily limited to, the Crete News, the Lincoln Journal Star, or the Omaha World-Herald. Notice is also posted in at least three prominent places within the school district which may include the following: Dorchester Public Schools, Farmers Coop, First State Bank, and the Village Office. Individual board members received in advance the meeting agenda and meeting materials. Pursuant to Section 84-1412 of the Nebraska Statutes, the public is hereby informed that a current copy of the Nebraska Open Meetings Act is posted in the Board meeting boardroom. Matt Bolton: Present Matthew Hansen: Present Shelly Lehr: Present Carol Schnell: Present Matt Smith: Present Steve Vyhnalek: Present 1. Call to Order and Announce Open Meetings Act Verification The board meeting was called to order by President Steve Vyhnalek. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. 2. Roll Call Also in attendance was Superintendent Curt Cogswell, President Steve Vyhnalek, and Jen Bond. 3. Receive Visitors and Announce Open Forum for Public Comment Nick Mumm, Elizabeth Mumm, Deanna Bird, Amanda Cerny, and Irma Lopez Mendez were present. 4. Request for Change of Agenda Item 9.1 was moved to the end of the meeting. 5. Approval of the Minutes of the Last Meeting Motion to approve the reading of the last meeting minutes passed with a motion by Carol Schnell and a second by Matthew Hansen. Matt Bolton: Yea, Matthew Hansen: Yea, Shelly Lehr: Yea, Carol Schnell: Yea, Matt Smith: Yea, Steve Vyhnalek: Yea 6. Financial Report Motion to approve the financial report passed with a motion by Matthew Hansen and a second by Matt Smith. Matt Bolton: Yea, Matthew Hansen: Yea, Shelly Lehr: Yea, Carol Schnell: Yea, Matt Smith: Yea, Steve Vyhnalek: Yea 7. Reports 7.1. Principal's Report Mr. Wiese reported that we had a nice turnout for parent-teacher conferences with roughly 70% of parents attending. The special services team has the TIP ready to submit. Coming up for staff professional development will be NSCAS security training, science curriculum, and MTSS meetings. Second semester evaluations are almost complete with one more observation left and four evaluation conferences. 7.2. Superintendent's Report Dr. Cogswell reported that he and several board members attended the NRCSA Legislative Conference. Adam contacted Midwest Floor Coverings to schedule the carpet replacement for the 1st and 3rd grade rooms this summer. A representative from EMC Insurance came out to do a safety visit/review. Wrestling and basketball have finished their seasons. Speech has four students participating. Track will kick off its season on March 20th. 8. Discussion Items 8.1. Review Legislative Bills Dr. Cogswell shared with the board legislative bills that could impact our school district. 8.2. Student Services This item has been tabled until the May meeting. 8.3. Property Tax Request Authority Dr. Cogswell discussed the property tax request authority for 2025. 8.4. Tax Equity and Educational Opportunity Support Act (TEEOSA) Dr. Cogswell explained to the board the TEEOSA (Tax Equity and Educational Opportunity Support Act) formula. 8.5. Tech Support Dr. Mumm visited with the board about adding another position. 9. Action Items 9.1. Consider approving Resignation and Hires Motion to approve the contract for Steve Jirsa passed with a motion by Matthew Hansen and a second by Carol Schnell. Matt Bolton: Yea, Matthew Hansen: Yea, Shelly Lehr: Yea, Carol Schnell: Yea, Matt Smith: Yea, Steve Vyhnalek: Yea Motion to approve the resignation of Jake Wiese passed with a motion by Matt Bolton and a second by Shelly Lehr. Matt Bolton: Yea, Matthew Hansen: Yea, Shelly Lehr: Yea, Carol Schnell: Yea, Matt Smith: Yea, Steve Vyhnalek: Yea 9.2. Classified Pay for 2025-2026 Deanna Bird, Irma Lopez Mendez, and Amanda Cerny talked to the board about pay raises for paras and the kitchen staff. 9.3. Consider approving the FBLA going to the State Leadership Conference. Motion to approve students attending the FBLA State Leadership Conference April 10th-12th in Kearney passed with a motion by Matt Bolton and a second by Shelly Lehr. Matt Bolton: Yea, Matthew Hansen: Yea, Shelly Lehr: Yea, Carol Schnell: Yea, Matt Smith: Yea, Steve Vyhnalek: Yea 10. Board Committee Reports No committee reports this month. 11. Closed Session Motion to go into closed session at 8:43 pm Passed with a motion by Carol Schnell and a second by Matt Smith. Matt Bolton: Yea, Matthew Hansen: Yea, Shelly Lehr: Yea, Carol Schnell: Yea, Matt Smith: Yea, Steve Vyhnalek: Yea Motion to go back into regular session at 8:50 pm passed with a motion by Matthew Hansen and a second by Matt Smith. Matt Bolton: Yea, Matthew Hansen: Yea, Shelly Lehr: Yea, Carol Schnell: Yea, Matt Smith: Yea, Steve Vyhnalek: Yea 12. Establish Future Board of Education Meeting Date and Time The next scheduled board meeting is Monday, April 14th at 7:00 pm. 13. Adjourn Motion to adjourn at 8:55 pm passed with a motion by Carol Schnell and a second by Matthew Hansen. Matt Bolton: Yea, Matthew Hansen: Yea, Shelly Lehr: Yea, Carol Schnell: Yea, Matt Smith: Yea, Steve Vyhnalek: Yea Shelly Lehr, Secretary of the Board of Education CR — April 02, 2025 ZNEZ
