BOARD OF EDUCATION REGULAR MEETING MONDAY, MAY 12, 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 In attendance were Superintendent Curt Cogswell, Principal Jake Wiese, and Jen Bond. 3. Receive Visitors and Announce Open Forum for Public Comment Also present were Karma Ridpath, Special Services Coordinator and Deanna Bird. 4. Request for Change of Agenda No request for change of agenda. 5. Approval of the Minutes of the Last Meeting(s) Motion to approve the reading of the last meeting(s) minutes passed with a motion by Matt Smith 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 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 7. Reports 7.1. Principal's Report Mr. Wiese shared with the board that kindergarten/preschool registration was a success. Author Vanessa Brantley-Newton visited Dorchester on April 23rd. Events coming up are district track, AR party at the Isis Theatre in Crete, elementary field day, and the last day of school. 7.2. Superintendent's Report Dr. Cogswell shared with the board that the last day of preschool is May 21st and the last day of school for Grades K-11 is May 22nd. State track is May 23rd and 24th. 8. Discussion Items 8.1. Tornado Shelter Procedures Dr. Cogswell talked to the board about clarifying tornado shelter procedures. 8.2. Special Service Presentation Karma Ridpath gave a presentation about Dorchester's special services, including EL, Special Education, and Title, and how many students the school served throughout the school year. 8.3. Summer Projects Summer projects include carpeting in the 1st and 3rd grade classrooms and painting the locker rooms. 8.4. Preliminary Tax Request Discussion Dr. Cogswell discussed with the board a preliminary tax request. 8.5. Legislature Update Dr. Cogswell reviewed education bills currently being discussed in the legislature. 9. Action Items 9.1. Consider Approving College Tuition Motion to approve paying for students taking courses next school year from SCC included in the SENCAP Program, college English class taught here, and the Doane math class offered here passed with a motion by Matthew Hansen and a second by Shelly Lehr. Matt Bolton: Yea, Matthew Hansen: Yea, Shelly Lehr: Yea, Carol Schnell: Yea, Matt Smith: Absent, Steve Vyhnalek: Yea 9.2. Consider Approving Staff Hiring/Resignation Motion to approve the resignation of Amanda Clouse passed with a motion by Matt Bolton and a second by Carol Schnell. Matt Bolton: Yea, Matthew Hansen: Yea, Shelly Lehr: Yea, Carol Schnell: Yea, Matt Smith: Absent, Steve Vyhnalek: Yea 10. Board Committee Report(s) No reports this month. 11. Closed Session (as necessary per statute) Closed session not needed. 12. Establish Future Board of Education Meeting Date and Time The next scheduled board meeting is Tuesday, June 10th at 7:00 pm 13. Adjourn Motion to adjourn at 8:13 pm passed with a motion by Matthew Hansen and a second by Shelly Lehr. Matt Bolton: Yea, Matthew Hansen: Yea, Shelly Lehr: Yea, Carol Schnell: Yea, Matt Smith: Absent, Steve Vyhnalek: Yea Shelly Lehr, Secretary of the Board of Education CR — May 21, 2025 ZNEZ
