Board of Education Regular Meeting Thursday, July 9, 2026, 5:30 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 meeting was called to order by President Steve Vyhnalek. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. 2. Roll Call Present were Superintendent Nick Mumm, Principal JJ Wagner, and Jen Bond. 3. Receive Visitors and Announce Open Forum for Public Comment Karma Ridpath was in attendance to present to the board and well as Deanna Bird. 4. Request for Change of Agenda No request for change of agenda. 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 Matt Smith. 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 Shelly Lehr. Matt Bolton: Yea, Matthew Hansen: Yea, Shelly Lehr: Yea, Carol Schnell: Yea, Matt Smith: Yea, Steve Vyhnalek: Yea 7. Reports 7.1. Athletic Director's Report Brent Zoubek gave the board a list of upcoming athletic camps. 7.2. Principal's Report Mr. Wagner told the board that the last week of summer school will finish this week. Teachers completed their training on the new curriculum on June 15th, and they are waiting for the arrival of the new materials. 7.3. Superintendent's Report We are expecting the delivery of one new school bus and two new vans later this month. A significant portion of this month's meeting will be reviewing, updating, and approving board policies. 8. New Business 8.1. Student Services presentation by Mrs. Karma Ridpath Karma Ridpath gave a presentation to the board about coordination of special services. She discussed the EL Program, Title I WIN Reading and FOCUS Math, IRIPs, 504 Plans, and SATs. 8.2. Discuss and take all necessary actions to approve the hourly route compensation for bus drivers to $35/hr. Motion to approve the hourly route compensation for bus drivers of $35/hour 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 8.3. Discuss and take all necessary actions to approve the hourly compensation rate of $18 / hr. for activity bus driver's downtime. Motion to approve the hourly compensation rate of $18/hour for activity bus driver's downtime 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 8.4. Discuss and take all necessary actions to approve First Student contract for the 2026–2027 school year. Motion to approve the proposed First Amendment and Extension Transportation Agreement with First Student, Inc., extending the term through June 30, 2027, contingent upon First Student, Inc. agreeing in writing to the contract amendments discussed with administration, and further authorize the Superintendent to negotiate the final language of those amendments with First Student, Inc. and to execute the amended agreement on behalf of the District once such amendments are incorporated, without further Board action, provided the amendments are consistent with what the Board discussed. If First Student, Inc. does not agree to incorporate the requested amendments, the Superintendent shall bring the matter back to the Board for further direction before executing any agreement 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 8.5. Discuss and take all necessary actions to approve selected Fair Play Scoreboard quote. Motion to approve the Fair Play Scoreboard with a cost of $38,985 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 8.6. Discuss and take all necessary actions to approve all 1000s and 5000's board policies. Motion to approve all 1000's and 5000's board policies as reviewed by the policy committee passed with a motion by Matt Smith and a second by Matt Bolton. Matt Bolton: Yea, Matthew Hansen: Yea, Shelly Lehr: Yea, Carol Schnell: Yea, Matt Smith: Yea, Steve Vyhnalek: Yea 8.7. Discuss and take all necessary actions to approve the staff handbook for the 2026 -2027 school year. Motion to approve the staff handbook for the 2026-2027 school year passed with a motion by Shelly Lehr and a second by Matthew Hansen. Matt Bolton: Yea, Matthew Hansen: Yea, Shelly Lehr: Yea, Carol Schnell: Yea, Matt Smith: Yea, Steve Vyhnalek: Yea 8.8. Discuss and take all necessary actions to approve the student-parent handbook for the 2026 - 2027 handbook. Motion to approve the student-parent handbook for the 2026-2027 school year passed with a motion by Carol Schnell and a second by Shelly Lehr. Matt Bolton: Yea, Matthew Hansen: Yea, Shelly Lehr: Yea, Carol Schnell: Yea, Matt Smith: Yea, Steve Vyhnalek: Yea 8.9. Discuss and take all necessary actions to approve the concrete for the playground. Motion to approve the contract from Tjaden Concrete to put concrete down on the playground passed with a motion by Matt Bolton and a second by Matthew Hansen. Matt Bolton: Yea, Matthew Hansen: Yea, Shelly Lehr: Yea, Carol Schnell: Yea, Matt Smith: Yea, Steve Vyhnalek: Yea 8.10. Discuss and take all necessary actions to approve the use of Square as a district-wide cashless transaction option beginning 2026-2027. Motion to approve the use of Square as a district-wide cashless transaction option beginning with the 2026-2027 school year passed with a motion by Carol Schnell and a second by Matt Bolton. Matt Bolton: Yea, Matthew Hansen: Yea, Shelly Lehr: Yea, Carol Schnell: Yea, Matt Smith: Yea, Steve Vyhnalek: Yea 8.11. Discuss and take all necessary actions to select a district vendor contract. Motion to approve the contract with Coke passed with a motion by Matt Bolton and a second by Matt Smith. Matt Bolton: Yea, Matthew Hansen: Yea, Shelly Lehr: Yea, Carol Schnell: Yea, Matt Smith: Yea, Steve Vyhnalek: Yea 8.12. Discuss and take all necessary actions to approve an update of policy 3039, Threat Assessment and Response. Motion to approve an update of policy 3039 - Threat Assessment and Response passed with a motion by Shelly Lehr and a second by Matthew Hansen. Matt Bolton: Yea, Matthew Hansen: Yea, Shelly Lehr: Yea, Carol Schnell: Yea, Matt Smith: Yea, Steve Vyhnalek: Yea 8.13. Discuss and take all necessary actions to approve updates to Board Polices; 3003 - Bidding for Construction, Remodeling, Repair, or Site Improvements, 3003.1 - Bidding for Construction, Remodeling, Repair, or Related Projects Financed with Federal Funds, 3004.1- Fiscal Management for Purchasing and Procurement Using Federal Funds, and 3061 - ACH Originator Policy. Motion to approve updates to board policies: 3003 - Bidding for Construction, Remodeling, Repair, or Site Improvements, 3003.1 - Bidding for Construction, Remodeling, Repair, or Related Projects Financed with Federal Funds, 3004.1 - Fiscal Management for Purchasing and Procurement Using Federal Funds, and 3061 - ACH Originator Policy 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 8.14. Discuss and take all necessary actions to approve updates to Board Polices; 4065-Staff Use of AI Tools and 6038 - Student Use of AI Tools, and 6046- Right to Access School Library Materials. Motion to approve updates to board policies: 4065 - Staff Us of AI Tools, 6038 - Student Use of AI Tools, and 6046 - Right to Access School Library Materials which defines a book as a hard copy in the library passed with a motion by Carol Schnell and a second by Shelly Lehr. Matt Bolton: Yea, Matthew Hansen: Yea, Shelly Lehr: Yea, Carol Schnell: Yea, Matt Smith: Yea, Steve Vyhnalek: Yea 8.15. Discuss and take all necessary actions to approve updates to Board Policies; 4017-Relations with Employee Collective Bargaining Associations, 4019 - Workplace Injury Prevention and Safety Committee, and 4056 — Resignation of Certificated Staff. Motion to approve updates to board policies: 4017 - Relations with Employee Collective Bargaining Association, 4019 - Workplace Injury Prevention and Safety Committee, and 4056 - Resignation of Certificated Staff 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 8.16. Discuss and take all necessary actions to approve updates to Board Polices; 3048 -Communicable Disease, 5001 - Compulsory Attendance and Excessive Absenteeism (traditional), 5004 - Option Enrollment, 5035 - Student Discipline, and 5048 -Emergency Response to Life Threatening Asthma or Systemic Allergic Reactions (ANAPHYLAXIS). Motion to approve updates to board policies: 3048 - Communicable Disease, 5001 - Compulsory Attendance and Excessive Absenteeism (traditional), 5004 - Option Enrollment, 5035 - Student Discipline, and 5048 - Emergency Response to Life Threatening Asthma or Systemic Allergic Reactions (Anaphylaxis) passed with a motion by Carol Schnell and a second by Matt Bolton. Matt Bolton: Yea, Matthew Hansen: Yea, Shelly Lehr: Yea, Carol Schnell: Yea, Matt Smith: Yea, Steve Vyhnalek: Yea 8.17. Discuss and take all necessary actions to approve an update to Board Policy 5003 -Admission of Part-Time Students. Motion to approve an update to board policy 5003 - Admission of Part-Time Students, a student must take at least 5 credit hours in a semester to be eligible to participate in any activity passed with a motion by Matthew Hansen and a second by Matt Bolton. Matt Bolton: Yea, Matthew Hansen: Yea, Shelly Lehr: Yea, Carol Schnell: Yea, Matt Smith: Yea, Steve Vyhnalek: Yea 8.18. Discuss and take all necessary actions to approve an update to Board Policy 2008 -Meetings. Motion to approve an update to board policy 2008 - Meetings, agreeing that Dorchester Public School's regular board meetings will be on the second Monday of the month at 6:00pm in the library unless otherwise advertised and the Dorchester Public School's website will be the main way of posting notices passed with a motion by Shelly Lehr and a second by Matt Bolton. Matt Bolton: Yea, Matthew Hansen: Yea, Shelly Lehr: Yea, Carol Schnell: Yea, Matt Smith: Yea, Steve Vyhnalek: Yea 8.19. Discuss and take all necessary action to increase the à la carte milk price to $0.60. Motion to increase the a la carte milk price to $0.60 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 9. Board Committee Report(s) There were no committee reports. 10. Closed Session (as necessary per statute) Not needed at this time. 11. Establish Future Board of Education Meeting Date(s) and Time(s) Wednesday, August 12th The next scheduled board meeting is Wednesday, August 12th at 6:00pm 12. Adjourn Motion to adjourn at 7:58pm 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 — July 22, 2026 ZNEZ
