BOARD OF EDUCATION REGULAR MEETING TUESDAY, APRIL 15, 2025 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 board meeting was called to order by President Steve Vyhnalek. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. 2. Roll Call In attendance was Superintendent Curt Cogswell, President Steve Vyhnalek, and Jen Bond. 3. Receive Visitors and Announce Open Forum for Public Comment Visitors present were Nick Mumm, Elizabeth Mumm, Deb Burrows, Dawn Persing, Judy Persson, Karen Hrdlicka, Corey Bird, Karma Ridpath, Deanna Bird, Brent Zoubek, Jill Choyeski, Amanda Cerny, and Irma Lopez. 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 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 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. Principal's Report Mr. Wiese shared that the AAPPL Test (Parts 1 and 2) are completed including some makeups. So far, four have earned the "Seal of Bi-Literacy" & earned all four semesters of Spanish 1 and 2. We had the 3rd quarter excellence rallies for both the elementary and high school. The elementary and junior high reading classic competitions were a success. 7.2. Superintendent's Report We had three students qualify for state speech. Prom and post prom went well, and it seemed like the kids had a great time. Nine students attended State FBLA in Kearney. Dorchester hosted the Dorchester Junior High Track Invite at McCool. Events coming up are the Athletic Banquet on Tuesday, April 29th and the elementary concert on May 1st. Honors night will be May 6th and Graduation is May 10th. 8. Discussion Items 8.1. Legislative Bill Review Dr. Cogswell shared with the board legislative bills that could impact our school district. 8.2. District Assessment, Community Engagement, and Grant Coordinator Position Dr. Mumm presented to the board a new position District Assessment, Community Engagement, and Grant Coordinator. 8.3. Insurance proposals Dr. Cogswell shared with the board that he has asked two different insurance companies for proposals for the next school year. 8.4. NRCSA Spring Conference Dorchester's payment for the NRCSA Spring Conference will roll over to the 2026 NRCSA Conference. 8.5. Staff Computers Dr. Cogswell told the board that we had a quote for 14 new laptops for staff for next year, but we needed to act soon to ensure pricing. 8.6. Para to Professional Program Dr. Cogswell shared with the board that we have two staff members who are current paraprofessionals striving to get their teaching certificates. 9. Action Items 9.1. Consider Approving Staff Hiring Motion to approve the new principal contract for JJ Wagner 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 Motion to table the approval of the District Assessment, Community Engagement, and Grant Coordinator Position until the next board meeting 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 9.2. Consider Approving the 2025-2026 Classified Pay Motion to approve the 2025-2026 classified staff pay scale with a starting rate of $18.00 passed with a motion by Carol Schnell and a second by Shelly Lehr. Matt Bolton: Abstain (With Conflict), Steve Vyhnalek: Abstain (With Conflict), Matt Smith: Nay, Matthew Hansen: Yea, Shelly Lehr: Yea, Carol Schnell: Yea 10. Board Committee Report(s) There are no committee reports 11. Closed Session (as necessary per statute) Close session is not needed 12. Establish Future Board of Education Meeting Date(s) and Time(s) The next scheduled board meeting is Monday, May 12th at 7:00 pm 13. Adjourn Motion to adjourn at 6:54 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 Shelly Lehr, Secretary of the Board of Education CR — May 07, 2025 ZNEZ
