BOARD OF EDUCATION REGULAR MEETING WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 15, 2025 6:00 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 regular board meeting was called to order by President Steve Vyhnalek. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. 2. Roll Call Also present were Superintendent Curt Cogswell, Principal Jake Wiese, and Jen Bond. 3. Receive Visitors and Announce Open Forum for Public Comment Chelsea Smith, Nick Mumm, and Elizabeth Mumm were present. 4. Request for Change of Agenda No request for a 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 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. Oath of Office The Oath of Office was given to and signed by the two new members, Matt Bolton and Matt Smith. 7. Reorganization of the Board of Education by Nomination and Roll Call or Ballot Vote Steve Vyhnalek was nominated for School Board President 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 Matt Hansen was nominated for School Board Vice President passed with a motion by Matt Smith and a second by Shelly Lehr. Matt Bolton: Yea, Matthew Hansen: Yea, Shelly Lehr: Yea, Carol Schnell: Yea, Matt Smith: Yea, Steve Vyhnalek: Yea Shelly Lehr was nominated for School Board Secretary 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 Matt Bolton was nominated for School Board Treasurer 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. Financial Report Motion to approve the financial report 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 9. Reports 9.1. Principal's Report In December we had Longhorn Line-up, the elementary Christmas concert, and the elementary excellence rally. This month we had health screenings and the secondary excellence rally. 9.2. Superintendent's Report Precision Signs came back over the break and made sure all the wall mats were properly secured. Bus 17 was taken to Geneva Tire and Auto to get aligned. The Blue River Cohort was held on January 6th. Argonne National Laboratory did the air quality testing over the break. We have not received the results yet. 10. Discussion Items 10.1. Tax Statement Explanation Dr. Cogswell explained that The School Tax Credit now reduces your property tax on your statement - you no longer need to claim it when you complete your taxes. 10.2. 2025-2026 School Calendar The calendar was given to school board members to look over. 10.3. School District Classification Dorchester is classified as a Class One District as per the State Statute 79-104 10.4. Teach Nebraska Scholarship Dr. Cogswell discussed with the board that a para would like the school to sponsor her for Teach Nebraska 11. Action Items 11.1. Appointment of Board Committees for 2025: Public Relations, Committee of American Civics/Curriculum, Buildings/Ground, Negotiations, Wellness, and Transportation Motion to approve committees for Public Relations, American Civics/Curriculum, Building/Grounds, Negotiations, Transportation, and Wellness 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 11.2. Consider retaining the following as the official designees for 2025: 1) Representative for State and Federal Programs - Superintendent, 2) School Attorneys - KSB Law, 3) Newspaper - Crete News, and 4) Depository of District Funds - First State Bank, Dorchester Branch. Motion to retain the following as the official designees for 2025 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 11.3. New Superintendent Contract Motion to approve the 2024-2025 superintendent contract for Nick Mumm 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 12. Board Committee Reports No committee reports 13. Closed Session (as necessary per statute) Closed session not needed 14. Establish Future Board of Education Meeting Date and Time The next scheduled board meeting is Monday, Feb. 10th, at 7:00 pm 15. Adjourn Motion to adjourn at 6:57 pm 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 Shelly Lehr, Secretary of the Board of Education CR — February 05, 2025 ZNEZ
