The East Butler "Board Brief" is a monthly online publication that focuses on sharing the important highlights of the East Butler Public School's Board of Education meeting.

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Public Meeting Agenda

Mission Statement 

East Butler Public Schools will develop respectful, responsible, and productive citizens.

Vision Statements

Create a safe environment of respect and mental well-being for students and staff.  

Continue the pursuit of commitment, collaboration, and communication among students, staff, and community members.

Construct a curriculum that is rigorous, adaptable, utilizes technology, and aligns with recognized standards. 

East Butler School Board Goals

2025-2026

TIGER KIDS CLUB UPDATE

Mrs. Bohaty, Tiger Kids Club Coodinator, was present at the meeting to provide a beginning of the school year update on the Before & After School Program.

NEBRASKA ASSOCIATION OF SCHOOL BOARDS (NASB) REGIONAL MEETING

Annually the school board members attend a regional meeting for the Nebraska Association of School Boards. This year, board members attended the meeting in Omaha on September 9th. During these meetings, school board members and the Superintendent can attend sessions on a variety of topics, such as, superintendent evaluations, legislation, and mental health needs in education.

School board members that attended shared their learning experiences with those in attendance.

BUILDING AND TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE UPDATE

The school board building and transportation committee met with the architect from BCDM on September 26th to work towards developing a scope of work for the possibility of a future building project.

Committee members shared with the other school board members, what that discussion entailed.

LEGISLATIVE ADVOCACY COMMITTEE UPDATE

The school board legislative advocacy committee met with Senator Storm at the Capital building in Lincoln on Friday, October 3rd. The committee and Senator storm discussed several issues, from school vouchers, property tax, accountability, and other topics.

Members of the committee shared with the other board members, take aways from that meeting.

EARLY GRADUATION REQUEST

The school board considered the early graduation request from Zoey Patocka and Alecia Kovar. Both students will have completed all of the graduation requirements by the end of the 1st semester. These students intend to work as they prepare for college in the fall of 2026.

The school board moved to approve the early graduation requests from Zoey Patocka and Alecia Kovar.

MOTION PASSED: 6-0

RECOGNIZING THE EAST BUTLER EDUCATION ASSOCIATION (EBEA)

Annually the school board considers recognizing the East Butler Education Association as the bargaining agent representing the certificated (Teaching) staff for negotiations. This request from the EBEA is for the 2027-2028 and 2028-2029 school years.

The school board moved to recognize the EBEA as the bargaining agent for negotiations.

MOTION PASSED: 6-0

POLICY REVISIONS

The school board reviewed the following policies at the October Board Meeting.

3056 - Guest Speakers
3057 - Title IX
3058 - Naming School District Facilities and Property
3059 - Audio and Video Recording
3060 - Firearms and Weapons - Non-Students
4002 - Drug Free Workplace
4003 - Drug Policy Regarding Drivers
4004 - Employment of Relatives, Domestic Partners, and Significant others
4005 - Communication Between the Board and District Employees
4006 - Insurance

The school board moved to approve Policy 3056 Guest Speakers with changes and tabled Policy 4003 - Drug Policy Regarding Drivers. All other policies, no changes were needed.

MOTION PASSED: 6-0

CLOSED SESSION

The school board moved to enter into closed session at 7:18 pm to discuss the east parking lot in Brainard and the construction manager at risk delivery method in order to protect the public interest.

MOTION PASSED: 6-0

The school board exited closed session at 8:05 pm.

EAST PARKING LOT IN BRAINARD

Superintendent Eldridge shared with the board a contract with EGA Civil Engineering to facilitate the project for the east parking lot in Brainard as well as the future facility building project being considered on the west side of the Brainard building. It was recommended by Superintendent Eldridge that we utilize the same engineer for the parking lot and building project.

The school board moved to approve utilizing EGA Civil Engineering for the east parking lot and a future building project.

MOTION PASSED: 5-1 (Megan Kozisek - Yea, Ryan Pekarek - Yea, Sarah Strizek - Yea, Brandon Jisa - Nay, Laurie Smaus - Yea, Dylan Spatz - Yea)

CONSTRUCTION MANAGER AT RISK

The school board considered adopting the construction manager at risk delivery system to facilitate a future building project. This process is similar to the one that was used when the school built the kitchen/commons addition.

The school board moved to approve the resolution to move forward with the construction manager at risk delivery system for a future facility project.

MOTION PASSED: 6-0

Open Meetings Act - What you Should Know..

What is the Nebraska Open Meetings Act?

• The Nebraska Open Meetings Act (OMA), codified in Neb. Rev. Stat. §§ 84-1407 through 84-1414, is state law that ensures public bodies conduct their meetings in open, transparent ways.

• Its core principle: “formation of public policy is public business and may not be conducted in secret.”

Rights of the Public...

• Members of the public have the right to attend meetings.

• Reasonable rules may be adopted by the public body to manage conduct at meetings (e.g. speaking time, order of speakers), but a public body cannot prevent all public participation.

When are Closed Sessions Allowed?

• A public body may hold a closed session if a majority votes to do so in open session. The reason must fall under permitted categories, such as:

  • strategy sessions (e.g. Budgeting, collective bargaining, real estate, or litigation);

  • discussion of performance of individuals (if needed to prevent needless injury to reputation and the person has not requested a public meeting);

  • security or law enforcement investigations, etc.

• The motion to close must state the reason in the record; the vote and timing must be recorded in the minutes.

• No formal action may be taken in closed session except as allowed by the law. Formal action must occur in open session.

November 12, 2025 - 6:30 PM - Regular Board Meeting

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