FOUNDATION BOARD UPDATE

Foundation Board Member Melissa Dewitt, and Administrative Assistant Megan Pelan were present at the meeting and shared and update about scholarships given out by the Foundation, as well as the fundraising activities that they have done to support the scholarship programs.

The East Butler Foundation currently offers 26 scholarships, with $46,600 in scholarship money was awarded to 19 seniors last spring. They also shared that the annual Golf Scramble that was held on August 15, 2026, raised approximately $2,200 that will be used for the scholarship program. The Foundation continues to receive money from the Dean Rolfsmeier Trust, since the beginning of this in 2008, the East Butler Foundation has received $553,467.47.

NEBRASKA ASSOCIATION OF SCHOOL BOARDS (NASB) MEMBERSHIP MEETING

Several members of the school board and Dr. Eldridge attended the NASB membership meeting in Omaha on September 1st, 2026. During this membership meeting, attendees are able to participate in breakout sessions on a variety of topics, but also hear important updates regarding legislation that may impact schools. 

Those who attended share information on the sessions that participated in.

FACILITY PROJECT UPDATE

Dr. Eldridge provided a detailed update on the current facility project that is underway. Some of the highlights included:

- Footings are continuing to be poured for the addition, with CMU (block wall) will be starting to be laid the week of September 14th.

- The west parking lot grading has been completed and the new storm sewer work will begin this week.

- Outdoor Basketball/Pickleball court striping has been completed.

2026-2027 BUDGET

Dr. Eldridge shared the proposed budget with the school board for their consideration and approval. The budgeting begins in June, and through many conversations and discussions the school board considers approval at the September board meeting.

The school board moved to approve the proposed budget as presented.

MOTION PASSED: 5-0 (Jisa - Aye, Kozisek - Aye, Pekarek - Aye, Spatz - Aye, Strizek - Aye)

2026-2027 Proposed Tax Request

Dr. Eldridge presented to the school board the proposed tax request for the 2026-2027 school year. Factors that go into the tax request each year are; Salary increases (+2.47%) and health insurance premium increase (+7.25%). The greatest portion of the budget is the people that make up the school's staff. The district's budget cost are 80% salary and benefits.

The school board moved to approve the 2026-27 tax request as presented.

MOTION PASSED: 5-0 (Jisa - Aye, Kozisek - Aye, Pekarek - Aye, Spatz - Aye, Strizek - Aye)

POLICY REVISIONS

The school board is currently conducting policy review and each of their monthly board meetings. Policies under review for this month are as follows:

5022 Investigations, arrests, and other student contact by law enforcement and HHS
5023 Student Illness
5024 Medication of Students
5025 Student Insurance
5028 Initiations and Hazing
5030 Dating Violence

No action was taken on these policies, as no changes were made.

NEBRASKA ASSOCIATION OF SCHOOL BOARDS (NASB) REGION 16 ELECTION

Dr. Eldridge presented the ballot for the NASB region 16 election for the board of directors. Two candidates are seeking this seat.

Suzanne Sapp of Ashland Greenwood Public Schools

Amanda Jedlicka of Schuyler Community Schools.

The school board moved to select Amanda Jedlicka of Schuyler Community Schools as the candidate for the seat.

MOTION PASSED: 5-0 (Jisa - Aye, Kozisek - Aye, Pekarek - Aye, Spatz - Aye, Strizek - Aye)

PAY APPLICATION NO. 4 - BOYD JONES

Superintendent Eldridge presented to the board information regarding the fourth payment towards the facility project. This fourth amount includes work that has been done west of the building in Brainard.

PAY APPLICATION NO. 4  --  $436,708.90

The school board moved to approve pay application no. 4 to Boyd Jones Construction.

MOTION PASSED: 5-0 (Jisa - Aye, Kozisek - Aye, Pekarek - Aye, Spatz - Aye, Strizek - Aye)

BCDM ARCHITECTURE PAYMENT

Superintendent Eldridge presented to the board an invoice from BCDM Architecture for services rendered during the last month of work on the facility.

INVOICE AMOUNT -- $12,329.434

The school board moved to approve the payment BCDM Architecture.

MOTION PASSED: 5-0 (Jisa - Aye, Kozisek - Aye, Pekarek - Aye, Spatz - Aye, Strizek - Aye)