O'Neill Public Schools Proceedings (01-25-2024)

Board of Education 

Regular Board Meeting

January 15, 2024

Board Members

Amy Jo Rowse - President

Coby Welke - Vice President

Michael Hammerlun - Vice 

President-Elect

Barton Becker - Member

Monica Huber - Member

Aaron Troester - Member

Board Secretary

Kathleen Marvin

Administrators

Michael Rotherham - 

Superintendent

William Wragge - HS Principal

Jim York - Elementary Principal

Jill Brodersen - Assistant Principal

Nathan Larsen - Activities Director

DeAnna Clifton - SPED Dir.

Board Treasurer

Carol Hammerlun

__________

• Attendance Taken at 7:34 PM. 

Coby Welke: Absent; Barton Becker: Present; Michael Hammerlun: Present; Monica Huber: Present; Amy Rowse: Present; Aaron Troester: Present

• Posted Locations: 

• Holt County Independent (print & website)

• KBRX Radio

• O'Neill Post Office

• O'Neill Public Schools Administrative Office

• O'Neill Jr-Sr High School

• O'Neill Elementary School

• O'Neill Public Schools Website

Posted: Thursday, January 4, 2024

• Call to Order

The regular board meeting of the O'Neill Public School Board of Education was called to order by President Amy Jo Rowse at 7:34 pm, on Monday, January 15, 2024 at the Administrative Offices at 410 East Benton, O'Neill, Nebraska. 

• Roll Call

Administrators Nathan Larsen, Mike Rotherham, Will Wragge, and Jim York were present. 

• Excused/Unexcused Board Members

A motion to excuse Coby Welke, passed with a motion made by Michael Hammerlun and seconded by Monica Huber.

Coby Welke: Absent, Aaron Troester: Yea, Barton Becker: Yea, Michael Hammerlun: Yea, Monica Huber: Yea, Amy Rowse: Yea

Yea: 5, Nay: 0, Absent: 1

• Pledge of Allegiance

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

• Recite Mission Statement

The Mission Statement was recited.

• Approve Meeting Agenda

A motion to approve the meeting agenda, passed with a motion made by Barton Becker and seconded by Michael Hammerlun.

Coby Welke: Absent, Barton Becker: Yea, Michael Hammerlun: Yea, Monica Huber: Yea, Amy Rowse: Yea, Aaron Troester: Yea

Yea: 5, Nay: 0, Absent: 1

• Approve Minutes of Previous Meeting(s)

A motion to approve the minutes of the December 11, 2023 regular meeting, passed with a motion made by Michael Hammerlun and seconded by Barton Becker.

Coby Welke: Absent, Michael Hammerlun: Yea, Monica Huber: Yea, Amy Rowse: Yea, Aaron Troester: Yea, Barton Becker: Yea

Yea: 5, Nay: 0, Absent: 1

• Reception of Visitors

Visitors were welcomed and informed that this meeting was in compliance with the Nebraska Open Meetings Act which is posted on the south wall of the boardroom.

• Oral and Written Communications

Communications received, either written or oral, were reviewed.  

• Presentation of Diplomas to Early Graduates

Jr-Sr High School Principal, Mr. Will Wragge, had the honor of presenting Dallas Babutzke, who has successfully completed all of the necessary graduation requirements, with his High School Diploma.

• Old Business

• Superintendent Evaluation

The superintendent evaluation was reviewed and signed by both Mr. Rotherham and school board president, Amy Jo Rowse. No action was necessary.

• Superintendent's Contract

A motion to enter into closed session to discuss the Superintendent's contract to prevent needless injury to an individual's reputation, passed with a motion made by Barton Becker and seconded by Michael Hammerlun.

Coby Welke: Absent, Amy Rowse: Yea, Aaron Troester: Yea, Barton Becker: Yea, Michael Hammerlun: Yea, Monica Huber: Yea

Yea: 5, Nay: 0, Absent: 1

Enter closed session at 8:45 pm.

Exited closed session at 9:26 pm.

A motion to enter into closed session to discuss the Superintendent's contract to prevent needless injury to an individual's reputation, passed with a motion made by Barton Becker and seconded by Michael Hammerlun.

Coby Welke: Absent, Barton Becker: Yea, Michael Hammerlun: Yea, Monica Huber: Yea, Amy Rowse: Yea, Aaron Troester: Yea

Yea: 5, Nay: 0, Absent: 1

Enter closed session at 9:45 pm.

Exited closed session at 10:04 pm.

A motion to propose a salary of $148,500 with no change to benefits for the 2024-2025 school year and an extension of the contract through June of 2026, passed with a motion made by Michael Hammerlun and seconded by Barton Becker.

Coby Welke: Absent, Aaron Troester: Yea, Barton Becker: Yea, Michael Hammerlun: Yea, Monica Huber: Yea, Amy Rowse: Yea

Yea: 5, Nay: 0, Absent: 1

• Negotiations

The negotiation teams plan to meet later in the month. No action is necessary.

• Real Estate Purchase

A motion to authorize Mr. Rotherham to enter into a purchase agreement with the State of Nebraska, through the Department of Administrative Services, for the purchase of the Armory for $140,000, passed with a motion made by Michael Hammerlun and seconded by Monica Huber.

Coby Welke: Absent, Monica Huber: Yea, Amy Rowse: Yea, Aaron Troester: Yea, Barton Becker: Yea, Michael Hammerlun: Yea

Yea: 5, Nay: 0, Absent: 1

• New Business

President, Amy Jo Rowse, adjourned the meeting sine die for the election of officers at 7:54 pm. The meeting was called back to order by Superintendent Mike Rotherham at 7:55 pm. Board members present were Barton Becker, Michael Hammerlun, Monica Huber, Amy Jo Rowse, and Aaron Troester. Absent was Coby Welke.

• Election of Officers

Superintendent Mike Rotherham called for nominations for President. Mike Hammerlun nominated Amy Jo Rowse. With no other nominations forthcoming, nominations ceased.  

A motion to elect Amy Rowse as board president, passed with a motion made by Michael Hammerlun and seconded by Monica Huber.

Coby Welke: Absent, Amy Rowse: Yea, Aaron Troester: Yea, Barton Becker: Yea, Michael Hammerlun: Yea, Monica Huber: Yea

Yea: 5, Nay: 0, Absent: 1

Superintendent Rotherham declared Amy Jo Rowse as board president.

President Amy Jo Rowse called for nominations for Vice President. Mike Hammerlun nominated Coby Welke. With no other nominations forthcoming, nominations ceased.  

A motion to elect Coby Welke as board vice president, passed with a motion made by Michael Hammerlun and seconded by Barton Becker.

Coby Welke: Absent, Aaron Troester: Yea, Barton Becker: Yea, Michael Hammerlun: Yea, Monica Huber: Yea, Amy Rowse: Yea

Yea: 5, Nay: 0, Absent: 1

President Amy Jo Rowse declared Coby Welke as Vice President.

President Amy Jo Rowse called for nominations for Vice President-Elect. Barton Becker nominated Michael Hammerlun. With no other nominations forthcoming, nominations ceased. 

A motion to elect Mike Hammerlun as Vice President-elect, passed with a motion made by Barton Becker and seconded by Aaron Troester.

Coby Welke: Absent, Michael Hammerlun: Yea, Monica Huber: Yea, Amy Rowse: Yea, Aaron Troester: Yea, Barton Becker: Yea

Yea: 5, Nay: 0, Absent: 1

President Amy Jo Rowse declared Michael Hammerlun as Vice President-Elect.

A motion to appoint Kathy Marvin as board secretary and Carol Hammerlun as board treasurer, passed with a motion made by Michael Hammerlun and seconded by Barton Becker.

Coby Welke: Absent, Barton Becker: Yea, Michael Hammerlun: Yea, Monica Huber: Yea, Amy Rowse: Yea, Aaron Troester: Yea

Yea: 5, Nay: 0, Absent: 1

• Technology Request

A motion to enter into a lease with Apple for 4 years for the next cycle of MacBook computers, passed with a motion made by Monica Huber and seconded by Aaron Troester.

Coby Welke: Absent, Monica Huber: Yea, Amy Rowse: Yea, Aaron Troester: Yea, Barton Becker: Yea, Michael Hammerlun: Yea

Yea: 5, Nay: 0, Absent: 1

• JH Girls Wrestling Program

A motion to change the JH Girls Wrestling season to be offered during the second semester beginning with the 2024-2025 school year, passed with a motion made by Michael Hammerlun and seconded by Barton Becker.

Coby Welke: Absent, Amy Rowse: Yea, Aaron Troester: Yea, Barton Becker: Yea, Michael Hammerlun: Yea, Monica Huber: Yea

Yea: 5, Nay: 0, Absent: 1

• Authorize All Bank Accounts and Check Signers

A motion to authorize all current bank accounts, passed with a motion made by Monica Huber and seconded by Michael Hammerlun.

Coby Welke: Absent, Aaron Troester: Yea, Barton Becker: Yea, Michael Hammerlun: Yea, Monica Huber: Yea, Amy Rowse: Yea

Yea: 5, Nay: 0, Absent: 1

A motion to authorize the Superintendent, the Board President, Board Vice President and Board Secretary to sign checks for the following accounts: General, Flex, Employee Benefits, Depreciation, and Building Funds, passed with a motion made by Monica Huber and seconded by Michael Hammerlun.

Coby Welke: Absent, Michael Hammerlun: Yea, Monica Huber: Yea, Amy Rowse: Yea, Aaron Troester: Yea, Barton Becker: Yea

Yea: 5, Nay: 0, Absent: 1

A motion to authorize the Superintendent, Board President, and Board Secretary to sign checks for the Imprest Account, passed with a motion made by Monica Huber and seconded by Michael Hammerlun.

Coby Welke: Absent, Monica Huber: Yea, Amy Rowse: Yea, Aaron Troester: Yea, Barton Becker: Yea, Michael Hammerlun: Yea

Yea: 5, Nay: 0, Absent: 1

A motion to authorize the Activity Director, the Activities Secretary, the Jr-Sr High School Principal, and the Superintendent to sign checks for the Activity Fund, passed with a motion made by Monica Huber and seconded by Michael Hammerlun.

Coby Welke: Absent, Michael Hammerlun: Yea, Monica Huber: Yea, Amy Rowse: Yea, Aaron Troester: Yea, Barton Becker: Yea

Yea: 5, Nay: 0, Absent: 1

• Appoint the Committee on American Civics

A motion to appoint Mike Hammerlun, Aaron Troester and Coby Welke to the Committee on American Civics, passed with a motion made by Barton Becker and seconded by Michael Hammerlun.

Coby Welke: Absent, Amy Rowse: Yea, Aaron Troester: Yea, Barton Becker: Yea, Michael Hammerlun: Yea, Monica Huber: Yea

Yea: 5, Nay: 0, Absent: 1

• Appoint the Non-Discrimination Compliance Coordinator

A motion to appoint the superintendent to be the non-discrimination compliance officer for the district, passed with a motion made by Monica Huber and seconded by Michael Hammerlun.

Coby Welke: Absent, Aaron Troester: Yea, Barton Becker: Yea, Michael Hammerlun: Yea, Monica Huber: Yea, Amy Rowse: Yea

Yea: 5, Nay: 0, Absent: 1

• Appoint the District Title IX Coordinator

A motion to appoint the district's activity director as the Title IX coordinator, passed with a motion made by Barton Becker and seconded by Monica Huber.

Coby Welke: Absent, Barton Becker: Yea, Michael Hammerlun: Yea, Monica Huber: Yea, Amy Rowse: Yea, Aaron Troester: Yea

Yea: 5, Nay: 0, Absent: 1

• Board Member Conflict of Interest - Policy #2005

We remind board members of this policy annually in January. If any conflict of interest exists, the appropriate form should be completed. No action is necessary.

• Option Enrollment Report

The Option Enrollment report was reviewed. No action is necessary.

• Administrative Reports

Administrative reports were presented.

• Bills and Claims and Payroll Report

A motion to approve the bills and claims, and accept the payroll report, passed with a motion made by Michael Hammerlun and seconded by Aaron Troester.

Coby Welke: Absent, Monica Huber: Yea, Amy Rowse: Yea, Aaron Troester: Yea, Barton Becker: Yea, Michael Hammerlun: Yea

Yea: 5, Nay: 0, Absent: 1

• Adjournment

A motion to adjourn at 10:08 pm, passed with a motion made by Barton Becker and seconded by Michael Hammerlun.

Coby Welke: Absent, Barton Becker: Yea, Michael Hammerlun: Yea, Monica Huber: Yea, Amy Rowse: Yea, Aaron Troester: Yea

Yea: 5, Nay: 0, Absent: 1

Kathleen Marvin 

School Board Secretary 

Holt Co. Dist. #7

General Fund

3P Learning 295.00

Allen, Andrew 266.95

Amazon.com 595.07

American Speech-Language-Hearing Association 225.00

Anson Insurance Services, Inc. 1,540.50

Appeara 744.03

Attainment Company, Inc 939.75

Avera St. Anthony's Hospital 1,520.75

Banks, Andrea 182.95

Black Hills Energy 5,528.64

Bomgaars 14.99

Brachle, Ashley 168.01

Bradshaw, Melanie 308.02

Bright Wheel 50.00

Buller, Greg 100.00

Burival, Tony 140.01

Buxton, Cody 364.03

Cahoy, Harley 10.00

Camp, Natalie 5,465.07

Carhart Lumber Co. 154.07

Casey's General Stores, Inc. 107.66

Casey's Store 3019 41.08

CenturyLink 101.48

City of O'Neill Recycling Center 78.10

City of O'Neill 3,824.04

Clearfly 444.52

Clouse, Jessica 224.02

Comfort Inn - Kearney 214.00

Connot Tire Service 635.00

Cooper, Maria 140.01

Corkle, Bryan 20.00

Cubby's, Inc. 1,419.81

Cuhel, Frank 418.16

Cunningham's Journal on the Lake 69.70

Dairy Queen 96.72

DeKay, Lindsay 364.03

Dickau, Carla 336.02

Dickau, Jacob 168.01

Dykshorn, Melissa 196.01

EBAY 223.85

Egan Supply Co 107.40

Emme Construction, L.L.C. 2,818.75

Engelhaupt, Monica 420.03

Engineered Controls, Inc. 1,158.44

ESU #8 4,678.80

Fisher, Tonya 224.02

Fox's Food Plaza 1,492.40

Frank, Shelly 196.01

Gruhn, Garret 196.01

Gueta-Lopez, Gabriela 168.01

Heartland Counseling Services, Inc. 2,000.00

Heartland Fire Protection 314.90

Holt County Independent 417.19

HopCat 39.09

J.W. Pepper & Son, Inc. 76.94

Jaymar Business Forms, Inc. 153.79

Jersey's Sports Bar & Grill 47.61

Johnson's, Inc. 1,530.94

KBRX Radio 34.50

Kellum, Charles 525.00

Kennedy, Valerie 392.03

Klasna, Lala 339.76

Klein, Carre 3,996.88

Krysl, Lisa 84.01

KSB School Law 432.50

Laible, Dustin 209.08

Larsen, Nathan 53.52

Leaf Funding Inc 142.64

Lincoln Marriott Cornhusker 531.84

Little Disciples Child Development Center 1,600.00

Lunchtime Solutions, Inc.. 990.90

Marriott Orlando World Center 374.94

MatterHAckers 89.06

Mid-American Research Chemical 252.77

Miner, Cheryl 140.01

Muchachos 35.22

Neligh Oakdale Schools 1,104.03

NPPD 8,263.95

Nueheisel, Erin 1,761.75

O'Neill Lanes 133.50

O'Neill Pest Control 680.00

O'Neill Shopper 47.00

Ogden Hardware 485.65

Old Jail Art Center 65.00

Ollendick, Kacey 56.00

One Office Solution 1,917.08

One Source, The Background Check Co.,Inc 253.00

OPS Lunch Fund 41.50

Parks, Katie 84.01

Peterson, Kristi 364.03

Pinkerman, Denise 1,859.33

Pitney Bowes Bank Inc 514.47

Pitney Bowes Global Financial Services, LLC 488.76

Postmaster 6.17

Prestige Group Inc 5,850.00

Ranchland Auto Parts 308.97

Region III NAESP 20.00

Rider Classroom Spanish, LLC 2,550.00

Riverside Insights 568.70

Rodriguez, Rafaela 10.00

Sayers, Angela 280.02

Schluns, Amanda 56.00

Scooter's Coffee 21.65

Seger, Becky 274.42

Sholes, Molly 156.81

Spangler, Cindy 169.88

Sparqdata Solutions 4,712.00

Squirrels LLC 449.97

State of Nebraska 1,573.13

Stepp, Melanie 112.01

Steppco Refrigeration 6,211.90

Teachers Pay Teachers 50.00

Teal's Westside Dining 975.00

Three River 480.59

TimeClock Plus, LLC 3,146.64

Torpin's Rodeo Market 1,477.34

VanEvery, Maria 364.03

Viaero Wireless 157.51

Walmart.com 57.96

Welke, Amanda 97.07

Wettlaufer, Kristin 308.02

Wilson, Sarah 2,038.55

Wiseman, Tricia 336.02

Young, Heather 238.02

Young, Sara 308.02

Zlomke, Kendra 616.04

Fund Total: 106,101.55

NUTRITION FUND

Amazon.com 41.98

Lunchtime Solutions, Inc.. 36,022.22

Pitney Bowes Bank Inc 89.46

Steppco Refrigeration 285.99

Fund Total: 36,439.65

Checking Account Total: 142,541.20

Building Fund

State of Nebraska 140,000.00

Fund Total: 140,000.00

Checking Account Total: 140,000.00

Published January 25, 2024           4     

 ZNEZ

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