BOARD OF EDUCATION REGULAR MEETING DUNDY COUNTY STRATTON PUBLIC SCHOOL BENKELMAN NE 69021
BOARD OF EDUCATION REGULAR MEETING DUNDY COUNTY STRATTON PUBLIC SCHOOL BENKELMAN NE 69021
The Dundy County Stratton Board of Education met on Monday, September 8, 2025 at Dundy County Stratton High School. President Noffsinger called the meeting to order at Following the Tax Request Hearing at 6:00 PM. Attendance Taken at 6:02 PM. Jennifer Fries: Present, Steve Guernsey: Absent, Ted Henderson: Absent, Nick Ladenburger: Present, Kent Lorens: Present, Cole Lutz: Present, Sandy Noffsinger: Present, Lindsay Stamm: Present, Shad Stamm: Present. Present: 7, Absent: 2. Motion to approve absence of Steve Guernsey and Ted Henderson passed with a motion by L Stamm and a second by Lorens. Noffsinger: Yea, L Stamm: Yea, Stamm: Yea, Fries: Yea, Ladenburger: Yea, Lorens: Yea, Lutz: Yea. Yea: 7, Nay: 0, Absent: 2. Others present: Alan D Garey, Superintendent; Sandy O’Neil, Secondary Principal; Kris Freeland, Elementary Principal; Ronda Sargent, Recording Secretary/Business Manager; Melissa Jacobitz, Colton and Shani Roesener, Tracy Lambley, and Allie Behlke Pledge of Allegiance. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. President Noffsinger stated that the board follows the Open Meetings Act Guidelines which are located in the meeting room. The Board of Education may enter closed session during the meeting when it determines that doing so is appropriate and is authorized by the provisions of the Open Meeting Act. Nebraska Open meetings law-posted on the East wall. Awards and Recognitions L Stamm recognized the board members that received awards at the area membership meeting. Freeland recognized Sandy Noffsinger and Shad Stamm for their work and extra hours with the childcare center. Garey recognized the custodial/maintenance staff for their work with the childcare center. Fries recognized all the staff and administration for the positive start of the school year. Public Comment Jacobitz discussed the music program. Colton Roesener discussed the bus route change into Kansas. Reports Technology report: All kids now have their devices. Elementary principal report: Presented in written form. The roundabout was completed and thank you was extended to the Dundy County law enforcement for their help keeping all the students and staff safe. Secondary principal report: Presented in written form. Transportation report: Presented in written form. The new bus will be here on 9/15/25. Superintendent report: In written form: Discussion on the Elementary HVAC system replacement to entertain the possibility of a Lease to Build for this project. Garey would like to have the grounds/transportation/facilities committee to meet with Facility Advocate on this project. Garey stated the senior board member will be added at the October meeting. Board and committee reports Board information Finance/Budget/Legislation committee: Met September 2, 2025 at 5:15 PM. Transportation/Facilities/Grounds committee: Will meet by the end of the month. Curriculum/Activities/Staff Development committee Americanism committee Negotiations committee Consent Agenda Motion to approve the consent agenda passed with a motion by Stamm and a second by Fries. L Stamm: Yea, Stamm: Yea, Fries: Yea, Ladenburger: Yea, Lorens: Yea, Lutz: Yea, Noffsinger: Yea. Yea: 7, Nay: 0, Absent: 2. The consent agenda includes the verification of notice of the meeting by publication in the Scoop Media News, a legal newspaper for Dundy County and to each member of the board, approval of the minutes from the August 11, 2025 and August 20, 2025, the approval of the bills as presented in the amount of $737,745.67 for the general fund $29,379.65 for the nutrition fund; $17,149.16 for the activity fund; $101,408.23 for the special building fund. Business Meeting Financial Report Motion to approve the financial report as presented passed with a motion by Ladenburger and a second by Lorens. Stamm: Yea, Fries: Yea, Ladenburger: Yea, Lorens: Yea, Lutz: Yea, Noffsinger: Yea, L Stamm: Yea. Yea: 7, Nay: 0, Absent: 2. Tax Request WHEREAS, public was given at least four days in advance of a Special Public Hearing called for the purpose of discussing and approving or modifying the District’s Tax Requests for the 2025-2026 school fiscal year for the General Fund, Bond Fund, Special Building Fund, and Qualified Capital Purpose Undertaking Fund of Dundy County School District 117; and, WHEREAS, such Special Public Hearing was held before the Board of Education (hereinafter “the Board”) of Dundy County School District 117 (hereinafter “the District”) at the time, date, and place announced in the notice published in a newspaper of general circulation, a copy of which notice and proof of publication of which is attached hereto as Exhibit A, all as required by law; and, WHEREAS, the Board provided an opportunity to receive comment, information and evidence from persons in attendance at such Special Hearing; and, WHEREAS, the total assessed value of the property differs from last year’s total assessed value by 7.93% the tax rate which would levy the same amount of property taxes as last year, when multiplied by the new total assessed value of property would be $0.513328 per $100 of assessed value; the Dundy County Stratton Public School proposes to adopt a property tax requests that will cause its tax rate to be $0.533229 per $100 of assessed value. WHEREAS, based on the proposed property tax request and changes in other revenue, the total operating budget of Dundy County School District 117 will exceed last year’s by 54.78% percent. WHEREAS, the Board, after having reviewed the District’s Tax Requests for each said fund, and after public consideration of the matter, has determined that the Final Tax Requests as listed below are necessary in order to carry out the functions of the District, as determined by the Board for the 2025-2026 school fiscal year. NOW BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED that (1) the Tax Request for the General Fund should be, and hereby is set at $5,628,283.00; (2) the Tax Request for the Special Building Fund should be, and hereby is set at $ 742,424.00; and (3) the Tax Request for the Qualified Capital Purpose Undertaking Fund should be, and hereby is set at $ 0 passed with a motion by Stamm and a second by Ladenburger. Fries: Yea, Ladenburger: Yea, Lorens: Yea, Lutz: Yea, Noffsinger: Yea, L Stamm: Yea, Stamm: Yea. Yea: 7, Nay: 0, Absent: 2. 2025-2026 Budget Motion to approve the budget for 2025-2026 as presented and published passed with a motion by Stamm and a second by Lorens. Ladenburger: Yea, Lorens: Yea, Lutz: Yea, Noffsinger: Yea, L Stamm: Yea, Stamm: Yea, Fries: Yea. Yea: 7, Nay: 0, Absent: 2. Request for Mid-Term Graduation Motion to approve Mid-Term Graduation for Jasper Foster passed with a motion by L Stamm and a second by Fries. Lorens: Yea, Lutz: Yea, Noffsinger: Yea, L Stamm: Yea, Stamm: Yea, Fries: Yea, Ladenburger: Yea. Yea: 7, Nay: 0, Absent: 2. Policy 4025 Motion to revise policy 4025 to increase the dollar amount to $10,000.00 passed with a motion by Lorens and a second by Fries. Lutz: Yea, Noffsinger: Yea, L Stamm: Yea, Stamm: Yea, Fries: Yea, Ladenburger: Yea, Lorens: Yea. Yea: 7, Nay: 0, Absent: 2. NASB Information The state conference is November 19-21, 2025 in Omaha. Stamm discussed the area membership meeting topic of ACE’s. Legislation Adjourn Motion to adjourn 7:37 passed with a motion by Ladenburger and a second by Stamm. Noffsinger: Yea, L Stamm: Yea, Stamm: Yea, Fries: Yea, Ladenburger: Yea, Lorens: Yea, Lutz: Yea. Yea: 7, Nay: 0, Absent: 2. Jennifer Fries, Secretary
General Fund Authorization September 2025
Accelerated Receivables Solutions – – – – – -Payroll – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – -369.82
Colonial Life – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – -Payroll – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – -31.20
Dundy County School Cafe Plan – – – – – – -Payroll – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – -676.67
EFTPS – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – -Payroll – – – – – – – – – – – – -82,490.51
Healthplan Services, Inc – – – – – – – – – – – -Payroll – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – -750.90
LegalShield – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – -Payroll – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – -41.85
MG Trust Company – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – -Payroll – – – – – – – – – – – – – – -7,298.00
Nebraska Dept of Revenue – – – – – – – – – – -Payroll – – – – – – – – – – – – – -10,974.47
Nebraska School Retirement System – – – -Payroll – – – – – – – – – – – – – -45,236.14
Transamerica Employee Benefits – – – – – -Payroll – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – -224.30
Blue Cross-Blue Shield – – – – – – – – – – – – – -Payroll – – – – – – – – – – – – – -75,859.56
Madison National Life Ins Co Inc – – – – – -Payroll – – – – – – – – – – – – – – -1,961.70
Mutual of Omaha – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – -Payroll – – – – – – – – – – – – – – -1,543.45
Payroll – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – -Payroll – – – – – – – – – – – – -242,014.39
ABC Bus Inc. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – -Repairs – – – – – – – – – – – – – – -1,181.31
Al’s Lock & Safe Inc – – – – – – – – – – -Isonas Software Lic – – – – – – – – – -1,272.24
Amazon Capital Services – – – – – – – – – – – -Supplies – – – – – – – – – – – – – – -950.70
Black Hills Energy – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – -Gas – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – -518.55
Brico Pest Control – – – – – – – – – – -Spraying Mice/Roaches – – – – – – – – – -120.00
BWTELCOM – – – – – – – – -Communications:Phone, Data, Internet – – – -495.85
Cengage Learning Inc – – – – – – – – – – – -Subscription – – – – – – – – – – – – – -495.00
City of Benkelman – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – -C&D Site – – – – – – – – – – – – – – -359.20
City Of Benkelman – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – -Utilities – – – – – – – – – – – – – -12,425.12
Cornhusker Internat’l Trucks – – – – – – – -Repairs #7 – – – – – – – – – – – – – – -567.59
Crane River Theater – – – – – – – – – – – – -The Outsider – – – – – – – – – – – – – -570.00
Eakes Office Products – – – – – – – – – -Custodial Supplies – – – – – – – – – -4,522.32
ESU # 10 – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – -Technical Support – – – – – – – – – – -1,346.25
Esu #15 – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – -SPED 8 of 8 – – – – – – – – – – – -25,124.61
Farmers Co-op Grain & Supply – – – – – – – – -Fuel – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – -3,561.62
Frenchman Valley Coop McCook – – – – – -Repairs – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – -861.40
Glass-Pros – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – -Repair – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – -300.00
Grace Market – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – -Supplies – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – -39.41
Hometown Leasing – – – – – – – – – – – – – -Copier Lease – – – – – – – – – – – – -1,603.98
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing CoMAP Testing – – – – – – – – – – -2,052.50
Imperial NAPA – – – – – – – – – – – – – – -Supplies/Repairs – – – – – – – – – – -1,188.40
Impero Solutions Inc – – – – – – – – – – – -25-26 Renewal – – – – – – – – – – – -1,000.00
Innovative Office Solutions, LLC – – – – – – Supplies —————————57.90
IXL Learning – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – License renewal ——————-4,753.00
JAZMAT Enteprises, LLC – – – – – – – – Gym Floor Finish——————-1,514.25
KISSFLOW INC – – – – – – – – – – – – – Subscription Renewal —————4,200.00
Lakeshore Learning Materials LLC – – – – – Supplies———————-39,043.56
Lorens, Patrick – – – – – – – – March/Apr/May/July/Aug IT Hours——-4,423.80
May, Shiloh – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Mileage for Inservice——————–32.20
McCook Gazette- – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Subscription ———————–324.00
NASB ALICAP – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – 2025-2026 Premium ————-134,367.00
National Art & School Supplies Inc. 25-26 ESU Supplies——————-506.68
National Association for Music Education – Dues —————————–72.00
Nebraska Assn of School Boards – – – – – NAEP Dues ————————-65.00
Nebraska Schoolmasters Club – – – 25-26 Supt Dues-Garey ——————40.00
Omnify Benefits- – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – 125 Plan Fee ————————50.00
Owens Implement & Supply – – – – – – Supplies/Repairs ——————1,383.72
Prairie States Comm. Inc – – – – – – – Bus Radio Deductible —————2,500.00
Rocky Mountain Low Voltage – – – – Monthly Monitoring——————–60.00
Rogue Fitness HQ – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Supplies————————–736.47
Sapp Bros. Petroleum – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Supplies ———————–3,929.75
Schroeder, Cindy – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Services ————————–313.60
Scoop Media LLC – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Advertising————————369.64
Select Abbey Carpet & Tile LLC- – – – – – – – Repairs ————————1,690.00
SmartSign – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – New building safety signs—————-227.50
SWPPD- – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Bus Radio Service ———————53.00
Tracy Lambley – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – PD reimbursment ——————–150.00
Unifirst Corporation – – – – – – – – – – – Custodial Supplies——————–746.70
US Bank – – – – – – – – – – – – – Subscriptions/Supplies/Conferences ——-5,181.69
Van Diest Supply Company – – – – – – – – – – Supplies————————–455.44
Verified First – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Background Checks ——————–98.20
Verizon Wireless- – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Cell Service ————————-40.01
Village of Stratton – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Utilities ————————–331.55
TOTAL- – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – ———————– $ 737,745.67
Special Building Fund Authorization September 2025
TCC Corporation – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Roundabout ————— $ 101,408.23
PUBLISHED: SEPTEMBER 18, 2025; SMN:ZNEZ