February 9, 2026 at 6:30 PM - Monthly Meeting

Discussion:  Mrs. Lowry shared about the HS students that attended the FHSU Math Relays.  She also talked about the MS Girls basketball team. Lastly, she told the board about the National Honor Society induction ceremony to be held on March 23rd; the guest speaker will be Ashton Gebhard. 

Discussion:  Ms. Preston shared this Thursday, students will be having their Valentine's parties. Next Tuesday is the 100th day of school and kids are looking forward to those activities. She also shared that HS cheer sponsor has kept her quite busy this year. 

Discussion:  Mrs. Thalheim discussed several different projects and subjects that were being covered in her science classes.  She also shared about the fund raising she is doing to purchase new shot clocks and scoreboards. The expense will be quite extensive, as old boards do not work with the new equipment.  If you would like to assist in the expense of this endeavor, please contact her. 

Discussion:  Mr. Gebhard updated the board on the vehicles: Bus #1 window has been repaired, Bus #20 started smoking today ... so Randy will take a look at it, and Suburban #3 is out of commission (probable blown rod). Mr. Tharman recommended opening up the suburban for sealed bids locally rather than using Purple Wave. 

Discussion:  Mr. Tharman shared with the board the rubric that will be used to help determine which course of action will be taken at the end of the school year to accommodate students next year.  There will need to be some classroom shuffling.  The rubric will be used to take the subjectivity out of the equation and allow the administration to make a decision that will best serve our students. 
The plan is to use the rubric at the in-service with each scenario they have been brainstorming over the past several months. 

Discussion:  Mr. Gebhard shared the design the fifth grade class has chosen for the prints on the Long Island front door.  He also shared the first set of design prints for the Almena main entrances. 

Discussion:  Mr. Tharman shared the Action Plan that was put in place last school year and that the annual review is scheduled for March 3rd. There is a virtual meeting on Wednesday that two DLT members will be attending which outlines the expectations for the annual review. Preparation for the review will be done the afternoon of the in-service. 

Discussion:  At 7:13 PM, Mr. Tharman was called into the executive session. 
At 7:18 PM the meeting returned to open session; no action taken.

Discussion:  Mr. Tharman shared the results of the WKLL Scholarship testing that was done in December.  Board members expressed congratulations to those students and their success. 
 

Discussion:  Mr. Tharman shared the following: Title services community assessment completed (50% response)/ KICS Insurance meeting/ new Am. Fidelity rep here tomorrow/ State Fire Marshal inspection today/ Boiler inspector tomorrow/ CHANGE in BB schedule - Monday, Feb. 16th game is a HOME game/ 11th - Ag Mechanics/ Wellness Comm. mtg./ 13th- Inservice/ BB vs. G. Plains/ Senior recognition/ 14th - Forensics meet in Norton/ Much more basketball remainder of month/ FFA to Kearney, for the Nebraska Cattlemen's Classic/ FFA Week 23rd - 27th/ Hosting Forensics on 28th- those interested in helping contact Mrs. Grote.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

Discussion:  Mr. Gebhard reported the following: Last week of JH BB (League tournament)/ JH Scholars Bowl has started up/ Spelling Bee winners on January 21st were Aria Sheley (1st) and Asher Van Patten (2nd) and the winner of the Norton County Spelling Bee on February 4th was Khiyana Burge of Norton/ a big THANK YOU to Mrs. Mordecai for putting these together/ Hero Essay winner this year was Avreigh McCue/ Elevator representative was here and has provided bids on possible units for the Long Island building/ Fourth grade attended Eagle Day in Kirwin/ students participated in Global Play Day/ There is one more session and then all the GS teachers will have completed LETR's training/ Mr. Gebhard completed his today.