Board approves teacher contract, military-family resolution and Bell Elementary construction contract

The Papillion La Vista Community Schools Board of Education on Jan. 27 approved several formal actions, including a one-year teacher negotiated agreement, a resolution backing military-connected families and a construction contract for renovations at Bell Elementary.

The board approved a 2025–26 teacher negotiated contract that the district and the Papillion-La Vista Education Association (PLEA) ratified. The package is a 4.69% total increase, includes vertical and horizontal salary movement, and raises the base salary by $950 to $40,750 for the 2025–26 school year. Insurance coverage will continue through the district’s Employee Health Alliance plan using Blue Cross Blue Shield of Nebraska, with multiple network choices including a PPO and a high-deductible option. The board approved the contract in a roll-call vote following a presentation from district negotiators.

The contract matters because certified staff compensation is a major recurring expense for the district. Superintendent Dr. Rickley and business staff said the district can use cash reserves in the near term but expects to present a budget and possible vote later this year to secure additional revenue to sustain the increase.

The board also adopted a resolution supporting military-connected families and steps toward Purple Star school designations across the district. The resolution — advanced after remarks from Colonel Kaliciak of Offutt Air Force Base and staff presenters — passed by roll call.

Separately, the board awarded a lump-sum construction contract to Genesis Contracting Group for the Bell Elementary front-entry and safety/security renovations. The contract amount including selected alternates is $2,889,500. The administration said D.R. Anderson had been the apparent low bidder but was disqualified due to inaccurate subcontractor information; Genesis was the next low bidder and has prior K–12 project experience. The motion also delegated authority to the board president, superintendent and district business officials to execute the contract, sign change orders and take other actions necessary to implement the project.

Other routine actions approved included the meeting’s consent agenda and a motion to excuse two board members from the meeting. All recorded roll-call votes on the items listed above were unanimous.

Votes at a glance - Motion to excuse absences of Ms. Sue Ann Witt and Ms. Lisa Wood; mover: Mr. Bailey; second: Mr. Madler; roll-call: Butler — yes; Madler — yes; Lotis — yes; Bailey — yes; outcome: approved. - Action by consent (consent agenda); mover: Mr. Bailey; second: Mr. Madler; roll-call: Madler — yes; Lotis — yes; Bailey — yes; Butler — yes; outcome: approved. - Approve 2025–26 teacher negotiated agreement (4.69% total package; $950 base increase to $40,750; one-year agreement); mover: Mr. Madler; second: Ms. Butler; roll-call: Lotis — yes; Bailey — yes; Butler — yes; Madler — yes; outcome: approved. - Adopt resolution supporting military-connected families and Purple Star efforts; mover: Mr. Bailey; second: Mr. Madler; roll-call: Bailey — yes; Butler — yes; Madler — yes; Lotis — yes; outcome: approved. - Approve lump-sum construction contract with Genesis Contracting Group for Bell Elementary (including alternates) for $2,889,500 and delegate execution authority to district officers; mover: Mr. Madler; second: Ms. Butler; roll-call: Butler — yes; Madler — yes; Lotis — yes; Bailey — yes; outcome: approved.

The board recorded no no-votes or abstentions on these items at the meeting. The administration said additional budget steps may follow later this year to reflect the teacher contract in the district’s adopted budget.