Ralston board approves consent agenda, $500,000 depreciation transfer and policy removals; to consider 5% tax-authority option later

The Ralston Public Schools Board of Education voted on several routine and budget items during its Aug. 11 meeting, approving the consent agenda, a depreciation-fund transfer, removal of a duplicated policy and a training-time resolution.

Consent agenda: The board approved the consent agenda as presented. The consent package included minutes from the July 28 meeting; the July financial report; and July bills noting $1,353,110.32 for the general fund and $3,879,747.69 for the special building fund. The board recorded a roll-call voice vote; the meeting transcript recorded the following vote responses when the chair called the roll: Missus Richards (Aye), Missus Huff (Aye), Missus Rorty (Aye), Missus Coomer (Aye), Missus Krauss (Aye), Missus Willing (Aye). Motion passed.

Depreciation fund transfer: The board approved a transfer of $500,000 from the general fund to the depreciation fund by a recorded vote. The transfer was described by staff as supporting technology refresh and maintaining the district’s fleet of buses and maintenance vehicles. The meeting recorded the following votes when the board called the roll: Missus Huff (Aye), Missus Richards (Aye), Missus Cross (Aye), Missus Willie (Aye), Miss Rorty (Aye), Missus Kimbrell (Aye). Motion passed.

Policy removal: The board voted to eliminate Policy 50-47 (press releases), noting the topic is duplicated in Policy 3017 and removing the redundant policy will simplify the code. The transcript indicates the motion came from Carrie with a second from Liz; the motion passed by roll call with unanimous affirmative responses recorded.

Training-time resolution: The board approved a resolution establishing minimum training times for various staff areas. The resolution implements authority granted by state law (the transcript referenced LB 1329 as background for board authority to set training requirements by resolution). The motion was moved and seconded (transcript names: Mary and Katie), discussed briefly by staff, and approved by roll-call vote with all members voting Aye.

Property-tax authority and tech tax request: Dr. Breeding (district finance) presented the district’s property-tax authority figures for fiscal 2025–26 and advised the board that the state provides two numbers: the initial property-tax authority and an optional additional 5% the board can vote to make available but not spend. Dr. Breeding recommended the board strongly consider approving the additional 5% as insurance against uncertain state school-finance changes; no formal vote on the 5% option took place during the meeting. Staff told the board the district’s proposed budgeted property-tax levies would remain below the state’s initial authority for the year.

Next steps: Staff said the board will return to the property-tax-authority decision at a future meeting and will receive additional detail on arbitrage liabilities, bond-fund balances, and retirement of outstanding project contracts at the retreat and subsequent meetings.