Papillion La Vista board approves superintendent contract, salary increases and $55 million bond authorization

Papillion La Vista Community Schools' Board of Education approved several personnel and financing items during its May 12 meeting, including a three-year contract for Superintendent Dr. Andrew Rickley, administrative pay adjustments for 2025–26 and a resolution authorizing up to $55,000,000 in general obligation school building bonds, as well as routine consent items that included a driver’s education contract.

The board voted to approve a three-year employment agreement for Dr. Andrew Rickley with a listed salary of $273,947.31 for the 2025–26 school year. The motion to approve the superintendent’s contract was moved by Mister Lotus and seconded by Miss Wood; the roll call vote was recorded as unanimous and the motion carried.

The board also approved changes to the certified administrative salary structure for the 2025–26 school year. The certified administrator base salary was set at $74,290, reflecting a package increase averaging 4.035% for certified administrators and a 3.8% recommended increase for assistant superintendents. Mister Lotus moved the motion and Mister Madler seconded; the motion carried on a roll call vote.

Board members authorized the issuance of general obligation bonds not to exceed $55,000,000, as approved by the district's 2023 bond election, to continue the current construction schedule for bond projects. Brett Richards introduced Cody Wickham of DA Davidson, who briefed the board on market timing and preliminary pricing plans. "We're gonna go with our preliminary pricing tomorrow and then hold our order period on Wednesday," Cody Wickham said, describing plans to price the bonds imminently and citing competitive market comparisons from recent municipal issues. The motion to approve the bond resolution was moved by Mister Madler and seconded by Mister Lotus and carried on a recorded roll call.

A drivers-education contract with ESU 3 (listed under the meeting packet as issue 20) was approved as part of the board's action by consent. The board noted the district annually approves this arrangement and that most students who take driver's education opt for private providers.

Votes at a glance: - Action by consent (includes drivers-education contract): Motion by Mister Madler; second by Miss Butler. Outcome: approved (roll call recorded all present voting yes). Note: item was included on the consent list; no separate discussion beyond an explanation that most students use private providers. - Administrative salaries 2025–26: Motion by Mister Lotus; second by Mister Madler. Approved. Details: certified administrator base salary set to $74,290; average package increase 4.035% for certified administrators; assistant superintendents 3.8% recommended package increase. - Superintendent contract (three years): Motion by Mister Lotus; second by Miss Wood. Approved. Salary listed for 2025–26: $273,947.31. The board noted the contract reflects the district's adherence to state retirement contribution rules and that the figure presented represents a maximum pending final MPERS guidance. - General obligation bond issuance (resolution): Motion by Mister Madler; second by Mister Lotus. Approved. Amount authorized: not to exceed $55,000,000, in support of 2023 bond election projects. District financial advisor Cody Wickham briefed the board on planned pricing and market conditions.

The meeting packet and staff presenters included supporting details on the salary recommendations from human resources and an explanatory presentation on bond timing and market assumptions from DA Davidson. Board members stated no further public votes on these items were required after roll call approvals at the meeting.

The board recorded all motions and roll-call results in the meeting minutes; the district will proceed with bond pricing and finalize contract paperwork consistent with the board approvals.