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Votes at a glance: Norfolk Public Schools board approves buses, curriculum adoptions and policies; interim superintendent interviews set
Summary
At its meeting the Norfolk Public Schools board approved consent items, purchases of a microbus and a 65‑passenger route bus, adopted two new textbook programs for elementary social studies and high‑school science, approved multiple policy readings, and voted to interview two candidates for interim superintendent.
The Norfolk Public Schools Board of Education recorded a series of formal actions Wednesday, including purchases of vehicles, curricular adoptions, readings of business‑operation policies and a directive to interview two interim superintendent candidates.
Consent agenda and claims: The consent agenda was approved following a conflict disclosure on claim 441; the board voted to carry the consent agenda by roll call (motion carried 6–0). The finance report earlier in the meeting listed claims by fund including a general fund claim total of $348,407.72 and a special building fund total of $661,373.80 as part of routine claims reporting.
Vehicle purchases: The board approved purchase of a Thomas Built microbus for $103,875 intended for special‑education routes (lift and removable seat harnesses) and eligible for an 80% special‑education reimbursement. The motion to purchase the microbus passed 6–0. The board separately approved purchase of a 65‑passenger route bus from Cornhusker International for $127,940; that motion also passed 6–0.
Curriculum adoptions: The board approved a six‑year adoption of Studies Weekly for kindergarten through grade 3 social studies at a total cost of $76,139.40 (approximately $10.57 per student per year for the contract term). The board also approved a seven‑year purchase of McGraw‑Hill Inspire for physical and earth science at the senior high, at a total cost of $81,246.34 (approximately $21.99 per student per year for physical science). Both motions passed 6–0.
Policy readings: The board approved the reading of policies 3230 through 3580 related to business operations (motion carried 6–0). The final reading and approval of Board Policy 8130 (annual organizational meeting) passed 5–1, with Steve McNally recorded as voting nay. The board also approved final readings of other superintendent‑evaluation policies (policy 2320 and standing committee policy 8157) by 6–0 votes.
Executive session and personnel matters: The board convened into executive session to consider personnel matters (motions carried 6–0). After reconvening, a motion to accept the resignation of an identified staff member (Megan Lovejoy) effective 2025‑04‑16 failed on a 0–6 vote (all board members voting nay). Later the board voted to interview candidates E and F for the interim superintendent position and approved the interview invitations on a 6–0 vote. The board discussed the interview schedule and question set for April 28.
Votes and motions at a glance (selected): microbus purchase — approved 6–0 ($103,875); route bus purchase — approved 6–0 ($127,940); Studies Weekly (K–3 social studies) — approved 6–0 ($76,139.40, 6‑year term); McGraw Hill Inspire (physical/earth science) — approved 6–0 ($81,246.34, 7‑year term); Board Policy 8130 (final reading) — approved 5–1 (nay: Steve McNally); motion to interview interim superintendent candidates E and F — approved 6–0. Other consent and policy readings likewise passed as shown on the meeting record.
