Board approves multiple contracts and capital projects; Hope Squad program fails to pass

The Kearney R‑I School District Board of Education on an administrative agenda ratified a series of vendor contracts and construction amendments, accepted multiple program agreements and curriculum services, and heard construction and financial updates. A proposal to implement the Hope Squad peer-support program for grades 4–7 failed to pass after discussion and a roll-call vote.

Board members voted on a package of operational and capital items including: Amendment No. 10 to the Newkirk Novak contract (deferred maintenance projects), an expanded scope for Quality Roofing on the middle school facade/soffit work, ratification of a Musco Sports Lighting purchase to replace stadium poles and lights, approval of boilers from American Boiler, a three-year agreement for Linewize/Classwize classroom and filtering products from Strike Security, an agreement for additional security cameras with American Digital Security, a copier lease and print‑study implementation with Sumner1, a residency‑verification agreement with Thomson Reuters, a pilot physical‑therapy telehealth agreement with Aware Health, Wallsworth yearbook purchase, and Project STEM curriculum for the high school. Most of these items were approved by voice vote after brief staff presentations.

Several items were described in board discussion before votes. Amendment No. 10 was presented as a package of four deferred‑maintenance projects (roof ladder accesses at the high school; districtwide security film; middle school west/north facade work; and a kitchen hood replacement at Hawthorne) to be managed by Newkirk Novak using bond funds. Quality Roofing’s scope expansion was described as tying into the Newkirk work to replace rotten fascia/soffit and install a continuous metal top cap, with a 25‑year Garland warranty. The Musco purchase was presented as a time‑sensitive safety and reliability decision after one stadium pole snapped in high winds; insurance will cover two poles and the district opted to replace all four poles with LED fixtures to ensure consistent lighting and warranty coverage.

Several service and curriculum agreements were approved: Strike Security’s Linewize/Classwize suite for filtering and classroom management (three‑year term), Sumner1 copier/printer lease following a print study that reduced devices from 105 to 57 and produced annual costs of $92,811.60 for five years, a residency verification product with Thomson Reuters to narrow families requiring manual verification, and Project STEM materials to expand computer science options at the high school. The Aware Health tele‑MSK pilot (May–June, staff only, free pilot) was approved to evaluate potential cost savings on musculoskeletal care. The board also approved routine purchases including American Digital Security camera installs for new buildings and Wallsworth yearbooks.

In contrast to the approvals, a staff recommendation to adopt Hope Squad — a peer‑led, evidence‑based early intervention program that would train nominated students and two staff facilitators at each participating elementary — drew extended discussion and ultimately failed to pass on a 3–3 split. Board members who opposed or expressed hesitation cited concerns about student age and whether peer responsibility could create unintended pressure, while supporters highlighted survey data and the program’s track record in other Northland districts and emphasized parental consent and staff oversight. After debate, the board chair announced that with six voting members present the measure did not carry.

Other business included certification of recent election results, oath of office and seating of newly elected board members, election of board president and vice president, and approval of district designations (treasurer, alternate treasurer, secretary, alternate secretary). Board members were also given a bond‑project construction update and financial forecast report.

Votes at a glance (motions summarized from meeting record): - Approve agenda as presented — approved (voice vote). - Amendment No. 10 with Newkirk Novak (deferred maintenance package using bond funds) — approved (voice vote). - Addition to agreement with Quality Roofing (middle school fascia/soffit work, warranty) — approved (voice vote). - Ratify purchase of Musco Sports Lighting (four stadium poles and LED fixtures; insurance covers two poles) — ratified (voice vote). - Approve agreement with American Boiler for replacement boilers at Southview (RFP; bid award) — approved (voice vote). - Approve Strike Security (Linewize/Classwize) three‑year agreement (filtering/classroom management) — approved (voice vote). - Approve American Digital Security camera agreement for new buildings — approved (voice vote). - Approve Sumner1 copier/printer lease following Print Study ($92,811.60 per year for five years) — approved (voice vote). - Approve Thomson Reuters residency‑verification agreement (annual residency checks) — approved (voice vote). - Approve Aware Health MSK telehealth pilot for staff (May–June, free pilot) — approved (voice vote). - Approve Wallsworth yearbook agreement — approved (voice vote). - Approve Project STEM curriculum agreement for high school computer science expansion — approved (voice vote). - Approve board policies on first reading (C‑140‑P, C‑155‑P, G‑235‑P, I‑100‑P, I‑140‑P) — first reading approved as presented. - Approve certification of election and administer oath of office to newly elected board members Jason Clint and Christina Lindsey — approved (roll call for certification; oath administered). - Dissolve outgoing board and seat newly sworn members; elect board president (Darlene Bailey) and vice president — completed per roll call.

Notes and clarifications: where the transcript recorded only a voice vote with no roll‑call tally, the record indicates the motion was approved after the board chair called for “All in favor/Opposed.” For the Hope Squad item, the clerk announced that, with six members voting, the motion did not receive a majority and therefore failed. Several approvals were explicitly identified as funded from the 2022 bond (deferred maintenance, roofing, construction). Insurance coverage was noted for two stadium poles; the district chose to replace all four for warranty and lighting consistency.

The board set application and interview dates for a board vacancy created by the resignation of Lynn Broughton (application deadline May 8; interviews 05/21/2025; selection at the June regular meeting), and staff provided updates on bond project construction progress and the district financial forecast.

Provenance for actions in this article is drawn from the meeting transcript sections listing agenda motions, presentations and roll calls.